Every episode, co-hosts Ryan Weir and Pete Goddard spin the Wheel of History - landing on a random country, time period, and topic - and embark on a quest to unearth the most fascinating, bizarre, and unexpected stories from the past to prove that History Happened Everywhere!
Episodes
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
It’s episode 105 of THE VERDICT, and the Judge is pulling back the curtain on Magic Tricks in New South Wales during 1603–1868 CE! Prepare to be amazed by the Wizard of the South’s egg-dodging dance, the Wizard of the North’s vanishing elephant, and the real-life magic of The Piddingtons. We also beam up a surprising link between James Cook and Captain Kirk, and meet some Australians who tried to legally conjure their own nation into existence. But is it legal wizardry or just smoke and mirrors? Find out now on… THE VERDICT!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:55 First Impressions (+ The Wizard of the South!)
06:23 More on the Wizard of the North!
07:58 Boldy Going…!
09:34 The Piddingtons!
16:40 The Bushland Sovereignty Movement!
19:48 The Final Verdict!
24:44 Outro (+ UFO Magic!)
Thanks:
- British Pathe: The Piddingtons Keep Millions Guessing (1950) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F70twmRyilg)
Contact:
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
Thursday Jun 05, 2025
Pete and Ryan head down under and peek up Australia’s sleeve to discover Magic Tricks in New South Wales during 1603-1868. We meet deadly wildlife, learn why a sack of bananas is a terrible choice of weapon, and find out how our favourite botanist had a hand in making the Australia we know today. We also reveal the life and times of a globally famous magician who could catch bullets, but couldn’t catch a break. Plus, we discover the European magic trick that made an entire population disappear. Ta daaaa!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro!
01:57 Orientation to NSW!
05:58 NSW Facts!
10:54 History of NSW!
21:30 Magic Trick!
24:38 John Henry Anderson!
45:26 Now You See It...!
01:02:14 Derzolation!
01:03:24 Outro!
Links / Thanks:
- With great thanks to Richard Broome, whose book “Aboriginal Australians: A history since 1788” is available here: https://a.co/d/gdtsdw5
- Home & Away Theme (https://youtu.be/yC8SpHSSNx4?si=oyh7Sm9xOr3Iq23b)
- NSW Blues Theme Song (https://youtu.be/yrWCDpOaBzI?si=FpKGe6EZ9OERLzWZ)
Contact:
Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
It’s episode 104 of THE VERDICT, and Judge Dersley is cracking the spine on our deep dive into Literature in Morocco during 1500–500 BCE! On the docket: Ryan’s ancient-world novel Starsong, the poetic power of Fatima Tabaamrant, world-record-breaking flags, hidden resistance messages inked in henna, and some surprising truths behind Casablanca. Will the Judge give it a glowing review—or a dramatic rejection? Find out now on… THE VERDICT!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:42 Starsong!
09:53 Fatima Tabaamrant!
14:43 World Record Flags!
19:39 Secret Henna Codes!
23:42 The Final Verdict!
28:22 Outro (+ Casablanca Facts!)
Contact:
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
Sand, scrolls, and… Hercules? This week, Pete and Ryan head back to ancient Morocco to uncover a time before paperbacks, when stories lived in memory and myths roamed the land. Expect dramatic desert backdrops, surprisingly fun facts, and a muscle-bound Greek hero with a to-do list from hell. Plus, we welcome the mysterious author of a novel set in this very time and place. Download now for tales, trivia, and a touch of creative licence—on episode 104 of HHE Podcast!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro!
02:18 Orientation to Morocco
12:18 History of Morocco!
26:24 The Labours of Petecles!
42:38 Starsong!
54:51 Derzolation!
56:31 Outro!
Links / Thanks:
- Morocco National Animation | Moomba TV (https://youtu.be/7dmTcInojWw?si=2n3rGkIa0dnM3RYY)
- Morocco National Anthem (https://youtu.be/uIKWKeoCJW0?si=2cxM2LhAmSqoTvrL)
- Starsong | A Novel (Amazon Kindle: https://a.co/d/fy84pw0; Apple Books, Kobo, and many others: https://books2read.com/u/brx5Nw)
Contact:
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
It’s time for The Verdict on Water in Abu Dhabi during the 1970s! Dive into the hidden depths of the Liwa aquifer, stroll through the shady palms of Al Ain’s ancient oasis, and sip history at the city’s first 5-star hotel. Plus, discover how Abu Dhabi tried to squeeze rain from the sky, and why turning seawater into drinking water might just be the region’s ultimate magic trick. But will the Judge find this episode a refreshing splash or a total washout? Find out now on… THE VERDICT!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
03:12 First Impressions + The Liwa Aquifer!
09:23 Al Ain Oasis!
13:24 The Hilton Hotel!
17:44 The Ghaf Tree!
23:00 Cloud Seeding!
26:32 The Final Verdict!
29:13 Outro (+ Coral Project!)
Contact: