123 episodes

Real Dictators is the award-winning podcast that explores the hidden lives of history's tyrants. Hosted by Paul McGann, with contributions from eyewitnesses and expert historians.

New episodes available one week early for Noiser+ subscribers. You'll also get ad-free listening and exclusive content. To find out more about Noiser+, head to noiser.com/subscriptions.

For advertising enquiries, email info@adelicious.fm

Production: Joel Duddell, Miriam Baines, Tom Pink, George Tapp, Dorry Macaulay, Cian Ryan-Morgan, Joseph McGann. Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/real for £100 sponsored credit.

Real Dictators Noiser

    • History
    • 4.8 • 1.2K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Real Dictators is the award-winning podcast that explores the hidden lives of history's tyrants. Hosted by Paul McGann, with contributions from eyewitnesses and expert historians.

New episodes available one week early for Noiser+ subscribers. You'll also get ad-free listening and exclusive content. To find out more about Noiser+, head to noiser.com/subscriptions.

For advertising enquiries, email info@adelicious.fm

Production: Joel Duddell, Miriam Baines, Tom Pink, George Tapp, Dorry Macaulay, Cian Ryan-Morgan, Joseph McGann. Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink.

We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/real for £100 sponsored credit.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Oliver Cromwell Part 4: The Conquest of Ireland

    Oliver Cromwell Part 4: The Conquest of Ireland

    In the final part of the Cromwell story, outrage at the King’s execution leads Ironsides to wage war on Scotland and, notoriously, Ireland. Insurgencies over, he’ll become Lord Protector - king in all but name. But as discontent continues to spread, the unthinkable will once again become possible. The Stuart monarchy couldn’t be restored… could it?…
    A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson.
    Many thanks to Peter Gaunt, Clare Jackson, Anna Keay, John Morrill, Nicholas O’Shaughnessy, Micheál Ó Siochrú.
    This is Part 4 of 4.
    Get every episode of Real Dictators a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions.
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    • 1 hr 10 min
    Oliver Cromwell Part 3: To Kill a King…

    Oliver Cromwell Part 3: To Kill a King…

    With the King in captivity, both sides seek a settlement. But when Charles escapes, all trust is broken. For Cromwell there is only one course of action - a solution that will plunge the British Isles into unknown territory. His Majesty must be put on trial…
    A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson.
    Many thanks to Peter Gaunt, Clare Jackson, Anna Keay, John Morrill, Nicholas O’Shaughnessy, Micheál Ó Siochrú.
    This is Part 3 of 4.
    Get every episode of Real Dictators a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Oliver Cromwell Part 2: Civil War Across the Realms

    Oliver Cromwell Part 2: Civil War Across the Realms

    England is plunged into conflict. Oliver Cromwell, an obscure politician, soon proves himself an outstanding military commander. King Charles, meanwhile, unveils his own star signing - a dashing young cavalry officer named Prince Rupert. A daring mission featuring the Queen threatens to tip the balance the Royalists’ way. But Cromwell’s New Model Army will prove itself unstoppable…
    A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson.
    Many thanks to Peter Gaunt, Clare Jackson, Anna Keay, John Morrill, Nicholas O’Shaughnessy, Micheál Ó Siochrú.
    This is Part 2 of 4.
    Get every episode of Real Dictators a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Oliver Cromwell Part 1: The Rise of Ironsides

    Oliver Cromwell Part 1: The Rise of Ironsides

    Say “Oliver Cromwell” today and certain things come to mind. He won the English Civil War and prompted the execution of Charles I. He purged the realm with such zeal that he even cancelled Christmas. In Ireland, where Cromwell’s troops besieged its towns with a notorious barbarity, his name is still used as a curse. “The greatest prince that ever ruled England”, as one historian called him? Or, as Winston Churchill would counter, a tyrant and a despot?
    A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson.
    Many thanks to Peter Gaunt, Clare Jackson, Anna Keay, John Morrill, Nicholas O’Shaughnessy, Micheál Ó Siochrú.
    This is Part 1 of 4.
    Get every episode of Real Dictators a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Introducing: The Curious History of Your Home - Baths

    Introducing: The Curious History of Your Home - Baths

    A brand-new podcast from the Noiser network. Join domestic historian Ruth Goodman as she explores the remarkable, often epic, tales behind everyday objects.
    This taster episode is all about the bath.
    A murderous emperor builds the grandest bath complex ever seen in Ancient Rome. The arrival of a new disease spells trouble for the bathhouses of Tudor London. An excitable Victorian clergyman extolls the virtues of skinny dipping. And World War Two plays a surprising role in kickstarting the hot tub craze…
    If you enjoy this taster episode, search ‘The Curious History of Your Home’ in your podcast app and hit follow to get new episodes every Tuesday.
    Or follow this link: https://podfollow.com/the-curious-history-of-your-home
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 33 min
    Enver Hoxha Part 2: Stalin’s Shadow, Europe’s North Korea

    Enver Hoxha Part 2: Stalin’s Shadow, Europe’s North Korea

    As a new premier takes charge in Moscow, Hoxha makes a new friend in China. The Albanian dictator tasks an entire media industry with maintaining his image. But as his country sinks into an economic mire and his own health deteriorates, Hoxha and Albania’s isolation will be complete. How will the country even begin to escape his clutches?
    A Noiser production, written by Sean Coleman. Many thanks to Bernd Fischer, Artan Hoxha and Shannon Woodcock.
    This is Part 2 of 2.
    Get every episode of Real Dictators a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 53 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
1.2K Ratings

1.2K Ratings

AC 130 gunner ,

Favourite history podcast ever

Paul McGan’s narration can make a chill run down my spine with how well he tells some of these stories. Writing is 10/10

Potato1Peep ,

Awesome podcast but..

This is isn’t directly about the show, but people have been commenting about adding Justin Trudeau as a dictator, if you add him to the show I will unfollow, because you wouldn’t have anything to write about, I’m not trying to defend Justin Trudeau, I want the Green Party to win, but at least Trudeau is better then Trump. You want to make an episode on Justin Trudeau after following those recommendations? Go ahead, but you won’t get far with the research.

GREAT PODCAST, just don’t listen to those specific comments, please and thank you, keep up the good work!

Aerskine23 ,

Monumental Podcast

One of, if not, the best historical podcast out there. The research, commentary, guests and narration at first class.

Future people of interest I would like to see are:
- Sulla
- Oliver Cromwell
- Nero
- Caligula
- Andronikos I Komnenos
- Richard III
- Pedro I of Castile
- William the Bad, King of Sicily
- Christian the Tyrant, King of Norway and Denmark

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