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Trapped History

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Trapped History is a history reboot for the curious – sharing hidden stories of the unsung heroes we weren't taught about in school.

An award-winning show with great guests from the worlds of entertainment, sport, politics, TV and radio, we tell inspiring tales of forgotten men and women who broke the mould with their courage and defiance. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to Trapped History at our website for our newsletter, bonus episodes and more:

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  • 21 episodes
  • Avg 18 min
  • English

Episodes 21

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  • August 16 · 5 min

    Hall of Fame: Capitalism and Slavery

    Eric Williams was Trinidad and Tobago's first Prime Minister after independence. Pretty consequential stuff. But for us, and for this week's guest Alex Renton, Eric was so much more. Because in the 1940s, he became the first historian to forensically question the economics of slavery. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography has dubbed his masterpiece, Capitalism and Slavery, "the most influential book" on the history of the subject in the 20th century. It aligns the slave economy not only with the expansion of the British Empire, but also with the Napoleonic Wars and the Industrial Revolution – and it questions the motives behind the abolitionist movement. Heady stuff. But also great fun and we thoroughly recommend this week's listen. Enjoy the rest of your summer and see you soon! Head over to www.trappedhistory.com to sign up to the award-winning podcast, get our newsletter, bonus episodes and much, much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S7 · E4
    July 12 · 52 min

    The Lost Nobel Women

    Jocelyn Bell-Burnell on pulsars, dark matter and imposter syndrome

  • June 7 · 8 min

    Hall of Fame: Shooting for the Moon

    In Charlene White's Hall of Fame, we're introduced to a mould-breaking community activist, Sybil Phoenix. She fostered children, founded a youth centre and set up a foundation for young homeless women. Wow. She's been honoured and recognised by the King but more than anything else, she was recognised by Charlene in the streets of south London when she was a kid. Sybil was her hero, the 'famous' person in Charlene's community. Sybil showed that anything was possible and that by working together, everyone was lifted higher. I can't think of a better reason for being a Trapped History Hall of Fame nominee. Enjoy. Head over to www.trappedhistory.com to sign up to the award-winning podcast, get our newsletter, bonus episodes and much, much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • May 10 · 9 min

    Season 7 Teaser Trailer

    We are just busting to tell you about Trapped History's new season – packed with hidden stories about people we weren't taught about in school. Tune in to hear Charlene White talk about Windrush, Joe Dunthorne on his family's troubling past and Dame Jocelyn Bell on the mind-blowing women of science! There's Claire Thomson of 5 O'Clock Apron fame on Marguerite Patten, the cook who kept Britain fed during the war; journalist Alex Renton on how you cope with a shameful family history; and the glittery pop culture clutchbag which is Bond, Queer Bond. You will laugh, you will cry – you may even do a bit of cooking. But more than anything, Trapped History will feed your curiosity and get you thinking about the past, the present and the future. Find us at: https://trappedhistory.com/ https://www.facebook.com/trappedhistory https://www.instagram.com/trappedhistory Head over to www.trappedhistory.com to sign up to the award-winning podcast, get our newsletter, bonus episodes and much, much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • March 8 · 4 min

    Hall of Fame: The Good War Criminal

    Keith Lowe is one of our greatest historians of the Second World War and its aftermath. He joined us to share the story of Ben Ferencz, one of the Nuremberg prosecutors who made it his life's work to fight for peace. Search for Ben Ferencz and the Quest for World Peace: Keith Lowe on the Fear and the Freedom. Keith's choice for our Hall of Fame is equally impressive. Someone who fought to try and change a nation's story of its war. But it is an uncomfortable nomination, because Yuasa Ken was a Japanese war criminal who performed horrendous human experiments during the war. Afterwards, however, he saw the light and dedicated the time he had left in the world to educate his country about its culpability. This is a powerful and unsettling listen, but it is one which we all need to hear. Head over to www.trappedhistory.com to sign up to the award-winning podcast, get our newsletter, bonus episodes and much, much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • March 7 · 3 min

    Hall of Fame: The Martyrs of Matouba

    Joris Lechene joined us to understand the life and afterlife of the great John La Rose, one of the leading lights of Black British cultural life from the 1960s to the 1980s. And a few years ago, he was in the news again as London's Black Boy Lane was renamed in his honour. But the fallout was something to behold. This is a gripping episode – the very essence of Trapped History. You can find it as Black Boy Lane: Joris Lechene on the Legacy of John La Rose. And Joris' nomination for the Hall of Fame is equally fascinating. Because he doesn't nominate a person. He nominates a whole uprising, when the former slaves of Guadeloupe fought to the death against the French. Head over to www.trappedhistory.com to sign up to the award-winning podcast, get our newsletter, bonus episodes and much, much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • March 6 · 4 min

    Hall of Fame: The Violinist of Auschwitz

    Anne Sebba breathed life into the story of the women of the French Resistance, in the brilliant The Women who Ran the Resistance: Anne Sebba on the Forgotten Heroines. And in this Hall of Fame nomination, she does the same for the women of the death camps. Hilde Grunbaum's life is a truly emotional one as both she and dozens of other female musicians would make up the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz. It was a lifeline in the midst of horror. Head over to www.trappedhistory.com to sign up to the award-winning podcast, get our newsletter, bonus episodes and much, much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • March 5 · 4 min

    Hall of Fame: The Barber of the Hindoostane Coffee House

    Sathnam Sanghera joined us to find out all about Cornelia Sorabji, the first woman to graduate from an Indian university, the first woman anywhere to get a law degree – from Oxford at that – and the first woman to represent the accused in a criminal case in a British-run court. Her story is incredible – but even more astonishing is the tale Sathnam brings to the Hall of Fame: that of Dean Mahomed, an Indian surgeon, soldier and writer who settled in England. Which is where he established the country's first Indian restaurant and introduced the art of "shampooing" to Europe. Prepare to be amazed! And then, head over to the main episode to hear all about The Indian Imperialist: Sathnam Sanghera on the Curious Cornelia Sorabji. Head over to www.trappedhistory.com to sign up to the award-winning podcast, get our newsletter, bonus episodes and much, much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • March 4 · 6 min

    Hall of Fame: The Master of Memorials

    Sculptor Ian Wolter accompanied us on a cold and windy day to the mesmerising Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice. The insights of a practising artist were priceless and so his choice for the Trapped History Hall of Fame is equally insightful. Charles Jagger was a prize-winning young sculptor on the up when the First World War broke out. He quickly signed up and served in the trenches and at Gallipoli. He was awarded the Military Cross and was wounded three times. On his return to civilian life, Charles was a changed man. And a changed artist too. Because while he would create many sculptures and statues which were not war-related, it is for his war memorials which he is remembered. They can be found in Belgium, France, Egypt and Australia but perhaps his most famous and heart-breaking one is London's Royal Artillery Memorial. Ian is the perfect guide to the work and the emotions behind it. So when you've listened to this, head over to the main episode to hear Remembering the Ordinary: The Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice. Head over to www.trappedhistory.com to sign up to the award-winning podcast, get our newsletter, bonus episodes and much, much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • March 3 · 3 min

    Hall of Fame: The First Black Fighter Pilot

    The RAF pilot Trevor Edwards joined us to marvel at the life and times of Johnny Smythe. But here, he goes back to the very beginning and nominates Robbie Clarke, the very first Black RAF pilot. Robbie's was a charmed life – a mechanic who would be one of the first Jamaicans to drive a car, he crossed the Atlantic to sign up in 1915. Joining the Royal Flying Corps, he gained his wings in April 1917, making him the first Allied Black wartime pilot. It's an inspiring story so when you're done with this, head over to the main episode to hear about The Four Heroic Lives of Johnny Smythe. Head over to www.trappedhistory.com to sign up to the award-winning podcast, get our newsletter, bonus episodes and much, much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • March 2 · 5 min

    Hall of Fame: The Singer's Singer

    Join us as Stephen Bourne unveils his Hall of fame nominee. You may remember, Stephen was our guest on our episode about the forgotten singer who was Adelaide Hall, and he doesn't stray far from the path here! Mabel was born in Burton-upon-Trent, but she made her name in Paris and New York, where Cole Porter, Gertrude Stein and even Ol' Blue Eyes himself fell under her spell. Her story is eye-opening and a real counterpoint to Adelaide's. When you've finished with this, turn to the main episode: Adelaide Hall – The Greatest Singer you've Never Heard Of. Head over to www.trappedhistory.com to sign up to the award-winning podcast, get our newsletter, bonus episodes and much, much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes