Episodes
  • From dinosaurs to Godzilla: a 15,000-year history of monsters
    Feb 7 2025
    What makes a monster, and why do they fascinate us? Dr Natalie Lawrence unravels 15,000 years of human storytelling through the tales of creatures like dragons, Medusa, and even Godzilla. Speaking to Rachel Dinning, Natalie explores how monsters have embodied our fears, projected our desires, and bridged the natural and supernatural worlds. (Ad) Natalie Lawrence is the author of Enchanted Creatures: Our Monsters and Their Meanings (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Enchanted-Creatures-Monsters-Their-Meanings/dp/1474619010/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • How monasteries powered medieval Europe
    Feb 5 2025
    Monasteries and convents were a common sight throughout medieval Europe and beyond. But who were they for? What did they do? And how did religious life there change over the centuries? Speaking to Emily Briffett, Professor Andrew Jotischky traces the history of monastic life from its early origins in the fourth century right up to the 16th century. He explores the pivotal role these religious houses played as society's 'prayer factories', and examines the experiences of the monks and nuns who lived in them. (Ad) Andrew Jotischky is the author of The Monastic World: A 1,200-Year History (Yale University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-monastic-world%2Fandrew-jotischky%2F9780300208566. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    43 mins
  • Greenland, forest fires and presidential power: history behind the headlines
    Feb 4 2025
    Historians Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look at the shifting dynamics of presidential power and discuss the history behind President Trump's stated desire to acquire Greenland, in 2025's first instalment of our monthly podcast series looking at the historical currents running beneath current affairs. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    43 mins

What listeners say about History Extra podcast

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

appreciate this insight

As a person of faith who has come to wrestle with the evidence of science versus belief, I appreciated hearing the history of this topic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Unique history interviews

What a fantastic way of getting to hear history straight from the experts themselves. It's incredible how they manage to have in depth interviews, but still provide basic info for those who may be new to a topic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!