Episodes
We investigate a queen who wore a large ship in her hair, meet a king who made tables and we learn history from musicals! Wanna be Marie Antoinette? Get your chocolate chef to make you a hot chocolate, shove a two-foot-long ship in your hair and tell everyone who can’t afford bread to eat cake! (And, without even trying, you’ll learn all about ‘cause’ and ‘consequence’.)  You’ll also hear a trailer for Mark Selleck’s podcast series, Casting Through Ancient Greece, which is aimed at the...
Published 12/08/20
In a re-release for November 11 Remembrance Day, this special extended episode was recorded over several years and then released in April 2019. It's a lot more serious than our usual fun-filled shows, but there’s lots to learn for kids and adults! And if you know a teacher who could use this episode, please share it with them – and with any other friends. We go to an ANZAC service in Australia, where World War One is particularly remembered. Then we go to Remembrance Day in Hong Kong, which...
Published 11/10/20
We go back around 2,500 years to the time of the Ancient Greek Empire. But as we’re not experts on Ancient Greece - in fact, Dad’s poor knowledge of Ancient Greece has always been his Achilles' elbow – we are joined by an expert guest. We discover why kids were taught to steal, and we explain why people run a marathon today. And the episode comes to a climax with the Spartans last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae – as depicted in the movie 300., and (kinda) Star Wars: Rogue One. Many...
Published 11/07/20
Parents, don’t worry, this episode is completely safe from gore and death. The only thing you need to be concerned about is whether you can keep up with your kids as they gain an understanding of communism, dominoes and the causes of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.You'll need to listen carefully so you can play to win in the Gorillas vs. Guerrillas game! Many thanks to special guest co-host Cooper Broxup! Another first on this show is the trailer for a history podcast, aimed more...
Published 10/03/20
We look at why each of the major countries joined in the war and why so many people thought going to war was a good idea. And some of those soldiers were kids – listen to see if you’re older than the youngest kids who fought in a world war! Find out more at https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ 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,...
Published 09/04/20
We find out all about the first civilisations in history to invent money. And Ed Washington, from Australia's greatest money-making mint, tells us how to make money! Find out more at https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ 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...
Published 08/03/20
Alongside special guest presenter Annie Foley, we investigate the amazing life of a soldier who fought in three continents, from his teenage years through to his 60s. For images of the people and events we talk about, go to https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ 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...
Published 07/04/20
We investigate where, when, why and how? And when you hear our jokes, will you be shouting MOOR! MOOR! MOOR!? For images of the people and events we talk about, go to dadandmelovehistory.com Here are some questions to see if you were listening: When did the Moors invade Spain? Why did the Moors invade? What were the crusades? Which Christians leaders became King and Queen of all of Spain? When were the Moors forced out of Spain? Which episode numbers should WW2 fans check out? Bonus...
Published 06/06/20
We see how great speeches and peaceful protest marchers can make big changes in the world, particularly in America in the 1950s and 1960s. For images of the people and events we talk about, go to dadandmelovehistory.com Read industry reviews of Dad’s new World War II Asia-Pacific novel, The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. It’s now out on Kindle for US$6.99, as well as in paperback. So is Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland,...
Published 05/02/20
We visit an enormous medieval weapons store in some bloke’s back garden. We hang with “The Company of the Dagger” and talk to knights and weapons-builders as they make the largest medieval weapon of them all. You’ll find out where the word “freelancer” comes from and you’ll hear our latest knight and Fort-nite jokes! You’ll find images of all the weapons we discuss on this Medieval Warfare web-page. Read industry reviews of Dad’s new World War II Asia-Pacific novel, The Slightest Chance,...
Published 04/04/20
WARNING – in this pod you will hear about gunfights and people getting shot and killed. It was all 150 years ago, but very young kids might not want to hear about it. Most of our episodes are for everyone, and we will return to a lighter topic next month, with something for kids of all ages.   We give you all you need to know about Billy the Kid and Ned Kelly, from how they became outlaws at such young ages through to their unhappy endings (without graphic details). By the way, if you...
Published 03/07/20
This is Andy Factor’s survival story. And, Parents, yes, he is related to Max. And being related to Hollywood’s top makeup artist saved Andy’s life – and the lives of his brother, sister, mother and father. Andy – who was originally called Abraham - and his family get out just in time and begin new lives in Australia. If you missed last week’s episode, check it out – Andy told us all about his experiences at school in Nazi Germany. And the time when two Jewish boys – Andy his brother – tried...
Published 02/08/20
Our mission here is to help kids increase their awareness of a difficult issue but without causing nightmares. In the intro, we do go as far as to say that the Nazis killed six million Jews – because to ignore or deny that only helps Nazis. After that, we play safe. But, yes, this episode may be more relevant to older kids more than the 5-year-olds (who should definitely check out our first 19 episodes, at least – James was only 6 when we started recording material!). And if you want to know...
Published 02/01/20
Dad & Me play Native American Trumps! This episode introduces the biggest names from Native American History. So get on your Crazy Horse, and get ready for a battle of trumps! We select categories from our homemade cards, like “BEST NAME” or “BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACED AS A CHILD” or “MOST AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT”. The cards will be shuffled and could throw up matches that you won’t find anywhere else – maybe Pocahontas v Sacagawea! Or Sitting Bull versus Geronimo! Please forgive us for...
Published 12/06/19
General Douglas MacArthur was one of the greatest generals in history. Join us in this extended episode at MacArthur’s World War II headquarters in Brisbane, Australia, which is now the MacArthur Museum Brisbane. We meet Ron Rees and Paul Douchet, who guide us through MacArthur’s achievements in World War II, the Korean War and in peace-building. Read industry reviews of Dad’s new World War II Asia-Pacific novel, The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com – it’s now out on Kindle for US$6.99,...
Published 11/02/19
With help from kids at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, we investigate the golden age of exploring, in the Middle Ages. We’ll find out about some famous explorers, and maybe one or two you don’t know. And discover how to choose good websites for research. Yawn alert, kids! – Adults, you’ll also hear about Dad’s new wartime novel (see paulletters.com for details). Different people have different opinions about who the greatest explorer is – why don’t you tell us what you think...
Published 10/05/19
Sydney maybe Australia’s most famous city, and it may be its greatest city ( - Melbourne folk wouldn’t say so! - ), but it’s not Australia’s capital city. Instead, a sheep farm became the capital of Australia. We find out why. Yawn alert, kids! – you’ll also hear about Dad’s new wartime novel (see paulletters.com for details). Questions for after you’ve listened: Admiral Zheng might have been the first person from a different continent to visit Australia. Which country was Admiral Zheng...
Published 09/01/19
We’ve gathered a lot of new listeners recently, so here are some highlights to help them catch-up. Despite the costs (website/hosting), Dad and Me will keep making new episodes if you help us to grow our audience! A new episode – about a special capital city – is coming your way this weekend! We’re going monthly, so on the first weekend of each month we will drop into your podcast app – if you have subscribed (for free, of course). Please rate and review us wherever you get podcasts. Look...
Published 08/29/19
We examine amazing Islamic robot clock, Leonardo’s calculator and World War II super-spy computers! We then come right into the twenty-first century with the unknown* company that sold more computers than any other. [*Unknown to youngsters] You’ll also hear about Dad’s new novel – go to paulletters.com for details. We are going to take a break for our holidays, but we’ll be back soon! Questions for after you’ve listened: What was the name of the calculating machine that they had in...
Published 07/06/19
This episode involves ancient treasures, Mummy jokes and – GROSS ALERT!!! – brothers and sisters marrying each other! For more about Malayna and her kids’ book, see malaynaevans.com. Special shout out to Soren, who gives us more Ancient Egyptian jokes! Questions for after you’ve listened: How many thousands of years ago was Tutankhamun Egypt’s pharaoh? What was inside Tutankhamun’s tomb? Which city did Tutankhamun move the capital city back to after his dad had moved it away? In what ways...
Published 06/25/19
We talk inflatable tanks, beaches’ code names and double agents. And find out why the town Dad is from was important in D-Day. Questions for after you’ve listened: What does the ‘D’ in D-Day stand for? What year did D-Day happen? True or false: D-Day was the beginning of pushing Hitler’s troops out of France and beyond? Which countries were known as the Allies? Name as many as you can. Can you name the 5 codenames the Allies gave the 5 beaches they were landing at? Why did the Allies put...
Published 06/07/19
This special extended episode is a tad more serious than our usual fun-filled shows, but there’s lots to learn for kids and adults! And if you know a teacher who could use this episode, please share it with them – and with any other friends. We go to an ANZAC service in Australia, where World War One is particularly remembered. Then we go to Hong Kong, which was invaded by the Japanese during World War Two. We are grateful to Lindisfarne Anglican College for allowing us to visit their ANZAC...
Published 04/20/19
Our special guests, Egyptologist and author Malayna Evans, and her daughter Soren, also take us inside the Pyramids and tell us all about tree goddesses, cat lovers and looking good in the afterlife. And they reveal that the most famous ‘Egyptian’ of them all isn’t even Egyptian! For more on Malayna’s children’s book, click: Jagger Jones and the Mummy’s Ankh. Watch out for crazy magic spells, giant crocodiles and killer scorpions! And checkout our webpage for images we talk about today. ...
Published 04/07/19
“It takes a long time to become young” - listen out for James’ top Picasso quotations scattered throughout the pod. And checkout our webpage for images of the artworks we talk about today. Often, Dad & Me find cultural experts who can’t wait to get their voice broadcast around the world on our podcast. In this episode, listen out for when that doesn’t happen! Questions for after you’ve listened come right at the end, after the outtakes… Questions for after you’ve listened: Pablo...
Published 03/22/19
James investigates whether the Aztecs invented anything a kid might like today. And we find out about the ultimate sacrifice – WARNING, HISTORY IS PRETTY SCARY. We spare you the details, but - just in case - we include suggestions of how to deal with squeamish grown-ups! Questions for after you’ve listened come right at the end, after the outtakes… LISTEN HERE Questions for after you’ve listened: What is the Aztec name for Mexico City? The Aztecs believed that there would be a sign that...
Published 03/09/19