Re-released for July 4! The one where we play lots of music and explain what it means. The production company behind Hamilton the Musical gave us the full rights to use and publish their music in our pod – so you’ll hear some big numbers in this episode. You’ll also learn a lot about history from a hip-hop musical that treats its audience as the intelligent beings that our listeners are! There are some big plot spoilers in here – but no worse than if you simply listen to the musical’s soundtrack...
Jul 03, 2025•28 min
Japan isolated itself from other countries for centuries. In the land of the samurai, tradition and honour were central. Guns were seen as dishonourable – until they weren’t. We see how Japan only changes its capital city via anagram (this could be next: Yo-ok-t?). So we investigate the remarkable Meiji modernisation period of a century or so ago, which launched Japan as a superpower – and prepared Japan to be a world-leader in technology, as the country still is today. Check out the photos from...
Apr 16, 2025•18 min
We look at the rise of the Nazis and how they created and ruled what they called Germany’s “Third Reich”. When Hitler became ‘Chancellor’ - that means prime minister - Germany was still a democracy. How did Hitler and the Nazis turn a country with elections and a variety of political parties (groups) into a dictatorship where the Nazi party had eliminated all other groups, giving themselves total power? There are lots of photos from our trip to Germany on https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ WAR...
Dec 13, 2024•20 min•Ep. 61
A beacon of hope, the Statue of Liberty has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States and to a new life. The statue overlooks New York harbour, close to Ellis Island immigration centre: if the USA is a land of immigrants, Ellis Island is where those immigrants landed. Built by France for the USA, there was some debate about which city the statue should be placed in. Then there was how to pay for a pedestal large enough to hold Liberty. We are grateful to Suzanne Mannion, Director of P...
Apr 27, 2024•18 min
We investigate the special operations that occurred ahead of the D-Day landings of over 130,000 Allied troops on the Nazi-controlled beaches of northern France We look at the role of special troops who parachuted into Nazi-occupied France ahead of the D-Day beach landings. With help from a very special expert guest, we focus on a mission for US Army Rangers at a headland near the beaches, called Pointe du Hoc. After the end theme music you’ll find these questions, followed by the outtakes: Which...
Dec 15, 2023•31 min
The history of the women’s game – from China to Britain, the US, Australia and Europe. Released with our recordings from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, we bring you not only the history but the vibes too – all sprinkled with plenty of dad jokes from James! At the end of today’s episode (after our outro theme song), you’ll hear some World Cup extras, a bonus dad joke from James, and an outtake or two. For a broader angle on football today – from powerchair to amputee – and how we try to make a ...
Aug 02, 2023•24 min
Today’s episode comes from Washington DC, where we investigate why the capital was positioned there. And then, for our big question, we debate who wins the title of greatest US President ever! We are delighted to be joined by special guest Patrick Lau, who works for the US government in Washington, has a Masters’ degree in political science and is a history buff! He is also a former high school student whom Dad taught a long, long time ago! At the end of today’s episode (after our outro theme so...
Jul 08, 2023•30 min
Today’s episode comes from the Imperial War Museum, London, where we investigate: Odette, the spy; Roy and Bob’s great escape at sea; Daisy’s story of imprisonment in Hong Kong. We are delighted to be joined by co-host Benji – and we are amazed by how he happens to find his own family history in the museum. At the end of today’s episode (after our outro theme song), you’ll hear the questions (see below) and then the outtakes. Here are some questions to test your listening skills: Which museum we...
Apr 14, 2023•15 min•Ep. 56
We are joined by two wonderful guests from the town of Gander in remote Newfoundland, Canada, where locals showed amazing kindness to people from all over the world, following the terrible events of 9/11. We only briefly mention the planes that crashed into the twin towers: we focus on the heart-warming humanity that followed. This true story is sweeping the world through the award-winning musical Come From Away, and we make good use of having attained the rights to the music! Even better, we sp...
Sep 10, 2022•33 min•Ep. 55
Our special guest tells us all about why King George VI was called ‘Bertie’ and why his daughter should never have become Queen! THIS EPISODE IS PARTICULARLY RECOMMENDED AS SUITABLE FOR OUR YOUNGER LISTENERS! In this royally mad episode – which features a record number of majestic jokes – we are joined by a very special guest. Children’s author Susan Webb, who wrote ‘Bertie: The Best Stuttering King’, reveals what you should know about Princess Elizabeth (the current British queen) and why she e...
May 28, 2022•26 min•Ep. 54
Listen and learn from a 16-year-old master historian – and hear some incredible interviews! Today we are joined by a very special high school kid: historian Jaxon Hekkenberg. Jaxon is doing remarkable things, teaching us all how we can save history. You’ll hear clips from just a few of the incredible interviews Jaxon has carried out. There are no graphic descriptions – just listen out for incredible stories from veterans from BOTH SIDES of World War II. At the end of today’s episode there are ba...
Mar 06, 2022•25 min
Dad and Me investigate ‘internment’ in America, the UK, Australia, Hong Kong and beyond. Internment was when ordinary men, women and children were imprisoned because they – or their parents – were born in an enemy country, and the country they lived in thought they might secretly help the other side. Listen out for our best ‘prison’ jokes! And don’t forget after the end theme song, we’ve got more of the good stuff, including questions and out-takes – and more jokes! Read industry reviews of Dad’...
Feb 06, 2022•22 min
Dad & Me Love History presents a New Year Special Episode, where we go back through the archives and play you highlights from our original recordings of Dad (& Me) jokes, from Ancient Romans to African Moors to the invention of cars! This includes some previously unpublished material. Read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance , at paulletters.com . Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is ...
Jan 01, 2022•21 min
Following the origins of sugar takes us around the world, through 10,000 years of sweet but sticky history. Sugar was like oil or gold for a while - so in-demand that people in power got greedy and the powerless suffered as slavery expanded. On the sweeter side, listen out for Dad’s best bad Dad jokes yet! Do let us know (via Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) why it is particularly Norwegians who like to put sugar on their pillow – and listen all the way to the outtakes for bonus jokes! How are some q...
Dec 06, 2021•20 min
Why poppies? What’s the Last Post? [HINT: it’s nothing to do with sending mail before Christmas!] Why keep remembering a battle your side loses? What does ANZAC mean? This re-release of a special extended episode is a lot more serious than our usual fun-filled shows, but there’s lots to learn for kids and adults! We talk to veterans about Veterans Day/Remembrance Day/ANZAC Day. We go to an ANZAC service in Australia, where World War One is particularly remembered. Then we go to Hong Kong, which ...
Nov 01, 2021•26 min
We investigate the Cold War: when did it happen? What happened during the Cold War? Why did it happen? And how? Between the USA and the USSR, things were very cold, whereas over in Korea and Vietnam things got hot-hot-hot! Listen out in the extras for James's Cold War joke - did Dad understand it? After the outtakes, there's a bonus couple of minutes about who invented the 'cold war' - we discover the famous writer who invented the term and predicted the future! Here are some QUESTIONS to see ho...
Oct 04, 2021•19 min
The invention of the car made a major change in the way people got around. We discover that the history of the car goes back to Leonardo and that electric cars have been around for ages! James brings you his research on the history of electric cars, and you'll hear his best car jokes! How are some questions to see how well you understood today’s episode: Over 500 years ago, who made designs for a mechanical, wind-up car? What was built first: a steam-powered car or the Eiffel Tower? In 1885 who ...
Sep 06, 2021•18 min
Ahead of the para events at Tokyo 2020 (in 2021), we investigate the history of the Paralympic Games. Our special Paralympian guest is two-time swimming medalist Peter Hill. Long before it became a Paralympic sport, Peter was also involved in the early development of murderball (yes, that’s a real sport), and he’s dabbled in many more para-sports. How are some questions for after you listen to today’s episode: What’s my favourite Paralympic sport? What does the Greek word “para” mean? What was t...
Aug 02, 2021•17 min
Today, we’re looking at why the Ancient Olympic Games began and why – after many centuries – they were stopped. And why, over 1,500 years after being stopped, did they restart? We are delighted to be joined by Mark Selleck from the hit podcast series Casting through Ancient Greece. Mark digs deep to unearth the truth behind the ancient Olympic Games, and James and Dad – who once visited the Olympics Museum in Switzerland – bring us more up-to-date. And we have gold medal-winning jokes from Dad. ...
Jul 05, 2021•17 min
Today, we’re looking at how the Allied side – that includes the US, UK and Australia – broke the enemy’s secret codes during World War II. We see how Alan Turing and General MacArthur were central to wartime code-breaking, on different sides of the world. We are joined by a special guest, author David Dufty, who wrote ‘The Code Breakers of Central Bureau’ and ‘Radio Girl’. And we have Dad’s best Dad jokes about spies! Here are some questions to see how well you understood today’s episode: What’s...
May 30, 2021•21 min
Re-released for July 4! The production company behind Hamilton the musical gave us the full rights to use and publish their music in our pod – so you’ll hear some big numbers in this episode. You’ll also learn a lot about history from a hip-hop musical that treats its audience as the intelligent beings that our listeners are! There are some big plot spoilers in here – but no worse than if you simply listen to the musical’s soundtrack. On Disney+, Hamilton the musical is rated PG-13, but we spare...
May 03, 2021•28 min•Ep. 44
Part I of two episodes about America’s fight for independence from Britain. We investigate how the hit musical Hamilton is teaching us history – but is it accurate? And we have James’s best American history jokes. Next month, Part II will be a bumper episode - we have secured the rights to use full songs from Hamilton :) So, we will take a close look at what we can learn from them about history. How are some questions to see how well you understand today’s episode: What does “democracy” mean? Wh...
Apr 05, 2021•20 min•Ep. 43
We get to India by looking at the origins of Empire, Elizabeth I’s Muslim friends and England v Britain In investigating why and how the English (later, the British) got involved in India, we discover how a bit of charm and a trading company can spread an empire – all backed with brute force. We enjoy a side-track into a headless Mary and how England most definitely does not equal Britain. And you’ll find answers to the best homemade jokes like “Which country’s empire tastes best at Christmas?” ...
Mar 01, 2021•22 min•Ep. 42
We've re-released our first ever Dad & Me interview as part of our day of our birthday celebrations - our first episode was released three years ago today!
Feb 19, 2021•15 min
We are celebrating our third birthday today! Here, we are re-releasing our first ever published recording - a Season 1 Teaser! Later, we will re-release our first ever radio interview :)
Feb 19, 2021•2 min
We investigate why Princess Elizabeth’s sister sent her to prison with the aim of executing the future Elizabeth I. Find out how portraits can say "I'm a mighty goddess!" and discover the coolest way to reply to a marriage proposal that you don’t want. This episode is all about the smart, charming and cunning girl-power of a princess who they said could never become Queen. Definition: You'll hear about 'Traitor's Gate', and if the word 'traitor' is new to you, it means someone who has switched s...
Feb 01, 2021•28 min
We investigate which animals did the most to win a war. We don’t just mean animals that helped a bit – we mean animals who win a war . We don’t give up until we find some amazing animal winners! And James brings us his best animal Dad Jokes! (Are they still “Dad Jokes” if they’re all James’s jokes?!) Here are 6 questions to see how well you were listening: What was the main task pigeons did during wars? Name different tasks that dogs did during wars Why were cats useful on naval ships? Which typ...
Jan 04, 2021•21 min
We investigate a queen who wore a large ship in her hair, meet a king who made tables and we learn history from musicals! Wanna be Marie Antoinette? Get your chocolate chef to make you a hot chocolate, shove a two-foot-long ship in your hair and tell everyone who can’t afford bread to eat cake! (And, without even trying, you’ll learn all about ‘cause’ and ‘consequence’.) You’ll also hear a trailer for Mark Selleck’s podcast series, Casting Through Ancient Greece , which is aimed at the biggest k...
Dec 08, 2020•20 min
In a re-release for November 11 Remembrance Day, this special extended episode was recorded over several years and then released in April 2019. It's a lot more serious than our usual fun-filled shows, but there’s lots to learn for kids and adults! And if you know a teacher who could use this episode, please share it with them – and with any other friends. We go to an ANZAC service in Australia, where World War One is particularly remembered. Then we go to Remembrance Day in Hong Kong, which just...
Nov 10, 2020•26 min
We go back around 2,500 years to the time of the Ancient Greek Empire. But as we’re not experts on Ancient Greece - in fact, Dad’s poor knowledge of Ancient Greece has always been his Achilles' elbow – we are joined by an expert guest. We discover why kids were taught to steal, and we explain why people run a marathon today. And the episode comes to a climax with the Spartans last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae – as depicted in the movie 300 ., and (kinda) Star Wars: Rogue One . Many thanks ...
Nov 07, 2020•18 min
