A weekly podcast on how we prepared for nuclear war. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Listeners of Atomic Hobo that love the show mention: nuclear war, julie, charming, fascinating, dive, well researched, subject, history, host, wonderful, great podcast, world, show, love.
The Atomic Hobo podcast is an incredibly enlightening and engaging exploration of all aspects of nuclear war. Hosted by the charming and wonderfully accented Julie McDowall, this podcast delves deep into the history, consequences, and preparations surrounding nuclear conflict. McDowall's meticulous research is evident in each episode, providing a wealth of information without ever being boring or preachy. It is truly a gem for anyone interested in this complex and emotionally charged topic.
One of the best aspects of The Atomic Hobo podcast is how it offers a different perspective on nuclear war compared to what many grew up with. McDowall presents a more realistic view that challenges preconceived notions and delves into the complexities and consequences of such a catastrophic event. Her exploration of various end-of-the-world scenarios is particularly fascinating, as she provides insight into the psychological aspects and how they may differ from our childhood fantasies. Beyond that, McDowall shines a light on an area of history that often goes overlooked, managing to be both entertaining and chilling at the same time.
While there are many positives to The Atomic Hobo podcast, one potential downside is its ability to evoke fear and distress in listeners. McDowall's thorough research and presentation can be quite chilling at times, leaving some feeling scared but also relieved after each episode. Additionally, her soft Scottish voice may seem contrary to the subject matter for some listeners, but it ultimately adds a unique charm to the show.
In conclusion, The Atomic Hobo podcast is an incredibly interesting and well-executed dive into an obscure historical subject. Julie McDowall's expertise in British Cold War history shines through her meticulous research, making her a knowledgeable host who presents information from a human standpoint rather than solely academic. While some may find it unsettling or even give them nightmares, this podcast offers valuable insights into our past that can help us better understand and plan for our future. Whether you're a nuclear nerd, history geek, or simply curious about the topic, The Atomic Hobo podcast is a must-listen.
Their first hours within the tiny inner refuge.Join us on Patreon here www.patreon.com/atomichoboThanks for listening.Julie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Chairman Mao and his "paper tigers".Join us on Patreon for more episodes at www.patreon.com/atomichobo I quote a lot of good books in this episode, so here is a list:Tombstone: The Untold Story of Mao's Great Famine by Yang JishengMao's Great Famine: The History of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958-62, by Frank DikotterThe Evolution of Nuclear Strategy by Lawrence FreedmanThe Cold War: A World History by Odd Arne WestadThe Cold War by John Lewis Gaddis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The first terrible 48 hours after the Bomb drops...Join me on Patreon for more episodes at www.patreon.com/atomichobo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The episode where the bomb drops!I've also uploaded a new Four Minutes of The War Game episode for patrons, so please consider joining us there at www.patreon.com/atomichobo Thanks,Julie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"LA was bombed today" said the local paper in 1951. This was Operation Wake Up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The 1950s trend - which caused mockery and anger - for calling the hydrogen bomb "clean" or "humanitarian". Could the Americans make this awful weapon clean, or was it just a ploy to quiet our fear of fallout, and silence calls to ban nuclear testing?If you've been enjoying my FOUR MINUTES OF...episodes, please know I'm doing the same on Patreon for THE WAR GAME. Episode 6 of Four Minutes of The War Game was uploaded at the weekend, and you can join us for £3 a month and get all extra episodes. Find it here: www.patreon.com/atomichobo Thanks for listening,Julie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The shadow of death falls over Jim and Hilda's cottage. Not that they notice! Too busy sorting out bottles and pepper pots - getting things just right for the bomb! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Operation Hot Rod in 1951 took five 1930s cars out to the new Nevada test site. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The 1953 nuclear test, ANNIE, and her creepy mannequins, wrecked cars, and flying toilets. Join us on Patreon for more content at www.patreon.com/atomichobo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A long episode today because the bomb draws near. Jim tries to protect his home with pineapple chunks, cushions and white paint.Join us on Patreon to read Jim's civil defence booklet, and get a bonus podcast on it: The Householder's Survival Guide from West Sussex Council, published in 1979. www.patreon.com/.atomichobo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happened when a sect arrived in Montana in the 1980s, with predictions that the end was nigh, annoying the bears at Yellowstone, and digging shelters all over the place?Please join me at Patreon for more episodes at www.patreon.com/atomichobo Thank you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Examining the film, four minutes at a time. This week, Jim and Hilda hide from reality via wartime nostalgia. But the missiles are being readied. Join my Patreon here and get extra pod episodes and content! www.patreon.com/atomichoboThank you for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) was set up in 1963 to alert Americans, via TV and radio, of nuclear attack. Stations were required to test the EBS once a week, but some got bored of reading the same sombre script, and tried to recite the script as a jaunty jingle. Nuclear war delivered with some easy listening?I have a bonus podcast episode out NOW on the 1971 event when an EBS test went wrong, and was broadcast across America as a real alert. Find it on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/atomichobo My book, Attack Warning Red: How Britain Prepared for Nuclear War is currently on an Amazon special deal in paperback. Down to £7.49 for a limited period. Thank you for listening.Julie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The American radio system which operated from 1953 - 1963 and would dispense civil defence advice to the public whilst working to confuse an incoming Soviet bomber. Join us on Patreon here for more episodes www.patreon.com/atomichoboMy book, ATTACK WARNING RED: HOW BRITAIN PREPARED FOR NUCLEAR WAR is currently on a special paperback deal for £7.49 herehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Attack-Warning-Red-Britain-Prepared/dp/1529920019/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A8B2MAX4MNRI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.R9sWLkhu55nZT5yVyZZbhQ.SslFvc5OyWSD-Ajh7PB-k9icPldgIaCxcW1kxaCX1tg&dib_tag=se&keywords=attack+warning+red+julie+mcdowall&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1736785872&sprefix=%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 1961, the Soviets resumed nuclear testing in the Arctic, and one wee girl from Michigan was worried about the implications for Santa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 1962, New Mexico built America's first - and last - underground school. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 1961, a group of families from New York gave up their lives on the East Coast and headed west in search of a place safe from nuclear attack. But did they choose the right place? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The atomic city of Richland - bustin' atoms, blowin' bubbles, and expelling "undesirables". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The building of the world's first plutonium plant in Washington state. Make way for the plutonium pioneers! Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/atomichoboJulie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Will we all go together when we go? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you thought the hydrogen bomb was as bad as it gets, then the cobalt bomb is here to say, "Hold my beer!"Tickets still available for this weekend's HoboCon '24 where we'll meet at a cinema in Manchester to watch Threads and an exclusive pre-recorded Q+A with the director. The Q+A will be uploaded to Patreon after the event for those who can't attend. Join us here: https://www.patreon.com/atomichobo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How to keep your village free from "marauders" - the local issues concerning Sussex in the early 80s.Tickets now on sale for this year's HoboCon - www.patreon.com/atomichobo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tickets now available for HoboCon '24 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Threads. Get them here www.patreon.com/atomichobo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is this the only great nuclear war novel? And will it fry your head? Grab your spear and head to post-holocaust Kent with Riddley Walker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
First in our new series, examining WHEN THE WIND BLOWS, four minutes at a time.(Please excuse any snaps or clicks you might hear. It's my pup chewing. She's too young to be left unattended, or to sleep soundly whilst I'm recording. Some sounds have intruded, but I have tried to edit out the most obtrusive ones, and thrown some music down over the general snufflings.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The final Four Minutes of Threads episode!I have also put every Four Minutes episode together, minus all the intros and outros, into one gigantic podcast episode. It is 12 hours' long! Twelve Hours of Threads. Twelve hours! No intros. No outros. No ads. Just edited down to the pure essence of THREADS for twelve long hours.This is available for members NOW on Patreon as a bonus podcast episode at www.patreon.com/atomichoboOr you can buy it as a one-off monster episode on my website www.juliemcdowall.com. Pay whatever you like. Consider it a tip or a "Cheers, Julie!" if you've enjoyed this series. Thank you,Julie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The 1981 conference of the American Civil Defense Association, featuring discussion of pancake batter, Kansas City, Minutemen, and The Twilight ZoneJoin me on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/atomichoboGet a copy of my book, Attack Warning Red, here: https://linktr.ee/attackwarningredIntroductory music: "No More Forevers" by IX. By kind permission of IX.Other music: "Martian Cowboy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get extra content and bonus episodes at www.patreon.com/atomichobo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join me on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/atomichoboGet a copy of my book, Attack Warning Red, here: https://linktr.ee/attackwarningredIntroductory music: "No More Forevers" by IX. By kind permission of IX.Other music: "Martian Cowboy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The second half of Sweden's 1961 civil defence booklet, covering evacuation, letters home, luggage, baths and plastic sheeting.Join me on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/atomichoboGet a copy of my book, Attack Warning Red, here: https://linktr.ee/attackwarningredIntroductory music: "No More Forevers" by IX. By kind permission of IX.Other music: "Martian Cowboy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The 1961 version of the Swedish civil defence booklet has been translated for me by two kind listeners. Let's explore it, comparing it to the British booklet of the same era.You can find the Swedish booklet, plus its Second World War version and the later 1950s edition, at my Patreon page. Join me here at www.patreon.com/atomichobo where you will also get access to posts, archives, and bonus podcast episodes.Introductory music: "No More Forevers" by IX. By kind permission of IX.Additional music: "Martian Cowboy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are the Swedish brave enough to take surstromming into their shelter? Find my Patreon page hereIntroductory music: No More Forevers by IX. By kind permission of IX.Further music: SCP-x3x (I am Not OK)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Soviets tried to call the Baltic "the sea of peace" but Sweden had a few objections. Especially as any disruptions to the Baltic "peace" seemed to be coming from the Soviets, not the Swedes. In this episode we look at how Sweden's position on the Baltic, uncomfortably close to the Soviet Union, drew her into the Cold War and nuclear tension even though she was a neutral state. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We reach the penultimate episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Back in the archives this week. We look at a US civil defence booklet from 1969 about fallout shelters in schools. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Churchill and Eden head to Bermuda for a conference with Eisenhower. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Churchill sails across the Atlantic to meet Eisenhower - the new US President. But even though they are allies and friends from the war, there will be no nukes and kisses from Ike. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Britain gets the bomb! Then gets left behind again...Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes at www.patreon.com/atomichobo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why did Britain choose Australia for its first nuclear test - and why did Australia say yes?Join me on Patreon for extra podcast episodes www.patreon.com/atomichoboThank you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ruth! Work! Up! In this episode we see the fine reward Ruth gets for rearing her child and guarding her from the ultimate horrors of the world. A bonus episode has been uploaded to my Patreon page for pod subscribers. It's another one on 1980s nuclear pop music. We look at RUSSIANS by Sting. You can get it here: www.patreon.com/atomichoboYou can get my book ATTACK WARNING RED: HOW BRITAIN PREPARED FOR NUCLEAR WAR HERE: https://linktr.ee/attackwarningredOr get a signed copy from me directly at www.juliemcdowall.comThank you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Looking at a Canadian civil defence magazine from the 1960s, called Survival.Its main purpose was to overcome apathy amongst Canadians about nuclear war and civil defence, and it tried to do this with some humour!You can find the whole magazine on my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/atomichobo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the 1960s, America considered the N.E.A.R. system: a little black box you plug into the wall which acts as a personal air raid alarm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's 1951 and Churchill is back in Downing Street - but is he living in "atomic wonderland"?You can support the podcast and get extra episodes here https://www.patreon.com/atomichobo?fan_landing=true&view_as=publicYou can make a one-off donation to the podcast here https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/atomichoboAnd you can buy my book here https://linktr.ee/attackwarningredThank you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Clement Attlee's efforts in 1950 to make America promise to consult Britain before launching the nukes.Join my Patreon here and get extra podcast episodes. Buy my book, ATTACK WARNING RED!, here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The short video recorded by CNN which would be broadcast if nuclear war started.You can buy my book, ATTACK WARNING RED here: https://linktr.ee/attackwarningredAnd you can support the podcast and get extra episodes at Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/atomichobo?fan_landing=true&view_as=public Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 1981, Protect and Survive Monthly claimed they had been "attacked" in a BBC lecture. I found the lecture, and analyse it here. You can find it on YouTube at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqAocgZUpDo&t=641sYou can buy a copy of my book, ATTACK WARNING RED: HOW BRITAIN PREPARED FOR NUCLEAR WAR here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Attack-Warning-Red-Julie-McDowall/dp/1847926215/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1P6X47W5Y5L0Q&keywords=attack+warning+red+julie+mcdowall&qid=1692017642&sprefix=%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-1And you can join my Patreon here www.patreon.com/atomichoboThank you for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The arrival in Britain of the B-29s in 1948. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Britain's decision to build their own atomic bomb.You can listen to my book on Radio 4 here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m001p1ky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Standard life - for all of your life!Rat-trading, pylon-snapping, dog-barking, umbilical cord-chewing, starving, freezing Threads!Remember my book, ATTACK WARNING RED, goes out on Radio 4 this week, every day, as Book of the Week. Get in on radio, iPlayer, or on the BBC Sounds app. And if you like it, you can buy it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Attack-Warning-Red-Julie-McDowall/dp/1847926215/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YA0PURH07HLA&keywords=attack+warning+red+julie+mcdowall&qid=1690147483&sprefix=%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The secret plutonium experiments carried out in Cold War America.You can buy Attack Warning Red: How Britain Prepared for Nuclear War here: https://linktr.ee/attackwarningredThank you for listening.Julie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
