History Behind the Headlines

Who are Count Binface's novelty political predecessors? 15.07.2026 50min

A by-election in the UK constituency of Clacton, triggered by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's decision to quit as an MP and fight to reclaim his seat, features an unusual rival: Count Binface. Yet the costumed candidate is far from the first novelty character to seek election and, in this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at some of the other contenders. Plus, as Britain bakes in its third heatwave of the summer, we explore the ways in which extreme weather impacted on the lives of people in previous generations. ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why has the UK had so many prime ministers this decade? 02.07.2026 38min

The news of Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party means that the UK is set to have its seventh PM in ten years. But what are the historical factors that have led to this instability? And what comparisons can we meaningfully draw to the political unrest of previous decades, including the 1920s and 1970s? In this episode, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda are joined by journalist, author and documentary-maker Phil Tinline, who explores the roles that technology, devolution and a sense of disenfranchisement have played in this story – and the key moments that we might otherwise overlook. ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How were society's super-rich seen in past centuries? 17.06.2026 50min

US business leader Elon Musk has been in the headlines again in recent weeks, as a result of becoming the world's first trillionaire. But how were enormously rich people seen in past centuries? In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore how Musk's forerunners were regarded, and how they accrued their wealth in the first place. Meanwhile, a high-profile row about defence spending here in the UK has led to the resignation of two government ministers – but such arguments are nothing new. We look back at previous debates around how state finances have been used during periods of geopolitical uncertainty, and where the extra money has come from. Finally, with the men's World Cup in full swing, we look back at a particularly unusual game of football in 17th-century Florence. ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How has war impacted economies of the past? 03.06.2026 48min

There have been plenty of headlines over the past month about the possible financial impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. But what does history tell us about the ways in which the impact of war has been felt far from the battlefield? Regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter chronicle some of the most dramatic examples, from medieval England to the Second World War. Plus, with Britain experiencing unprecedented spring heat in recent weeks, we investigate the draw of swimming when the temperature rises – and the surprising role it played in a key moment of international diplomacy. ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How were leadership challenges launched in previous centuries? 20.05.2026 48min

The past fortnight has seen headlines here in the UK dominated by news of potential leadership challenges to Labour prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, following the party's heavy losses in recent local council elections in Wales, Scotland and England. But how were such bids to topple leaders mounted in the past? And what happened to those who tried, and failed? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda look at some of the most dramatic examples – from 1970s Britain to the Tudor court and communist China. ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have the royals always been diplomatic tools? 07.05.2026 50min

King Charles's recent visit to the United States prompted much commentary on both sides of the Atlantic, with particular praise given to his speech to Congress. But at what other moments in recent history has the royal family been used as a way to reach a political goal? And what did this 'soft diplomacy' look like in the medieval era? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda share their thoughts. Plus, as David Attenborough marks his 100th birthday, what contribution has he made to our understanding of the natural world? -----GO BEYOND THE PODCASTFor more on the contribution that David Attenborough has made to our understanding of the natural world, don't miss our interview with media historian David Hendy on the HistoryExtra podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/otka-gd3qcgzhvfk7nw6_q Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when popes and politics collide? 22.04.2026 47min

A high-profile spat between Pope Leo and leading figures in the US administration has made headlines in recent weeks, after United States president Donald Trump and vice-president JD Vance disagreed with comments the pope made about US-Israeli actions in the war with Iran. But it's far from the first time that the papacy and other powerful figures have butted heads. In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at other points of tension between politics and religion. But first: following Viktor Orbán's seismic election defeat in this month's elections in Hungary, what parallels can we meaningfully draw from this moment in the nation's political history? And what's the unsung contribution that Hungarians have made to culture here in the UK? ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the Bayeux Tapestry coming to Britain or not? 15.04.2026 27min

The loan of the Bayeux Tapestry from France to the UK has caused great excitement, but also some concerns. Lord Peter Ricketts is the UK government's Bayeux Tapestry Envoy, and here in conversation with David Musgrove, he gives the lowdown on how the loan is progressing. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCASTThere is a wealth of Bayeux Tapestry content on the HistoryExtra site, including a comprehensive five-part podcast series with a panel of experts: https://bit.ly/4c7ivhv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chess, space and medieval monks: this spring’s overlooked historical headlines 08.04.2026 40min

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has dominated news coverage, and episodes of this podcast, in recent weeks – and because we chose to focus on those pressing events, some other stories have taken a back seat.So, in this special episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter catch up with some of the headlines we’ve missed over the past few months, from new theories about the ninth-century Book of Kells to a fresh take on how chess was regarded in the Middle Ages. ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Peter Ricketts on diplomacy, Trump and Iran 31.03.2026 24min

Recent US actions in the Middle East have challenged the established world order, and called into question existing diplomatic and political norms. But how different is today’s diplomacy from that of the Second World War or the Cold War? And what does history tell us about the best way to deal with convention-busting figures such as President Trump? In this bonus episode of History Behind the Headlines, Lord Peter Ricketts – former chair of the UK’s Joint Intelligence Committee and author of books including the upcoming Peace Makers: Shaping the Modern World – talks to David Musgrove about the changing nature of international relations, and whether the post-WW2 consensus is now a thing of the past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when war puts oil supplies at risk? 26.03.2026 44min

Almost a month in, the Iran conflict has begun to have an impact on the world’s supplies of oil and gas – particularly as a result of Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping channels. But what’s the longer story of our reliance on particular resources? And what have the historical consequences been when they’re jeopardised? In this episode, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda discuss the ways in which energy has shaped the human story – and reveal how the Strait of Hormuz was a contested region centuries before the current war. ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is this the US’s least popular war? 12.03.2026 49min

The conflict in the Middle East continues into a second week, with fighting between the United States, Israel, Iran and US-allied states in the region continuing to escalate. Senior US officials have given a range of reasons for launching the war, and disquiet about its causes and consequences has led to a lack of popular support in the US and reports of a fraying of its ‘special relationship’ with the United Kingdom. In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter discuss the historical dimensions of the past fortnight with Sam Edwards, an expert in international relations and war at Loughborough University. What does history tell us about the war’s unpopularity in the US? Is this really a low in UK-US relations? And what do we need to know about the Middle East to make sense of recent events? ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can the past help us understand the UK monarchy's current crisis? 26.02.2026 42min

One story has dominated headlines in recent days: the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The younger brother of King Charles has been released under investigation following his arrest on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The news followed an announcement by Thames Valley Police that they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing. In this episode, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda are joined by Craig Prescott, a specialist in UK constitutional law and the role of the monarchy based at Royal Holloway University of London, to discuss previous moments of jeopardy for the royal family – and the evolution of the relationship between crown and parliament. ----- HISTORY BEHIND THE HEADLINES: BRIEFING It can sometimes feel like the world is changing faster than ever before – but help is at hand. HistoryExtra’s new podcast series History Behind the Headlines: Briefing tasks expert historians with bringing you the history you need to make sense of the headlines, in five minutes or less. Find out more and listen here: https://play.megaphone.fm/mlldhlcjqlul5o2orgzdkw ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How have political scandals shaped history? 12.02.2026 39min

This week has seen reverberations continue from the latest release of files relating to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Here in the UK, the government has been rocked by questions about the nature of his relationship with senior Labour figure Peter Mandelson, and suggestions that sensitive information may have changed hands. In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at the longer history of political scandal, assessing the ways in which corruption and chicanery were tackled in previous centuries. ----- HISTORY BEHIND THE HEADLINES: BRIEFING It can sometimes feel like the world is changing faster than ever before – but help is at hand. HistoryExtra’s new podcast series History Behind the Headlines: Briefing tasks expert historians with bringing you the history you need to make sense of the headlines, in five minutes or less. Find out more and listen here: https://play.megaphone.fm/mlldhlcjqlul5o2orgzdkw ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ This episode was hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and produced by Lewis Dobbs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is President Trump really weaponising history? 29.01.2026 50min

From Greenland and Venezuela to his speech at Davos, the past few weeks have seen US president Donald Trump make a series of big moves on the world stage. But how historically unprecedented have his actions been? And is it right to see his administration as weaponising history for political ends? To assess whether we are witnessing what Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has called a “rupture” in the postwar world order, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter are joined by Sam Edwards from Loughborough University to discuss whether we really are backsliding to a previous historical era. ------ HISTORY BEHIND THE HEADLINES: BRIEFING It can sometimes feel like the world is changing faster than ever before – but help is at hand. HistoryExtra’s new podcast series History Behind the Headlines: Briefing tasks expert historians with bringing you the history you need to make sense of the headlines, in five minutes or less. Find out more and listen here: https://play.megaphone.fm/mlldhlcjqlul5o2orgzdkw ------ GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Read more about a 19th-century doctrine that may be the key to understanding today’s US foreign policy in this HistoryExtra article: https://bit.ly/4qSz8lq ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ This episode was hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and produced by Lewis Dobbs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Trump returning the world to an age of empires? 15.01.2026 50min

At the start of January, the United States government launched a military operation in Venezuela, capturing its president Nicolás Maduro and announcing that the US would run the nation until it deems that there can be "a proper and judicious transition”. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and figures around him have also made repeated suggestions that the US needs to claim Greenland for reasons of national security. Following those events, historians Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda explore the history of governance in South America – and whether President Trump and his administration are really making unprecedented moves on the world stage. ------ GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Read more about a 19th-century doctrine that may be the key to understanding today’s US foreign policy in this HistoryExtra article: https://bit.ly/4qSz8lq ------ If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠ We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ This episode was hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and produced by Lewis Dobbs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

BONUS: The history behind 2025 01.01.2026 47min

In this special bonus episode of History Behind the Headlines, historians Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter – plus host Matt Elton – pick the historical insights that stood out for them from across the past 12 months. From war in the Middle East to a new pope and surprising revelations about Adolf Hitler, we reveal the ways in which the past helps us make sense of today’s news. Clips taken from: Papal elections and tariff troubles: history behind the headlines (HistoryExtra podcast, 29th April 2025) Why is it so hard for Israelis and Palestinians to make peace? (16th October 2025) BONUS: What does Hitler’s DNA really tell us? (22nd November 2025) If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠. We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠⁠ This episode was hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and produced by Lewis Dobbs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2025 in review: the historical trends of the year 11.12.2025 40min

As we head into the Christmas season, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda look back at the key historical parallels, books and anniversaries of the past 12 months – and the history that might shape the year to come. If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠. We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ This episode was hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and produced by Lewis Dobbs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ukraine peace deal: what are the lessons from history? 27.11.2025 39min

The prospect of a peace agreement in the Ukraine-Russia war has been in the news over the past week, as delegates met in Geneva in an attempt to work out a deal. The story is still evolving – but which historical treaties offer useful comparisons? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda consider the parallels. Plus: as the UK reacts to the chancellor’s Budget, we explore the history behind the annual economic review. If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠⁠. We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠ This episode was hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

BONUS: What does Hitler’s DNA really tell us? 22.11.2025 48min

A recent documentary drawing conclusions from new analysis of Adolf Hitler’s DNA has sparked headlines around the world. But how did the programme’s researchers get hold of the key evidence? And what issues – and implications – are prompted by linking the Nazi leader with a range of physical and psychological conditions? In this bonus episode of History Behind the Headlines, two of the experts behind the documentary, Turi King and Alex J Kay, spoke to Matt Elton about what led to their involvement – and offer their take on the real value of such research. What's your take on this story? Let us know – email podcast@historyextra.com. ––––– GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To find out more about Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany, don’t miss our HistoryExtra Academy course Nazi Germany, with Laurence Rees: https://bit.ly/4i9bs9n ––––– For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at historyextra.com/podcast. We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram or YouTube to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/ This episode was hosted by Matt Elton and produced by Jack Bateman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices