Forbidden History

Roskilde’s Lost Viking Ships

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0000

The 1962 discovery and excavation of thousand-year-old Viking ships at the bottom of a fjord near Roskilde, Denmark changed the understanding of Viking technology and culture.

Cast List:

Eric Meyers: Narrator

Tim Sutherland: Host

Karen Grønbæk Andersen: Viking historian

Vibeke Bischoff: Archaeologist

Ivan Jakobsen: Maritime historian

Louise Kæmpe Henriksen: Curator

Søren Nielsen: Archaeologist

Neil Price: Professor of Archaeology

Else Roesdahl: Professor of Archaeology

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King Arthur: Britain's Warrior King

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Forbidden History, Dominic Selwood explores the origins of King Arthur, tracing the line between legend and reality to uncover whether a true warrior king once stood behind the myth.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: Historian & Journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Lost Swords of Castillon: The Medieval Treasure No One Can Explain

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Forbidden History, a mysterious hoard of medieval swords emerges from the past. Tied to the Battle of Castillon, their discovery challenges everything we think we know about the final moments of the Hundred Years War.

Cast List:

Eric Meyers: Narrator

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist

David Nicolle: Military Historian

David Oliver: Arms and Armour Expert

Clive Thomas: Arms and Armour Researcher

Bob Savage: Royal Armouries Expert

Henry Hallop: Arms Specialist

David Williams: Auctioneer, Bonhams

Antoine: Musée de l’Armée Curator

Dr Guilheim Perin: Historian

Ewart Oakeshott: Historical Arms and Armour Scholar (Archive)

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The Hidden Legacy of Ancient Egypt in Christianity

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0000

What if Christianity was shaped as much by Egypt as it was by Rome or Jerusalem? In this episode, Tony McMahon explores how one of the world’s oldest civilisations could have influenced the rise of a new faith.

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Vikings: The Ghost Ships of Saaremaa

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Forbidden History, we are joined by battlefield archaeologist Tim Sutherland, who investigates one of the most extraordinary Viking discoveries ever made. A specialist in conflict archaeology and the forensic analysis of mass graves, Tim has spent decades uncovering the physical evidence of warfare left behind in the soil. Now he travels to the remote shores of Estonia, where two ancient ship burials are rewriting everything we thought we knew about Viking culture.

Cast List:

Eric Meyers: Narrator

Tim Sutherland: Host

Raili Allmäe: Osteo-Archaeologist, University of Tallinn

John Haywood: Historian and Writer

Marge Konsa: Archaeologist, University of Tartu

Jüri Peets: Archaeologist, University of Tallinn

Neil Price: Historian

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The Gold Train: The Greatest Theft of WW2

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In 1945, an armoured Nazi train allegedly vanished into a sealed tunnel in the mountains of Poland, loaded with billions in stolen treasure. Decades later, treasure hunters arrived with new technology. The world held its breath. What they found next was either the greatest discovery in history or the ultimate disappointment.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Historian & Author

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Could George V Have Saved the Romanovs?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0000

When the Russian Revolution erupted in 1917, Tsar Nicholas II and his family looked to one man who might save them: King George V of Britain, his own cousin. Britain initially offered the Romanovs refuge, but the offer was suddenly withdrawn. Why did the king change his mind, and could that decision have sealed the Romanovs’ fate?

Cast List:

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Medieval Warriors of Ireland | St. Patrick’s Day Special

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0000

For this St Patrick’s Day special episode of Forbidden History, archaeologist Tim Sutherland travels to Ireland to explore the reality behind one of the country’s most famous medieval battles. With insights from historians, archaeologists and weapons experts, the episode reveals how new research and archaeology are shedding fresh light on the conflict.

Cast List:

John Cronin: Writer and Historian

Seán Duffy: Historian, Trinity College Dublin (Prof. Seán Duffy)

Rodney French: Coppersmith

Andrew Halpin: Historian and Weapons Expert (Dr. Andrew Halpin)

Frank Kearney: Galway County Council

Paul Macdonald: Swordmaker, Macdonald Armouries

David Nicolle: Military Historian (Dr. David Nicolle)

Boyd Rankin: Armourer

Damien Shiels: Archaeologist, Rubicon Heritage

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Al Capone: America’s Most Notorious Gangster

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Forbidden History, we are joined by historian Tracy Borman. Tracy heads to Chicago to discover how Al Capone rose to infamy, from club bouncer to the most notorious gangster in history, uncovering the two sides to his personality.

Cast List:

Tracy Borman - Historian

Tony McMahon - Historian and Author

Dominic Selwood - Historian and Author

Eric Meyers – Narrator

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The Secrets of the Parthenon | Part 3

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In this final episode of our three-part series, we explore the modern battle over the Parthenon sculptures as a clash between the idea of shared global heritage and the pull of national identity, as Britain and Greece stake competing claims to history itself.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: Journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Secrets of the Parthenon | Part 2

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:43:00 -0000

In Part II of our Parthenon trilogy, we follow Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin as he secures the sculptures and begins their fraught journey from Athens to Britain. Imprisonment, financial ruin, and fierce public criticism surround him as the marbles arrive in London. Almost immediately, they ignite heated debate in Parliament and among Britain’s cultural elite.

Part III is released this Thursday.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: Journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Secrets of the Parthenon | Part 1

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0000

Long before it became a global controversy, the Parthenon was the ultimate statement of Athenian power.

In Part I of our three-part special, historian Dominic Selwood takes us back to 5th-century BC Athens. Join us in exploring its construction under Pericles, its role as a temple and imperial treasury, and the powerful sculptural programme designed by Phidias. From the metopes and frieze to the towering statue of Athena to the changes that different cultures made to them.

This is Part I of a three-part series. Part II, examining Lord Elgin and the removal of the sculptures, releases tomorrow. Part III follows the day after, exploring the legal and cultural debates that continues today.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: Journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The First African American WWII Tank Battalion

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In World War II, the U.S. Army’s 761st Tank Battalion, known as the Black Panthers. They fought not only Nazi Germany but also the racism within their own ranks. Sent into some of the fiercest battles in Europe, they built a combat record that stunned and impressed their commanders. Yet for decades, their story was largely overlooked.

Cast List:

Dr. Ed Lengel: Chief Historian, National Medal of Honor Museum

Selena Carty: Cultural and Ancestral Historian

Dr. Robert Jefferson: Associate Professor of History, University of New Mexico

Wayne Robinson: 761st Historian

Shalina Patel: Historian

Private E.G McConnell: Self

Staff Sgt. Floyd Dade: Self

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Italy's Mafia of the Renaissance

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we dive into the world of the Condottieri, the mercenary captains who shaped the politics and battlefields of Renaissance Italy. We explore their shifting loyalties, ruthless strategies, and the lasting legacy they left on European warfare…

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist

Dr David Nicolle: Author & Military Historian

Dr Toby Capwell: The Wallace Collection

Dave Hewitt: White Rose Armourie

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Alchemical Secrets of Isaac Newton

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we uncover the surprising, sometimes contradictory sides of Isaac Newton, from his plague‑year breakthroughs to his mystical obsessions and turbulent personality. He was far more than the inventor of calculus and the man who explained gravity - he was also a secretive alchemist, a biblical scholar, a financial speculator, and a fiercely private thinker whose curiosity knew almost no bounds.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: Author, Historian & Barrister

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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MK-Ultra: Revisited

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we take a deeper look into a clandestine CIA project from the Cold War-era, MK-Ultra. Mind control, drug use, and a potential link to Charles Manson are just a few of the topics that shadow this story, with its eventual exposure reshaping the public’s trust in government intelligence agencies.

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Jesus and the Cross: Tracing the Evidence

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0000

This week we’re revisiting an earlier episode of Forbidden History that you may have missed. In this episode, we take a look at the historical evidence of Jesus’ crucifixion, from the realities behind the legend, to piecing together what we know for certain and what is missing. We explore how little detail the Bible truly contains – including no reference to a cross – and the lack of archaeological evidence.

Cast List:

Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Dr Andrew Boakye: Lecturer in Religions & Theology at the University of Manchester

Janina Ramirez: A cultural historian, broadcaster and author based at the University of Oxford

Tony McMahon: A former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Dominic Selwood: A historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Peter Stanford: Writer, editor, journalist and presenter, known for his biographies and writings on religion and ethics

Gunnar Samuelsson: Author and Associate Professor in New Testament Studies at the University of Gothenburg.

Bena Mantel: Licensed tour guide, lecturer and archaeologist.

Peggy Brunache: Historian, archaeologist and lecturer at University of Glasgow

Israel Hershkovitz: Anatomist Professor at Tel Aviv University

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D-Day: The Allies' Battle for Liberation

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode we take a look at the D-Day landings of World War II. From the overlooked battlefields to the details of the combined arms allied operation, this episode questions what we think we know about one of history’s most iconic military operations. Including a daring commando raid behind enemy lines, that was instrumental to the seizure of the beaches.

Cast List:

Geoffrey Wawro: Professor of Military History

Peter Caddick-Adams: Historian

Martin Davies: Author

Stuart Lawrence: Historian

Rudy Passera: Military Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Last Tsars of Russia: The Romanov Conspiracy

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0000

This week we’re revisiting an earlier episode of Forbidden History that you may have missed. We take a look at the tragic murder of the last Tsars of Russia, the Romanovs, in 1918. This episode explores the decline of Tsar Nicolas as ruler, the grizzly deaths of him and his family, and the conspiracies that surrounded their deaths in the following years.

Cast List:

Helen Rappaport: Author & Historian

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

James Sherwood: Writer & Royal Correspondent

Christopher Warwick: Royal Biographer & Historian

Andrew Cook: Author, Historian & former British civil servant

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Casablanca in the Mountains: Hitler’s Secret Gateway

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0000

Deep in the Pyrenees lies an abandoned railway station that was once the second largest in Europe. This luxurious station at the border between France and Spain in its heyday was a real-life Casablanca. In this episode, we take a look at the shadowy history of Canfranc, including tales of espionage, Nazi gold and the fight against tyranny.

Cast List:

Tim Dunn: Railway Historian

Dominic Selwood: Historian & Journalist

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Claire Barratt: Industrial Heritage Engineer

Jonathan Diaz: Retired Bus Driver

Regine Pehau-Gerbet: Historian

Rocio Hurtado: Forest Engineer

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Ramon J. Campo: Historian & Journalist

Santiago Marraco: Son of Resistance Fighter

Simone Casaubon: Ex Resistance Fighter

Emilio Astier: Grandson of Resistance Fighter

Suze Kundu: Material Chemist

Carlos Pena Garay: Director, Canfranc Underground Lab

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Ludwig II: A Fairy-Tale King’s Fatal End

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0000

King Ludwig II of Bavaria, famed for his eccentricity and fairy-tale castles, was found dead in Lake Starnberg in 1886 under mysterious circumstances. Officially ruled a suicide, his death has long fuelled speculation of a government conspiracy to remove a monarch whose artistic pursuits clashed with political priorities. This enduring mystery raises the question: was Ludwig truly mad, or the victim of darker forces?

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Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

James Sherwood: Writer and Royal Correspondent

Ann Marie Ackerman: Writer & Prosecutor

Ken Hollings: Writer, broadcaster and cultural theorist

Dr Gerhard Immler: Chief Archive Director, Bavarian State Archives, Munich

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Nazis in Antarctica?

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we dive into one of the more peculiar World War II conspiracy theories: the alleged Nazi expeditions to Antarctica. We explore the historical roots, the myths of secret bases, and why this story continues to captivate imaginations decades later. Was it simply for science and discovery, or something stranger?

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Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Witch Hunt That Shook America

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Join us as we explore the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 - one of the most infamous chapters in American history. Discover how fear and superstition sparked mass hysteria in Salem, Massachusetts, leading to the wrongful execution of 20 innocent people. We’ll uncover the truth behind the trials, their lasting impact, and why many believe Salem remains haunted to this day.

Go to ⁠⁠⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠⁠⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Go to ⁠rula.com/forbidden⁠ and take the first step towards better mental health today.

Cast List:

Sam Baltrusis: Author & Historian

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history.

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Dr. Sheila K. Hoffman: Art Historian, Iconologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts

Thomas Vallor: Salem Historian

Nick Dickinson: Witch, Headmistress of Circe Academy in Salem

Jacqui Allouise: Witch, owner of The Cauldron Black in Salem

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Curse of the Templars

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In 1307, the once-mighty Knights Templar were accused of heresy and dismantled by the French crown. Legend says their last Grand Master uttered a chilling curse as he faced the flames - a curse that would echo through the fall of kings and kingdoms. Was it coincidence, or the lingering shadow of the Templars’ wrath?

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Go to rula.com/forbidden and take the first step towards better mental health today.

Check out our other stories mentioned in this episode below:

Freemasons: The Original Secret Society - listen here

Oak Island: Beneath the Curse - listen here

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Mysterious Origins of the Templars

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Born in the shadows of the Crusades, the Knights Templar began as humble protectors of pilgrims but soon rose to unimaginable power. Who was this mysterious group? And how did they rise from guardians to legendary figures shrouded in mystery?

Go to ⁠⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The King’s Chapel Mystery

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, archaeologist Tim Sutherland leads the search for King Richard III’s long-lost chapel at Towton, North Yorkshire. Through the study of skeletons, with traces of vanished architecture, he uncovers clues that may reveal the hidden story of this medieval sanctuary.

Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Simon Richardson: Metal Detectorist

Malin Holst: Osteoarcheologist, University of York

Anthony Massington: Buildings Archaeologist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Witches' Railway: From Pagan Myths to WWII & the Stasi

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating history of the Harz Railway in Germany. A story that holds tales of witches, top-secret Nazi weapons programmes and political Cold War spies.

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Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: Historian & Journalist

Tim Dunn: Railway Historian

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Dirk Bahnsen: Communications Manager, HSB

Claire Barratt: Industrial Engineer

Sabine Houben: Local Guide

Dr Friedhart Knolle: Harz National Park Authority

Dr Regine Heubaun: Mittelbau-Dora Concentration Camp Memorial

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Stefan Hordler: Director, Mittelbau-Dora Concentration Camp Memorial

Horst Dittman: Former Driver

Jurgen Steimecke: Former Driver

Christoph Lampert: Director, Brockenhaus Museum

Dietmar Schultke: Former GDR Border Guard

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Stonehenge Mystery

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we’re joined by Tony McMahon to discuss the enigma that is Stonehenge. Who built this 5000 year old monument and how? We cover the various theories and mysteries that have surrounded this remarkable site over the years.

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Prince George Conspiracy

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0000

This week we’re revisiting an earlier episode of Forbidden History that you may have missed. In this episode, we examine the life of Prince George, Duke of Kent and delve into the conspiracies surrounding his untimely death.

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Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Cast List:

Lynn Picknett: Author & Historian

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

James Sherwood: Writer & Royal Correspondent

Dr Caroline Porter: Historian

Christopher Warwick: Royal Biographer & Historian

George Bethune: Caithness Local

John Harris: Author

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Australia’s Rainforest Railway

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we join experts as they take a look at the fascinating story behind one of Australia’s historic railway lines. Everyday, tourists take the picturesque journey among ancient trees, towering mountains and majestic waterfalls before reaching the tableland above. But this railway line has a hidden story that links deadly animals, mysterious holes in the ground and WWII’s Pacific War…

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Claire Barratt : Industrial Engineer

Tim Daniel: Reserve Army Major

Duncan Ray: Adventurer

Dr Dominic Selwood: Historian and Author

Jo Barnes: Atherton Rotary Directory

Mary Searston: Local Historian

Ivan Searston: Historian

Dr. Timothy Bottoms: Journalist & Historian

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Lottie Hastie: Local Resident

Dr George Skeene: Local Historian

Daphne Miller: Local Resident

Desley Mosquito: Local Resident

Wil Kemp: Savannahlander Driver

Bob Slater: President, Athrail

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Fight for Italy

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we dive into the brutal Battle of Monte Cassino, the crucial fight for Italy that tested the Allies’ determination against tough German defences. We discuss the causes that led to the breach of an important agreement, and to one of the most controversial bombings of the war.

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Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Cast List:

Rob Deere: Military Historian

Adele Garzarella: Geologist

Stephen Prince: Military Historian

Maurizio Zambardi: Author and Historian

Peter Caddick-Adams: Author and Historian

Geoffrey Wawro: Military Historian

Don Luigi Di Bussolo: Secretary to the Abbot, Abbey of Montecassino

Katherine Sharp Landedeck: Author and Historian

Robert M. Citino: Senior Historian, The National WW2 Museum

James Corum: Military Historian

Enrico Canini: Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Somme: The First 24 Hours

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this Remembrance Day episode, we join Sir Tony Robinson to uncover the first day of the Battle of the Somme, from the perspective of five men from the Sheffield ‘Pals’ Battalion. Known in history to be one of the largest and bloodiest battles of World War 1, we recount its first 24 hours by tracing the Pals’ real story, visiting key sites and the families of those affected.

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Cast List:

Sir Tony Robinson: Author, Actor & Broadcaster

Helen Ullathorne: Archaeologist

Penny Meakin: Author, The Meakin Diaries

Paul Oldfield: Author & Battlefield Tour Guide

Nick Meakin: Grandson of Frank Meakin

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Curse of the Devil's Bible

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0000

This week we’re revisiting an earlier episode of Forbidden History that you may have missed. The Devil’s Bible is a centuries old medieval Bible manuscript, famous for its haunting picture of the Devil drawn within. We follow its journey across Europe and discuss the cursed legend that follows it…

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Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: A historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Janina Ramirez: A cultural historian, broadcaster and author based at the University of Oxford

Tony McMahon: A former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Elin Andersson: A specialist in ancient manuscripts and an expert on the Devil’s Bible, based at the National Library of Sweden

Scott Sophos: Prague-based historian and teacher

Dr Andrew Boakye: Lecturer in Religions & Theology at the University of Manchester

Peter Stanford: Writer, editor, journalist and presenter, known for his biographies and writings on religion and ethics

Tori Burton: Historian

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Archeologist

Lynn Picknett: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Enigmatic ‘Wow!’ Signal

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode we delve into the mysterious story of the ‘Wow!’ signal. In 1977, a strong narrowband radio signal cut through cosmic noise at Ohio State University’s Big Ear Radio Observatory, causing the astronomer who discovered it to circle the data on the print out and scribble a single word, “Wow!” - could this communication have come from somewhere otherworldly?

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Halloween Special: Werewolves

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this Halloween special of the Forbidden History podcast we delve into the history of the mysterious werewolf. From Europe's 17th century "werewolf trials" to modern day silver-screen shapeshifters, we trace how the myth of this mystifying creature has evolved throughout centuries of fear and folklore...

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Go to ⁠nakedwines.co.uk/forbidden⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines for just £39.99, with delivery included.

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Hitler's Polar Railway

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we hear the remarkable story of one of the northernmost railway lines on earth - high in the northern reaches of Scandinavia, this line links the coast of the Norwegian Sea with the rich resources of inland Sweden. But its secret story remains hidden at the bottom of a nearby fjord where the wrecks of Nazi destroyers and Allied ships lay testament to the crucial role it played in WWII…

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Cast List:

Tim Dunn: Railway Historian

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Claire Barratt: Industrial Engineer

Frank Bang: Underwater Photographer

Steingrim Sneve: Local Guide

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Eystein Markusson: Narvik Battle Expert

Dominic Selwood: Historian & Journalist

Stig Olav Johansen: Local Historian

Prof. Steinar Aas: WWII Historian

Rasmus Norling: Kiruna New Town Curator

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Inside Area 51

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on Area 51 - the secretive military base in Nevada, long rumoured to hide UFOs, alien technology, and government cover-ups…

Join historian and author Guy Walters as we explore the mysterious stories behind one of the world’s most famous conspiracy zones.

Go to ⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Battle of the Skies: The Blitz

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

World War Two. For the first time in history, the battlefield has shifted mainly to the skies. Control of airspace now determines victory below, sparking a fierce race to outsmart the enemy. From the invention of radar to Hitler’s so-called “Wonder Weapons,” every innovation becomes a weapon in the struggle to bring the enemy down.

Go to ⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author and Historian

Nigel Jones: Author and Historian

Katherine Sharp Landdeck: Author and Historian

Chris Kolonko: Archaeologist

Ben Bishop: LIDAR Operator

Victoria Taylor: Aviation Historian

Geoffrey Wawro: Military Historian

James Corum: Military Historian

Robert M. Citino: Senior Historian, The National WWII Museum

Stephen Fisher: Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Vikings: The True Story | Part 3

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 04:01:00 -0000

In the final instalment of our three-part Vikings special, discoveries and forensic evidence collide to rewrite the Vikings’ story, revealing their everyday lives, vast networks and the surprising legacy they left across Europe.

Go to ⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Cast List:

Cat Jarman: Archaeologist & Author, River Kings

Ragnar Orten Lie: Archaeologist, Kulturarv Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune

Petra Schneidhofer: Kulturarv, Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune

Sverre Naesheim: Metal Detectorist

Terje Gansum: Archaeologist, Seksjonsleder, Kulturary Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune

Clare Downham: Professor of Medieval History, Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool

Ole Harald Flaten: Oseburg Heritage Foundation

Nils Olav Gjone: Nedre Lagen Elvelag

Tor Oydvin: Oseburg Heritage Foundation

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Vikings: The True Story | Part 2

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In part two of our three-part special, the investigation deepens as our team follows the trail of newly uncovered Viking artefacts, revealing surprising connections and challenging what we thought we knew about this infamous historical era.

Go to ⁠https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory⁠ or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Cast List:

Cat Jarman: Archaeologist & Author, River Kings

Ragnar Orten Lie: Archaeologist, Kulturarv Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune

Terje Gansum: Archaeologist, Seksjonsleder, Kulturary Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune

Steinar Mandt: Vest-Telemark Museum Eidsborg

Sverre Naesheim: Metal Detectorist

Dag Rorgemoen: Director, Vest-Telemark Museum Eidsborg

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Vikings: The True Story | Part 1

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In part one of this three part special, we begin our journey into the world of the Vikings, uncovering groundbreaking discoveries that challenge long-held myths about the so-called Nordic “warrior race.” With exclusive access to a team of Norwegian experts, we explore how cutting-edge research is rewriting Viking history.

Go to https://surfshark.com/forbiddenhistory or use code FORBIDDENHISTORY at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Cast List:

Cat Jarman: Archaeologist & Author, River Kings

Ragnar Orten Lie: Archaeologist, Kulturarv Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune

Terje Gansum: Archaeologist, Seksjonsleder, Kulturary Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune

Christer Tonning: Archaeologist, Kulturarv Vestfold & Telemark Fylkeskommune

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Fall of Rasputin

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In part two, we uncover Rasputin’s grip on the Romanovs, the chaos his influence sparked across Russia and the many conspiracies surrounding his death...

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Rise of Rasputin: Priest or Sorcerer?

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In part one of this two-part Forbidden History special, we trace Rasputin’s mysterious rise from humble Siberian beginnings to the heart of Russia’s royal court. From his rumoured miracles, to his magnetic hold over the royal family, the Romanovs, we take a look at the origins of a legend that blurred the line between holy man and dark mystic...

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Vanished Eighth Wonder: Russia’s Missing Amber Room

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Once considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Amber Room was a dazzling golden chamber stolen by the Nazis during World War II and never seen again. In this episode, we examine the history, legends, and many theories behind Russia’s most infamous missing treasure.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Secrets of the Pyramids: Ancient Alien Builders?

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Are the great pyramids monuments of human ingenuity… or encoded messages from the stars? In this episode, we’re joined by Tony McMahon as we explore the cosmic code hidden in ancient stone.

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Uncovering Medieval Disease

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Illness and disease were an unavoidable part of medieval life. With short life expectancies and deaths often hastened by infection, sickness shaped everyday existence. In this episode, archaeologists reveal how a skeleton uncovered in York, England offers insights into how people coped with disease in the Middle Ages.

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Prof. Charlotte Roberts: Bioarcheologist, University of Durham

Prof. Don Brothwell: University of York

Dr. Piers D. Mitchell: University of Cambridge

Malin Holst: Osteoarcheologist, University of York

Dr. Sarah Fiddyment: Bioarcheologist, University of York

Dr. Camilla Speller: Bioarcheologist, University of York

Helen Goodchild: Archaeologist, University of York

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Secrets of the Railway That Changed the World

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we look at how a small stretch of railway changed everything, propelling mankind into the modern world. The Liverpool to Manchester line transformed travel, time itself, and reshaped society. Yet behind the triumph lay plenty of challenges, danger, and even death…

Cast List:

Claire Barratt: Industrial Heritage Engineer

Dr Susan Major: Railway Historian

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Tim Dunn: Railway Historian

Dominic Selwood: Historian & Journalist

Bob Gwynne: Curator, National Railway Museum

Paul O’Donnell: Railway Trust, Liverpool to Manchester

Anthony Dawson: Railway Historian

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Mark Cozens: Ranger, Risley Moss

Dr Michael Bailey: Railway Historian

Simon Holroyd: Engineering Manager, National Railway Museum

Erin Beester: Researcher, Manchester Science & Industry Museum

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Legend of Mothman

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we unravel the chilling legend of the Mothman. Was this winged creature whose creepy sightings shook Point Pleasant, West Virginia in the 1960s really a harbinger of doom, or simply folklore taking flight?

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Malta Under Seige

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The fate of the small Mediterranean island of Malta hung by a thread during World War II. In this episode, we speak with experts as they explore the defences of Malta, the intricate underground tunnel network built by the Maltese people to shelter from the relentless bombing, and the incredible story of the vessel that saved the island from starvation.

Cast List:

Victoria Taylor: Aviation Historian

Katherine Sharp Landdeck: Author and Historian

Albert Dimech: Local Guide

Guy Walters: Author and Historian

Geoffrey Wawro: Military Historian

Timmy Gambin: Marine Archaeologist

James Corum: Military Historian

Robert M. Citino: Senior Historian, The National WWII Museum

Matthew Balzan: Principal Curator Fortifications

Stephen Prince: Military Historian

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Sodom & Gomorrah: Lost Cities

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Often remembered as symbols of divine judgment, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah remain some of the most haunting stories in the Bible...

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore their fall, the lessons they left behind, and the enduring question: what really happened?

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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America's Final Frontier: The Yukon Railway

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we discover how over 100 years ago a remote railroad fought against impossible odds in order to transport the prospectors of the Klondike gold rush. From gangsters and gold miners to Donald Trump's grandfather, this is the story of how a remote railway changed the lives of those who came in search of the American dream.

Cast List:

Tim Dunn: Railway Historian

Karl Gurke: Historian & Archaeologist

Fiona Giardino: Parks Canada Ranger

Steve Hites: Former Railroad Employee

Brittany Masloski: Tour Guide

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Dominic Selwood: Historian & Journalist

Claire Barratt: Industrial Engineer

Jonathan Baldwin: Artistic Director, The Days of ‘98

Carl Mulvihill: Local Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Black Death: The Mysterious Plague Skeleton of Tadcaster

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we follow a team of experts as they investigate the life and death of a medieval woman whose skeleton was found at Tadcaster Castle, North Yorkshire. Could her burial be part of a grave of plague victims?

Cast List:

Simon Richardson: Metal Detectorist

Dr Piers Mitchell: Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge

Dr Michelle Mundee: Bioarcheologist, University of York

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Malin Holst: Osteoarcheologist, University of York

Eric Meyers: Narrator

Episode originally produced in 2013

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The Dutch Titanic

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0000

During the height of WW1, a ship once nicknamed ‘The Dutch Titanic’ became embroiled in a 24-hour long battle with a pack of German U-Boats. In this episode, we follow a group of underwater explorers as they discover a new wreck in the North Atlantic that could shed a whole new light on the events that took place that fateful day.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Michael Barnette: Marine Biologist & Underwater Explorer

Dr. Tamas Balogh: Maritime Historian

Michael McVeigh: Dive Boat Skipper

James Sherwood: Author & Broadcaster

Tom McCluskie: Archive Manager at Harland & Wolff Shipping Company

Axel Niestle: WW2 Historian

Jean Kelly: Daughter of Clifford Young

Barry McGill: Diver

Gareth O’Neill: Diver

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Beyond the Battle of the Bulge

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0000

The Battle of the Bulge, or ‘Hitler’s last gamble’ was described by Winston Churchill as “the greatest American battle of the war”. Nearly 20,000 US soldiers were killed in the battle, some of whom were all too often forgotten African American front-line troops. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we follow a team of conflict archaeologists as they retrace their paths, uncovering the overlooked stories of those who defied racism on two fronts: facing both the deadly advance of Nazi forces and the injustice of serving in a segregated army.

Cast List:

Dr. Birger Stichelbaut: Conflict Archaeologist

Edwin Popken: Military Historian

Robert Hudson Jr.: Son of 333rd Field Artillery Battalion Soldier

Dr. Peter Caddick-Adams: Author and Historian

Dr. Robert M. Citino: Senior Historian, The National WWII Museum

Dr. Peter Schrijvers: Military Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Oak Island: Beneath the Curse

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0000

For centuries, Oak Island has held its secrets tightly, in the form of hidden chambers, mysterious symbols, and a trail of clues that lead to more questions than answers. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we dig into the conspiracy theories surrounding the island’s most elusive legends… just who is keeping the treasured secret?

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Secrets of the Armored Dead

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we follow experts as they investigate the mass graves of those who died at the battle of Visby in 1361, revealing the bravery of the Gutes in their defence against the Danish king's army.

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Helen Goodchild: Archaeologist, University of York

Sofia Hoas: Gotlands Museum, Visby

Thomas Neijman: National Historical Museum, Stockholm

Malin Holst: Osteoarcheologist, University of York

Petter Akeson: Osteoarcheologist, National Historical Museum, Stockholm

The Happiness Experiment: Start your journey to a happier, healthier you today – visit ⁠⁠this link⁠⁠ ⁠to begin.

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The Bermuda Triangle Mystery Shipwreck

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we follow a team of expert divers on their search to identify a mysterious shipwreck off the coast of Florida. Did this ship sink as the result of a WW2 targeted attack or is something more mysterious to blame, like the Bermuda Triangle?

Cast List:

Chuck Meide: Maritime Archaeologist

Michael Barnette: Marine Biologist and Underwater Explorer

Brendan Burke: Maritime Archaeologist

Joe Citelli: Diver

Axel Niestle: WW2 Historian

Robert Tyler

Eric Meyers: Narrator

The Happiness Experiment: Start your journey to a happier, healthier you today – visit ⁠this link⁠ ⁠to begin.

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Medieval Dead: Peak District Frontier Fortress

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Perched high above the Peak District moorlands, Carl Wark is a mysterious ancient hillfort that has puzzled archaeologists and historians for centuries. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore its possible origins and why this mysterious outcrop continues to captivate the imagination...

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Prof. Andrew Reynolds: Institute of Archaeology, London

Bill Bevan: Archaeologist & Author

Zac Nellist: Archaeological Records Officer, South Yorkshire Archaeology Service

Paul Oldfield: Author & Battlefield Guide

Mick Savage: Author, ‘Carl Wark; Peak District Fortress or Folly?’

Eric Meyers: Narrator

The Happiness Experiment: Start your journey to a happier, healthier you today – visit ⁠this link⁠ to begin.

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The Mystery of Lake Erie’s Serpent Shipwreck

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

A mysterious shipwreck at the bottom of Lake Erie could be the oldest wreck in America's most notorious ship graveyard. In this episode, we follow experts as they investigate new leads in this 200-year-old cold case.

Cast List:

Tom Kowalczk: Underwater Explorer

David Van Zandt: Underwater Explorer

Carrie Sowden: Marine Archaeologist

Brent Gardner: Lake Erie Diver

Eric Meyers: Narrator

The Happiness Experiment: Start your journey to a happier, healthier you today – visit this link to begin.

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The Lost Wonder: Secrets of Babylon

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we're joined by Tony McMahon to delve into the mystery and grandeur of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It's one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but its existence remains a subject of fierce debate...

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Unearthing Agincourt: Band of Brothers

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we take a closer look at the Battle of Agincourt through the eyes of archaeologists. While the battle is often remembered through legend and literature, the evidence beneath the soil reveals what really happened in 1415.

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Prof. Anne Curry: University of Southampton

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Beneath Cold Waters: The Battle of Jutland

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In 1916, two great fleets met in the cold, grey waters of the North Sea in what became the largest naval battle of the First World War. This episode of the Forbidden History podcast explores the conflicting legacy of the Battle of Jutland - a clash as shadowed by fog as it was by uncertainty.

Cast List:

Chuck Meide: Maritime Archaeologist

Brendan Burke: Maritime Archaeologist

Nicholas Jellicoe: Author, Jutland the Unfinished Battle

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Andrew Choong: Curator, National Maritime Museum

Nick Hewitt: Head of Exhibitions & Collections, The National Museum of The Royal Navy

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Secrets of the Cathars: Montségur

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the dramatic 1244 siege of Montségur, the last stronghold of the Cathars, a heretical Christian sect hunted by the Catholic Church…

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Dr Marie-Elise Gardel: Archaeologist, Site Medieval De Cabaret a Lastours

Frederic Loppe: Archaeologist, Site Medieval De Cabaret a Lastours

Fabrice Chambon: Cultural Ambassador, Chateau & Musee De Montsegur

Andre Czeski: Archaeologist, Musee De Montsegur

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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UFO Conspiracy: Roswell Revealed

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In 1947, a strange crash in the New Mexico desert sparked rumours of alien contact and a military cover-up. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the conflicting reports, declassified documents, and enduring questions surrounding the Roswell incident.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Disappearances of the Bermuda Triangle: SS Cotopaxi

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In 1925, the SS Cotopaxi vanished without a trace while sailing through the infamous Bermuda Triangle, leaving behind no clear explanation. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we dive into the mysterious theories, and join experts on their hunt for the shipwreck... will they find what they're looking for?

Cast List:

Chuck Meide: Maritime Archaeologist

Michael Barnette: Marine Biologist and Underwater Explorer

Douglas Myers: Captain William Myers’s Grandson

Guy Walters: Historian & Author

Al Perkins: Avid Diver

Brendan Burke: Maritime Archaeologist Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Jesus: Mystery of the Missing Years

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

What happened to Jesus between ages of 12 and 30? In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we explore the mystery of Jesus Christ's "missing years" from ancient legends to modern theories, and what they reveal about faith, history, and the unknown...

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Medieval Autopsy: Mystery of the St. Bees Man - Pt. 2

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Who was the St. Bees Man? In this episode, we continue exploring the incredible story of the Cumbrian Knight who was discovered in a lead shroud in 1981. This second instalment to the story has us trying to figure out exactly who this man was...

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Chris Robson: Local Expert

Dr Robin Darwall-Smith: Magdalen College Archivist

Ian McAndrew: Local GP

Tim Guard: Author, Chivalry, Kingship and Crusade

David Nicolle: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Medieval Autopsy: Mystery of the St. Bees Man - Pt. 1

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Who was the St. Bees Man? In part one of this episode, we explore the incredible story of the Cumbrian Knight who was discovered in a lead shroud in 1981. With his body coated in beeswax, the man was found in a near perfect state of preservation... but how?

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Chris Robson: Local Expert

Deirdre O’Sullivan: Archaeologist, University of Leicester

Ian McAndrew: Local GP

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Nuclear Race: How Close Were the Nazis?

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

During World War II, Nazi Germany launched a secretive program to harness the power of the atom - but just how close did they really get to building a nuclear weapon? In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the science, the scientists, and the sabotage behind Hitler’s atomic ambitions. Was the world closer to a Nazi bomb than we realise, or was it doomed from the start?

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author, historian and journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Portugal vs. Castile: The Battle of Aljubarrota

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we journey to Portugal to uncover the secrets of the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrotta, where Portuguese forces and their English allies triumphed against the Castilians and French. Could an ancient ossuary filled with the battle’s fallen unlock new insights into medieval warfare in Europe?

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Manuel Joao Matias: Dryas Octopetala Archaeological Services

Professor Joao Gouveia Monteiro: Universidade De Coimbra

Simon Richardson: Metal Detectorist

Nuno Barraca: Geophysicist, Dryas Octopetala Archaeological Services

Professor Eugenia Cunha: Forensic Anthropologist, Universidade De Coimbra

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Exodus: Legends and Legacy

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the ancient biblical story of the Exodus, tracing the Israelites' journey from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land. Join us as we uncover the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of this legendary migration that has inspired countless generations.

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Private Life of Henry VIII

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we explore the surprisingly private and complex life of Henry VIII beyond his public image. From his refined tastes and athletic pursuits, this episode reveals a lesser-known side of the Tudor monarch.

Cast List:

Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces

Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist

Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’

Dominic Selwood: Author & Journalist

Rebecca Rideal: Author, ‘Plague, War & Hellfire’

Dr. Matt Green: Historian

Lesley Ronaldson: Guide Lecturer, Hampton Court Palace

Eleri Lynn: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Skeletons of Lewes

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we investigate a medieval skeleton found near Lewes, Sussex, initially suspected to be a casualty of the Battle of Lewes in the 12th century. But with radiocarbon dating revealing an even older origin, possibly the Norman era, the research team delves into whether this could be the first skeletal link to the Battle of Hastings...

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University Of York

Malin Holst: Osteoarcheologist, University Of York

Chris Whittick: Senior Archivist, East Sussex County Council

Luke Barber: Research Officer, Sussex Archaeology Society

John Bleach: Sussex Archaeological Society

Greg Chuter: Assistant County Archaeologist, East Sussex County Council

Edwina Livesey: Sussex Archaeological Society

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Real Frankenstein

Thu, 29 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode we uncover the true origins of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a story born from scientific curiosity and the eerie promise of reanimation. Over 200 years later, its questions about creation, responsibility, and the limits of human ambition are more prominent than ever in the age of artificial intelligence...

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author, historian and journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Louis XIV: The Sun King

Tue, 27 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we dive into the extravagant reign of King Louis XIV, the "Sun King" who ruled France for over 70 years. Discover how his obsession with absolute power and the lavish court life at Versailles transformed the French monarchy and left a lasting legacy on European culture.

Cast List:

Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces

Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist

Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’

Dominic Selwood: Author & Journalist

Rebecca Rideal: Author, ‘Plague, War & Hellfire’

Dr. Matt Green: Historian

Emmanuel Frossard: Master Perfumier

Christine Baltay: Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Warrior of Janakkala

Thu, 22 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In 2013, a team of metal detectorists in Janakkala, Finland, stumbled upon something astonishing - a mysterious grave dating back over a thousand years. Buried with two swords, the extraordinary find suggests a link between Christians and Pagans.

Cast List:

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist

Simo Vanhatalo: Archaeological Field Services, Museuivirasto

Paul Macdonald: Sword maker, MacDonald Armouries

Rachel Wood: University of York

Raila Altonen: Landowner

Mikko Mäkelä: Metal Detectorist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Conspiracy on the Moon: Apollo 11

Tue, 20 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we journey into one of the most enduring conspiracy theories of the 20th century: Did NASA really land astronauts on the Moon in 1969, or was it an elaborate hoax filmed on a Hollywood soundstage? We explore the origins of the Apollo moon landing conspiracy theory, discuss the most common claims made by skeptics, and examine how science, photography, and cold war politics fuelled both belief and doubt.

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Guy Walters: Author, historian and journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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King George III and the Prince Regent

Thu, 15 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we unpack the life of King George III, his battles with mental illness and how they forced his son, the Prince Regent, into power. As the king faded from public life, the prince indulged in grand architectural dreams and lavish tastes, ushering in a new era shaped by crisis, culture, and conflict.

Cast List:

Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces

Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist

Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’

Dominic Selwood: Author & Journalist

Rebecca Rideal: Author, ‘Plague, War & Hellfire’

Dr. Matt Green: Historian

Dr Jane Desborough: Curator of Scientific Instruments at the Science Museum, London

Professor Peter Garrard: Professor of Neurology at St George's University of London

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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James: The Forgotten Brother of Jesus

Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we’re joined by Tony McMahon to explore the life and legacy of James, the so-called “brother” of Jesus. Was James an early leader in the Jerusalem church whose influence shaped the foundation of Christianity, and a truly a devoted follower of Jesus? Or are there hidden texts or Gnostic writings that reveal a different James than the one we’re told about...

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Nazi Megacities

Thu, 08 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode we explore the Nazi regime’s radical urban planning ambitions, from Hitler’s vision for “Germania” - a colossal, totalitarian capital meant to eclipse all others, to the destruction of Warsaw.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Nicholas O’Shaughnessy: Professor of Communication at Queen Mary, University of London

Terry Charman: Historian & Author

Frank McDonough: Author & Historian of the Third Reich

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Wolfgang Schlecker: Historian

Alexander Kropp: Berlin Journalist & Historian

Dr. Alexander Schmidt: German Historian & Nuremberg resident

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Freemasons: The Original Secret Society

Tue, 06 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode we’re joined by historian and author, Guy Walters, as we explore the mysterious world of the Freemasons - their origins, symbols, rituals, and the conspiracy theories that swirl around them. From medieval stonemasons to modern lodges, discover what’s fact, what’s fiction, and why they’ve fascinated the public for centuries.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Rise and Fall of Hermann Göring

Thu, 01 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

How did Hermann Göring, Hitler’s second-in-command, cheat the hangman at Nuremberg? This episode unpacks the mysterious circumstances of his death, his manipulative charm, and the unsettling bond he formed with U.S. Army psychiatrist Lt. Colonel Douglas M. Kelley.

Cast List:

Dr. Linda Papadopoulos: Psychologist

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Jack El-Hai: Author, 'The Nazi and the Psychiatrist'

Frank McDonough: Author & Historian of the Third Reich

Douglas Kelley Jr.: Son of Dr. Douglas Kelley

Andreas Mix: Memorium Nuremberg Trials

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Queen Victoria: The Woman Beyond the Crown

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Behind the image of a stern monarch, Queen Victoria lived a deeply emotional life marked by personal tragedies, private struggles with grief and the quiet use of laudanum. This episode explores Victoria’s intense relationships, from her devotion to Prince Albert to her rumoured bond with John Brown - alongside the assassination attempts and hidden vulnerabilities that shaped the woman beneath the crown.

Cast List:

Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces

Dr. Rosemary Leonard: General Practitioner & Journalist

Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist

Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’

Dominic Selwood: Author & Journalist

Rebecca Rideal: Author, ‘Plague, War & Hellfire’

Dai Davies: Retired Chief Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police

Dr. Matt Green: Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Deadly Montana Prison Siege | Where Did Everyone Go?

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Enter Montana’s infamous penitentiary and hear the explosive story of a tense siege, the firing of bazookas and a maverick warden.

Bringing you a bonus episode from a brand new podcast from the Like A Shot network. Join historian Sascha Auerbach, and comedian Tom Ward, as they reveal the incredible stories behind eerie ghost towns, ruined mansions, forgotten factories, crumbling castles, wartime relics, haunted prisons, and much more.

'Where Did Everyone Go? Histories of the Abandoned' is an entertaining journey into the world’s most remarkable abandoned places.

If you enjoyed this episode, search for ‘Where Did Everyone Go?’ on your favourite podcast platform and be sure to follow for more episodes. Or click here to follow.

—

Hosts: Sascha Auerbach, Tom Ward

Producer: Lewis Rumbol

Assistant Producer: Alice Chuter

Editor: Chris Scott

“Where Did Everyone Go? Histories of the Abandoned” is a recorded ‘as live’ podcast presented by comedian Tom Ward and historian Sascha Auerbach. Together they discuss abandoned things and places. Please be aware this is an unscripted discussion and whilst we try to ensure historic and factual accuracy, this isn’t always possible and as such ‘facts’ discussed may be the views and opinions of the presenters and should not be relied upon for historical accuracy.

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The Staff of Moses: Power, Symbolism, and Legacy

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we explore the legendary Staff of Moses, an unassuming shepherd’s rod turned divine instrument of miracles. From transforming into a serpent, to parting the Red Sea, we're joined by historian Tony McMahon to help us trace its symbolic power and enduring mystery throughout history.

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Building the Nazi War Machine

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we take a look at the dark ambitions of Hans Kammler, whose fingerprints remain on some of the Nazi regime’s most lethal projects, from the development of the V-2 rocket to the construction and operation of concentration camps.

Cast List:

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Dr Michael Allen: Author, ‘The Business of Genocide’

Dr. Paul Jaskot: Author, ‘The Architecture of Oppression’

Dr. Karina Urbach: Author, ‘Go-Betweens for Hitler’

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Dr. Katherine Sharp Landdeck: Texas Woman’s University

Dr. Piotr Setkiewicz: Auschwitz Memorial Research Center

Dr. Karsten Uhl: Mittelbau-Dora Concentration Camp Memorial

Dr. Rainer Karlsch: Institute for Contemporary History Munich-Berlin

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Beyond MK-Ultra

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Forbidden History, we delve into the CIA’s controversial and secretive experiments that were conducted in the name of national security. From Project MK-Ultra’s mind control trials to the mysterious Operation Sea Spray, the strange outbreak in Pont-Saint-Esprit in 1951, and the conspiracy-laced Montauk Project, experts explore the threads that may connect these suspicious events…

Cast List:

Peggy Brunache: Historian, archaeologist and lecturer at University of Glasgow

Lindsay Moran: Author and former CIA operative

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister and author

Luke Daly Groves: Historian, author and lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire

Lynn Picknett: Historian, researcher and author

Colin Ross: Psychiatrist and former president of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Danielle Lindsay & Brian Minnick: Montauk, Long Island

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Flight of Rudolf Hess

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In 1941, Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s deputy, embarked on a mysterious solo flight to Scotland in an unauthorised bid for peace. What drove him? Was he a rogue idealist, or was this part of a deeper plot? In this episode we unpack the strange mission, the unanswered questions surrounding his decades in Spandau Prison, and his subsequent controversial death.

Cast List:

James Douglas-Hamilton: The Duke of Hamilton’s Son

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Roger Moorhouse: Author & Historian

Prof. Manfred Goertemaker: Historian, University of Potsdam

Frank McDonough: Author & Historian of the Third Reich

Dr Linda Papadopoulos: Psychologist

Andreas Mix: Memorium Nuremberg Trials

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Vanishing of the Princes in the Tower

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

TW: The following episode contains discussion of child abuse, please listen with care.

In 1483, two young heirs vanished from the Tower of London, sparking centuries of speculation. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we examine the theories surrounding their disappearance, including the controversial connection to Richard III, whose recently exhumed body has reignited questions about his role in their deaths…

Cast List:

Ciaran O’Keefe: Criminal Psychologist

Prof. Michael Green: Forensic Pathologist

Andrew Rose: Barrister & QC

Richard Felix: Author & Historian

Tracy Borman: Chief Curator at Royal Historical Palaces

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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A Royal Murder: Who Killed Edward II?

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode we delve into the bizarre circumstances surrounding the death of Edward II of England, a king whose tragic end has long been shrouded in mystery. After being deposed and imprisoned by his wife, Queen Isabella, and a faction of powerful barons, Edward's demise has sparked centuries of debate. Was his death a result of natural causes, a tragic accident, or a carefully orchestrated murder?

Cast List:

Ciaran O’Keefe: Criminal Psychologist

Prof. Michael Green: Forensic Pathologist

Andrew Rose: Barrister & QC

Richard Felix: Author & Historian

Charles Berkeley: Berkeley Castle

Paul Doherty: Author & Historian

Lynda McLaren: Tour Guide, Berkeley Castle

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Recreation For The Reich

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we look into how Adolf Hitler leveraged recreation and leisure activities to control Germany's workforce and instill the ideals of the Nazi regime in the citizens of the Third Reich.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Terry Charman: Historian & Author

Michael Lynch: Author of ‘Understanding Nazi Germany’

Adrian Weale: Author & Former British Army Intelligence Officer

Prof. Steven Klipstein: Author & Historian

Nigel H. Jones: Author & Historian

Colin Philpott: Author of "Relics of the Reich"

Jim Meigs: Author & Historian

Jan Seidler: Prora Documentation Centre

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Tragic End of Arthur of Brittany

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we delve into the mysterious murder of Arthur of Brittany, the young heir whose death in 1203 raised questions of betrayal and political intrigue. Was it a power play by King John of England, or something more sinister?

Cast List:

Stephen Church: Historian & Expert on King John

Ciaran O’Keefe: Criminal Psychologist

Prof. Michael Green: Forensic Pathologist

Andrew Rose: Barrister & QC

Richard Felix: Author & Historian

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Fritz Todt: The Man Who Built Germany’s Roads and War Machine

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Fritz Todt was responsible for overseeing major engineering projects such as the autobahn, the West Wall defenses, and more. But in 1942, he died under mysterious circumstances…

Cast List:

Jadwiga Korowaj: Local Guide, in collaboration with Wolf’s Lair Museum

Nigel Jones: Author and Historian

Guy Walters: Author and Historian

Dr. Christian Packheiser: Leibniz Institute for Contemporary History

John Guse: Author, ‘Plassenburg Spirit: Nazi Technology’

Dr. Paul Jaskot: Author, ‘The Architecture of Oppression’

Shalina Patel: Historian

Vincent Schmitt: Location Guide, in collaboration with The Museum of the Atlantic Wall

Dr. Magnus Brechtken: Leibniz Institute for Contemporary History

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Murder in the Bahamas: The Oakes Conspiracy

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In 1943, Sir Harry Oakes, a wealthy gold magnate, was brutally murdered in the Bahamas, where the Duke of Windsor was serving as governor at the time. The investigation and trial were marred by allegations that the Duke influenced the outcome, fuelling suspicions of a cover-up…

Cast List:

Raymond J Batvins: Former FBI Special Agent

James Owen: Author, ‘A Serpent in Eden’

Andrew Morton: Author, ’17 Carnations, The Windsors, The Nazi and the Cover Up’

Dr. Robert Bruce-Chwatt: Consultant Forensic Physician

John Marquis: Author & Former Newspaper Editor

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Florida's Nuclear Apocalypse Bunker | Where Did Everyone Go?

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Discover how a top-secret government bunker would help America survive a worst-case nuclear war scenario.

'Where Did Everyone Go? Histories of the Abandoned' is an entertaining journey into the world’s most remarkable abandoned places.

If you enjoyed this episode, search for ‘Where Did Everyone Go?’ on your favourite podcast platform and be sure to follow for more episodes. Or click here to follow.

—

Hosts: Sascha Auerbach, Tom Ward

Producer: Lewis Rumbol

Assistant Producer: Alice Chuter

Editor: Chris Scott

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Private Life of Hitler

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0000

TW: The following episode contains discussion of suicide, please listen with care.

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore Adolf Hitler's childhood, his artistic ambitions, and his relationships, delving into how these personal experiences, shaped by the trauma of war, fuelled the motivations that ultimately led to widespread destruction.

Cast List:

Dr. Tracy Borman: Royal Historian & Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces

Hallie Rubenhold: Author & Historian

Tony McMahon: Author & Historian

Dominic Selwood: Author & Historian

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Herbert & Kerstin Weidler: Auktionshaus Weidler

Martin Schmitt-Bredow: Munich Tour Guide

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Secrets of the Templar Treasure

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Did the Knights Templar plunder treasure from Jerusalem and conceal it? Several theories suggest possible hiding places, including an uninhabited island in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Royston Cave in Hertfordshire, England, and beneath Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland, which was featured in the 2006 film The Da Vinci Code starring Tom Hanks.

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Clive Prince: Author

Robert Howells: Author

Andrew Sinclair: Author & Historian

Ian Garner: Director, Rosslyn Chapel Trust

Anne McNeil: Guide, Rosslyn Chapel

Dan Blackenship: Owner, Oak Island

Sylvia Beamon: Author & Local Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

NB: This episode was originally researched and broadcast in 2013

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Heisenberg and the Atomic Bomb

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0000

As one of their most controversial scientists, Heisenberg was key in the Nazis' efforts to develop an atomic bomb. But how close was he to succeeding?

Cast List:

Dr Gerhard Rammer: Deutsches Technikmuseum

Shalina Patel: Historian

Guy Walters: Author and Historian

Dr. Mark Walker: Union College, New York

Nigel Jones: Author and Historian

Dr. Kathryn Olesko: Georgetown University

Dr. Magnus Brechtken: Leibniz Institute for Contemporary History

Gunhild Lurås: Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum

Dr Katherine Sharp Landdeck: Texas Woman’s University

Egidius Fechter: Atomkeller Museum

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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George V: Mercy or Murder?

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Did deathly ill George V, King of the United Kingdom and younger brother of Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, die of natural causes in 1936 or was he the unwilling victim of euthanasia?

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Anna Whitelock: Historian & Broadcaster

David Haviland: Journalist & Author

James Sherwood: Writer & Royal Correspondent

Iris Millis: Medical Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Real Dracula's Castle | Where Did Everyone Go?

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Introducing a brand new podcast from the Like A Shot network. Join historian Sascha Auerbach, and comedian Tom Ward, as they reveal the incredible stories behind eerie ghost towns, ruined mansions, forgotten factories, crumbling castles, wartime relics, haunted prisons, and much more.

'Where Did Everyone Go? Histories of the Abandoned' is an entertaining journey into the world’s most remarkable abandoned places.

If you enjoyed this taster episode, search for ‘Where Did Everyone Go?’ on your favourite podcast platform and be sure to follow for more episodes. Or click here to follow.

Hosts: Sascha Auerbach, Tom Ward

Producer: Lewis Rumbol

Assistant Producer: Alice Chuter

Editor: Chris Scott

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christopher Marlowe: Murder or Mystery?

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Was famous playwright Christopher Marlowe the victim of a political conspiracy, or was his death a simple tavern brawl gone wrong? In this episode, we discuss the strange circumstances around his mysterious and untimely death.

Cast List:

Tracy Borman: Royal Historian & Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces

Prof. Michael Green: Forensic Pathologist

Andrew Rose: Barrister & QC

Dr. Susan Doran: Author & Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University

Ciaran O’Keefe: Criminal Psychologist

Ros Barber: Author & Scholar

Philippe Lacamp: Local Historian & Canterbury Resident

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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What Drove Porsche: The Man Behind the Machines

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0000

The designer of one of the most popular car brands in history, Ferdinand Porsche, would not have seen his success without the support of Adolf Hitler. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we take a look at the life of the man behind the brand...

Cast List:

Shalina Patel: Historian

Karl Ludvigsen: Author ‘Professor Porsche’s Wars’

Frank Jung: Head of Porsche Historic Archives

Richard Hausmann: Volkswagen Beetle Collector

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Karina Urbach: Author, ‘Go-Betweens for Hitler’

Magnus Brechtken: Leibniz Institute for Contemporary History

John Bailie: Author, ‘Donington Park: The Pioneers’

Dieter Landenberger: Head of Heritage, Volkswagen

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Introducing: ‘Where Did Everyone Go?’ Ukraine’s Secret Catacombs

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

'Where Did Everyone Go? Histories of the Abandoned' is an entertaining journey into the world’s most remarkable abandoned places.

If you enjoyed this taster episode, search for ‘Where Did Everyone Go?’ on your favourite podcast platform and be sure to follow for more episodes. Or click here to follow.

Hosts: Sascha Auerbach, Tom Ward

Producer: Lewis Rumbol

Assistant Producer: Alice Chuter

Editor: Chris Scott

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mysterious Death of Amy Robsart

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

TW: The following episode contains discussion of suicide, please listen with care.

Amy Robsart, the wife of Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite, Robert Dudley, was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in 1560. Whispers of murder and conspiracy spread across England; was it a tragic accident or a calculated killing so Dudley could marry the Queen? In this episode, we take a look at the mystery surrounding Amy’s suspicious death and examine the theories that still have historians wondering today.

Cast List:

Tracy Borman: Royal Historian & Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces

Prof. Michael Green: Forensic Pathologist

Prof. Steven Gunn: Historian

Andrew Rose: Barrister & QC

Dr. Susan Doran: Author & Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University

Ciaran O’Keefe: Criminal Psychologist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Jack the Ripper: The Prince Eddy Conspiracy

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

How did Prince Albert Victor, grandson of Queen Victoria, become a suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders that shook Victorian London in 1888? In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we take a look at the life of ‘Prince Eddy’, from his involvement in the Cleveland Street Scandal, the accusations of his involvement with the Jack the Ripper murders, to his unexpected death before inheriting the throne.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Neil McKenna: Author & Journalist

Andrew Cook: Author, ‘Prince Eddy: The King Britain Never Had’

James Sherwood: Writer and Royal Correspondent

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Architect of Evil: The Story of Albert Speer

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In his role as Adolf Hitler's favourite architect, Albert Speer was a central figure in the Fuhrer's inner circle and helped cement his position in power.

Cast List:

Dr. Karina Urbach: Author, ‘Go-Betweens for Hitler’

Dr. Magnus Brechtken: Author, ‘Albert Speer: A German Career’

Dr. Paul Gasket: Author, ‘The Architecture of Oppression’

Dr. Alexander Schmidt: Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Shalina Patel: Historian

Ingmar Arnold: Berliner Unterwelten

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Dr. Susanne Willems: Author, ‘The Resettled Jew’

Piotr Setkiewicz: Auschwitz Memorial Research Centre

Dr. Isabell Trommer: Author, ‘Justification and Discharge: Albert Speer in the Federal Republic’

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Edward VIII: The King Who Quit

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we look at the life of King Edward VIII and the controversies that dogged him during his life, from his love affair with an American divorcee to his meeting with Hitler…

Cast List:

Dr. Tracy Borman: Royal Historian & Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces

James Sherwood: Author & Broadcaster

Hallie Rubenhold: Author & Historian

Dominic Selwood: Author & Historian

Tony McMahon: Author & Historian

Sarah Gristwood: Historian & Royal Commentator

Isabella Coraca: Curator at Historic Royal Palaces

Anne Sebba: Author of ‘That Women’

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Operation America: Hitler’s Global Aspirations

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Adolf Hitler's aspirations were truly global. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we hear about the Nazi’s plans to invade America - and the surprising support for National Socialism in the 'land of the free'.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Terry Charman: Historian & Author

Michael Lynch: Author of ‘Understanding Nazi Germany’

Adrian Weale: Author & Former British Army Intelligence Officer

Prof. Steven Klipstein: Author & Historian

Nigel H. Jones: Author & Historian

Frank McDonough: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Disappearance of Juan Borgia

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In the heart of Renaissance Rome, Juan Borgia, the favourite son of Pope Alexander VI, was found lifeless in the Tiber River. His murder remains one of history’s most perplexing unsolved cases. Was it a political assassination, a family betrayal, or the consequence of his own ambition?

Cast List:

Richard Felix: Author & Historian

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Ross Andrews: Author & Historian

Professor Michael Green: Forensic Pathologist

Dr. Ciaran O’Keefe: Criminal Psychologist

Andrew Rose: Barrister & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Death in the Happy Valley: The Murder of the Earl of Erroll

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

What happened to Josslyn Hay, the controversial 22nd Earl of Erroll who moved to Kenya in 1920s to join a promiscuous, hedonistic group of UK expat elite known as ‘the Happy Valley set’? In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we look into the life of Lord Erroll and his mysterious murder...

Cast List:

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Juliet Barnes: Author

Nicholas Best: Author, Happy Valley, The Story of the English in Kenya

Christine Nicholls: Author, A Kenya Childhood

James Sherwood: Writer and Royal Correspondent

Solomon Gitau: ‘Happy Valley’ resident

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Treasure of Solomon

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0000

When the Romans looted Jerusalem in 70AD did they take the fabled treasure of Solomon back to Rome, or did the high priests hide it somewhere in the city? Jamie Theakston meets archaeologists who have dedicated their lives to finding it.

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Robert Howells: Author

Clive Prince: Author

Khader Baidun: Antique & Relic Dealer

Shimon Gibson: Archaeologist & Author

Kate Raphael: Archaeologist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

NB: This episode was originally broadcast in 2013

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Napoleon: From Corsica to Conqueror

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0000

We take a look at the remarkable journey of Napoleon Bonaparte, from his humble beginnings on the island of Corsica to becoming one of history’s most iconic and controversial figures. From his military successes and defeats that defined his life, to his rise to power, his personal relationships, and the enduring legacy he left on Europe and the world.

Cast List:

Dr. Tracy Borman: Royal Historian & Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces

Hallie Rubenhold: Author & Historian

Tony McMahon: Author & Historian

Dominic Selwood: Author & Historian

Prof. Michael Briers: University of Oxford

Prof. Peter Hicks: Historian, Foundation Napoleon

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Nazi Rocket Scientist to NASA Engineer: Wernher von Braun

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Wernher von Braun was vital to NASA's Apollo 11 mission to put a man on the moon, but this controversial 'American hero' had his Nazi past kept under wraps…

Cast List:

Dr. Katherine Landdeck: Texas Woman’s University

Michael J. Neufeld: The National Air and Space Museum

Shalina Patel: Historian

Nigel Jones: Author & Historian

Guy Walters: Author & Historian

Bernd Crabs: Museum Kummersdorf

Magnus Brechtken: Leibniz Institute for Contemporary History

Philipp Aumann: Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum

Stephen Waring: University of Alabama, Huntsville

Luisa Hulsrøj: Mittelbau-Dora Concentration Camp

Michael Allen: Author, The Business of Genocide

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Royal Rebel: The Life of Princess Margaret

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we take a look at the life of Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II’s younger sister. Known for her beauty, style and glamorous lifestyle, Margaret was an intriguing figure who broke the royal mould and was often deemed the ‘rebellious royal’.

Cast List:

Dr. Tracy Borman: Royal Historian & Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces

Hallie Rubenhold: Author & Historian

James Sherwood: Author & Broadcaster

Tony McMahon: Author & Historian

Dominic Selwood: Author & Historian

Christopher Warwick: Princess Margaret’s Authorised Biographer

Giles Pegram: Former Appeals Director, NSPCC

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Mystery of the Giants

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Jamie Theakston travels to Sardinia to meet the archaeologists who claim to have found evidence of a race of giants. He speaks with researchers who claim to have discovered such evidence in networks of caves and tombs around the world.

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Marcello Polastri: Sardinian Journalist

Paolo Melis: Former Mayor of Las Plassas

Ingino Argiolas: Local Woodworker

Alfonso Stiglitz: Archaeologist

Enrico Manca: Dentist

Luigi Sanna: Pontifical University of Oristano

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Hidden Tomb: Tracing a Saint

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we look into the life of Mary Magdalene, the Saint who played a pivotal role in early Christianity and witnessed the execution and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We speak with experts to investigate the truth behind her mysterious disappearance and embark on a quest to locate her undiscovered remains.

Cast List:

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Dr. Peggy Brunache: Historian, archaeologist and lecturer at University of Glasgow

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Bena Mantel: Archaeologist

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Dr Andrew Boakye: Lecturer in Religions & Theology at the University of Manchester

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Patrick Jokl: History Enthusiast & Researcher

Peter Stanford: Journalist & Author

Father Florian Racine: Priest & Rector

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Hitler's British Headquarters

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we join author and historian Guy Walters as he explores one of the greatest historical ‘what ifs?’ of all time - what if Nazi Germany had won WW2? And more specifically, what were Hitler’s post-war plans for Britain?

Cast List:

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Trevor Davenport: Alderney Historian

Nicholas O’Shaughnessy: Professor of Communication at Queen Mary, University of London

Myriam Wilks-Heeg: Department of History, Liverpool University

Terry Charman: Historian & Author

Frank McDonough: Author & Historian of the Third Reich

Lisa Pine: Associate Professor of History

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The Priory of Sion

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0000

Forbidden History undertakes an in-depth investigation on the mysterious secret society known as 'The Priory of Sion'. A society that traces its roots back to the 12th Century and is believed to protect incontrovertible, if heretical, information about the marriage of Jesus Christ.

Cast List:

Jean-Luc Chaumeil: Author & Researcher

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Nicolas Haywood: Spokesperson, The Priory of Sion

Chris Hodapp: Author & Researcher

Rob Howells: Author, The Priory of Scion

Alice Von Kannon: Author & Researcher

Gino Sandri: Priory of Sion Member

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Decoding the Illuminati

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0000

Who are the mysterious group known as "The Illuminati"? If it exists at all, where do they operate from and who are its members? In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we follow Jamie Theakston as he investigates this so-called powerful secret society.

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Alan Butler: Author ‘Before the Pyramids’

Simon Cox: Author ‘Decoding the Lost Symbol’

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Clive Prince: Co-Author, ‘The Templar Revelation’

David Hambling: Author

Robert Howells: Author, ‘The Illuminati: The Counter Culture Revolution-From Secret Societies to Wilkileaks and Anonymous’

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Yakuza: Secret Societies

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0000

With its origins in the Samurai culture of 17th century Japan, the Yakuza are one of the most infamous, secret and feared secret societies. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we investigate just how the Yakuza operate today...

Cast List:

Jake Adelstein: Journalist & Author

Hiroki Allen: Security Consultant

Robert Whiting: Author, Tokyo Underworld

Horiryu: Tattoo Artist

Shintaro Hayashi: Prosthetic Finger Specialist

Shoko Tendo: Daughter of Yakuza Boss

Manabu Miyazaki: Ex-Yakuza Member

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Third Secret of Fatima

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we follow Jamie Theakston as he travels to Portugal to delve into the Three Secrets of Fatima - a series of prophecies supposedly given to three young shepherds by the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1917. Is Pope Francis the last Pope? What is this third secret?

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Micheal Hesemann: Author & Historian

Solideo Paolini: Journalist

Clive Prince: Historian

Alexandre Victorino: Local Guide

Robert Howells: Author, ‘The Last Pope’

Father Carlos Cabasinas: Basilica of Fatima

Edward Pentin: The Catholic Herald

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Brotherhood of the Blood: Secret Societies

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0000

Sworn to protect and preserve the Holy Blood of Christ, the Brotherhood of the Blood are a dark and mysterious sect. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we go on a quest to shed light on a group shrouded in secrecy through the ages, revealing the extreme methods the Brotherhood used.

Cast List:

Ross Andrews: Author & Historian

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Heather Osborn: Author & Historian

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Jacques Delconcle: Brotherhood Member

Andre Douzet: Historical Researcher

Javier Fernandez: Brotherhood Member

Van Ulyen Van Nyevelt: Brotherhood Member

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Cold War Crimes: Service 7

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we investigate a shadowy, secret department within the Bulgarian government suspected of carrying out assassinations in nine other countries during the Cold War.

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Reporter

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Dr. Linda Papadopoulos: Author & Psychologist

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Alexenia Dimitrova: Journalist

Natalia Mihneva: Daughter of Service 7 Target

Boris Volodarski: Former Russian Intelligence Officer

Konstadin Grozav: Professor at University of Sofia

Todor Boyadzhiev: Former Deputy Director, Bulgarian Intelligence

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Secrets of the Alchemists

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the magic and mystery of alchemy. Jamie Theakston speaks with author Joy Hancox about the alchemical roots of London, the design of famous buildings such as The Globe theatre and the mysterious figure of English poet John Byrom. Jamie also meets a modern day potion maker…

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Tobias Curton: Author & Historian

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Joy Hancox: Author, ‘The Byrom Collection’

Marcos Martinon-Torres: University College London

Andrea Sella: University College London

Keith Moore: Head Librarian, the Royal Society

Guy Ogilvy: Alchemist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

*Apologies for the audio sounding a little different in the last 10 minutes of this episode, we’re working to get this sorted - all comments welcome. Thank you for listening!

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Nazi Secret Societies

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0000

Hitler and his key officers of the Nazi High Command were all members of three main secret societies. They had a strong belief in the occult, ancient mysticism, and even alien contact, which fuelled their desire to rule as a genetically pure race...

Cast List:

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Alice Von Kannon: Author & Researcher

Theo Paijmans: Researcher & Historian

Michael Fitzgerald: Author, Hitler’s Occult War

Gisela Heidenreich: Lebensborn Child

Ross Andrews: Historian & Author

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Man in the Iron Mask

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we attempt to unravel the enigma of the identity of the real-life "The Man in the Iron Mask". The man, known as Eustache Dauger, was held captive in strange circumstances for 34 years during the reign of Louis XIV…

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Heather Osborn: Author & Historian

Jean-Christian Petitfils: Author, ‘Louis XIV’

Olivier Caumont: Curator, Langres Museum

Christophe Roustan Delatour: Local Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Order of Assassins: Secret Societies

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0000

The Assassins were one of the most deadly, notorious and secretive groups in the Medieval world. But is the romance behind these brutally efficient killers true? And have their skills and tactics been passed down and copied by today's terrorists?

Cast List:

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

James Waterson: Author: The Ismaili Assassins

Alice Von Kannon: Author & Historian

Dr. Farhad Daftary: The Institute of Ismaili Studies

Brian Michael Jenkins: US Government Advisor on Terrorism

Adbel Razaq Abu Muhaisen: Knife Maker

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Uncovering the Real King Arthur

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0000

The legend of King Arthur is one of a courageous fighter and leader in battle, but for centuries the fabled king has been a mystery to historians. So was his story of Camelot, Excalibur and Guinevere just an elaborate fairy tale - or was he real?

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Graham Phillips: Author & Historical Investigator

Clive Prince: Co-Author, The Templar Revelation

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Tor Webster: Local Guide & Historian, Glastonbury

Ross Andrews: Author & Historian

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Heather Osborn: Author & Historian

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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KKK: Secret Societies

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0000

The Ku Klux Klan is the most notorious white supremacist group in America. Once having over a million members, today it is just a shadow of its former self. Forbidden History investigates today's Klan members, looks at the impact the group has had on America over the last 150 years, and examines whether America is heading for a new race war.

Cast List:

Lawrence Battiste: Mobile Chief of Police

Richard Cohen: Southern Poverty Law Center

Michael Frierson: Son on FBI agent, Dargan Frierson

Daryl D Davis: Author, Klan-destine Relationships

Gary Freeze: Professor of History, Catwaba College

Mark Potok: Southern Poverty Law Center

Susan Sutton: Indiana Historical Society

Alice Von Kannen: Author & Researcher

James, Ken, Mackenzie, Monica, Richard: KKK Members

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Ark of the Covenant

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0000

We follow Jamie Theakston on his quest to find the location of The Ark of the Covenant… could it really be held in a chapel in the Highlands of Northern Ethiopia?

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Ross Andrews: Author & Historian

Adrian Gilbert: Co-Author ‘The Orion Mystery’

Heather Osborn: Author & Historian

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Daniel Gibret: University of Addis Adaba

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Michael Kebede

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Top Secret Nazi UFOs

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we follow Jamie Theakston as he investigates the claim that Nazis created a flying saucer at a secluded research facility, and that the US and Russia may have obtained this secret technology after WWII...

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Alan Butler: Author ‘Before the Pyramids’

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Clive Prince: Co-Author, The Templar Revelation

Igor Witowski: Author, ‘The Truth About the Wunderwaffe’

Simon Cox: Author, Decoding the Lost Symbol

Maurizio Verga: Founder, Italian Centre for UFO Studies

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Genius of Nikola Tesla

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we further examine the life and work of Nikola Tesla; a man who many claim was a scientific genius. But, was Tesla's research into alternative energy sources the victim of a conspiracy between the scientific establishment and governments?

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Alan Butler: Author ‘Before the Pyramids’

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Keith Tutt: Author & Historian

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Kim Mance: Journalist

Peter Terren: Tesla Coiler

Dave Bullimore: Tesla Coiler

Derek Woodruff: Tesla Coiler

Mark Turner: Tesla Coiler

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Search for the Real Holy Grail

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0000

The search for the Holy Grail is one of the most famous and enduring stories in history. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, journalist Jamie Theakston visits locations in England, Wales and Spain to examine claims that artefacts in each location could be the real Holy Grail.

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Graham Phillips: Author & Historian

Alan Butler: Author ‘Before the Pyramids’

Simon Cox: Author, Decoding the Lost Symbol

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Clive Prince: Co-Author, The Templar Revelation

Robert Howells: Author, ‘The Last Pope’

Gerald Morgan: Author, Nanteos: House of History

Brett Harrison: Shugborough Historian

Nigel Jones: General Manager, Nanteos House

Fiona Mirylees: Current Owner of the Nanteos Cup

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Vampires: Fact, Fiction or Folklore?

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0000

From Bram Stoker's Dracula in 1897 to the modern phenomena of Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, and True Blood, the legend of the vampire lives on. But how real are these mythical creatures? In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we delve into whether any aspects of the vampire myth are based in reality...

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Deborah Hyde: Editor, The Skeptic Magazine

Ross Andrews: Author & Historian

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Heather Osborn: Author & Historian

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Bozhidar Dimitrov: Director, Sozopol Museum

David Farrant: Vampire Hunter

Aro Draven: Contemporary Vampire

Lia Benninghof: Contemporary Vampire

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Inside the Cult of Satan

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0000

To some, Satanism is a religion as valid as Christianity - to others it’s a dangerous cult. With thousands of devotees and popularity rising, it's time to unearth its origins, tales and beliefs. Is there a darker side to the ancient ritual Black Mass?

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Gavin Baddeley: Church Of Satan, UK

Jack Orr: Local guide at Hellfire Caves, West Wycombe

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Ross Andrews: Author & Historian

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Heather Osborn: Author & Historian

Edward Dashwood: Baronet, West Wycombe Estate

Aron Paramor: Occult Researcher

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Hitler Diaries: History's Greatest Hoaxes

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Forbidden History presents History's Greatest Hoaxes: The Hitler Diaries (Extended)

In this episode, we take a deeper dive into the case of the Hitler Diaries which purported to be sixty-two volumes of Adolf Hitler's personal journals. Convinced of their reality, Rupert Murdoch paid over a half a million dollars to publish them. The hoax turned out to be one of the greatest case of fraud ever done to a newspaper.

Cast List:

Gerd Heidemann: Former Reporter, Die Stern

Guy Walters - Author & Historian

Dr. Linda Papadopoulos: Author & Psychologist

Alex Boese: Author, The World's Greatest Hoaxes

Marcus Brigstocke: Author & Comedian

Magnus Linklater: Former News Editor, The Sunday Times

Gerhard Klussmeier: Author, The True Face of Konrad Kujau

Peter Hoffman: Museum of Contemporary History, Bonn

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Piltdown Man: History's Greatest Hoaxes

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Forbidden History presents History's Greatest Hoaxes

In 1912 the discovery of an unusual skull and jawbone in Sussex, England, led many to believe that a 'missing link' had finally been found. The revelation of a hoax, however, had wide reaching impact on anthropology and science.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Dr. Linda Papadopoulos: Author & Psychologist

Miles Russell: Archaeologist & Charles Dawson Biographer

Alex Boese: Author, The World's Greatest Hoaxes

Marcus Brigstocke: Author & Comedian

Joe Nickell: Paranormal Investigator

Keith Moore: Head Librarian, Royal Society

Cathy Walling: Curator, Hastings Museum & Art Gallery

Jo Hatton: Keeper of Natural History, Horniman Museum

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Papillon: History's Greatest Hoaxes

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Forbidden History presents History's Greatest Hoaxes

Papillon is one of the most popular books and films of the 1970s. It tells the dramatic story of the prison life of Henri Charrière, a convicted murderer with a large butterfly tattoo on his chest. But how much of his story was actually true? Was he ever imprisoned on Devil's Island? Or was it all fiction...?

Cast List:

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Alex Boese: Author, The World's Greatest Hoaxes

Marcus Brigstocke: Author & Comedian

Vladimir Lozinski: News Producer

Ronnie: Local Guide

Marcus Brigstocke: Author & Comedian

Jim Haynes: Publisher

Erwin James: Ex-Convict & Journalist

Michel Muszlak: Philosopher

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Alien Autopsy: History's Greatest Hoaxes

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Forbidden History presents History's Greatest Hoaxes

In the 1990s, a British music and record promoter presented a black and white film and claimed it was footage of a Roswell-era alien autopsy. While many believed it to be real at the time, it is now recognised as a hoax, with the producers of the film going public with exactly what methods they used to make the programme so believable...

Cast List:

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Dr. Linda Papadopoulos: Author & Psychologist

Joe Nickell: Paranormal Investigator

Nick Pope: UK Ministry of Defense

Alex Boese: Author, The World's Greatest Hoaxes

Ray Santilli: Filmmaker

Marcus Brigstocke: Author & Comedian

John Humphreys: Special Effects Artist

Spyros Melaris: Cameraman

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The War of the Worlds: History's Greatest Hoaxes

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Forbidden History presents: History's Greatest Hoaxes

Orson Welles's Mercury Theater radio adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel 'The War of the Worlds' was a simulated news broadcast which convinced many Americans that an invasion by Martians was underway... Newspapers claimed that it led to a massive panic around the country, but was the original audience actually that large?

Cast List:

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Nick Pope: UK Ministry of Defense

Marcus Brigstocke: Author & Comedian

Joe Nickell: Paranormal Investigator

Dr. Linda Papadopoulos: Author & Psychologist

Alex Boese: Author, The World's Greatest Hoaxes

Clyde Lewis: Radio Host

Chris Gaylo: Local Resident

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Loch Ness: History’s Greatest Hoaxes

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Forbidden History presents History's Greatest Hoaxes

According to folklore a large sea monster lurks in the depths of Loch Ness in Scotland. Over the years, grainy photographs and inconclusive video footage has emerged to keep the legend alive. Is it a clever hoax or the real thing?

Cast List:

Dr. Linda Papadopoulos: Author & Psychologist

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Alex Boese: Author, The World's Greatest Hoaxes

Darren Naish: Palaeozoologist, University of Southampton

Dick Raynor: Loch Ness Investigator

Joe Nickell: Paranormal Investigator

Steve Feltham: Record Holding Nessie Hunter

Marcus Brigstocke: Author & Comedian

Roland Watson: Nessie Blogger

Adrian Shine: Leader of the Loch Ness Project

Craig Wallace: Maritime Engineer

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Lost Treasures of Petra

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

A very small percentage of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan has been excavated by archaeologists - what treasures could still lie undisturbed beneath the city in hidden tombs? Investigative journalist Jamie Theakston travels to Jordan to see what he can find…

Cast List:

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Alan Butler: Author ‘Before the Pyramids’

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Dr. Suleiman Farajat: Former Director of Petra Site

Clive Prince: Co-Author, The Templar Revelation

Simon Cox: Author ‘Decoding the Lost Symbol’

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Hitler: Suicide or Survivor?

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The history books tell us that Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his bunker in Berlin towards the end of WWII. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we investigate theories that the man shot in the head was a double and that the real Hitler escaped from Germany…

Cast List:

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Gerrard Williams: Author, Grey Wolf - The Escape of Adolf Hitler

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Ross Andrews: Author & Historian

Heather Osborn: Author & Historian

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Dark Truth of the Templars

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the history of the Knights Templar, and attempt to uncover their secrets, speaking to some of those who challenge the accepted traditional view of the order…

Cast List:

Robert Howells: Author, ‘The Last Pope’

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Linda Papadopoulos: Author & Psychologist

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Ross Andrews: Author & Historian

Marie Goncalvez: Local Historian & Guide

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Scandals & Tales of the Vatican

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In recent decades the Vatican has been rocked by various scandals; the Vatican bank, child abuse, the Magdalene laundries, as well as serious allegations against Pope Benedict XVI and his number two, Cardinal Bertone. Simultaneously, rumours continue to stir around what they're hiding in the Vatican Apostolic Archive...

Cast List:

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Linda Papadopoulos: Author & Psychologist

Philip Willan: Author & Journalist specialising in Italian parapolitics

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Rob Allyn: Vatican Historian

Robert Howells: Author, ‘The Last Pope’

Padre Fortea: Exorcist

John Dickie: Professor & Author

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

NB: This episode was originally researched and broadcast in 2017

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Mussolini's Murder

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we examine the murder of Benito Mussolini and possible motivations behind it other than the official story. Theories include his ultimate uselessness to Hitler and the supposed existence of incriminating letters from Churchill…

Cast List:

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Linda Papadopoulos: Author & Psychologist

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Massimo Pollidoro: Investigative Journalist

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Alice Salvagnin: Local Guide in Milan

Clive Irving: Former Investigative Journalist

Annalisa Alghisi: Local Guide

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Oracles of the Dead

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, Jamie Theakston joins Andrew Gough as they explore an underground complex near Naples, Italy, looking for the truth behind Oracles - people who were famed in the ancient world for being able to communicate with the gods, foretell the future and give advice to those seeking divine aid.

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Graziano Ferrari: Local Caver & Archaeologist

Alan Butler: Author ‘Before the Pyramids’

Rev. Lionel Fanthorpe: Author ‘Mysteries & Secrets of Time’

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Curse of Hitler’s Executioner

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Johann Reichhart was a German state executioner who is reported to have killed around 3,000 people during WWII. Reichhart went from dispatching enemies of the Nazis, many of whom were resisting National Socialism, to executing Nazi war criminals…

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Reporter

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Dr. Linda Papadopoulos: Author & Psychologist

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Enno Muller: Berlin Bunker Owner

Helen Fry: Author & Historian

Fritz Lustig: Former ‘Listener’ at Latimer House

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Historical Jesus

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Jesus Christ, the son of God, is the key figure in the New Testament - the stories of his healings, miracles, arrest and crucifixion are legendary. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we investigate if there’s any historical evidence for the existence of Jesus and the events relating to him depicted in the Bible.

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative reporter

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Dr. Matt Green: Author & Historian

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Dr Eyal Miron: Guide & Historian

Marty Friedlander: Guide & Historian

Raphael Lataster: Academic & Author

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Inside Secret Societies

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Secret societies such as the Freemasons, the Bilderberg Group and Bohemian Grove are said to have political influence. In this episode, we investigate these clandestine groups to see if they really are setting the agenda or is it all just fake news?

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Robert Lomas: Freemason & Author of “The Hiram Key”

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Andrew Kakabadse: Author of ‘Bilderberg People: Elite Power and Consensus in World Affairs’

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Dr. Matt Green: Author & Historian

David V. Barrett: Author “A Brief History of Secret Societies: The Hidden Powers of Clandestine Organizations and Elites from the Ancient World to the Present Day”

David Robert Grimes: Author “The Irrational Ape”

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Dead Sea Scrolls Mystery

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we investigate the Dead Sea Scrolls and examine the Qumran Caves where they were discovered to find out who wrote them and why they were hidden away…

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Danny Herman: Historian & Archaeologist

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Khader Baidun: Antiques Dealer

Pnina Shor: Head of Dead Sea Scrolls Project

Oren Gutfeld: Archaeologist

Noam Mizrahi: Dead Sea Scroll Specialist

David Elkington: Author & Historian

Roger Webb: Professor at University of Surrey

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Real James Bond

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Who was the real James Bond? In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the truth behind the world-famous fictional spy, revealing those elements of the character that were drawn from creator Ian Fleming's own experiences.

Cast List:

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Journalist

Jon Baker: Film Armorer

Ajay Chowdhury: Co-Author, Some Kind of Hero

Peter Croll: James Bond Enthusiast

Maryam d’Abo - Interviewee

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Alan Judd: Security Analyst and Author

Stephen Lane: CEO, Prop Store

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Alessandro Palazzi: Bartender

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Uncovering the Stasi: Behind the Berlin Wall

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we examine the hidden remnants of the Berlin Wall, a notorious symbol of division, and tell the story of the Stasi, East Germany's State Security Service.

Cast List

Jamie Theakston: Investigative Reporter

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Dr. Matt Green: Author & Historian

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Dr. Christopher Nehring: Curator - German Spy Museum

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Peter Keup: Former Stasi Prisoner

Felix Mueller: Local Guide - East Berlin

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Maltese Alien Skulls

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In Malta lies an incredible underground complex dating back over 5000 years, known as the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. This World Heritage Site is an ancient temple containing the remains of 7,000 humans. Among these remains, strange, elongated skulls were found, demonstrating baffling anomalies which have confounded experts for over a century. But why are they so strange? Who did they belong to? Could they be from another world, as some people have suggested? Why have some of them mysteriously disappeared?

Cast List:

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Silvia DeBono - Historian

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Hugh Newman: Author & Researcher

Dr. Janina Ramirez: Cultural historian, broadcaster and author based at the University of Oxford

Sharon Sultana: Curator & Expert, Heritage Museum, Malta

Dr. Peggy Brunache: Historian, archaeologist and lecturer at University of Glasgow

Dr. Luke Daly-Groves: Historian, author and lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire

Emilio Persiano: Taxi Driver

Dr. Anton Mifsud: Paediatrician

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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In Pursuit of Noah's Ark

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Near Mount Ararat in Türkiye lies a mysterious boat-shaped feature in the hillside. Could this be historical evidence for the last resting place of Noah's Ark? In this episode, we follow amateur archaeologist, Andrew Jones, and his team as they use cutting-edge archaeological methods to investigate, while experts examine if these discoveries are hard proof of the Biblical legend.

Cast List:

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Andrew Jones: Amateur Archaeologist

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Jeff Sohlstrom: Ground Penetrating Radar Analyst

Klint Janulis: Archaeologist & Former Special Forces Operative

Matt Daniels: 3D Imaging Analyst

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Dr. Sheila K. Hoffman: Art Historian, Iconologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts

Professor David Montgomery: Author ‘The Rocks Don’t Lie’ and Professor of Earth Science at the University of Washington

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Zafer Onay: Local Guide

Dr. Selena Wisnom: Assyriologist, The Queen’s College, University of Oxford

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Secret Life of Moses

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Moses is a major figure in religious history, renowned as the deliverer of the Israelites and the bearer of the Ten Commandments. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, our team of experts question if there is any scientific truth behind Moses, or if his existence is simply myth…

Cast List:

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers: Community Educator for Reformed Judaism

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Dr. Bob Bianchi: Art historian

Dr. Sheila K. Hoffman: Art Historian, Iconologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts

Ahmed Osman: Author & Egyptologist

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Graham Phillips: Author & Historical Investigator

Dr. Rick Doblin: Founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

Dr. Simon Boxall: Oceanographer University of Southampton

Carrie Kirkpatrick: Author & Priestess

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we delve into the mysterious waters of the Bermuda Triangle. This stretch of water off the coast of Florida has long been notorious for strange disappearances and unexplained sightings. Investigators weigh up the possible causes – are there scientific explanations such as bad weather? Or is there something more mysterious hidden in the depths…

Cast List:

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Joe Nickell: Paranormal Investigator

Cary Gordon Trantham: Private Pilot

Dr. Hugh Willoughby: Department of Earth & Sciences at Florida International University

David Childress: Author

Dave Malcolm: Former AUTEC Weapons Technician

Yaniel Garriga: Pilot

Dr. Philippe Rouja: Marine Anthropologist, Custodian of Shipwrecks

Dr. Simon Boxall: School of Ocean & Earth Science, University of Southampton

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Hitler's Occult Conspiracy

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0000

As the Nazis waged war for world domination, they began to develop a strange mythology of occult rites and pagan beliefs. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, experts investigate just how far the Nazis may have gone to transform their party into a new, cult-like religion.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Eric Kurlander: Professor of History & Author

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Gavin Bone: Author & Lecturer of Magic & Runes

Klint Janulis: Archaeologist & Former Special Forces Operative

Neil Tobin: Magician, Psychic Entertainer & Playwright

Philip Heselton: Wiccan & Author

Janet Farrar: Wicca Priestess

Kirsten John-Stucke: Director of the Kreismuseum, Wewelsburg Castle

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Buried Gold: The Hunt for Yamashita’s Treasure | Part 2

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 04:01:00 -0000

In the second instalment of this two-part episode, we continue to follow expert treasure hunters in their search of ‘Yamashita’s treasure’. Legend has it that Japanese soldiers buried this vast collection of stolen relics and gold in the jungle in Southeast Asia at the end of WWII… will the treasure hunters find the hoard of valuables they’re looking for?

Cast List:

Klint Janulis: Archaeologist & Former Special Forces Operative

Klaus Dona: Historian & Explorer

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Ricardo Trota Jose: Professor at University of Philippines

Patrick Nicholas: Researcher & Explorer

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Buried Gold: The Hunt for Yamashita’s Treasure | Part 1

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0000

A collection of valuable relics and gold is said to have been hidden in caves and tunnels throughout the Philippines by Japanese soldiers during the last days of WWII. In this two-part episode, we follow expert treasure hunters as they follow new leads in their hunt for ‘Yamashita’s treasure’…

Cast List:

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Klaus Dona: Historian & Explorer

Klint Janulis: Archaeologist & Former Special Forces Operative

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Henry Roxas: Son of Rogelio Roxas

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Search for King Solomon’s Mines

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The location of King Solomon’s Mines has been the objective of treasure hunters and archaeologists for hundreds of years. But now new evidence has led to an amazing discovery. And the clues come from a very unlikely thing…

Cast List:

Hugh Newman: Author & Researcher

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Dr. Peggy Brunache: Historian, archaeologist and lecturer at University of Glasgow

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Bena Mantel: Archaeologist

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Professor Erez Ben-Yosef: Archaeologist

Dr Andrew Boakye: Lecturer in Religions & Theology at the University of Manchester

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Fergus Milton: Prehistoric Metalworking Demonstrator at Butser Ancient Farm

Dr. Ellena Lyell: University of Exeter

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Göbekli Tepe: The First Temple

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The spectacular rock-hewn pillars of Göbekli Tepe in southern Türkiye have baffled archaeologists for decades. Who built this incredible monument over 12,000 years ago, and why? Could the builders have mastered agriculture, and were they the first settled communities of humans in the world? In this episode, experts investigate intriguing new theories, offering clues to unlocking the secrets of this ancient site.

Cast List:

Dr. Martin Sweatman: University of Edinburgh

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Dr. Janina Ramirez: Cultural historian, broadcaster and author based at the University of Oxford

Hugh Newman: Author & Researcher

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Dr. Peggy Brunache: Historian, archaeologist and lecturer at University of Glasgow

Dr. Julia Gresky: German Archaeological Institute

Professor Necmi Karul: Lead Archaeologist, Karahan Tepe

Professor Avi Gopher: Tel Aviv University

Gil Haklay: Israel Antiquities Authority

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Legend of the Turin Shroud

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The Turin Shroud, which bears the image of the body of Christ, is believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus and proof of his existence. In this episode, experts investigate whether this iconic relic is authentic or an elaborate hoax…

Cast List:

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Professor Bruno Barberis: International Centre for the Study of the Shroud of Turin

Joe Nickell: Paranormal investigator and author “Inquest on the Shroud of Turin”

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Barrie Schwortz: Official Documenting Photographer for the Shroud of Turin Research Project

Dr. Matteo Borrini: Liverpool John Moores University

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Dr. Sheila K. Hoffman: Art Historian, Iconologist and Senior Lecturer, University of Massachusetts

Stephen J. Mattingly: Professor of Microbiology, University of Texas

Luigi Garlaschelli: Professor of Organic Chemistry, University of Pavia

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Curse of the Crystal Skulls

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we delve into the enigmatic crystal skulls, believed by some to be ancient relics of the Aztec and Maya civilizations, endowed with supernatural powers. Experts follow new leads to determine whether these crystal skulls are authentic artefacts or modern-day forgeries.

Cast List:

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Joe Nickell: Paranormal Investigator

Bill Homann: Owner of The Mitchell – Hedges skull

Dr. Ashwini Bharathula: Material Scientist & Artist

Star Johnsen-Moser: Spiritual Healer

Israel Casanova: Shaman

Elizabeth Cunningham: Participant

Patrick Dreher: Crystal Carver

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Nazi Quest for Holy Relics

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

As the Nazi war machine tore through Europe, they plundered museums in search of holy relics that would grant them untold power and prestige. In this episode, experts investigate how close Hitler was to discovering the Holy Grail and its promise of eternal life.

Cast List:

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Klint Janulis: Archaeologist & Former Special Forces Operative

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Noah Charney: Art Historian & Author

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Harald Pernkopf: Guide at Altaussee Salt Mine

Joanna Lamparska: Journalist & Author

Tomasz Bonek: Journalist & Author

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Dr. Franz Kirchweger: Curator and Hofburg Palace

Andreas Clemens: Guide at Historischer Kunstbunker

Katarzyna Pakula: Keeper of Conservation at St. Mary’s Basilica

Dr. Sheila K. Hoffman: Art Historian, Iconologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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The Pyramid Code

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Ancient pyramids are among the greatest wonders of the world and exist across many civilizations. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the origins of these structures, as experts question if they were independently constructed or perhaps the design of something more mysterious…

Cast List:

Klint Janulis: Archaeologist & Former Special Forces Operative

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Dr. Bob Bianchi: Art historian

Dr. Meredith Brand: Archaeologist & Egyptologist

Hugh Newman: Author & Megalith Enthusiast

Dr. Sergio Gómez Chávez: Archaeologist

Marianne Tames-Demauras: Egyptologist & Archaeological Scientist

Dr. Sheila K. Hoffman: Art Historian, Iconologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts

Sam Osmanagich: Author & Pyramid Researcher

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Secrets of the Vatican: Inside the Archives

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

The Vatican is home to fifty miles of classified files that could reveal top-secret information. In this episode, experts investigate the Vatican’s possible ties to the Nazis, their Mafia banking connection, rumoured murders and even extraterrestrials. Just what else is hiding in the Vatican's secret archives?

Cast List:

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

John Dickie: Author, historian, and Professor of Italian Studies at University College London

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Philip Willan: Author & Journalist specialising in Italian parapolitics

Josh Peck: Author & Biblical researcher

Father Jean-Baptiste Kikwaya: Astronomer at the Vatican Observatory

Professor Chris Impey: Astronomer, author and University Distinguished Professor

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Hitler's Holidays of Hate

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

When Hitler seized power in 1933, he had one aim in mind – to convince the German people to go to war.

In this episode, a team of experts investigate the methods that Hitler and the Nazi Party used to indoctrinate a peaceful population and turn it into a finely-tuned war machine – from monopolising the airwaves to mechanising the country through use of the ‘people’s car’. We discuss some of the locations that still stand as gruesome reminders of the Nazis’ efforts to control the will of the people, such as the Olympic Park from the 1936 Berlin Olympics and Joseph Goebbels’ Propaganda Ministry. We also explore the colossal crumbling holiday park of Prora, home to the shady ‘Strength Through Joy’ programme, which sought to brainwash people on vacation and on cruise ships, including the Wilhelm Gustloff - the site of the deadliest disaster in maritime history.

Cast List:

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Lindsay Moran: Author and former CIA operative

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

Nick Jackson: Archaeologist and historian

Dr. Luke Daly-Groves: Historian, author and lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Tommy Spree: Curator at the Anti-War Museum in Berlin

Matt Menneke: Historian and Tour Guide

Janina Ramirez: Cultural historian, broadcaster and author based at the University of Oxford

Andre Massoud

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Salem Witch Trials

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we take a look at the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, where the small U.S. town of Salem was gripped by mass hysteria involving witchcraft. 20 innocent men and women were executed, but were later pardoned. Many believe that Salem, Massachusetts, remains haunted, with some using modern witchcraft to appease vengeful spirits and lift this legendary curse.

Cast List:

Sam Baltrusis: Author & Historian

Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works

Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine

Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history.

Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

Dr. Sheila K. Hoffman: Art Historian, Iconologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts

Thomas Vallor: Salem Historian

Nick Dickinson: Witch, Headmistress of Circe Academy in Salem

Jacqui Allouise: Witch, owner of The Cauldron Black in Salem

Eric Meyers: Narrator

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Forbidden History Series 3 - Out Now

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 03:59:00 -0000

The Forbidden History podcast is back. In our third season, we continue to delve deep into some of history’s most controversial legacies, stepping into the past and uncovering stories that have shaped our world. Out now on your favourite podcast platforms.

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Extra: The Chronicles of Alcatraz

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Bonus Episode: What was it like to be a prisoner at the infamous Alcatraz Federal Prison? In this episode of Forbidden Fruit, we take a deep dive into the lives of its notorious inmates, and one of its most high-profile escape attempts.

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The Rise and Fall of Al Capone

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we explore the life of one of the world’s more notorious gangsters, Al Capone. From his humble beginnings on the streets of New York, to his peak in the 1920s as the undisputed King of Chicago, we take a look at his speedy rise and his equally rapid fall. What crimes did he commit to get himself locked up in Alcatraz?

Cast List:

Jonathan Eig: American journalist and biographer. Author of ‘Get Capone’
Dominic Selwood: A historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph
Craig Alton: Tour guide and co-founder of Untouchable Tours: Chicago’s Original Gangster Tour
Tony McMahon: A former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian
Hallie Rubenhold: Author, broadcaster and historian

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Extra: Jackie Robinson: Pioneering Player, Military Freedom Fighter

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Bonus Episode: In this episode of Forbidden Fruit, we do a deep dive into the incredible life of legendary baseball player, who once happened to be a member of the Black Panthers, Jackie Robinson.

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The Black Panthers of WWII

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we hear the incredible story of the 761st Tank Battalion, also known as the Black Panthers, who fought their way through Nazi occupied Europe in WWII. As an all-black tank battalion, they were keen to prove their abilities through combat for the benefit of all like them across the United States. For the Black Panthers, it was a fight not only against the powerful enemy abroad, but a racist system at home.

Cast List:

· Shalina Patel: Historian, teacher and writer.

· Selena Carty: Cultural & Ancestral Genealogist and historian specialising in Global African, Black, Indigenous military contributions.

· Robert F. Jefferson Jr.: Associate Professor of History at the University of New Mexico

· Ed Lengel: American author and military historian. Vice President for Museum Experience at the U.S. National Medal of Honor Museum

· Wayne Robinson: Specialist historian of the 761st Tank Battalion

· Private E.G. McConnell: Member of the 761st Tank Battalion

· Staff Sargent. Floyd Dade: Member of the 761st Tank Battalion

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Extra: The Birka Viking Warrior Woman

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Bonus Episode: In this episode of Forbidden Fruit, we explore another iconic female Viking discovery, the Birka Warrior. From its excavation in 1878, to the 2017 DNA uncovering, revealing the remains to be those of a female, we take a deep dive into what factors made them believe the remains were of a male warrior for over 100 years.

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Viking Queens of Oseberg

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we take a look one of the most influential finds in Viking archaeology; the 1904 discovery of the remnants of an incredible royal burial within the Oseberg Ship. We explore how the excavation rewrote understandings of Viking history and sparked many fascinating theories about who the entombed really were.

Cast List:

· Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist – University of York, UK

· Neil Price: Archaeologist specialising in the study of Viking Age-Scandinavia

· Tor Øydvin: Historian at the Museum of Cultural History, Oslo, Norway

· Ellen Marie Næss: Archaeologist and lecturer at the Museum of Cultural History, Oslo, Norway

· Terje Gansum: Archaeologist – Vestfold Fylkeskommune, Norway

· Hanne Lovise Aannestad: Archaeologist – Museum of Cultural History, Oslo, Norway

· Einar Erlingsen: The New Oseberg Viking Ship Foundation, Tønsberg, Norway

· Ole Harald Flaten: Skipper of the Saga Oseberg

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Extra: Hessy Levinsons Taft: The Jewish Aryan Poster Child

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Bonus Episode: In this episode of Forbidden Fruit, we explore the life of Hessy Levinsons Taft, the girl who won the ‘most beautiful Aryan baby’ Nazi propaganda contest as an infant in 1935. As it turned out, Hessy was actually Jewish.

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The Aryan Campaign of Nazi Germany

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

From the 1930s until the end of World War Two, the Nazis unleashed unspeakable horrors upon the minorities of Europe. In this episode, we take a look at their appalling pursuit of a pure Aryan race where, among other horrific ways, they established disturbing eugenics programs, both at home and across continent.

Cast List:

· Andrew Gough: Author and historian

· Jane Thynne: British novelist, journalist and broadcaster

· Nicholas O’Shaugnessy: Professor of Communications and post-Cold War German history at Queen Mary University of London

· Lisa Pine: Author and historian, specialising in the history of Nazi Germany

· Frank McDonough: Specialist author and historian on the Third Reich

· Adrian Weale: Writer, journalist, illustrator and photographer

· Terry Charman: Historian, author and curator at the Imperial War Museum

· Gisela Heidenreich: Born under the Lebensborn program in 1943 in Oslo, Norway while it was under Nazi control

· Nigel H. Jones: British journalist and biographer

· Jim Meigs: Journalist, magazine editor and writer

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Extra: Make and Break: Christianity and the Roman Empire

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Bonus Episode: How did the religion of Christianity go from being persecuted in the Roman Empire, to becoming its state religion in less than 200 years? In this episode of Forbidden Fruit, we take a deep dive into the rise of Christianity within the Roman Empire.

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Christ and Crucifixion: The Real Evidence

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we take a look at the historical evidence of Jesus’ crucifixion, from the realities behind the legend, to piecing together what we know for certain and what is missing. We explore how little detail the Bible truly contains – including no reference to a cross – and the lack of archaeological evidence.

Cast List:

· Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian

· Dr Andrew Boakye: Lecturer in Religions & Theology at the University of Manchester

· Janina Ramirez: A cultural historian, broadcaster and author based at the University of Oxford

· Tony McMahon: A former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

· Dominic Selwood: A historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph

· Peter Stanford: Writer, editor, journalist and presenter, known for his biographies and writings on religion and ethics

· Gunnar Samuelsson: Author and Associate Professor in New Testament Studies at the University of Gothenburg.

· Bena Mantel: Licensed tour guide, lecturer and archaeologist.

· Peggy Brunache: Historian, archaeologist and lecturer at University of Glasgow

· Israel Hershkovitz: Anatomist Professor at Tel Aviv University

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Extra: The Prisoners of the Hoki Maru

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Bonus Episode: What happened to the innocent ship crew of the Hoki Maru? In this episode of Forbidden Fruit, we take a deep dive into their story as Japanese prisoners of war.

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The Japanese Ghost Fleet of Chuuk Lagoon

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

This episode is an explorative retelling of Operation Hailstone, a great sinking of Japanese battle ships by US forces in WW2, in Chuuk Lagoon in the Federated States of Micronesia. We follow a local team as they dive a newly discovered wreck, and recount stories of the epic battle along the way, including those from the perspective of local indigenous people.

Cast List:

Bill Jeffrey: Associate Professor at University of Guam
Diane Strong: Former Journalism Professor at the University of Guam. Biographer of Kimiuo Aisek.
Gradvin Aisek: Local Chuukese whose father, Kimiuo, was born under the Japanese mandate on Chuuk.
Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.
Michael Barnette: Marine biologist, diver, author and photographer.
Bill Stinnett: Local diver and owner of Truk Stop Hotel & Dive Centre on the island of Chuuk.

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Extra: Fight Like a Girl: A History of Women's Boxing Legends

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Bonus Episode: In this episode of Forbidden Fruit, we do a deep dive into the famous female fighters of history, from the first superstar British women fighter, Lady Bareknuckles, in 1750s Georgian London, to British boxer, Nicola Adams, taking home the world’s first Olympic women’s boxing gold medal in the London 2012 Olympics.

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Women Fighters of Georgian London

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we explore the underground female bare knuckle prizefighting that took place in the squalors of Georgian London. We cover the historical context of how this came to be and tell the story of important places and people attributed to this topic.

Cast List:

· Lucy Inglis: Eighteenth-century historian and author, and curator of an award-winning blog about Georgian London.

· Mick Crumplin: Former surgeon and expert on medical techniques used throughout history.

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Extra: Frank Olson: The Man Behind the Victim

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Bonus Episode: In this episode of Forbidden Fruit, we take a deep dive into the life of CIA operative Frank Olson. We explore his career, partaking in some of the CIA's most clandestine experiments, and how his participation ultimately led to his death.

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CIA Mind Control: Declassified

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we explore the CIA mind control experiments of the 1950s, specifically the top secret program ‘MK Ultra’, who utilised LSD. We'll recount various chilling experiments and explore the mysterious death of one of their top scientists.

Cast List:

Peggy Brunache: Historian, archaeologist and lecturer at University of Glasgow
Lindsay Moran: Author and former CIA operative
Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph
Luke Daly Groves: Historian, author and lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire
Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works
Colin Ross: Psychiatrist and former president of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian

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Extra: The Incredible Life of Christina, Queen of Sweden

Wed, 31 May 2023 04:01:00 -0000

Bonus Episode: In this episode of Forbidden Fruit, we take a deep dive into the life of Christina, Queen of Sweden, who once owned the Devil’s Bible.

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The Devil's Bible

Wed, 31 May 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we follow the 800-year history of a medieval Bible manuscript, famous for its giant illustration of the Devil contained within its pages. We recount its journey across Europe as it changes hands between emperors and queens, and the history it sees along the way – as well as the cursed legends that follow it.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: A historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph
Janina Ramirez: A cultural historian, broadcaster and author based at the University of Oxford
Tony McMahon: A former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian
Elin Andersson: A specialist in ancient manuscripts and an expert on the Devil’s Bible, based at the National Library of Sweden
Scott Sophos: Prague-based historian and teacher
Dr Andrew Boakye: Lecturer in Religions & Theology at the University of Manchester
Peter Stanford: Writer, editor, journalist and presenter, known for his biographies and writings on religion and ethics

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Extra: King George V - Betrayer of the Romanovs?

Wed, 24 May 2023 04:01:00 -0000

Bonus Episode: In this episode of Forbidden Fruit, we take a deep dive into the Romanov’s relationship to the British Royal Family, and explore the question ‘Could Tsar Nicholas and his family have been saved by his cousin, King George V?’

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The Murder of the Romanovs

Wed, 24 May 2023 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, we look at the murders of the last Tsars (royal family) of Russia in 1918, including the decline of Tsar Nicholas as ruler and the increasing instability of Russia throughout WWI. We cover their grizzly deaths at the hands of the new communist regime, and finish by looking at a century of conspiracy theories that followed their deaths, including a theory that one of his daughters survived.

Cast List:

James Sherwood
An author, curator and broadcaster specialising in sartorial and royal history, fashion and bespoke tailoring, whose work has featured in the Financial Times, the International Herald Tribune, and the Independent on Sunday.
Helen Rappaport
An author and historian, she has written several books and is an expert on the period 1837–1918 in late Imperial and revolutionary Russia and Victorian Britain.
Andrew Cook:
A British author, popular historian and former British civil servant, who specialises in early 20th century espionage history.
Christopher Warwick:
A royal biographer and historian, he is the author of fourteen published books on modern royal subjects and is the authorised biographer of HRH the Princess Margaret.
Guy Walters:
A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

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Forbidden History Series 2 - Coming Soon

Wed, 17 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Forbidden History is back. In our second season, we continue to explore the past’s darkest corners, delve into the history archives and reveal new perspectives on familiar stories. Series two starts May 24th.

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The Woman in the Wych Elm

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0000

In April 1943, during the dark days of World War II, four teenage boys in Birmingham, England were hunting for birds’ eggs in a remote woodland called, Hagley Wood.

The slightest of the boys stopped at a large Wych Elm tree. Climbing up and peering down he discovered it was hollow. Spotting something in the centre, the boy carefully reached through the branches and pulled out the item for a closer look.

His hope for a bird’s nest were soon forgotten when he realised what he was holding was a human skull.

Their chance encounter upon the remains of a woman in the Wych Elm sparked a murder case that has gone unsolved for 80 years. To this day her identity and the circumstances surrounding her death are still unknown; the mystery continuing to both baffle and surprise investigators.

With an unknown phantom graffitiing clues to the victim’s identity, case files being redacted, and vital evidence seemingly disappearing, many conspiracy theories have circled this story capturing worldwide attention. Some speak of government interference, others drawing direct links to Nazi Germany and espionage.

With the help of new technology can we finally crack this 80-year-old case? In this episode we re-examine the remaining evidence of the case, unravel the conspiracies surrounding the mystery, and with the help of new forensic facilities finally try to shine a light on the true identity of the Woman in the Wych Elm.

Cast List:

Joyce M. Coley
The author of the book ‘Bella: An unsolved Mystery’.
Andrew Sparke
An independent publisher and the author of ‘Bella in the Wych Elm’.
Richard Lund
The Son of Dr John Lund, a forensic scientist from the West Midlands Forensic Science Laboratory, who examined the victim’s remains and fragments of clothing.
Giselle K. Jakobs
A palaeontologist and author of ‘The Spy in the Tower’, she is the granddaughter of Josef Jakobs, a German spy with mysterious connections to the Woman in the Wych Elm.

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The Triumph and Tragedy of Nikola Tesla

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0000

It’s 1943, and a tall moustached man is crossing the road to his hotel in New York City, pausing only to feed the birds. He rides the elevator up to the 33rd floor, and heads to his room, 3327. He is nothing more than an old man whose life is clouded by unpaid debts and whose only real interest seems to be caring for pigeons.

It's hard to believe that this is a man who once changed the world.

In this episode we follow the story of Nichola Tesla. The father of the modern electricity system, the showman who dazzled audiences of hundreds, and a true visionary of the modern age. A life seemingly straight out of the script of a Hollywood blockbuster; he rose from nothing, had the world at his feet, and then lost it all.

He was unknown to most of the world and yet the father of our modern age. Most would accredit the great technological advancements of the modern world, such as electricity and radio, to the famed inventors of Thomas Edison and Guglielmo Marconi, but it was the work of Tesla that created the foundations for it all. A true visionary who was born to the wrong century, a man who dreamt of sending images to watches while the world still came to grips with the light bulb.

So how did an obscure young man from Serbia create the modern world? And why did someone to whom we still owe so much today end his life destitute and alone?

Cast List:

Alan Butler
A writer, researcher, and recognized expert in ancient cosmology and astronomy.
The Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe
A journalist, author, lecturer, and former editor of the Fortean Times magazine.
Andrew Gough
A Researcher, writer, and the editor of the Heretic Magazine.
Keith Tutt
A historian and author whose previous works include “Unexplained Natural Phenomena” and “The Search for Free Energy”.

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The Madness of King Ludwig II

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0000

On the 13th of June 1886, the body of Ludwig II, the so-called Mad King of Bavaria, was found floating in two feet of water on Lake Starnberg, Germany.

The official verdict given by the authorities was suicide by drowning. But the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, and the strange events that took place in the lead up to it have led many to believe it was no suicide.

Instead, they believe he was in fact killed by his own government, who have covered up his murder for over 100 years.

If you unravel the life of this unconventional monarch, you reveal the story behind one of Germany’s most enduring mysteries. A king loved by his people but hated by his government. Throughout his life, the young king did repeatedly test the patience of his ministers. More interested in music, the arts and architecture, the royal’s fascination for the whimsical seemed to leave little time for affairs of state. With expenditures growing and debts mounting as he chased his dreams for romantic architecture, is it only a story that his government would form a plot to seize power?

The death of King Ludwig II of Bavaria has been the subject of intrigue and investigation for over a century. How did a king once famous for his eccentric behaviour and fairy-tale castles end up being declared insane, removed from his throne, and found floating face down in shallow water near the shores of a remote Lake?

In this episode we explore the history of Bavaria’s supposedly mad king and question was his death the result of a deteriorating mental state, or were more darker forces at play?

Cast List:

James Sherwood
An author, curator and broadcaster specialising in sartorial and royal history, fashion and bespoke tailoring, whose work has featured in the Financial Times, the International Herald Tribune, and the Independent on Sunday.
Ann Marie Ackerman
A former American prosecutor, now a successful True Crime writer specialising in unusual German historic crimes, her latest work being “Death of an Assassin”.
Guy Walters
A British author, historian, and journalist, he has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.
Ken Hollings
A writer, broadcaster and cultural theorist, whose work includes “Welcome to Mars”, and “The Bright Labyrinth”. He is currently a lecturer at the Royal College of Art specialising in experimental communication and the evolving relationship between culture and technology.
Dr Gerhard Immler
The Chief Archive Director of the Bavarian State Archives in Munich.

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The Murder Bureau

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0000

It is August 1978; Georgi Markov is in his London flat when the phone rings. He’s greeted by the sound of a cold and distorted voice.

“Georgi Markov you’re going to die”.

Markov is used to these death threats; he could set his watch by them. And so, he replies in his usual laconic way, “Killing me will only make me a martyr”.

He is about to hang up but for once the voice has a comeback.

“Not this time. This time you will not become a martyr. It will look as if you died of natural causes. You will be killed by a poison that the West can neither detect nor treat”.

A month later, Markov would be dead. But little did the murderer know that by giving Markov this warning they would turn what looked like a natural death into a full-scale murder inquiry.

It would become the most famous assassination of the Cold War, and yet to this day no one has been charged with his murder. However recently declassified documents may shed light on who was responsible and uncover the shadowy work of a mysterious organisation known as Service 7 or, more bluntly, the ‘Murder Bureau’.

In this episode we re-examine the case files of this long unsolved assassination, explore the tactics and gadgetry used in a secret war played out across Europe and unravel the history of the illusive Murder Bureau.

Cast List:

Guy Walters
A British author, historian, and journalist, he has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.
Boris Volodarksy
A former officer in Russian Military Intelligence, now a historian and author specialising in Soviet intelligence operations. He is the writer of several works, the most notable being “The KGB's Poison Factory: From Lenin to Litvinenko”.
Alexenia Dimitrova
A Bulgarian journalist and author with 27 years experience in journalism. Her books include “War of the Spies” and “Murder Bureau”.
Richard Felix
A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history.
Natalia Mehneva
The daughter of Traycho Belopopski, a former target of the Murder Bureau.

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Finding Mary Magdalene

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0000

According to all four gospels, Jesus chose one person as the first witness of his resurrection. One person, who was entrusted with spreading this momentous news; a follower whose life is still shrouded by conspiracy, the mysterious Mary Magdalene.

2000 years on, Mary continues to be one of the churches most disputed subjects. Some believe she was a prostitute; many claim she was Jesus’s most devoted disciple and was at the heart of the Christian faith. However, some suggest she was much more.

In Southern France two treasure hunters are pursuing a new lead in their search for her remains, arguably the remains of the most significant woman in history.

Pat Jokl and his friend Ronnie are history enthusiasts who have spent 20 years trying to uncover the whereabouts of Mary Magdalene’s Tomb. After the resurrection, the Bible sheds little light on what happened to her next with many believing she was deliberately written out of history. In this episode we follow Pat Jokl and his team on their biblical treasure hunt, tracing what many believe to be the journey Mary Magdalene took after the resurrection to spread the true word of the Christian faith.

With an unearthed set of 13th century documents from the French archive suggesting a medieval aristocrat stole the Saint’s remains, Pat believes he’s one step closer to finding Mary Magdalene’s burial site in Southern France. Armed with new equipment and this vital lead could this be moment he solves one of the bible’s greatest mysteries? Could this be the moment he finally finds Mary Magdalene?

Cast List:

Pat Jokl
A treasure hunter who has been searching for Mary Magdalene’s remains for over 20 years.
Tony McMahon
A former BBC news producer, award short-listed author, print journalist and historian.
Dr Karen Bellinger
An anthropologist, archaeologist and historian whose work focuses on early modern European culture and society and its colonial expansion throughout the Atlantic world.
Lynn Picknett
A historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies, she is co-author to several notable works including “Turin Shroud: How Leonardo da Vinci Fooled History” and “War of the Windsors”
Father Florian Racine
The rector of the Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene church in Saint-Maximin.

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The Hitler Diaries

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0000

It is the early 1980s, and in a house in West Germany a man called Gerd Heidemann is flicking through a book with mounting excitement. Sentences leap from the page:

‘The burning of the books was not a good idea of Goebbels’,

‘I have violent flatulence, and – says Eva – bad breath’,

‘The measures against the Jews are too strong for me’.

The book he is reading is one of over sixty volumes of the revelatory personal diaries of Adolf Hitler himself. Through Heidemann they will be purchased for millions of dollars and published in the world’s leading newspapers and magazines. However, on publication day, with the world captivated by the opportunity to read the inner-most thoughts of the most notorious dictator in history, the scoop of the century falls apart. The diaries are total fakes and not even particularly good ones.

In this episode we explore the story of Gerd Heidemann and how he and many others fell victim to a now notorious conman and forger. Starting with how Heidemann was captivated by a historic find he couldn’t ignore, to how simple forgeries made their way through authentication unscathed, to finally how the historic find of the century was shattered on the day of its publication.

So how were some of the world’s foremost journalists conned, and who was behind a fraud that has gone down in media history?

Cast List:

Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist, he has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.

Dr Linda Papadopoulos: The Reader in Psychology at London Metropolitan University, with a 17-year career working as a research scientist and practicing psychologist.

Magnus Linklater: A journalist, writer, and former newspaper editor, he was the Executive Editor of Features at the Sunday Times during the Hitler Diaries scandal.

Gerd Heidemann: A former journalist for Stern Magazine, he was the first to bring the diaries to the attention of the media.

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The S-Bahn Murderer: A Serial Killer in Nazi Berlin

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000

It’s 1940 and there’s a serial killer on the streets of Berlin looking for his next victim.

Elfreda Franka is travelling home on the late train after work. Sitting alone in the dark carriage she stares out of the window as the train pulls into a station.

Another passenger gets onboard.

Curious but unable to make out their features, Elfrieda continues to stare out into the pitch black as the train departs. The stranger quietly approaches Elfrieda and before she can sense danger, she feels a cold, hard and heavy object strike her. She was not the first and wouldn’t be the last victim of the S-Bahn murderer.

This is a true story about the crimes of a mass murderer, who assaulted and fatally attacked women on a killing spree that lasted nine months. In this episode we follow the work the Criminal Politici and their lead investigator Police Commissioner Wilhelm Ludtke, as he and his team of detectives worked tirelessly to track down this illusive killer.

However, as the body count mounted the detectives not only had to track down this violent phantom but had to do so against the ever-growing interferences and limitations of Nazi High Command. This is the story of a hunt for truth in a political landscape where the “truth” was whatever Hitler deemed it to be.

Despite a thorough investigation, how did the killer avert the police for so long? Why did Nazi High command want to keep it a secret? And how did they finally catch the illusive killer?

Cast List:

David Thomas
The Author of historical crime thrillers such as “Ostland” and an award-winning journalist, with twenty-five years of experience working for Fleet Street newspapers.
Roger Moorhouse
A historian and author of many books on the second World War, including ‘Killing Hitler’. He is a specialist in modern German history with particular focus on Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich.
Dr Linda Papadopoulos
The Reader in Psychology at London Metropolitan University, with a 17-year career working as a research scientist and practicing psychologist.
Dr Jens Dobler
The official historian for the Berlin Police Department.

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The Strange Life of Peter the Great

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000

It’s the early morning of June the 26th, 1718 and in the basement of the Peter and Paul Fortress in St Petersburg, Russia, lies a young man. His face is covered in bruises, his back is bleeding, and his eyes are sunken holes in their sockets, wreathed in black.

The door is flung open, and another man strides into the prison chamber. In his hand is a hard leather whip about three and a half feet long, ending in a beak-like hook. He walks over to the prisoner, who closes his eyes and quietly sobs. He knows what’s coming.

The prisoner is Tsarevich Alexei, heir to the Russian throne. His torturer is his own father, Tsar Peter the Great.

Peter the Great was one of the most bloody and brutal rulers in Russian history. Known for leading his own torture interrogations, and using forced labour to construct his architectural visions, his son is only one of thousands of people who will suffer at his hands during his reign. Yet he is remembered as one of Russia’s greatest ever rulers. Creating a navy, a city, and being one of the first Tsars to travel Europe in 100 years, his love of science and learning saw him transform his antiquated realm into a European power of the modern age.

But given the high price paid by his people, his predisposition for violence, and how the future of his reign was cemented by torture, can he truly be seen as Peter ‘the Great’ today?

Cast List:

Tony McMahon
A former BBC news producer, award short-listed author, print journalist and historian.
Hallie Rubenhold
A bestselling author, social historian and historical consultant for TV and film. Her notable works include “The Five; The Untold Lives of The Women Killed by Jack the Ripper” and “The Covent Garden Ladies”.
Nigel Jones
A historian, journalist, former deputy editor of History Today magazine and former reviews editor of the BBC’s History Magazine.
Dominic Selwood
A historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist, and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily telegraph.

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Hitler’s Niece - Suicide or Murder?

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000

It’s the morning of September 18th, 1931, and through the walls of their apartment in Munich, Germany, a man and woman can be heard arguing. The man is Adolf Hitler, who would go on to lead as German Chancellor and be one of the world’s most infamous dictators who committed heinous crimes against humanity. The woman, his 23-year-old niece, Geli Raubal.

Within hours of the argument, Geli was dead from a gunshot wound to the chest. The gun was Hitler’s.

The official verdict ruled her death a suicide, but with rumours of an inappropriate relationship with her uncle did Geli Raubal kill herself or was it a Nazi murder cover-up?

In this episode we look at Geli Raubal’s life and death under closer examination, to see how conclusions drawn in the case are now being questioned as to their accuracy. Does the evidence suggest she was involved in a violent altercation before her fatal shooting? Is the angle of the gunshot wound unusual for a suicide attempt? Do multiple witness statements contradict Hitler’s testimony?

These events and the secrecy surrounding the investigation have caused many to question the official verdict with suggestions of incest, murder, and a cover up within the Nazi Party just before they seized power. So, what is the truth? Was this suicide or murder? And how did this case affect the Nazi Party’s rise to power?

Cast List:

Gerhard Fuermetz
A German historian and researcher from Augsburg University.
Dr Linda Papadopoulos
The Reader in Psychology at London Metropolitan University, with a 17-year career working as a research scientist and practicing psychologist.
Nigel Jones
A historian, journalist and former deputy editor of History Today magazine and former reviews editor of BBC History Magazine.
Roger Moorhouse
A historian and author of many books on the Second World War, including ‘Killing Hitler’. He is a specialist in modern German history with particular focus on Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich.

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Prince George – Tragedy or Treason?

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000

On the 25th of August 1942, during the height of the Second World War, a flying boat destined for Reykjavik in Iceland crashed into the side of a hill in the Scottish Highlands. Among those who lost their lives was the VIP they were transporting. He was Prince George, Duke of Kent, brother of King George VI of the United Kingdom and uncle to the current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

During his lifetime, George became one of the best-known public figures of the age, yet after his mysterious death the details of his life were seemingly erased from history. Some believe that this is the result of a government cover up, but what were they trying to hide?

In his youth the duke was one of the more scandalous members of the royal family. Wherever he would travel rumours would follow him of fleeting affairs, drug addictions, illegitimate children, and relationships with men.

In his later life, once settled and married, some have theorised his involvement in espionage through WWII, with stories of him attending secret meetings with representatives of global powers. Others however paint a far darker picture of the duke’s true intentions suggesting the theory he was plotting to overturn the British Government, fraternising with the enemy and negotiating peace with Adolf Hitler.

In this episode, we examine the life of Prince George, Duke of Kent and discover just what had the prince been involved in, and did it play a part in his untimely death?

Cast List:

Christopher Warwick
A royal biographer and historian, he is the author of fourteen published books on modern royal subjects and is the authorized biographer of HRH the Princess Margaret.
Dr Caroline Porter
A British historian specialising on the 20th Century.
Guy Walters
A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.
Lynn Picknett
A historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies, she is co-author to several notable works including “Turin Shroud: How Leonardo da Vinci Fooled History” and “War of the Windsors”

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Introducing: Forbidden History

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 12:07:46 -0000

Forbidden History is a documentary podcast series which explores the past’s darkest corners, sheds light on the lives of intriguing individuals, and uncovers the truth buried deep in history’s most controversial legacies. Hosted by Janine Harouni, each episode will delve into the history archives to reveal new perspectives on familiar stories. Series one starts October 12th.

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