Idiots Talk History

Idiots Talk History

By Idiots Talk HistoryComedySociety & CultureHistory
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Idiots Talk History episodes

  • 33 Doctor James Barry - The UK’s First Female Doctor

    Special guest Faye Barry joins Lorna Barry this week and there’s a report on Doctor Barry! So many Barry’s!

    In other news, Matt gets very distracted by giant tortoises and we learn an interesting fact about a South African President.
    In the Big Question Faye has some great advice for those visiting New York.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    40 min
  • 32 The Hollywood Sign Girl Peg Entwistle

    This week, after a bit of a false start when he thought he was doing a report on the Black Dahlia, Matt tells us all about the tragic life and death of Peg Entwistle. It’s quite a sombre episode this week so not really a barrel of laughs, but still interesting stuff!

    In other news, Lorna is really into knitting at the moment and won’t shut up about it so that makes an appearance this week too. In terms of the Big Question, Lorna gives a really sincere answer, but naturally Matt just wants to inspire people to snap chopsticks…

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    43 min
  • 31 The Disappearance of the Ninth Legion

    Sometime around 120AD the Ninth Legion of the Roman Army disappeared without a trace. What happened to the Legion? Were they ambushed? Did they migrate? Who knows, but we give it a good go this week as Lorna reports on the mystery.

    It’s not all smooth sailing though as Lorna stumbles over her big reveal of the podcast topic and gets confused about an eagle, but at least she still manages to make herself laugh. (I’d be surprised if anyone loves Merry Madagascar more than her).
    Matt also gives the most convoluted answer to this week’s Big Question.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    52 min
  • 30 Soviet Rebel Zina Portnova

    This week's episode is the final installment in our WWII rebels trilogy. Hailed as a Soviet hero, Zina Portnova took part in an underground movement fighting against Nazis during the war. 

    Hear about how Innes and Matt would not be willing to hand out propaganda leaflets because they used to be paperboys and let's be honest it's not worth it. Also Lorna compares resistance fighters to Dumbeldore's Army which is an interesting point of view. And there's talk of whales attacking U-Boats, beach volleyball and treacle in today's Big Question.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy  @InnesJackson

    45 min
  • 29 Career Criminal Kate Webster

    It’s a report from Lorna this time all about a lady called Catherine Lawler or Kate Webster, depending on how she was feeling, or as Innes likes to call her ‘Webbo’. Matt isn’t sure about her and as well as his terrible impression of her Irish accent she ends up on his Bad Gal’s list.

    The report ends with a twist bringing it all the way to 2011, resulting in a strange big question conversation. Classic!

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy  @InnesJackson

    51 min
  • 28 Switzerland's Accidental Invasions of Liechtenstein

    Is this the worst intro we’ve ever done? Potentially.

    Innes talks us through the bizarre cases of the Swiss invading their neighbours Liechtenstein. Over a period of 22 years the Swiss somehow invaded the poor Liechtensteiners three times!
    Also, Switzerland isn’t next to Belgium just for the record.
    Apologies for the in-depth discussion about our pronunciations of different Indian takeaway foods.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    39 min
  • 28 Switzerland’s Accidental Invasions of Liechtenstein

    Is this the worst intro we’ve ever done? Potentially.
    Innes talks us through the bizarre cases of the Swiss invading their neighbours Liechtenstein. Over a period of 22 years the Swiss somehow invaded the poor Liechtensteiners three times!
    Also, Switzerland isn’t next to Belgium just for the record.
    Apologies for the in-depth discussion about our pronunciations of different Indian takeaway foods.


    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod


    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    39 min
  • 27 General Manuel Noriega and his Pen Pal

    Innes takes over the introduction this week and naturally it’s a bit of a mess.

    Matt reports on an unbelievable true story of two pen pals, one a brutal dictator and one a young American girl from Michigan. It’s a bit of a controversial topic amongst the hosts.
    Also, whenever Matt reports he always seems to mess up his words and this week is no different. Listen out for pandemonium, George Brush and resign.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    50 min
  • 26 Lipstick in WWII

    Lorna runs us through the unexpected and fascinating tale of lipstick in WWII. 

    We get surprisingly deep on this episode. Idiots Talk History gets real!! Don't worry though, as talk soon turns to a crisis where animals gain the ability to speak and try to overthrow humans. 

    If you'd like to buy any of our new lipsticks or Matt's patriotic bath bombs, get in touch below.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    46 min
  • 25 Hadrian's Wall

    The returning Innes ruins the introduction this week but then goes on to give us a terrific report on Hadrian’s Wall. There’s a lot of chatting this week, a lot of catching up and a lot of talking over each other, and for this we apologise but we haven’t seen each other in a while.

    We also go off on a number tangents, including a long discussion about British children’s TV shows and Matt and Lorna do a play by play of a classic moment from Big Brother.
    Another treat this week is Lorna’s creation of a new spin off, Idiots Talk Geography.

    Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod

    Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17  @lornabarryy    @InnesJackson

    56 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.