You're Dead to Me

Greg Jenner and his guests Prof Michael Scott and comedian Shaparak Khorsandi limber up for a trip to the ancient Olympics. Discover the drastic measures taken to prevent women watching the action. Hear how the gruelling challenges brought a whole new meaning to the term "leaving it all on the field" and how even death couldn’t stop you winning.For the full-length verion of this episode, please look further back in the feed.

Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Tineke D’Haeseleer and comedian Evelyn Mok in medieval China to explore the Tang Dynasty. Known as the Golden Age of China, it was the time of China’s Emperor Wu, the only woman to hold power in her own right, and Emperor Xuanzong who became so bored with austerity he came up with a unique way to have fun.For the full-length verion of this episode, please look further back in the feed.

Greg Jenner is joined by historian Gabby Storey and comedian Rachel Parris to take a look at the action-packed life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was the only woman ever to be queen of both England and France. She took to the seas on a crusade and packed her entire household with her. She bore ten children and defended a castle, yet most of her life was spent clearing up her offsprings' mess. So just why is this badass queen’s legacy eclipsed by that of her sons?For the full-length verion of this episode, please look further back in the feed.

Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Corin Throsby and Stuart Goldsmith to look at early cultural fandom in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although many consider Beatlemania to be the start of what is now considered fan culture, Greg and his guests consider some much earlier and often hilarious examples of the birth of fandom. This episode was recorded live at the 2022 Hay Festival.You’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. Research by Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow Written by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow Project Management: Isla Matthews Audio Producer: Abi Paterson

Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Tim Wingard and Kiri Pritchard-McLean to look at what we know about animals in medieval Europe. From hunting and farming to companionship and entertainment, animals have long been a part of our culture but how did the beliefs and treatment of animals by our medieval ancestors inform our societal values today? And just how do you lick a bear into shape?!You’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. Research by Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow Written by Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow Project Management: Isla Matthews Audio Producer: Max Bower

Greg Jenner is joined by Prof Amira Bennison and Nabil Abdulrashid in medieval Morocco to meet the globetrotter Ibn Battuta. This 14th-century traveller covered a mind-boggling 73,000 miles and is the author of arguably one of the world’s most famous travel logs.You’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. Research by Jon Mason Written by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner with Jon Mason Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow Project Management: Isla Matthews Audio Producer: Max Bower

Greg Jenner is joined by Dr David Rooney and Desiree Burch at the literal beginning of time to explore the history of timekeeping. Covering everything from the origins of timekeeping to time in space, we even learn how you can smell the time! Above all, we finally find out who you can blame for daylight savings and the real reason it was invented.You’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. Research by Rosie Rich Written by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow Project Management: Isla Matthews Audio Producer: Steve Hankey

Greg Jenner is joined in 17th-century West Africa by Dr Daniel F. Silva and Athena Kugblenu to meet the warrior queen, Njinga of Ndongo and Matamba. One of the most formidable queens in history, Njinga lived a tumultuous life and was able to defy Portuguese colonial rule for decades. For such a successful ruler, not much is known about her. Much of what is said about her in European and Western stories paints a picture of a cold-hearted, bloodthirsty warlord. But how much of that is true?You’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.Research by Rosie Rich Written by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner with Rosie Rich Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow Project Management: Isla Matthews Audio Producer: Max Bower

Greg Jenner is joined in Ancient China by Professor Julia Lovell and special guest Phil Wang as they take a closer look at The Terracotta Army. In 1974 a family of farmers made arguably the greatest archaeological discovery of all time when they uncovered arrowheads and fragments of terracotta whilst digging a well. Join us as we examine one of the most astounding mausoleum sites in the world - one so large that much of it still remains to be explored. Research by Jon Mason Written by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner with Jon Mason Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow Project Management: Isla Matthews Audio Producer: Abi PatersonThe Athletic production for BBC Radio 4

Host Greg Jenner is joined by Prof Gretchen Gerzina and special guest Kwame Asante in Georgian England as they meet some of the leading figures of Black History. With communities thriving in London and the port cities of England, we take a look at some of the amazing life stories of the time. From writers, musicians, sailors, heirs and heiresses, we examine how vital their work was in preserving the lived experience of Black people in Georgian England.You’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4 Research by Genevieve Johnson-Smith Written by Emma Nagouse, Genevieve Johnson-Smith, Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner. Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow Project Management: Isla Matthews Audio Producer: Abi Paterson