
Journey Through Time
Forgotten stories from history and how they shaped the way we live today.Hear about the ordinary people from history and the extraordinary impact they’ve had on the present. Hosted by historians David Olusoga and Sarah Churchwell, Journey Through Time will show how everyday actions have the most remarkable unintended consequences that ripple through time. From the first woman to run for President to the unknown story of how the world came to the brink of nuclear war in 1983, this podcast is for everyone, not just history lovers.To hear more Goalhanger podcasts, go to www.goalhanger.comTo find out more about Find My Past visit: https://www.findmypast.co.uk/journey-through-time
Latest episodes

5 snips
May 7, 2025 • 1h 5min
9. Able Archer: The Closest We Ever Came To Nuclear War (Ep 1)
In November 1983, a military exercise nearly spiraled into nuclear conflict, showcasing the fragile state of Cold War relations. The discussion dives into the paranoia gripping the Soviets and the high-stakes tactics employed by the U.S. Historical anecdotes illustrate the intense atmosphere of the era. Political landscapes shifted dramatically with the rise of Yuri Andropov, while cultural reflections reveal how anxieties seeped into pop culture. The episode illustrates how a singular decision could have altered history, highlighting the urgent need for understanding in global politics.

16 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 1min
8. The Myth of Tokyo Rose: Truman and the FBI Witch Hunt (Ep 2)
Dive into the tragic tale of Iva Toguri, wrongfully labeled as Tokyo Rose, America's first female traitor, despite scant evidence. Explore how her vilification persisted through sensationalist media and political agendas, particularly in President Truman's re-election. Discover the painful journey of Iva’s fight for justice and the eventual clearing of her name after decades of stigma. The podcast uncovers the broader themes of race, identity, and the resilience of an innocent woman against a backdrop of wartime propaganda.

8 snips
Apr 23, 2025 • 53min
7. The Myth of Tokyo Rose: The Woman Accused of Betraying America (Ep 1)
Explore the intriguing myth of Tokyo Rose and its impact on Iva Toguri, an American wrongly accused of betrayal. Delve into wartime racial attitudes and the sensationalist journalism that fueled this narrative. Discover Iva's complex identity struggle as a Japanese American caught between two worlds during WWII. Learn how her experience at Radio Tokyo transformed her life and how wartime propaganda employed humor and cultural nuances. The story reveals the lasting consequences of myth-making on real lives and societal perceptions.

50 snips
Apr 16, 2025 • 57min
6. Darwin, Dickens, and a Giant Diamond: Inside The Great Exhibition (Ep 2)
The podcast dives into the intriguing backdrop of the Great Exhibition, revealing class tensions and fears about the working-class crowds. It highlights iconic achievements in industrial progress, with mentions of Darwin and Dickens, while also addressing the unexpected smoothness of the first Shilling Day. The celebration questioned societal norms, showcasing a rare mingling of classes. Additionally, it examines America’s conflicting images during the event and reflects on the lasting impact the exhibition had on London's cultural institutions.

25 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 50min
5. The Great Exhibition: Prince Albert, Revolutionaries, and the Duke of Wellington (Ep 1)
In May 1851, the Great Exhibition dazzled millions with its showcase of Victorian engineering, highlighted by the stunning Crystal Palace. Yet beneath the grandeur lurked stark class disparities, as fears of social upheaval loomed over the event. Key figures like Prince Albert and the Duke of Wellington played pivotal roles, while the elite worried about unrest from the working class. Innovative construction faced tight deadlines, and the arrival of crowds sparked anxieties that contrasted sharply with the celebration of progress.

9 snips
Apr 2, 2025 • 1h 8min
4. The First Woman to Run for President: Sex, Scandal, and Suffragists (Ep 2)
Discover the remarkable story of Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for president. From Wall Street success to defying societal norms, her candidacy was as groundbreaking as it was controversial. Uncover her scandalous battle against a revered preacher that led to her arrest on election night. Delve into the complicated legacy of a radical feminist who later embraced eugenics, sparking debate on how history should remember her. Examine the intersection of women's rights and societal hypocrisy during the Gilded Age.

10 snips
Mar 27, 2025 • 1h 2min
3. The First Woman to Run for President: Rags to Riches (Ep 1)
In 1872, the audacious Victoria Woodhull made history as the first woman to run for president, defying societal norms. Rising from a challenging childhood, she became a spiritual medium and later a Wall Street broker. Her candidacy ignited outrage and laughter, revealing the stark contrast between her ambition and public sentiment. Woodhull's journey highlights her pioneering advocacy for women's rights amid a tumultuous era, shaping her legacy as a trailblazer for political equality.

Mar 21, 2025 • 49min
2. The Attack that Shook America: Black Tom Explodes (Ep 2)
New York harbour erupts with an explosion as Black Tom island is ripped apart. The shock waves ripple out around Manhattan and New Jersey, shattering windows miles away and even registering on the Richter scale. However, despite the widespread destruction, the attack was downplayed as an accident by the US authorities and it was only years later that the truth of the event came to light. Despite its absence from public knowledge, the explosion at Black Tom island has a seismic legacy. It played a part in the rise of the Nazis, the brutal internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, and the creation of America’s counterintelligence operations. Join Sarah Churchwell and David Olusoga on Journey Through Time to explore how this explosion reverberated throughout the 20th century. To find out more about Find My Past visit: https://www.findmypast.co.uk/journey-through-timeEmail: journeythroughtime@goalhanger.com X: @ThroughTimePodBlue Sky: @ThroughTimePodInstagram: @ThroughTimePodAssistant Producer: Alice HorrellProducer: Callum HillSenior Producer: Dom JohnsonExec Producer: Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 20, 2025 • 50min
1. The Attack That Shook America: German Spies in New York (Ep 1)
New York, 1916. America is supposedly neutral in the war but they are shipping huge quantities of supplies to the allies. However, it being a nation of immigrants means loyalties across the United States are divided and members of the German-American community are causing trouble. Led by Franz von Papen and funded from Berlin, a ring of spies and saboteurs are trying to disrupt these arms shipments any way they can. Soon their eyes will turn to Black Tom Island, America’s largest arms depot, which sits in the Hudson. Join David Olusoga and Sarah Churchwell in the first episode of Journey Through Time to hear about the forgotten terror attack that shocked America to its core.To find out more about Find My Past visit: https://www.findmypast.co.uk/journey-through-timeEmail: journeythroughtime@goalhanger.com X: @ThroughTimePodBlue Sky: @ThroughTimePodInstagram: @ThroughTimePodAssistant Producer: Alice HorrellProducer: Callum HillSenior Producer: Dom JohnsonExec Producer: Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 13, 2025 • 1min
Journey Through Time Trailer
Join historians Sarah Churchwell and David Olusoga on Journey Through Time, as they expose forgotten history, and bring to light extraordinary events you should have heard of. Journey through Time, a new show from Goalhanger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices