Latest news with #TheHistoryPodcast
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
My grandmother grew up brushing her teeth with radioactive toothpaste
Yes, I did listen to a bit of radio. Even a spot of Radio 4 comedy. Brave, I know, but I do like policeman turned comedian Alfie Moore's It's a Fair Cop (currently broadcast on Monday nights in the 6.30pm slot). But nothing serious. Nothing with any gravitas. Or nearly nothing. I did stumble on the latest series on Radio 4's The History Podcast. Well, I say, stumble but, actually, I was given a nudge by its producer. Read more I'd rather slept on Joe Dunthorne's current series Half-Life. I think I'd read the words 'Nazi Germany' in the blurb and decided it wasn't for me. How much Nazi Germany do you need, after all? But that really wasn't what Half-Life was about, as the arresting opening line testified: 'My grandmother,' Dunthorne began, 'grew up brushing her teeth with radioactive toothpaste.' Strong opener. Better still was the information that it was his grandmother's father who had made said toothpaste. Half-Life is a family biography that - like all family biographies - weaves into the flow of history. Dunthorne's great grandfather was a Jewish chemist working in a poison gas lab with the Nazis. And that is just the start of it. All episodes are available on BBC Sounds and The Road Through the Mountains, the episode that aired on Radio 4 this week (on Wednesday) was a particularly tough listen. At the heart of it was a telling of the story of the Dersim Massacre in Turkey in 1937 and 1938, when the Turkish government killed thousands of civilians during a Kurdish rebellion; 14,000 is the government figure. Others suggest the death toll was three or four times that number. 'That's why most people say the river was flowing blood,' Dunthorne's guide told him. 'It was not water, it was just blood.' To escape the Nazis, Dunthorne's family had fled to Turkey. His great grandfather may have helped the Turkish government buy chemical weapons from the Germans. Poison gas was then used to kill those who had fled into the mountains. History, Dunthorne is telling us here, leaves a stain on those who come afterwards. In Half-Lifee you can hear it in his voice. Over on 6 Music Tom Robinson was celebrating his 75th birthday on his Now Playing show on Sunday evening. The BBC's present was to take the slot away from him. Mary Anne Hobbs is taking over this weekend. Tom Robinson celebrated his 75th birthday (Image: BBC) Robinson, who has been occupying Sunday night on 6 Music for the last 14 years - in fact he's been a regular on the station for 23 years, all told - drolly opened proceedings by playing Here's Where the Story Ends by The Sundays. What followed was an understandably slightly self-indulgent two hours in which he played quite a few of his own songs - as requested by his listeners - and, for the most part, displayed a commendably stiff upper lip. He did admit that the whole thing was a little bittersweet, though he encouraged his listeners to tune in to Hobbs's show when it started. At least there were plenty of birthday/farewell messages from his fellow 6 Music DJs and the odd musician - Lauren Laverne, Nithin Sawhney, Jason from Sleaford Mods and Peter Gabriel most notably. Tony Blackburn - still going strong at 82 - also offered his congratulations, as did The Blue Nile's Paul Buchanan. The latter was presumably prompted by that old social media meme of Robinson dancing around the studio to Tinseltown in the Rain. Understandably. That tune is one of 20th-century Scotland's greatest gifts to the world. I was at best an irregular listener to Now Playing, but rather like the late Annie Nightingale, it was always clear Robinson had built up a real rapport with his audience. We're promised a 'borderless spectrum of music' on the new Mary Anne Hobbs show. That's her USP, of course. But is that what listeners want at teatime on Sunday? Time will tell. Listen Out For: Bill Dare: Comedy Alchemist, Radio 4, Thursday, June 12, 6.30pm Talking of Radio 4 comedy … This tribute programme celebrates the career of the late radio and TV comedy producer Bill Dare, creator of The Mary Whitehouse Experience and Dead Ringers. Dare was killed in a motor accident earlier this year.
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
What's new on BBC Sounds?
Spring is in full swing and BBC Sounds is packed full of great content for April that we think you'll love. Scroll down for links to all these shows as just a taster of what's on BBC Sounds this month. What's new on BBC Sounds? 6 Music Festival Live Live sets from 6 Music Festival: Global premieres of brand new live shows, new music debuts, unique collaborations and surprise guests. Listen to 6 Music Festival Live on BBC Sounds What's Up Doc? In this BBC Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves. When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. With new statistics and treatments coming out every week, it feels impossible to decide what works best for us. So each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest science, insights and data, to help you navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there. From willpower to hunger, from dodgy knees to bad breath, they'll sort fact from fiction and tussle over their understanding of it all. Listen to What's Up Docs? on BBC Sounds The History Podcast: Invisible Hands This is the story of a hidden force that changed Britain forever — free market capitalism — and the invisible hands that shaped it. David Dimbleby traces the history of an idea that charts his lifespan. It started in a fighter plane in the Battle of Britain, gained traction in shadowy post-war London backrooms and rose to heights of excess in the new champagne bars of the City. Now it's 2025 and it has come to define every aspect of life in Britain. An idea that transformed the economy, politics and, ultimately, society itself. But how did it happen? Who are the little known people behind it? What did they want? And - as Donald Trump threatens to overturn the global economic system - is the free market here to stay? Or are we entering a new era? Listen to The History Podcast: Invisible Hands on BBC Sounds When Banksy Comes To Town Monday 7 April What happens when you wake up with a Banksy daubed on the wall of your house? Surely this is the best thing that could ever happen to you, right? New series of Radio 4's The Banksy Story hears first-hand accounts from residents who have woken up to a surprise installation on their property. Listen to When Banksy Comes to Town on BBC Sounds from Monday 7 April Listen to series one of The Banksy Story on BBC Sounds Match of the Day Top 10 Match of the Day and football legends Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards return for a new Champions League-themed series of Match of the Day Top 10. With the Champions League quarter finals on the horizon, the much-loved trio look back at the players, teams and managers that have gone down in history for their involvement in the most iconic European club competition. Listen to Match of the Day: Top 10 on BBC Sounds The Will Power Detectives The popular BBC Radio 4 podcast series Shadow World: The Willpower Detectives is back with a bonus episode. Sue Mitchell investigates how abuse of power of attorney can leave vulnerable people separated from friends and family and place them at risk of financial abuse. The programme exposes the difficulties involved when assessing mental capacity and especially when it comes to deciding who has financial control and who will inherit what's often seen as 'family money'. Listen to Will Power Detectives on BBC Sounds Pace Setter Romesh Ranganathan provides the perfect playlist of motivational music - and plenty of do's and don'ts - to get you marathon ready. From sweet potato eating to selfie taking, Rom's got sage advice for whatever you're tackling: a 20 minute run, a half marathon or the full monty. Featuring music from A Tribe Called Quest, New Order, Little Simz, Elton John, The Prodigy and so much more. Listen for over four hours of tunes to accompany your next run. Listen to Run with Rom and his epic Marathon Mix! on BBC Sounds Pop Top 10 Pop Top 10 is back for Series 2! Scott Mills and Rylan join forces to unofficially rank iconic music and pop culture moments. Expect nostalgia, heated debate, special guests, and stacks of pop passion! In each episode Scott & Rylan are joined by a special guest and in the latest episode it's Anastacia. Listen to Popstar Reinventions, with Anastacia on BBC Sounds Call Jonathan Pie Angry news reporter Jonathan Pie is back with a new series of his hit podcast Call Jonathan Pie, commissioned by BBC Radio 4 – and sees him in dire straits as he struggles to deal with the unexpected success of his radio phone-in show. Two years after the launch of Pie's radio phone-in show, the cracks are beginning to show as he and his colleagues struggle to find any enthusiasm in their respective jobs. Pie wants out – or at least the occasional duvet day. His producer Jules feels as unappreciated as ever and is 'mulling her options'. Senior editor Roger is eyeing retirement and easy-going sound engineer Sam has started taking dating tips from Andrew Tate. All of them are desperate for change and with the future of the planet, peace in Europe and more importantly the BBC licence fee no longer certain, could this be the end of the line for Call Jonathan Pie? Listen to Call Jonathan Pie on BBC Sounds Titanic: Ship of Dreams Monday 8 April On the 113th anniversary of the Titanic sinking, explore life and death aboard the most famous vessel in history in a brand new 13-part podcast series. Actors and brothers Paul McGann (Withnail and I, Doctor Who) and Stephen McGann (Call the Midwife) tell the remarkable survival story of their great uncle Jimmy, a coal-trimmer on the Titanic. Featuring expert interviews, archive audio from survivors, original music, and sound design for a unique immersive audio experience. Listen to Titanic: Ship of Dreams on BBC Sounds from the Tuesday 8 April Michael Spicer No Room Wednesday 30 April Unique satire with topical and character-filled sketches which brilliantly capture everything that provokes us; culture, politics, work... and other people. Listen to the new series from Wednesday 30 April on BBC Sounds Listen to the previous series on BBC Sounds
The Guardian
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The week in audio: Invisible Hands with David Dimbleby; Artworks: Talk Talk – Living in Another World; White Hot Hate; Luigi
The History Podcast: Invisible Hands with David Dimbleby (Radio 4) | BBC SoundsArtworks: Talk Talk – Living In Another World (Radio 4) | BBC Sounds White Hot Hate: Agent Pale Horse CBCLuigi Wondery+ David Dimbleby is a broadcasting quality mark, isn't he? Not just a guarantee of intelligent content delivered succinctly and with style, but a host who's at once establishment and outsider. His eminent career – hosting Question Time and general elections, as well as commentating on royal jubilees and state funerals – means he is intrinsically connected to Britishness and holding Britishness to account. His new Radio 4 series, Invisible Hands, unpicks a real establishment fundamental: capitalism and the free markets. Many people in Britain – me included, and I'm hardly a spring chicken – can barely remember a time when this country wasn't in thrall to the idea that the best way to run an economy is by handing power to a market where everything – strappy sandals, war weapons, water supplies – is up for sale. The series starts with Antony Fisher, a second world war RAF pilot who took up farming after 1945. There's a touch of Jon Ronson in picking Fisher: the pinpointing of a flapping butterfly event that cascades into a future that could never be imagined. Here, the flap is to do with Fisher's frustration with the postwar Attlee government and its meddling in everything. 'The heavy hand of state,' says Dimbleby. 'Government bodies with dreary bureaucratic names like the Milk Marketing Board and the Egg Marketing Board.' At some point Fisher reads a Reader's Digest article by Prof Friedrich Hayek, in which Hayek argued that the government's micromanagement of the economy was actually 'pretty well what the Nazis had proposed', and actually what the allies had been fighting against. A light goes on in Fisher's head. The butterfly flaps its wings. By the end of episode one, Fisher is in the US at a competition called the Chicken of Tomorrow(!) and everything is about to change. Invisible Hands covers a lot of ground, but it's well paced, and Dimbleby makes it all enjoyable and easy to understand. Politics students may be familiar with the Fisher story but I didn't know it, and the programme is an engaging way to learn how the Chicken of Tomorrow became the State of Today. Also on Radio 4 last week, Elbow's Guy Garvey, the warm and eloquent 6 Music presenter, hosted an episode of the excellent series Artworks. The subject was British pop group Talk Talk and, specifically, their 1988 album Spirit of Eden: a great work, completely at odds with the times. Garvey is a romantic, and he clearly delights in the bucketful of romantic tropes in this tale. Mark Hollis, Talk Talk's leader, was a musical genius unaffected by (capitalist) dreams of fame and fortune. After three albums, as stardom beckoned, he turned left; made a deliberate retreat from the commercial in favour of art. Spirit of Eden took nine months to make and was done in the literal and metaphorical dark. Every note had to be spontaneous, insisted Hollis, who kept the bad guys (the record company) at bay by simply locking them out. The result? An album so groundbreaking and out of sync that the record company had no idea how to sell it. Talk Talk became unmarketable, Hollis and EMI sued each other (EMI said the album was 'not commercially satisfactory': lovely use of words there) and Hollis bid a retreat. And – yep, you guessed it – almost 40 years on, Spirit of Eden is lauded as a masterpiece. It was interesting to hear the effect on Tony Wadsworth, then head of marketing at EMI, who worked his way up to become the company's boss. 'It was a great lesson that came in very useful later on with artists like Radiohead,' he said. And Hollis, a man who, outside the studio, was affable and companionable, said this: 'I can't imagine not playing music, but I don't feel any need to record music or perform it.' A message that's often forgotten: it's in the doing that the delight in art is found. A couple of shows about US antiheroes for the single-minded-obsessive lovers among you. Actually, the first, White Hot Hate: Agent Pale Horse, about an undercover FBI agent called Scott Payne, reveals his very un-loner-ish approach. Though Payne is tattooed, bearded and leather-jacketed – all things that freak out many Americans – he's a fun guy, able to make friends easily. And his look and demeanour have meant that he has been able to infiltrate neo-Nazi cabals, biker gangs, dodgy fringe groups – though always with the fear of being discovered. Payne is painted as a tattooed angel on the side of the righteous, but whether or not you enjoy this show will depend on how much you warm to his convivial but rather egotistical company. Finally, brace yourself, ladies, there's a podcast about Luigi Mangione. Of course, no show can ever go deep enough on the man accused of killing the CEO of United HealthCare in December. The circumstances – and, to be honest, Mangione's looks – trump any banal insights offered by friends and neighbours. He might have been brought up with 'a strong foundation of community', have been 'a friendly, lovely young man' with 'intelligence and ambition', and had 'a relentless, grinding struggle' with back pain, but that's not really why people will listen. It's for Mangione's hood-up smile before he allegedly committed the murder, and for the Italian loafers (no socks) he wore while in court. Fans can never get enough of this kind of thing, it seems. Still, this four-part series has the right amount of silly schlock to keep the Luigi legend bubbling.
BBC News
03-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
David Dimbleby to host Invisible Hands and Joe Dunthorne to present Half-Life for The History Podcast on BBC Radio 4
BBC Sounds has announced two brand new series which will air this spring as part of the popular history strand, The History Podcast. Invisible Hands is a landmark six-part narrative podcast in which David Dimbleby tells the seismic story of the free market revolution - perhaps the most powerful political idea of the 20th century. But this is not a dry story of economic models, this is the story of the little-known visionaries, mavericks and outcasts who made it their life's work to transform Britain's economy forever, setting the stage for Margaret Thatcher's reforms, the City's big bang and beyond. Dimbleby, who witnessed the idea unfold first-hand across his years as a BBC political reporter and presenter, takes us through the dramatic twists and turns of its evolution. His story starts - unexpectedly - on a chicken farm in Sussex, with the man who went on to set up the influential Institute of Economic Affairs think tank, before tracking the idea as it moved its way through the shadows of post-war London, and exploded onto a scene of opulence and excess in the new champagne bars of the City. Today, free market capitalism dominates every corner of British life, but how did it happen and who were the masterminds behind it? The History Podcast: Invisible Hands will begin on 26th March on BBC Radio 4 and Sounds. David Dimbleby, broadcaster and presenter of Invisible Hands, says: 'Looking back on a lifetime interviewing politicians and debating their ideas I think that none was more radical than the theory of free market capitalism. In the mid-1970s no one knew what it really meant or where the idea came from. This is the story of how this revolutionary idea took hold, challenging old assumptions and redefining British society. It begins with a fighter pilot shot down in the Battle of Britain, an ambitious chicken farmer and a politician nick-named the mad monk who embraced the idea with such enthusiasm that he persuaded the government to abandon the old way of running Britain for a new and as yet untried theory. I was seven when the Second World War ended, and in this series, I trace the history of the revolutionary idea that spans my own lifespan, and now defines every part of our lives in Britain.' Following closely this May, Half-Life follows award-winning poet, novelist and journalist Joe Dunthorne as he embarks on a deeply personal investigation into his own family history. The gripping eight-part series starts with the story of his great-grandfather, Siegfried, a German-Jewish chemist who made radioactive toothpaste in the 1920s. While trying to write his family's history, Joe discovers Siegfried's nearly two thousand page memoir, a turgid and repetitive account of his life that few members of his family ever managed to finish reading. Joe was going in search of the details of his family's dramatic escape from Nazi Germany in 1936 but found a far more disturbing history, a confession from his great-grandfather hidden on page 1,692. This unearths a story of unexploded bombs, radioactive soil and erased histories that takes Joe from Berlin to Ankara to North Carolina and back to Swansea. Joe Dunthorne, presenter of Half-Life, says: 'Half-Life is about the stories we tell ourselves, who we are and where we come from – and how these stories often hide a more complex truth. As I explored the messy inheritance left to me by my great-grandfather, I learned first-hand the many ways history continues to haunt our present. It lives on inside us, even when we try to ignore it.' Daniel Clarke, Factual Commissioning Editor at Radio 4, says: 'We are delighted to add not one but two new history series to our popular history strand, The History Podcast. These new commissions follow the success of The Lucan Obsession, which reignited the nation's fascination with one of the most enduring mysteries of the 20th century, and The Brighton Bomb, which featured fresh testimony on the 1984 IRA plot to assassinate Margaret Thatcher. Such engaging and high quality titles saw The History Podcast ranked as the fourth most-listened to podcast on BBC Sounds in the last quarter of 2024.' The History Podcast is Radio 4's home for story-driven history documentaries. The new series follows a string of successful titles under the same strand, available to listen to now on BBC Sounds: The Lucan Obsession, The Brighton Bomb, Escape from the Maze, D-Day: The Last Voices, Shadow War: China and the West. In addition to this, beginning on Wednesday 2 April, BBC Radio 4 will treat listeners to a new weekly five-minute feature called This Week in History. Each episode will be read by Radio 4 announcers. They will spotlight a selection of the most fascinating and significant events that occurred this same week in the past. The feature will air on Wednesdays, with repeats on Fridays. Listen to The History Podcast on BBC Sounds Credits The History Podcast: Invisible Hands Begins on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds on 26 March 2025 Presented by David Dimbleby A Samizdat Audio production Producer: Jo Barratt Executive Producers and Story editors: Dasha Lisitsina and Joe Sykes Sound Design: Peregrine Andrews The History Podcast: Half-Life Available on BBC Sounds from 7 May 2025 Written and presented by Joe Dunthorne A Falling Tree production Produced by Eleanor McDowall. Executive Producer: Alan Hall Story Consultant: Sarah Geis Original music composed by Jeremy Warmsley AT2
