how did it come to this?

With the death of Pope Francis, the world reflects on the legacy of a modern papacy — but here at How Did It Come To This? , we ask: was it ever not chaotic? In this episode, we dive into the strange, scandalous, and sanctified world of Popes past. From St Peter’s upside-down martyrdom to Popes who were pirates, teenagers, or (in one case) real estate agents selling the papacy — history has no sho...

This week, the year that was. 2024 was full of events, much like any other year, and much like any other year we missed many on this show. From Trump to Diddy, Syria to South Korea, New Zealand Maoris to Social Media Bans, a man jailed for showing truth to power and a man arrested for showing perhaps a bit too much truth to power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, facts and fiction, disinformation and historical truth. The world of the conspiracy can be a deep dark rabbit hole. It can consume peoples lives with men in black suits, chemtrails and boogeymen. But sometimes they turn out to be true. Why do we like a good conspiracy? How can we tell if something is true? Can we ever combat the rise in conspiracy belief? Was the moon landing fake? Was...

This week, higher, faster, stronger, together. The pinnacle of human physical achievement, the chance to be the best in the world, the ability to cheer on your nation with unbridled enthusiasm, the knowledge of a sport you had no interest in and will not show any interest in for the next four years. The Olympics is an international party that brings joy, heartache and pride to many around the worl...

This week, a shot that has massive implications for not only the united states, but possibly the world. A sniper on a roof and a former president and presidential candidate has brought into sharp focus the ramifications of assassinating a world leader. Why would someone want to murder a political leader? How do they even get close enough to try? What are the outcomes when it happens? Can we preven...

This week, creating a nation always comes with pitfalls. The end of the colonial era gave many the opportunity for self-determination, and for some the opportunity to come back. But what happens when you try to reinstate a state when people are already living there? How do you tell someone their home no longer is their home? How did Palestine become Israel? Can there ever be a two state solution?...

This week, the cradle of civilisation has been a hotly contested region since we have been able to record our conquests. Many people groups, kingdoms, empires and nations have called the land of Southern Levant home and it is no different today. Israel and Palestine have been locked in dispute over land of the eastern mediterranean for decades and recent events have brought into sharp focus the di...

In part 2 of our look at the. voice referendum we delve into the indigenous fight for rights and freedoms and the different advisory bodies that have come and gone. Join Daniel Mattes, Siobhan Dougherty, James Tuckwell and special guest Dee Mattes as they continue to discuss this important issue before the vote on October 14 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we have the chance to turn the pages over. From before European colonialism, the indigenous peoples of the land we now call Australia have been a sovereign peoples. From the arrival of Captain James Cook and the declaration of Terra Nullius, the last 200 years have seen a proud history, culture and nations diminished under policies and laws created by a government that did not represent...

This week, two of Australia's biggest international partners increase their rhetoric against each other. Accusations of war mongering, arms races, and recognition of national sovereignty. Of course we speak of China and the US who will potentially decide the fate of the world over the course of this century. Do world superpowers have the right to decide what is the course of our world? Does China...

This week, as pieces of historical significance are returned to Cambodia we were prompted to think about what do we do with items that are of historical value. From the beginning of time, when wars were won, the victors looted the defeated, from Egypt to Rome, South America to Southeast Asia, treasures have been stolen, sold and returned, but where do they belong? who owns history? Can we protect...

This week, part 3 of our coverage of the war in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin. Former KGB operative turned political mastermind. Since early in his life Putin has sought to take control. From the end of the Cold War to the start of Putin’s Hot War, from collapse to creating a resource rich powerhouse. How has Putin’s grip on Eastern Europe changed? How did Ukraine survive in the post Cold War years? Wha...

This week, part 2 of the complex issue that is Ukraine. From Empire to hetmanate to democracy, last week saw a land given and taken by the empires around it. From the end of World War 2 Ukraine has been constantly torn between communism, its people, its land and those who would control it. What was Stalin’s legacy? Why did Russia give up Crimea? What happened behind the Iron Curtain? What's the de...

The first in a series of 3 episodes on Ukraine. Pt 1 looks at the years 980 - 1945. It’s the news story no one can escape. It has been everywhere and we knew we would have to cover it. Ukraine has a long, long history. A place of great natural beauty, home to many civilisations, people groups and empires. It has been fought over, divided, conquered, liberated, repeat cycle. How does a piece of lan...

This week on how did it come to this? Working conditions, bad bosses, freedom to assemble. The history of unionising is a story of what happens when greed rules, when people stand together and the idea that people cannot be quantified by their job. From the slums of the industrial revolution, to the great resignation post covid, how do we see the union movement. Is it ok for a boss to negotiate wi...

On this special Remembrance Day episode of how did it come to this? with special guest Jesse Alexander from the Great War Youtube Channel. From Australia to Ypres, from Canada to Vimy Ridge WWI has always been an event that has loomed large in our national consciousness. What do Australia, Canada and WWI have in common? Is there a right way to commemorate conflict? Why do we put Anzac Day above Re...

This week on how did it come to this? From last weeks long history to a short history of a long war. Afghanistan is in strong Taliban control. It is the place from which Bin Laden launches his attacks on the west. Accused of aiding and abetting known terrorist forces, the taliban invite invasion once again as the US and its allies head into a war with no end goal. How did we get into this war? Why...

This week on how did it come to this? From Emirates to Kingdoms, Republics both democratic and otherwise, to Islamic States and foreign invaders, the land of the Afghan has been fought over for centuries. A strategic stronghold bridging Asia and the Middle East, pawn in the great game of colonial powers, the battle for the heart of Asia has seen empires rise and fall. Where is Afghanistan? Why is...

This week on how did it come to this? A land that has been fought over, settled and invaded. A developing nation that has emerged from the former soviet union more soviet than the russians. A dictator who has been in power since 1994, keeping an iron grip after the iron curtain has fallen. Who is Alexander Lukashenko? Why is Belarus more Soviet than the Soviet Union? How does a country hijack a pl...

This week on how did it come to this? A death that was expected and yet unexpected. The royals have a penchant to fascinate and be the source of gossip. For some 60 years, his life was the source of story, intrigue, rumour, innuendo, and tabloid stories about reptiles. As the husband to the Queen he was the Prince Consort. His Royal Highness, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwi...

This week on how did it come to this? Disease, death and something that can stop it. When the world is destroyed by things we catch, what could we possibly do to control such a force? Who came up with vaccination? Did early vaccines work? What dark diseases ravaged society before we could control them? What has their impact been on society? Why does my doctor have to hide the needle before he give...

This week on how did it come to this? We had to take the long way round for centuries, leading lots of people to ask. Isn’t there a better way? Many tried and failed. Many thought it couldn’t be done. Many thought it was an insurmountable geographical obstacle. The Suez Canal. How did the dream of the pharaohs, become the highway of international trade. Are artificial rivers really a good idea? Ho...

This week on how did it come to this? A car crash that shows the fragility of life, a boy who was a champion, that grew into a man who was a champion. Flaws in the public eye, overcoming adversity, weird families and a sport that seems to pay inordinately above its accessibility. How did Tiger Woods become a living sporting legend? Is there any easy way to untangle a private and public life? Why d...

This week on how did it come to this? East India Company, British colonies, military juntas, democratic elections, civil wars and numerous name changes. The little country in South East Asia known as Myanmar has become the focus this week of international attention after the military once again seized power from the elected government, making it the 5th Coup since 1960. Why has the former British...

how did it come to this? trailer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.