Oh What A Time...

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It’s time to embark on a journey through history with "Oh What A Time…" a comedy history podcast hosted by renowned comedians Elis James and Tom Craine along with award winning podcaster Chris Scull. Tackling a brand new subject each week, (from ‘childhood’ to ‘a life at sea’, ‘marriage’ to ‘holidays’) your hosts will dive into the very weirdest and worst that history has to offer, in an effort to answer the question… "Was the past as awful as it sounds?"

For all the links, including our Patreon, head to" ohwhatatime.com

You can get in touch with the show by emailing: hello@ohwhatatime.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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292 episodes
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Episodes292

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Jun 1, 2025 · 35 min
#115 Weird Wars (Part 1)
This week on the show we’re looking at wars that were, frankly, weird. We’ve got the Bulgarians and Greeks booting off over a dog, the great emu war in Australia, and how about Honduras and El Salvador kicking off on the football pitch and off it. And do you miss the days of ringing a mate’s landline to see if they wanted to do something? Or do you miss those pre-facebook days of never seeing people again? Any feedback on this weeks chat and correspondence welcome here: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 26, 2025 · 33 min
#114 Inventions: The Sequel (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! It’s time to return to one of our favourite subjects: inventions! This week we’ve got the history of portable music, the various attempts at portable television, plus the emergence of air conditioning starting with - and get this - Ancient Rome! Elsewhere, we’re still struggling to believe we live in the age of hair product innovation and no longer need to iron our hair. Is there anything else about modern hair styling that you can scarcely believe? Do let us know: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 25, 2025 · 35 min
#114 Inventions: The Sequel (Part 1)
It’s time to return to one of our favourite subjects: inventions! This week we’ve got the history of portable music, the various attempts at portable television, plus the emergence of air conditioning starting with - and get this - Ancient Rome! Elsewhere, we’re still struggling to believe we live in the age of hair product innovation and no longer need to iron our hair. Is there anything else about modern hair styling that you can scarcely believe? Do let us know: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 19, 2025 · 30 min
#113 Unlikely Sports Stars (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re examining the most unlikely sport stars that history has to offer! We’ve got Pope John Paul II, the goalie. Che Guevara: the rugby years. Plus, Albert Camus, the football obsessive. And Mr Brightside would be a far better national anthem for the United Kingdom, we know that now. But do you have a better suggestion? If yes: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 18, 2025 · 27 min
#113 Unlikely Sports Stars (Part 1)
This week we’re examining the most unlikely sport stars that history has to offer! We’ve got Pope John Paul II, the goalie. Che Guevara: the rugby years. Plus, Albert Camus, the football obsessive. And Mr Brightside would be a far better national anthem for the United Kingdom, we know that now. But do you have a better suggestion? If yes: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 12, 2025 · 36 min
#112 Liquids (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! Liquids, ay?! Where would we be without them!? This week we’re discussing coffee, drinks in Ancient Rome and.. drum roll please… custard. YES, CUSTARD. Get ready for the best custard facts you’ll ever hear. And what did we do before industrial production of clothing? Nothing at all? Is this why the loincloth was such a hit in the past? Well, if you know, do let us know: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 11, 2025 · 39 min
#112 Liquids (Part 1)
Liquids, ay?! Where would we be without them!? This week we’re discussing coffee, drinks in Ancient Rome and.. drum roll please… custard. YES, CUSTARD. Get ready for the best custard facts you’ll ever hear. And what did we do before industrial production of clothing? Nothing at all? Is this why the loincloth was such a hit in the past? Well, if you know, do let us know: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 5, 2025 · 29 min
#110 Vaults (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! It’s time to take a look at the most secure places history has to offer, from Scrooge McDuck to Colonel Sanders - let’s look at Vaults! We’ll be off to Ancient Rome, we’ll examine where secret recipes are kept and, naturally, we’re off to Fort Knox. If Tom were a medieval King, he would almost certainly have been Tom the Unready. Not sure the rest of us have nicknames, but feel free to suggest them: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 4, 2025 · 41 min
#110 Vaults (Part 1)
It’s time to take a look at the most secure places history has to offer, from Scrooge McDuck to Colonel Sanders - let’s look at Vaults! We’ll be off to Ancient Rome, we’ll examine where secret recipes are kept and, naturally, we’re off to Fort Knox. If Tom were a medieval King, he would almost certainly have been Tom the Unready. Not sure the rest of us have nicknames, but feel free to suggest them: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 28, 2025 · 24 min
#109 Collapse (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re taking a look at the moments in history when things went to pot. Come with us to see Louis Napoleon’s self-coup in mid-19th century France, the frequent dynastic collapses in China, plus: how the Ottoman Empire bit the dust. And why exactly did people look so old and knackered in the past; was everyone on a tough old paper round? Or something else? We don’t have the answers, but if you have theory, do send it on: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 27, 2025 · 29 min
#109 Collapse (Part 1)
This week we’re taking a look at the moments in history when things went to pot. Come with us to see Louis Napoleon’s self-coup in mid-19th century France, the frequent dynastic collapses in China, plus: how the Ottoman Empire bit the dust. And why exactly did people look so old and knackered in the past; was everyone on a tough old paper round? Or something else? We don’t have the answers, but if you have theory, do send it on: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 21, 2025 · 32 min
#108 Rules Based Order (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re trawling through history to figure out how the international rules based order took shape. We’ve got The Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, the huge success that was The Concert of Europe plus the flurry of treaties, conferences, and international agreements, aimed at building a new, peaceful global order in the aftermath of WW2. And this week we’re trying to figure out whether Macha or Mate is the health innovation we’ve all been waiting for to achieve our fitness dreams. If you’ve got anything to add on that or anything else: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 20, 2025 · 36 min
#108 Rules Based Order (Part 1)
This week we’re trawling through history to figure out how the international rules based order took shape. We’ve got The Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, the huge success that was The Concert of Europe plus the flurry of treaties, conferences, and international agreements, aimed at building a new, peaceful global order in the aftermath of WW2. And this week we’re trying to figure out whether Macha or Mate is the health innovation we’ve all been waiting for to achieve our fitness dreams. If you’ve got anything to add on that or anything else: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 14, 2025 · 31 min
#106 Games (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! Come with us, as we roll the dice and shoot a podcasting bullseye as today we’re discussing: games. We’ve got a brief history of chess, the game of life (as in, the board game) and.. the word gams dvlopd by a collction of Frnch xperimental writrs in tha 60s. And why on earth did we as a civilisation take so long to get round to inventing the bicycle? And why were the bicycle prototypes so bad? And has anyone else ever been to the Segway Olympics? Questions we’re desperate for you to answer, which you can do at: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 13, 2025 · 42 min
#106 Games (Part 1)
Come with us, as we roll the dice and shoot a podcasting bullseye as today we’re discussing: games. We’ve got a brief history of chess, the game of life (as in, the board game) and.. the word gams dvlopd by a collction of Frnch xperimental writrs in tha 60s. And why on earth did we as a civilisation take so long to get round to inventing the bicycle? And why were the bicycle prototypes so bad? And has anyone else ever been to the Segway Olympics? Questions we’re desperate for you to answer, which you can do at: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 7, 2025 · 31 min
#105 Forgeries (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! It’s time to trawl the historical archives for some of humanity’s great forgeries. We’ve got the infamous Dutch painter Han van Meegeren and the story of how he fooled Herman Goring. An incredible ruse concocted by ‘Iolo Morganwg’. Plus, we’ll be looking into the stories of those found guilty of ‘coin clipping’ in the 1600s. And birthday cards… Do we need them? And are fake IDs still a thing? So many questions and we need your answers, so do email in: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 6, 2025 · 32 min
#105 Forgeries (Part 1)
It’s time to trawl the historical archives for some of humanity’s great forgeries. We’ve got the infamous Dutch painter Han van Meegeren and the story of how he fooled Herman Goring. An incredible ruse concocted by ‘Iolo Morganwg’. Plus, we’ll be looking into the stories of those found guilty of ‘coin clipping’ in the 1600s. And birthday cards… Do we need them? And are fake IDs still a thing? So many questions and we need your answers, so do email in: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 31, 2025 · 33 min
#104 Lost Property (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re trawling through history’s lost property bin to examine a bunch of famous things that went missing. We’ve got a load of Academy Awards, Lawrence of Arabia’s lost manuscript and Queen Victoria’s lost statue. Plus - did human happiness significantly degrade once jogging was invented? Although it does seem to have done wonders for a certain namesake in San Quentin prison. If you’ve got anything to add on this or anything else, do email: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 30, 2025 · 44 min
#104 Lost Property (Part 1)
This week we’re trawling through history’s lost property bin to examine a bunch of famous things that went missing. We’ve got a load of Academy Awards, Lawrence of Arabia’s lost manuscript and Queen Victoria’s lost statue. Plus - did human happiness significantly degrade once jogging was invented? Although it does seem to have done wonders for a certain namesake in San Quentin prison. If you’ve got anything to add on this or anything else, do email: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 25, 2025 · 33 min
#102 City Planning (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! Ever wondered how cities were planned? Then wonder no more with this week’s subject! We’re heading back to 100BC to check out the pre-Aztec city of Teotihuacan. We’ll see what kind of American city Robert Owen had planned in the early 1800s. PLUS let’s see what our old moustache’d mucker Josef Stalin planned to do with Moscow. And how did we ever survive before the age of the instagram fitness influencer? How could caveman possibly have persisted without dietary advice handed out in 60 second social media videos?! We have no idea, but if you know: hello@ohwhatatime.com If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER? Up for grabs is: - two bonus episodes every month! - ad-free listening - episodes a week ahead of everyone else - And much more Subscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.com You can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepod And Instagram at @ohwhatatimepod Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice? Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk). Chris, Elis and Tom x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.