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.

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Recent Episodes
  • The Arctic (Northwest Passage)
    Jan 29, 2024 – 24:47
  • North America’s First Nations (Klondike Gold Rush)
    Jan 22, 2024 – 21:40
  • April Fools (April 1st)
    Jan 15, 2024 – 16:59
  • Mata Khivi (Sikhism)
    Jan 8, 2024 – 22:48
  • The Birth of a Nation (Ku Klux Klan)
    Jan 1, 2024 – 17:06
  • Festive Special (2022)
    Dec 25, 2023 – 23:26
  • Festive Special (2021)
    Dec 18, 2023 – 19:22
  • End Of Year Special
    Dec 11, 2023 – 22:35
  • Pasifika!
    Dec 4, 2023 – 25:02
  • Extra Helpings 3 (Series 9 episodes 9-11)
    Nov 27, 2023 – 29:28
  • Killing the Guys Who Killed the Guy Who Killed Lincoln
    Nov 20, 2023 – 38:15
  • HERstory - could the future of AI learn from the lessons of HIStory?
    Nov 12, 2023 – 25:44
  • Fake Heroes
    Nov 6, 2023 – 33:19
  • The Battle of Tsushima (Russo-Japanese War 1904-05)
    Oct 30, 2023 – 20:23
  • Charles Wilkes (Antarctica)
    Oct 23, 2023 – 22:31
  • Gregor McGregor (Securities Fraud - 19th Century style)
    Oct 16, 2023 – 16:44
  • Battle of El Pinar 1524 (The Maya)
    Oct 9, 2023 – 21:03
  • The Batavia (Early European Exploration ‘Down Under’)
    Oct 2, 2023 – 21:18
  • The Cadaver Synod (Papal States)
    Sep 25, 2023 – 17:43
  • The Earl of Macclesfield (Calendars)
    Sep 18, 2023 – 21:47
  • Emperor Commodus (Gladiator)
    Sep 11, 2023 – 20:46
  • Kanishka the Great (The Kushans)
    Sep 11, 2023 – 28:26
  • South Sea Bubble (18th Century)
    Aug 28, 2023 – 22:43
  • Samurai (Japan/Warring States Period)
    Aug 21, 2023 – 19:47
  • Extra Helpings 2 (Series 9 episodes 1-3)
    Aug 14, 2023 – 26:37
  • A Bull Moose, Some Rough Riders and One Rogue Horseman
    Aug 7, 2023 – 30:18
  • Opera, Cross Dressing, Sword Fighting & One Very Strange Philosopher
    Jul 31, 2023 – 30:27
  • Matt Preston, the Pirate Queen and a Guy Called Smedley
    Jul 24, 2023 – 29:47
  • Extra Helpings 1 (Series 9 episodes 1-3)
    Jul 17, 2023 – 43:16
  • Wendy Harmer, the 70s, and Jimmy 'Cardigan'.
    Jul 10, 2023 – 28:23
  • P.T Barnum - The Greatest Showman?
    Jul 3, 2023 – 28:15
  • David Hunt, Ned Kelly & Alfred Deakin
    Jun 26, 2023 – 39:07
  • Vegemite (Food Wars/War Food)
    Jun 19, 2023 – 17:41
  • The Sharif of Mecca (Arab Revolt 1916-18)
    Jun 12, 2023 – 27:34
  • White Ship (The Anarchy)
    Jun 5, 2023 – 15:30
  • The 1st Duke of Northumberland (The Tudors)
    May 29, 2023 – 20:48
  • Josephine Cochrane (Women’s Suffrage)
    May 22, 2023 – 16:05
  • Potsdam Giants (Prussia)
    May 15, 2023 – 16:32
  • 1st Afghan War (East India Company)
    May 8, 2023 – 31:14
  • Stede Bonnet (Pirates)
    May 1, 2023 – 17:07
  • Leo Africanus (Timbuktu)
    Apr 24, 2023 – 22:49
  • Wallpaper (Napoleon)
    Apr 17, 2023 – 16:50
  • Varangian Guard (Vikings)
    Apr 10, 2023 – 22:06
  • Lincoln Assassination (US Civil War)
    Apr 3, 2023 – 23:31
  • Treasure Fleet (Ming Dynasty)
    Mar 27, 2023 – 25:56
  • Theatre History (Shakespeare)
    Mar 20, 2023 – 22:01
  • Antony (& Cleopatra?!)
    Mar 13, 2023 – 29:41
  • World War 1 (Donuts)
    Mar 6, 2023 – 23:40
  • Gunpowder Plot (1605)
    Feb 27, 2023 – 24:53
  • Burke and Wills (1860-61 Australia)
    Feb 20, 2023 – 23:21
Recent Reviews
  • RandylandLA
    RandylandLA
    Thanks thanks thanks for all the insights and all the humor! You two have helped me through troubled times by providing two great salves for the soul: learning and laughing. Bless you two!!!
  • daiw
    I love these guys!
    I found this podcast while searching for a different (not as good) one and I’m so glad I checked it out! They keep it interesting and funny and don’t go on and on. The episodes are a perfect length. If you don’t want to hear average, boring history, give this a try!
  • Chrasala1
    Good easy listen
    Informative, relaxed and interesting. Perfect for the drive to or from work!
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