Execution Stories

OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT

Execution stories from the Tudor age begin long before the scaffold. They begin with a whisper at court, a letter intercepted, a queen's smile that lasted one day too long. This show tells the true execution stories of the men and women who climbed the Tudor scaffold. Each episode reconstructs one case in full, cinematic detail: the rise that made them untouchable, the accusation that changed everything, the trial whose verdict was written in advance, and the final morning on the scaffold. No host chatting between clips, no panel debating theories. Just one complete story, narrated start to finish, built from court records, letters, and the eyewitness accounts the Tudor world left behind. You will hear execution stories of queens who went from the throne to the block in three weeks, ministers who built the machine that later destroyed them, and commoners whose deaths shook kings. Some episodes follow the last days of a single prisoner; others trace the political storm that made an execution inevitable. All of them treat these execution stories as what they really are: the sharpest edge of power in an age when falling from favor meant falling forever. If you are drawn to execution stories told like slow-burning thrillers, this is built for you. New episodes drop regularly, each one a self-contained descent toward the scaffold. Subscribe now so the next of these execution stories lands the moment it goes live.

  1. 41m ago

    The Rope That Held a Saint: Tyburn's Last Words

    A brilliant scholar rises to England’s heights, then becomes the kingdom’s most wanted man. How does a life of such promise lead to a Tyburn execution? The Rope That Held a Saint: Tyburn's Last Words This episode delves into the life of Edmund Campion, a bookseller's son who became a celebrated academic and orator, only to find himself on a collision course with the English crown. Discover the choices and beliefs that transformed a rising star into a condemned man. Person: Edmund Campion Born: January 1540 Location: Paternoster Row, London Queen: Mary Tudor, Elizabeth I Event: English Reformation - Edmund Campion, at 13, delivered a formal Latin address to Queen Mary Tudor, securing a sponsorship for Oxford. - He earned multiple degrees and was ordained a deacon in the Church of England, seemingly on a clear path to advancement. - Troubled by the oath of supremacy to the crown, Campion left Oxford in 1569 and traveled to Ireland. - After fleeing Ireland under a false name, he walked to Douai and then to Rome, where he joined the Jesuit order. - Campion spent six years teaching in Prague before being designated for a secret mission back to England. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

    The Rope That Held a Saint: Tyburn's Last Words
  2. 41m ago

    The scholarship to Pavia that turned a brilliant economist into an SS ideologue

    A scholarship to Pavia set a young economist on a path to command an SS unit; how does intellect become ideology? The scholarship to Pavia that turned a brilliant economist into an SS ideologue In this episode, we trace the formative choices and institutional steps that carried Otto Ohlendorf from rural Prussia to the heart of the SS, mapping the career, scholarships, postings, and protocols that shaped his role. What turned academic rigor into a method for mass murder? Person: Otto Ohlendorf Date of birth: 4 February 1907 Education: scholarship to the University of Pavia, doctoral degrees, lectured by age 23 Organization: SD (Sicherheitsdienst), leader of Amt III, later commander of Einsatzgruppe D Geographic scope: Moldova, southern Ukraine, Crimea, North Caucasus - Joined the Nazi Party in 1925 and the SS in 1926, making an early, conscious ideological choice - Studied economics and law at Leipzig and Göttingen, earned two doctorates and a Pavia scholarship, and taught at 23 - Recruited to the SD in 1936, ran the Reich Main Security Office’s Inland section producing detailed internal reports - Refused the Einsatzgruppe D command twice in 1941 but accepted on the third approach and took field leadership - Imposed strict operational protocols in the field-lineups, multiple riflemen, ban on Genickschuß and looting-to bureaucratize killing To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

    The scholarship to Pavia that turned a brilliant economist into an SS ideologue
  3. 41m ago

    The turquoise nose ornament that won him kings - and led to his fall

    A priest's son, born without a claim to power, conquers 94 cities in ancient Mexico. But one act of mercy threatens to undo his entire empire. The turquoise nose ornament that won him kings - and led to his fall This episode explores the rise and fall of Eight Deer Jaguar Claw, a Mixtec leader who built an empire from nothing. It delves into the unique social and political structures of the Mixtec world and the pivotal decisions that shaped his destiny. Person: Eight Deer Jaguar Claw Birth Date: October 5, 1063 Death Date: 1115 Birthplace: Oaxaca, Mexico Conquered Cities: 94 - Eight Deer Jaguar Claw was born the son of a high priest, not into a royal lineage with a claim to power. - The Mixtec world was organized by blood, calendar, and marriage, with noble children receiving calendar names at birth. - His half-sister, Six Lizard Jade Fan, married Eleven Wind Bloody Jaguar, whose lineage held hereditary rights to the throne Eight Deer could not inherit. - Eight Deer acquired a turquoise nose ornament from the Toltec ruler Four Jaguar Face of the Night, signifying foreign royal recognition. - He spent years building his power through military campaigns and alliances, accompanied by his two brothers, Twelve Earthquake Bloody Jaguar and Nine Flower Copal Ball with Arrow. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

    The turquoise nose ornament that won him kings - and led to his fall
  4. 41m ago

    Stalin's Dinner Guest: The Empty-Head Who Died

    A Soviet agricultural leader dines with Stalin, unaware of the secret police's arrest order already drawn. His fate hangs on past decisions. Stalin's Dinner Guest: The Empty-Head Who Died This episode explores the life and downfall of Yakov Yakovlev, a key architect of Soviet agricultural policy, who found himself a dinner guest of Stalin on the night of his impending arrest. It delves into the circumstances that led a powerful figure to such a precarious position. Person: Yakov Arkadyevich Yakovlev Date: October 12, 1937 Location: Stalin's apartment Status: Arrest order drawn Age: 42 - Yakovlev, born in Grodno in 1896, became a Bolshevik at 17, aligning himself with revolutionary politics. - He quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming People's Commissar for Agriculture in 1929 at 33 years old. - In this role, he oversaw the collectivization of Soviet agriculture, a policy that led to widespread famine. - Yakovlev also began sponsoring Trofim Lysenko, a controversial agronomist, ordering the Odessa Institute of Genetics to develop his techniques. - His wife, Sofia Sokolovskaya, was arrested the same morning as him, and her fate remains unknown. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

    Stalin's Dinner Guest: The Empty-Head Who Died
  5. 41m ago

    The Private House That Held a Ruler's Power

    A man with no title rules central Vietnam with an iron fist, feared even by presidents and generals. How did he rise so high? The Private House That Held a Ruler's Power This episode explores the life of Ngô Đình Cẩn, a man who, despite holding no official government title, wielded immense power in central Vietnam for nearly a decade. It delves into the unique circumstances that allowed him to accumulate such authority and the family history that shaped his approach to power. Person: Ngô Đình Cẩn Date: May 9, 1964 Location: Saigon, Vietnam Status: Executed Topic: Unofficial Power - Ngô Đình Cẩn, diabetic and having suffered a heart attack, was carried on a stretcher to his execution at 52 years old. - His father, Ngô Đình Khả, retired as a mandarin in protest of French interference, setting a precedent for the family's relationship with colonial power. - Cẩn's eldest brother, Ngô Đình Khôi, was assassinated by Hồ Chí Minh's cadres in 1945. - Cẩn spent years listening to political lectures from Phan Bội Châu, a prominent anti-French nationalist under house arrest. - US consul John Helble confirmed the existence of 18th-century style cells within an old French arsenal in Huế, located within Cẩn's domain. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

    The Private House That Held a Ruler's Power
  6. 41m ago

    The Paycheck That Built a Fascist Empire and Led to a Firing Squad

    On November 10, 1947, two men were carried to their execution. One, a former soap salesman, became a fascist éminence grise. The Paycheck That Built a Fascist Empire and Led to a Firing Squad This episode delves into the life of Louis Collard, a man educated by Catholic priests who rose to become the third most powerful figure in a fascist movement. It explores his journey from a department store job to a position of immense influence, leaving listeners to ponder the choices that led to his ultimate fate. Person: Louis Collard Date: November 10, 1947 Location: Charleroi, Belgium Movement: Rexist Party Event: Execution by firing squad - Louis Collard, educated by Catholic priests, initially left politics to sell soap at a department store. - He became the secretary of the Rexist Party, organizing rallies and editing their newspaper, Le Pays Réel. - In 1936, Collard was arrested for document theft but received a light sentence, learning that "systems could be managed." - After a period of withdrawal, he was hired by a pro-Rexist businessman in 1942, marking his return to influence. - Within six months, Collard became a confidant and advisor to the interim Rexist leader, Victor Matthys, overseeing sixty employees. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

    The Paycheck That Built a Fascist Empire and Led to a Firing Squad
  7. 41m ago

    The Heretic Who Argued His Way to the Fire

    John Philpot is imprisoned in St Paul's, facing execution for heresy. How did a man of such intellect make enemies across the religious divide? The Heretic Who Argued His Way to the Fire This episode explores the life of John Philpot, a prominent figure in 16th-century England, from his early education to his rise in the church. It delves into the choices and convictions that led him to a perilous position during a tumultuous period of religious change. Person: John Philpot Date: December 18, 1555 Location: Smithfield, England Age: 40 years old Office: Archdeacon of Winchester - John Philpot, the third son of a minor gentry family, displayed exceptional academic talent at Winchester College, winning a wager by composing 200 Latin verses in a single night. - His intellectual prowess caught the attention of Thomas Cromwell, leading to a period of study in Italy where he translated humanist scholarship and debated theology. - During his time in Italy, Philpot narrowly avoided the Roman Inquisition after arguing theology with a Franciscan friar. - Upon his return to England, Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, offered Philpot the archdeaconry, a significant administrative office. - Philpot accepted the position in 1552, gaining formal authority over church discipline in Winchester, but quickly began to accumulate enemies among both Catholics and Protestants. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

    The Heretic Who Argued His Way to the Fire
  8. 41m ago

    The Two Fingers That Cost an Archpriest His Freedom and His Life

    An archpriest is exiled to Siberia for a two-finger gesture. His defiance of a new religious doctrine will cost him everything. The Two Fingers That Cost an Archpriest His Freedom and His Life This episode explores the life of Avvakum Petrov, an archpriest whose refusal to adopt a new religious practice led to his imprisonment and eventual death. It delves into the historical context of 17th-century Russia and the profound implications of a seemingly minor doctrinal dispute. Person: Avvakum Petrov Date: Born around 1620 or 1621 Location: Grigorovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Event: Forced march into Siberia in 1653 Topic: Russian Orthodox Church schism - Avvakum Petrov rose quickly in the church, becoming a deacon at 21, a priest at 23, and Archpriest of Yurevyets by 28. - He joined the Zealots of Piety, a group seeking to purify the Church from within. - Patriarch Nikon, a fellow Zealot, mandated changes to Russian Orthodox practices, including the use of three fingers for the sign of the cross. - Avvakum staunchly defended the traditional two-fingered sign of the cross, viewing the change as a betrayal of Russian Orthodox. - His refusal to comply led to his exile to Siberia in 1653 with his family, where he endured a decade-long expedition under a brutal military commander. To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com. © 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.

    The Two Fingers That Cost an Archpriest His Freedom and His Life

About

Execution stories from the Tudor age begin long before the scaffold. They begin with a whisper at court, a letter intercepted, a queen's smile that lasted one day too long. This show tells the true execution stories of the men and women who climbed the Tudor scaffold. Each episode reconstructs one case in full, cinematic detail: the rise that made them untouchable, the accusation that changed everything, the trial whose verdict was written in advance, and the final morning on the scaffold. No host chatting between clips, no panel debating theories. Just one complete story, narrated start to finish, built from court records, letters, and the eyewitness accounts the Tudor world left behind. You will hear execution stories of queens who went from the throne to the block in three weeks, ministers who built the machine that later destroyed them, and commoners whose deaths shook kings. Some episodes follow the last days of a single prisoner; others trace the political storm that made an execution inevitable. All of them treat these execution stories as what they really are: the sharpest edge of power in an age when falling from favor meant falling forever. If you are drawn to execution stories told like slow-burning thrillers, this is built for you. New episodes drop regularly, each one a self-contained descent toward the scaffold. Subscribe now so the next of these execution stories lands the moment it goes live.