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Dad and Me Love History

Education Podcasts

Get your kid away from screens for a fun fifteen-minutes, answering the big questions in history! Fun for parents too! Subscribe for free on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and wherever else you get podcasts! Join us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and our webpage. Graphics by Molly Austin of mollyavalon.com Instrumental music by Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com

Location:

Hong Kong

Description:

Get your kid away from screens for a fun fifteen-minutes, answering the big questions in history! Fun for parents too! Subscribe for free on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and wherever else you get podcasts! Join us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and our webpage. Graphics by Molly Austin of mollyavalon.com Instrumental music by Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com

Language:

English

Contact:

+852 98514214


Episodes
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63: Why did Japan attack itself?

8/10/2025
Did WWII really start in 1931 in Asia? Yes, it pretty much did - ten years before Pearl Harbor. Today, we investigate how and why the Japanese Empire attacked itself – and how that led to war with China and beyond! We are joined by expert historian, Quin Cho (Archival Researcher for https://www.pacificatrocities.org/). Quin has literally written the book on this: The Kwantung Army and the Japanese Occupation of Manchuria, available from September 2025. This is the second of three episodes in Dad & Me's series on modern Japan. Check out the photos from our research trip on https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ After the end theme music, you’ll find these questions: When did World War II begin for the USA? When did World War II begin in Europe? In Asia-Pacific, war began between Japan and which country? How did Japan fake an attack on the Japanese-owned railway in Manchurian, in north-east China in 1931? Which country faked an attack against Poland in 1939? Why do you think these countries choose to fake an attack by the other side? Here’s our website, where you'll find photos, info about each episode and links to our social media: dadandmelovehistory.com - here, you can also listen to episodes. We also strongly recommend the family-friendly History Detective podcast, as advertised in our pod. Check out historydetectivepodcast.com! For mature history lovers: read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects are used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2025 © BBC

Duration:00:14:38

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44. Hamilton & the American Revolution (Re-release)

7/2/2025
Re-released for July 4! The one where we play lots of music and explain what it means. The production company behind Hamilton the Musical gave us the full rights to use and publish their music in our pod – so you’ll hear some big numbers in this episode. You’ll also learn a lot about history from a hip-hop musical that treats its audience as the intelligent beings that our listeners are! There are some big plot spoilers in here – but no worse than if you simply listen to the musical’s soundtrack. On Disney+, Hamilton the musical is rated PG-13, but we spare you the worst of the language here. You will hear ‘d**n’ and ‘h*ll’ amid the lyrics of the songs we include from the Hamilton musical. (Lin-Manual Miranda, the creator of Hamilton, also composed the music for Moana; the two sound rather different.) Here are some questions to see how much you understood from today's show: 1. What was James' favourite line from the musical? 2. In the song "Guns and Ships" which country was the superpower and who were they fighting against? 3. What do you think George Washington meant when his character sang "History has its eyes on me"? 4. Do you think different people can believe different versions of the same period of history? 5. Where did they make the new US capital and what is it called? 6. The Hamilton Project found that the musical has what percentage of historical accuracy? Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. Look on our webpage for images that accompany each episode. And join us on: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Have fun! Dad & Me Podcast cover art by Molly Austin Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, 2016. Copyright © Warner Music.

Duration:00:28:18

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62: Why & how did Japan go from no power to superpower?

4/16/2025
Japan isolated itself from other countries for centuries. In the land of the samurai, tradition and honour were central. Guns were seen as dishonourable – until they weren’t. We see how Japan only changes its capital city via anagram (this could be next: Yo-ok-t?). So we investigate the remarkable Meiji modernisation period of a century or so ago, which launched Japan as a superpower – and prepared Japan to be a world-leader in technology, as the country still is today. Check out the photos from our trip on https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ After the end theme music you’ll find these questions: 1. What was a ‘shogun’? 2. What was Kyoto? 3. What anagram of KYOTO did the Japanese capital move to? 4. Which country was Commodore Perry from and what did he force Japan to do in the 1850s and 1860s? 5. Japan modernised its education system, economy, transport, communications and what else? 6. By the early 1900s, Japan’s modernisation made its power rise. What countries did Japan invade before 1941? Here’s our website, where you'll find photos, info about each episode and links to our social media: dadandmelovehistory.com - here, you can also listen to episodes. We also strongly recommend the family-friendly History Detective podcast, as advertised in our pod. Check out historydetectivepodcast.com! For mature history lovers: read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects are used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2025 © BBC

Duration:00:18:29

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61: Nazi Germany: the beginning, middle & end of the Third Reich

12/13/2024
We look at the rise of the Nazis and how they created and ruled what they called Germany’s “Third Reich”. When Hitler became ‘Chancellor’ - that means prime minister - Germany was still a democracy. How did Hitler and the Nazis turn a country with elections and a variety of political parties (groups) into a dictatorship where the Nazi party had eliminated all other groups, giving themselves total power? There are lots of photos from our trip to Germany on https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ WARNING regarding young children: towards the end, we do discuss the Holocaust. After the end theme music you’ll find these questions, followed by outtakes: 1. What does the German word “Reich” mean? 2. In the summer of 1914 in Munich, what news was announced that Hitler liked? 3. Before the Nazis’ 1923 attempt to take over Germany, Hitler was not well-known. When the Nazis tried to begin a revolution in 1923 in Munich to take over Germany, why do you think they failed? 4. What do you think Hitler and the Nazis gained from this failed revolution of 1923? 5. The people of Germany later voted for Hitler and the Nazi Party more than for any other party. When did Hitler become ‘Chancellor’ (Prime Minister) of Germany? 6. What was ‘Dachau’ and why do you think the Nazis wanted it to be built so soon after the Nazis took over Germany? 7. What were the Nuremberg Trials and who was Rudolf Hess? 8. Why were these trials important? Here’s our website, where you'll find photos, info about each episode and links to our social media: dadandmelovehistory.com. We also strongly recommend the family-friendly History Detective podcast, as advertised in our pod. Check out historydetectivepodcast.com! For mature history lovers: read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects are used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2024 © BBC

Duration:00:20:12

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60: Why is the Statue of Liberty so important?

4/27/2024
A beacon of hope, the Statue of Liberty has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States and to a new life. The statue overlooks New York harbour, close to Ellis Island immigration centre: if the USA is a land of immigrants, Ellis Island is where those immigrants landed. Built by France for the USA, there was some debate about which city the statue should be placed in. Then there was how to pay for a pedestal large enough to hold Liberty. We are grateful to Suzanne Mannion, Director of Public Affairs at the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, for arranging our visit, and to our interviewee, Jonathan da Silva, Assistant Manager of the American Family Immigration History Centre on Ellis Island. After the end theme music you’ll find these questions, followed by outtakes and an extra recording we made in the Statue of Liberty Museum: Where was the first federal immigration centre for the USA? What was the ‘kissing post’? Why do you think immigrants would be happy to see the Statue of Liberty when their ship arrived in New York? Who paid for the pedestal - the base platform - that the Statue of Liberty would be built on? Can you name any other city that requested that the Statue of Liberty be placed their area? What do the seven rays or spikes on the Statue’s crown represent? Here’s our website, where you'll find photos, info about each episode and links to our social media: https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ - here, you can also listen to episodes. For mature history lovers: read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects are used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2024 © BBC

Duration:00:18:10

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59: The secret missions that made D-Day possible

12/15/2023
We investigate the special operations that occurred ahead of the D-Day landings of over 130,000 Allied troops on the Nazi-controlled beaches of northern France We look at the role of special troops who parachuted into Nazi-occupied France ahead of the D-Day beach landings. With help from a very special expert guest, we focus on a mission for US Army Rangers at a headland near the beaches, called Pointe du Hoc. After the end theme music you’ll find these questions, followed by the outtakes: Which Allied countries took part in the D-Day landings? What was this operation called? Why did Allied special forces parachute into France before the D-Day beach landings? Why was it important to disrupt railway lines and German communication centres? Why was Pointe du Hoc an important piece of land? What challenges did the US Rangers face? Our website, where you'll find photos, info about each episode and links to our social media, is https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ - where you can also listen to episodes. For mature history lovers: read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects are used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2023 © BBC

Duration:00:30:46

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58: A History of Women’s Football

8/2/2023
The history of the women’s game – from China to Britain, the US, Australia and Europe. Released with our recordings from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, we bring you not only the history but the vibes too – all sprinkled with plenty of dad jokes from James! At the end of today’s episode (after our outro theme song), you’ll hear some World Cup extras, a bonus dad joke from James, and an outtake or two. For a broader angle on football today – from powerchair to amputee – and how we try to make a positive difference, take a look at my webpage and socials for https://www.notyouraverageenglandfan.com/ Our website, where you'll find photos, info about each episode and links to our social media, is https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ For mature history lovers: read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2023 © BBC

Duration:00:23:54

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57. Why is the capital of the USA in Washington? And who was America’s greatest President?

7/7/2023
Today’s episode comes from Washington DC, where we investigate why the capital was positioned there. And then, for our big question, we debate who wins the title of greatest US President ever! We are delighted to be joined by special guest Patrick Lau, who works for the US government in Washington, has a Masters’ degree in political science and is a history buff! He is also a former high school student whom Dad taught a long, long time ago! At the end of today’s episode (after our outro theme song), you’ll hear the questions (see below) and then bags of outtakes! Here are some questions to test your skills: 1. Why was the USA’s new capital city called Washington? 2. Why was the city of Washington built where it was built? 3. How many of America’s first 18 presidents owned slaves? 4. What was significant about the letter Jefferson sent to an African-American? 5. What did Patrick say makes a great President? 6. Why did James choose Abraham Lincoln as the greatest ever president? Our website, where you'll find links to our social media, is https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ For mature history lovers: read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2023 © BBC

Duration:00:29:56

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56: Extraordinary people in World War II: how did they cope with the challenges they faced?

4/14/2023
Today’s episode comes from the Imperial War Museum, London, where we investigate: Odette, the spy; Roy and Bob’s great escape at sea; Daisy’s story of imprisonment in Hong Kong. We are delighted to be joined by co-host Benji – and we are amazed by how he happens to find his own family history in the museum. At the end of today’s episode (after our outro theme song), you’ll hear the questions (see below) and then the outtakes. Here are some questions to test your listening skills: Which museum were we in? Who was the relative whose name Kim and Benji found embroidered (sewn) on a bedsheet from a World War II prisoner camp in Hong Kong? What’s the difference between an “internee” and a “prisoner of war”? What happened to Roy and Robert? What role/job did Odette perform when she was parachuted into France? What happened to Odette after she was arrested by Nazi forces? For mature history lovers: read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Duration:00:14:35

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55: The little town that welcomed the world: A ‘COME FROM AWAY’ SPECIAL!

9/10/2022
We are joined by two wonderful guests from the town of Gander in remote Newfoundland, Canada, where locals showed amazing kindness to people from all over the world, following the terrible events of 9/11. We only briefly mention the planes that crashed into the twin towers: we focus on the heart-warming humanity that followed. This true story is sweeping the world through the award-winning musical Come From Away, and we make good use of having attained the rights to the music! Even better, we spend time with local journalist Janice Goudie and animal shelter manager Bonnie Harris, who found themselves at the centre of events – and at the centre of Come From Away. Janice was reporting on events on 11 September, 2001, as 38 planes, carrying nearly 7,000 passengers, landed at the remote Canadian town of Gander. Bonnie was determined to discover if there were any animals on board – and she received quite a surprise. The population of the town almost doubled in just a couple of hours. How would the town cope? Well, the answer to that is: remarkably! Janice now works for the Canadian Broadcasting Company, and we recommend this CBC cartoon strip resource, featuring Janice, as a way to educate suitably-aged children about 9/11. At the end of today’s episode (after our outro theme song), there are bags of extras – including lots of outtakes, additional interview material and bonus music from Come From Away! Here are some questions to test your listening skills: What was Janice’s job?Why were 38 planes - and nearly 7,000 passengers - forced to land in Gander?What was Bonnie’s job?What examples of kindness can you remember that the islanders showed the passengers?What types of animals were found on those planes?Can you think of a time when someone has shown great kindness to you or when you have shown kindness to others? For mature history lovers: read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2022 © BBC

Duration:00:32:35

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54. Why was Elizabeth II never supposed to be Queen

5/28/2022
Our special guest tells us all about why King George VI was called ‘Bertie’ and why his daughter should never have become Queen! THIS EPISODE IS PARTICULARLY RECOMMENDED AS SUITABLE FOR OUR YOUNGER LISTENERS! In this royally mad episode – which features a record number of majestic jokes – we are joined by a very special guest. Children’s author Susan Webb, who wrote ‘Bertie: The Best Stuttering King’, reveals what you should know about Princess Elizabeth (the current British queen) and why she expected to never be queen. You can find out more about Susan and her writing at https://susanmwebb.com/ This episode has been released shortly ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022 - look out for the special events on TV! At the end of today’s episode (after our outro theme song), there are bags of extras – including the King and Queen of Dad jokes! Also after the main episode, we’ve got some TRUE or FALSE questions – how many can you get correct? Read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2022 © BBC

Duration:00:25:40

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53: How can you save history?

3/5/2022
Listen and learn from a 16-year-old master historian – and hear some incredible interviews! Today we are joined by a very special high school kid: historian Jaxon Hekkenberg. Jaxon is doing remarkable things, teaching us all how we can save history. You’ll hear clips from just a few of the incredible interviews Jaxon has carried out. There are no graphic descriptions – just listen out for incredible stories from veterans from BOTH SIDES of World War II. At the end of today’s episode there are bags of extras (after our outro theme song) – including an insight into the Hekkenberg family’s own World War II family history! Read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Duration:00:25:10

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52. Why were ordinary families kept prisoner in World War II?

2/6/2022
Dad and Me investigate ‘internment’ in America, the UK, Australia, Hong Kong and beyond. Internment was when ordinary men, women and children were imprisoned because they – or their parents – were born in an enemy country, and the country they lived in thought they might secretly help the other side. Listen out for our best ‘prison’ jokes! And don’t forget after the end theme song, we’ve got more of the good stuff, including questions and out-takes – and more jokes! Read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2022 © BBC

Duration:00:22:25

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51. The Best Dad (and Me) Jokes Ever!

12/31/2021
Dad & Me Love History presents a New Year Special Episode, where we go back through the archives and play you highlights from our original recordings of Dad (& Me) jokes, from Ancient Romans to African Moors to the invention of cars! This includes some previously unpublished material. Read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We will bring you episodes throughout the year, so stay subscribed on your podcast app! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2021 © BBC

Duration:00:20:47

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50. Is the history of sugar all sweet?

12/6/2021
Following the origins of sugar takes us around the world, through 10,000 years of sweet but sticky history. Sugar was like oil or gold for a while - so in-demand that people in power got greedy and the powerless suffered as slavery expanded. On the sweeter side, listen out for Dad’s best bad Dad jokes yet! Do let us know (via Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) why it is particularly Norwegians who like to put sugar on their pillow – and listen all the way to the outtakes for bonus jokes! How are some questions to see how well you understood today’s episode: Who took sugar to America in the 1590s?Who invented marzipan?Explain what impact sugar had on slavery Read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available on Kindle, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2021 © BBC

Duration:00:19:55

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Veterans Day Special Re-release

11/1/2021
Why poppies? What’s the Last Post? [HINT: it’s nothing to do with sending mail before Christmas!] Why keep remembering a battle your side loses? What does ANZAC mean? This re-release of a special extended episode is a lot more serious than our usual fun-filled shows, but there’s lots to learn for kids and adults! We talk to veterans about Veterans Day/Remembrance Day/ANZAC Day. We go to an ANZAC service in Australia, where World War One is particularly remembered. Then we go to Hong Kong, which was invaded during World War Two, so remembrance there focuses on that era. We then return to Australia for our interview with Major Matina Jewell. If you know a teacher who could use this episode, please share it with them – and with any other friends. We are grateful to Lindisfarne Anglican College for allowing us to visit their ANZAC assembly, and thanks go to their special guest, Major Matina Jewell (retired). Recurring at points throughout this episode is the sound of Lindisfarne’s School Marching Band, led by Mr. Dale Norton. And thank you, retired Sergeant Kelvin Fawcett. LISTEN HERE Questions for after you’ve listened: 1. What does A-N-Z-A-C – ANZAC -- stand for? 2. Why is November 11 an important date for remembering people from wars? 3. What happened at Gallipoli in WWI? 4. What is the Last Post? 5. Which country is the Menin Gate in? 6. What colour are poppies? 7. Who wrote the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’? 8. Why is it important to remember people who died in wars? LISTEN HERE Look on our webpage for images that accompany each episode. And join us on: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. Podcast cover art by Molly Austin Additional instrumental music by Kevin MacLeod

Duration:00:25:46

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49. The Cold War: when, what, why and how?

10/4/2021
We investigate the Cold War: when did it happen? What happened during the Cold War? Why did it happen? And how? Between the USA and the USSR, things were very cold, whereas over in Korea and Vietnam things got hot-hot-hot! Listen out in the extras for James's Cold War joke - did Dad understand it? After the outtakes, there's a bonus couple of minutes about who invented the 'cold war' - we discover the famous writer who invented the term and predicted the future! Here are some QUESTIONS to see how well you understood today’s episode: Read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available on Kindle, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We’ll be back on the first Monday of next month! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2021 © BBC

Duration:00:27:45

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48. Who Invented Cars?

9/6/2021
The invention of the car made a major change in the way people got around. We discover that the history of the car goes back to Leonardo and that electric cars have been around for ages! James brings you his research on the history of electric cars, and you'll hear his best car jokes! How are some questions to see how well you understood today’s episode: Read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available on Kindle, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We’ll be back on the first Monday of next month! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2021 © BBC

Duration:00:20:09

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47. When, where and how did the Paralympic Games begin?

8/2/2021
Ahead of the para events at Tokyo 2020 (in 2021), we investigate the history of the Paralympic Games. Our special Paralympian guest is two-time swimming medalist Peter Hill. Long before it became a Paralympic sport, Peter was also involved in the early development of murderball (yes, that’s a real sport), and he’s dabbled in many more para-sports. How are some questions for after you listen to today’s episode: Read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available on Kindle, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We’ll be back on the first Monday of next month! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2021 © BBC

Duration:00:51:07

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46. The Olympic Games: why did they start, stop and restart?

7/5/2021
Today, we’re looking at why the Ancient Olympic Games began and why – after many centuries – they were stopped. And why, over 1,500 years after being stopped, did they restart? We are delighted to be joined by Mark Selleck from the hit podcast series Casting through Ancient Greece. Mark digs deep to unearth the truth behind the ancient Olympic Games, and James and Dad – who once visited the Olympics Museum in Switzerland – bring us more up-to-date. And we have gold medal-winning jokes from Dad. Here are some questions to see how well you understood today’s episode: Read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available on Kindle, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II. Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. And share our podcast on social media and recommend it to friends – that's how we'll keep going. We’ll be back on the first Monday of next month! Podcast cover art by Molly Austin All instrumental music is from https://filmmusic.io and composed by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Sound effects used under RemArc Licence. Copyright 2021 © BBC

Duration:00:18:22