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Empire

Empire

By: Goalhanger
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About this listen

 The rise and fall of empires, rulers, and the events that shaped world history. William Dalrymple and Anita Anand explore the intricate stories of revolutions, imperial wars, and the people who built and lost empires. From the British Empire to the Ottomans to Ancient India, history is shaped by power struggles and territorial conquests. How does it continue to affect the world today? Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. World
Episodes
  • 265. Danish Greenland: Eradicating Inuit Culture (Ep 3)

    265. Danish Greenland: Eradicating Inuit Culture (Ep 3)
    Jun 18 2025
    How did the Danish missionary Hans Egede combine capitalism and religion in his colonisation of Greenland in the 1700s? Why have we forgotten about Danish colonialism in India and Greenland? When did Greenlanders gain self-determination? Anita and William discuss how the Danes colonised Greenland in the 18th century, using a system not too dissimilar to the East India Company: royal monopolies and efforts to eradicate Indigenous culture. ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. ----------------- Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • 264. Viking Greenland: Mysteries of the Lost Norse Settlers (Ep 2)

    264. Viking Greenland: Mysteries of the Lost Norse Settlers (Ep 2)
    Jun 16 2025
    How did Vikings and Inuits interact in Greenland? When was the last record of Norse settlers in the region? How did climate change affect the decline of Viking settlers in Greenland, and why is their disappearance shrouded in mystery? William and Anita are joined once again by Eleanor Barraclough, author of Embers of The Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age, to explore the last of the Norse Settlers. ----------------- Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. ----------------- Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • Murder in the Congo, The Cuban Missile Crisis, & India in the UN

    Murder in the Congo, The Cuban Missile Crisis, & India in the UN
    Jun 15 2025
    How did the first Asian UN Secretary General prevent multiple Armeggedons in the 1960s? What is the mystery surrounding his predecessor’s death? How did the Global South shape the UN in a post-colonial landscape? What does the future of the UN look like in these uncertain times? In this special bonus episode we have made public for all, William and Anita are joined by Thant Myint-U, author of Peacekeeper: U Thant, The United Nations and the Untold Story of the 1960s, to discuss how his grandfather left an indelible mark on geopolitics yet has been forgotten by many. If you want to hear the entire episode and all other bonuses, as well as receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord, then head to empirepoduk.com to sign up to Empire Club today! For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. ----------------- Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    22 mins
All stars
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This podcast is hugely informative and yet superbly engaging - Anita Anand and William Dalrymple have a terrific chemistry. I await every episode eagerly and savour it like good wine 🍷

Just brilliant..

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Eye opening! I loved the discussions and the two of them complement each other very well!

Excellent

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brilliant podcast, starting with India and the role of companies. really makes you think about the role of money in world events

exploring empires

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Captivating! I've loved every second of it so far. Just finished Season 1, moving on to Season 2 now.

Exceptional

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Likeable presenters engage the listener in a continuing story. Do all historians sound posh? Overall a great podcast and highly recommend

Engaging content

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history in a format which is a delight to listen to. Anita and William discuss historic events in a lively and engaging way.

absolutely enthralling

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Anita and Willie are a joy to listen to. If history had been like this at school I'd have paid a lot more attention. This is what we should have been taught too. It's joyous one moment and utterly devastating the next. Infectious curiosity and a thirst for knowledge are wonderful things. I recommend 100%!

Fantastical and terrible and mind blowing things

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