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Podcast

Monthly series in which historical novelist Sarah Dunant delves into the past for stories and moments that help frame the present, bringing to life worlds that span the centuries.

Updated: monthly
Episodes available: indefinitely

Episodes to download

  •

    Beyond Reason

    Mon 1 Jul 2019

    Sarah Dunant looks through history to understand apparently irrational behaviour.

  • Consider the Walrus: what can history tell us about the climate crisis?

    Mon 3 Jun 2019

    Sarah Dunant looks to the past to help us think about the pressing climate change crisis.

  • Fake History

    Mon 6 May 2019

    Sarah explores the history of fake history, and its use to justify actions and ideology.

  • Into the World

    Mon 1 Apr 2019

    Sarah Dunant on the history of travel, how it has enchanted and alarmed us for centuries.

  • The Shame Game

    Mon 4 Mar 2019

    Sarah Dunant delves into the history of shame, this most potent but raw of emotions.

  • Deadlock

    Mon 4 Feb 2019

    Sarah Dunant on historical deadlocks and the ways they were resolved.

  • Sleep: A Third of Human History

    Mon 7 Jan 2019

    Sarah Dunant examines sleep as a source of preoccupation and worry throughout history.

  • Poison: The Invisible Assassin

    Mon 3 Dec 2018

    Sarah Dunant looks at moments in history when poison has sown fear, doubt and intrigue.

  • Promises, Promises

    Mon 5 Nov 2018

    Sarah Dunant explores the fractious history of promises made between rulers and the ruled.

  • The Dating Game

    Mon 1 Oct 2018

    Sarah Dunant delves into the past for stories of courtship to help us date better.

  • Beyond Your Command

    Sun 25 Mar 2018

    Sarah Dunant uncovers stories from history when children have challenged adult authority.

  • The Deal

    Sun 25 Feb 2018

    Sarah Dunant delves into the past for alternative stories to help frame today's anxieties.

  • Resist

    Sun 4 Feb 2018

    Sarah Dunant considers a post-antibiotic world with lessons from the past.

  • This Old Year

    Sun 31 Dec 2017

    Sarah Dunant delves into the past for alternative stories to help frame 2017.

  • Speaking Out

    Sun 26 Nov 2017

    Sarah Dunant looks at the history of women speaking out about inappropriate male behaviour

  • Episode 4

    Sun 29 Oct 2017

    Can history unlock the secret to a better old age?

  • IOU

    Sun 24 Sep 2017

    Sarah Dunant's look at events from a historical perspective plunges into personal debt.

  • Take it to the Brink

    Sun 27 Aug 2017

    Sarah Dunant's monthly look at events from a historical perspective takes her to the brink

  • Generational Breakdown

    Sun 30 Jul 2017

    Sarah Dunant delves into the past for alternative stories to help frame today's anxieties.

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