David Dimbleby & Joe Dunthorne Host New BBC Radio 4 History Podcasts in 2025

BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds are set to launch two compelling new history podcasts this spring, featuring the distinguished broadcaster David Dimbleby and the acclaimed novelist Joe Dunthorne. These two series, titled Invisible Hands and Half-Life, delve into historical narratives that have shaped modern Britain and beyond.

Cover of Invisible Hands podcast on BBC Radio 4
Contents hide
1 Invisible Hands: The Free Market Revolution
1.1 Key Highlights:
2 Half-Life: A Personal and Historical Investigation
2.1 Key Highlights:
3 BBC Radio 4’s Expanding History Podcast Series

Invisible Hands: The Free Market Revolution

Release Date: March 26, 2025
Host: David Dimbleby

A six-part narrative series, Invisible Hands will explore the radical transformation of Britain’s economy through the rise of free market capitalism. This compelling story unfolds through the eyes of the pioneers, outcasts, and visionaries who laid the groundwork for one of the most influential political and economic revolutions of the 20th century.

Key Highlights:

  • The origins of free market ideology, starting on an unlikely chicken farm in Sussex.
  • The role of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in pushing market-driven policies.
  • The connection between economic theory and Margaret Thatcher’s radical reforms.
  • The evolution of free market capitalism from post-war London to the financial boom of the 1980s.
  • The impact of these ideas on modern British society.

David Dimbleby, who reported on these shifts as a BBC political correspondent, provides deep insights into the ideological battles that reshaped Britain’s economic landscape.

“Looking back over decades of political reporting, no idea has been more transformative than free market capitalism,” says Dimbleby. “This series unpacks its complex history, from its obscure beginnings to its overwhelming dominance today.”

Half-Life: A Personal and Historical Investigation

Release Date: May 7, 2025
Host: Joe Dunthorne

Half-Life is an eight-part series that takes listeners on a deeply personal and historical journey with award-winning writer Joe Dunthorne. What starts as a quest to uncover his family’s past soon turns into an exploration of hidden truths, erased histories, and a troubling legacy.

Key Highlights:

  • The story of Siegfried Dunthorne, Joe’s great-grandfather, a German-Jewish chemist known for producing radioactive toothpaste in the 1920s.
  • The discovery of a 2,000-page memoir, filled with forgotten details and unsettling revelations.
  • A journey that spans from Berlin to Ankara to North Carolina and Swansea.
  • The emotional and historical implications of an unexpected confession buried in Siegfried’s writings.
  • The broader theme of how history shapes personal identity.

“Half-Life is about the stories we inherit, the truths we uncover, and the secrets that persist,” says Joe Dunthorne. “As I traced my great-grandfather’s past, I discovered that history is never truly behind us—it remains alive within us.”

BBC Radio 4’s Expanding History Podcast Series

BBC Radio 4 continues to expand its acclaimed The History Podcast series, following previous successes like The Lucan Obsession and The Brighton Bomb. These gripping historical narratives have resonated widely, making The History Podcast one of the top-performing series on BBC Sounds.

Daniel Clarke, Factual Commissioning Editor at Radio 4, expressed enthusiasm for the new additions:

“We are thrilled to bring two exceptional history series to our audience. These stories not only captivate but also deepen our understanding of past events that still shape today’s world.”

With their mix of personal storytelling, investigative depth, and expert narration, Invisible Hands and Half-Life promise to be standout additions to the history podcast landscape.

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