History Behind the Headlines

HistoryExtra
HistoryExtra
  • 4.7 (3)
  • History
  • Biweekly

How does the past shape today's world? In HistoryExtra's fortnightly podcast History Behind the Headlines, Matt Elton is joined by regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and guest experts to explore the historical context you need to understand the latest news. GET MORE WITH MEMBERSHIP  Become a HistoryExtra podcast member and unlock access to The Full Story podcast, plus enjoy ad-free listening, early access to other podcast episodes, and a member-exclusive newsletter.  ⁠⁠ Sign up here ⁠⁠ EXPLORE MORE For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠. GET IN TOUCH We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

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  1. 7h ago

    What do previous US midterms tell us about the direction of American politics?

    US voters have been casting their ballots in the midterm elections, with Democrats taking control of Congress for the rest of Donald Trump’s presidency. But what does looking at the history of the midterms tell us about the extent they can forecast wider political change? In this episode, recorded earlier this week before the results were announced, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda look back at some key examples. Plus: how did people make their dissatisfaction with leaders known in pre-democratic societies? ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST For another take on the legacy of the slave trade, don’t miss this HistoryExtra podcast episode with William A Pettigrew: https://bit.ly/4ehKmw0 And for more on apologies from political leaders, check out this archive episode of History Behind the Headlines: https://bit.ly/4yXFDXO ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  2. Oct 21

    What’s the point of public executions?

    Two recent cases in the United States have brought the issue of state executions on to the front pages – the failed execution of murderer Christa Pike and, particularly, the plans to livestream the death of Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 unarmed US military personnel in 2009. But how have attitudes towards the public display of death changed throughout the centuries? To explore this often upsetting topic, regular panellist Hannah Skoda is joined by Dr Catherine Jenkinson from Pembroke College, University of Oxford. Plus: as rioting continues in France, what does the medieval era tell us about the way such protests escalate? And can history offer us any antidotes to doomscrolling? ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  3. Oct 7

    What happens when students go on strike?

    Students have been protesting throughout France in recent weeks, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets in cities including Paris and Marseille. It’s far from the first time that students have been involved in such mass demonstrations, and in this episode regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore some notable historical parallels. Plus, as the UK’s politicians gather for their respective annual conferences, we take a look at some key moments that have defined the politics of their era. ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  4. Sep 23

    What do US-Asia summits reveal about American imperialism?

    US President Donald Trump has hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a summit in Washington this week, with topics including AI and international trade up for discussion. But how have such meetings reflected the way in which the United States has thought about Asia? And in what ways do imperial ambitions play into this story? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda explore the longer history. Plus, closer to home: what hidden histories might lurk in a hedgerow near you? ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  5. Sep 9

    Why is the blockbuster Bayeux exhibition so important?

    The British Museum’s major Bayeux Tapestry exhibition finally opens its doors in London this week, following months of build-up and excitement. But why are blockbuster historical events such as this so important in bringing history to a wider audience? And why is the Tapestry such a big deal in the first place? In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter delve into the production, politics and pertinence of the Bayeux Tapestry, and look back at some other moments in which history has captured the imagination of a nation. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST You can explore HistoryExtra’s full coverage of the Bayeux Tapestry and the new exhibition, including podcasts, videos and articles, here: https://bit.ly/3V0x2oQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  6. Aug 26

    What does history tell us about Trump's Canada tariffs?

    US president Donald Trump issued his latest tranche of tariffs this week, as talks between the United States and Canada broke down. But what would economists of the past have made of his ongoing trade war? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda look back at the historical parallels. Plus, with summer holiday season coming to an end, they explore the innovations that have made international travel easier – and, on occasion, more exasperating throughout the centuries. ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  7. Aug 12

    Why has The Odyssey proved so enduring?

    Christopher Nolan’s big-budget adaptation of The Odyssey has become the film-maker’s highest grossing film, surpassing $1.1 billion at the box office. Why has the story proven such a draw for audiences – not just now, in the 21st century, but across the centuries since it was first composed? In this episode of History Behind the Headlines, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda discuss the epic’s enduring appeal. But first: what’s the longer history behind the current fears about so-called ‘smart glasses’? And were newspaper columnists really responsible for the first clickbait? ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  8. Jul 29

    Why does the Bayeux Tapestry still command our attention?

    The British Museum's upcoming blockbuster exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry marks the likely homecoming of this venerable artefact, to immense excitement. But why has it taken so long for it to return? And how has it become such a political football in our own time? In this special episode of History Behind the Headlines, HistoryExtra's Dr David Musgrove tells James Osborne about the long story of the Bayeux Tapestry's travels from England to France – and back again – and explains why its journeys have always been fraught with politics, drama, and mystery. ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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4.7
out of 5
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About

How does the past shape today's world? In HistoryExtra's fortnightly podcast History Behind the Headlines, Matt Elton is joined by regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and guest experts to explore the historical context you need to understand the latest news. GET MORE WITH MEMBERSHIP  Become a HistoryExtra podcast member and unlock access to The Full Story podcast, plus enjoy ad-free listening, early access to other podcast episodes, and a member-exclusive newsletter.  ⁠⁠ Sign up here ⁠⁠ EXPLORE MORE For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠. GET IN TOUCH We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

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