You're Dead to Me podcast

You're Dead to Me

The comedy podcast that takes history seriously. In each episode of You’re Dead to Me from BBC Radio 4, Greg Jenner is joined by a comedian and an expert historian to learn and laugh about the past. History isn’t just about dates and textbooks – it’s about extraordinary characters, amazing stories, and some very questionable fashion choices. How long did it take to build an Egyptian pyramid? What does the Bayeux Tapestry reveal about medieval life? Why did it take nearly half a millennium for Joan of Arc to become a saint? And was Catherine the Great really all that great? Whether you want to explore ancient landmarks like Stonehenge and Machu Picchu, dance through the history of Broadway and Bollywood, or find out how the Tudors rose to power, Greg and his guests promise to teach you something new that you won’t have heard in history lessons. Previous episodes of You’re Dead To Me have covered everything from royals to revolutionaries, actors to activists and divas to dictators. Take a stroll through the history of high-heeled shoes or get the scoop on the history of ice cream. Maybe you’d like to paint like the cave artists of the Palaeolithic era, work out like a Victorian bodybuilder, or fight like a Spartan? We’ve even hosted a special, live episode with the BBC Concert Orchestra to explore the dramatic life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Whatever your historical interests, Greg and his guests make even the trickiest topics easy to follow. Join them for a history lesson that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening - with no homework required.

The comedy podcast that takes history seriously. In each episode of You’re Dead to Me from BBC Radio 4, Greg Jenner is joined by a comedian and an expert historian to learn and laugh about the past. History isn’t just about dates and textbooks – it’s about extraordinary characters, amazing stories, and some very questionable fashion choices. How long did it take to build an Egyptian pyramid? What does the Bayeux Tapestry reveal about medieval life? Why did it take nearly half a millennium for Joan of Arc to become a saint? And was Catherine the Great really all that great? Whether you want to explore ancient landmarks like Stonehenge and Machu Picchu, dance through the history of Broadway and Bollywood, or find out how the Tudors rose to power, Greg and his guests promise to teach you something new that you won’t have heard in history lessons. Previous episodes of You’re Dead To Me have covered everything from royals to revolutionaries, actors to activists and divas to dictators. Take a stroll through the history of high-heeled shoes or get the scoop on the history of ice cream. Maybe you’d like to paint like the cave artists of the Palaeolithic era, work out like a Victorian bodybuilder, or fight like a Spartan? We’ve even hosted a special, live episode with the BBC Concert Orchestra to explore the dramatic life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Whatever your historical interests, Greg and his guests make even the trickiest topics easy to follow. Join them for a history lesson that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening - with no homework required.

 

#271

Renaissance Medicine (Radio Edit)

Greg Jenner is joined in the 16th century by Dr Alanna Skuse and comedian Ria Lina to lear... more

08 May 2026

28 MINS

28:08

08 May 2026


#270

Emperor Nero (Radio Edit)

Greg Jenner is joined in ancient Rome by Professor Mary Beard and comedian and actor Patto... more

01 May 2026

28 MINS

28:07

01 May 2026


#269

The Terracotta Army (Radio Edit)

Greg Jenner is joined in Ancient China by Professor Julia Lovell and special guest Phil Wa... more

24 Apr 2026

28 MINS

28:04

24 Apr 2026


#268

Medieval Irish Folklore (Radio Edit)

In this special live episode, recorded at the 2023 Hay Festival, Greg Jenner is joined by ... more

17 Apr 2026

28 MINS

28:10

17 Apr 2026


#267

El Cid: the life and legend of a medieval Spanish warrior

Greg Jenner is joined in medieval Spain by historian Professor Nora Berend and comedian To... more

10 Apr 2026

58 MINS

58:16

10 Apr 2026


#266

Empress Dowager Cixi: from concubine to ruler of China

Greg Jenner is joined in nineteenth-century China by historian Professor Yangwen Zheng and... more

03 Apr 2026

58 MINS

58:06

03 Apr 2026


#265

History of the Telephone: 150th anniversary special

For our 150th episode, Greg Jenner is joined by historian Professor Iwan Morus and comedia... more

27 Mar 2026

55 MINS

55:14

27 Mar 2026


#264

History of Spices: commerce, colonialism and culinary innovation

Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr David Veevers and comedian and quizzer Paul Sinha to... more

20 Mar 2026

57 MINS

57:59

20 Mar 2026


#263

Epic of Gilgamesh: myths and heroes in ancient Mesopotamia

Greg Jenner is joined in the ancient world by Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid and comedian Marjolein R... more

13 Mar 2026

58 MINS

58:41

13 Mar 2026


#262

Hypatia of Alexandria: mathematician, martyr and feminist icon

Greg Jenner is joined in late antique Egypt by Professor Edith Hall and comedian Olga Koch... more

06 Mar 2026

55 MINS

55:21

06 Mar 2026


#261

Geoffrey Chaucer: the medieval father of English literature

Greg Jenner is joined in medieval England by Professor Marion Turner and comedian Mike Woz... more

27 Feb 2026

58 MINS

58:50

27 Feb 2026