You're Dead to Me

BBC Radio 4
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30 snips
Dec 23, 2025 • 13min

Indus Civilization

Explore the enigmatic Indus Civilization, one of the earliest urban societies, known for its impressive city planning and advanced sanitation systems. Discover how they built over 1,400 towns with wide streets suited for elephants and private toilets well ahead of their time. Uncover their fascinating diet featuring beef, mango, and turmeric, alongside their obsession with unicorns. Delve into the mysteries of their unreadable script and the mostly faceless societal structure. With humor and engaging storytelling, history is made fun and intriguing!
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9 snips
Dec 22, 2025 • 14min

Zheng Yi Sao

Explore the thrilling world of Zheng Yi Sao, the formidable Pirate Queen of Admin. Rising from poverty to command a vast fleet of 70,000 pirates, she implemented strict rules and offered healthcare and pensions. Discover her clever tactics, like hijacking salt shipments and selling protection certificates to merchants. Her fleet wielded intimidating weapons, outnumbering their foes. Despite facing international pressure, Zheng’s empire thrived until her retirement deal in 1810, ending her life in luxury.
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17 snips
Dec 19, 2025 • 15min

Ramesses the Great

Join Ramesses the Great, performed in a humorous retelling by talented voice actors, as he walks us through the extravagant life of one of Ancient Egypt's most flamboyant pharaohs. Discover how he became king at just 24 and spun the narrative around the Battle of Kadesh to enhance his legendary status. From building a capital city complete with a zoo to racing in his Sed Festival at age 89, the episode is packed with quirky anecdotes, his many wives, and a hilariously sacred Apis Bull. Expect laughs and fun facts along the way!
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16 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 14min

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker transformed from a tough childhood in St. Louis to an iconic star in Paris, dazzling with her unique dance style. Known for her banana skirt, she boldly challenged racism through performance. But she wasn't just a performer; during World War II, she became a spy for the French Resistance, using her fame for a greater cause. After the war, she adopted twelve children from diverse backgrounds to promote unity. Baker's life was a blend of showbiz glitz, activism, and groundbreaking achievements, leaving a legacy celebrated to this day.
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25 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 13min

Aztecs

Join a lively exploration of the Aztec Empire, where gods, chocolate, and human sacrifice intertwine. Discover Tenochtitlan, a grand city filled with bustling markets and pyramids, which was four times the size of Tudor London. Learn about the dramatic rituals that included offering hearts to the gods and the use of chocolate as currency. Dive into the amusing customs of Aztec weddings, complete with piggyback rides and cocoa toasts. The episode blends humor with fascinating insights into this extraordinary civilization.
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24 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 13min

Hadrian's Wall

Discover the fascinating world of Hadrian's Wall, built by the ambitious Roman Emperor. Explore the struggles of Roman invasions in chilly Britain, including Julius Caesar's failed attempts. Unearth Hadrian's relationship with Antinous and how it influenced his reign. Journey through the wall's impressive design and its role as both a defense and tax point. Dive into life along the wall, complete with bustling forts and taverns. With humor and engaging storytelling, history comes alive in unexpected ways!
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32 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 14min

History of Football

Explore the chaotic origins of football, from medieval town scrambles to royal bans. Discover the pioneering women like Nettie Honeyball and Lily Parr, who broke barriers long before the sport was widely accepted. Laugh along as tales of gruesome incidents and absurd tactics highlight the game's wild history. Learn how public school rules shaped modern football and hear about the significant impact of World Wars, all while enjoying humorous sketches and sound effects sprinkled throughout the journey.
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Dec 13, 2025 • 1min

Introducing... Dead Funny History

Get ready for a hilarious dive into history! From the antics of Ramesses the Great to the quirky evolution of football, this show promises a wild ride through time. Expect a delightful mix of pirates, spies, and even bouncing cats, all packed into bite-sized segments. Humorous jabs at football rules add to the fun, ensuring that everyone, young and old, stays entertained. With sketches and absurd tales, history has never been this funny!
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19 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 28min

Jane Austen (Radio Edit)

Dr. Lucy Worsley, a historian and expert on Jane Austen, teams up with comedian Sally Phillips to explore the life of this literary icon. They delve into Austen's family background, her juvenile writings, and the societal factors shaping her characters. The duo discusses the feminist undertones in her work, publishing struggles, and her relationships, including a brief engagement. They also examine how Austen’s novels critique social issues, ensuring her legacy endures in both literature and adaptations.
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34 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 28min

India Between Empires (Radio Edit)

Jagjeet Lally, an Associate Professor at UCL specializing in early modern India, joins comedian Nish Kumar for a lively discussion about India's vibrant 18th century. They debunk the chaos narrative, showcasing the rise of powerful regional states like the Marathas and the Sikh Empire. They explore the intricacies of preexisting global trade, emphasizing India's deep connections with the world before European arrival. With some humor, Kumar adds comedic flair to Lally's insights on market growth, indigo trade, and the rich cultural transformations of the time.

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