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.

 

#233

Alexandre Dumas (Radio Edit)

Greg Jenner is joined in 19th-century France by historian Professor Olivette Otele and com... more

14 Nov 2025

27 MINS

27:56

14 Nov 2025


#232

Empress Matilda (Radio Edit)

Greg Jenner is joined in twelfth-century England by Dr Gabrielle Storey and comedian Caria... more

07 Nov 2025

28 MINS

28:14

07 Nov 2025


#231

American War of Independence (Radio Edit)

Greg Jenner is joined in the 18th century by Professor Frank Cogliano and comedian and act... more

31 Oct 2025

28 MINS

28:08

31 Oct 2025


#230

Early Medieval Papacy (Radio Edit)

Greg Jenner is joined by guests Prof Brett Whalen and comedian Alison Spittle in 9th-centu... more

24 Oct 2025

28 MINS

28:02

24 Oct 2025


#229

The Columbian Exchange (Radio Edit)

Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Caroline Dodds Pennock and comedian Desiree Burch in the 15th ... more

17 Oct 2025

27 MINS

27:57

17 Oct 2025


#228

Jane Austen: the life of a Regency literary icon

Greg Jenner is joined in Regency England by historian Dr Lucy Worsley and actor Sally Phil... more

10 Oct 2025

56 MINS

56:08

10 Oct 2025


#227

Marie Antoinette: last French queen before the Revolution

Greg Jenner is joined in the eighteenth century by historian Professor Katherine Astbury a... more

03 Oct 2025

57 MINS

57:43

03 Oct 2025


#226

Hannibal of Carthage: fearsome enemy of ancient Rome

Greg Jenner is joined in ancient North Africa by classicist Professor Josephine Quinn and ... more

26 Sep 2025

55 MINS

55:21

26 Sep 2025


#225

Alexandria: city of knowledge and culture

Greg Jenner is joined in Egypt by historian Professor Islam Issa and comedian Athena Kugbl... more

19 Sep 2025

56 MINS

56:33

19 Sep 2025


#224

India between empires: the long 18th century

Greg Jenner is joined in early modern India by historian Dr Jagjeet Lally and comedian Nis... more

12 Sep 2025

57 MINS

57:18

12 Sep 2025


#223

Renaissance Beauty: hair, makeup and skincare in the 16th century

Greg Jenner is joined in sixteenth-century Italy by historian Professor Jill Burke and com... more

05 Sep 2025

57 MINS

57:39

05 Sep 2025


#222

Viking Women: wives, weavers and warriors

Greg Jenner is joined in medieval Scandinavia by historian Dr Eleanor Barraclough and come... more

29 Aug 2025

57 MINS

57:48

29 Aug 2025


#221

Kellogg Brothers: a family feud and the creation of a cereal empire

Greg Jenner is joined in nineteenth-century America by historian Dr Vanessa Heggie and com... more

22 Aug 2025

59 MINS

59:09

22 Aug 2025