Episodes

  • E120.1: [TEASER] 1926 general strike, bonus episode

    E120.1: [TEASER] 1926 general strike, bonus episode
    May 13 2026
    Bonus episode for our three-part miniseries about the UK’s 1926 general strike, in collaboration with the General Strike 100 project and told using interviews with striking workers themselves.

    In this episode, East London dock worker, Harry Watson, talks about life and work on the docks around the time of the general strike as well as the split of skilled dock workers away from the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    • Listen to the whole exclusive bonus episode without ads by joining us on Patreon. As well as more from Harry, it also includes Betty Harrison who recounts her experience of the 1925 textile workers' strike: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e120-1-1926-155633267
    • Listen to our exclusive music bonus episode where we explain the history behind the theme song used for this series (recorded for us by award-winning artist, Montaigne)
    More info
    • Find out about events to commemorate the strike in your area (and beyond!) on the General Strike 100 website
      • You will also find dozens of stories about incidents which took place during the strike in cities, towns, and villages across the UK
    • Get a copy of our interviewee, Judy Cox’s Revisiting the General Strike of 1926: When Workers Were Ready To Dare
    • More information including sources, further reading, images and soon a transcript available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e119-121-1926-general-strike/
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands and Fellow Worker.
    • Episode graphic: traffic on Westminster Bridge as a result of public transport being shut down. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
    • Our theme tune for this preview is Montaigne’s version of the classic labour movement anthem, ‘Bread and Roses’, performed by Montaigne and Nick Harriott, and mixed by Wave Racer. Download the song here, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube.
    • Edited by Jesse French
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
  • E120: 1926 general strike, part 3

    E120: 1926 general strike, part 3
    May 6 2026
    The final of our three-part miniseries about the UK’s 1926 general strike, which saw one and three-quarter million workers walk out in the biggest single work stoppage in British history. In collaboration with the General Strike 100 project and told using interviews with striking workers themselves.

    In this episode, we look at state repression against the strike, the capitulation of union leaders, and the victimisation of strikers and months-long lockout of the miners after the end of the general strike.

    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    • Listen to our bonus episode to hear more from two participants in the general strike, exclusively on Patreon
    • Listen to our bonus mini-episode where we explain the history behind the theme song used for this series
    More info
    • Find out about events to commemorate the strike in your area (and beyond!) on the General Strike 100 website
      • You will also find dozens of stories about incidents which took place during the strike in cities, towns, and villages across the UK
    • Get a copy of our interviewee, Judy Cox’s Revisiting the General Strike of 1926: When Workers Were Ready To Dare
    • More information including sources, further reading, images and soon a transcript available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e119-121-1926-general-strike/
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands and Fellow Worker.
    • Episode graphic: lorry loaded with petrol escorted by mounted policeas workers watch by the side of the road in London. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
    • Our theme tune for this episode is Montaigne’s version of ‘When the Coal Comes from the Rhonda’, a folk song originating from Welsh miners in the early twentieth century and sung during the general strike. Download the song here. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube.
    • Edited by Jesse French
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • E119: 1926 general strike, part 2

    E119: 1926 general strike, part 2
    Apr 29 2026
    Part 2 of our three-part miniseries about the UK’s 1926 general strike, which saw one and three-quarter million workers walk out in the biggest single work stoppage in British history. In collaboration with the General Strike 100 project and told using interviews with striking workers themselves.

    In this episode, we go into the action of the strike itself, the self-activity of the 'Councils of Action', and first-hand accounts of clashes between workers, scabs, and police.

    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    • Listen to Part 3 now (without ads) by joining us on Patreon
    • Listen to our bonus episode to hear more from two participants in the general strike, exclusively on Patreon
    • Listen to our bonus mini-episode where we explain the history behind the theme song used for this series
    More info
    • Find out about events to commemorate the strike in your area (and beyond!) on the General Strike 100 website
      • You will also find dozens of stories about incidents which took place during the strike in cities, towns, and villages across the UK
    • Get a copy of our interviewee, Judy Cox’s Revisiting the General Strike of 1926: When Workers Were Ready To Dare
    • More information including sources, further reading, images and a transcript available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e119-121-1926-general-strike/
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands and Fellow Worker.
    • Episode graphic: Strikers and their supporters in the Poplar district around the East London docks (where Harry Watson, one of the speakers in our series, was on strike). Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
    • Our theme tune for this episode is Montaigne’s version of ‘When the Coal Comes from the Rhonda’, a folk song originating from Welsh miners in the early twentieth century and sung during the general strike. Download the song here. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube.
    • Edited by Jesse French
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • E118: 1926 general strike, part 1

    E118: 1926 general strike, part 1
    Apr 22 2026
    First of our three-part miniseries about the UK’s 1926 general strike, which saw one and three-quarter million workers walk out in the biggest single work stoppage in British history. In collaboration with the General Strike 100 project and told using interviews with striking workers themselves.

    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    • Listen to Part 2 and Part 3 now (without ads) by joining us on Patreon
    • Listen to our bonus episode to hear more from two participants in the general strike, exclusively on Patreon

    More info
    • Find out about events to commemorate the strike in your area (and beyond!) on the General Strike 100 website
      • You will also find dozens of stories about incidents which took place during the strike in cities, towns, and villages across the UK
    • Get a copy of our interviewee, Judy Cox’s Revisiting the General Strike of 1926: When Workers Were Ready To Dare
    • More information including sources, further reading, images and soon a transcript available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e119-121-1926-general-strike/
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands and Fellow Worker.
    • Episode graphic: car overturned in London during the general strike. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
    • Our theme tune for this episode is Montaigne’s version of ‘When the Coal Comes from the Rhonda’, a folk song originating from Welsh miners in the early twentieth century and sung during the general strike. Download the song here. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube.
    • Edited by Jesse French
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • E116.1: [TEASER] Argentina uprising 2001, bonus – the state and political violence

    E116.1: [TEASER] Argentina uprising 2001, bonus – the state and political violence
    Mar 18 2026
    Preview extract of our bonus episode about state and political violence in Argentina (and beyond). Part of our miniseries on the 2001 Argentina uprising, which toppled the government, and saw the spread of neighbourhood assemblies and factories taken over by workers. In conversation with Tomas Rothaus, a participant in the uprising and author of Argentina, a Tale of Two Utopias.

    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    • Listen to the whole exclusive bonus episode without ads by joining us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e116-1-argentina-151087148
    More info
    • Get Tomas’ book: Argentina, a Tale of Two Utopias: Anarchism, Soccer, Neoliberalism
      • Also check out Tomas’ other book, Another War Is Possible: Militant Anarchist Experiences in the Antiglobalization Era
    • Check out more books about football and politics in our online store
    • More info, such as further reading, a video documentary, sources and (soon) a full transcript for the main episodes, are available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e115-116-argentina-uprising-2001/
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.
    • Episode graphic: pictures of those disappeared during Argentina's 'Dirty War'. Credit: Giselle Bordoy WMAR/Wikimedia Commons.
    • Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.
    • Edited by Jesse French
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • E117: [TEASER] Fireside Chat – Trump’s Letter to Norway

    E117: [TEASER] Fireside Chat – Trump’s Letter to Norway
    Mar 16 2026
    Fireside Chat podcast available exclusively for our Patreon supporters where we make fun of Trump’s absurd text to the Norwegian Prime Minister, and what it means for the rest of the world that the US President is a half-witted narcissist.
    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    When Trump’s letter to the Norwegian PM came out, we all thought it was extremely funny. And, at WCH, we thought we’d try to produce some newsy/current affairs style content for a change.
    As you can see, we failed. The news cycle proved too fast for us, and we’ve basically just made another history episode (albeit about more recent history than usual!).Regardless, we’ve decided to release it anyway. So tune in to listen as Matt and John make fun of everything from Trump’s punctuation and grammar, to his anti-colonial Marxist reasoning for the US takeover of Greenland. Plus, what it means to have a fascist leader in such an obvious state of cognitive decline.
    Listen to the full episode here:
    • E117: Fireside Chat – Trump’s letter to Norway – Available exclusively for our supporters on Patreon
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.
    • Edited by Jesse French
    • Our theme tune is Montaigne’s version of the classic labour movement anthem, ‘Bread and Roses’, performed by Montaigne and Nick Harriott, and mixed by Wave Racer. Download the song here, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube.
    You can listen to all of our Patreon-exclusive podcast episodes by joining us on Patreon at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • E116: Argentina uprising 2001, part 2

    E116: Argentina uprising 2001, part 2
    Mar 12 2026
    Part 2 of a double episode about the 2001 uprising in Argentina, which toppled the government, and saw the spread of neighbourhood assemblies and factories taken over by workers. In conversation with Tomas Rothaus, a participant in the uprising and author of Argentina, a Tale of Two Utopias: Anarchism, Soccer, Neoliberalism.

    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    • Listen to our bonus episode about Argentine football culture, exclusively on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e115-1-football-149318192
    • Listen to our bonus episode on Argentine politics and the anti-globalisation movement, exclusively on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e116-1-argentina-151087148
    More info
    • Get Tomas’ book: Argentina, a Tale of Two Utopias: Anarchism, Soccer, Neoliberalism
      • Also check out Tomas’ other book, Another War Is Possible: Militant Anarchist Experiences in the Antiglobalization Era
    • Check out more books about football and politics in our online store
    • More info, such as further reading, a video documentary, sources and (soon) a full transcript for the main episodes, are available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e115-116-argentina-uprising-2001/
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.
    • Episode graphic: protester in front of the Buenos Aires Obelisk, 20 December 2001. Public domain/Wikimedia Commons.
    • Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.
    • Edited by Jesse French
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • E115.1: [TEASER] Argentina uprising 2001, bonus – football and politics

    E115.1: [TEASER] Argentina uprising 2001, bonus – football and politics
    Mar 4 2026
    Preview extract of our bonus episode about the history and politics of football culture in Argentina. Part of our miniseries on the 2001 Argentina uprising, which toppled the government, and saw the spread of neighbourhood assemblies and factories taken over by workers. In conversation with Tomas Rothaus, a participant in the uprising and author of Argentina, a Tale of Two Utopias.

    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    • Listen to the whole exclusive bonus episode without ads by joining us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e115-1-football-149318192
    More info
    • Get Tomas’ book: Argentina, a Tale of Two Utopias: Anarchism, Soccer, Neoliberalism
      • Also check out Tomas’ other book, Another War Is Possible: Militant Anarchist Experiences in the Antiglobalization Era
    • Check out more books about football and politics in our online store
    • More info, such as further reading, a video documentary, sources and (soon) a full transcript for the main episodes, are available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e115-116-argentina-uprising-2001/
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.
    • Episode graphic: Racing Club vs Independiente (Avellaneda derby), 1968. Credit: El Gráfico/Public domain.
    • Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.
    • Edited by Jesse French
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins