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Artwork for No One Saw It Coming

No One Saw It Coming

ABC Australia
World War II
Berlin Wall
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes71Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for No One Saw It Coming

Latest Episodes

What do you get when you combine fashion, race and a world war?

From the jazz clubs and dance halls of the 1940s to an infamous city riot in Los Angeles, the zoot suit was made to draw attention. But sometimes, that wasn't such a good thing.

Monic... more

A well-placed lie can bring down a whole government. Hard to believe, but in Prague in 1989 that’s exactly what happened.

In amongst a heaving student protest, a body was carried away. That body became a flashpoint for Czechoslovakians to say enough... more

She stands tall with her head tilted towards you. She’s wearing an incredible gown made of the most beautiful fabric. This is a society woman living in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century.

But she will see things that will shock and disturb her.... more

In the late 1500s a man sails across the North Sea. He’s battered by wind and wave. The sea seems angry, almost furious at him. He thinks it must be more than just a bad storm. It must be supernatural.

This man is James VI, the King of Scotland and... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Monica Miller
Professor of Africana Studies, Columbia University
Columbia University
Episode: The suit that sparked a riot
Richard Fidler
Host and interviewer on Conversations on ABC Radio, author
ABC Radio, Conversations
Episode: Richard Fidler: The lie that toppled a regime
Tim Bonyhady
Art historian and lawyer
Tim Bonyhady (author/historian)
Episode: Escaped the Nazis and lost by Australia
Gretel Gullier
Tim's grandmother; part of the family tied to the painting
Gullier family
Episode: Escaped the Nazis and lost by Australia
Kate Forsyth
Author, folklore scholar, historical fiction writer
Author and storyteller
Episode: The queen behind the witch hunts
Amelia Huw Morgan
Artist and senior lecturer in illustration
Cardiff School of Art and Design
Episode: An 11-year-old sent us on a mission...
Dr. Chris Kavelin
Expert in protection of Indigenous medical knowledge
Melbourne Medical School / Melbourne Medical Museum
Episode: The secret Aussie plant that saved D-Day
Rob Collins
Archaeologist
Vindolanda expedition
Episode: History’s favourite sex toys
Rob Sands
Archaeologist
Vindolanda expedition
Episode: History’s favourite sex toys

Host

Marc Fennell
Host of the show; prominent history storyteller with a capability for deep archival digging and engaging narrative.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • Fascinating!!

    I just love how much interesting and new information I am learning in such a short time. Marc’s interviewing is exceptional.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J30azz
    Australia2 months ago
  • Love this podcast

    Great production quality, always interesting and different to other things out there! Love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hekakaknne
    Australia2 months ago
  • I thought I knew historical obscurities…

    This podcast is brilliantly presented and put together by Marc and the expert guests, and covers such a wide range of subjects - some are super interesting details of stories you think you know, and others are completely out of left field. Entertaining and filled with fun facts that are bound to make you a hoot at parties!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CatM89
    Australia2 months ago
  • Great insights on a range of topics.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Josef
    3 months ago
  • Great listen

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @samypaden
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate the breadth of topics and the quality of production.
The show is occasionally critiqued for background music or pacing in some episodes.
Episodes are described as well-researched, engaging, and easy to follow for history lovers.
Listeners praise the host's storytelling ability and accessible historical context.
Guests are consistently knowledgeable and provide deep expertise.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#220
Canada/History
Spotify
#12
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#104
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#10
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#246
Italy/History
Apple Podcasts
#62
Indonesia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Escaped the Nazis and lost by Australia
Q: Is that right?
Yes. The family's story includes a failed gift to the Art Gallery of New South Wales in the 1960s, followed by a later sale and eventual acquisition by major European galleries, which ultimately positioned the painting for its Australian narrative.
History’s favourite sex toys
Q: So I guess walk us through what the concept of hysteria was, and whether or not it's real or just a myth, and what the evidence actually shows.
The concept of hysteria was a vague, umbrella category used to describe perceived excessive distress in women; it was not supported by evidence of a universal medical condition, and the popular belief that it was treated with women being masturbated to orgasm is largely debunked by scholars and primary sources.
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.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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?

This program delivers history-driven storytelling that blends archival research, expert commentary, and narrative devices to illuminate pivotal moments that reshaped societies. Topics span empires, scientific breakthroughs, cultural revolutions, and political turning points, with a dependable cadence of engaging guests who provide historical context and nuanced analysis. A standout trait is the show's ability to translate complex history into accessible, human-centered narratives, often highlighting lesser-known angles and the broader consequences of seemingly small innovations or events. For potential listeners, it's a good fit if you enjoy well-researched, story-rich explorations of the past told through the lens of historical causality a... more

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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. What's That Rash?
5. Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

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

No One Saw It Coming launched a year ago and published 71 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. Monica Miller
2. Richard Fidler
3. Tim Bonyhady
4. Gretel Gullier
5. Kate Forsyth
6. Amelia Huw Morgan
7. Dr. Chris Kavelin
8. Rob Collins

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