In this second part of Minister's Questions 1, Tina and Artie are answering yet more questions from you and from guests on their tours.

What is the most challenging thing about being a tour guide in Berlin? What was the best tour you got in a city that was not in Berlin? What is your favourite thing to do in the city when you're not showing people around? Watch to find out the answer to these and more!

This was super fun, so if you have any questions, please do send them in using the contact form on our website or commenting on social media or slide into our DMs!

You can also watch this episode as a video on YouTube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Anna and me for the seventh episode of our series, The Tudors: A Real Game of Thrones, where we explore the dramatic final chapter of Henry VIII’s reign before his death in 1547.

After the stormy 1530s, Henry dreamed of being young again, and this led him to the young and foolish Catherine Howard. She humiliated Henry by indulging the attentions of one of his favourite courtiers and she duly was sent to the chopping block. Meanwhile, his health deteriorated, plagued by a painful and worsening leg ulcer. Determined to assert his authority, he launched a final, ill-fated invasion of France and began reversing some of his earlier religious reforms. At the same time, he focused on securing the succession for his children.

When Henry passed away in 1547, he left England in turmoil, and stability would not be restored until his daughter Elizabeth took the throne in 1558.

You can also watch this episode as a video on YouTube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the transformation of The History Buff into the Ministry of History, there is a new series called 'Minister's Questions' (MQs). This is where ministers from the Ministry will answer questions either submitted by you or just random questions. Themes will be about history but also about other things the Ministry does such as tours of Berlin. MQs was originally just going to be YouTube content, but during editing we decided that it works well as a podcast too!

In this first episode, Minister Artie and Deputy Minister Tina, both Berlin tour guides, answer questions from online and also from visitors in Berlin about being a Berlin tour guide. We had quite a few questions so it's split into two parts. Please enjoy this first part and do let us know any questions you may have for us by getting in contact using the contact form on our website or over social media!

Why did you move to Berlin? Why did you become a guide? What are your favourite topics to guide in? What topics don't you like? Listen to find out the answer to these and many other questions!

MQs is primarily a YouTube series, so you can also watch this episode as a video on YouTube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Christmas Truce, the Ministry of History Podcast is relaunching (having previously been The History Buff) with an episode about its story.

In the midst of the horrific fighting of the First World War, on Christmas Day, German and British soldiers laid down their weapons and agreed a spontaneous truce. They met each other in no-mans land where hours before they had been shooting at each other. They chatted, smoked, shared letters and pictures and even kicked a football around. It's a story that shows that underneath all the bravery and aggression of soldiers, they are just humans who want connection.

How could such a thing happen during war? How did it actually happen? What did they do when they met in no-man's land? Did they really ply a game of football? Listen to this episode to find out!

Merry Christmas to you all from the Ministry of History Podcast.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The History Buff is back—reborn as the Ministry of History Podcast!

This season promises the same captivating solo episodes and lively co-hosted discussions you've come to love. Anna and Artie are wrapping up their epic Tudor series with six new episodes, diving into everything from Henry VIII’s final years to the reign of Elizabeth I, the last Tudor. There's also some bonus episodes coming up for you this season...

Season 4 (the first season as the Ministry of History Podcast!) will begin on Christmas Day, so after indulging in festive treats, join us for the season premiere with a fascinating and touching Christmas story.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Divorced, Beheaded, SURVIVED!" Join Anna and me as we dive deep into the dramatic lives of Henry VIII's last three wives—Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr.

As Henry's health and reign deteriorated in his later years, so did the stability of England. Each of these women played a unique role in his life: Anne, chosen for political reasons, Catherine Howard, who reignited his youth, and Catherine Parr, who shared his intellectual companionship. Their fates were as varied as their reasons for marriage.

Discover the intrigue, danger, and survival in this episode as we explore the stories behind the final three queens of Henry VIII.

You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Anna and I dive deep into one of the most pivotal moments in English history—the break with Rome. What drove Henry VIII to sever ties with the Roman Catholic Church, a decision that would reshape the religious and political landscape of England forever? Was it purely his desire for an annulment from Catherine of Aragon, or were there deeper political and personal motivations at play? How did the quest for a male heir influence Henry's actions, and what role did figures like Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell play in this dramatic turn of events?

Join us as we unravel the intrigue, ambition, and drama behind Henry VIII's break with Rome. By the end of this episode, you'll have a deeper understanding of the man behind the crown and the lasting impact of his reign on history.

You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of HerStory Buff, where we talk about women in history, we dive into the fascinating life of Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first female prime minister. Journey with us as we explore how this trailblazing leader from a small island nation shattered the global glass ceiling in 1960, well before her counterparts Indira Ghandi in India and Margaret Thatcher in Britain.

We'll uncover her rise to power after a personal tragedy, how she balanced tradition with progress, and the ways she steered Sri Lanka through turbulent times. From navigating Cold War politics to implementing groundbreaking social reforms, Bandaranaike's story is one of resilience, determination, and groundbreaking leadership.

You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna and I are back with The Tudors: A Real Game of Thrones!

"Divorced, beheaded, died..."—the first part of the famous rhyme tells the fate of Henry VIII's first three wives, and we're diving into their stories in this episode.

We will explore the dramatic lives of wife number one: the loyal Catherine of Aragon, wife number two: the ambitious Anne Boleyn, and wife number three: the tragic Jane Seymour. Uncover the love, scandal betrayal and power struggles that shaped their fates and changed the course of English history forever. Whether you're a history buff or just curious about royal intrigue, this episode reveals the real women behind the crown. Don't miss it!

You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we unravel the chilling mystery of the Dyatlov Pass incident, where nine seasoned hikers met a bizarre and unexplained end in the frozen Russian wilderness. Found scattered across the landscape, some half-clothed in a frantic dash, their twisted bodies and various states of injury hinted at a possible traumatic demise at the hands of some unspeakable terror. Explore eerie details and theories—avalanches, sonic winds, yeti, or alien encounters—that continue to baffle experts and captivate the curious. Tune in for a journey through one of the most haunting unsolved mysteries of the 20th century.

You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.