Real Dictators

By: NOISER
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  • Summary

  • Real Dictators is the award-winning podcast that explores the hidden lives of history's tyrants. Hosted by Paul McGann, with contributions from eyewitnesses and expert historians. New episodes available one week early for Noiser+ subscribers. You'll also get ad-free listening and exclusive content. To find out more about Noiser+, head to noiser.com/subscriptions. For advertising enquiries, email info@adelicious.fm Production: Joel Duddell, Ed Baranski, Miriam Baines, Tom Pink, George Tapp, Dorry Macaulay, Cian Ryan-Morgan, Anisha Devadasan, Joseph McGann. Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink. We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/real for £100 sponsored credit.
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Episodes
  • Benito Mussolini Part 4: A Fine Bromance

    Benito Mussolini Part 4: A Fine Bromance
    Jan 8 2025
    Il Duce uses propaganda to become a folk hero - part saint, part Father Christmas. He bans journalists from mentioning his birthday or the fact he’s a grandfather - to promote an image of eternal youth. Ernest Hemingway arrives in Switzerland to interview the Italian strongman, and sees right through him. Italy launches a genocidal campaign in Libya and gets away with it. And as the World Cup comes to the Fatherland, Benito Mussolini prepares to finally meet one Adolf Hitler… A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson. Many thanks to Giulia Albanese, Joshua Arthurs, John Foot, Nicholas O’Shaughnessy, Lisa Pine, Helen Roche. This is Part 4 of 7. Get every episode of Real Dictators a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Benito Mussolini Part 3: Murder in Broad Daylight

    Benito Mussolini Part 3: Murder in Broad Daylight
    Jan 1 2025
    World leaders line up to hail the new Italian strongman. But the fascists are already silencing dissenting voices. An epochal discovery in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings unleashes a curse, or so Mussolini believes. Il Duce gets his top off in the wheat fields - making sure to be caught on camera. He comes to an arrangement with the Pope and meets the woman who will ultimately die by his side. Meanwhile, an Anglo-Irish aristocrat prepares to make an astonishing attempt on Mussolini’s life… A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson. Many thanks to Giulia Albanese, Joshua Arthurs, John Foot, Nicholas O’Shaughnessy, Lisa Pine, Helen Roche. This is Part 3 of 7. Get every episode of Real Dictators a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Benito Mussolini Part 2: The March on Rome

    Benito Mussolini Part 2: The March on Rome
    Dec 18 2024
    Wounded at the Front, Mussolini’s war ends early. A playboy aristocrat forms his own private army, offering inspiration to Il Duce. As Italian workers go on strike, Mussolini’s goons crack skulls on the streets. And in a smoke-filled hall in Milan, he declares the birth of a new movement. His fascists will soon begin an audacious march on the capital… A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson. Many thanks to Giulia Albanese, Joshua Arthurs, John Foot, Nicholas O’Shaughnessy, Lisa Pine, Helen Roche. This is Part 2 of 7. Get every episode of Real Dictators a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 8 mins

What listeners say about Real Dictators

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Profile Image for Rachael Griggs

Holds your attention hostage!

Beautifully narrated, exquisitely detailed, and well-organized. I live in dread of reaching the last episode.

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Profile Image for Robin in Alaska

I'm Hooked

Listened to all episodes within a few days, and I can honestly say that I've learned more about world events in the most engaging and factual story-telling drama series I've ever heard. The background music or the noise of guns, or planes, or bombs helps to stir each event to life. Narrator is superb. Bring on more episodes please!

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Profile Image for SARQ

Compelling series with excellent narration

Paul McGann has a great voice for this really interesting history lesson. The content is superb and enlightening. I listen on my night shift and time certainly passes rather quickly as it’s so interesting.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Doctors-Their times

The many dictators were all calm and determined in their own ways. If you like history this book will excite you even when evil is strong.

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Profile Image for Peter Kourakos III

The most in depth history podcast I've ever listen

I subscribe to many podcasts. There's a lot of history in my list, but this has gone far and away beyond any other history podcast that I've heard. Truth be told, I didn't know what to expect when I first saw that cover art but I was intrigued when I heard Paul McGann was the narrator (he's the 8th Doctor for any fellow Whovians out there).

The series on Hitler (15 episodes so far, as of this writing) is astounding! I thought I knew enough based on various sources, but this takes you through a fine-toothed comb explanation of the lives of these madmen.

It's quickly become one of my favorites and I try to listen to it daily.

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Profile Image for A. Pires

just what a history junkie wanted!

I started with Lenin and 5min in I was absolutely hooked. fantastic info and presentation.

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Profile Image for Suzanne Eaddy

You folks need to do a Putin series

Vladimir Putin and Pinochet…Those are my recommendations for more stories. Great series I love these

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Binge worthy!

I couldn't stop listening took me two days and now I check every day to see if a new episode is out!

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3 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Extremely good!!

I recommend this podcast for sure, it’s absolutely amazing! Can’t wait for the next season!

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Profile Image for Amanda

SO good!! Like a book you can’t put down, it’s hard to stop listening to this one.

I LOVE history and this podcast is exactly how I want historical storytelling to be done. It’s an exceptional podcast, I highly recommend!!

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