This week we’re discussing 3 absolute icons: the iconic Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe, the incredibly talented JMW Turner and one of Victorian Britain’s most iconic sport stars, Arthur Gould. Elsewhere this week we are bemoaning the fate that has befallen the humble travel book, whilst also speculating on the fate of Horatio Nelson’s arm (which he famously lost on a disastrous lads holiday to Tenerife). If you’ve got something to contribute, why not ping us over an email to: [email protected]...
Nov 12, 2024•28 min•Ep. 76
This week we’re discussing 3 absolute icons: the iconic Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe, the incredibly talented JMW Turner and one of Victorian Britain’s most iconic sport stars, Arthur Gould. Elsewhere this week we are bemoaning the fate that has befallen the humble travel book, whilst also speculating on the fate of Horatio Nelson’s arm (which he famously lost on a disastrous lads holiday to Tenerife). If you’ve got something to contribute, why not ping us over an email to: [email protected]...
Nov 11, 2024•31 min•Ep. 76
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed from yesterday! This week we’re packing our bags and heading out on some of the longest journeys known to the annals of history. From the travels of Herodotus and how he put Judith Chalmers to shame, Charles Dickens on tour in America and two books on the subject of being a vagrant in the USA at the dawn of the 20th century. And now they’re we’re at the dawn of the AI apocalypse that may wipe out humanity and therefore, worst of all, podcasters too; the...
Nov 05, 2024•30 min•Ep. 74
This week we’re packing our bags and heading out on some of the longest journeys known to the annals of history. From the travels of Herodotus and how he put Judith Chalmers to shame, Charles Dickens on tour in America and two books on the subject of being a vagrant in the USA at the dawn of the 20th century. And now they’re we’re at the dawn of the AI apocalypse that may wipe out humanity and therefore, worst of all, podcasters too; there may be no finer time to send us an email than now: hello...
Nov 04, 2024•34 min•Ep. 74
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed from yesterday! This week we’re closing our eyes and going to the land of dreams. We’ve got: how the ancient Babylonians regarded the land of nod, great works of art and inventions that came to people while snoozing and also what Sigmund Freud made of sleepy time. And guess what! We’ve found the worst Christmas tree on earth and GUESS WHAT: it belongs to Elis and it’s been up all year. Please send your Christmas tree hate mail for Elis to: hello@ohwhata...
Oct 29, 2024•23 min•Ep. 73
This week we’re closing our eyes and going to the land of dreams. We’ve got: how the ancient Babylonians regarded the land of nod, great works of art and inventions that came to people while snoozing and also what Sigmund Freud made of sleepy time. And guess what! We’ve found the worst Christmas tree on earth and GUESS WHAT: it belongs to Elis and it’s been up all year. Please send your Christmas tree hate mail for Elis to: [email protected] If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never ...
Oct 28, 2024•41 min•Ep. 73
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed from yesterday! This week we’re talking about cold hard cash, moolah, readies: Currencies. We’ll be chatting about worker’s pay tokens, pieces of eight and the creation of banknotes! And we’re also discussing how on earth swimming got going? And just how easy is it to swim the channel? If you’d like to get in touch with the show you can do so at: [email protected] If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself...
Oct 21, 2024•29 min•Ep. 72
This week we’re talking about cold hard cash, moolah, readies: Currencies. We’ll be chatting about worker’s pay tokens, pieces of eight and the creation of banknotes! And we’re also discussing how on earth swimming got going? And just how easy is it to swim the channel? If you’d like to get in touch with the show you can do so at: [email protected] If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? In exchange for ...
Oct 20, 2024•32 min•Ep. 72
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed from yesterday! This week we’re off to some of the world’s most celebrated festivals. We’re travelling back to 1969 for Woodstock, then off to Edinburgh festival and finishing our odyssey at Glastonbury festival. And this week we’re talking about Elis’ really waterproof jacket and pondering how people in the past could possibly have put up with rain in their (we assume) cow hide outerwear? If you’ve got any idea: [email protected] If you fancy a bun...
Oct 14, 2024•32 min•Ep. 71
This week we’re off to some of the world’s most celebrated festivals. We’re travelling back to 1969 for Woodstock, then off to Edinburgh festival and finishing our odyssey at Glastonbury festival. And this week we’re talking about Elis’ really waterproof jacket and pondering how people in the past could possibly have put up with rain in their (we assume) cow hide outerwear? If you’ve got any idea: [email protected] If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat...
Oct 13, 2024•35 min•Ep. 71
This week we’re heading to the ballot box to discuss elections! The importance of eating racoon meat in Arkansas, how democracy worked in Britain before 1872 and how political party colours have evolved over the last century or so. And this week we’re also talking about: showers. Is anyone out there a power-shower fan? And is there a water source in the world with a lower pressure than the average nan’s house? If so, fire up your emailer: [email protected] If you fancy a bunch of OWAT conten...
Oct 07, 2024•28 min•Ep. 70
This week we’re heading to the ballot box to discuss elections! The importance of eating racoon meat in Arkansas, how democracy worked in Britain before 1872 and how political party colours have evolved over the last century or so. And this week we’re also talking about: showers. Is anyone out there a power-shower fan? And is there a water source in the world with a lower pressure than the average nan’s house? If so, fire up your emailer: [email protected] If you fancy a bunch of OWAT conten...
Oct 06, 2024•29 min•Ep. 70
This week we’re looking at how the art of complaining has evolved over history. You’ll hear the evidence of people having a moan in Ancient Babylonia, Pliny the Younger and his tear-ups with his pal Septicius Clarus, plus.. how medieval scribes expressed a displeasure with their lot. And the big conversation that’s got the nation thinking this week: could anyone feasibly build a house out of Chomps? I’m sure you’ll have thoughts on this subject so please do send them in: [email protected] If...
Sep 30, 2024•27 min•Ep. 67
This week we’re looking at how the art of complaining has evolved over history. You’ll hear the evidence of people having a moan in Ancient Babylonia, Pliny the Younger and his tear-ups with his pal Septicius Clarus, plus.. how medieval scribes expressed a displeasure with their lot. And the big conversation that’s got the nation thinking this week: could anyone feasibly build a house out of Chomps? I’m sure you’ll have thoughts on this subject so please do send them in: [email protected] If...
Sep 29, 2024•36 min•Ep. 67
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed from yesterday! This week we’re discussing the most intelligent creatures the animal kingdom has to offer. We’ll be looking at mankind’s attempts to communicate with apes, plus we’ll be looking at a very intelligent horse (Clever Hans) and a very intelligent octopus (Paul). And in this episode we get more detail on Elis’ Christmas room, the lack of respect he receives from his cats and whether his simian-esque posterior could one day resolve some future...
Sep 23, 2024•31 min•Ep. 66
This week we’re discussing the most intelligent creatures the animal kingdom has to offer. We’ll be looking at mankind’s attempts to communicate with apes, plus we’ll be looking at a very intelligent horse (Clever Hans) and a very intelligent octopus (Paul). And in this episode we get more detail on Elis’ Christmas room, the lack of respect he receives from his cats and whether his simian-esque posterior could one day resolve some future war between man and ape. We imagine you’ll have questions ...
Sep 22, 2024•33 min•Ep. 66
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed from yesterday! We’re back and so is our much loved ‘Pick n Mix’ format in which we pick three random subjects to discuss and so this week for you we have.. The biggest hole ever built! How baby names have evolved down the years! And when exactly did having a sun tan become popular?! And this week we learned that one of these two things are true: 1) Every dark urban myth that went around Britain did actually REALLY HAPPEN in 90s Carmarthen and Elis simp...
Sep 16, 2024•31 min•Ep. 65
We’re back and so is our much loved ‘Pick n Mix’ format in which we pick three random subjects to discuss and so this week for you we have.. The biggest hole ever built! How baby names have evolved down the years! And when exactly did having a sun tan become popular?! And this week we learned that one of these two things are true: 1) Every dark urban myth that went around Britain did actually REALLY HAPPEN in 90s Carmarthen and Elis simply didn’t have enough time on google to find the evidence, ...
Sep 15, 2024•35 min•Ep. 65
It’s the final week of our summer holiday and so it’s the final week of our ‘best of’ specials! This week, you’re lovingly being presented with the following: From #38 Corpses we’ve got the story of the Tollund Man How we got the names for our months/days from #25 Calendars And finally Elizabeth I’d speech at Tilbury from our #48 Speeches episode We’ll be back imminently! If you'd like to drop us an email while we're away, you can do so at: [email protected] If you fancy a bunch of OWAT cont...
Sep 08, 2024•51 min
It’s week two of our summer break and thus it’s time for our third-ever best-of compilation. This week you’ll be treated to the following: From #32 Escapes we’ve got the crazy story of how Alice Tankerville almost escaped the clutches of the Tower of London From #47 Criminals the true story of Bonnie and Clyde And from #57 Health & Safety, Peter Duncan cleaning Big Ben If you'd like to drop us an email while we're away, you can do so at: [email protected] If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content...
Sep 01, 2024•52 min
As promised, we’re delighted to present all the 4th parts from subscriber specials.. ALL IN ONE MEGA EPISODE (A MEGASODE if you will *caps off*). In this episode you will find 4th parts from: 20 The Coast 21 The Great Depression 22 Big Projects 23 Christmas 25 Calendars 26 Blunders 27 Beauty 28 Nightlife 29 Love 30 Discoveries 31 Myths 32 Escapes 33 Conflict 34 Health and Fitness 36 Presidents 37 Prime Ministers 38 Corpses 39 Survival You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatati...
Aug 28, 2024•3 hr 45 min
We’re taking a summer break for 3 weeks, so while we’re off sunning ourselves, please enjoy our second ever ‘Best of’ episode. This week you’ll be treated to the following: From #26 Blunders we’ve got: the demise of Frederick Barbarossa From #28 Nightlife: Boza (a lovely drink which isn’t custard) And from #39 Survival: the nightmarish story of Alexander Selkirk If you'd like to drop us an email while we're away, you can do so at: [email protected] If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve...
Aug 25, 2024•51 min•Ep. 64
We’ve got a bonus episode for you and once again, your correspondence has proven absolutely sensational. In this episode, Chris questions whether this is the golden age of hot drinks, Elis is hauled over the coals in corrections corner for several horrendous mistakes and we learn about the REAL museum of failure. PLUS Elis pitches his idea for a circus, someone helps us correct something previously described as an ‘Oh What A Shame’ moment in our #50 Presidential Inventions episode. AND if you’d ...
Aug 25, 2024•48 min•Ep. 63
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed from yesterday! This week we’re dwelling in the podcasting pits of utter humiliation. We’ll be finally looking at the specifics of the infamous stocks and pillory, shaved heads as a punishment, the dunces cap and the humiliating act of ‘white shirting’. Humiliation is of course the specialist subject of Tom Craine who once lost a kebab stained shirt to the roof of a cab. Do you have any humiliating stories to share? And also, what can you offer to the m...
Aug 19, 2024•28 min•Ep. 62
This week we’re dwelling in the podcasting pits of utter humiliation. We’ll be finally looking at the specifics of the infamous stocks and pillory, shaved heads as a punishment, the dunces cap and the humiliating act of ‘white shirting’. Humiliation is of course the specialist subject of Tom Craine who once lost a kebab stained shirt to the roof of a cab. Do you have any humiliating stories to share? And also, what can you offer to the museum of failure? Let us know here: [email protected] I...
Aug 18, 2024•33 min•Ep. 62
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed from yesterday! Ready, set.. and go for this week’s episode which is on: The Olympics. We’ll be chatting about the ancient Olympics, McDonalds infamous mid-80s marketing campaign for the Los Angeles Olympics and a certain Welsh Olympian known as ‘the human torpedo’. And the world has a new BEST podcast feature: The Museum of Failure. What can we put in it alongside Woolworths, the zeppelin and betamax? Please present your exhibits to: hello@ohwhatatime....
Aug 12, 2024•31 min•Ep. 61
Ready, set.. and go for this week’s episode which is on: The Olympics. We’ll be chatting about the ancient Olympics, McDonalds infamous mid-80s marketing campaign for the Los Angeles Olympics and a certain Welsh Olympian known as ‘the human torpedo’. And the world has a new BEST podcast feature: The Museum of Failure. What can we put in it alongside Woolworths, the zeppelin and betamax? Please present your exhibits to: [email protected] If you're impatient and want both parts in one lovely g...
Aug 11, 2024•30 min•Ep. 61
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed from yesterday! This week on the show we’ve got a selection of historical yarns to share; the great British supermarket baked bean war of the 90s, how Sweden swapped sides of the road in the 60s, and the many incredible instances where entertainers took percentages of profits instead of a one off payment (and the infamous occasions where they didn’t). And this week we’ve been mainly discussing the oft-repeated rumour that cinemas make the bulk of their ...
Aug 05, 2024•24 min•Ep. 60
This week on the show we’ve got a selection of historical yarns to share; the great British supermarket baked bean war of the 90s, how Sweden swapped sides of the road in the 60s, and the many incredible instances where entertainers took percentages of profits instead of a one off payment (and the infamous occasions where they didn’t). And this week we’ve been mainly discussing the oft-repeated rumour that cinemas make the bulk of their profit not from showing films, but from selling sweets and ...
Aug 04, 2024•21 min•Ep. 60
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed from yesterday! This week on the show, it’s a veritable feast as we discuss some of the most infamous dinner parties from history. We’ve got the super-sweet suppers that the teenage Emperor Elagabulus loved to throw, the horrendous story of the Black Dinner at Edinburgh Castle in 1440 and finally, we’ll hear what spectators saw when they gathered round to watch Louis XIV eat his massive daily dinner. Lots of chat this week about stocks, pillories and th...
Jul 29, 2024•31 min•Ep. 59
