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
Updated Sunday
Explicit

Episodes292

Newest first

Mar 24, 2025 · 47 min
#102 City Planning (Part 1)
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.
Mar 20, 2025 · 25 min
BONUS EPISODE! 4th Parts from #34 Health and Fitness and #36 Presidents
It’s another bonus episode! Featuring a couple of excerpts from our legendary 4th part megasode for OWAT: Full Timers - that famous episode which contains multiple never-heard-before on the main feed 4th parts to some of our earlier episodes. Today we’re delighted to present two 4th parts from: #34 Health and Fitness #36 Presidents And if you fancy hearing the full 4th part megasode PLUS a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not 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). Hope you enjoy the bonus ep and see you next week! Chris, Tom and Elis x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 19, 2025 · 38 min
BONUS EPISODE! 4th Parts from #32 Escapes and #33 Conflict
Just when you thought it was safe to relax, we surprise you with a bonus episode featuring a couple of excerpts from our legendary 4th part megasode for OWAT: Full Timers - that famous episode which contains multiple never-heard-before on the main feed 4th parts to some of our earlier episodes. Today we’re delighted to present two 4th parts from: #32 Escapes #33 Conflict And if you fancy hearing the full 4th part megasode PLUS a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not 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). Hope you enjoy the bonus ep! Chris, Tom and Elis x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 18, 2025 · 36 min
#101 Diarists (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! Grab your quill, a notebook and some candlelight, as this week we’re looking at some of the finest diarists history has to offer. We’ve got Einstein! We’ve got Anna Dostoevskaya along with Sofia Tolstaya and the diaries they wrote on their husbands. And no episode on diarists would be complete without the man himself, Samuel Pepys. And this week we’re consumed with: when did shame begin? Was it over a failure to get some decent berries for dinner? Did ancient man once forget to wipe his bum? Please send us your theories: 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 17, 2025 · 31 min
#101 Diarists (Part 1)
Grab your quill, a notebook and some candlelight, as this week we’re looking at some of the finest diarists history has to offer. We’ve got Einstein! We’ve got Anna Dostoevskaya along with Sofia Tolstaya and the diaries they wrote on their husbands. And no episode on diarists would be complete without the man himself, Samuel Pepys. And this week we’re consumed with: when did shame begin? Was it over a failure to get some decent berries for dinner? Did ancient man once forget to wipe his bum? Please send us your theories: 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 11, 2025 · 33 min
#97 Walls (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re not building walls or tearing them down, in fact, we’re simply talking about them. But what a collection of walls we have: the Great Wall of China, Hadrian’s Wall and the Berlin Wall. And elsewhere, isn’t schooling far more complicated these days?! No one being educated in a Victorian Workhouse ever had to worry about an outfit for world book day - so did that make it easier? (Possibly not). But if you have anything unusual about the area you grew up in then please 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 10, 2025 · 41 min
#97 Walls (Part 1)
This week we’re not building walls or tearing them down, in fact, we’re simply talking about them. But what a collection of walls we have: the Great Wall of China, Hadrian’s Wall and the Berlin Wall. And elsewhere, isn’t schooling far more complicated these days?! No one being educated in a Victorian Workhouse ever had to worry about an outfit for world book day - so did that make it easier? (Possibly not). But if you have anything unusual about the area you grew up in then please 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 4, 2025 · 28 min
#96 Quirky Monarchs (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week on the show we’re discussing regents who were, let’s say, a bit different. We’ll be meeting the 11th century Norwegian King Magnus Barefoot, we’ve got the avid collector that was George III and let’s find out how terrible Russia’s Ivan the Terrible actually is. And this week we’re bemoaning expiry dates and the roulette of consuming slightly off food. Elis is happy to consume nuts that are 8 years out of date, but as Tom points out.. “you never see a squirrel with a Tommy ache”. If you’ve got anything on this 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.
Mar 3, 2025 · 35 min
#96 Quirky Monarchs (Part 1)
This week on the show we’re discussing regents who were, let’s say, a bit different. We’ll be meeting the 11th century Norwegian King Magnus Barefoot, we’ve got the avid collector that was George III and let’s find out how terrible Russia’s Ivan the Terrible actually is. And this week we’re bemoaning expiry dates and the roulette of consuming slightly off food. Elis is happy to consume nuts that are 8 years out of date, but as Tom points out.. “you never see a squirrel with a Tommy ache”. If you’ve got anything on this 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.
Feb 25, 2025 · 30 min
#95 Trees (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! Who doesn’t love a good tree? This week we’ll discuss the awesome spectacle of the American sequoia, the slightly less massive Bonsai tree and the use of trees in political imagery. Elsewhere, the debate is raging: what’s the most ‘off’ thing you’ve ever eaten? And what is the most universal sign of danger? If you’ve got anything on these topics or anything else, do get in touch with the show: 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.
Feb 24, 2025 · 36 min
#95 Trees (Part 1)
Who doesn’t love a good tree? This week we’ll discuss the awesome spectacle of the American sequoia, the slightly less massive Bonsai tree and the use of trees in political imagery. Elsewhere, the debate is raging: what’s the most ‘off’ thing you’ve ever eaten? And what is the most universal sign of danger? If you’ve got anything on these topics or anything else, do get in touch with the show: 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.
Feb 20, 2025 · 26 min
BONUS EPISODE! 4th Parts from #30 Discoveries and #31 Myths
Just when you thought it was safe to relax, we surprise you with a bonus episode featuring a couple of excerpts from our legendary 4th part megasode for OWAT: Full Timers - that famous episode which contains multiple never-heard-before on the main feed 4th parts to some of our earlier episodes. Today we’re delighted to present two 4th parts from: #30 Discoveries #31 Myths And if you fancy hearing the full 4th part megasode PLUS a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not 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). Hope you enjoy the bonus ep and see you next week! Chris, Tom and Elis x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 18, 2025 · 33 min
#94 Canals (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! Finally, AN EPISODE ON ARTIFICIAL WATERWAYS. Come with us as we dig our way through the jungle to form the Panama Canal, we traipse back to Glastonbury to check out their canal, and we’re off to ancient China to take a look at the world’s oldest canal. And this week we hear all about Alex Brooker’s hot tub boat tour of New York. Plus, more on Donald Trump once doing the Rumbelows League Cup draw. And Margaret Thatcher’s failed stand-up career. So once again, if you’ve got anything to add to the conversation, do drop us an electronic mail: 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.
Feb 17, 2025 · 33 min
#94 Canals (Part 1)
Finally, AN EPISODE ON ARTIFICIAL WATERWAYS. Come with us as we dig our way through the jungle to form the Panama Canal, we traipse back to Glastonbury to check out their canal, and we’re off to ancient China to take a look at the world’s oldest canal. And this week we hear all about Alex Brooker’s hot tub boat tour of New York. Plus, more on Donald Trump once doing the Rumbelows League Cup draw. And Margaret Thatcher’s failed stand-up career. So once again, if you’ve got anything to add to the conversation, do drop us an electronic mail: 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.
Feb 11, 2025 · 36 min
#93 Cover ups (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! We’ve touched on conspiracies on the show, but this week we have for 100% true conspiracies that really did happen - it’s Cover Ups! We’ll have the Ozyorsk Disaster hidden away by the Soviets, what the US Government really knew about bootlegging during prohibition and how Margaret Thatcher prepared to battle the striking minders of the 1980s. And boy are we glad we’re in the elastic age with pants securely tightened in-place. And do you work in a place that sells a historic food or drink? You can get in touch via the medium of the future, whenever you want: 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.
Feb 10, 2025 · 39 min
#93 Cover ups (Part 1)
We’ve touched on conspiracies on the show, but this week we have for 100% true conspiracies that really did happen - it’s Cover Ups! We’ll have the Ozyorsk Disaster hidden away by the Soviets, what the US Government really knew about bootlegging during prohibition and how Margaret Thatcher prepared to battle the striking minders of the 1980s. And boy are we glad we’re in the elastic age with pants securely tightened in-place. And do you work in a place that sells a historic food or drink? You can get in touch via the medium of the future, whenever you want: 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.
Feb 4, 2025 · 32 min
#91 Ghost Stories (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re looking at horror throughout literature. Come with us as we meet the undead of Ancient Greece, Werewolves and the absolutely terrifying Wendigo. And are we in the golden age of the peeler? Would stone-age man have struggled to peel all the potatoes and carrots for Christmas dinner using flint? I mean, who knows. But if you’ve got anything to add on this or anything else, hit us up 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.
Feb 3, 2025 · 32 min
#91 Ghost Stories (Part 1)
This week we’re looking at horror throughout literature. Come with us as we meet the undead of Ancient Greece, Werewolves and the absolutely terrifying Wendigo. And are we in the golden age of the peeler? Would stone-age man have struggled to peel all the potatoes and carrots for Christmas dinner using flint? I mean, who knows. But if you’ve got anything to add on this or anything else, hit us up 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.
Jan 28, 2025 · 32 min
#89 Cancel Culture (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed! This week we’re trawling through history to discover how people got cancelled in the past. We’ll have the ancient Egyptians striking people from the record, how Stalin photoshopped associates away and how ‘getting cancelled’ worked during the European renaissance. And when did New Year’s resolutions kick in? Did anyone ever think “this year of 1024 is going to be MY year!”? If you’ve got anything on this, OR MEAD to be fair, please do drop us an 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.
Jan 27, 2025 · 33 min
#89 Cancel Culture (Part 1)
This week we’re trawling through history to discover how people got cancelled in the past. We’ll have the ancient Egyptians striking people from the record, how Stalin photoshopped associates away and how ‘getting cancelled’ worked during the European renaissance. And when did New Year’s resolutions kick in? Did anyone ever think “this year of 1024 is going to be MY year!”? If you’ve got anything on this, OR MEAD to be fair, please do drop us an 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.