History Rhymes

The History Rhymes trilogy reaches the 1980s and beyond as Tom Allen and Jono Saye continue their survey of the Israel-Palestine conflict — from the First Lebanon War all the way to October 7, 2023.This episode begins with Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon, the evacuation of the PLO, and the emergence of Hezbollah. From there, we follow the First Intifada, the Oslo Accords, the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, the failed Camp David negotiations of 2000, and the much more violent Second Intifada.The story then moves through Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas's rise to power, the recurring Gaza conflicts, the Abraham Accords, and finally October 7, 2023. Throughout, Tom and Jono try to make sense of why decades of war, diplomacy and negotiation have failed to produce a lasting resolution.To close the trilogy, they step back from the modern conflict and ask a bigger historical question: can a conflict lasting generations ever reach a point where one side simply wins — or does history just keep rhyming?

How much violence does it take to bring people to the diplomatic table?In this episode of History Rhymes, Tom Allen and Jono Saye continue their journey through the Arab-Israeli conflict, focusing on the turbulent 1970s. Following Israel's stunning victory in the 1967 Six-Day War, the balance of power appears firmly established — but the Yom Kippur War of 1973 dramatically challenges that assumption.We look at Egypt's surprise attack across the Sinai, Syria's attack from the north, Israel's counterattack, the involvement of the United States and Soviet Union, and the growing realization on both sides that military victory alone cannot resolve the conflict.The conversation then moves through the 1970s, including the Entebbe hostage rescue and the diplomatic efforts that eventually lead to the Camp David Accords. Egypt seeks the return of the Sinai Peninsula, while Israel seeks recognition — creating one of the most significant diplomatic breakthroughs in the history of the conflict.Along the way, Tom and Jono ask a bigger question: does history actually repeat itself, or does it simply rhyme?

Israel and Palestine. The conflict dominates the headlines, but how did we actually get here?In this episode of History Rhymes, Tom and Jono go back thousands of years to explore the history behind the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — from ancient Israel and Jerusalem, through the Roman and Ottoman Empires, the rise of Zionism, the First World War and the Balfour Declaration, to the British Mandate, the Holocaust, the creation of Israel in 1948 and the wars that followed.Beginning with October 7, 2023, we work backwards to understand the competing claims, political movements and historical events that shaped one of the world's most enduring conflicts.This is history, not a simple answer — and as always, we're trying to connect the dots between the past and the present.🎙️ History Rhymes — where a guy who knows his history talks to a guy who doesn't know it at all.Hosted by Tom Allen & Jono Saye.🎥 Produced by Speak Easy Podcast Studiohttps://speakeasypodcast.ca/

Alexander the Great had conquered the Persian Empire, but he still wasn’t finished.

In the final chapter of our Alexander series, Tom and Jono follow Alexander through Sogdiana, his marriage to Roxana, his increasingly volatile rule, the killing of Cleitus, and his march into India to face King Porus and his war elephants.

Alexander wins again, but eventually his exhausted army refuses to go any farther.

Then the losses begin to pile up. Bucephalus dies. Hephaestion dies. Alexander returns to Babylon, begins planning another campaign, and falls ill at just 32 years old.

According to tradition, when asked who should inherit his empire, Alexander answered:

“To the strongest.”

We close the series by looking at what happened to his empire, the rise of the Hellenistic world, and the question that has followed him for more than 2,000 years:

Did Alexander really deserve to be called “the Great”?

What happens after you've conquered the greatest empire on Earth?

In Part 2 of our Alexander the Great series, Tom Allen and Jono Saye continue the story of one of history's most extraordinary military leaders. Picking up after the Siege of Tyre, we follow Alexander's march through Gaza, into Egypt, across the heart of the Persian Empire, and deeper into the legend that would define his legacy.

From the founding of Alexandria and his visit to the Oracle of Siwa, to his encounters with Darius III, the burning of Persepolis, and the difficult decisions that tested both his ambition and his character, this episode explores the moments that transformed Alexander from king to myth.

Along the way, we discuss the historical sources behind Alexander's story, the influence of Homer and Achilles on his decisions, his evolving leadership, the role of propaganda in the ancient world, and the question that still divides historians today:

Was Alexander building a new world... or simply chasing an impossible dream?

Whether you're a lifelong history enthusiast or just discovering Alexander's story, this episode dives into one of the most fascinating chapters of the ancient world.

How does a 20-year-old inherit a kingdom… and within little more than a decade conquer the largest empire the world had ever seen?

In this episode of History Rhymes, Tom Allen and Jono Saye tackle one of history's most legendary figures: Alexander the Great.

From his childhood under Philip II of Macedon, his education under Aristotle, and the influence of his fiercely ambitious mother Olympias, to his seemingly impossible victories over the mighty Persian Empire, we explore the extraordinary life of the man who reshaped the ancient world.

Along the way, we dive into Alexander's military genius, the famous story of Bucephalus, the battles that made him a legend, his complicated personality, his relentless ambition, and the question historians have debated for over 2,000 years:

Was Alexander the Great history's greatest conqueror... or simply the luckiest?

We also discuss the historical sources behind Alexander's life, separating fact from legend and exploring why his story continues to fascinate historians, military leaders, and storytellers alike.

Whether you're discovering Alexander for the first time or have read countless books on the subject, this episode is packed with stories, insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.

🔗 Links & Resources

Podcast presented and produced by Speakeasy Podcast Studio:
https://www.speakeasypodcasts.ca/

📚 Get Tom Allen's The Classics for Kids:
https://linktr.ee/thomaswallenbooks?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=e5c5c33e-756b-474d-9bdd-22c4cf52b6fc

🎬 Check out Jono's marketing work:
https://sayewhat.com/

Who were Canada's greatest Prime Ministers—and how did they shape the country we know today?In this episode of History Rhymes, Tom Allen and Jono Saye continue their journey through Canadian history, picking up after the Great Depression and World War II to explore the modern Prime Ministers who transformed Canada.From Louis St. Laurent and the Trans-Canada Highway to John Diefenbaker, Lester B. Pearson, Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, Jean Chrétien, Stephen Harper, and beyond, this episode is packed with fascinating stories, surprising personalities, political rivalries, and the defining moments that shaped modern Canada.Along the way, we discuss everything from the Quiet Revolution and the new Canadian flag to constitutional debates, free trade, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Québec referendums, Fidel Castro's relationship with Pierre Trudeau, and the legacy of Canada's most influential leaders.Whether you're a Canadian history buff or just discovering the stories behind our nation's leaders, this is an entertaining look at nearly a century of Canadian politics.

What do a binge-drinking founding father, political scandals, nation-building, and some surprisingly powerful leaders have in common?

In this episode of History Rhymes, Tom and Jono dive into the fascinating history of Canada's Prime Ministers. From Confederation to the personalities that shaped the country, this first installment explores the men who built modern Canada—and some of the bizarre stories that came with them.

Along the way, we discuss the powers of the Prime Minister, the origins of Canada's political system, the challenges of governing a young nation, and why Canadian history is far more interesting than it gets credit for.

If you've ever wondered who Canada's most influential leaders were, how the office evolved, or why some Prime Ministers remain controversial to this day, this episode is for you.

Why is modern Iran so suspicious of foreign powers?In Part 2 of our Iran series, we move from ancient Persia into the modern era, exploring the events that shaped the relationship between Iran, Britain, and the United States.From the rise of oil and foreign influence to Operation Ajax, the Shah, the Cold War, and the roots of modern anti-Western sentiment, this episode examines the historical forces that continue to shape the Middle East today.We also discuss regime change, intervention, media narratives, the Iranian military, the role of religion in politics, and how historical grievances can persist for generations.If you've ever wondered why Iran views the West the way it does, this episode provides the historical context.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Desert Storm and modern interventionism00:41 – History Rhymes introduction00:55 – Welcome back to Iran Part 201:15 – Recapping 2,000 years of Iranian history02:36 – Entering the modern era03:31 – Can regime change happen in Iran?04:00 – Why Iranians distrust foreign intervention04:52 – Iran, war, and information warfare05:41 – Speakeasy Podcast Studio sponsor segment06:02 – Political analysis and media narratives12:00 – The strategic importance of Iranian oil18:00 – Foreign influence in Iran grows24:00 – Britain, Russia, and the struggle for control30:00 – The rise of nationalism in Iran36:00 – Oil concessions and public outrage42:00 – Mohammad Mossadegh enters the story47:00 – Operation Ajax explained53:00 – The CIA-backed coup of 195358:00 – The Shah consolidates power01:02:00 – Cold War politics and Iran01:05:00 – How the modern Iranian state was shaped01:08:11 – Episode conclusion(Chapter timing should be verified against the final edit before publishing, but the final episode runtime is approximately 1:08:12.)🔗 Links & ResourcesPodcast presented and produced by Speakeasy Podcast Studio:https://www.speakeasypodcasts.ca/📚 Get Tom Allen's The Classics for Kids:https://linktr.ee/thomaswallenbooks?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=e5c5c33e-756b-474d-9bdd-22c4cf52b6fc🎬 Check out Jono's marketing work:https://sayewhat.com/🔔 SubscribeNew episodes every week exploring the people, empires, wars, revolutions, and ideas that shaped history—and how they still echo today.

What actually caused the modern conflict with Iran?In this episode of the History Rhymes podcast, we break down the history of modern Iran — from the ancient Persian Empire to the rise of the Islamic Republic — and explore how events like Operation Ajax, Cold War politics, oil, and foreign intervention shaped the Middle East we know today.

We dive into the CIA-backed 1953 coup, the role of Britain and the United States, the Iranian Revolution, the Strait of Hormuz, and the modern tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.Along the way, the conversation spirals into everything from Rambo III to Soviet Afghanistan, the Mujahideen, and how history continues to “rhyme” in modern geopolitics.

🔗 Links & ResourcesPodcast presented and produced by Speakeasy Podcast Studio:https://www.speakeasypodcasts.ca/

📚 Get Tom Allen's The Classics for Kids: https://linktr.ee/thomaswallenbooks?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

🎬 Check out Jono's marketing work:

https://sayewhat.com/

🔔 Subscribe

New episodes every week exploring the people, wars, empires, revolutions, and ideas that shaped history — and how they still echo through today’s world.