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Real Dictators

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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 two weeks 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 the feed to get started or head to noiser.com/subscriptions For advertising enquiries, email [email protected] No part of this podcast may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. In accordance with Article 4(3) of the DSM Directive 2019/790, Noiser Ltd expressly reserves this work from the text and data mining exception.

Latest episodes

Augustus Part 3: Birth of a Dynasty

With his enemies vanquished Octavian returns to a hero’s welcome. Consolidating personal rule over Rome’s vast dominions, he begins dismantling the old republic. The Senate declares him the most “August” of Caesars, an Emperor. But the lack of an heir, once again, will plunge Rome into crisis… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Paul McGann. Featuring Lauren Ginsberg, David Gwynn, Neville Mor

22 Sep 2026 · 1 h 5 min
Augustus Part 2: Caesar’s Revenge

Alongside Mark Antony, Octavian hunts down Great-Uncle Julius’s assassins. But Antony will soon go rogue, beguiled - just like Caesar - by Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. Octavian will strike without mercy. With General Agrippa to the fore, he will soon command absolute power over the entire Roman world… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Paul McGann. Featuring Lauren Ginsberg, David Gwynn, Nevill

15 Sep 2026 · 1 h 2 min
Augustus Part 1: Rome’s First Emperor

On the Ides of March 44BC, Julius Caesar is murdered in the Senate. With Rome’s long-time dictator deposed, the would-be inheritors of his estate and offices begin jostling for position. But as it turns out, Caesar has had other ideas. Remarkably, his somewhat obscure great-nephew, Octavian, is named as his heir. In time, Octavian will come to wield absolute power over the greatest dominion of cla

8 Sep 2026 · 59 min
Tito Part 5: The Sun King

Tito becomes an international celebrity, with a jet-set lifestyle to match his status. His hybrid ‘coca-cola socialism’ sees Yugoslavia booming. But the good times have been built on shaky foundations. And as Tito ails it seems his Balkan miracle will prove short-lived… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Paul McGann. Featuring Neil Barnett, Branko Brkic, Christopher Catherwood, Richard Mills

14 Jul 2026 · 1 h 0 min
Tito Part 4: The Marshal Versus Stalin

In the war’s aftermath Tito exacts his bloody revenge. Manoeuvring the king out of the picture, Yugoslavia is swiftly consolidated under communist rule. A clash with the US risks further conflict, even a nuclear strike. Though the biggest showdown is to come… with Joseph Stalin… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Paul McGann. Featuring Neil Barnett, Branko Brkic, Christopher Catherwood, Rich

7 Jul 2026 · 1 h 2 min
Tito Part 3: The Partisan in the Mountains

When the Nazis invade Yugoslavia Tito takes to the mountains. Winston Churchill dispatches a crack team of paratroopers, led by a man rumoured to inspire the character of James Bond. Sneaking their way through the countryside, they will seek to rendezvous with the mysterious Partisan leader and take the fight to the German war machine… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Paul McGann. Featurin

30 Jun 2026 · 1 h 7 min
Tito Part 2: The Man of Disguises

An assassination in Marseilles plunges the Balkans into turmoil. The Europe-wide battles of Black versus Red make their way onto the streets of Yugoslavia. Pegged as a trouble-maker and pursued by the authorities, the shape-shifting Josip Broz flees to Russia. There he will be re-tooled as a Soviet agent. Dispatched by Moscow, he’ll return with a new mission and a new name… A Noiser podcast produc

23 Jun 2026 · 1 h 1 min
Tito Part 1: The Young Gun

Josip Broz was the wartime resistance leader who became Tito, the strongman ruler of Yugoslavia. He defeated both Hitler and Mussolini. He stared down Stalin. He consolidated much of the Balkans as a single state, helping it to punch above its weight. But beyond his undoubted political skill and avuncular demeanour there was also a darkness… and an iron fist. So who really was the man behind the n

16 Jun 2026 · 58 min
Introducing: Founding Fathers: An American Dream - Episode 1

This is a preview of a brand-new show from the Noiser Podcast Network. Hosted by Clarke Peters (The Wire, The Boroughs), 'Founding Fathers: An American Dream' tells the epic story of the birth of the United States of America, 250 years ago. Follow George Washington into bloody battles, sit alongside Thomas Jefferson as he crafts the Declaration of Independence, hear Alexander Hamilton debate the f

11 Jun 2026 · 1 h 0 min
Introducing: Real Vikings - Episode 1

This is a preview of a brand-new show from the Noiser podcast network. Hosted by Iain Glen (Game of Thrones, Silo), Real Vikings takes you on a deep dive into the Viking age. You’ll board longboats bound for new lands, follow mighty warlords, meet master navigators, and uncover the real figures behind the legends of the sagas. But we begin on a quiet beach in the south of England, where a cold-blo

20 Mar 2026 · 54 min
Jean-Bédel Bokassa Part 3: A Coronation for the Ages

The new emperor of the Central African Republic is introduced to the world in a totally surreal manner - with white horses from Belgium, finery from France and songs from a Broadway musical. The CAR’s finances continue to tumble. A controversial policy about school uniforms leads to one of the most tragic episodes in the country’s history. And as the emperor loses control, old friends become foes,

31 Dec 2025 · 1 h 3 min
Jean-Bédel Bokassa Part 2: The Power Grab, the Châteaux and the Missing Daughter

A new year brings new beginnings in the Central African Republic. President Bokassa attempts to modernise. But at the same time, the mass incarcerations and torture ramp up and corruption takes hold. And then things get really strange… An imposter infiltrates Bokassa’s homelife. A bizarre public competition is launched to marry off the president’s daughters. And the leader takes a significant trip

24 Dec 2025 · 58 min
Jean-Bédel Bokassa Part 1: The Butcher of Bangui

The former soldier in the French army who seized power in his African homeland. The leader of the Central African Republic who proclaimed himself emperor. The emperor who ruled as an avaricious dictator. Jean-Bédel Bokassa’s time in power in the CAR began with promises of equality and justice. Hailed as a beacon of strength, he would go on to preside over a regime of eccentricity, excess and sadis

17 Dec 2025 · 1 h 1 min
Introducing: Charles Dickens Ghost Stories - A Christmas Carol

This is a preview of a brand-new audiobook from the Noiser Podcast Network. Join Sir David Suchet as he reads a selection of Charles Dickens’s most chilling short works, brought to life with sound design and original music. We’ll encounter dark premonitions of disaster experienced by a lonely railway signalman… A Victorian murder trial cast into chaos when the dead man’s ghost interrupts proceedin

8 Dec 2025 · 48 min
Fidel Castro Part 10: Emergency on an Airplane

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 age and illness are catching up with the dictator. But even as a change of leadership finally takes place, can Cuba ever truly be free from Fidel? A N

1 Jul 2025 · 57 min
Fidel Castro Part 9: Down With Fidel!

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, putting Cuba on the brink. As riots break out in Havana, rebellion is in the air... A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Paul McGann. Featuring A

24 Jun 2025 · 57 min
Fidel Castro Part 8: Miami Vice

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 troops to Angola. But back at home, not everything is rosy. And when a bus driver rams his vehicle through the gates of an embassy, Castro will encount

17 Jun 2025 · 54 min
Fidel Castro Part 7: Che Guevara in the Jungle

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, declaring Cuba a “floating prison”. And as one of the dictator’s right-hand men is killed, the revolution will be rocked to its foundations… A Noise

10 Jun 2025 · 57 min
Fidel Castro Part 6: The Cuban Missile Crisis

The first man in space arrives in Cuba for a special visit. A passenger liner from the Soviet Union docks in Havana. But it’s not carrying tourists. Out in the countryside a massive yet mysterious construction project begins. Stranger-than-fiction plans are put in motion as the CIA tries everything to assassinate Fidel. And as Khrushchev and Castro take the most daring of gambles, the whole world

3 Jun 2025 · 56 min
Fidel Castro Part 5: The Bay of Pigs

A man who was right there tells us the tale of one of history’s most notorious military failures. Castro’s former lover is given a handful of poison capsules and dispatched to Fidel’s hotel. A Havana schoolboy crosses his fingers as the American bombing begins. And a young activist prepares to do whatever it takes to repel the impending invasion... A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Paul McG

28 May 2025 · 56 min