Episodes

  • First Shot: The Story of Ernest Edward Thomas
    Jan 28 2026

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    August 22nd, 1914, on a road near Casteau in Belgium, one member of the 4th Irish Royal Dragoon Guards raised his rifle, steadied his breath and changed history forever. Drummer and Cavalryman, Ernest Edward Thomas had just fired Europe's first shot of the First World War.

    Join us as we tell his story, explain his connection with Brighton and The Duke of York's Picturehouse, and describe that fateful shot, taken the day before the first Battle of Mons.


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    39 mins
  • Lightning Never Strikes More Than Seven Times: The Roy Sullivan Story
    Jan 21 2026

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    For our 13th Episode, we are taking a look at perhaps the unluckiest man there ever was, in the true story of Roy Sullivan, the Spark Ranger or Human Lightning Rod.

    Between 1942 and 1977, Roy was struck by lightning seven times, and despite having his hair catch fire more than once and even coming round from a strike and immediately fighting off a bear, Roy lived to tell the tale. That is until he could no longer carry the weight of his bad luck.

    But was it just bad luck? Was it science, or something more?


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    36 mins
  • Sweet Caroline: The Last Kennedy
    Jan 14 2026

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    Discover the life and legacy of Caroline Kennedy, the last surviving child of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Often described as the most famous woman you know the least about, Caroline's journey is a story of resilience, diplomacy, and the weight of a monumental heritage.

    ​Follow her journey from being the celebrated "First Child" of the White House to her career as the US Ambassador to Japan and Australia. We explore the immense trauma of the JFK assassination and the death of her uncle, Bobby Kennedy, and the cultural shift of her mother’s marriage to Aristotle Onassis.


    ​Plus, we uncover the true story of hidden inspiration for one of the world's favorite sing-along hits. Join us for an intimate look at the Kennedy family history through the lens of the woman who carries the legacy forward.

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    40 mins
  • Henrietta Lacks: The Unwitting Mother of Modern Medicine
    Jan 7 2026

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    Discover the incredible true story of Henrietta Lacks, a young mother and poor tobacco farmer whose life changed the world forever without her knowledge. In this episode of Honourable Mentions, we explore the complex legacy of the woman behind the immortal cells that fueled decades of scientific breakthroughs.

    ​From the development of the polio vaccine to gene mapping, Henrietta’s cells have saved millions of lives—yet her story is also one of deep racial injustice in 1951 America. We dive into the medical ethics of the era, the critical importance of medical consent, and the ongoing conversation surrounding bodily autonomy.

    ​Join us as we pay tribute to the "Mother of Modern Medicine" and uncover how one woman’s unwitting contribution became the bedrock of contemporary science.

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    37 mins
  • The Bus That Flew: Albert Gunter's London Bus Leap
    Dec 31 2025

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    What happens when the road literally disappears beneath you? On a foggy December day in 1952, Albert Gunter was driving his Number 78 bus across Tower Bridge, London, when the unthinkable happened: the bascules began to rise.


    ​We explore the split-second decision that turned a routine London commute into a legendary feat of survival. Learn how Gunter floored the accelerator to leap his double-decker bus across a six-foot gap, saving 20 passengers and cementing his place in London transport history.


    ​We dive into the mechanical failures, the media frenzy that followed, and the humble driver who became a hero for a day. If you love vintage London, true stories of quick thinking, or the hidden secrets of the world’s most famous landmarks, this is a leap of faith you won’t want to miss.

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    37 mins
  • The Broken Organ and the Birth of Silent Night: The True Story of Gruber and Mohr
    Dec 24 2025

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    Merry Christmas and welcome to a special episode of Honourable Mentions where, to celebrate the season, we are looking into the lives of Franz Gruber and Joseph Mohr, whose 1818 collaboration in the parish church of Oberndorf, Austria, gave the us the world's favourite Christmas Carol - Silent Night or Stille Nacht if you want to show off.

    But we're not stopping there - oh no - like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, we're going on until the job is done, so drop those turkey drumsticks and settle in as we explore the legacy of the Carol and its part in the famous Christmas truce of the First World War.

    It's a fun packed, festive sleigh ride back in time.

    If you've ever wondered what Steven and Neil's favourite Christmas films and songs are, this is the only place to be. And remember to listen out for an exclusive Christmas message from the real Santa Claus himself!

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    41 mins
  • Fred Kroll: The Man Who Ate Up The 1970's Toy Market
    Dec 17 2025

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    Discover the incredible true story of Fred Kroll, the visionary behind some of the most iconic board games in history. In this episode of Honourable Mentions, we dive deep into the 1970s toy market to explore how Kroll and the Pressman Toy Corporation revolutionised the way we play.

    ​From the chaotic clicking of Hungry Hungry Hippos to the rhythmic popping of the Trouble game (and its legendary Pop-O-Matic bubble), Fred Kroll didn’t just sell toys—he created cultural phenomenons. Join us as we trace the history of vintage toys, the high-stakes business of toy industry acquisitions, and the legacy of the man who defined a generation of childhood fun.

    ​Whether you're a fan of board game history, a collector of 70s nostalgia, or interested in the business of toy inventors, this episode is a must-listen look at the golden age of play.






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    48 mins
  • Duško Popov: D-Day, Pearl Harbor, J. Edgar Hoover and James Bond.
    Dec 10 2025

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    Serbian, Duško Popov was a good looking, exquisitely dressed, multi-lingual international playboy and, as codename Ivan, he was the top spy for the German Military Intelligence (Abwehr) in the Second World War.

    But, under the codename Tricycle, the same Duško Popov was also leading dangerous espionage missions for MI6 and the British.

    J. Edgar Hoover, a glamorous film star, and a future novelist all cross his path for better or for worse.

    Join us for another fascinating Honourable Mentions with a twist in the tale.


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    45 mins