
You're Dead to Me
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.
Latest episodes

8 snips
Aug 19, 2023 • 29min
Atlantis (Radio Edit)
Experts discuss the myth of Atlantis, its origins in Plato's writings, theories and appropriation including Nazi involvement and the Minoans, allure of lost cities, lessons of hubris in Plato's story, and the reflection on modern world's state.

Aug 12, 2023 • 28min
Medieval Science (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner and his guests look at a range of scientific discoveries spanning 1000 years of history, widely known as the medieval period. How were knowledge and scientific findings shared across a world with its countless languages and regions before the internet?Greg is joined by Dr Seb Falk and comedian Josie Long to look at some of the weird and wonderful advancements of the period which we still use today.For the full-length version of this episode, please look further back in the feed.Research by Rosanna Evans
Script by Emma Nagouse, Rosanna Evans and Greg Jenner
Project manager: Siefe Miyo
Edit producer: Cornelius Mendez

Aug 5, 2023 • 28min
Nell Gwyn (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner and his guests travel back to 17th-century England to meet a celebrity of the Restoration era. As was one of the first actresses in comedy and a mistress to King Charles II, Nell Gwyn's life was as eventful as her turns on the stage.Greg is joined by associate professor and writer, Diana Solomon and by comedian, actor and writer, Jess Knappett.For the full-length version of this episode, please look further back in the feed.Script by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Research by William Clayton
Produced by Cornelius Mendez

15 snips
Jul 29, 2023 • 29min
Ancient Athenian Democracy (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined in Ancient Greece by special guests Prof Michael Scott and comedian Alice Fraser as they examine the start of democracy with the Athenians. Aside from it obviously being a system that only benefited men, we will take a closer look at the fundamental issues that still apply today, why you’d want to avoid red ropes and broken pots, and just why the Romans disliked the very idea of it.For the full-length version of this episode, please look further back in the feed.Research by Rosie Rich
Written and produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow
Project Management: Siefe Miyo and Isla Matthews
Audio Producer: Abi PatersonA production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.

Jul 22, 2023 • 28min
Zheng Yi Sao (Radio Edit)
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.For the full-length version of this episode, please look further back in the feed.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.

86 snips
Jul 15, 2023 • 28min
The History of Timekeeping (Radio Edit)
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.For the full-length version of this episode, please look further back in the feed.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 HankeyYou’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.

Jul 8, 2023 • 28min
Agatha Christie (Radio Edit)
Sue Perkins and Dr Lucy Worsley join Greg Jenner to discuss the life of world-famous novelist, Agatha Christie.Agatha Christie is arguably the greatest ever crime novelist but her work has also permeated film, theatre and television over the past century. Christie also lived during an extraordinary period of modern history. Her life encompassed the end of the Victorian era, the two world wars and ended at the age of 85 in 1976.There was also much more to Christie the person: from unexpected sporting hobbies to a romantic life that had its fair share of heartbreak and harmony; her life off the page is as interesting as her novels are on it.For the full-length version of this episode, please look further back in the feed.Research by Jessica Honey
Written by Emma Nagouse, Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Jessica Honey and Greg Jenner
Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow
Project Management: Isla Matthews
Audio Producer: Steve Hankey

Jun 2, 2023 • 1h 1min
Medieval Irish Folklore (Live)
In this special live episode, recorded at the Hay Festival, Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Gillian Kenny and comedian Seán Burke to learn about medieval Irish folklore.We’re focusing on the lore and stories from Gaelic Irish culture. Gaelic culture remained the dominant set of cultural and societal beliefs on the island of Ireland well into the 17th century until it was destroyed by a succession of English invasions. But what were these beliefs and how did the Christianisation of Ireland from the 5th century onwards amalgamate pre-Christian stories into it? From fairy darts to banshees, through some unusual ways of warding off the evil eye, this is a jovial jaunt across some ancient myths and legends. 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: Steve HankeyYou’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.

May 19, 2023 • 56min
Agatha Christie
Sue Perkins and Dr Lucy Worsley join Greg Jenner to discuss the life of world-famous novelist, Agatha Christie. Agatha Christie is arguably the greatest ever crime novelist but her work has also permeated film, theatre and television over the past century. Christie also lived during an extraordinary period of modern history. Her life encompassed the end of the Victorian era, the two world wars and ended at the age of 85 in 1976. There was also much more to Christie the person: from unexpected sporting hobbies to a romantic life that had its fair share of heartbreak and harmony; her life off the page is as interesting as her novels are on it. Research by Jessica Honey
Written by Emma Nagouse, Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Jessica Honey and Greg Jenner
Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow
Project Management: Isla Matthews
Audio Producer: Steve Hankey

9 snips
May 12, 2023 • 1h 15min
Leonardo da Vinci (Live)
In this special episode of You’re Dead To Me, recorded in front of a live audience, Greg Jenner is joined by Professor Catherine Fletcher and comedian Dara Ó Briain to learn about Leonardo da Vinci.Leonardo lived from 1452 to 1519 during an era of plague and warfare across Western Europe. It was also the height of the Italian Renaissance.From mathematics to military maps, and some paintings which you may have heard of, Leonardo da Vinci did it all. But was he a generational genius or an "ideas man" who had a chronic inability to finish what he started?Research by Anna Nadine-Pike
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
The You're Dead To Me theme tune was performed by Charles Mutter and the BBC Concert OrchestraThe Athletic production for BBC Radio 4
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