#177 Katja Hoyer on the Weimar Republic and ‘have you heard of Samuel Pepys?’ (Part 1)

#177 Katja Hoyer on the Weimar Republic and ‘have you heard of Samuel Pepys?’ (Part 1)

Author: Pop! Pop! May 6, 2026 Duration: 29:41

This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed!


We are truly honoured this week to be joined by one of our favourite historians in the world; it’s German-British author, who penned of one of Elis’ favourite ever books (Beyond the Wall: East Germany, 1949–1990), it’s Katja Hoyer!


Katja is here to discuss her brand new book ‘Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe’ which details the collapse of German democracy as the Nazi’s tighten their grip on power.


Elsewhere, is taking a hot air balloon to the North Pole a good idea? We’re going with no. And if you’ve ever asked a historian if they’ve heard of Samuel Pepys, please email in: hello@ohwhatatime.com


Katja’s new book is out now and we can’t recommend it enough, you can get it here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/459779/weimar-by-hoyer-katja/9780241681244


And from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wednesday - but if you want more Oh What A Time and both parts at once, you should sign up for our Patreon! On there you’ll now find:

•The full archive of bonus episodes

•Brand new bonus episodes each month

•OWAT subscriber group chats

•Loads of extra perks for supporters of the show

•PLUS ad-free episodes earlier than everyone else


Join us at 👉 patreon.com/ohwhatatime


And as a special thank you for joining, use the code CUSTARD for 25% off your first month.


You can also follow us on: 

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Aaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice?

Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk).


Chris, Elis and Tom x


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Ever wondered if people in the 18th century had worse holidays than you do, or if being a child in Victorian times was genuinely as grim as it sounds? That’s the kind of territory explored in Oh What A Time..., a podcast where history is less about dusty dates and more about the bizarre, often terrible, human experiences across the ages. Each episode, comedians Elis James and Tom Craine join award-winning podcaster Chris Scull to take a deep, funny dive into a new theme-whether it’s marriage, life at sea, or countless other facets of existence. They sift through the strangest and most surprising stories from our collective past, all while trying to settle a central, burning query: just how awful was it back then? The tone is conversational and packed with curiosity, blending genuine historical insight with the hosts’ comedic perspectives. You’ll find yourself learning about the peculiar realities of daily life in different eras, all delivered with a warmth and humor that makes the past feel immediately relevant. This isn’t a lecture; it’s a lively discussion between friends who are equally fascinated and horrified by what they uncover. For anyone who enjoys a good story, a laugh, and a fresh take on the people who came before us, this podcast offers a consistently entertaining and oddly comforting look at the shared struggles and absurdities of human history.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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