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No One Saw It Coming

ABC Australia
Berlin Wall
World War II
Stonewall Inn
LGBTQ+ Rights Movement
Igor Stravinsky
Absinthe
Radium Girls
Cholera
The Rite Of Spring
Mona Lisa
East Germany
World War I
John Snow
Paris
Cold War
Phineas Gage
History Of Absinthe
Mark Segal
London
French Revolution

The bit players, the unexpected twists, the turning point you missed. Join Walkley award-winner Marc Fennell as he uncovers the incredible moments that changed the course of history. New episodes out Tuesday.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes60Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for No One Saw It Coming

Latest Episodes

In the week before Christmas 1894, a man in the South Australian parliament rolls the dice.

He makes a gamble that he thinks will pay off. It’s incredibly risky because if his gamble goes wrong, he gives half the population something he really doesn... more

After the Second World War, relations between America, Britain and the Soviets were frosty and as the Cold War rivalry intensified, they were watching each other with intense side-eye. And it turns out, listening as well.

Matt Bevan (If You’re Liste... more

The Met Gala’s 2026 theme is Costume Art. But rewind almost 100 years ago, and the fight was to get costumes to be called art at all.

And if a handful of very determined women hadn’t pushed to change that, the Met Gala probably doesn’t exist.

Dr. ... more

When he got on the train to London, he thought he got away with it. He thought he got away with murder. But little did he know that something was racing alongside the train, pulsing deep underground, that would change his life forever.

Writer and c... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Matthew Bevan
Host of the podcast If You're Listening and author
ABC podcast If You're Listening
Episode: Beware gifts from Soviet spies
Elizabeth Lundén
Dr. Elizabeth Lundén, Kluge Research Fellow at the Library of Congress, fashion and cinema history expert
Library of Congress
Episode: The Met Gala began in a dead woman’s closet
Fiona Pepper
Science reporter with the Science Unit at Radio National
ABC Listen/Radio National
Episode: Clogged sink doomed a space mission
Tatiana Bur
Lecturer in Classics at the Australian National University
Australian National University
Episode: Ancient Greek built a steam engine for dinner parties
Jo Willett
Author and historian featured on the episode
Author
Episode: She gave her son smallpox. Her bet paid off.
Tim Madge
Author, former journalist who narrates the Tim Madge segments
Author/Journalist
Episode: Cocaine wine: The Pope’s energy drink
Marta Braun
Retired director of Photographic and Film Preservation at Ryerson University
Ryerson University
Episode: A horse race and a murderer invented cinema
Matt Sakakeeny
Professor of music, Tulane University
Tulane University
Episode: Let slaves dance: The secret of New Orleans jazz
Brooke Kroeger
Journalist and emeritus professor, NYU; historian of journalism
New York University
Episode: She faked insanity. Then became a star.

Host

Marc Fennell
Host of No One Saw It Coming

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Great listen

    Thank you and your team for all your work on this podcast, thoroughly enjoy!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @samypaden
    United States19 days ago
  • Think history isn’t your thing?

    That was me, once upon a time! Marc’s human-centred approach has genuinely changed how I see the world over the years. This podcast is a brilliant evolution of his work. You’re a legend, mate 🙌🏽

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MissRaeJ
    Australia23 days ago
  • Each Episode is Amazing

    Firstly Matc, as always is an excellent presenter. I won’t lie, when I started listening to this podcast I wasn’t sure each topic would be of interest yet by the time I’ve finished I find myself doing extra research because the stories are fascinating. This is on “must listen” to list. Highly, highly recommended

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Didda Brown
    Australiaa month ago
  • Great but doesn’t always go to the next episode

    Fabulous episodes, but when I’m driving, it is impossible to find the next episode when it doesn’t automatically go to it; like it used to.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Portpad
    Australia2 months ago
  • Excellent, but….

    Excellent podcast, but Marc - why the intrusive music in the episode on horses and the creation of films?

    Very distracting and annoying.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    LizAnne S
    Australia2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners note occasional strong opinions but overall consistency and entertainment value.
Fans appreciate the breadth of topics and accessible yet thorough history.
Responses highlight high production quality and engaging narratives with strong expert context.
Listeners praise the host's storytelling, clear questions, and solid guest lineups.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#241
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#73
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#184
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#29
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#3
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#206
New Zealand/Top Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Met Gala began in a dead woman’s closet
Q: What changed after Diana Vreeland's era or after her departure?
After her departure and especially following her death in 1989, the gala shifted back toward fundraising and more traditional museum-oriented approaches before later reintegration of media and editors as chairs redefined the public-facing aspect of the event.
The Met Gala began in a dead woman’s closet
Q: How did Diana Vreeland influence the Met Gala and its public perception?
Diana Vreeland reinvigorated the gala by turning Vogue-era fashion into a broader, media-driven spectacle, leveraging exhibitions and publicity to elevate the event into a global fashion moment.
The Met Gala began in a dead woman’s closet
Q: What sparked the creation of the Met Gala in its early years?
It began as a fundraising effort called the Party of the Year to galvanize rich patrons and fashion insiders to support the new Museum of Costume Art and later the Met's costume wing, securing essential funding and attention.
The mafia bar riot that sparked gay pride
Q: What is life like for a gay activist in a time when society, America, the world does not want you to exist?
Life was tough with very few opportunities for gay individuals, leading to temporary jobs and a struggle for visibility.
The mafia bar riot that sparked gay pride
Q: Were riots like this uncommon?
Mark Segal clarifies that the violence seen that night was extremely unusual as typically, police would just collect a bribe and leave.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About No One Saw It Coming

What is No One Saw It Coming about and what kind of topics does it cover?

History-focused storytelling with a knack for turning surprising moments in the past into engaging narratives. Across episodes, the show covers a wide range of historical turning points, from technological leaps in cinema to pivotal social movements, uncovering how individuals, discoveries, and disruptions shaped our world. Guests range from scholars and journalists to activists and researchers, offering context-rich perspectives and vivid storytelling. It stands out for its accessible, well-researched approach and occasional dramatic recreations that help illuminate complex histories without sacrificing rigor.

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Which podcasts are similar to No One Saw It Coming?

These podcasts share a similar audience with No One Saw It Coming:

1. ABC Rewind
2. Conversations
3. If You're Listening
4. Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today
5. What's That Rash?

How many episodes of No One Saw It Coming are there?

No One Saw It Coming launched a year ago and published 60 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on No One Saw It Coming?

Recent guests on No One Saw It Coming include:

1. Matthew Bevan
2. Elizabeth Lundén
3. Fiona Pepper
4. Tatiana Bur
5. Jo Willett
6. Tim Madge
7. Marta Braun
8. Matt Sakakeeny

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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