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Check latest episodes from We Didn't Start the Fire: The History Podcast podcast

Hula Hoops

2022/06/26

It’s 1958 and America is rife with fads. Everyone’s looking to make a quick buck with the next big thing, and Wham-O’s struck gold with the hula hoop. But the hula hoop has a long, and sometimes sordid history. At the heart of America’s love affair with the hula hoop is the often-forgotten pop-culture ICON Joan Anderson, who first introduced the hoop to Wham-O, only to be written out of history. Co-director of the documentary ‘Hula Girl’, Amy Hill, is here to tell Joan’s tale. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mafia

2022/06/19

It’s time for Tommy ‘The Talker’ Fordyce and Katie ‘Dimples’ Puckrik to chat Mafia. What were the mob up to in Billy’s days? How did it all start? And how was the mob involved with the plots to kill Castro and JFK? Our knowledge of the mafia is based purely on the Godfather and Mad Magazine, so thank goodness Jeff Nadu from The Sitdown podcast is here to chat with us. Thinking of skipping this one? FORGET ABOUT IT! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Space Monkey

2022/06/12

They’re the heroes of space travel who had to suffer unimaginable terror for the sake of us humans. Today we’re talking about the ICONIC space monkeys of the late 1950s. But why use primates? Why did the Russians use dogs? Were there any alternatives? And what happened to these brave space pioneers? Astronomy journalist Dr Stuart Clark is here to chat about all this and more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ben Hur

2022/06/05

It's the queer-coded biblical epic that rivals the Fast and the Furious in its action sequences and Avengers Endgame for its sheer enormity...it's Ben Hur time baby! But WHY oh why is it 4 whole hours long? Why is Jesus so coy? How did they record those chariot scenes? And how was it so successful? Luckily for us, film critic Helen O'Hara is back! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Buddy Holly

2022/05/30

He's the king of nerd chic and the inventor of the power trio. He changes the way bands play and pop music wouldn't be the same without him. But without Elvis' swagger and Little Richard's flamboyance... what's Buddy's special sauce? And how does it all come crashing down so soon? We're stumped by Buddy's meteoric rise, but luckily music professor and Lubbock resident, Christopher Smith is here to help! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Introducing: Where’s My Jetpack?

2022/05/23

We think you’re going to love this. ‘Where’s my Jetpack?’ explores the promises made to us by films and TV when we were kids. Flying cars, hoverboards, holidays on the moon. What happened to these space age dreams? It’s a valid question. And Sarah Cruddas and Luke Moore are here to answer it! This episode, they ask: Where's My Moon Base? To hear the full series, search for ‘Where’s My Jetpack?’ in your favourite podcast app, or hit the link below. http://smarturl.it/wheresmyjetpack See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Death of a Rock Star: Buddy Holly

2022/05/22

We're taking a break from toasting our lobes around the fire this week, but fear not! Here's another show we think you'll love - Death of a Rock Star. It's all about the lives and deaths of the world's most famous musicians, and this episode is all about Buddy Holly. We've got a scintillating episode about the man himself coming up next week, so tune into this episode of Death of a Rock Star and prime those ears! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Children of Thalidomide

2022/05/16

It's been called the most scandalous medical cover up of the 20th century. A pill that was given to pregnant women in the 60s as a treatment for morning sickness was soon found to have had disastrous side effects. If the babies didn't die in the womb, they were born with life-changing deformities and disabilities; and they're still fighting for recognition and compensation 60 years on. Katie and Tom are joined in the studio by Thalidomider Mikey Argy from the UK, and Thalidomide survivor C. Jean Grover in the US. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Starkweather Homicide

2022/05/09

What's the difference between a serial and a spree killer? Was Charles Starkweather a psychopath, and did he commit homicide? What even is a psychopath? Set against the life and death of Charles Starkweather, a teenager who took the lives of 11 people in 1957-58, Katie and Tom put all these questions and more to the incomparable David Wilson, ex-prison governor and one of the UK's most well-renowned criminologists, who's come face-to-face with some of the world's most heinous murderers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

California Baseball

2022/05/02

It's here. The fifth and final chapter in Billy's accolade to his favourite sport. Why did New York's two biggest baseball teams up sticks and leave their hometown, their communities, their diehard fans, and head west? The momentous move in 1958 was a reflection of a wider cultural shift that was going on in the US at this time, says this week's guest Josh Chetwynd, who's back for a final time. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Charles de Gaulle

2022/04/25

"The General." "The Great Asparagus." "A man with the most oversized personality." Charles de Gaulle was President of France from 1959-69, and his near-mythological status had been building up for decades before then. His debut appearance in Billy's song is because of his critical involvement in the May 1958 Crisis, which saw Algerian Nationalists rise up and, after nearly 130 years of French colonisation, fight for freedom. Dr Arthur Asseraf is an expert in modern France and North Africa, and grew up in France well aware of the near-mythological status that de Gaulle still adopts today. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lebanon

2022/04/18

In May 1958, Lebanon erupted into crisis. Political and religious tensions had got too much, and people took to the streets to vent their frustration and anger. Desperate for help, President Chamoun turns to the US for help - marking the first of many American interventions in the Middle East. Our guest today is the Lebanese historian and daughter of Lebanese immigrants who escaped during the latter 1975-90 Civil War, Chloé Kattar. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read We Didn't Start the Fire: The History Podcast podcast reviews

4.1 out of 5

55 reviews

Dnahager 2022/05/20

My take

Absolutely find the history lesson fascinating, love the Billy Joel song concept, only gave 4 stars though, would have given five but all the Trump ba...

Peter Monroe 2022/06/02

Most entertaining history podcast I’ve listened to so far!!

It’s getting all 5 stars for me! I absolutely love Tom and Katie’s attitude towards all of the vast topics covered. I was never a big fan of the song ...

colsenNM 2022/05/26

Great show - fun and educational

So a lot of people have pointed out the political commentary and opinions that seem out of place. I’m not of the same political ilk as Katie and Tom,...

esmeralda169 2021/12/12

Kazoos are horrible. Really horrible.

I’m only on episode two but I may have to opt out. I love history and Billy Joel, so this premise is made for me. I really like the hosts, but serious...

Zeappfffdhjk 2022/03/20

Hag

Great idea for a podcast. Unfortunately the old hag’s pathetic Trump derangement syndrome ruins this within the first few episodes so I will now erase...

Papa John 2017 2022/03/15

Radical Leftism Run Amok

First…lose the kazoos. So grating, obnoxious, and annoying….second only to Katie’s voice. podcast that could’ve been a fun, educational and interestin...

PW from GR 2022/03/13

Love!!!!

Professional, fun, informative.

Shopper C 2022/03/07

History entertainment

What a great way to get dollops of history while enjoying Billy Joels music. After each episode i go to you tube and watch the musuc video. But the hi...

Spdrcr80 2021/12/22

Too political

I enjoy the historical aspects of the show, but I have a hard time with all the personal political comments. I realize that some of the song lyrics ar...

?Why do I need a nickname?? 2021/12/01

Great premise, Boomer host

Love the premise & hosts are (mostly) enjoyable. However, the longer I listen the more the Boomer comes out of Katie, and it’s really annoying. I’m ge...

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