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PODCAST

pplpod

pplpod is a podcast about people, places and lots of other stuff. Each episode takes a deep dive into the lives, choices, and legacies of fascinating figures from history, culture, music, and beyond. From icons who shaped entire generations to hidden stories that deserve the spotlight, pplpod brings you closer to the people behind the headlines and the legends.Thoughtful, engaging, and story-driven, pplpod explores what makes these lives extraordinary—and what we can learn from them today.

history music history

All Episodes

19:52

The Man Behind the Poppies: John McCrae & "In...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the life of Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, the Canadian poet, physician, and soldier who penned the famous World War I memorial poem, "In Flanders Fields". Join us as we trace McCrae's journey from his early military service in the Second Boer War to his critical role as a medical officer and surgeon with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. We dive deep into the harrowing days of the Second Battle of Ypres, where McCrae treated the wounded from a hastily dug

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46:11

Sir Elton John: The Rocket Man’s Journey, Hits, and...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

Welcome to this episode of pplpod, where we dive deep into the extraordinary life and career of Sir Elton John, one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, we trace his remarkable evolution from a local pub pianist playing for tips to a global British music icon.In this episode, we explore his legendary, decades-long songwriting partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin, a collaboration that birthed timeless pop and rock hits like "Rocket Man," "Tiny Dancer," and

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48:23

The Royal Flying Corps: WWI Aviation & The Birth of...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we take to the skies to explore the thrilling and perilous history of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), the pioneering air arm of the British Army before and during the First World War. Join us as we dive into the origins of early WWI aviation, tracing the RFC's journey from a small unit established by royal warrant in 1912 to a massive military force that fundamentally changed the landscape of modern warfare.We unpack how these brave early pilots navigated the dangerous skies

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19:33

The Devil Dogs of WWI: The Battle of Belleau Wood

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the gritty history of the Battle of Belleau Wood, a major World War I clash that took place in June 1918 during the German spring offensive. As German forces rapidly advanced toward Paris, the United States Marines, alongside U.S. Army, French, and British troops, were tasked with holding the line and halting the enemy's momentum on the Western Front. We explore the grueling hand-to-hand combat, mustard gas attacks, and the devastating bayonet charges through

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35:00

Exploring 'All Quiet on the Western Front' – Erich...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into Erich Maria Remarque’s groundbreaking 1929 novel, All Quiet on the Western Front (Im Westen nichts Neues). Join us as we explore the harrowing journey of Paul Bäumer, a young German soldier navigating the extreme physical and mental trauma of trench warfare during World War I. Often hailed as the greatest war novel of all time, we unpack the book’s powerful themes, including the devastating effects of blind nationalism, the profound disconnect veterans

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43:27

The First Battle of Gaza: Snatching Defeat from the...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the dense fog and chaotic sands of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign to explore the First Battle of Gaza, fought on March 26, 1917. Join us as we unpack how the British Empire's Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF), under the overall command of General Archibald Murray, clashed with the entrenched Ottoman Army supported by the German Empire and Austria-Hungary.We break down the strategic encirclement by the Anzac and Imperial Mounted Divisions and the fierce

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74:21

Chlorine: The Element of Life, Bleach, and Battlefields

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the fascinating and turbulent history of chlorine, the highly reactive chemical element with atomic number 17. As a prominent member of the halogens on the periodic table, this pale yellow-green gas has shaped the modern world in drastically different ways. Join us as we explore the history of science behind its initial discovery by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1774, and how Sir Humphry Davy officially recognized and named it in 1810.We unpack the dual nature of

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20:39

WWI's Forgotten Front: The East African Campaign &...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into one of the most overlooked and devastating chapters of military history: the East African campaign of World War I. Stretching from August 1914 well past the Armistice into November 1918, this brutal conflict transformed the territories of modern-day Tanzania, Rwanda, Mozambique, and Kenya into a massive battleground for rival imperial powers.We explore the elusive guerrilla warfare tactics of German commander Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and his Schutztruppe

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22:03

Operation Michael: The 1918 German Spring Offensive &...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the trenches of World War I to explore Operation Michael, the massive military push that launched the 1918 German Spring Offensive. Conceived by General Erich Ludendorff, this offensive was a desperate, high-stakes gamble to break through the Allied lines and defeat the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) before the American Expeditionary Force could fully deploy to France.Join us as we break down the fierce WWI tactics deployed on the Western Front,

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43:55

The Canadian Corps - WWI Shock Troops, Vimy Ridge,...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the gripping military history of the Canadian Corps during World War I. Formed in September 1915 from the Canadian Expeditionary Force, this unit steadily evolved into what both allies and enemies regarded as one of the most effective fighting forces on the Western Front. We break down their monumental battlefield achievements, including the daring capture of Vimy Ridge in 1917—a pivotal moment described as "the grandest day the Corps ever had"—under the

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58:02

Disrupting Big Pharma: How Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the ultimate battle for transparency in the US healthcare system. We explore how billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban and CEO Dr. Alex Oshmyansky are challenging the traditional pharmaceutical industry with the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company. Sick of hidden fees and skyrocketing prescription costs? We break down their revolutionary "cost-plus" pricing model—charging the true manufacturing acquisition cost plus a flat 15% markup, a $5 pharmacy labor fee,

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45:08

The Tragic & Triumphant Life of Roy Orbison: "The...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the life and legacy of the legendary singer-songwriter Roy Orbison, known to fans as "The Big O" and the "Caruso of Rock". From his early days playing country and rockabilly in Texas to his time at Sun Records—where he rubbed shoulders with Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley—Orbison quickly carved out his own unique path in music history. We explore how he dominated the rock and roll charts in the early 1960s with complex, emotionally vulnerable ballads like

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20:56

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: How the Bolsheviks...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

Welcome back to another episode of pplpod! Today, we dive into the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the landmark 1918 peace agreement that officially ended Soviet Russia's involvement in World War I.We explore the chaotic backdrop of the 1917 Russian Revolution, where the newly empowered Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, desperately sought an exit from the devastating stalemates of the Eastern Front. But this peace came at a staggering and humiliating price. We break down the intense

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32:04

Taylor Tomlinson | Netflix Specials, After Midnight &...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the life and career of American stand-up comedian Taylor Tomlinson. Join us as we explore her incredible journey from taking a stand-up class and performing in church basements at just 16 years old, to becoming one of the highest-grossing touring comics in the industry. We break down her four hit Netflix stand-up specials—Quarter-Life Crisis, Look At You, Have It All, and Prodigal Daughter—alongside her milestone run as the host of the CBS late-night show

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21:31

The Lost Generation: WWI, Hemingway, & The Roaring...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the fascinating history of the Lost Generation, the demographic cohort born between 1883 and 1900. Coming of age just before or during World War I, this generation faced unprecedented global conflict, mass mobilization, and profound disillusionment. We explore how their survival through the brutal war and the deadly Spanish flu pandemic fueled the massive cultural rebellion of the Roaring Twenties, bringing about the rise of the independent, boundary-pushing

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17:42

Winston Churchill: WWII Prime Minister, British...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the extraordinary life of Sir Winston Churchill, one of the most significant figures of the 20th century. Known worldwide as the resolute British Prime Minister who led the United Kingdom to victory against the Axis powers during World War II, Churchill's biography is a captivating blend of remarkable triumphs and complex controversies.Join us as we trace his journey from his early days as a British Army military officer and war correspondent in Cuba,

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23:21

The Selective Service Act of 1917 & America's WWI Draft

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the Selective Service Act of 1917, the pivotal legislation that transformed the United States military during World War I.Did you know that when the U.S. entered the Great War, its regular standing army had fewer than 100,000 men? President Woodrow Wilson initially hoped to rely on volunteers, but when only 73,000 men signed up on the first day, it became clear that a massive WWI draft was the only way to quickly mobilize a fighting force for the European

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12:46

The Battle of Saint-Mihiel – America’s First Major...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the muddy, trench-filled landscapes of World War I to explore the historic Battle of Saint-Mihiel. Fought between September 12 and 16, 1918, this battle is a massive milestone in military history, marking the first large-scale offensive launched primarily by the United States Army during the Great War.Join us as we discuss how General John J. Pershing led the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) alongside 110,000 French troops to secure a decisive Allied

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23:18

The Espionage Act of 1917: Spies, Whistleblowers, and...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into one of the most controversial and fiercely debated laws in United States history: the Espionage Act of 1917. Originally enacted by Congress shortly after the U.S. entered World War I, the law was intended to prohibit interference with military operations, prevent military insubordination, and stop citizens from aiding the nation's enemies.We explore the Act's dark and complex legacy, starting with its wartime origins, the short-lived Sedition Act of 1918,

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23:12

The Evolution of Gas Masks – From Ancient Sponges to...

pplpod ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the fascinating history of gas masks and the evolution of personal protective equipment. Discover how early breathing devices, like the common sponges used in ancient Greece and the primitive respirators introduced for miners in the 1790s, transformed into complex, life-saving respirator technology. We trace the rapid gas mask development during World War I and World War II, exploring the devastating impact of chemical warfare that drove inventors to

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7,536 results

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