Ministry of History Podcast

Two queens. One throne. And a rivalry that would end in blood.

In Part 11 of the Ministry's Tudor series, Anna and Artie explore the extraordinary relationship between Elizabeth I and her Scottish cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. From Mary’s turbulent reign in Scotland and disastrous marriages to her flight into England, Catholic plots, Francis Walsingham’s spy network and the Babington Plot, we follow the chain of events that ultimately led Elizabeth to execute another anointed queen.

Was Mary a romantic martyr or a genuine political threat? Was Elizabeth ruthless, or trapped by an impossible situation? And in the end, who really won - when Mary’s son inherited Elizabeth’s throne?

This episode is available to watch as a video on YouTube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was East Germany really a better place to be a woman?

In this episode, Tina and Artie explore the complicated reality of women’s lives in the GDR - a state where women worked at some of the highest rates in the world, had extensive childcare, greater economic independence and comparatively liberal reproductive rights, but still faced the Doppelbelastung of work and home, workplace sexism and exclusion from real political power.

We also look at sex, abortion, divorce, the “Great Orgasm War,” independent women’s movements and what reunification meant for East German women - politically liberating, but for many, economically devastating.

Was the GDR a feminist success, a patriarchal dictatorship, or something far more complicated?

This episode is available to watch as a video on YouTube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did a girl declared illegitimate, imprisoned in the Tower of London and surrounded by scandal, suspicion and execution grow up to become one of England’s most famous monarchs? In this episode, Anna and Artie explore the extraordinary early life of Elizabeth I - long before the Armada, the Virgin Queen and the legend.

From the execution of her mother Anne Boleyn and the instability of Henry VIII’s court, to the disturbing Thomas Seymour scandal and Elizabeth’s terrifying imprisonment under her half-sister Mary I, we ask how these experiences shaped the woman who would eventually take the throne.

We look at Elizabeth’s remarkable education, her mastery of image and reputation, her complicated relationship with marriage and gender, and the political survival skills she developed while still a teenager.

Was Elizabeth naturally destined for greatness? Or was the great queen forged by a childhood in which one wrong move could have cost her everything?

This episode is also available to watch as a video on YouTube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Minister’s Questions, two ministers and passionate Berlin tour guides tour guides - Artie and Tina - explore Berlin’s share what inspired them to highlight places named after women in the city in the HerStory Buff series, offer expert recommendations for must-see spots, and discuss the impact of living in Berlin.

Beyond travel tips, we delve into Germany’s snap general election, debunk persistent myths about the city, and imagine Berlin as a person—what would they be like? Plus, our guests reveal the one day in Berlin’s past they’d love to experience firsthand. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a traveler, or simply curious about Germany’s capital, this episode is full of fascinating insights and engaging conversation.

This episode is also available to watch as a video on YouTube.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Quick Message from the Minister of History 🎙️📜

Hey history buffs! Artie here with a quick update on the podcast. While the Ministry of History Podcast isn’t going anywhere, I’m shifting focus to growing our social media presence for now. That means fewer episodes for a bit—but don’t worry, I’ll still be dropping sporadic releases, including the final Tudor episodes and more on East Germany.

Want to stay connected? Follow the Ministry on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube (links in the description)! Stay tuned, stay curious, and keep the history love alive! 🚀📖
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.