This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re chatting education: what did schooling look like in Ancient Greece and Rome? What has corporal punishment looked like in schools through history? And how has the concept of the ‘school meal’ evolved over time? Elsewhere, why did pirates pick hooks for hands above all other options?! We think we have the answer, but if you’ve got anything to add, you know what to do: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and ...
May 12, 2026•35 min•Season 1Ep. 261
This week we’re chatting education: what did schooling look like in Ancient Greece and Rome? What has corporal punishment looked like in schools through history? And how has the concept of the ‘school meal’ evolved over time? Elsewhere, why did pirates pick hooks for hands above all other options?! We think we have the answer, but if you’ve got anything to add, you know what to do: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wednesday - but if you want more O...
May 10, 2026•32 min•Season 1Ep. 260
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! We are truly honoured this week to be joined by one of our favourite historians in the world; it’s German-British author, who penned of one of Elis’ favourite ever books (Beyond the Wall: East Germany, 1949–1990), it’s Katja Hoyer! Katja is here to discuss her brand new book ‘ Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe ’ which details the collapse of German democracy as the Nazi’s tighten their grip on power. Elsewhere, is taking a hot air balloon to the ...
May 05, 2026•30 min•Season 1Ep. 259
We are truly honoured this week to be joined by one of our favourite historians in the world; it’s German-British author, who penned of one of Elis’ favourite ever books (Beyond the Wall: East Germany, 1949–1990), it’s Katja Hoyer! Katja is here to discuss her brand new book ‘ Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe ’ which details the collapse of German democracy as the Nazi’s tighten their grip on power. Elsewhere, is taking a hot air balloon to the North Pole a good idea? We’re going with no....
May 03, 2026•38 min•Season 1Ep. 258
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week on the show we’re talking about the sporting prowess of history’s most well-known revolutionaries; we have baseball-loving Fidel Castro, Chairman Mao’s love of ping pong and we’ve got Vladimir Lenin and his love of the bicycle. Elsewhere, Tom Craine got stuck up a rollercoaster. Has this ever happened to you? Why does this sort of thing keep happening to Tom? If you know, please do inform us: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is re...
Apr 28, 2026•32 min•Season 1Ep. 256
It's a special bonus episode! This one from June 2025, never heard before on the main feed! If you want more Oh What A Time and both parts at once, you should sign up for our Patreon! On there you’ll now find: •The full archive of bonus episodes •Brand new bonus episodes each month •OWAT subscriber group chats •Loads of extra perks for supporters of the show •PLUS ad-free episodes earlier than everyone else Join us at 👉 patreon.com/ohwhatatime And as a special thank you for joining, use the cod...
Apr 27, 2026•43 min•Season 1Ep. 257
This week on the show we’re talking about the sporting prowess of history’s most well-known revolutionaries; we have baseball-loving Fidel Castro, Chairman Mao’s love of ping pong and we’ve got Vladimir Lenin and his love of the bicycle. Elsewhere, Tom Craine got stuck up a rollercoaster. Has this ever happened to you? Why does this sort of thing keep happening to Tom? If you know, please do inform us: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wednesday - b...
Apr 26, 2026•44 min•Season 1Ep. 255
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re looking at attempts through history at mass observation; we have Britain in the late 1930s, American culture after the Great Depression and the Soviet diaspora in Europe in the 1950s. Elsewhere, is looking at a picture of a coffee every bit as good as actually drinking one? If you’ve got anything to add on this or anything else please send us an email: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wedn...
Apr 21, 2026•28 min•Season 1Ep. 254
This week we’re looking at attempts through history at mass observation; we have Britain in the late 1930s, American culture after the Great Depression and the Soviet diaspora in Europe in the 1950s. Elsewhere, is looking at a picture of a coffee every bit as good as actually drinking one? If you’ve got anything to add on this or anything else please send us an email: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wednesday - but if you want more Oh What A Time ...
Apr 19, 2026•40 min•Season 1Ep. 253
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re discussing that wonderful land of Australia! We’ll be finding out what was suspected about a land down under in Antiquity, south-east Asia’s Australian mythology and we’ll answer the age-old and quite complex question: who discovered Australia?! Elsewhere, Chris has barely survived a bout with Norovirus and Tom finally admits what he’s thinking when listening to electronic dance music. Do you have any confessions you’d like to share? If...
Apr 14, 2026•31 min•Season 1Ep. 252
This week we’re discussing that wonderful land of Australia! We’ll be finding out what was suspected about a land down under in Antiquity, south-east Asia’s Australian mythology and we’ll answer the age-old and quite complex question: who discovered Australia?! Elsewhere, Chris has barely survived a bout with Norovirus and Tom finally admits what he’s thinking when listening to electronic dance music. Do you have any confessions you’d like to share? If so, please send them in: hello@ohwhatatime....
Apr 12, 2026•47 min•Season 1Ep. 251
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re looking at 3x US First Ladies and their extraordinary lives: we have Louisa Adams (1775-1852), the extensively travelled Lou Hoover (1874-1944) and the powerful Edith Wilson (1872-1961). And this week we’re asking: has there ever been an easier job than the policeman with a clipboard ensuring people cross a job properly? If you’ve got anything for us, do send it in: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and ...
Apr 07, 2026•27 min•Season 1Ep. 250
This week we’re looking at 3x US First Ladies and their extraordinary lives: we have Louisa Adams (1775-1852), the extensively travelled Lou Hoover (1874-1944) and the powerful Edith Wilson (1872-1961). And this week we’re asking: has there ever been an easier job than the policeman with a clipboard ensuring people cross a job properly? If you’ve got anything for us, do send it in: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wednesday - but if you want more O...
Apr 05, 2026•46 min•Season 1Ep. 249
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we have three stories of incredible female leaders from throughout history: Queen Boudica and how she took on the Romans, trailblazer author Christine de Pizan and lastly, the terrifying story of 1700s pirate Shi Yang! Plus, Chris’ milkman has become the first milkman to be a freeman of the city of London. Has your milkman done anything as impressive? Please let us know: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and P...
Mar 31, 2026•24 min•Season 1Ep. 247
We have a special bonus ep for you from our bonus ep archive! This one was first made available for subscribers in December 2024. On our Patreon you’ll now find: •The full archive of bonus episodes •Brand new bonus episodes each month •OWAT subscriber group chats •Loads of extra perks for supporters of the show •PLUS ad-free episodes earlier than everyone else Join us at 👉 patreon.com/ohwhatatime Onto this episode... We’re discussing the iron curtain, East and West Berlin, the infamous Stasi an...
Mar 30, 2026•52 min•Season 1Ep. 248
This week we have three stories of incredible female leaders from throughout history: Queen Boudica and how she took on the Romans, trailblazer author Christine de Pizan and lastly, the terrifying story of 1700s pirate Shi Yang! Plus, Chris’ milkman has become the first milkman to be a freeman of the city of London. Has your milkman done anything as impressive? Please let us know: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wednesday - but if you want more Oh...
Mar 29, 2026•37 min•Season 1Ep. 246
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re looking at various invasions and subsequent occupations through history; we’ve got Nordic allied invasions in WW2 (including Iceland!), the Norman occupation of Sicily and the story of how Gibraltar became British! Elsewhere, we’re marvelling at how turning things off and on again really seems to work. And are you a Safari guy or girl? Who likes Internet Explorer? Anyone for Chrome? And what technological invention did you assume would ...
Mar 25, 2026•27 min•Season 1Ep. 245
This week we’re looking at various invasions and subsequent occupations through history; we’ve got Nordic allied invasions in WW2 (including Iceland!), the Norman occupation of Sicily and the story of how Gibraltar became British! Elsewhere, we’re marvelling at how turning things off and on again really seems to work. And are you a Safari guy or girl? Who likes Internet Explorer? Anyone for Chrome? And what technological invention did you assume would be bigger than it was? You know what to do: ...
Mar 23, 2026•36 min•Season 1Ep. 244
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re discussing the various attempts through history to create a Utopia right here on earth. We have for you The Diggers of the 1600s, Brook Farm in 1850s America and the story of John Hughes; the man who attempted to make utopia in Yuzovka, Ukraine. Elsewhere, what on earth did people do before the creation of to-do lists? Just wander around aimlessly?! If you know please loop us in: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released ...
Mar 18, 2026•31 min•Season 1Ep. 243
This week we’re discussing the various attempts through history to create a Utopia right here on earth. We have for you The Diggers of the 1600s, Brook Farm in 1850s America and the story of John Hughes; the man who attempted to make utopia in Yuzovka, Ukraine. Elsewhere, what on earth did people do before the creation of to-do lists? Just wander around aimlessly?! If you know please loop us in: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wednesday - but if y...
Mar 16, 2026•36 min•Season 1Ep. 242
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! Get the atlas out because this week we’re analysing some of the world’s smallest countries! We’ve got for you Brunei, the Vatican City and how about we take a trip to Andorra? Elsewhere, Chris can now talk to his house to turn off a lightbulb: so is humanity getting lazier and lazier? If you know the answer to that or anything else, do get in touch: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wednesday - but if you ...
Mar 11, 2026•35 min•Season 1Ep. 241
Get the atlas out because this week we’re analysing some of the world’s smallest countries! We’ve got for you Brunei, the Vatican City and how about we take a trip to Andorra? Elsewhere, Chris can now talk to his house to turn off a lightbulb: so is humanity getting lazier and lazier? If you know the answer to that or anything else, do get in touch: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wednesday - but if you want more Oh What A Time and both parts at o...
Mar 09, 2026•34 min•Season 1Ep. 240
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re working through a bit more of your correspondence before dealing with our first ever ‘Oh What A Crime’ episode which today focuses on: The Great Train Robbery of 1963. The planning, Bruce Reynolds, Buster Edwards, Ronnie Biggs et al, the heist itself, the loot and life on the run. Elsewhere, how did anyone in 1160 survive without caffeine? And is there a worse person to meet than a coked-up Nazi? All this and more this week and if you’v...
Mar 04, 2026•30 min•Season 1Ep. 239
This week we’re working through a bit more of your correspondence before dealing with our first ever ‘Oh What A Crime’ episode which today focuses on: The Great Train Robbery of 1963. The planning, Bruce Reynolds, Buster Edwards, Ronnie Biggs et al, the heist itself, the loot and life on the run. Elsewhere, how did anyone in 1160 survive without caffeine? And is there a worse person to meet than a coked-up Nazi? All this and more this week and if you’ve got anything to add, you know what to do: ...
Mar 02, 2026•30 min•Season 1Ep. 238
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re looking at some of the most famous families that history has to offer. We’ve got the House of Cromwell for you, plus the Astors and the incredible story of the Spencer family and their slow centuries-long rise to power. Elsewhere, we’re talking about the demise of Antiques Roadshow now Hugh Scully has effectively been replaced by Chat GPT. If you’ve got anything to add on this or anything else, you know what to do: hello@ohwhatatime.com...
Feb 25, 2026•35 min•Season 1Ep. 237
This week we’re looking at some of the most famous families that history has to offer. We’ve got the House of Cromwell for you, plus the Astors and the incredible story of the Spencer family and their slow centuries-long rise to power. Elsewhere, we’re talking about the demise of Antiques Roadshow now Hugh Scully has effectively been replaced by Chat GPT. If you’ve got anything to add on this or anything else, you know what to do: hello@ohwhatatime.com And from now on Part 1 is released on Monda...
Feb 22, 2026•35 min•Season 1Ep. 236
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re looking at those who achieved the extraordinary and at incredibly youthful age! We have the Tudor boy King, Edward VI, to discuss. Britain’s youngest ever Prime Minister (just 24 years old!!), it’s Pitt the Younger. And from France, we’ll hear a bit of the life of Joan of Arc. And this week we’re discussing: what was life like before the advent of reviews? Have you ever seen the secret book that travel agents had in the 90s? If you’ve g...
Feb 18, 2026•33 min•Season 1Ep. 235
This week we’re looking at those who achieved the extraordinary and at incredibly youthful age! We have the Tudor boy King, Edward VI, to discuss. Britain’s youngest ever Prime Minister (just 24 years old!!), it’s Pitt the Younger. And from France, we’ll hear a bit of the life of Joan of Arc. And this week we’re discussing: what was life like before the advent of reviews? Have you ever seen the secret book that travel agents had in the 90s? If you’ve got anything to add on that or anything else,...
Feb 16, 2026•43 min•Season 1Ep. 234
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re looking at some of the greatest comebacks history has to offer. Where else to begin than the epic comeback that is Skoda cars! And what about the comeback of the West German economy after world war 2?! And finally, a literal comeback, Apollo 13’s incredible return from the moon after disaster struck. Elsewhere, how good is the tip as a day out? Has history anything better to offer in terms of pure enjoyment? If you know, let us know: he...
Feb 10, 2026•32 min•Season 1Ep. 233
This week we’re looking at some of the greatest comebacks history has to offer. Where else to begin than the epic comeback that is Skoda cars! And what about the comeback of the West German economy after world war 2?! And finally, a literal comeback, Apollo 13’s incredible return from the moon after disaster struck. Elsewhere, how good is the tip as a day out? Has history anything better to offer in terms of pure enjoyment? If you know, let us know: hello@ohwhatatime.com And if you want more Oh ...
Feb 09, 2026•35 min•Season 1Ep. 232
