History's Heroes Podcast
Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on extraordinary people from across history.
History's Heroes: the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s breathtaking, high stakes, story-led history podcast feed that shines a light on extraordinary people from across history.
Series include 'History's Heroes' with narration from Historian Alex von Tunzelmann, 'History's Youngest Heroes' with narration from Nicola Coughlan and 'History's Secret Heroes' with narration from Helena Bonham Carter.
In History's Heroes, Historian Alex von Tunzelmann (Radio 4's The History Podcast: The Lucan Obsession/writer of all the History's Heroes series) shines a light on the inspiring and unusual stories of courage, pioneering and people who used their voice to spark change. Heroes covered include groundbreaking surgeon Harold Gillies, composers Rodgers and Hammerstein and swimming champion Gertrude Ederle. Join Alex for stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone.
In History's Youngest Heroes, actress Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls) tells twelve true stories of rebellion, risk and the radical power of youth. Before she became a Hollywood star, how did the young Audrey Hepburn take on the Nazis during World War Two? As a young activist, how did Nelson Mandela attempt to overthrow the South African government to end apartheid? Did Queen of England, Lady Jane Grey give up her faith or face the executioner's axe? Why did Terry Fox, a young man with a prosthetic leg, set out to run the length of Canada? Join Nicola to hear inspiring tales of young heroes both famous and forgotten, whose bravery demonstrates how young people can change history.
In History's Secret Heroes, Helena Bonham Carter recounts untold stories of heroes from World War Two whose acts of resistance, deception and courage helped defeat fascism. In each episode, Helena shines a light on the spies, Royal Air Force pilots, army officers, prisoners of war and double agents who risked their lives to save others. Learn all about forgotten stories of survival, bravery and espionage - from the opera singers who helped dozens of Jewish people escape Nazi Germany, to the woman that Winston Churchill would go on to call his favourite spy.
Previous episodes have looked at the story of the American actor George Takei (Star Trek), who was imprisoned without trial along with 12,000 other Japanese Americans, and Bela Hazan, a young Jewish woman who went undercover at the Gestapo headquarters to fight against the Nazis. From secret missions behind enemy lines in occupied Europe, to underground resistance movements across Germany, France, Poland, Great Britain and beyond, History's Secret Heroes reveals how ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact.
Join Alex, Nicola and Helena for tales of deception, rebellion, risk and courage.
Episodes to download
-
The Marvels of Madam C.J. Walker
Tue 2 Sep 2025
How did Sarah Breedlove become one of the wealthiest African American Women of her time?
-
William Dodd Fights the Factories
Tue 26 Aug 2025
A worker takes on the factory system and demands an end to brutal conditions.
-
-
Xuanzang Levels Up
Tue 12 Aug 2025
A ten thousand mile journey from China to India and back in search of lost knowledge.
-
The Fairytale Life of Hans Christian Andersen
Tue 5 Aug 2025
A Danish man writes a story about human suffering with an unusual hero at its heart.
-
BONUS: Gertrude Ederle Ruling The Waves Part 2
Tue 29 Jul 2025
How has Gertrude Ederle’s Channel Swim inspired a new wave of swimmers?
-
Gertrude Ederle: Ruling The Waves
Tue 22 Jul 2025
Will a young swimmer make it across the Channel and into the history books?
-
Eglantyne Jebb Saves The Children
Tue 15 Jul 2025
How a woman’s arrest in Trafalgar Square changed the lives of children around the world.
-
-
BONUS: Saving Face With Harold Gillies Part 2
Tue 1 Jul 2025
The complicated legacy of plastic surgeon Harold Gillies.
-
Rodgers & Hammerstein in the South Pacific
Tue 1 Jul 2025
A new musical production challenges the prejudices of American society.
-
Katharine Hepburn: Queen of the Screen
Tue 24 Jun 2025
A Hollywood star takes on the double standards of the studio system.
-
Saving Face with Harold Gillies
Tue 17 Jun 2025
Can a doctor rebuild the shattered faces of World War One soldiers?
-
Trailer
Tue 10 Jun 2025
Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history.
-
Ita Ekpenyon and the Blitz—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
Can a Nigerian warden stop a riot from breaking out in a London air raid shelter?
-
Agent Zo's Leap of Faith—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
Can Agent Zo save the lives of thousands of women in Nazi-occupied Poland?
-
Dudley Clarke: The Great Deceiver—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
How did a British army officer use magic tricks to fool the Nazis?
-
Leif Larsen and the Shetland Bus—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
Will the Nazis uncover the secret of the Shetland Bus?
-
The Night Witches—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
A group of Soviet women take to the skies to become night bombers.
-
Operation Anthropoid—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
Two men set out to assassinate one of Hitler’s most high-ranking officers.
-
The Salon Albahari—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
A fashion boutique in Sarajevo houses an enormous secret.
-
Witold Pilecki: The Infiltrator—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
Why did Witold Pilecki volunteer to be sent to Auschwitz?
-
Curt Bloch and the Underwater Cabaret—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
A German refugee risks his life to ridicule Hitler.
-
Noor Khan: The Operator—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 4 Mar 2025
In occupied France, can Agent Madeleine escape from the Nazis?
-
Trailer—History's Secret Heroes: Series 3
Tue 25 Feb 2025
Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two
-
Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope—History's Youngest Heroes
Mon 24 Feb 2025
Terry Fox sets out to run the length of Canada on a prosthetic leg.
-
Hans and Sophie Scholl and the White Rose—History's Youngest Heroes
Mon 17 Feb 2025
A brother and sister mount a daring campaign against the Nazis.
-
Vasily Arkhipov and the End of Days—History's Youngest Heroes
Mon 10 Feb 2025
A young naval officer must choose whether to save the world or trigger its destruction.
-
The Grisly World of Andreas Vesalius—History's Youngest Heroes
Mon 3 Feb 2025
A young man becomes a sensation when he starts dissecting corpses in front of crowds.
-
Rani Lakshmi Bai: The Warrior Queen—History's Youngest Heroes
Mon 27 Jan 2025
A 22-year-old Indian woman takes on the British Empire.