Datepie Podcast

The final episode before a well-earned break takes us to a New Year’s Eve dinner at the Ingunandon, Crystal Palace, as the year closes where it began: talking nonsense with purpose. We reflect on a full year of daily episodes, unexpected stories, strange history, and the relentless grind of turning up every single day. Mungo delivers the usual boring old stuff - a fitting end.

Grigori Rasputin’s rise from Siberian mystic to royal powerbroker is explored as we trace how he gained influence over Russia’s last imperial family. This episode covers his reputation for healing, rumours of excess and manipulation, repeated assassination attempts, and the violent night that finally ended his grip on the Romanovs. A factual look at how Rasputin became one of history’s most notorious and misunderstood figures.

Michael Schumacher’s devastating skiing accident is revisited as we look at what happened in the French Alps in 2013, the severity of his head injuries, and how the crash abruptly ended one of the greatest careers in Formula One history. This episode covers the immediate aftermath, the medical response, the intense privacy surrounding his recovery, and how Schumacher’s legacy continues to shape F1 long after the accident that changed everything.

A bizarre case of 12 chickens found dead takes a strange scientific turn when the frozen bodies appeared to breathe fire. This episode explains what actually happened, how gases produced during decomposition can ignite, why freezing preserved the effect, and how the incident spread as a viral mystery. A grounded look at the science behind one of the internet’s strangest animal stories.

Mehmet Ali Ağca’s attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II is examined as we trace how the Turkish gunman opened fire in Vatican City in 1981. This episode looks at Ağca’s background, claims of militant training, the shooting in St Peter’s Square, and the international investigations that followed. A factual breakdown of one of the most shocking attacks on a religious leader in modern history, and the unanswered questions that still surround the man who pulled the trigger.

Boxing Day gets unpacked properly as we explore where the name actually comes from, the history behind the “boxes” of charity and gifts, and how the day evolved from Victorian Britain into a modern mix of traditions. This episode covers classic Boxing Day customs, from sporting fixtures to leftovers and sales, and why the day still sits so oddly between Christmas and normal life.

This Christmas special brings together Charlie Chaplin and the James Webb Space Telescope, linking silent-film genius with the sharpest eye humanity has ever sent into space. We explore Chaplin’s life, influence, and cultural legacy alongside how JWST is rewriting our understanding of the universe, from distant galaxies to the origins of light itself. A festive episode balancing cinema history with cosmic discovery.

Wow, it’s a Christmas miracle indeed. This new segment explores astonishing true events that happened against all odds, including the World War I Christmas Truce football match, the Apollo mission broadcast from space on Christmas Eve, and a devastating plane crash that somehow produced moments of survival and hope. A focused look at how humanity keeps finding light in history’s darkest winters.

A murder committed just before Christmas stunned investigators when the killer attempted to hide the body inside a pizza oven on 23 December. This episode breaks down the timeline of the crime, how the body was discovered, the forensic evidence that exposed the attempt to destroy it, and why the case became one of the most disturbing holiday-season murders on record. A factual look at a crime where heat, haste, and hubris failed to erase the truth.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s life took a dramatic turn when the author of Crime and Punishment was arrested, sentenced to death, and taken to a firing squad before receiving a last-minute reprieve from the Russian state. This episode covers the staged execution, his imprisonment and exile, and how the experience shaped his writing. Alongside this, we explore the history of Hanukkah, from the Maccabean Revolt to the story of the oil, tracing how the festival developed and why it remains central to Jewish identity and tradition.

A special episode recorded inside a church sets the scene as we explore Walt Disney’s life and the creation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This episode looks at how Disney risked everything on the first full-length animated feature, the technical innovations behind the film, its release in 1937, and how it permanently changed cinema, animation, and popular culture. A focused look at the film that built the Disney empire.

A retelling of The Robber Bridegroom unfolds entirely in Dan’s own words, revisiting the dark folk tale of courtship, deception, and violence. This episode explores the story’s origins, its unsettling themes, and how the tale changes when reshaped through a modern voice, keeping the menace intact while reframing the meaning for today.

The murder of a doctor in 1950s Eastbourne shocked a quiet seaside town and became one of Britain’s most unsettling post-war crime cases. This episode examines who the doctor was, how the killing unfolded, the police investigation that followed, and why the case captured national attention at the time. A factual look at a crime that shattered the illusion of calm in mid-century England.

The discovery of Saturn’s co-orbital moons Janus and Epimetheus revealed one of the strangest arrangements in the solar system. This episode explains how the two moons share the same orbit, periodically swapping places in a precise gravitational dance, how they were discovered decades apart, and why their motion puzzled astronomers for years. A clear look at the science behind Saturn’s “twin-track” moons and what they taught us about orbital mechanics.

The first episode of The Simpsons marked the unlikely beginning of what would become the longest-running scripted TV show in history. This episode explores the show’s rough early animation, its debut in 1989, audience reactions at the time, and how that first outing laid the groundwork for decades of cultural influence, satire, controversy, and iconic characters. A look at how a dysfunctional cartoon family reshaped television forever.

The controversy surrounding Saturday Night Fever is unpacked as we explore how the film’s gritty themes, violence, and portrayal of race and gender clashed with its disco-glamour reputation. This episode looks at the backlash, the cultural misunderstandings, and how a movie remembered for dancing and music sparked serious debate about what audiences missed beneath the soundtrack.

John Paul Getty’s life of extreme wealth and extreme control is examined as we explore how the oil tycoon became the richest man in the world, his ruthless business tactics, and the infamous kidnapping of his grandson. This episode covers Getty’s rise through the oil industry, his obsession with frugality, the ransom refusal that shocked the public, and the legacy of a billionaire whose fortune came at a very human cost.

The moment a shoe was hurled at George W. Bush during a press conference in Iraq became one of the most replayed political protests in modern history. This episode breaks down what happened in the room, who threw the shoe, why it resonated so strongly across the Middle East, and how the incident became a global symbol of public anger, protest, and political spectacle caught on camera.

Pope Celestine V’s brief and bizarre reign is unpacked as we explore how a reclusive hermit unexpectedly became pope in 1294, only to resign just months later. This episode covers his sudden rise, his struggle with power, the political chaos that followed, and how his abdication reshaped the papacy forever. A deep dive into one of history’s most reluctant leaders, Pope Celestine V, and the decision that made him unforgettable.

Dionne Warwick’s legendary career takes the spotlight as we explore her rise through the golden age of pop and soul, her long-running collaboration with Burt Bacharach, her chart-topping hits, and her lasting influence on modern music. This episode covers her Grammy wins, cultural impact, and how Dionne Warwick became one of the most recognisable voices of the 20th century.

Kevin Bacon’s finances are put under the microscope as we unpack how the Hollywood star became one of the many high-profile victims of Bernard Madoff’s massive Ponzi scheme. This episode explains how the scam worked, how much Bacon reportedly lost, and why the case became one of the most infamous financial frauds in modern history. A clear look at celebrity money, misplaced trust, and the fallout from the biggest Ponzi scheme ever exposed.

Alfred Nobel’s life and legacy take centre stage as we explore how the inventor of dynamite went on to create the Nobel Prizes. This episode covers his scientific breakthroughs, the fortune built from explosives, the guilt that shaped his final will, and how his name became forever linked to peace, literature, science, and global achievement. A full look at the man behind the world’s most famous awards.

The Coronation Street anniversary collides with rock history as we look at the legacy of the UK’s longest-running soap and the life, music, and myth of Jim Morrison from The Doors. This episode explores key moments from Coronation Street’s decades on screen, alongside Morrison’s rise to fame, controversial persona, and lasting impact on music and pop culture. Two very different icons, celebrated side by side.

Finish music pulses in the background while we imagine life as a time traveller dropped into the wrong century, and Buddha’s teachings cut through the chaos with the kind of calm none of us actually have. A mash-up of Nordic soundscapes, temporal confusion, and ancient wisdom delivered with minimal enlightenment but maximum commitment.

The largest gingerbread house ever built set a world record in Texas, standing over 60 feet long and made with thousands of pounds of dough, sugar, and spices. This episode covers how the massive structure was constructed, the exact ingredients and measurements that earned it Guinness recognition, the charity event behind it, and why it remains a landmark achievement in edible architecture. A full look at the record-breaking gingerbread house that turned holiday baking into engineering.

The IRA’s London siege stands as one of the most tense standoffs in the city’s modern history. This episode covers how armed members of the IRA took hostages, the police response, the negotiations, and the dramatic resolution that unfolded under national scrutiny. A detailed look at the political motives, the timeline of the siege, and its long-term impact on UK security and counterterrorism efforts.

The Great Smog of London in 1952 remains one of the deadliest pollution disasters in history. This episode breaks down how coal smoke, freezing weather, and stagnant air combined to choke the city, the thousands of deaths that followed, and how the crisis pushed the UK toward major environmental reforms. A clear look at the week London disappeared behind its own air.

We also roll into Dice Day, exploring the history of dice, their ancient origins, and how these tiny cubes became icons of gaming and probability. Perfect for anyone who likes their culture accidental and their luck statistical.

The first successful human heart transplant in 1967 marked a turning point in medical history. This episode looks at how Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the groundbreaking surgery in South Africa, the story of patient Louis Washkansky, the risks and innovations behind the procedure, and how this single operation transformed modern cardiac medicine. A detailed look at the surgery that changed what was possible for organ transplantation.

The discovery of Peking Man in China reshaped our understanding of human evolution. This episode covers the 1920s excavations at Zhoukoudian, the fossil finds of Homo erectus, the scientists behind the breakthrough, and the mystery of the fossils’ disappearance during World War II. A full look at why Peking Man remains one of the most important archaeological discoveries in history.

Rosa Parks Day meets National Pie Day as we talk about the legacy of the civil rights icon and sample the famous sweet potato pie recipe connected to her name. This episode explores Rosa Parks’ impact on American history, the story behind her beloved pie, and why sweet potato pie remains a cultural staple. A blend of food history, civil rights context, and classic pie-day celebration… even if my circuits are still sticky from the taste test.

Ann Elizabeth Hodges became the only confirmed person in history to be struck by a meteorite when a nine-pound space rock crashed through her Alabama home in 1954. This episode digs into the impact, the injury, the legal fight over the meteorite, and why the “Sylacauga meteorite incident” remains one of the most famous celestial close calls ever recorded.

Natalie Wood’s mysterious 1981 disappearance takes centre stage as we revisit the final hours aboard the Splendour, the conflicting accounts from Robert Wagner and Christopher Walken, and the unanswered questions that still fuel public fascination. A deep dive into the case details, investigations, and theories that keep the Hollywood icon’s death one of the most searched cold cases today.

Eggy bread, William Blake and a plane doing tricks n that

She woke up without a face....

Gold sealed in silence, a boy king waking after millennia, and a curse whispered louder than history.

Screens flicker with rebellion, a track breaks into daylight, and the early internet dials up a future no one could predict.

A name on a ticket, a leap into darkness, and the sky keeping its most expensive secret.

Coins dropped, lights blinked, and music finally played at the touch of a wish.

Shots in Dallas, shadows behind the curtain, and a nation still arguing over the echo.

Bones in the dirt, truth in disguise, and a fossil that fooled the world for far too long.

A crown, a martyr, and a legend buried beneath arrows and devotion.

Lips moved, truth didn’t, and fame hit rewind before the song was done.

Dreams for sale, risks wrapped in charm, and the fine line between genius and gamble.

A fairytale cuts through fourth-quarter chaos, a studio wizard reshapes the roar, and timing changes everything on screen and off.

Worlds built from pixels and wonder, a plumber, a princess, and a legacy still pressing start.

Brine and crunch meet the boom of catastrophe — from jars to journeys that didn’t survive the blast.

Brine and bite in every crunch, history stored in jars, and vegetables with delusions of grandeur.

Big hair, bigger stunts, and a live show that flew too close to its own chaos.

Ice closes in, ink freezes mid-sentence, and a doomed journey survives only through the words left behind.