History Rhymes

The First Crusade was one of the most extraordinary and consequential journeys in medieval history. What began with Pope Urban II’s call to arms at the Council of Clermont in 1095 would send thousands of people across Europe and the Middle East on a brutal campaign that ultimately ended with the capture of Jerusalem. In this episode, Tom Allen and Jono Saye explore the origins of the Crusade, the...

In November 1095, Pope Urban II addressed a crowd at the Council of Clermont in France. His appeal for Western Christians to come to the aid of their fellow Christians in the East helped ignite one of the most consequential movements in medieval history: the Crusades. In this opening episode of an ambitious new series, Tom Allen and Jono Saye go back before the First Crusade to understand the worl...

The History Rhymes trilogy reaches the 1980s and beyond as Tom Allen and Jono Saye continue their survey of the Israel-Palestine conflict — from the First Lebanon War all the way to October 7, 2023.This episode begins with Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon, the evacuation of the PLO, and the emergence of Hezbollah. From there, we follow the First Intifada, the Oslo Accords, the assassination o...

How much violence does it take to bring people to the diplomatic table? In this episode of History Rhymes, Tom Allen and Jono Saye continue their journey through the Arab-Israeli conflict, focusing on the turbulent 1970s. Following Israel's stunning victory in the 1967 Six-Day War, the balance of power appears firmly established — but the Yom Kippur War of 1973 dramatically challenges that ass...

Israel and Palestine. The conflict dominates the headlines, but how did we actually get here? In this episode of History Rhymes, Tom and Jono go back thousands of years to explore the history behind the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — from ancient Israel and Jerusalem, through the Roman and Ottoman Empires, the rise of Zionism, the First World War and the Balfour Declaration, to the British Mandate...

Alexander the Great had conquered the Persian Empire, but he still wasn’t finished. In the final chapter of our Alexander series, Tom and Jono follow Alexander through Sogdiana, his marriage to Roxana, his increasingly volatile rule, the killing of Cleitus, and his march into India to face King Porus and his war elephants. Alexander wins again, but eventually his exhausted army refuses to go any f...

What happens after you've conquered the greatest empire on Earth? In Part 2 of our Alexander the Great series, Tom Allen and Jono Saye continue the story of one of history's most extraordinary military leaders. Picking up after the Siege of Tyre, we follow Alexander's march through Gaza , into Egypt , across the heart of the Persian Empire , and deeper into the legend that would define...

How does a 20-year-old inherit a kingdom… and within little more than a decade conquer the largest empire the world had ever seen? In this episode of History Rhymes , Tom Allen and Jono Saye tackle one of history's most legendary figures: Alexander the Great . From his childhood under Philip II of Macedon , his education under Aristotle , and the influence of his fiercely ambitious mother Olym...

Who were Canada's greatest Prime Ministers—and how did they shape the country we know today? In this episode of History Rhymes, Tom Allen and Jono Saye continue their journey through Canadian history, picking up after the Great Depression and World War II to explore the modern Prime Ministers who transformed Canada. From Louis St. Laurent and the Trans-Canada Highway to John Diefenbaker, Lester B....

What do a binge-drinking founding father, political scandals, nation-building, and some surprisingly powerful leaders have in common? In this episode of History Rhymes , Tom and Jono dive into the fascinating history of Canada's Prime Ministers. From Confederation to the personalities that shaped the country, this first installment explores the men who built modern Canada—and some of the bizar...

Why is modern Iran so suspicious of foreign powers? In Part 2 of our Iran series, we move from ancient Persia into the modern era, exploring the events that shaped the relationship between Iran, Britain, and the United States. From the rise of oil and foreign influence to Operation Ajax, the Shah, the Cold War, and the roots of modern anti-Western sentiment, this episode examines the historical fo...

What actually caused the modern conflict with Iran? In this episode of the History Rhymes podcast, we break down the history of modern Iran — from the ancient Persian Empire to the rise of the Islamic Republic — and explore how events like Operation Ajax, Cold War politics, oil, and foreign intervention shaped the Middle East we know today. We dive into the CIA-backed 1953 coup, the role of Britai...

THIS IS A TEST

How does a republic fall… and one man take control? In this final episode of our Julius Caesar series, we follow Julius Caesar at the height of his power—where military dominance, political influence, and narrative control collide. From the Gallic Wars to the consolidation of power in Rome, this episode breaks down how Caesar transforms from a rising figure into an unstoppable force—and why the sy...

Before he ruled Rome, Julius Caesar built something even more powerful: his name. This episode follows Caesar’s rise through politics, influence, and calculated risk—where branding, alliances, and ambition collide inside a fragile republic. From massive public spending and political maneuvering to forming alliances with Pompey the Great and Marcus Licinius Crassus, we break down how Caesar climbs...

One of the most famous leaders in history, Julius Caesar has been immortalized as one of the greatest (or most infamous) names of all time. Join Tom and Jono as they connect the dots of Julius Caesar's life to modern-day leaders and the decisions they make that impact us today.

Possibly the greatest podcast in history! Join Tom and Jono as they connect the dots of the past to our present and find out if history really does rhyme.