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The Secret World of Roald Dahl

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Roald Dahl
Walt Disney
Alfred Hitchcock
Hollywood
James Bond
MI6
Harry Truman
Roosevelt
The Gremlins
You Only Live Twice
Patricia Neal
Charlie Chaplin
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
World War II
Gary Cooper
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Childhood Trauma
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Biography
Broadway

You know Roald Dahl as the writer who thought up Willy Wonka, Matilda, and the BFG. But did you know he was also a spy? "The Secret World of Roald Dahl" is a wild journey through the hidden chapters of his extraordinary, controversial life. How did this secret agent and struggling screenwriter wind up as the most successful children’s author ever? And what darkness from his covert past seeped into... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes14Founded7 months ago
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DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

How do you turn a beloved but prickly children's book into a candy colored fever dream that outlives everyone who made it? Aaron is the guest on What Went Wrong, the fantastic, hit podcast unpacking the improbable origin story of a single movie. This... more

YouTube

Aaron answers your questions about Dahl and the show with the help of two extraordinary guests: writer Mark Harris on how to capture a complicated life, and the journalist who, decades ago, found himself alone with Dahl when the mask finally slipped.... more

YouTube

Mark Rosenblatt had never written a play before Giant, his portrait of Roald Dahl. Now it's the most talked about, best reviewed show on Broadway. Aaron sits down with Mark for a wide ranging conversation. Two writers who've spent a lot of time wrest... more

YouTube

After all the adventures, all the struggles, all the discarded masks, Dahl finally discovers exactly who he's meant to be. Locked away in a small hut in an apple orchard, Dahl creates a ritual so precise and sacred that it borders on obsession. And d... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Aaron Tracy
Best-selling writer, producer; host of The Secret World of Roald Dahl
The Secret World of Roald Dahl
Episode: Willy Wonka: Aaron Goes on What Went Wrong
Michael Corrin
Anglican priest and author of 20 books; journalist who interviewed Dahl about antisemitism
Independent journalist / Anglican priest
Episode: (Bonus Episode) You Have Questions
Steve Israel
Former U.S. Congress member and bookstore owner
Theodore's Books
Episode: (Bonus Episode) You Have Questions
Katie Langley
Education professional
Episode: (Bonus Episode) You Have Questions
Mark Harris
Biographer and author
Author of Mike Nichols, A Life
Episode: (Bonus Episode) You Have Questions
Devon Fontecheo
Seventh-grade student (questioner)
Education
Episode: (Bonus Episode) You Have Questions
Mark Rosenblatt
Playwright of Giant, the Broadway play about Roald Dahl
Giant (play)
Episode: (Bonus Episode) Giant: A Conversation with Playwright Mark Rosenblatt
Mark West
English professor and expert on children's literature
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Episode: The Writing Life
Peter Wallace
Interviewer featured in archival material about Dahl
Episode: The Writing Life

Host

Aaron Tracy
Host of The Secret World of Roald Dahl, with a focus on biography, ethics, and media history.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2k ratings
  • Everyone should listen

    I’m a big fan of Ronald Dahl and I love the way that the podcasts are telling the story have so much knowledge about him and so much of the background that we don’t know anything about we do

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kimberlymac29
    United Statesa month ago
  • Fascinating guy, mixed podcast

    Listen to half of the podcast and stop, if you just want to learn about Dahl’s life and not the host’s side quest enthusiasms. Also, they use an AI voice for Dahl while being cagey about doing it is, which is unnecessary, unwelcome, and confusing in a podcast that contains so much actual documentary footage. It’s a creepy and violating thing to do to a dead man.

    The biographical info in this podcast is very good, but it peters off halfway through as the host suddenly gets into professor mode. ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    quail
    United Statesa month ago
  • Extraordinary Irresponsible Take on Topic of Palestine

    Yes, Roald Dahl was an unrepentant antisemite. However, the very valid point he made about Israel’s complicity in terror and genocide in the Middle East was undermined by the podcast host and guest trying to use this to prove Dahl’s pattern of prejudice. The podcast frequently uses the term “what was going on in the Middle East” to minimize real displacement, genocide and war that Dahl witnessed and that we still witness today. A point is made that a component of antisemitism involves blaming Je... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Amanda CQ
    United Statesa month ago
  • A childhood hero through a new lens.

    I found this to be a thoughtful, well-crafted, and fascinating exploration of an author whose work was a significant part of my childhood, yet whose life I knew very little about. Roald Dahl lived an extraordinary life filled with remarkable highs and devastating lows I had no idea about - I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this extraordinary man behind his extraordinary stories.

    One caveat: prior to listening, I was unaware of Dahl’s antisemitic remarks. I was surprised by how much cred... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lisa Moxie
    United States2 months ago
  • Great

    Great podcast I just didn’t like the backwards and forwards pacing of certain episode’s. Just tell things in order got a little confusing

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jma4567
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality research with engaging interviews.
Some listeners feel the host's personal viewpoints overwhelm the biographical focus.
Thoughtful, nuanced discussions on a controversial figure.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Willy Wonka: Aaron Goes on What Went Wrong
Q: What was your relationship to this movie and what did you think on rewatching it?
Aaron describes discovering how Dahl's original themes and the film's commercial pressures intersect, noting the film's dark core, Wilder's performance, and the challenging production that ultimately created a cult classic.
(Bonus Episode) You Have Questions
Q: If Dahl were listening today, what would he be most proud of, and what would absolutely enrage him?
Aaron and guests discuss the tension between Dahl's literary genius and his prejudiced views, noting that the answer depends on which aspect of his life and work is prioritized, with some suggesting pride in his storytelling while others emphasize accountability for his bigotry.
The Writing Life
Q: How did Dahl's experiences shape the way his books treat agency in young characters?
Experts suggest Dahl deliberately gave child protagonists more power and wit, allowing them to outsmart adults and drive plots, which helped redefine what children's literature could accomplish.
Adaptation
Q: What did Manuel Betancourt say about Dahl's relationship with the Gene Wilder film and its lasting impact?
Betancourt suggests that Dahl disliked the Gene Wilder version because its focus on Wonka altered the narrative that Dahl envisioned, yet paradoxically this disowned adaptation contributed to the film's iconic status and highlighted the tension between authorial intent and cinematic interpretation.
Adaptation
Q: What did David Bianculli think about the most famous Dahl adaptation and how it compared across directors?
Bianculli argues that Hitchcock's and Wes Anderson's collaborations with Dahl retained the essential tone and precision of Dahl's writing, whereas Tarantino's version missed the balance between suspense and Dahl's voice, leading to a less faithful adaptation.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Secret World of Roald Dahl

What is The Secret World of Roald Dahl about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep exploration of a famed author whose life stories blur with cinematic history, examining how his adventurous past, wartime espionage, and public controversies shaped his beloved children's books. Across episodes, the show weaves biography, ethics, and media culture, unpacking debates about separating art from the artist, biographical responsibility, and how public perception evolves as new evidence emerges. It stands out for its investigative rigor, access to scholars and biographers, and a willingness to confront difficult legacies without shying away from complex questions about culture, censorship, and adaptation.

Potential listeners should expect meticulous research, thoughtful perspectives from educators, journalists, and critic... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Secret World of Roald Dahl?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Secret World of Roald Dahl:

1. Focus: Adults in the Room
2. This American Life
3. Deep Cover
4. Mind Games
5. The Mile Zero Murders from Uncover

How many episodes of The Secret World of Roald Dahl are there?

The Secret World of Roald Dahl launched 7 months ago and published 14 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 The Secret World of Roald Dahl?

Recent guests on The Secret World of Roald Dahl include:

1. Aaron Tracy
2. Michael Corrin
3. Steve Israel
4. Katie Langley
5. Mark Harris
6. Devon Fontecheo
7. Mark Rosenblatt
8. Mark West

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