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Empire

Empire

By: Goalhanger
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About this listen

 The rise and fall of empires, rulers, and the events that shaped world history. William Dalrymple and Anita Anand explore the intricate stories of revolutions, imperial wars, and the people who built and lost empires. From the British Empire to the Ottomans to Ancient India, history is shaped by power struggles and territorial conquests. How does it continue to affect the world today? Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. World
Episodes
  • 304. Orwell: Animal Farm, 1984 & Totalitarian Dystopia (Part 3)

    304. Orwell: Animal Farm, 1984 & Totalitarian Dystopia (Part 3)
    Nov 4 2025
    What was the inspiration behind George Orwell’s most famous works? Why did he move to the remote Scottish island of Jura to finish writing 1984? What was Orwell’s “Snitch List” which he handed over to the government after World War 2? In Part 3 of this miniseries, Anita and William discuss Orwell’s life during WW2 and deep-dive his two most famous works…Join the Empire Club: Unlock the full Empire experience – with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to miniseries and live show tickets, exclusive book discounts, a members-only newsletter, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at empirepoduk.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    48 mins
  • 303. Orwell: Fighting Fascism In The Spanish Civil War (Part 2)

    303. Orwell: Fighting Fascism In The Spanish Civil War (Part 2)
    Oct 30 2025
    Why did George Orwell go to Spain to fight on the Republican side against General Franco? Who saved his life when he was shot in the throat? How did internal feuds on the leftist side of the war influence his writing and his paranoia? In Part 2 of this miniseries, William and Anita discuss Orwell’s fight against fascism and his experiences in the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939. Join the Empire Club: Unlock the full Empire experience – with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to miniseries and live show tickets, exclusive book discounts, a members-only newsletter, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at empirepoduk.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • 302. Orwell: The Anti-Imperialist In India & Burma (Part 1)

    302. Orwell: The Anti-Imperialist In India & Burma (Part 1)
    Oct 28 2025
    How was George Orwell’s childhood rooted in the British Empire and the opium trade in India? Why did George Orwell become a colonial police officer in Burma? When did Orwell develop his anti-imperialist stance? In the first part of this miniseries, Anita and William explore the early life of Eric Blair - later George Orwell - and his time in India and Burma. Join the Empire Club: Unlock the full Empire experience – with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to miniseries and live show tickets, exclusive book discounts, a members-only newsletter, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at empirepoduk.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
All stars
Most relevant
This is such a great podcast. Yes, it has its own take on history, it follows established rules of evidence, it admits certain types of stories and so forth, and I’m sure whole peoples are erased (for example, those whose medium to either describe, or be described, was not written texts.) n Nevertheless, the chemistry between presenters Anita Anand and ….,…,…,…,…,[pause] William Darlrymple (the pause is a signature that lets listeners know that William Darlrymple is a dad with a dad sense of humour) is excellent, the guests (subject matter experts) they get on are fascinating. and the curiosity the presenters have for their guests and the topics presented is exemplary. If you want a thought-provoking and entertaining look into historical topics such as empires or slavery, this really is the ducks-nuts.

Terrifically entertaining and important podcast

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