

You're Dead to Me
BBC Radio 4
The comedy podcast that takes history seriously. In each episode of You’re Dead to Me from BBC Radio 4, Greg Jenner is joined by a comedian and an expert historian to learn and laugh about the past.History isn’t just about dates and textbooks – it’s about extraordinary characters, amazing stories, and some very questionable fashion choices. How long did it take to build an Egyptian pyramid? What does the Bayeux Tapestry reveal about medieval life? Why did it take nearly half a millennium for Joan of Arc to become a saint? And was Catherine the Great really all that great? Whether you want to explore ancient landmarks like Stonehenge and Machu Picchu, dance through the history of Broadway and Bollywood, or find out how the Tudors rose to power, Greg and his guests promise to teach you something new that you won’t have heard in history lessons.Previous episodes of You’re Dead To Me have covered everything from royals to revolutionaries, actors to activists and divas to dictators. Take a stroll through the history of high-heeled shoes or get the scoop on the history of ice cream. Maybe you’d like to paint like the cave artists of the Palaeolithic era, work out like a Victorian bodybuilder, or fight like a Spartan? We’ve even hosted a special, live episode with the BBC Concert Orchestra to explore the dramatic life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.Whatever your historical interests, Greg and his guests make even the trickiest topics easy to follow. Join them for a history lesson that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening - with no homework required.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 17, 2022 • 55min
Hatshepsut
Greg Jenner is joined by special guests Kemah Bob and Dr Campbell Price as they head back to Ancient Egypt to meet the unique and powerful ruler, Hatshepsut. She reigned for over 20 years, built a temple which is still admired today, had a ‘special’ relationship with statues and was one of the first rulers to focus on divinity rather than gender norms. So why did history try to erase her?The Athletic production for BBC Radio 4

Jun 10, 2022 • 1h 2min
Frederick the Great of Prussia
Greg Jenner is joined by special guests Stephen Fry and Dr Bodie Ashton as they travel back to 18th-century Prussia to meet Frederick the Great. Widely known for making Prussia a military power while modernising and liberalising culture, Frederick was a complicated character, shaped by a tragic childhood ruled by his cruel father. We uncover why he wasn’t the greatest ally to neighbouring countries, and why forks enraged his father - and answer the crucial question of whether it's King of Prussia or King in Prussia.Written and produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow
Research by Claudia Treacher
Project Management: Siefe Miyo
Audio Producer: Abi PatersonThe Athletic production for BBC Radio 4

18 snips
Dec 17, 2021 • 1h 2min
Medieval Christmas
Greg and his guests Miles Jupp and Dr Eleanor Janega go back to the medieval Christmas for this one-off festive special. We look at the history and traditions that have thankfully continued through the ages, like gift-giving and stuffed wild boars (although numbers on stuffed wild boar we're told are down from previous years) and some that have mysteriously fallen off from the radar completely, like the masked carol singers and jellied eels. Research - Lloyd Roberts
Script- Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Project Management - Siefe Miyo
Edit Producer - Cornelius Mendez

5 snips
Nov 26, 2021 • 54min
Zheng Yi Sao
Greg Jenner, comedian Ria Lina and Prof Ronald C Po investigate one of the most successful pirates to have ever lived, Zheng Yi Sao. During the 18th century Qing dynasty, she led the most feared army of pirates the world had ever seen - all without a parrot on her shoulder.Research: Will Clayton
Script: Emma Nagouse, Will Clayton and Greg Jenner
Project Manager: Siefe Miyo
Edit Producer: Cornelius MendezA production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.

Nov 19, 2021 • 54min
Mary Wollstonecraft
Greg Jenner and his guests Dr Corin Throsby and comic Cariad Lloyd discuss the life and legacy of Mary Wollstonecraft. As a successful ghostwriter, an advocate of human rights and witty book critic, we look into how Mary Wollstonecraft navigated a tumultuous 'Reign of Terror' in France, A treasure hunt, and multiple heartbreaks to be recognised as the 'Mother of Feminism' in part to her book 'The Vindication of the Rights of Woman'. Research: Chris Wakefield and Rosanna Evans
Script: Emma Nagouse, Chris Wakefield and Greg Jenner
Project Manager: Siefe Miyo
Edit Producer: Cornelius Mendez

Nov 12, 2021 • 52min
The History of Ice Cream
Greg Jenner and his guests Dr Annie Gray and Richard Osman get the inside scoop on the history of this delicious dessert while packing in as many of their 'flavourite' ice cream puns as possible (final count: 15!). They savour the dubiously 'legendairy' origins of frozen cream dishes, explore some weird early flavours (whale vomit!), and discover how ice cream went from glamorous luxury to dangerous health risk. Plus Dr Annie teaches us how to make our own ice cream in the Nuance Window!"Research: Chris Wakefield
Script: Emma Nagouse, Chris Wakefield and Greg Jenner
Project Management: Siefe Miyo
Edit Producer: Cornelius Mendez

Nov 5, 2021 • 53min
Mary Seacole
Greg Jenner is joined by Prof Gretchen Gerzina and comedian Nathan Caton to delve into the extraordinary life and adventures of the 19th-century celebrity, Mary Seacole. Mary was born and raised in Jamaica and rose to fame as a businesswoman and a volunteer nurse during the Crimean War. The episode explores her childhood of practising healing techniques on her pets, the perils of Panama, her experience of cholera, how she dealt with racists, the risks of running a business in a warzone and why she loved being famous.Research: Hannah McKenzie
Script: Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Project management: Siefe Miyo
Edit producer: Cornelius Mendez

Oct 29, 2021 • 60min
Disability in the Ancient World
Greg Jenner is joined by comedian Rosie Jones and historian Dr Jane Draycott to discuss stories of disability from over a thousand years of history, including people with disabilities excelling on the battlefield and others with very well-dressed guide dogs.Research: Kierri Price
Script: Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Project manager: Siefe Miyo
Edit producer: Cornelius Mendez

Oct 22, 2021 • 53min
Owain Glyndŵr
Greg Jenner is joined by comedian Elis James and historian Dr Kathryn Hurlock to explore the life and political career of medieval Welsh rebel Owain Glyndŵr, the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales, who led an uprising against English rule. It’s an extraordinary tale of war, vengeance, poetry, annoying next-door neighbours, top-notch gardens and probably a lot of damp and drizzly battlefield action (and inaction). Plus Greg squeezes in an obligatory Tottenham Hotspur reference.Research: Kierri Price
Script: Emma Nagouse, Kierri Price and Greg Jenner
Project manager: Siefe Miyo
Edit producer: Cornelius Mendez

Oct 15, 2021 • 53min
Paul Robeson
Greg Jenner, comedian Desiree Burch and Prof Shana L. Redmond from Columbia University discuss the astonishing life and legacy of Paul Robeson: the epitome of the American Renaissance man. Famous for his unparalleled bass-baritone voice and relentless struggle for civil rights, Robeson was an exceptional athlete, actor, singer, scholar and civil rights activist who the American government persecuted during the McCarthy era.Research: William Clayton
Script: Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Project manager: Siefe Miyo
Edit producer: Cornelius Mendez


