Finding Mary Magdalene | The Visual Edition

According to all four gospels, Jesus chose one person as the first witness of his resurrection. One person, who was entrusted with spreading this momentous news; a follower whose life is still shrouded by conspiracy, the mysterious Mary Magdalene.   2000 years on, Mary continues to be one of the churches most disputed subjects. Some believe she was a prostitute; many claim she was Jesus’s most devoted disciple and was at the heart of the Christian faith. However, some suggest she was much more.    In Southern France two treasure hunters are pursuing a new lead in their search for her remains, arguably the remains of the most significant woman in history.    Pat Jokl and his friend Ronnie are history enthusiasts who have spent 20 years trying to uncover the whereabouts of Mary Magdalene’s Tomb. After the resurrection, the Bible sheds little light on what happened to her next with many believing she was deliberately written out of history. In this episode we follow Pat Jokl and his team on their biblical treasure hunt, tracing what many believe to be the journey Mary Magdalene took after the resurrection to spread the true word of the Christian faith.   With an unearthed set of 13th century documents from the French archive suggesting a medieval aristocrat stole the Saint’s remains, Pat believes he’s one step closer to finding Mary Magdalene’s burial site in Southern France. Armed with new equipment and this vital lead could this be moment he solves one of the bible’s greatest mysteries? Could this be the moment he finally finds Mary Magdalene?  Introducing Forbidden History: The Visual Edition, revisiting stories from our archive with imagery and footage that bring the people, places and mysteries to life. Now available on our main feed, it’s a richer, more immersive way to enjoy the stories you know and discover those you may have missed. Cast List: Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian  Joe Nickell: Paranormal Investigator Bill Homann: Owner of The Mitchell – Hedges skull Dr. Ashwini Bharathula: Material Scientist & Artist Star Johnsen-Moser: Spiritual Healer Israel Casanova: Shaman Elizabeth Cunningham: Participant Patrick Dreher: Crystal Carver Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Soviet forces close in on Berlin, Adolf Hitler spends his final days beneath a city facing destruction. Historian Dominic Selwood joins Forbidden History to explore life inside the Führerbunker and the fear, hardship and shattered promises facing civilians above ground as the Third Reich collapses. Cast List: Eric Meyers: Narrator Dominic Selwood: Historian and Journalist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 25th of August 1942, during the height of the Second World War, a flying boat destined for Reykjavik in Iceland crashed into the side of a hill in the Scottish Highlands. Among those who lost their lives was the VIP they were transporting. He was Prince George, Duke of Kent, brother of King George VI of the United Kingdom and uncle to the current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.    During his lifetime, George became one of the best-known public figures of the age, yet after his mysterious death the details of his life were seemingly erased from history. Some believe that this is the result of a government cover up, but what were they trying to hide?   In his youth the duke was one of the more scandalous members of the royal family. Wherever he would travel, rumors would follow him of fleeting affairs, drug addictions, illegitimate children, and relationships with men.   In his later life, once settled and married, some have theorized his involvement in espionage through WWII, with stories of him attending secret meetings with representatives of global powers. Others, however, paint a far darker picture of the duke’s true intentions, suggesting the theory he was plotting to overturn the British government, fraternize with the enemy, and negotiate peace with Adolf Hitler.   In this episode, we examine the life of Prince George, Duke of Kent and discover just what the prince had been involved in, and did it play a part in his untimely death?  Introducing Forbidden History: The Visual Edition, revisiting stories from our archive with imagery and footage that bring the people, places and mysteries to life. Now available on our main feed, it’s a richer, more immersive way to enjoy the stories you know and discover those you may have missed. Cast List:   Christopher Warwick  A royal biographer and historian, he is the author of fourteen published books on modern royal subjects and is the authorized biographer of HRH the Princess Margaret.   Dr Caroline Porter  A British historian specialising on the 20th Century.    Guy Walters   A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press.    Lynn Picknett   A historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies, she is co-author to several notable works including “Turin Shroud: How Leonardo da Vinci Fooled History” and “War of the Windsors”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beyond Guy Fawkes, who were the men behind the Gunpowder Plot? Historian Nigel Jones joins Forbidden History to explore Robert Catesby and his fellow conspirators, the religious persecution that fuelled their plans, and the capture, torture and executions that followed. What are we really remembering on Bonfire Night, and how did the failed plot reshape England? Cast List: Eric Meyers: Narrator Nigel Jones: Historian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Halloween special episode, we take a look at the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, where the small U.S. town of Salem was gripped by mass hysteria involving witchcraft. 20 innocent men and women were executed, but were later pardoned. Many believe that Salem, Massachusetts, remains haunted, with some using modern witchcraft to appease vengeful spirits and lift this legendary curse. Introducing Forbidden History: The Visual Edition, revisiting stories from our archive with imagery and footage that bring the people, places and mysteries to life. Now available on our main feed, it’s a richer, more immersive way to enjoy the stories you know and discover those you may have missed. Cast List: Sam Baltrusis: Author & Historian  Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works Dominic Selwood: Historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine  Richard Felix: A historian and lecturer specialising in local and paranormal history. Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian  Dr. Sheila K. Hoffman: Art Historian, Iconologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Thomas Vallor: Salem Historian Nick Dickinson: Witch, Headmistress of Circe Academy in Salem  Jacqui Allouise: Witch, owner of The Cauldron Black in Salem Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Halloween, Forbidden History investigates the Woman in the Wych Elm. Who was she, and who hid her body inside a tree? Explore one of Britain’s most haunting unsolved mysteries. Cast List: Eric Meyers: Narrator Joyce M. Coley: Author of ‘Bella: An Unsolved Mystery’. Andrew Sparke: Independent publisher and author of ‘Bella in the Wych Elm’. Richard Lund: Son of Dr John Lund, the forensic scientist who examined the victim’s remains and fragments of clothing. Giselle K. Jakobs: Palaeontologist, author of ‘The Spy in the Tower’ and granddaughter of German spy Josef Jakobs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we follow the 800-year history of a medieval Bible manuscript, famous for its giant illustration of the Devil contained within its pages. We recount its journey across Europe as it changes hands between emperors and queens and the history it sees along the way—as well as the cursed legends that follow it. Introducing Forbidden History: The Visual Edition, revisiting stories from our archive with imagery and footage that bring the people, places and mysteries to life. Now available on our main feed, it’s a richer, more immersive way to enjoy the stories you know and discover those you may have missed. Cast List: Dominic Selwood: A historian, barrister, bestselling author, novelist and frequent contributor to national newspapers including The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Telegraph Janina Ramirez: A cultural historian, broadcaster and author based at the University of Oxford Tony McMahon: A former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Elin Andersson: A specialist in ancient manuscripts and an expert on the Devil’s Bible, based at the National Library of Sweden Scott Sophos: Prague-based historian and teacher Dr Andrew Boakye: Lecturer in Religions & Theology at the University of Manchester  Peter Stanford: Writer, editor, journalist and presenter, known for his biographies and writings on religion and ethics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cleopatra’s beauty became legend, but her fight for power shaped history. Joined by historian Arran Irvin, we explore her rise to Egypt’s throne, her alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, and the ambition, rivalries and fatal decisions behind one of history’s most famous queens. Cast List: Eric Meyers: Narrator Arran Erwin: Historian of Ancient Rome Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ancient pyramids are among the greatest wonders of the world and exist across many civilizations. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we explore the origins of these structures, as experts question if they were independently constructed or perhaps the design of something more mysterious… We’re bringing back some of our classic stories, this time with visuals! Introducing Forbidden History: The Visual Edition, revisiting stories from our archive with imagery and footage that bring the people, places and mysteries to life. Now available on our main feed, it’s a richer, more immersive way to enjoy the stories you know and discover those you may have missed. Cast List: Klint Janulis: Archaeologist & Former Special Forces Operative Lynn Picknett: Historian and researcher specialising in exposing historical conspiracies. She is also the co-author of several notable works Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine  Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian  Dr. Karen Bellinger: Anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian  Dr. Bob Bianchi: Art historian Dr. Meredith Brand: Archaeologist & Egyptologist Hugh Newman: Author & Megalith Enthusiast Dr. Sergio Gómez Chávez: Archaeologist Marianne Tames-Demauras: Egyptologist & Archaeological Scientist Dr. Sheila K. Hoffman: Art Historian, Iconologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Sam Osmanagich: Author & Pyramid Researcher Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Little did the monks at the monastery on Lindisfarne Island suspect on a cold Northumbrian morning in 793 that they were to become the first victims of a new breed of raiders whose plunder would usher in a new age soon to dominate Europe. Cast List: Eric Meyers: Narrator Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist and Host Max Adams: Archaeologist and Author Richard Carlton: Archaeologist Keith Cooper: Artist John Haywood: Historian and Author Dr. Ian Kille: Geologist Dr. Chris Monk: Anglo-Saxon Historian Dr. David Petts: Archaeologist Prof. Neil Price: Archaeologist Jessica Turner: Historic and Built Environment Officer Lisa Westcott Wilkins: Archaeologist and Co-Founder of DigVentures Brendon Wilkins: Co-Founder of DigVentures Graeme Young: Archaeologist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices