ANZAC Day / Remembrance Special (Re-release)
Dad and Me Love History
This episode is a bonus re-release in the run-up to ANZAC Day, this special extended episode was recorded over several years and first released in April 2019. It's a lot more serious than our usual fun-filled shows, but there’s lots to learn for kids and adults! And if you know a teacher who could use this episode, please share it with them – and with any other friends. We go to an ANZAC service in Australia, where World War One is particularly remembered. Then we go to Remembrance Day in Hong Kong, which just over 75 years ago was invaded by the Japanese during World War Two. We are...
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Dad (& Me) Jokes (again)!!!
Dad and Me Love History
Exciting news! We are writing a Dad & Me Love History book! And we need help - if you know a graphic designer with the skill and interest to add illustrations to our Dad & Me Love History book pitch, please email On to this epsiode, where we go back through the archives and play you highlights from our original recordings of Dad (& Me) jokes, from Ancient Romans to African Moors to the invention of cars! Read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at . Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime...
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63: Why did Japan attack itself?
Dad and Me Love History
Did WWII really start in 1931 in Asia? Yes, it pretty much did - ten years before Pearl Harbor. Today, we investigate how and why the Japanese Empire attacked itself – and how that led to war with China and beyond! We are joined by expert historian, Quin Cho (Archival Researcher for . Quin has literally written the book on this: The Kwantung Army and the Japanese Occupation of Manchuria, available from September 2025. This is the second of three episodes in Dad & Me's series on modern Japan. Check out the photos from our research trip on After the end theme music, you’ll...
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44. Hamilton & the American Revolution (Re-release)
Dad and Me Love History
Re-released for July 4! The one where we play lots of music and explain what it means. The production company behind Hamilton the Musical gave us the full rights to use and publish their music in our pod – so you’ll hear some big numbers in this episode. You’ll also learn a lot about history from a hip-hop musical that treats its audience as the intelligent beings that our listeners are! There are some big plot spoilers in here – but no worse than if you simply listen to the musical’s soundtrack. On Disney+, Hamilton the musical is rated PG-13, but we spare you the worst of the...
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62: Why & how did Japan go from no power to superpower?
Dad and Me Love History
Japan isolated itself from other countries for centuries. In the land of the samurai, tradition and honour were central. Guns were seen as dishonourable – until they weren’t. We see how Japan only changes its capital city via anagram (this could be next: Yo-ok-t?). So we investigate the remarkable Meiji modernisation period of a century or so ago, which launched Japan as a superpower – and prepared Japan to be a world-leader in technology, as the country still is today. Check out the photos from our trip on After the end theme music you’ll find these questions: 1. What was a...
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61: Nazi Germany: the beginning, middle & end of the Third Reich
Dad and Me Love History
We look at the rise of the Nazis and how they created and ruled what they called Germany’s “Third Reich”. When Hitler became ‘Chancellor’ - that means prime minister - Germany was still a democracy. How did Hitler and the Nazis turn a country with elections and a variety of political parties (groups) into a dictatorship where the Nazi party had eliminated all other groups, giving themselves total power? There are lots of photos from our trip to Germany on WARNING regarding young children: towards the end, we do discuss the Holocaust. After the end theme music you’ll...
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60: Why is the Statue of Liberty so important?
Dad and Me Love History
A beacon of hope, the Statue of Liberty has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States and to a new life. The statue overlooks New York harbour, close to Ellis Island immigration centre: if the USA is a land of immigrants, Ellis Island is where those immigrants landed. Built by France for the USA, there was some debate about which city the statue should be placed in. Then there was how to pay for a pedestal large enough to hold Liberty. We are grateful to Suzanne Mannion, Director of Public Affairs at the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, for arranging our visit,...
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59: The secret missions that made D-Day possible
Dad and Me Love History
We investigate the special operations that occurred ahead of the D-Day landings of over 130,000 Allied troops on the Nazi-controlled beaches of northern France We look at the role of special troops who parachuted into Nazi-occupied France ahead of the D-Day beach landings. With help from a very special expert guest, we focus on a mission for US Army Rangers at a headland near the beaches, called Pointe du Hoc. After the end theme music you’ll find these questions, followed by the outtakes: Which Allied countries took part in the D-Day landings? What was this operation...
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58: A History of Women’s Football
Dad and Me Love History
The history of the women’s game – from China to Britain, the US, Australia and Europe. Released with our recordings from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, we bring you not only the history but the vibes too – all sprinkled with plenty of dad jokes from James! At the end of today’s episode (after our outro theme song), you’ll hear some World Cup extras, a bonus dad joke from James, and an outtake or two. For a broader angle on football today – from powerchair to amputee – and how we try to make a positive difference, take a look at my webpage and socials for Our website, where...
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57. Why is the capital of the USA in Washington? And who was America’s greatest President?
Dad and Me Love History
Today’s episode comes from Washington DC, where we investigate why the capital was positioned there. And then, for our big question, we debate who wins the title of greatest US President ever! We are delighted to be joined by special guest Patrick Lau, who works for the US government in Washington, has a Masters’ degree in political science and is a history buff! He is also a former high school student whom Dad taught a long, long time ago! At the end of today’s episode (after our outro theme song), you’ll hear the questions (see below) and then bags of outtakes! Here are some...
info_outlineWe investigate the special operations that occurred ahead of the D-Day landings of over 130,000 Allied troops on the Nazi-controlled beaches of northern France
We look at the role of special troops who parachuted into Nazi-occupied France ahead of the D-Day beach landings. With help from a very special expert guest, we focus on a mission for US Army Rangers at a headland near the beaches, called Pointe du Hoc.
After the end theme music you’ll find these questions, followed by the outtakes:
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Which Allied countries took part in the D-Day landings?
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What was this operation called?
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Why did Allied special forces parachute into France before the D-Day beach landings?
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Why was it important to disrupt railway lines and German communication centres?
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Why was Pointe du Hoc an important piece of land?
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What challenges did the US Rangers face?
Our website, where you'll find photos, info about each episode and links to our social media, is https://www.dadandmelovehistory.com/ - where you can also listen to episodes.
For mature history lovers: read industry reviews of Dad’s World War II novels, A Chance Kill and The Slightest Chance, at paulletters.com. Available as e-books, as well as in paperback. Dad’s first wartime novel, A Chance Kill, is a love-story/thriller based on real events in Poland, Paris, London and Prague. The Slightest Chance follows the remarkable true story of the only escape from Japanese imprisonment by a Western woman during World War II.
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Podcast cover art by Molly Austin
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