Trapped History is back for a sixth season with a new run of untold stories.
The award-winning history podcast returns to focus on overlooked figures and forgotten moments, opening with broadcaster Michaela Strachan and welcoming back returning guests Sathnam Sanghera and Madame Phuong.
The new season continues the podcast’s mission to challenge traditional historical narratives by highlighting people and stories rarely taught in schools.
Hosted by Oswin Baker and Carla Valentine, Trapped History centres on individuals who shaped the world around them but were sidelined or ignored by mainstream history.
Each episode features a guest who helps unpack the historical context and relevance of these stories, connecting past struggles to present-day conversations.
The first episode this season features Michaela Strachan discussing Ethel Haythornthwaite, a key figure in protecting Britain’s national parks.
The episode explores Haythornthwaite’s role in conservation and her lasting influence on the landscapes enjoyed today.
Later in the series, author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera returns on 12 January to examine the complex legacy of Indian independence leader Subhas Chandra Bose.
The episode revisits Bose’s contested place in history and why his story remains uncomfortable for many modern narratives.
Other upcoming episodes include stories exploring the relationship between art and celebrity, the extraordinary life of an Irish courtesan, Victorian London’s Chinatown, and a reassessment of the American War in Vietnam through the life of Madame Phuong.
Guests this season include Habib Hajallie, Dr Christina Wade, Xuan Phuong and Fiona Keating.
Previous seasons have featured a wide range of well-known voices including Mishal Husain, Jeremy Corbyn, Nihal Arthanayake, Jet from The Gladiators and Zippo the Clown.
The podcast has built a strong following, with more than forty-six thousand Instagram followers and over nine thousand newsletter subscribers.
Trapped History ranks in the top twelve percent of podcasts worldwide on Spotify and has received international recognition.
It was recently named best British indie podcast at the Signal Awards in the US and best history podcast at Europe’s The Lovies, beaten only by The Rest Is History.
Founder Oswin Baker says the podcast is driven by a belief in the power of ordinary people. “Today, I absolutely believe that we need more inspiring stories of ordinary people making a difference to the world around us,” he explains.
“Whilst many heroes we cover aren’t perfect and suffered failures, traumas and disappointments, they were humans with dreams and ideals that they strived for.”
Episode release schedule
15 December – The Pride of the Peaks: Ethel Haythornthwaite with Michaela Strachan
29 December – Halls of Fame: Art and Celebrity with Habib Hajallie
12 January – Subhas Chandra Bose with Sathnam Sanghera
26 January – Peg Plunkett with Dr Christina Wade
9 February – Madame Phuong with Xuan Phuong
23 February – Victorian London’s Chinatown with Fiona Keating
