The Heaton Podcast: Recent Episodes
Oliver O'Brien & John Jefferies
A discussion of History and Politics from teachers at Warwick School. We aim to produce a podcast once a fortnight during term time. Topics will tend towards the last 200 years, but we will sometimes go back further into History.
Join John and Olly as they discuss the troubles of the Labour government. That is after they pay tribute to the former school marshall, John Pipitone.
John and Olly enjoy a good natter before John takes us on the journey of an intriguing, controverisal and nasty political character, Enoch Powell
Join us for a new innovation. The JJ take on current affairs. In this case, his verdict on the American Presidential Election so far.
John and Olly give some not-live analysis of the election. Together, with staff, students and a Tory candidate.
Listen to Olly try and discuss the Corn Laws and Prime Minister Robert Peel, and listen to John try an hijack it into a discussion on Benjamin Disraeli.
John and Olly talk about the D-Day landings. This is then followed by two pupils interviewing a Normandy veteran.
Listen to Olly talk about the Anzio landings of January 1944. After a little bit of election analysis of course.
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Join John and Olly as they take you through the day that the President was shot.
Former BBC correspondent and Radio 4 Today presenter Matthew Price recounts with Simon and John some of the major stories he has covered while working as a reporter in America, Europe and the Middle East as well as offering incisive insight into the current geopolitical situation.
No President has ever faced the challenges that President Lincoln has. Here we trace his journey from being nominated as leader of the Republican Party to entering the White House.
Simon joins John and Olly to take them through what he thinks are the greatest Welsh people across History, Politcs the Arts and some other categories.
What went wrong for Britain in the War of Independence? Examining the reasons for Britain's defeat.
John and Olly continue the story of the American War of Independence. They look at the intial battles and early years of the conflict.
John and Olly chart the route from the French Indian War to the Boston Tea Party in the emergence of America.
John and Olly get to interview David Reynolds - one of Britain's foremost historians - on the topic of Winston Churchill. David's book is called 'Mirrors of Greatness' and considers Churchill's relationships with other leaders across his life.
Take a break from your family festivites and join John for his most excellent interview with Professor Juliet John. She is world renowned expert on Charles Dickens, from the University of London.
Join John and Olly for a chat at school before Christmas, including their recommended reading, before Noah and Owen interview the former Master of the Domincan Order of Britain. He has a hopeful message for us all!
The Heaton Podcast is joined by Old Warwickian Oli Dugmore. Oli is now editor of the Politics Joe website, where he hosts his own podcast as well as presenting a radio show on LBC.
John and Olly discuss the Yorkist rule of Edward IV, Edward V and then Richard III. They are also joined by Simon to dicuss Wales's role in the dynatic conflict.
John and Olly are on location. Join them as they journey around Warwick Castle and talk more about the Wars of the Roses. The chaos of Towton, the reign of Edward IV and the climax of Tewkesbury.
John and Olly delve into the Wars of the Roses on this episode. Tracing the origins of the conflict they talk about the early stages of the war through the prism of the experience of one of the main protagonists - Richard Duke of York.
As another war enrupts in the Middle East, John and Olly chart the origins of the current problems in Gaza.
Listen to this fascinating interview with Gareth Russell as he takes us into life in the Tudor court, focusing on Henry VIII's fifth wife, Catherine Howard.
Warwick School students, Noah and Kane, interview a group of Ukrainian teachers. The most powerful and moving podcast yet.
Join the team as they look back at the world in 1973. Both in Britain, America and the economic shocks of the time.
Barry Goldwater was the Republican nominee who lost the 1964 presidential election. Despite being heavily beaten, his influence reshaped the Republican Party, paving the way for Ronald Reagan, and maybe even Donald Trump.
John is joining by Mr. Bennett and the two of them interview Sam Fowles about the state of British Democracy. Are our freedoms under threat?
A fascinating disucssion about the state of Britain and it's future.
“Engaging people’s hopes and fears about integration and immigration, identity and race. Working for a confident and welcoming Britain, inclusive and fair to all”.
Listen to John and Olly talk about the life and presidency of Jimmy Carter. US president 1977-1981 he is the oldest living ex-president. The first 15 minutes also features some discussion of Politics.
John and Simon chat to Ed Button OW on his journey from Warwick School pupil to a member of the world famous King’s Singers.
The Heaton Podcast does rugby! Listen to Simon and Olly talk about the sport of rugby, and more particularly the History of the Six Nations tournament.
Listen to this podcast in which Dr. Holly Reeve charts her career after leaving Kings High School
Join John and Olly in this politics centred episode where they contemplate the state of Globalisation. What is it and where is it going?
Join John and Simon as they talk to Prefessor Clare Jackoson about her wonderful book Devil-Land. How the state of England was viewed by outsiders in the years 1588-1688.
John and Olly catch up after Chirstmas, featuring a conversation in Ukraine. They are then joined by Sixth Former Vinny who tells about Russia infleunce on Poland in the Eighteenth Century.
John and Simon are joined by Ameet Gill to discuss his career in general, but focusing on the time he worked for David Cameron as his speech writer.
Simon has been travelling to Singapore. He comes back to lead us in a discussion on the Fall of Singapore in 1942.
John, Olly and Simon consider what went wrong for Liz Truss in her remarkably short time as Prime Minister.
Join John and Simon to have a conversation with former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine about his career in politics, Tory Prime Ministers and the current state of politics.
Tag along with John, Simon and Olly on their field trip to the battlesite of Edgehill from 1642.
John and Olly and enjoyed by Stuart Orme, curator of the Cromwell Museum, for what is a fun and enlightening chat. After they have a natter about current affairs of course!
John and Olly return from their summer breaks and turn to considering the summer's polotical events. After giving a few holiday and reading recommendations of course.
John and Olly are joined by recent OW Archie McCusker, where they consider the decolonisation of the British and French Empires.
John goes on location to the Gladstone Library. Ably assisted by Warwick pupils Ben and Cornelius, do listen to this fascinating study of the Grand Old Man and his library.
John and Olly are on location in the Lord Lecyster Listen in to John discuss factionalism in the court of Henry VIII with the school's deputy head - Dr. Simon Chapman.
Join John and Olly for a romp through French History as we could consider the great leaders in the nation's history. Featuring seven men, two women, one Italian and a house. This is part two and goes from the 1870s up until the present day.
John and Olly are joined by renowned historian Dominic Sandbrook to discuss Margaret Thatcher. They also cover some other Prime Ministers, James Callaghan, Gordon Brown and Stanley Baldwin.
Join John and Olly for a romp through French History as we could consider the great leaders in the nation's history. Featuring seven men, two women, one Italian and a house. This is part one and covers 500-1870.
Join John and Olly to hear them discuss the continuing war in Ukraine, explain what it means for the world, nuclear weapons. There is also some commentary on the current political climate.
Listen to this fascinating interview with OW Peter Varnish, Warwick School's very own Q. A scientist, diplomat and engineer working at the highest levels of government. Hear about his fascinating career and his authoritative views on the contemporary world.
John and Olly are joined by fellow teacher Craig Bennett to discuss nationalism. What is nationialism, what does the term mean, what is the history behind it and is it a force for good or bad?
John and Olly visit some Norman sights in Warwick before sitting down in the Twelfth Century crypt of Saint Mary's Church, Warwick to discuss the sons of William the Conqueror.
JJ and Dr. Chapman interview Sir Anthony Seldon about his newest book 'The Impossible Office?' The History of the British Prime Minister.' Do listen to this fascinating interview from one of Britain's leading educationalists and historians.
We look back at the 2019 election with Michael Cox, a recent OW now working as a campaign manager for the Conservative Party in the North Eastern. We talk about his role in the 2019 election, the 'Red Wall' and look forward to the next election.
John is joined by the Deputy Head, Dr. Chapman, to interview Simon Weston about his life and the Falklands War.
John and Olly discuss the most influential political scientist of our time, Francis Fukuyama. His works have charted the rise and decline of democracy over the last 30 years.
The 'Welsh Wizard' is the topic of this discussion. John and Olly are joined by Cornelius from the Sixth Form to discuss David Lloyd George. He was Prime Minister during the First World War and after. He is often seen as one of the greatest of leaders of Britain, we examine his legacy. Contact j.jefferies@warwickschool.org
This episode sees us hear some stories about those Old Warwickians who served and died in the Second World War. Pictures are located here: https://www.warwickschool.org/news/?pid=21&nid=1&storyid=3129
j.jefferies@warwickschool.org for contact.
Joined by two current students and one long serving member of staff, Mr. Hadley, John and Olly discuss Ted Heath. He was Prime Minister 1970-74, a tumultuous time in British politics.
John and Olly talk about the United States' seventh president - Andrew Jackson - and whether he was America's craziest president.
John and Olly are joined by OW Eben Shadbolt and a fascinating discussion on the Russian Civil War follows.
John and Olly discuss their holiday travels and historical reading before talking about the most infamous of Medieval Kings - Richard III
John and Olly discuss Britain's foreign policy aims and policies since 1945. At the end we also look at the present outlook for the UK.
A special episode here as John and I talk to boys and a member of staff about the legacy of the British Empire in Kenya. We learnt a lot in the discussions.
Listen to John and Ollydiscuss the legacy of Clem Attlee's. Widely regarded as the most transformational government in British History, it was also a tough time to be living in Britain. Was it Britain's' Greatest Ever Government'?
To email in suggestions, comments or questions:
j.jefferies@warwickschool.org
o.obrien@warwickschool.org
John and Olly discuss the pivotal battle of the American Civil War - Gettysburg. Why was there a civil war? Why did Gettysburg happen? Could Pickett's charge have succeeded? And finally, there is an epilogue where you can listen to us discuss the legacy of the Civil War, memory, memorials and statues.
John Jefferies and Olly O'Brien are joined by Warwick School legend Robert Hudson to discuss his experiences of the 1964 and 1970 general elections. The three of us then discuss if the Labour Party have any hope of winning the next election.
We take you through all of Tony Blair's foreign interventions and discuss the one that defines him the most. Iraq.
John Jefferies and Olly O'Brien discuss Margaret Thatcher. How important was she? Why was she unique? Is the era of Thatcherism now over?