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PODCAST

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History

Sarah Smith & James Nason

A laid back history podcast where we explore everything from ancient empires to awkward royal scandals. Each episode, we pick a topic, dig into the weird, wild, and sometimes world-changing details, and try to make sense of it all, without taking ourselves too seriously. Whether you’re a history newbie or just here for the strange facts, come and tune in!

history

All Episodes

79:28

Made in Basildon: Three Generations, One Town

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2026/04/24

In this episode of Made in Basildon, we bring together three people from different generations to share their experiences of growing up in the same town.We ask people from a Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Millennial background the same question to see how their answers compare.From changing communities to shifting lifestyles, it’s a conversation that explores how Basildon has evolved—and what’s stayed the same.

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24:59

The Disappearance of Frederick Valentich |...

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2026/04/17

In this episode, we explore the mysterious disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich, who vanished over the coast of Australia in 1978 during a routine flight.Midway through his journey, Valentich reported an unknown aircraft following him—before all contact was suddenly lost.What happened that night? Mechanical failure, disorientation… or something far stranger?We take a calm, grounded look at the evidence, the theories, and one of aviation’s most enduring unsolved cases.Sometimes the most

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34:12

Made in Basildon - The Silent Generation (Life in...

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2026/04/06

What was Basildon really like back in the day?In this episode of Made in Basildon, we chat with two residents in their 80s who have spent their entire lives in the town. From early memories to how things have changed, this is a fascinating glimpse into Basildon through the eyes of the Silent Generation.With special thanks to Geraldine Evans and Ken Porter.

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38:33

The Morris Oxford: A Very British Family Car

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2026/03/13

In this episode, Sarah takes the lead as she and co-host James explore the story of one of Britain’s most dependable family cars — the Morris Oxford.Often overshadowed by its smaller sibling, the Morris Minor, the Oxford quietly played a huge role in everyday British life throughout the mid-20th century. From the early post-war models to the later Farina-styled versions, it was the sensible saloon that families relied on — sturdy, practical, and unmistakably British.Sarah digs into the history

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35:11

The Mystery of Black Shuck | English Folklore

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2026/02/27

In this episode, we take a wander into the legend of Black Shuck, the mysterious phantom black dog said to haunt East Anglia.We chat about the famous storm of 1577, the stories from Bungay and Blythburgh, and how one particularly dramatic church incident helped cement The Shuck firmly into local legend.Was it mass hysteria? A storm-born story? Or just a very large dog with unfortunate timing?As always, this is a relaxed dive into history and folklore — curious, thoughtful, and just a little bit

en

62:15

The History of the Morris Minor: Britain's Favourite...

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2026/02/20

In this episode, we explore the remarkable story of the Morris Minor — from its hopeful beginnings in post-war Britain to the final production cars that marked the end of an era.We talk about the Minor Million, why production eventually came to a close, what replaced it, and what became of Morris Motors in the shifting landscape of British motoring. And of course, we reflect on the enduring legacy that lives on through passionate owners and communities — including the Morris Minor Owners Club,

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35:56

Josephine Baker: From Stage Sensation to Resistance Hero

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2026/02/12

In this episode, we explore the remarkable life of Josephine Baker — a woman who defied expectation at every turn.Best known as a dazzling performer in 1920s Paris, Baker became one of the most famous entertainers in the world. But behind the glamour was a woman of extraordinary courage. During the Second World War, she worked with the French Resistance, using her celebrity status to gather intelligence against the Nazis.Later in life, she became a powerful voice in the American Civil Rights

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66:36

The History Bluff: Can They Spot the Lies?

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2026/01/22

In this episode Sarah serves up a buffet of bizarre, shocking, and downright unbelievable historical scenarios—and it’s up to James and special guest Richard to separate the truth from the tall tales. Can they spot the real history, or will they be duped by Sarah’s sneaky made-up facts? Tune in for laughs, surprises, and a playful dive into the weird side of history!

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29:51

We Are the Robots: The Kraftwerk Story

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/12/29

Hailing from the industrial heart of Düsseldorf, Kraftwerk are the undisputed godfathers of electronic music. Emerging in the early 1970s, founders Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider moved away from traditional rock to forge a revolutionary "musical language" using synthesisers, drum machines and vocoders. This podcast explores their journey from the experimental "Krautrock" scene to the creation of their iconic "Man-Machine" persona—a detached, robotic aesthetic that blurred the lines between

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66:28

Am I Evil?: A History of Heavy Metal

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/12/22

Join us as we explore James' own history of heavy metal, tracing the genre's life across five tumultuous decades. We dive into the genesis with Black Sabbath and the DIY spirit of the NWOBHM, before confronting the Grunge Challenge that inspired the groove of Pantera and the rise of Nu-Metal. We examine why metal's dark lyrical themes became the ultimate symbol of rebellion, dissect the high drama of Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford's departures and returns from Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, and

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55:57

Real or Rubbish? Medieval Mayhem!

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/12/15

Step into the Middle Ages — where the facts are strange, the stories are stranger, and Sarah is armed with a list of medieval oddities designed to confuse her co-host entirely. In this episode, our two amateur historians play Medieval True or False, featuring bizarre real events, convincing fakes, and enough chaos to make a monk swear. Can James tell genuine medieval history from the stuff that's completely made up?Expect laughter, ridiculous guesses, and a surprising amount of actual history hiding

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38:31

When London Disappeared: The Great Smog of 1952

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/12/01

Join two amateur historians; Sarah and James, as we take a misty stroll back to one of London’s strangest and deadliest weeks — the Great Smog of 1952. What started as an ordinary cold December quickly turned into a city-wide blackout of soot, smoke, coal fumes, and confusion.We chat through how the smog formed, why it got so bad, what daily life looked like when you could barely see your own feet, and how the disaster eventually pushed Britain toward cleaner air. A grim chapter in history, told

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33:24

Secrets Beneath the Waves: The Fate of HMS E22

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/11/24

Join our two amateur historians as they dive into the remarkable — and often overlooked — story of HMS E22, a British E-class submarine with a brief but dramatic role in the First World War. From the experimental aircraft-launching trials she took part in, to the tragic mission that led to her sinking in 1916, this episode explores the innovative ideas, strategic risks, and human stories behind one of the Royal Navy’s lesser-known vessels.Expect thoughtful history, accessible storytelling, and a

en

59:39

The Great British Chill: A History of Keeping Warm

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/11/10

Before the thermostat, there was the hearth — and a lot of shivering. In this episode, two amateur historians chat about how people in Britain kept warm before central heating: from layers of wool and roaring fires to bed warmers and questionable “heat hacks.” Grab a blanket and a cuppa as we explore the cosy (and not-so-cosy) side of history.

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40:57

History's Firsts - A Fun Quiz!

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/11/03

This week, it’s Sarah’s turn to face the questions — and the pressure! Her co-host tests her on some of history’s most surprising firsts: the first colour photograph, the first laptop, even the first… well, you’ll have to listen to find out.Will she triumph with her historical knowledge? (Spoiler: absolutely not.) Expect laughter, wild guesses, and plenty of unexpected facts from the pages of history’s earliest moments.

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39:44

True or Twaddle? Victorian Edition

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/10/27

Step back into the smog and splendour of the Victorian era, where nothing was too strange to be true — or was it? In this episode our two amateur historians explore various bizarre Victorian 'facts' and try to decipher which are true and which are absolute nonsense.Strangely this is easier said than done!

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28:45

The Story of Gef - The Talking Mongoose

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/10/21

In this episode, we dive into one of the strangest tales from the 1930s — the story of Gef the Talking Mongoose. Was he a clever animal, a family hoax, or something far stranger? Join two amateur historians as they unravel the bizarre case of the Isle of Man’s most talkative houseguest.

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41:20

Are You Smarter Than a Ten Year Old?

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/10/12

"Welcome to 'Are You Smarter Than a 10-Year-Old?' – a very last-minute, slightly chaotic podcast where we (two grown-ups with questionable brain cells) attempt to answer schoolkid-level questions. Expect some wrong answers, laughter, and probably some humble pie as we realise just how tricky those 10-year-old questions can be. Honestly, it might be one of our worst podcasts…

en

51:11

Death by Misadventure: The Weirdest Ends in History

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/10/06

History is full of battles, inventions, and discoveries… but also some of the most ridiculous ways people have managed to meet their end. From kings and commoners to poets and peasants, some exits from this world were so strange they almost sound made up.In this episode, two amateur historians share some of the most bizarre deaths through the centuries — part cautionary tale, part comedy of errors.⚠️ Disclaimer: While we keep the tone light and humorous, this episode does discuss death, which may be

en

39:56

The Lost Messages of the Red Star

We"re Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History ·

2025/09/29

Our two amateur historians dive into one of the strangest wartime tales you’ve probably never heard: The Lost Messages of the Red Star. From whispered codes and hidden signals to the possibility of a Soviet prank gone way too far, we ask the big question—was it real history or just another tall tale?Join us as we swap theories, laugh at the oddities, and try to separate fact from fiction in this bizarre Cold War mystery.If you enjoy weird history, unexpected rabbit holes, and the occasional terrible

en

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