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In this episode of Pieces of History, I’m joined by Geoff Emberling to explore the history of ancient Nubia and the Kingdom of Kush - a civilisation too often overlooked in traditional accounts of the ancient world. We begin with Geoff’s own path into archaeology and his work in Nubia, before stepping back to place the region geographically and culturally within the wider Nile Valley. From there, we examine how Egypt-centred narratives have shaped popular understandings of the past, and what they miss about Nubia’s political power, cultural confidence, and global connections. For those encountering Kush for the first time, we discuss who the Kushites were, what their kingdom looked like at its height, and what Nubia’s pyramids reveal about Kushite identity, religion, and authority. We also explore the long and complex relationship between Kush and Egypt — from trade and rivalry to the Kushite conquest of Egypt during the 25th Dynasty. Drawing on recent archaeology and fieldwork, Geoff reflects on how new evidence is reshaping our understanding of Nubia, and why placing it at the centre rather than the margins fundamentally changes how we view ancient history. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypod

In this episode of Pieces of History, I’m heading into the shadow world of organised crime with crime historian and author Scott M. Deitche, whose books and documentaries have become essential reading for anyone interested in the American Mafia. From Garden State Gangland to Cigar City Mafia and The Silent Don, Scott has built a career uncovering stories hidden in court files, surveillance tapes, and long-forgotten archives. Our conversation focuses on the DeCavalcante crime family of New Jersey — a lesser-known but powerful organisation that operated alongside New York’s syndicates while carving out its own territory in Newark and Elizabeth. Scott charts their rise, internal tensions, brushes with law enforcement, and gradual decline, revealing how leadership, loyalty, and paranoia shaped their fate. We also explore the challenges of researching groups built on secrecy, and the family’s pop-culture shadow through The Sopranos. It’s a story of myth versus reality, and of how even the most hidden worlds leave a paper trail — if you know where to look. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypodScott M. Deitche - Tampa Mafia - tampamafia.com

In the second episode of Season Four, Pieces of History returns to the Belfast Hills for the next chapter of Phil Donnelly’s family journey, turning to the Joy–Dean line - a story rooted in the same landscape, but shaped by different choices and remarkable lives. Phil’s research introduces Margaret Joy and Philip Dean, whose mid-1700s marriage crossed religious boundaries in a way that was bold for its time. We then follow one of the most surprising figures in the family tree: Fr. Joseph Joy Dean, who rose from the Hills to the Spanish royal court and later Rome, before returning to Dublin as a parish priest. Back on Divis and Black Mountain, archaeological work at the Dean cottage reveals the realities of tenant farming, echoed in the life of Hercules Dean. Phil also uncovers the Redmond connection and the enduring tale of the “Maiden Lighthouse Lovers,” where family history meets folklore. Across these intertwined stories, themes of resilience, migration, and faith emerge — showing how one family’s “little histories” can illuminate a far wider past. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypod

The latest episode of Pieces of History journeys into the Bolivian Amazon and a vast, seasonally flooded region known as the Llanos de Mojos — a landscape that is reshaping how historians and archaeologists understand the ancient Amazon. Long imagined as an untouched wilderness, the rainforest is now known to have been carefully shaped over centuries. Research has revealed enormous human-engineered environments of raised fields, forest islands, canals, and causeways, built through long-term planning and everyday labour. Joining me is Dr. John Walker, Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida, whose work explores how pre-Columbian communities managed fire, water, soil, and vegetation to create sustainable agricultural and settlement systems. Drawing on his research, including his book Island, River, and Field, John explains why Mojos is best understood not as isolated “sites,” but as a lived, working landscape. We discuss what the Llanos de Mojos actually looks like, how its systems functioned, why the myth of a pristine Amazon endured, how European contact reshaped these environments, and what Mojos ultimately forces us to rethink about humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @piecesofhistorypod

Episode eleven of the new series of Pieces of History shines a light on the often-overlooked role of Irish women in Jacobite networks, revealing their significant yet underappreciated contributions to the cause. Far from passive observers, these women were active participants in the struggle to restore the Stuart monarchy, operating in a world of secrecy, strategy, and high stakes. Joining me is historian Dr. Frances Nolan, recipient of the SFI-IRC Pathway Fellowship at the UCD School of History in 2023, whose research brings fresh insight into the crucial - yet frequently underestimated - contributions of Irish women to the Jacobite movement. Together, we examine the strategies they employed, the dangers they faced, and the lasting impact of their actions. From clandestine communication to financial manoeuvring, these women were instrumental in the political and military efforts of the Jacobites. In this episode, we uncover their hidden stories, challenge traditional narratives, and explore how their influence shaped the course of history. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypod Dr. Frances Nolan:The Jacobite Duchess:: Frances Jennings, Duchess of Tyrconnell, c.1649-1731https://boydellandbrewer.com/9781783276141/the-jacobite-duchess/

In episode ten of the new season of Pieces of History, we turn our attention to the ancient and intricate world of heraldry. This episode features an in-depth conversation with Dr. Paul Fox, whose fascinating journey from a career in medicine to heraldic and genealogical scholarship sheds light on the enduring power of symbols, identity, and tradition. Together, we explore the rich history of heraldry - from its medieval origins on the battlefield to its ceremonial and genealogical significance today. Dr. Fox unpacks the core elements of heraldic design, including the shield, crest, banner, badge, and supporters, explaining how each has evolved over centuries and what they represent. We also reflect on how public interest in heraldry is shifting in the modern age and discuss how new audiences are engaging with these historic emblems. For listeners curious to learn more, Dr. Fox offers thoughtful guidance on where to begin their own exploration of heraldry. What do these ancient symbols reveal about the people and societies that created them? And why do they still matter today? Join us as we uncover The Art of Heraldry. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypodDr. Paul Fox:https://www.drpaulfoxfsa.com/

Episode nine of the new season of Pieces of History uncovers the rich and often haunting history of Ireland’s graveyards. In this episode, we explore Friar’s Bush Graveyard, one of Belfast’s oldest burial sites, and its deep connections to the city’s past. Joining me are Dr Deirdre Nic an tSionnaigh and John Bradbury from Cairde na Cille, a group dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Ireland’s graveyards. Together, we delve into the key moments that have defined Friar’s Bush - from its ancient origins and ties to the penal era to its role during the devastating cholera epidemics. We’ll also uncover the stories of notable individuals buried there and examine how this site serves as a vital link to Belfast’s history. What secrets lie beneath the headstones? And how does this graveyard reflect the broader history of Ireland and its people? In this episode, we reveal the remarkable stories, key events, and enduring significance of Friar’s Bush Graveyard. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypod Cairde na Cille: https://cairdenacille.org/

Episode eight of the new season of Pieces of History explores the fascinating intersection of investigative journalism and the mysteries of reincarnation. Award-winning journalist and author Tom Shroder joins me to discuss Old Souls, his compelling book that follows the groundbreaking research of Dr. Ian Stevenson, a pioneer in the study of past-life memories. We’ll dive into Tom’s career in journalism, his firsthand experiences traveling to Lebanon and India to investigate extraordinary case studies, and the children whose detailed recollections of past lives defy explanation. What drew Tom to this subject? How did his journalistic approach shape his perspective on reincarnation? And what do these cases reveal about the nature of consciousness and identity? Join us as we uncover the remarkable stories at the heart of Old Souls and examine the enduring question - could we have lived before? Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypod Old Souls:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Old-Souls-Scientific-Search-Proof/dp/068485192X

Episode seven of the new season of Pieces of History takes us into the tumultuous world of early 20th-century Ireland, where revolution, political upheaval, and shifting ideologies shaped the nation’s future. In this episode, we examine the life and legacy of General Eoin O’Duffy - one of Ireland’s most controversial figures. Joining me is historian Jack Traynor, author of General Eoin O’Duffy: The Political Life of an Irish Firebrand. Together, we explore O’Duffy’s rise from his role in the Irish War of Independence and Civil War to his tenure as the first Commissioner of An Garda Síochána. We also examine his leadership of the Blueshirts, his embrace of fascist politics, and the broader European influences on his ideology. From revolutionary hero to political pariah, O’Duffy’s legacy remains divisive. In this episode, we uncover the complexities of his character, the turbulent era that shaped him, and how his actions reflected both Ireland’s struggles and the wider political currents of the 1930s. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypod General Eoin O'Duffy: The Political Life of an Irish Firebrand https://www.amazon.co.uk/General-Eoin-ODuffy-Political-Firebrand/dp/1476693269

Episode six of the new season of Pieces of History takes us beneath the waves, where archaeology and history converge to uncover lost stories of the transatlantic slave trade. In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking work of the Slave Wrecks Project, an international effort to locate and study shipwrecks tied to the global slave trade. Joining me is Dr. Steve Lubkemann, maritime archaeologist and one of the project’s founding members. We’ll delve into how the Slave Wrecks Project began, the cutting-edge methodologies used to find and analyse these wrecks, and what these discoveries reveal about the millions of lives affected by the slave trade. From underwater surveys to the challenges of working in politically and environmentally complex regions, this episode uncovers how archaeology is reshaping our understanding of one of history’s darkest chapters. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypod The Slave Wrecks Project: https://slavewrecksproject.org/

Episode five of the new season of Pieces of History takes us deep into the heart of Ireland, where oral history preserves a powerful narrative of resistance, sacrifice, and memory. In this episode, we uncover the tragic story of the Scariff Martyrs - four young Irishmen executed by British forces in 1920 during the War of Independence. Joining me is historian and award-winning Oral Historian Tomás Mac Conmara, whose work has safeguarded the voices and experiences of those who lived through Ireland’s revolutionary past. We’ll explore not just the brutal events in Scariff but also the enduring role of oral tradition in keeping their legacy alive. From accounts passed down through generations to gripping stories of heroism and loss, this episode reveals the deep connections between history and myth in Ireland’s struggle for freedom. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypod The Scariff Martyrs: War, Murder and Memory in East Clare https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scariff-Martyrs-Murder-Memory-Clare/dp/1781177252

Episode four of the new season of Pieces of History takes us to the vast landscapes of Central Asia, as we explore the history, politics, and culture of Kazakhstan with journalist Joanna Lillis. In this episode, we’ll trace Kazakhstan’s journey from its Soviet past to its present-day identity as a modern nation. We’ll examine the country’s political landscape, the impact of independence, and the cultural forces that continue to shape its society. Joanna Lillis, a Kazakhstan-based journalist and author of Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan, brings her deep expertise and firsthand experience to the discussion. Having lived and reported in the region for decades, she offers valuable insights into Kazakhstan’s transformation and the challenges it faces today. Join me as we delve into the rich and complex story of Kazakhstan. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypod Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Shadows-Joanna-Lillis/dp/1784538612

Episode three of the new season of Pieces of History delves into the captivating story of “The Death Match” – Start vs Flakelf. In this episode, we’ll explore the rich history of Ukraine, from its early origins to its cultural and political evolution. We’ll dive into the development of football in the country, tracing its growth and the rise of Dynamo Kiev as a dominant force. Finally, we’ll uncover the gripping story of the match between Start and Flakelf, examining the events leading up to it, the intense game itself, and the consequences that followed. Join me as we uncover the remarkable history of Ukrainian football and the powerful story behind one of its most infamous matches. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypod

Episode two of the new season of Pieces of History delves into the captivating story of Alamut Castle. In this episode, we’ll journey to the dramatic setting of this legendary stronghold, exploring its strategic location and uncovering the purpose behind its creation. We'll investigate who established and utilised Alamut, with a focus on the enigmatic Order of the Assassins and their intriguing history. Finally, we’ll trace the castle’s rise and eventual downfall, uncovering the layers of mystery and power that surround it. Join me as I bring this remarkable chapter of history to life, revealing the significance of Alamut Castle and the legacy it left behind. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: @pieceofhistorypod

Welcome back to Pieces of History! After a four-year hiatus, the podcast that brings you captivating tales from the past is making its long-awaited return. This season, I’m diving back into the events, people, and stories that shaped our world - both the famous and forgotten. Kicking off our new series is a spine-tingling episode on the Trinity Street Ghost, a chilling tale that captured the imagination of Northern Ireland in the 1930s. In today’s episode, we’ll uncover the mystery of this ghostly legend, exploring its historical context, the cultural attitudes toward hauntings, and the enduring power of such tales to spark wonder and curiosity. Join me as I unravel the threads of history, one fascinating story at a time. Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pieces of History podcast Instagram: pieceofhistorypod