"Divorced, Beheaded, SURVIVED!" Join Anna and me as we dive deep into the dramatic lives of Henry VIII's last three wives—Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr.As Henry's health and reign deteriorated in his later years, so did the stability of England. Each of these women played a unique role in his life: Anne, chosen for political reasons, Catherine Howard, who reignited his youth, and Catherine Parr, who shared his intellectual companionship. Their fates were as varied as their reasons for marriage.Discover the intrigue, danger, and survival in this episode as we explore the stories behind the final three queens of Henry VIII.You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Anna and I dive deep into one of the most pivotal moments in English history—the break with Rome. What drove Henry VIII to sever ties with the Roman Catholic Church, a decision that would reshape the religious and political landscape of England forever? Was it purely his desire for an annulment from Catherine of Aragon, or were there deeper political and personal motivations at play? How did the quest for a male heir influence Henry's actions, and what role did figures like Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell play in this dramatic turn of events?Join us as we unravel the intrigue, ambition, and drama behind Henry VIII's break with Rome. By the end of this episode, you'll have a deeper understanding of the man behind the crown and the lasting impact of his reign on history.You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of HerStory Buff, where we talk about women in history, we dive into the fascinating life of Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first female prime minister. Journey with us as we explore how this trailblazing leader from a small island nation shattered the global glass ceiling in 1960, well before her counterparts Indira Ghandi in India and Margaret Thatcher in Britain.We'll uncover her rise to power after a personal tragedy, how she balanced tradition with progress, and the ways she steered Sri Lanka through turbulent times. From navigating Cold War politics to implementing groundbreaking social reforms, Bandaranaike's story is one of resilience, determination, and groundbreaking leadership.You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna and I are back with The Tudors: A Real Game of Thrones!"Divorced, beheaded, died..."—the first part of the famous rhyme tells the fate of Henry VIII's first three wives, and we're diving into their stories in this episode.We will explore the dramatic lives of wife number one: the loyal Catherine of Aragon, wife number two: the ambitious Anne Boleyn, and wife number three: the tragic Jane Seymour. Uncover the love, scandal betrayal and power struggles that shaped their fates and changed the course of English history forever. Whether you're a history buff or just curious about royal intrigue, this episode reveals the real women behind the crown. Don't miss it!You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we unravel the chilling mystery of the Dyatlov Pass incident, where nine seasoned hikers met a bizarre and unexplained end in the frozen Russian wilderness. Found scattered across the landscape, some half-clothed in a frantic dash, their twisted bodies and various states of injury hinted at a possible traumatic demise at the hands of some unspeakable terror. Explore eerie details and theories—avalanches, sonic winds, yeti, or alien encounters—that continue to baffle experts and captivate the curious. Tune in for a journey through one of the most haunting unsolved mysteries of the 20th century.You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're taking a break from our "Tudors" series. Join me and fellow Berlin tour guide Tina from Tina's Tours Berlin as we dive into the riveting history of a legendary figure in German history—the Trümmerfrau, or "Rubble Woman."The image of the Rubble Women is iconic, symbolising the post-war reconstruction of Germany from the ashes of the Second World War. But who were these women? Were their contributions exaggerated for Cold War narratives, or did they truly shape the rebuilding of a nation? We'll explore how they cleared the rubble, whether they were forced or volunteered, and the gritty reality of their lives during those tumultuous times.Tune in to uncover the legacy and memory of these unsung heroines. Don't miss this fascinating episode!You can also follow Tina on instagram for fabulous tours and tips in Berlin!You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See

Anna Morris and I are back with another episode of The Tudors: A Real Game of Thrones! In this third instalment, we will be discussing the young life of Henry VIII and his early reign.Henry VIII is arguably England's most famous monarch. This is partly because of the drama and intrigue caused by his multiple marriages to six different women (with two of these ending in beheadings of the wife!) but also because England went through an enormous amount of change under his rule (more on that in later episodes). Henry wasn't originally meant to inherit the throne, his older brother Arthur was meant to do so, but Arthur died in 1502 at 15-years-old. This led to Henry becoming king and one of the most influential monarchs in history.What was Henry's young life like? Was he always the tyrant he became known for by the end of his life? How was his relationship with his father, Henry VII? What were Henry's priorities when he first came to the throne? Listen to this episode to find out!You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See

Welcome to the second episode of THE TUDORS: A REAL GAME OF THRONES! Join Anna and me as we delve into the fascinating rule of the first Tudor monarch, Henry VII.Fresh off his triumphant victory at Bosworth Field in August 1485, Henry Tudor ended the brutal Wars of the Roses by marrying Elizabeth of York, uniting the warring houses of York and Lancaster. But his challenges were far from over. Winning the throne was just the beginning—now he had to secure and defend it.What kind of monarch would Henry VII become? How would he heal a war-torn England and refill the much depleted treasury? And how would he solidify his fragile claim to the throne? Tune in to discover the answers to these riveting questions and more!Don't miss this captivating exploration of history, intrigue, and power in The Tudors: A Real Game of Thrones.You can also watch the video of this episode on Youtube.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tudors are Britain's most famous royal dynasty. They ruled over England from 1485 until 1603, and included England's two arguably most influential monarchs - Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. However, the Tudor dynasty also included many other fascinating and consequential monarchs such as Henry VII (the first Tudor monarch), Edward VI and Mary I (England's first female monarch).In this twelve-part series of THE TUDORS: A REAL GAME OF THRONES, I am joined by recurring history buff and someone who studied the Tudor dynasty, Anna Morris. She is a familiar face on the podcast, having joined me to discuss the Empress Sissi of Austria all the way back in the first series.We will cover everything from the end of the Battle of Bosworth Field and beginning of the Tudor Dynasty in 1485 all the way up to Elizabeth I's death at the end of her so-called Golden Age.In this first episode, we will talk about the end of the Wars of the Roses—a series of civil wars fought between the houses of Lancaster and York for control of the English throne from 1455 to 1487. We will discuss how Henry Tudor, a plucky Welsh-born descendant of John of Gaunt with a fairly tenuous claim to the English throne, ended up winning it on the blood-spattered field of Bosworth in 1485.You can watch the video of the episode on Youtube.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on

In the riveting conclusion of The History Buff's Berlin Wall series, I'm joined by fellow tour guide Joerg to delve into the momentous events of November 1989. We discuss the fateful night that marked the end of an era, including the infamous press conference, where an innocent mistake by an East German official led the Berlin Wall to come crashing down.Joerg, who witnessed these events firsthand as a West Berliner, shares his unique perspective on the atmosphere in East Germany leading up to that historic night. We explore what it was like to be there, the immediate and long-term consequences of the wall coming down, and the complex legacy it left behind. Was the fall of the Berlin Wall purely positive, or did it bring unforeseen challenges? How has Germany navigated reunification in the years since? Join us for an insightful discussion that answers these questions and more. Don't miss this chance to understand one of the most pivotal moments in modern history.You can watch the video of the episode on YouTube.You can also follow Joerg on Instagram.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen.

In this episode, we shift our focus from the Berlin Wall itself to the lives of the people on either side. We'll explore how Berlin evolved into a bastion of counterculture and artistic expression, with distinct influences and circumstances in both the East and the West. Joining me for this discussion is fellow Berlin tour guide Ryan, an expert in this fascinating topic. Together, we'll delve into the unique cultural landscapes that flourished in a divided city.From the East German punk and squatting movements to the cultural melting pot of occupied West Berlin, we explore how this divided city transformed into Europe's epicentre of defiance.You can watch the video of this episode on Youtube.For more fascinating insights from Ryan, you can follow him on Instagram.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the next episode of the Berlin Wall series, I am joined by another fellow Berlin tour guide - Tina (or as I call her Miss Ernestina). In this third part of the series, I discuss with Tina the various escapes - both successes and failures - and the tragic deaths at the Wall.With the sealing of the border and building of the Berlin Wall in August 1961, this meant that East Germans that wanted to leave East Germany had to find new ways to do so, and in this episode we delve into those gripping and all-too often tragic stories. Hear about Conrad Schumann's leap to freedom, which became an enduring image of the Cold War. Learn about the multiple daring escapes of the Bethke brothers, involving a blow up mattress, a zip-wire and two light aircraft! And listen to the heartbreaking story of Peter Fechter, whose very public shooting and death at the Wall became a symbol of the it's brutality. Join us as we explore these remarkable tales of courage and the human cost of division.You can also watch the video of this episode on YouTube.Check out the home video of the Bethke brothers escape flight over Berlin here.Tina is a fantastic guide who offers many different fascinating tours of Berlin. Check out her website or her Instagram for more information!For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.A

The History Buff is charting the story of one of history's most infamous barriers - The Berlin Wall, which divided a city in the heart of a divided Europe for 28 years. As a Berlin tour guide, this is something that I talk about a lot, and it's something visitors Berlin continue to be fascinated by. In the last episode, I discussed the end of the Second World War, the division of Germany and the beginnings of the Cold War, which set the stage for the events of this episode.In this second episode of The Berlin Wall series, I am joined by Quincy, a fellow Berlin tour guide, to talk about the events surrounding that fateful night in August 1961 where the last hole in the Iron Curtain, the border between East and West Berlin, was sealed off literally overnight. Berliners woke up on the morning of 13 August to find themselves cut off from friends, family and work.But why was the Berlin Wall built in the first place? How was the mammoth task of sealing off the 155 kilometre border surrounding West Berlin actually put into practice? Who planned it? How did the West react? Listen to find out!This episode is available to watch as a video on YouTube.Quincy is launching his own online magazine about history and culture in Berlin, which you will be able to find here.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on

The History Buff is very excited to launch a new series about the Berlin Wall! As a Berlin tour guide, it is obviously a big part of my work as the Berlin Wall is a very prominent (and recent!) part of Berlin's history and is very popular with visitors to the city. Over five episodes we will talk about various aspects of its existence including the events leading up to its construction, the actual building of the Wall, escapes and deaths, life in East and West Berlin and also how the Wall fell and it consequences.In this first episode, I will explain to you the events that led to the Berlin Wall's construction, including the beginnings of the Cold War and the Berlin Crisis, in a simple bitesize episode. For the rest of the series, I will be joined by fellow tour guides here in Berlin to help explain the fascinating and pivotal story of this barrier built to separate a people, but which came to symbolise the division of an entire world and the tension between them during the Cold War.This episode is available to watch as a video on YouTube.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can find more History Buff content on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See

The two Voyager spacecraft were launched in 1977 and were designed and built by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. They were being sent on a "grand tour" of the outer planets of our solar system - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, taking advantage of a rare alignment of these planets. The two probes sent back astounding images and data of all four of these planets, completing their planetary mission in 1989. But it didn't end there - the two pioneering spacecraft sailed on on their trajectory out of our solar system beyond the planets and are now tens of billions of kilometres from Earth. Despite the fact that the probes have now entered interstellar space (the space between the stars), NASA is still receiving invaluable data from both of them. What makes Voyager special is that they both carry "golden disks" which contain sights and sounds of Earth as a greeting for any intelligent life form that might encounter them on their lonely voyage as they sail on through the galaxy, potentially for eternity.You can find out more about this fascinating mission on NASA's JPL website.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can also follow The History Buff on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See

In 1974, Richard Nixon became the first, and to this day only, US President to resign from office. This followed the scandal surrounding the 1972 break-ins at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate Building in Washington D.C., orchestrated by Nixon's administration. Nixon initially tried to cover up his involvement, but his secret recordings of Oval Office meetings were subpoenaed by the Supreme Court, leading to his downfall. The Watergate scandal significantly impacted US politics, fostering widespread public distrust in politics and politicians. Its legacy is seen in the "-gate" suffix attached to contemporary controversies, symbolising scandal (e.g. Billygate, Bottlegate, Partygate, Bountygate, Punchgate, Donutgate and many, MANY more...).For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can also follow The History Buff on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Known as "The Nine Days Queen", Jane Grey is often overlooked in history books as an English monarch, simply due to the fact that her reign was so short. In 1553 King Edward VI, Henry VIII's only son, was dying and he wanted to ensure that the English throne passed to another Protestant. On the advice of his scheming Chief Minister, the Duke of Northumberland, he signed over the throne to an obscure fifteen-year-old noblewoman from Leicestershire... who just happened to be Northumberland's daughter in law, Lady Jane Grey. In doing so, Edward sidelined his older half-sisters, Mary and Elizabeth. Mary was outraged by this, and when Jane was duly proclaimed Queen on 10 July 1553, Mary started gathering forces to support her claim to the throne as Henry VIII's eldest child. Things very quickly unravelled for the poor young Jane, and she lost her crown just nine days later on 19 July. Shortly after being proclaimed Queen Mary I, Mary put Jane on trial for high treason as a usurper, and she was beheaded on 12 February 1554.For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can also follow The History Buff on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get a taste of what to expect on The History Buff... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the tragic death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, The History Buff has made an episode about his life. Whilst I was in Senna's native São Paulo a couple of months back, I sat down to discuss Senna's life with local tour guide Bruno. Senna's life may have been cut tragically short, but his influence on the racing sport is still felt today. After his death it was revealed he had donated hundreds of millions of dollars of his personal fortune to charities in Brazil and his legacy includes the Senna Institute which provides education to poorer children in Brazil. Upon his death at just 34 years old, such was his hero status in Brazil, that the government declared three days of mourning, and he was buried with full state honours.Join us as we delve into the story of this highly complex individual, whose softly spoken, sensitive, compassionate and highly emotional demeanour stood in stark contrast to his aggressive and ruthless driving techniques, all while navigating the depths of a deep Christian faith.If you're ever in Säo Paolo, then do check out Bruno and the tours he offers. He's fantastic!For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can also follow The History Buff on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe D

Explore the wartime pharmacological history in this discussion episode, where I am joined by Jonathan, a fellow Berlin tour guide, to shed light on the pervasive use of amphetamines during the Second World War. Delve into the motivations, consequences, and the intricate relationship between soldiers and stimulants. We'll also talk about Adolf Hitler's addiction problem - he was addicted to many different drugs in the last ten years of his life, including methamphetamine, cocaine and pain killers. Join us for a stimulating look into a chapter of history where drugs played a strategic role in the theatre of war.Apologies for the poor quality of audio, this is back when I was using very basic microphones!For more content and if you'd like to sign up to our mailing list to be notified whenever we release a new episode, then head over to The History Buff website. You can also follow The History Buff on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.