The History in Motion Podcast

The History in Motion Podcast

The History In Motion Podcast was created to explore history through the eyes of decision making. Looking at decisions that were made at critical junctions of human history and the leaders who made them. Our approach is to make history more engaging by putting ourselves in the shoes of politicians, governments, military leaders - to understand who they were and the world they lived in and how it all came together in the decisions they made.

Episodes

July 29, 2025 57 mins

In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we dive into the brutal and fascinating legacy of Attila the Hun, one of history’s most feared and misunderstood conquerors. Leading a nomadic empire that stretched across the steppes of Europe, Attila emerged as a terrifying force during the decline of Rome, striking fear into the hearts of emperors and generals alike.

We explore his early rise alongside his brother Bleda, their sha...

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In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we embark on a captivating journey through the life and legacy of Emperor Constantine the Great, a pivotal figure who not only transformed the Roman Empire but also reshaped the very fabric of Western civilization. From his dramatic rise amid civil strife to his groundbreaking embrace of Christianity, Constantine's reign marked a seismic shift in power dynamics and religious beliefs...

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In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we delve into the extraordinary life of Emperor Diocletian, the son of a freedman who rose to absolute power and rebuilt a collapsing empire through sheer force of will. Taking the throne amid Rome’s 3rd-century chaos, Diocletian didn’t just fight Rome’s enemies, he restructured the empire itself.

He established the Tetrarchy, dividing rule among four emperors to stabilize the fronti...

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In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we explore the life and legacy of Emperor Aurelian, the battle-hardened soldier who pulled the Roman Empire back from the brink of collapse. Born in the provinces, Aurelian rose through the ranks to become the empire’s fiercest crisis commander—defeating barbarian invaders, reabsorbing breakaway states, and restoring imperial control from Britain to Syria.

In just five years, he earn...

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In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we explore the life and legacy of Lord Robert Clive, the controversial architect of British rule in India. Known as "Clive of India," he played a decisive role in the expansion of the British East India Company's power, transforming a trading enterprise into a territorial empire.

Born in 1725 to a modest English family, Clive arrived in India as a low-ranking company clerk. Through b...

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In this episode of History in Motion, we dive into the life and legacy of Akbar the Great, one of India’s most remarkable rulers. More than just a conqueror, Akbar was a visionary emperor who blended military power with religious tolerance, administrative genius, and cultural brilliance.

From a fragile teenage king facing rebellion, to the architect of an empire that stretched from Afghanistan to Bengal, Akbar reshaped the Indian su...

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In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we explore the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt—a leader who redefined the role of government in the American economy. Known as the 'Trust Buster,' Roosevelt fought to curb corporate monopolies, regulate industry, and protect consumers, laying the foundation for the modern regulatory state.

Born in 1858 to a wealthy New York family, Roosevelt rose through politics with a reputation f...

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In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we explore the life and presidency of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, whose leadership marked the dawn of America as a global power. From economic prosperity to the Spanish-American War, McKinley’s tenure reshaped the nation’s role on the world stage—yet his presidency was tragically cut short by an assassin’s bullet.

Born in 1843, McKinley rose from a Civi...

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In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we follow the remarkable journey of Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant whose travels across Asia opened Europe’s eyes to a world of riches, innovation, and mystery. His journey along the Silk Road took him deep into the Mongol Empire, where he served under the powerful Kublai Khan and documented a land few Europeans had ever seen.

Born in 1254 to a family of Venetian traders, Marco Po...

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In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we embark on a journey into the life of Genghis Khan, the warrior-king who built the largest contiguous empire in history. From the windswept steppes of Mongolia, he rose from exile and hardship to unite warring tribes and forge a force that would reshape the world. His military genius, political vision, and relentless ambition turned the Mongols into an unstoppable power that conqu...

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In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we uncover the story of John Rabe, a German businessman whose unlikely heroism saved thousands of lives during one of history’s darkest chapters—the Nanjing Massacre. Often called the "Oskar Schindler of China," Rabe used his position as a Nazi Party member and Siemens executive to defy the horrors unfolding around him, establishing a safety zone that became a refuge for tens of tho...

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In this episode ofThe History In Motion Podcast, we delve into one of World War II’s most dramatic moments: the Battle of the Bulge. Amid the frozen Ardennes, a surprise German offensive tested the Allies at a pivotal point in the war. At the heart of this saga is Brigadier General Anthony “Tony” McAuliffe of the 101st Airborne Division, whose legendary “Nuts!” became a timeless symbol of defiance under siege in Bastogne.

We are joi...

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In this episode of The History In Motion Podcast, we explore the life of General Isoroku Yamamoto, the brilliant strategist behind Japan’s naval plans during World War II. A Harvard-educated visionary, Yamamoto understood the risks of war with the United States but crafted bold strategies, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, that reshaped the Pacific Theater.

Amidst the shifting tides of war, Yamamoto’s vision and leadership embo...

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In this episode of The History In Motion Podcast, we embark on a journey into the life of Galileo Galilei, the father of modern science and a man whose discoveries revolutionized our understanding of the universe.

Born in Pisa in 1564, Galileo’s insatiable curiosity and sharp intellect propelled him into a life of groundbreaking achievement. From his early work in mathematics and physics to his revolutionary use of the telescope, G...

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In this episode of The History In Motion Podcast, we continue our exploration of Leonardo da Vinci’s life as he arrives in Milan in 1482, a city that would become the canvas for his greatest works and most visionary ideas.

Invited to the court of Ludovico Sforza, Leonardo was no longer just an artist—he was an engineer, inventor, and entertainer, tasked with projects ranging from designing grand festivals to creating military machi...

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In this episode of the History in Motion Podcast, we embark on an extraordinary journey into the early life of Leonardo da Vinci, a man whose genius defined the Renaissance. Born in the small town of Vinci, Leonardo's illegitimacy granted him the freedom to explore his passions, laying the foundation for his revolutionary contributions to art, science, and engineering.

We'll delve into Leonardo's formative years, where his insatiab...

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In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we uncover the remarkable story of Oleg Gordievsky, the KGB officer who became one of Britain’s most valuable Cold War spies. As a high-ranking member of Soviet intelligence, Gordievsky risked everything to secretly work for MI6, feeding vital information that shaped Western strategies and exposed Soviet operations.

From navigating the dangers of double agency to orchestrating a dar...

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In this episode of the History in Motion Podcast, we dive into the story of Kim Philby, the British intelligence officer who secretly worked for the Soviet Union. As a high-ranking MI6 agent and member of the Cambridge Five, Philby’s double life devastated Western intelligence and forever altered Cold War espionage.

Trusted as a leader in counter-Soviet operations, Philby passed vital secrets to the KGB, shielding Soviet agents and...

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In this episode of the History in Motion Podcast, we delve into the gripping tale of Caracalla and Geta, the Roman brothers whose deadly rivalry shook an empire. As sons of Emperor Septimius Severus and the influential Empress Julia Domna, they were destined to rule together and uphold their family's legacy. However, sibling jealousy and a fierce struggle for power turned them into bitter enemies.

Discover how their rivalry escalat...

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In this episode of the History in Motion Podcast, we embark on a journey with Ferdinand Magellan, the daring Portuguese explorer whose quest to circumnavigate the globe revolutionized our understanding of the world. Magellan's expedition, commissioned by the Spanish crown, was an audacious attempt to find a westward route to the Spice Islands. Though he never completed the journey himself, his leadership and vision paved the way fo...

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