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When I say "Byzantine Empire", you say "The what empire?" But if I said "The Empire which is like the Aldi version of the Roman Empire" you say "Oooooh, like the Roman Empire but with random stuff in it that is vaguely familiar".  
 
Sadly, much of Byzantine history is overlooked in popular culture and thus many of you likely know very little about it. A great shame. So, to break this bleak cycle of ignorance, I've engaged some help!  Join me and special guest, the host of the Anthology of Heroes Podcast, the electric Elliot Gates, as we chat over the gist of the Roman Empire 2.0 - The Byzantines.  Check out the Anthology of Heroes here anthologyofheroespodcast.com
   
This episode was produced by Chris Parker, researched by special guest Elliot Gates, and the Modern Gistory theme music was written and recorded by Ella Dwyer.

In 1939, Germany, growing a little tired of peace, decided to head to Poland to start a little bit of neighbourhood mischief. I imagine you know the rest of that story. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Japan too was looking for a good time and started its search in China before it quickly kicked on all over the Pacific. This episode is all about that 'kick on' which went on to become known as the War in the Pacific.
 
Join me and special guest, the host of the History Files Podcast (formerly HSC History Podcast), the indefatigable Blake Hamilton, as we island hop and toredo our way across the Pacific during the Second World War. 
  
This episode was produced by Chris Parker, researched by special guest Blake Hamilton, and the Modern Gistory theme music was written and recorded by Ella Dwyer.

By far the longest episode we've done yet! I considered cutting it shorter but, as it turns out (and at no great surprise), there's nothing about Napoleon Bonaparte's life that is uninteresting enough to be cut!  
 
One of the most recognisable names (and outfits) of all history, I was not brave enough to take on the gist of Napoleon Bonaparte alone. So I'm joined, all the way from the Emerald Isle, by the brilliant (soon to be Doctor) Arron Keegan! So, stick around and join us as we blow the top of Europe's worst kept secret - Napoleon Bonaparte! 
 
This episode was produced by Chris Parker, researched by special guest Arron Keegan, and the Modern Gistory theme music was written and recorded by Ella Dwyer.

The name 'Taliban' rings a lot of different bells in a lot of different pitches for a lot of different people. But for Rahila Abdul-Hadi, it rings more than a bell - it shatters it.  
 
Join me and special guest, student, author, and refugee, Rahila Abdul-Hadi, as we talk over her family's experience with the Taliban along with her journey from Pakistan to Australia as a refugee. Her journey is a powerful one and a story well worth listening to. So tune in as Rahila explains all the reasons for why the Taliban can get screwed! 
 
This episode was produced by Chris Parker, featured special guest Rahila Abdul-Hadi, and the Modern Gistory theme music was written and recorded by Ella Dwyer.

For many Australians, the term 'Wars of the Roses' sounds more like a segment from Better Homes & Gardens than it does actual history. But not only is it 'actual history', it's actually some damn cool history! So damn cool that author George R.R. Martin took inpiration from it for his masterwork - Game of Thrones. 

 

I'm flying solo in this episode. Well, kind of, I introduce a new segment in this episode called 'Modern Gistory Cold Calls' (which I never revisit in the series) so a special mention goes to my friend Constance. So join me, as I fly solo (mostly) through this episode, to dish you the gist on one of the most blood thirsty and family shattering rollicks of the late Middle Ages that became known as the Wars of the Roses. 

 

This episode was researched and produced by Chris Parker and the Modern Gistory theme music was written and recorded by Ella Dwyer.

In this final episode of the season, join me and special guest Nate Denham, as we machete our way through the jungles of Mesoamerica to provide you with the gist of the Aztecs and their war against Spanish weapons and diseases. A conflict almost as challenging as two Aussies found pronouncing traditional names and places correctly. We did try though.  

  

Together we chew over the long-term impact that Aztec culture has had on modern cuisine and nationhood along with the short-term impact Hernan Cortes and his pals had on the Aztec way of life and together, discuss the question of 'who are the baddies in tragic story of the Spanish and Aztecs?'  

  

To see the visuals for this episode or to join the conversation, follow Modern Gistory on Instagram @modern_gistory.  

  

This episode was lovingly produced by Chris Parker, researched by Nate Denham, and the Modern Gistory theme music written and recorded by the delightful Ella Dwyer.