Mikey Robins and Paul Wilson
Heroes and Howlers
A quizzical look at some of history’s quirkiest moments and unpredictable people. Mikey Robins, celebrated Australian comedian, and Paul Wilson, Oxford Historian and author, take you on a raucous tour across many of the strangest turning points in history. This series celebrates the unsung heroes of history and puts the boot into the howlers. It revels in the characters, the cock ups, and the bizarre twists of fate that have changed the course of mankind – sometimes tragic, sometimes comical, sometimes just plain stupid. Follow and Contact on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Author
Mikey Robins and Paul Wilson
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jan 29, 2024
Where to listen?
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Episodes
A Bull Moose, Some Rough Riders and One Rogue Horseman 07.08.2023 30:18
In this episode Paul and Mikey talk to broadcast legend and co-host of the “Suddenly Senior” podcast Ian Rogerson about his hero Teddy Roosevelt. We also find out just what his uncle thought about Aussie fascist Francis de Groot, spoiler alert it’s not flattering! Listen to Ian Rodgerson on the Suddenly Senior podcast here Give feedback and follow Heroes & Howlers on Facebook , Twitter and Ins...
Opera, Cross Dressing, Sword Fighting & One Very Strange Philosopher 31.07.2023 30:27
In this episode Paul and Mikey talk to author and historian Esme Louise James about the complicated life of the sword fighting soprano Julie d’Aubigny. They also pass a sideways glance at a the rather odd man who went down in history as Diogenes the Cynic. Give feedback and follow Heroes & Howlers on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Matt Preston, the Pirate Queen and a Guy Called Smedley 24.07.2023 29:47
In this episode Paul and Mikey talk to writer, presenter and bon vivant Matt Preston about Zheng Yi Sao, the woman who became possibly the most powerful pirate in maritime history. They also discuss the eventful life of Major General Smedley Butler and a foiled insurrection during FDR’s administration. Give feedback and follow Heroes & Howlers on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio...
Extra Helpings 1 (Series 9 episodes 1-3) 17.07.2023 43:16
New Guests, New Heroes, New Howlers! It all means Paul and Mikey are doing more deep dives to find those ‘stories behind the story’. Look out Captain Moonlite, and Sriracha Sauce lovers! Give feedback and follow Heroes & Howlers on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wendy Harmer, the 70s, and Jimmy 'Cardigan'. 10.07.2023 28:23
In this episode the lads talk to author and broadcasting legend Wendy Harmer, discussing Jimmy Carter, Australia in the ‘70s, and some timely reflections on the state of politics in the USA. Follow Wendy Harmer on Twitter Give feedback and follow Heroes & Howlers on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
P.T Barnum - The Greatest Showman? 03.07.2023 28:15
This Season, the boys are mixing it up a bit and will be joined by special guests with their very own contenders for 'Heroes' and 'Howlers'. In this episode Max Markson, showbiz guru and celebrity manager, offers up the greatest showman of them all - P. T. Barnum. Follow Max on LinkedIn , Twitter and Instagram Give feedback and follow Heroes & Howlers on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram See om...
David Hunt, Ned Kelly & Alfred Deakin 26.06.2023 39:07
It's Season 9 and for the new series the boys will be joined by special guests, each with their very own Hero and Howler. First up is Historian and author, David Hunt, but which side of the ledger will he be putting legendary bushranger Ned Kelly? Contact David Hunt here Follow Heroes & Howlers and contact on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Vegemite (Food Wars/War Food) 19.06.2023 17:41
“I asked: ‘Do you speaka my language?’ He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich.” Men at Work Do armies really march on their stomachs? Paul and Mikey tuck into how conflict has transformed food production over the centuries and given us some of our best-loved staples. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Sharif of Mecca (Arab Revolt 1916-18) 12.06.2023 27:34
“Young men make wars…, old men make the peace. And the vices of peace are the vices of old men. Mistrust and caution. It must be so.” Prince Faisal (Lawrence Of Arabia) The Arabian Peninsula has been pivotal since ancient times, and for good reason. Home to legendary figures such as the Queen of Sheba, and thriving trading hubs linking India to Africa to the Mediterranean, its territories have bee...
White Ship (The Anarchy) 05.06.2023 15:30
“They say openly that Christ and his saints slept.” The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Paul and Mikey look at how one howler of a booze cruise plunged twelfth century England and France into chaos. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The 1st Duke of Northumberland (The Tudors) 29.05.2023 20:48
“I wish for adventure. I wish to matter.” Sins of a Wicked Duke Good Dukes, Wicked Dukes and Wicked Uncles - Tudor England had them all. Or was that just Shakespearean propaganda? Paul and Mikey dig deep to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Josephine Cochrane (Women’s Suffrage) 22.05.2023 16:05
“If nobody else is going to invent a dishwashing machine, I’ll do it myself.” Josephine Cochrane Paul and Mikey look at the life of this groundbreaking entrepreneur and inventor, and the rise of the women’s rights movement in late 19th century America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Potsdam Giants (Prussia) 15.05.2023 16:32
“No, not quite naked. I shall have my uniform on.” Curious last words of King Frederick William I of Prussia (1713-40) Paul and Mikey kick off Season 3 by going Prussian! Join them as they cast a quizzical eye over the man they called the ‘Soldier King’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1st Afghan War (East India Company) 08.05.2023 31:14
“ Peccavi - I have sinned (Sindh)” Charles Napier (Major-General British Army in India) The arrogance of the British in India knew few bounds. Paul and Mikey pick through probably the worst howler of them all - The First Afghan War. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stede Bonnet (Pirates) 01.05.2023 17:07
“A merry life and a short one” Pirate motto of Bartholomew Roberts (aka ‘Black Bart’) Black Bart captured over 400 ships and was the complete opposite from this episode’s Howler: Stede Bonnet. Paul and Mikey shiver their timbers and have a look down the spy-glass at the man known as ‘The Gentleman Pirate’. Beware the Black Spot! Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
Leo Africanus (Timbuktu) 24.04.2023 22:49
“I am the son of the road, my country is the caravan, my life the most unexpected of journeys.” Leo Africanus Paul and Mikey follow in the footsteps of one of History’s greatest historians. Their journey takes them along West Africa’s Gold Coast, up the Niger and into the heart of the Sahara Desert - all in search of …? Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...
Wallpaper (Napoleon) 17.04.2023 16:50
“My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One of us has to go.” -Oscar Wilde In this episode Paul and Mikey look at the bizarre connection between the death of Napoleon and one of Britain’s greatest interior designers. Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Varangian Guard (Vikings) 10.04.2023 22:06
‘Steal a loaf of bread and they will cut your hands off, steal an entire country and they will proclaim you their king.’ Norse Sagas Don’t be fooled by chilly tales of beards and battle-axes. Head east with Paul and Mikey, and discover a whole new (warm!) viking world. Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lincoln Assassination (US Civil War) 03.04.2023 23:31
“Assassination has never changed the history of the world” Benjamin Disraeli Sorry to disagree with you, Ben, but the killing of Lincoln had repercussions that we still feel today. Paul and Mikey look at that fateful April night and one participant that history has tried to forget. Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Treasure Fleet (Ming Dynasty) 27.03.2023 25:56
'Whenever I can find the time, I read history books and the classics so as to avoid idle living.’ Yongle (Ming Dynasty Emperor) Big China or Little China? Why did Ming Dynasty China turn its back on the world? Could modern-day China be about to do the same? Paul and Mikey go in search of the answers. Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Theatre History (Shakespeare) 20.03.2023 22:01
“I am a man more sinned against than sinning.” King Lear, Act 3 Scene 2 Paul and Mikey look at one of theatre’s greatest sins - the century and half when King Lear was performed with (of all things) a happy ending! Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Antony (& Cleopatra?!) 13.03.2023 29:41
“I shall be a good politician. Even if it kills me. Or if it kills anyone else, for that matter.” Mark Antony Mikey and Paul ask you to lend them your ears as they recount one of the epic showdowns in history: Mark Antony vs Octavian (Augustus). But who’s the hero? Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
World War 1 (Donuts) 06.03.2023 23:40
“The same intelligence is required to marshal an army in battle and to order a good dinner.” Lucius Aemillius Paullus (Roman Consul and General, conqueror of Macedon 168 BC) A secret but often overlooked weapon the United States brought to the battlefields of WWI. Mikey has a theory but Paul’s going to need some convincing. Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...
Gunpowder Plot (1605) 27.02.2023 24:53
“Here’s an equivocator that could swear in both the scales against either scale, who committed treason enough for God’s sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven.. ” Macbeth Was Guy Fawkes a Catholic terrorist or the ‘equivocator’ alluded to by Shakespeare? Mikey and Paul scour the records and find out more about Bonfire Night than they bargained for. Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/l...
Burke and Wills (1860-61 Australia) 20.02.2023 23:21
“I have often marvelled at the thin line which separates success from failure.” Ernest Shackleton But sometimes failure is hard-wired in from the start. Paul and Mikey uncover why the Burke and Wills expedition was already in deep trouble long before the tragic events of the Dig Tree. Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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