Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan tell the wild stories of some of the most extraordinary men and women ever to have lived – and ask whether they have the reputation they deserve.
Should Nina Simone’s role in the civil rights movement be more celebrated than it is?
When you find out what Picasso got up to in his studio, can you still admire his art?
And ... Show More
Yesterday
163. Prison Reform, Masculinity, and Restorative Justice (James Graham and Jacob Dunne)
Jacob Dunne killed someone as a teenager, how did he seek forgiveness from his victim’s parents? What is restorative justice? How did Jacob’s experience of the criminal justice system compel him to become a campaigner for this alternative idea of justice? How does James Graham be ... Show More
1h 10m
Nov 10
161. Putin, Trump, and 500 Years of Resisting Russia (Radek Sikorski)
What was it like for Radek Sikorski to be a refugee in the UK from communist Poland in the 80s? How will the war in Ukraine come to an end? Why is populism on the rise in Europe and how do we fight it?
Rory and Alastair are joined by Radek Sikorski, Polish Deputy Prime Ministe ... Show More
57m 53s
Jan 2024
Blazing Ambition: the Life of Margaret Cavendish
Born near Colchester, England in 1623, Margaret Cavendish was a writer blazing a trail for women during a time when the world was dominated by men. Her writing ranges from philosophy to poetry, plays and also includes what is now considered to be a proto-science fiction novel, Th ... Show More
54m 34s
Jul 2023
Scottish Kings' Sex Lives
<p>One thing royal families strive for is the common touch. Whilst some have struggled with it, King James IV and V in the 15th and 16th centuries excelled in it. </p><br><p>It could be said, however, they took the term ‘common touch’ too literally, as it wasn’t uncommon for ... Show More
47m 17s
Jul 2021
Honoring the Wives of the Movement.
While I'm away on vacation, the staff at The North Star will be playing some of our favorite episodes from some of our other podcast series. Today,
Here's a replay of a special time when my wife, Rai King, took over The Breakdown to talk about the lives and legacies of Myrlie Ev ... Show More
23m 8s