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Real Dictators

NOISER
Saddam Hussein
English Civil War
Oliver Cromwell
Iraq
Charlie Chaplin
Gulf War
Silent Film Era
Ba'ath Party
Comedy
Hollywood
The Little Tramp
George H.W. Bush
Herod the Great
Baths
Prince Rupert Of the Rhine
The Great Dictator
Keystone Studios
Abdul Karim Qasim
Gamal Abdel Nasser
Kuwait

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 a week early for Noiser+ subscribers. You'll also get ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content on shows across the Noiser podcast network. Click the subscription banner at the top of t... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes152Founded5 years ago
Categories
DramaHistoryFiction

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Artwork for Real Dictators

Latest Episodes

The end arrives. Embarrassed at a baseball game, the Maximum Leader responds with arrests and intimidation. We hear first-hand testimony from a Cuban on the receiving end of the violence. A nasty public fall and a painful ordeal in the air show that ... more

After a tragedy in the Florida Straits, a dramatic tug of war takes place between Castro and America - all centred on a five-year-old boy. A new leader in the Soviet Union comes to power with fresh ideas which terrify Fidel. The Berlin Wall crumbles,... more

When a bomb goes off on a south Florida street, it bears all the hallmarks of a Cuban expert. Castroland is going international. As exiles flock to Miami, Fidel sets off on a globe-trotting mission - meeting Colonel Gaddafi in Libya and dispatching t... more

Castro sets out to create a breed of “new people” - turning Cuba into an island of mini-Fidels. A particular dairy cow becomes a national treasure and hot dog vendors are declared counter-revolutionary, as things get surreal. Fidel’s own sister flees... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Eduardo Zayas-Bazan
Cuban exile and key participant in the Bay of Pigs invasion
Episode: Fidel Castro Part 5: The Bay of Pigs
Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo
Cuban writer and photographer
Episode: Fidel Castro Part 1: Rise of ‘The Crazy One’
Carlos Eire
Professor of History at Yale University
Yale University
Episode: Fidel Castro Part 1: Rise of ‘The Crazy One’
Jonathan Hansen
Senior lecturer at Harvard University
Harvard University
Episode: Fidel Castro Part 1: Rise of ‘The Crazy One’
Lillian Guerra
Professor of Cuban and Caribbean history
University of Florida
Episode: Fidel Castro Part 1: Rise of ‘The Crazy One’
Jennifer Lambe
Associate professor of history
Brown University
Episode: Fidel Castro Part 1: Rise of ‘The Crazy One’
Alex von Tunzelmann
Author of Red Heat
Episode: Fidel Castro Part 1: Rise of ‘The Crazy One’
Professor John Foot
Expert on Mussolini and Italian history
Not mentioned
Episode: Benito Mussolini Part 5: The Pact of Steel
Thomas Weber
Professor of History at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
Episode: Benito Mussolini Part 5: The Pact of Steel

Host

Paul McGann
Host known for his captivating narration style, enriching storytelling with historical context and expert insights; recognized for his work across various historical narrative formats.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 21.5k ratings
  • LOVE!!!

    I found this podcast after listening to “History Daily”

    and popped right over because I find dictators fascinating. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. I have listened to the entire 2020 season and well into the Hitler series. Anyone saying this is a political podcast is wrong. I can’t remember one time it wasn’t just facts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A reviewer 🦋
    United Statesa month ago
  • Don’t Cry For Me Argentina

    I thoroughly enjoy this podcast and was completely riveted by the series on Argentina. I was in my 20’s when the military seized control and remember a little of what happened. After the murder of Salvatore Allende in Chile, and then the takeover in Argentina, I crossed off visiting South America. While listening to this series, I sadly realized there are many similarities between what happened in Argentina to what is currently happening in the USA now. Poor Argentina; I think it’ll take a long ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zeegha
    United Statesa month ago
  • How history should be taught

    I was that kid always bored out of my mind in history class. If only it was presented like this — with a dynamic presenter, chilling stories, and excellent sound production that brings everything to life. I’ve learned so, so much. The experts are fantastic; each dictator’s story is thoroughly researched and fact-based—receipts are provided, even in ancient figures, e.g., Julius Caesar. I started with the first episode and am now starting Robert Mugabe. Each episode is extraordinary. Highly, high... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Spesh713
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best podcast ever

    Best thing you could do for yourself is listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    benydit
    Australiaa month ago
  • Love the format and topics. Excellent (real)storytelling

    Podcast Addict
    5
    legionbergen
    2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some reviews express frustration with perceived bias, particularly during discussions of Western historical perspectives.
Many appreciate the unique blend of personal accounts and expert commentaries, which enrich the historical narratives.
Overall, there is strong enthusiasm for the engaging narration and thorough exploration of dictators' lives, highlighting their complexities.
Listeners praise the captivating storytelling and depth of research involved in each episode.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#50
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#52
United States/History
Spotify
#23
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#236
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#21
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#29
Canada/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Oliver Cromwell Part 3: To Kill a King…
Q: Why do some parliamentarians and members of the New Model Army decide to get rid of the king?
Because they realize Charles I has been insincere in negotiations and has also launched a new civil war in 1648, making him untrustworthy. Additionally, they believe it is God's will to remove him to prevent continuous conflict.
BONUS: Dictators’ Books
Q: Any of them show any sign of a sense of humor in their work, or are these books, you know, to the last one kind of devoid of that?
Not really, humor is dangerous in totalitarian regimes; very few jokes appear.
BONUS: Dictators’ Books
Q: Do you feel when you were reading these books, in touch with that kind of evil of the person who was writing them? I mean, was there a kind of discomfort there?
Sometimes, it depended on the regime, e.g. Stalin was dry while Hitler's writing was filled with hate.

Audience Metrics

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

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Real Dictators

What is Real Dictators about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on the intricate lives of history's worst tyrants, detailing their rise to power, methods of control, psychological profiles, and eventual downfall. Each episode typically combines historical narrative with analysis from historians and first-hand accounts from those who witnessed the events of a dictator's reign. This structure creates a compelling blend of drama and factual recounting, aimed at both history aficionados and casual listeners interested in the darker sides of human leadership and governance. The series also appears to emphasize the psychological and societal implications of dictatorship, providing listeners with a diverse understanding of authoritarianism throughout global history.

Where can I find podcast stats for Real Dictators?

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How many listeners does Real Dictators get?

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What are the audience demographics for Real Dictators?

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How many subscribers and views does Real Dictators have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Real Dictators has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Real Dictators?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Real Dictators:

1. Short History Of...
2. History Daily
3. Dan Snow's History Hit
4. Real Survival Stories
5. Sherlock Holmes Short Stories

How many episodes of Real Dictators are there?

Real Dictators launched 5 years ago and published 152 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Real Dictators?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Real Dictators?

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What guests have appeared on Real Dictators?

Recent guests on Real Dictators include:

1. Eduardo Zayas-Bazan
2. Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo
3. Carlos Eire
4. Jonathan Hansen
5. Lillian Guerra
6. Jennifer Lambe
7. Alex von Tunzelmann
8. Professor John Foot

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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