Since the World's been Turning

This episode takes us behind the Iron Curtain, as we explore the life and times of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, the mercurial figure who was once Josef Stalin’s “court jester”. After Stalin’s death, Khrushchev longed to restore the USSR to the “shining heights of communism”. 
He dreamed of a more peaceful, tolerant and prosperous state. But as Khrushchev navigated national and global events, he was often his own worst enemy: he was clever and compassionate, but also rash, egocentric and impulsive. Later in his life, he was also haunted by his own participation in Stalin’s purges of the 1930s. 

We’re joined by special guest Professor William Taubman, an academic at Amherst College and a Pulitzer prize-winning Soviet historian, who wrote Nikita Khrushchev’s biography: Khrushchev- the Man and His Era. 

This episode takes us into the troubled heart of Alabama in the 1950s: when the state was the scene of racial inequality, tension and violence. 

It was in Alabama that Rosa Parks, the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” refused to give up her bus seat for a white man, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott was born. The boycott garnered interest from activists all over the world, and it led to the rise of a charismatic young preacher, named Martin Luther King Jr. 

We’re joined  by special guest Cole Manley, a PhD student at the University of Columbia. Cole is the author of the book, “The Unlikely World of the Montgomery Bus Boycott”, which explores the global impact of the protest. 

The Hungarian revolution is a pivotal moment in the Cold War, as the first real example of a Soviet-occupied country attempting to break out from under the iron curtain. It shows us how widely the smallest choice made in the Kremlin could ripple out, and just how drastic the consequences could be.
Were joined by Dr Gerhard Schüsselbauer, the director of the Pan-European Studies Institute in Vlotho, Germany.

This episode focuses on one of the most influential and controversial actress/model of the 20th Century, Brigitte Bardot. Throughout her career, Bardot not only changed fashion forever but also ushered in a new era of cultural attitudes towards sex, specifically sexually empowered women. 

This week we’re booking our tickets, signing up for Fastpass and heading out into the California countryside to visit Disneyland. 

Arguably the most singular and innovative idea of Walt Disney, a man known for his singular and innovative ideas, the word Disneyland has become synonymous with adventure, joy, and painfully long queue times. But how did it come to be? 

Here to help us answer that question is theme-park engineer turned Disneyland historian, Alastair Dallas. 

Author of the book, Inventing Disneyland, Alastair was such an expert on Disneyland, that he’s inspired us to experiment a little with the format of this episode. 

In this episode we discuss the life and times of the uncontested king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley.  From humble beginnings in Mississippi and Tennessee, Elvis shot to superstardom in the 1950s. More than 60 years later, he’s still a household name.  Although his life was tragically short, he lives on in the memories of his fans - some of whom dedicated shrines to him. 

Our guest is Ray Connolly, the author of ‘Being Elvis: A Lonely Life’. Ray, a veteran music journalist, was one of the only reporters to interview the star, who many people heard and saw, but few truly knew. 

In this episode we’re diving into one of the most significant stories of all time, Peter Pan.   A tale as immortal as its ever child-like protagonist, Pan’s adventures have been revamped and retold countless times in the hundred and fifty years since its conception. 

From its initial telling as a satirical fantasy laced with personal tragedy in turn of the century Britain, through its re-shaping into a hyper Americanized piece of post World War two escapism by both Walt Disney and Broadway, to finally winding up as an ever underperforming piece of IP in the Hollywood Machine, the history of how we tell Peter’s story has become as captivating as the story itself. But where did it come from? And why do we, time and again, find ourselves returning to the story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up?

In this episode we explore the man behind the hit 1950’s Disney TV show, the man beneath the raccoon skin cap.

This Texas legend is perhaps most famous for his part in the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, which served to only build on his prodigious legend. Known in his day as the ‘King of the Frontier’, tales of his exploits would inspire and entertain millions over a century later when he hit television screens in 1950’s America.

The Disney TV show was a huge hit. By 1960 Americans had spent, in today's money, two billion dollars on Davy Crockett merchandise.

To explore the life of this iconic American we’re joined by Bill Cotter.  Bill is a Disney insider and expert, having worked there for decades and he’ll help guide us through Davy Crockett's reincarnation as a Disney sensation. 

This episode takes us into the world of the Brooklyn Dodgers, the New York baseball team whose rise to glory won them fans around the world - and whose departure, to more profitable pastures, left a legacy of bitterness. 

We’re joined by special guest Andy McCue, the author of Mover and Shaker: Walter O’Malley, the Dodgers and Baseball’s Westward Expansion.

This week, we're diving into the life and work of Hollywood icon James Dean. Coming of age just after WW2, "Jimmy" was part of the first generation of teenagers. He would let the world into their inner lives through his star-making turn in Rebel Without a Cause. A driven, charismatic, and complicated man, Dean remains instantly recognizable today. His journey from Indiana farm-boy to international icon is one filled with complex romances, immense dedication, and hard work. 

We'd like to thank this week's guest,  Dorothy Schulz; Curator of the Fairmount Historical Museum, and invite you to enjoy the episode below!