• Summary

  • Real Dictators is the new podcast series hosted by Paul McGann that explores the hidden lives of history’s tyrants. New episodes every Wednesday. Follow Noiser Podcasts on Twitter for updates on our shows.
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Episodes
  • Trailer: Real Dictators

    Trailer: Real Dictators

    Apr 11 2020
    How does a single human being convince thousands to kill for them and millions to turn a blind eye? Real Dictators is the new podcast series hosted by Paul McGann (Dr Who, Luther, Withnail and I) that explores the hidden lives of history’s tyrants. We encounter the American-trained doctor, “Papa Doc” Duvalier, who used modern medicine to convince the people of Haiti that he was a Voodoo god. There’s Kim Jong-il, who developed nuclear warheads alongside blockbuster movies. There’s Mao Zedong – the peasant’s son who transformed China, presiding over the catastrophic Great Chinese Famine and the bloody Cultural Revolution. And Joseph Stalin, the man who turned Russia into a superpower and set the stage for the Cold War, while upending and destroying the lives and livelihoods of millions of his own people.  Real Dictators fuses immersive, dramatic storytelling with interviews with world-renowned experts. The voices of historians sit alongside an array of regime insiders such as Jang Jin-sung – a former psychological warfare officer for Kim Jong-il – and François Benoit, a survivor of ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier’s reign of terror. New episodes each Wednesday from May 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    4 mins
  • Kim Jong-il Part 1: Birth of North Korea

    Kim Jong-il Part 1: Birth of North Korea

    Jun 8 2020
    Kim Jong-il built a volatile rogue state with nuclear missiles trained on its enemies – all while living a life of the utmost luxury. In the first episode of Real Dictators, we piece together the early life of this tyrant and that of the country he came to rule. Kim Jong-il is born during World War Two. His father – Kim Il-sung – fights the Japanese and helps found the state of North Korea. After the War, son and nation grow up together, as Kim Jong-il begins his own rise to power. Historians trace Kim’s early years, while defectors from North Korea reflect on the propaganda they grew up with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Kim Jong-il Part 2: Time to Make a Movie…

    Kim Jong-il Part 2: Time to Make a Movie…

    Jun 15 2020
    Kim Jong-il has risen to become head of North Korean propaganda, under the rule of his strongman father. Now, he hatches an audacious plan to turn North Korea into a filmmaking powerhouse. South Korea’s finest actress and leading director are kidnapped and find themselves on boats bound for the North. Elsewhere, Kim launches a charm offensive at the armed forces, readying the ground for his coronation. And his father dies, leaving the path to power seemingly clear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 mins
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  • Joey
  • 18-02-21

Binge worthy!

I couldn't stop listening took me two days and now I check every day to see if a new episode is out!

3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 31-12-20

Extremely good!!

I recommend this podcast for sure, it’s absolutely amazing! Can’t wait for the next season!

2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Amazon Customer
  • 08-10-21

Compelling series with excellent narration

Paul McGann has a great voice for this really interesting history lesson. The content is superb and enlightening. I listen on my night shift and time certainly passes rather quickly as it’s so interesting.

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  • Robin in Alaska
  • 16-05-21

I'm Hooked

Listened to all episodes within a few days, and I can honestly say that I've learned more about world events in the most engaging and factual story-telling drama series I've ever heard. The background music or the noise of guns, or planes, or bombs helps to stir each event to life. Narrator is superb. Bring on more episodes please!