In this special collaborative episode, Tony Robinson sits down with Time Team’s Helen Geake for an immersive dive into ‘The House of Wolf’, his gripping new historical saga. Tony reveals how decades of archaeology, storytelling, and acting shaped the novel’s vivid world of Alfred the Great, political intrigue, and everyday Anglo-Saxon life. Together, they explore the magic of Time Team, the thrill of discovering traces of real people in the landscape, and why England has always been shaped by its ties to Europe. With the insight of an actor, the heart of a storyteller, and the mud-soaked experience of a field archaeologist, Tony reveals how real lives, real landscapes, and real discoveries shaped his most ambitious work yet.

Hosted by Sir Tony Robinson | Instagram @sirtonyrobinson

Producer: Melissa FitzGerald | X @melissafitzg

With

Dr. Helen Geake | timeteamdigital.com/the-team/helen-geake

Helen’s interest in archaeology was sparked partly by attending lecturers by Time Team’s Mick Aston. She studied at University College London and University of York, specialising in Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. She has worked at Norwich Castle Museum, the Portable Antiquities Scheme, Cambridge University and the British Museum. Helen first joined Time Team in 1998, appearing periodically as our Anglo-Saxon expert, and more regularly from 2006 to 2010. She currently presents the Time Team podcast with Martyn Williams.

Watch Time Team Here: timeteamdigital.com/

Listen to the Time Team podcast here: podfollow.com/time-team

Buy 'The House of Wolf' here: shop.timeteamdigital.com/collections/books

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Thank you, Love Tony x

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The third part of Tony’s chat with The Beatles biographer Ian Leslie, exploring the emotional and creative partnership between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. They discuss how Lennon’s 1966 “more popular than Jesus” remark shook him, how the Beatles abandoned touring for studio experimentation, and how Yoko Ono and Linda Eastman became catalysts for John and Paul pulling apart. Business conflicts, especially over management, deepened divisions even as the band continued producing remarkable work, culminating in Abbey Road. Despite a turbulent breakup, Lennon and McCartney slowly rebuilt a loose friendship before Lennon’s death, and the Beatles’ artistic legacy continues to shape modern music.

Hosted by Sir Tony Robinson | Instagram @sirtonyrobinson

Producer: Melissa FitzGerald | X @melissafitzg

With

Ian Leslie | www.ian-leslie.com

Ian Leslie is the author of acclaimed and bestselling books on human psychology and creativity which have been translated into over a dozen languages. Malcolm Gladwell describes him as “one of my favourite writers”. Ian has written for the Financial Times, the Economist, the New York Times, The Sunday Times, and the New Statesman, among others, covering everything from technology to politics to music.

‘John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs’ | https://ian-leslie.com/johnandpaul/

The New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller

Follow us on our socials:

Instagram @cunningcastpod | X @cunningcastpod | YouTube @cunningcast and TikTok @cunningcast

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If you enjoy this podcast, please follow us and leave us a rating or review.

Thank you, Love Tony x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second part of Tony’s chat with Beatles biographer Ian Leslie, exploring how John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s unique and complex relationship shaped The Beatles. When Tony first heard ‘Love Me Do’ he was blown away by the new sound he was hearing, and he’s been a lifelong fan of The Beatles ever since. Today Tony and Ian are discussing the band’s internal dynamics, the emotional histories that shaped John and Paul, and how drugs influenced their relationship and songwriting, pushing it to new creative places. In ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’, they fused John’s conceptual vision with Paul’s avant-garde techniques to produce something radically new: as Ian says, “John didn't want to write a song about a trip; he wanted to create something which is a trip.”

Hosted by Sir Tony Robinson | Instagram @sirtonyrobinson

Producer: Melissa FitzGerald | X @melissafitzg

With

Ian Leslie | www.ian-leslie.com

Ian Leslie is the author of acclaimed and bestselling books on human psychology and creativity which have been translated into over a dozen languages. Malcolm Gladwell describes him as “one of my favourite writers”. Ian has written for the Financial Times, the Economist, the New York Times, The Sunday Times, and the New Statesman, among others, covering everything from technology to politics to music.

‘John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs’ | https://ian-leslie.com/johnandpaul/

The New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller

Follow us on our socials:

Instagram @cunningcastpod | X @cunningcastpod | YouTube @cunningcast and TikTok @cunningcast

-------

If you enjoy this podcast, please follow us and leave us a rating or review.

Thank you, Love Tony x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.