Idiots Talk History

Idiots Talk History

By Idiots Talk HistoryComedySociety & CultureHistory
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Idiots Talk History episodes

  • 43 Peter the Great

    Matt fills us in on the life and times of Russian Tsar Peter the Great. Credited as the man who modernised Russia, Peter won a few wars, rebuilt the government structure and founded the future capital St Petersburg. He also really really hated long beards.

    Elsewhere we name our own cities, talk Disney princesses and create our own days of the week (Happy Florgsday everybody!)

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy

    54 min
  • 42 Bianca Tam and the Second Sino-Japanese War

    This week Lorna talks us through the Japanese invasion of China in 1937 and the subsequent war. We also delve into the life of the spy Bianca Tam who had her own fascinating tale in the midst of it all.

    Elsewhere, we get our Abyssinian and Manchurian Crises mixed up a bit and Lorna has a revelation live on air about the realities of war.
    We also have a go at a live version of the Big Question theme song and there’s even a Little Question thrown in too.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy

    52 min
  • 41 The Golden State Killer

    This week our report focuses on the deeply unpleasant tale of the Golden State Killer from the 70s and 80s, which has actually been in the news very recently. Be warned it gets quite icky!

    As usual, we get immediately distracted and fly off topic. Who knew the nicknames of American states could be so confusing? In fact we get distracted by a hell of a lot at the start of this episode, especially Lorna’s dad’s age.
    Check out our social media as we keep you up to date on this ongoing case!

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    51 min
  • 40 The Dance Plague

    This week Innes tells us all about the Dance Plague which swept across Europe. It made people burst into uncontrollable dance for days on end!

    We float a ton of theories about the dancing, which range from the unlikely (it’s a ploy to get off work for a week) to the plausible (it’s all about them toxins).
    In the Big Question we discuss which popular dance we would choose to break out if we were infected with the plague.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    52 min
  • 39 Benkos Bioho and the Slave Rebellion

    Lorna reports on the fascinating tale of a slave called Benkos Bioho who escaped captivity in late 16th century Colombia. He and other escaped slaves founded a city that still stands today. These outlaw slaves would braid maps into their hair to help others escape.

    We also go off topic talking about the potential of seeds growing into people’s heads, and what fictional place we would want a map to.
    This week it’s revealed where guinea pigs originated from too!

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    43 min
  • 38 Buddy Holly and the Day the Music Died

    There’s a lot to take in this week as Matt reports on the life and death of rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Buddy Holly.

    Innes starts the episode as he means to go on by saying “Sneezelize on air”.
    There’s a nice rendition of a Buddy Holly song and we debate the decision making of the young singer in proposing five hours into a first date.
    There’s also talk of some dreadful bus journeys and Innes gets angry at Matt for his tendency to report on topics filled with death!
    We all come to the unfortunate realisation that we have faces for podcasting.

    Check on Twitter for a link to the Big Bopper’s song Chantilly Lace.

    Also Innes basically shouts down the microphone to promote the twitter and email so cover your ears!

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    59 min
  • 37 Bob Beamon and the 1968 Olympics

    Innes this week tells the story of American long jumper Bob Beamon and his Olympic journey. In discussing Olympic victory we all have a good brag about our own insignificant achievements.

    Also, Lorna learns she would make a great Premier League football centre-back, and Innes gets all confused about hunting and shooting sports. 

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    46 min
  • 36 Origins of the Feminist Movement in Mexico

    This week Lorna focuses on the origins of feminism after Mexico’s revolution in Yucatan, mainly focusing on Elvia and Felipe Carillo Puerto. There are a lot of Spanish names this week so it’s a bit complicated. Also apologies as we had a lot of problems with the audio, and you may only hear Innes and Dan coming through your left earphone. We’re working on it.

    As usual there’s a good mix of facts along with some random nonsense. We deliver some hard truths to Dan about his old age, Innes talks about the “Gunplowder plot” and there’s a lengthy discussion about the Kong family of Mario Brothers fame.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    59 min
  • 35 David Kammerer, Lucien Carr and the Murder that ignited the Beat Generation

    As this week was a bit of a rush, Matt gives you a little background before the music hits. Then we dive right into a very unpleasant story about the Beat generation. The focus is on the relationship between Lucien Carr and David Kammerer. What transpired has been called the moment that ignited the Beat Generation and it inspired some of the 20th century’s most famous pieces of fiction.

    Listen out for Innes’s misunderstanding of names and discussions about David Cameron and Jack Anorak. It’s a bit of a dark topic this week, but don’t worry the mood is lightened through the discussion of our PE lessons.

    Also this week Innes’ album came out, so check out ‘I’ve Gone In At The Deep End’ by Innes Jackson on Spotify and beyond.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    50 min
  • 34 The History of Vegetables

    Innes returns this week with a report on one of his favourite things: vegetables.

    Lorna has an update on her relationship to James Barry and Innes tells us about his burn.
    Also Innes has some interesting diet tips and your hosts take part in an impromptu pub quiz. Play along!

    Finally, be scared of pigs, they’ll eat ya.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    57 min

About Idiots Talk History

From the publisher's feed

A weekly history based podcast where we discuss lesser known moments from the past, or shine a new light on famous events, in our own distinctive British way.