Let's Learn About...

We're BACK, BABYYY! Let's Learn About... is returning at the end of May 2025, just with a few changes. I can't wait to crawl inside your ears again and teach you new things!

We're always on a mission to show that LGBTQ+ love has existed long before any of us. In this episode, Charlotte covers a brief history of gay relationships in ancient literature, particularly in Ancient Greek and Roman mythology, and a little bit of 11th century Japanese literature too. Stay tuned in a couple of episodes time, when we jump forward a bit to classic literature. --- References for This Episode: (See our website below for all links) Important Milestones in LGBTQ Publishing  Gay literature - Wikipedia Homoerotic themes in Greek and Roman mythology - Wikipedia Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Hazel!

Ellie shares 13 weird things that have washed ashore in different parts of the world, including an entire 10-foot tree in La Push, a German U-Boat in 1919 that turned out to be lethal, and hundreds of rubber ducks that are still likely to be floating out in the oceans today. --- References for This Episode: (See our website below for all links) 20 Strange Things That Have Washed Ashore - The Fact Site 'Faceless seabeast' washes up on beach but no one knows what it really is Dinosaur head found in U.K., and experts say it's one of the most complete pliosaur skulls ever unearthed - CBS News Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Hazel!

Charlotte talks about Bishop Castle, a huge stone building in Colorado built over the course of 60 years by one man, Jim Bishop. The family describe it as “a monumental statue in stone and iron that cries loud testament to the beauty and glory of not only having a dream, but sticking with your dream no matter what." Learn about the history of this amazing place – and you can even visit for free! --- References for This Episode: (See our website below for all links) Ginny Di's tweet that inspired this episode Bishop Castle Bishop's Castle – Rye, CO | Castle Landmark in Southern Colorado The Legacy Of Bishop Castle Has Only Been Singed By Fire | Colorado Public Radio The Colorado Man Who Single-Handedly Built A Castle Over 53 Years Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!  

In this episode, Ellie talks about someone who fits perfectly in our 'awesome women of history' series: Grace O'Malley, the Pirate Queen of Ireland. Best summed up by Irish historian and novelist Anne Chambers, O'Malley was a fearless leader, by land and by sea, a political pragmatist and politician, a ruthless plunderer, a mercenary, a rebel, and above all, a woman who broke the mould and played a unique role in history. --- References for This Episode: (See our website below for all links and resources used for this episode) Grace O' Malley - Anne Chambers Grace O' Malley - Royal Museums Greenwich The Pirate Queen Who Ruled The Irish Sea - Gráinne Ní Mháille Grace O'Malley: The Biography of Ireland's Pirate Queen 1530–1603 by Anne Chambers Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Hazel!

Throughout history, there have been so many different methods people have used to affect change in the world, from peaceful protests to revolutions that are anything but quiet. But one of the methods that has risen to prominence over the last century or so is “craftivism”: a word that combines craft and activism. Charlotte talks all about craftivism in today's episode, from the banners made by the Suffragettes to more modern campaigns for high street chains to pay their employees a living wage. --- References for This Episode: (See our website below for all links) Craftivist Collective Craftivism: How Gentle Protest Is Helping The World One Stitch At A Time (Nest Creative Spaces) Knitting for Good! by Betsy Greer Hunger strikes and handkerchiefs (RCP Museum) How a gentle protest with hand-embroidered hankies helped bring higher wages for retail employees (TED) Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Hazel!

We're very excited to be joined by Ben Ebbrell, otherwise known as Ebbers, from YouTube's Sorted Food! We talk all about how to be a better home cook, including essential kitchen equipment and cupboard staples, how to expand your culinary knowledge, how to be excited even about midweek cooking, and lots more. Ben also talks about his history of food, how he found his passion for it, and how Sorted Food came to be. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

On 25th December, lots of families across the UK will tuck into a Christmas dinner. Everyone has their favourite part that they just can't go without, whether it's the roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings or our personal favourite – pigs in blankets! But what did Christmas dinner in Britain look like throughout the ages? And where did some of our traditional Christmas day eats begin? It started earlier than you might think... --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!  

If you've seen the Disney adaptation of Pinocchio, you might think it's one of the darker, scarier films Disney have made. But did you know the original tale written by Carlo Collodi is even more terrifying? We're talking abuse, starvation, death... yeah, it's a fun ride (and written for children!!). In this episode, Charlotte tells the original dark tale of Pinocchio, some of the possible inspiration behind it in Collodi's real life, and some of the adaptations that have been made since, from dark to downright bizarre. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

We're so excited to be joined by Dr. Emily Garside to talk about her book, Gay Aliens and Queer Folk: How Russell T. Davies Changed TV. We nerd out about Russell T. Davies' entire writing career and how he changed the landscape of queer and working class characters on TV, and how Wales and the UK as a whole has been impacted by the phenomenon of Doctor Who. We also discuss the positive queer representation in other shows like Schitt's Creek. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

Halloween is widely celebrated around the world in many different ways, but have you ever considered how to make your celebrations inclusive and accessible to all? Accessibility is a huge thing today, and it's really important not to make anyone feel left out of the celebration. In this episode, Charlotte shares some studies and ideas to make your spooky holiday more inclusive, so everyone can enjoy it! --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!  

In 1923, Walt Disney founded his company with nothing but determination and a dream. In the century since its creation, it has taken over the world with theme parks, media of all kinds, merchandise, and more. In this episode, Ellie takes us through the entire 100-year history of the Walt Disney Company, from its humble beginnings to the multimedia giant it is today. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!  

Barbie was created in 1959 by Ruth Handler as an alternative to baby dolls, giving girls the opportunity to imagine their future selves not only as caregivers, but as anything they wanted to be. Over the last 60 years, Barbie has empowered girls to imagine themselves in aspirational roles from a princess to president — but there's a lot more to the story. In this episode, we learn about the history of Barbie: her invention, the growth of the brand, and some of the controversies along the way. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!  

We're back after our hiatus, and it's time for another episode about animals and mythology! Did you know that Corgis, the most adorable butt-wiggling dogs in the world, are noble steeds for fairies in Welsh myths? In this episode, Ellie tells us a few different stories involving these pointy-eared cuties. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

We're just dropping in to say we're taking a short break and we'll be back very soon! In the meantime, head over to our Patreon where we'll be keeping you updated, and you'll be first to know about our plans to return! --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research every episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

Right now, trans rights are a minefield, and people just want to be able to live in a body they feel comfortable in without being persecuted. Some believe trans and gender non-conforming identities are a new fad, but history proves otherwise! In this episode, Charlotte talks about 7 people throughout history who prove that trans and non-binary identities have always existed, since the beginning of time. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

In our third special Pride episode, Ellie talks about the life of Harris Glenn Milstead - otherwise known as Divine, the iconic drag queen of the 20th century. Learn about Divine's film career with director John Waters, and their incredible influence that can be seen in both drag and film culture today. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!  

In the 1950s, the concept of medical gender transitioning became possible in the UK, and 2023 marks just over 70 years since the first known transition surgery was carried out in Britain. One of the people whose story really should be heard more is Michael Dillon, a British trans pioneer. His story leading up to this milestone was long and complex, and Dillon's life is neglected by mainstream LGBTQIA+ history. It's time for trans history to become more centralised in historical narratives of gender and sexuality. So here's Michael Dillon's story! --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

It's June, which means it's Pride Month - and once again, we're here with a special series of Pride episodes! To kick us off, Charlotte talks about activism and allyship: how to be an activist (whether you're LGBTQ+ or not), why allies are so important, safeguarding and protecting LGBTQ+ students in educational settings, and how to stay safe while you practice your activism. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!  

We love learning about the planets in our solar system, and this is one of our favourites - except it's no longer classed as a planet, and we're not having that. Of course, we're talking about Pluto. In this episode, Ellie talks about this little former planet that is so full of wonderful mysteries and discoveries! --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

Most people love chocolate in some form, but do you know where chocolate came from or its rich history that spans centuries? In this episode, Charlotte covers the history of chocolate, going right back to ancient times and up to the world-famous chocolatiers of the last couple of centuries. We also learn about ethical chocolate production, slave-free cocoa initiatives, and Fair Trade. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

If we were to say that today's episode is about a beautiful woman/sea creature who was tricked to live a life ashore and be potentially cursed for the rest of their life, we'd forgive you for thinking we're talking about mermaids. But not quite! Ellie is turning to Scottish folklore to tell us a story about Selkies - mythological seal creatures who shed their skin on land to take on human form. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

Think you know much about your ancestors? How about way back before the human race existed as we know it? In this episode, Charlotte goes back a few million years to pre-human times and covers a brief history of our human lineage, from our most ancient ancestors, and discoveries of new related species that were made as recently as 2013. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Nermin!  

English writer H. G. Wells was prolific in many genres, writing more than fifty novels and dozens of short stories, and has been called the ‘father of modern science fiction'. He was also considered to be a futurist, with his works imagining time travel, alien invasion, invisibility, and biological engineering before these subjects were common in the genre. So Ellie wanted to find out... how many of H. G. Wells' creations actually came true? --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

We're joined by Lyndall Cave for a super long and informative guest episode! Have you ever wondered what actually goes into the clothes you wear or the things you use in everyday life, whether that's the materials themselves or the process it took to make them? This is what Lyndall covers in this episode, going right back to the fibres that fabrics are made of. We also talk about ethical and sustainable fashion, what that really means, and some tips on how to make your own wardrobe a bit more envrionmentally-friendly. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

Happy St David's Day! In this episode, Welsh native Charlotte talks about how people all around Wales celebrate on 1st March every year, a bit about who St David was (way back in the year 520), and the origins of some common Welsh symbols or emblems: leeks, daffodils, and love spoons. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

We love a feel-good episode, and this is another one about amazing animals! Ellie tells the stories of 3 incredible cats who held high-ranking human jobs: Mayor Stubbs, the mayor of a small Alaskan town; Catmando, a political party leader; and Tama the Stationmaster, who gained notoriety as more than just the mascot of a Japanese railway station. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

Just a quick announcement to explain why we're changing our episode schedule to biweekly (every 2 weeks) instead of weekly! --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!  

February is LGBT+ History Month in the UK, and in this episode, you'll learn all about it! Find out how this annual awareness month started, why it's so important, and some of the ways you could celebrate it yourself, whether you're an LGBTQ+ person or a wonderful ally. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

Saint Brigid of Kildare, or Brigid of Ireland, is the patroness saint of Ireland, and one of its three national or patron saints along with St Patrick and St Columba. There is debate over whether Brigid was a real person or not, or whether she is a Christianisation of the Celtic goddess of the same name. But whatever the truth, this woman did some great things, and we're learning about her in this episode! --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

We're starting off the new year with an inspirational story of another awesome woman of history, and this is one of Charlotte's new favourites! She talks about Betty Robinson, an Olympic track athlete who competed in the 1920s and '30s, who had an absolute rollercoaster of a life. From winning her first gold medal at just 16 years old to almost dying in a plane accident and then rising from the ashes again to win another gold medal -- Betty's story is one everyone should hear. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Nermin!

Happy New Year, one and all! In our first episode of 2023, Ellie takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the world and tells us a bit about how different countries might celebrate the new year, from huge feasts and blowout street parties to cleaning, saying hello to ancestors' spirits, and throwing things out of windows. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Nermin!

There are certain periods of history that shape traditions for the rest of time, and for Christmas in Britain, the Tudor period was one of these times. Some of our favourite traditions of the Christmas season date back to Tudor times, including singing carols, giving gifts, eating turkey, and kissing under the mistletoe. In this episode, Charlotte transports us back to the 16th century and talks about some of the ways they celebrated the festive season. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Nermin!

Returning guest Linde joins us to tell us about the festive Dutch legend of Sinterklaas: who he is and how he's based on Saint Nicholas (similar to Santa Claus), how Sinterklaas is celebrated, and how this year, it has all been a bit chaotic. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Nermin!

It's our first Christmas episode of 2022, and we're going all the way to Sweden (not literally) for this one! Ellie tells us about the Yule Goat, a Scandinavian and Northern European Yule and Christmas symbol whose origins go back to ancient Pagan festivals. Learn about the history and legend of the Yule Goat, how people in Scandinavia honour him, and the GIANT Yule Goat statue that sits in Castle Square (Gävle, Sweden) every year. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, George, and Nermin!

Charlotte was very recently in a local production of The Huncback of Notre Dame (the Off-Broadway musical adaptation), so in honour of that, she shares a comparison between the Disney movie and the original Victor Hugo novel. It's about to get dark! (Content warnings: mentions of rape/assault, death, suicide.) --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

After chatting to Omar Najam a little while ago, today we have our second Dimension 20 guest – but this time, it's someone from behind the camera rather than in front of it! Rick Perry, D20's Production Designer and Creative Producer, joins us to discuss his career and his role in the creative side of the College Humor actual-play D&D series, including the whole process of creating maps, minis and more, and his favourite pieces he's created. He also shares tips and advice on how to add create elements to your own home games without spending a fortune, and how to break into the production design industry. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

We're joined by Ellie's cousin Lydia, a classically trained musician. She tells us all about how classical music and folklore combine in the Lemminkainen suite by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, widely regarded as Finland's greatest composer, and whose music is often credited with having helped Finland develop a national identity during its struggle for independence from Russia. We also chat about fascinating instruments throughout history, why you shouldn't look down on the recorder, elitism in classical music, and the barriers people face today in regards to music education. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

There have been many famous sibling rivalries throughout history. But have you ever heard of the one that went on to form two of the most recognisable sporting goods brands in the world? A vicious family feud that not only pitted two brothers against one another, but also divided the inhabitants of their hometown into warring factions that lasted for 60 years... this is the story of Adi and Rudi Dassler. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

Want to know where some of the strange phrases and idioms we have in English originated? We've got another etymology episode today! Charlotte covers the origins of 14 strange English idioms, including bob's your uncle, wild goose chase, caught red handed, walking on eggshells, and more. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

Happy Halloween! We're fusing Halloween and D&D in this episode. If you're planning on running a horror-themed Dungeons & Dragons one-shot or campaign for your adventuring party and you're not sure where to start, then this might help! To round off the Spooky season, Ellie has curated a list of some of the scariest monsters you could include in your Dungeons & Dragons games that are guaranteed to give your players the heebie-jeebies. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

Need some last-minute inspiration for a Halloween costume this year? Then this might be the episode for you! Ever since the late 19th century, Americans have been dressing up to celebrate Halloween. The costumes people choose to wear are always changing, influenced by popular culture and current events. In this episode, Ellie takes us on a journey through pop culture history since the 1950s, and how the media has influenced the most popular Halloween costumes each year. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

In pop culture, Transylvania is commonly associated with vampires because of the influence of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula. And apparently, a big part of Transylvanian culture is the collection of spooky legends, myths and haunting creatures that haunt the country. So, in this episode, Charlottes shares a few of the legends, myths, and creatures that may or may not haunt the Romanian region of Transylvania. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

In this gigantic bonus episode, we're joined again by the lovely Omar Najam to talk about the whole season of A Court of Fey and Flowers; a new D&D series called DesiQuest starring an entirely South Asian cast; the ethics of our decisions in both D&D and in real life; 13 Days 13 Shorts; Halloween; the Muppets; and why we love the Dimension 20 community so much. Phew! Go to our website to find a full list of timestamps for this episode. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

In 2020, we did an episode all about the infamous Salem Witch Trials, but did you know that witch trials were just as prolific in the UK, too? In the first episode of this year's Spooky Month series, Ellie talks about the bloody history of witch trials in England and Scotland. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

This is Let's Learn About D&D, our Dungeons & Dragons spin-off series by beginners, for beginners! In this episode, we share with you some helpful tips and tricks for getting inside the head of your D&D character and getting better at roleplaying. It can feel daunting or scary to start with, but these tips should show you that it doesn't have to be! --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

In a random but fun (and kind of wholesome) episode, Charlotte talks about three animals that have broken records for their incredibly old age: Jonathan the tortoise (currently around 190 years old), Wisdom the albatross (currently at least 70 years old), and Ming the clam (who was sadly killed by researchers at the grand old age of 507). --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

When you try to name the father of motion pictures, you might think of Thomas Edison, or maybe the Lumiere Brothers. But how many of you would name Louis Le Prince? This episode is about him, his inventions, and how the course of film history could have been completely different if he hadn't boarded a train and disappeared off the face of the earth, never to be seen again... There's one question that still remains unsolved today. What really happened to Louis Le Prince, the forgotten father of motion picture? --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

In this episode, Charlotte explores when fan fiction actually began, its origins, and how it became such a cultural phenomenon that it is today, with millions of pieces of work published online for every conceivable fandom. Fandom and fan fiction fiction may seem like a relatively new phenomenon, but we were very surprised to learn that its origins go back as far as the 18th century! --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, Steve, Dan, Megg, and George!

We're so excited to be joined by Omar Najam: a writer, director, and currently playing Andhera in Dimension 20's A Court of Fey and Flowers. In this episode, Omar talks about his experience playing D&D with Dimension 20, how improv has helped him become a better player, and his favourite moments from the series. We also discuss asexuality and the growing representation in media, the great community of people coming together over this still quite misunderstood identity, and Omar's experience of playing an ace character as an ace person himself. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, and Steve!

Every language has its own idioms -- phrases that when taken literally don't make a lot of sense, but everyone knows what they mean when used in the right context. In this episode, Ellie takes us through the origins of 11 common, everyday English idioms, and where their literal meanings came from. --- Where to Find Us:  Head to our website, learnaboutpod.com, to read the full episode notes and see a list of links and resources used to research this episode. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @learnaboutpod.  Support us on Patreon:  Want to help support the show? For only £2/month you'll get early access to episodes, two exclusive bonus episodes every month, a handwritten postcard, and outtakes that don't make the final cut. Go to patreon.com/learnaboutpod to get started! A huge thanks to our current patrons: Llinos, Luke, Bryony, Linde, Michael, Sarah, and Steve!