Forbidden History

What happened to Jesus between ages of 12 and 30? In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we explore the mystery of Jesus Christ's "missing years" from ancient legends to modern theories, and what they reveal about faith, history, and the unknown... Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian  Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad cho...

Who was the St. Bees Man? In this episode, we continue exploring the incredible story of the Cumbrian Knight who was discovered in a lead shroud in 1981. This second instalment to the story has us trying to figure out exactly who this man was... Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Chris Robson: Local Expert Dr Robin Darwall-Smith: Magdalen College Archivist Ian McAndrew: L...

Who was the St. Bees Man? In part one of this episode, we explore the incredible story of the Cumbrian Knight who was discovered in a lead shroud in 1981. With his body coated in beeswax, the man was found in a near perfect state of preservation... but how? Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Chris Robson: Local Expert Deirdre O’Sullivan: Archaeologist, University of Leice...

During World War II, Nazi Germany launched a secretive program to harness the power of the atom - but just how close did they really get to building a nuclear weapon? In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the science, the scientists, and the sabotage behind Hitler’s atomic ambitions. Was the world closer to a Nazi bomb than we realise, or was it doomed from the start? Cast L...

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we journey to Portugal to uncover the secrets of the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrotta, where Portuguese forces and their English allies triumphed against the Castilians and French. Could an ancient ossuary filled with the battle’s fallen unlock new insights into medieval warfare in Europe? Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Man...

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the ancient biblical story of the Exodus, tracing the Israelites' journey from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land. Join us as we uncover the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of this legendary migration that has inspired countless generations. Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist a...

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we explore the surprisingly private and complex life of Henry VIII beyond his public image. From his refined tastes and athletic pursuits, this episode reveals a lesser-known side of the Tudor monarch. Cast List: Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces  Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist  Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’...

In this episode, we investigate a medieval skeleton found near Lewes, Sussex, initially suspected to be a casualty of the Battle of Lewes in the 12th century. But with radiocarbon dating revealing an even older origin, possibly the Norman era, the research team delves into whether this could be the first skeletal link to the Battle of Hastings... Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, Universit...

In this episode we uncover the true origins of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a story born from scientific curiosity and the eerie promise of reanimation. Over 200 years later, its questions about creation, responsibility, and the limits of human ambition are more prominent than ever in the age of artificial intelligence... Cast List: Guy Walters: Author, historian and journalist  Eric Meyers: Narra...

In this episode, we dive into the extravagant reign of King Louis XIV, the "Sun King" who ruled France for over 70 years. Discover how his obsession with absolute power and the lavish court life at Versailles transformed the French monarchy and left a lasting legacy on European culture. Cast List: Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces  Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist  Hallie Rubenh...

In 2013, a team of metal detectorists in Janakkala, Finland, stumbled upon something astonishing - a mysterious grave dating back over a thousand years. Buried with two swords, the extraordinary find suggests a link between Christians and Pagans.  Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist  Simo Vanhatalo: Archaeological Field Services, Museuivirasto Paul Macdonald: Sword maker, MacDonald Armouries...

In this episode, we journey into one of the most enduring conspiracy theories of the 20th century: Did NASA really land astronauts on the Moon in 1969, or was it an elaborate hoax filmed on a Hollywood soundstage? We explore the origins of the Apollo moon landing conspiracy theory, discuss the most common claims made by skeptics, and examine how science, photography, and cold war politics fuelled...

In this episode, we unpack the life of King George III, his battles with mental illness and how they forced his son, the Prince Regent, into power. As the king faded from public life, the prince indulged in grand architectural dreams and lavish tastes, ushering in a new era shaped by crisis, culture, and conflict. Cast List: Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces   Tony McMahon: Autho...

In this episode, we’re joined by Tony McMahon to explore the life and legacy of James, the so-called “brother” of Jesus. Was James an early leader in the Jerusalem church whose influence shaped the foundation of Christianity, and a truly a devoted follower of Jesus? Or are there hidden texts or Gnostic writings that reveal a different James than the one we’re told about... Cast List: Tony McMahon:...

In this episode we explore the Nazi regime’s radical urban planning ambitions, from Hitler’s vision for “Germania” - a colossal, totalitarian capital meant to eclipse all others, to the destruction of Warsaw. Cast List: Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press...

In this episode we’re joined by historian and author, Guy Walters, as we explore the mysterious world of the Freemasons - their origins, symbols, rituals, and the conspiracy theories that swirl around them. From medieval stonemasons to modern lodges, discover what’s fact, what’s fiction, and why they’ve fascinated the public for centuries. Cast List: Guy Walters: Author & Historian  Eric Meyers: N...

How did Hermann Göring, Hitler’s second-in-command, cheat the hangman at Nuremberg? This episode unpacks the mysterious circumstances of his death, his manipulative charm, and the unsettling bond he formed with U.S. Army psychiatrist Lt. Colonel Douglas M. Kelley. Cast List: Dr. Linda Papadopoulos: Psychologist Nigel Jones: Author & Historian  Jack El-Hai: Author, 'The Nazi and the Psychiatrist' F...

Behind the image of a stern monarch, Queen Victoria lived a deeply emotional life marked by personal tragedies, private struggles with grief and the quiet use of laudanum. This episode explores Victoria’s intense relationships, from her devotion to Prince Albert to her rumoured bond with John Brown - alongside the assassination attempts and hidden vulnerabilities that shaped the woman beneath the...

Enter Montana’s infamous penitentiary and hear the explosive story of a tense siege, the firing of bazookas and a maverick warden.  -- Bringing you a bonus episode from a brand new podcast from the Like A Shot network. Join historian Sascha Auerbach, and comedian Tom Ward, as they reveal the incredible stories behind eerie ghost towns, ruined mansions, forgotten factories, crumbling castles, warti...

In this episode, we explore the legendary Staff of Moses, an unassuming shepherd’s rod turned divine instrument of miracles. From transforming into a serpent, to parting the Red Sea, we're joined by historian Tony McMahon to help us trace its symbolic power and enduring mystery throughout history. Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian  Eric Meyer...

In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we take a look at the dark ambitions of Hans Kammler, whose fingerprints remain on some of the Nazi regime’s most lethal projects, from the development of the V-2 rocket to the construction and operation of concentration camps. Cast List: Nigel Jones: Author & Historian Dr Michael Allen: Author, ‘The Business of Genocide’ Dr. Paul Jaskot: Author, ‘...

In this episode of Forbidden History, we delve into the CIA’s controversial and secretive experiments that were conducted in the name of national security. From Project MK-Ultra’s mind control trials to the mysterious Operation Sea Spray, the strange outbreak in Pont-Saint-Esprit in 1951, and the conspiracy-laced Montauk Project, experts explore the threads that may connect these suspicious events...

In 1941, Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s deputy, embarked on a mysterious solo flight to Scotland in an unauthorised bid for peace. What drove him? Was he a rogue idealist, or was this part of a deeper plot? In this episode we unpack the strange mission, the unanswered questions surrounding his decades in Spandau Prison, and his subsequent controversial death. Cast List: James Douglas-Hamilton: The Duke of...

TW: The following episode contains discussion of child abuse, please listen with care.  In 1483, two young heirs vanished from the Tower of London, sparking centuries of speculation. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we examine the theories surrounding their disappearance, including the controversial connection to Richard III, whose recently exhumed body has reignited questions abo...

In this episode we delve into the bizarre circumstances surrounding the death of Edward II of England, a king whose tragic end has long been shrouded in mystery. After being deposed and imprisoned by his wife, Queen Isabella, and a faction of powerful barons, Edward's demise has sparked centuries of debate. Was his death a result of natural causes, a tragic accident, or a carefully orchestrated mu...