This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re returning to a much loved subject: spies. We’ll be hearing about the British spy William Oliver, the origins of MI5 and MI6, plus how the Stasi operated in East Germany. Elsewhere, this week we’ve been discussing exactly how massive milk used to be; we can agree from ‘Milk Bars’ to sponsoring the football league cup, it was simply an enormous beverage. If you’ve got anything to add on the golden age of milk, you can do so via: hello@ohw...
Dec 10, 2024•35 min•Ep. 84
This week we’re returning to a much loved subject: spies. We’ll be hearing about the British spy William Oliver, the origins of MI5 and MI6, plus how the Stasi operated in East Germany. Elsewhere, this week we’ve been discussing exactly how massive milk used to be; we can agree from ‘Milk Bars’ to sponsoring the football league cup, it was simply an enormous beverage. If you’ve got anything to add on the golden age of milk, you can do so via: [email protected] If you fancy a bunch of OWAT co...
Dec 09, 2024•43 min•Ep. 83
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re taking a look a Prehistory and specifically; how clever were the Neanderthals? What was early mankind getting up to? And finally, what did the Flintstones get right in their depiction of Stone Age man? And also this week, we’re discussing one of the greatest inventions ever: the humble ‘hot towel’. 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...
Dec 03, 2024•27 min•Ep. 81
This week we’re taking a look a Prehistory and specifically; how clever were the Neanderthals? What was early mankind getting up to? And finally, what did the Flintstones get right in their depiction of Stone Age man? And also this week, we’re discussing one of the greatest inventions ever: the humble ‘hot towel’. 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 a...
Dec 02, 2024•40 min•Ep. 80
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! Elis’ is off filming his stand-up Christmas special, so we’re delighted to welcome in his stead the star of Radio X, Pappy’s and the Beckenham fireworks display: Matthew Crosby! And we’ll be discussing Recreation; how the vikings spent their spare time, the smash hit Tudor game of Fives and the national obsession with modelling. Plus, it turns out Tom spent his childhood on a chair, up a tree. If you’ve got anything to say about this or anything else, ...
Nov 26, 2024•34 min•Ep. 79
Elis’ is off filming his stand-up Christmas special, so we’re delighted to welcome in his stead the star of Radio X, Pappy’s and the Beckenham fireworks display: Matthew Crosby! And we’ll be discussing Recreation; how the vikings spent their spare time, the smash hit Tudor game of Fives and the national obsession with modelling. Plus, it turns out Tom spent his childhood on a chair, up a tree. If you’ve got anything to say about this or anything else, please do drop us an email: hello@ohwhatatim...
Nov 25, 2024•33 min•Ep. 78
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed from yesterday! We’ve got a different episode format for you this week; a book review of the 1989 classic chronicle of the French Revolution: Citizens by Simon Schama. We’ll be focussing on; the storming of the Bastille, the flight to Varennes of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and the fearsome guillotine. Elsewhere this week we’re trying to figure out why piano teachers are, by and large, quite mean folk. If you’ve got something to contribute, why ...
Nov 19, 2024•30 min•Ep. 77
We’ve got a different episode format for you this week; a book review of the 1989 classic chronicle of the French Revolution: Citizens by Simon Schama. We’ll be focussing on; the storming of the Bastille, the flight to Varennes of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and the fearsome guillotine. Elsewhere this week we’re trying to figure out why piano teachers are, by and large, quite mean folk. If you’ve got something to contribute, why not ping us over an email to: [email protected] If you ...
Nov 18, 2024•36 min•Ep. 77
Oh What A Time is moving to the Wondery network! We’re thrilled to be joining forces with one of the biggest names in podcasting, and we couldn’t be more excited. They’re the home of some truly incredible shows - and 2 Elis James podcasts - and now, we’re joining that lineup! So what does this mean for you, dear listeners? First off, don’t worry - Oh What A Time is still the same show you know and love. If you’re one of our loyal “Full Timers”, here’s where things get interesting. We are moving ...
Nov 14, 2024•3 min
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 con...
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
