We're Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History

In this episode, Sarah and James look back at the unforgettable British heatwave of 1976—a summer remembered for blazing sunshine, drought, standpipes, and record-breaking temperatures. But was it really Britain's hottest summer? We explore the science behind the heatwave, the impact it had on everyday life, and why it has remained one of the most talked-about summers in British history. From wate...

Viewer discretion is advised. In this episode, Sarah and James explore the disturbing story behind Shadow Over Hammersmith — a series of murders that cast a shadow over West London during the 1960s. As fear spread through the community, investigators faced a complex and troubling case that would leave a lasting mark on the area. Together, we examine the events, the people involved, and the wider s...

In this episode, Sarah and James explore the extraordinary story of explorer Ernest Shackleton and the doomed Endurance expedition. After their ship became trapped and eventually crushed by Antarctic ice, Shackleton and his crew found themselves stranded in one of the most hostile environments on Earth. What followed was an astonishing tale of endurance, leadership, determination, and survival aga...

In this episode, Sarah and James explore the fascinating story behind the invention of television. From early Victorian scientific experiments and strange mechanical devices to the breakthrough ideas that eventually changed the world, we trace the long journey that led to modern TV. Along the way, we look at the inventors, discoveries, and technological leaps that transformed television from an im...

In this episode, Sarah and James explore some of the strangest trends in history — from garden hermits and tulip mania to miasma theory and the fear of “bad air”. But rather than simply laughing at the past, we look at the reasoning behind these ideas and why they actually made sense to the people living at the time. Because history’s strangest trends often reveal something much deeper about how p...

In this episode, Sarah and James explore the strange true story of the in Toronto. What started as a fight 'over a hat' soon escalated into violence, unrest, and large-scale disorder involving rival groups, firefighters, and angry crowds. But beneath the bizarre name lies a fascinating glimpse into life in 19th century Canada — a world shaped by rivalry, public spectacle, and tensions that could q...

In this episode of Made in Basildon , we do something a little different as we turn the focus onto co-host James. James is a 14th generation Basildon resident, with family roots in the area stretching back centuries. In this conversation, we explore what that really means, from family history and identity to how Basildon has changed over time. It’s a personal and reflective look at what it means t...

In this episode of Made in Basildon , we bring together three people from different generations to share their experiences of growing up in the same town. We ask people from a Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Millennial background the same questions to see how their answers compare. From changing communities to shifting lifestyles, it’s a conversation that explores how Basildon has evolved—and what’...

In this episode, we explore the mysterious disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich, who vanished over the coast of Australia in 1978 during a routine flight. Midway through his journey, Valentich reported an unknown aircraft following him—before all contact was suddenly lost. What happened that night? Mechanical failure, disorientation… or something far stranger? We take a calm, grounded look a...

What was Basildon really like back in the day? In this episode of Made in Basildon , we chat with two residents in their 80s who have spent their entire lives in the town. From early memories to how things have changed, this is a fascinating glimpse into Basildon through the eyes of the Silent Generation. With special thanks to Geraldine Evans and Ken Porter.

In this episode, Sarah takes the lead as she and co-host James explore the story of one of Britain’s most dependable family cars — the Morris Oxford . Often overshadowed by its smaller sibling, the Morris Minor , the Oxford quietly played a huge role in everyday British life throughout the mid-20th century. From the early post-war models to the later Farina-styled versions, it was the sensible sal...

In this episode, we take a wander into the legend of Black Shuck, the mysterious phantom black dog said to haunt East Anglia. We chat about the famous storm of 1577, the stories from Bungay and Blythburgh, and how one particularly dramatic church incident helped cement The Shuck firmly into local legend. Was it mass hysteria? A storm-born story? Or just a very large dog with unfortunate timing? As...

In this episode, we explore the remarkable story of the Morris Minor — from its hopeful beginnings in post-war Britain to the final production cars that marked the end of an era. We talk about the Minor Million, why production eventually came to a close, what replaced it, and what became of Morris Motors in the shifting landscape of British motoring. And of course, we reflect on the enduring legac...

In this episode, we explore the remarkable life of Josephine Baker — a woman who defied expectation at every turn. Best known as a dazzling performer in 1920s Paris, Baker became one of the most famous entertainers in the world. But behind the glamour was a woman of extraordinary courage. During the Second World War, she worked with the French Resistance, using her celebrity status to gather intel...

In this episode Sarah serves up a buffet of bizarre, shocking, and downright unbelievable historical scenarios—and it’s up to James and special guest Richard to separate the truth from the tall tales. Can they spot the real history, or will they be duped by Sarah’s sneaky made-up facts? Tune in for laughs, surprises, and a playful dive into the weird side of history!

Hailing from the industrial heart of Düsseldorf, Kraftwerk are the undisputed godfathers of electronic music. Emerging in the early 1970s, founders Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider moved away from traditional rock to forge a revolutionary "musical language" using synthesisers, drum machines and vocoders. This podcast explores their journey from the experimental "Krautrock" scene to the creation o...

Join us as we explore James' own history of heavy metal, tracing the genre's life across five tumultuous decades. We dive into the genesis with Black Sabbath and the DIY spirit of the NWOBHM, before confronting the Grunge Challenge that inspired the groove of Pantera and the rise of Nu-Metal. We examine why metal's dark lyrical themes became the ultimate symbol of rebellion, dissect the high drama...

Step into the Middle Ages — where the facts are strange, the stories are stranger, and Sarah is armed with a list of medieval oddities designed to confuse her co-host entirely. In this episode, our two amateur historians play Medieval True or False , featuring bizarre real events, convincing fakes, and enough chaos to make a monk swear. Can James tell genuine medieval history from the stuff that's...

Join two amateur historians; Sarah and James, as we take a misty stroll back to one of London’s strangest and deadliest weeks — the Great Smog of 1952. What started as an ordinary cold December quickly turned into a city-wide blackout of soot, smoke, coal fumes, and confusion. We chat through how the smog formed, why it got so bad, what daily life looked like when you could barely see your own fee...

Join our two amateur historians as they dive into the remarkable — and often overlooked — story of HMS E22 , a British E-class submarine with a brief but dramatic role in the First World War. From the experimental aircraft-launching trials she took part in, to the tragic mission that led to her sinking in 1916, this episode explores the innovative ideas, strategic risks, and human stories behind o...

Before the thermostat, there was the hearth — and a lot of shivering. In this episode, two amateur historians chat about how people in Britain kept warm before central heating: from layers of wool and roaring fires to bed warmers and questionable “heat hacks.” Grab a blanket and a cuppa as we explore the cosy (and not-so-cosy) side of history.

This week, it’s Sarah’s turn to face the questions — and the pressure! Her co-host tests her on some of history’s most surprising firsts : the first colour photograph, the first laptop, even the first… well, you’ll have to listen to find out. Will she triumph with her historical knowledge? (Spoiler: absolutely not.) Expect laughter, wild guesses, and plenty of unexpected facts from the pages of hi...

Step back into the smog and splendour of the Victorian era, where nothing was too strange to be true — or was it? In this episode our two amateur historians explore various bizarre Victorian 'facts' and try to decipher which are true and which are absolute nonsense. Strangely this is easier said than done!

In this episode, we dive into one of the strangest tales from the 1930s — the story of Gef the Talking Mongoose . Was he a clever animal, a family hoax, or something far stranger? Join two amateur historians as they unravel the bizarre case of the Isle of Man’s most talkative houseguest.

"Welcome to 'Are You Smarter Than a 10-Year-Old?' – a very last-minute, slightly chaotic podcast where we (two grown-ups with questionable brain cells) attempt to answer schoolkid-level questions. Expect some wrong answers, laughter, and probably some humble pie as we realise just how tricky those 10-year-old questions can be. Honestly, it might be one of our worst podcasts…