Let's Learn About...

We're starting off the new year with an inspirational story of another awesome woman of history, and this is one of Charlotte's new favourites! She talks about Betty Robinson, an Olympic track athlete who competed in the 1920s and '30s, who had an absolute rollercoaster of a life.

From winning her first gold medal at just 16 years old to almost dying in a plane accident and then rising from the ashes again to win another gold medal -- Betty's story is one everyone should hear.

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Where to Find Us:

Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.

Support us on Patreon:

Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started!

A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Nermin!

Happy New Year, one and all! In our first episode of 2023, Ellie takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the world and tells us a bit about how different countries might celebrate the new year, from huge feasts and blowout street parties to cleaning, saying hello to ancestors' spirits, and throwing things out of windows.

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Where to Find Us:

Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.

Support us on Patreon:

Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started!

A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Nermin!

There are certain periods of history that shape traditions for the rest of time, and for Christmas in Britain, the Tudor period was one of these times. Some of our favourite traditions of the Christmas season date back to Tudor times, including singing carols, giving gifts, eating turkey, and kissing under the mistletoe. In this episode, Charlotte transports us back to the 16th century and talks about some of the ways they celebrated the festive season.

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Where to Find Us:

Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.

Support us on Patreon:

Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started!

A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Nermin!

Returning guest Linde joins us to tell us about the festive Dutch legend of Sinterklaas: who he is and how he's based on Saint Nicholas (similar to Santa Claus), how Sinterklaas is celebrated, and how this year, it has all been a bit chaotic.

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Where to Find Us:

Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.

Support us on Patreon:

Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started!

A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Nermin!

It's our first Christmas episode of 2022, and we're going all the way to Sweden (not literally) for this one! Ellie tells us about the Yule Goat, a Scandinavian and Northern European Yule and Christmas symbol whose origins go back to ancient Pagan festivals. Learn about the history and legend of the Yule Goat, how people in Scandinavia honour him, and the GIANT Yule Goat statue that sits in Castle Square (Gävle, Sweden) every year.

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Where to Find Us:

Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.

Support us on Patreon:

Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started!

A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Nermin!

Charlotte was very recently in a local production of The Huncback of Notre Dame (the Off-Broadway musical adaptation), so in honour of that, she shares a comparison between the Disney movie and the original Victor Hugo novel. It's about to get dark! (Content warnings: mentions of rape/assault, death, suicide.)

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Where to Find Us:

Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.

Support us on Patreon:

Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started!

A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

After chatting to Omar Najam a little while ago, today we have our second Dimension 20 guest – but this time, it's someone from behind the camera rather than in front of it! Rick Perry, D20's Production Designer and Creative Producer, joins us to discuss his career and his role in the creative side of the College Humor actual-play D&D series, including the whole process of creating maps, minis and more, and his favourite pieces he's created. He also shares tips and advice on how to add create elements to your own home games without spending a fortune, and how to break into the production design industry.

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Where to Find Us:

Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.

Support us on Patreon:

Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started!

A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

We're joined by Ellie's cousin Lydia, a classically trained musician. She tells us all about how classical music and folklore combine in the Lemminkainen suite by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, widely regarded as Finland's greatest composer, and whose music is often credited with having helped Finland develop a national identity during its struggle for independence from Russia. We also chat about fascinating instruments throughout history, why you shouldn't look down on the recorder, elitism in classical music, and the barriers people face today in regards to music education.

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Where to Find Us:

Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.

Support us on Patreon:

Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started!

A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

There have been many famous sibling rivalries throughout history. But have you ever heard of the one that went on to form two of the most recognisable sporting goods brands in the world? A vicious family feud that not only pitted two brothers against one another, but also divided the inhabitants of their hometown into warring factions that lasted for 60 years... this is the story of Adi and Rudi Dassler.

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Where to Find Us:

Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.

Support us on Patreon:

Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started!

A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

Want to know where some of the strange phrases and idioms we have in English originated? We've got another etymology episode today! Charlotte covers the origins of 14 strange English idioms, including bob's your uncle, wild goose chase, caught red handed, walking on eggshells, and more.

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Where to Find Us:

Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.

Support us on Patreon:

Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started!

A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!