The British Museum Membercast

Iszi and Julia speak to Finn Kennedy of Applied Stories to discuss the process behind bringing imagined voices from across time to life as part of the Eternal Telephone audio drama project. Please share your comments and feedback about the podcast! You can talk to us on Twitter @britishmuseum using the hashtag #BMUntold or email friends@britishmuseum.org

Curator of Oceania Alice Christophe chats to Iszi and Julia about the collaborative work undertaken with Pacific communities to transform the understanding, care and curation of collections from Hawaiʻi and Rapa Nui currently physically at the museum. Please share your comments and feedback about the podcast! You can talk to us on Twitter @britishmuseum using the hashtag #BMUntold or email friends@britishmuseum.org

Iszi and Julia meet with programme manager Claire Messenger and alumni to explore the importance of international collaboration for museums and heritage sites, and the ways in which a global network of professionals can provide support, resources, and innovative perspectives for these institutions. Please share your comments and feedback about the podcast! You can talk to us on Twitter @britishmuseum using the hashtag #BMUntold or email friends@britishmuseum.org

Have you ever wondered how objects are moved to and from the Museum?  Hear from Loans registrar Chris Stewart as he shares the intricate process of borrowing and lending cherished objects. Please share your comments and feedback about the podcast! You can talk to us on Twitter @britishmuseum using the hashtag #BMUntold or email friends@britishmuseum.org

Sébastien Rey, a curator at the British Museum and Mesopotamian archaeology expert, teams up with Rana Zuhair to discuss a vital initiative empowering Iraqi archaeologists amid cultural heritage challenges. They delve into thrilling excavations at the ancient temple of Ninyusu and the vital work at Girsu, revealing the emotional toll of cultural destruction. The duo also explores the history of writing, the significance of ancient inscriptions, and the complexities of translating Sumerian cuneiform, highlighting the importance of representation in archaeology.

The first in a new series, this episode of British Museum Untold sees Dr Julia Farley and Iszi Lawrence discover how explosions have affected objects, from bomb damage at the Museum during the Second World War, to the 2020 explosion in Beirut. They meet expert conservators, curators and archivists to find out how these objects have been painstakingly repaired. Please share your comments and feedback about the podcast! You can talk to us on Twitter @britishmuseum using the hashtag #BMUntold or email friends@britishmuseum.org

In this episode, Iszi speaks to Professor Alice Roberts, author of 'Ancestors' to discover what burial sites can tell us about Britain's prehistory. The British Museum Membercast is a monthly podcast made available to ‘all studious and curious persons’. Comedian, podcaster and super-fan Iszi Lawrence (The Z List Dead List) presents snippets from exclusive Members’ lectures at the Museum, artfully woven together with interviews and her own musings. Please share your comments and feedback about the podcast! You can talk to us on Twitter @britishmuseum using the hashtag #membercast or email friends@britishmuseum.org

In this episode, Iszi speaks to emotions expert Richard Firth-Godbehere to discuss how our emotions, from desire to disgust, have shaped the course of human history. The British Museum Membercast is a monthly podcast made available to ‘all studious and curious persons’. Comedian, podcaster and super-fan Iszi Lawrence (The Z List Dead List) presents snippets from exclusive Members’ lectures at the Museum, artfully woven together with interviews and her own musings. Please share your comments and feedback about the podcast! You can talk to us on Twitter @britishmuseum using the hashtag #membercast or email friends@britishmuseum.org

Iszi chats to children's author Caroline Lawrence about how the Museum and its artefacts have inspired her writing. Objects mentioned include a Roman baby feeder (Room 70) and a rock crystal die (Room 69). The British Museum Membercast is a monthly podcast made available to ‘all studious and curious persons’. Comedian, podcaster and super-fan Iszi Lawrence (The Z List Dead List) presents snippets from exclusive Members’ lectures at the Museum, artfully woven together with interviews and her own musings. Please share your comments and feedback about the podcast! You can talk to us on Twitter @britishmuseum using the hashtag #membercast or email friends@britishmuseum.org

Thorsten Opper, curator of the British Museum exhibition on Emperor Nero, dives into the complex legacy of this infamous ruler. He challenges the common narrative that portrays Nero as a tyrant, discussing the political motivations behind his vilification. Opper reveals fascinating insights into Nero's relationships, especially with his mother, and the societal impacts of wealth and conflict in ancient Rome. He also highlights unique artifacts that offer a richer understanding of Nero, contrasting with traditional accounts of his reign.