Podcast thumbnail for History’s Greatest Fails

History’s Greatest Fails

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by Sony Music Entertainment

7 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview

We’re often taught that history’s written by the winners. But we’d like to argue that, in fact, it’s the losers who end up making history.  In this brand new series from Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day, History’s Greatest Fails aims to answer the simple, but complex, question: Why do losers make history?  From Richard III, to Vincent Van Gough, to the purposefully forgotten female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, this series is going to help you better understand how the idea of failure changes over time, and what lessons failure has for all of us.   Dan and Elizabeth are old friends, fellow history graduates, and fellow authors and podcasters.  Dan Jones is host of ⁠This Is History — A Dynasty to Die For⁠, a narrative podcast that charts the bloody and complex drama of England’s Plantagenet dynasty, now up to its 10th season.  Elizabeth is host of ⁠How To Fail⁠, a podcast that has brought together hundreds of luminaries and thinkers including Kate Winslet, Yuval Noah Hariri, and Malala Yousafzai, to reflect on failure in the present.  Over six episodes, History’s Greatest Fails will dissect failure of all kinds, from troubled historical rulers, to the failures of remembrance, to the failures that have created the happy accidents that last for generations. As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at ⁠patreon.com/thisishistory⁠. And for the bonus episodes of this series, Dan and Producer Al are hearing from the favourites directly — join us as they discuss the royal favourites’ special fail mentions.  So, join us for the debut episode of History’s Greatest Fails. –– A Sony Music Entertainment production.  Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts  To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com  Learn more about your ad choices.  Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices  – Presented by Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day   Producer - Alan Weedon  Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Simon Poole  Executive Producer - Dan Jones Executive Producer for Daylight Productions - Elizabeth Day   Production Manager - Jen Mistri  Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan  Head of Content - Chris Skinner

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

3/31/2026

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for War — History’s Ultimate Failure

May 12, 2026

War — History’s Ultimate Failure

Hosts Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day explore war as history's ultimate failure, examining its impact and societal remembrance.

Episode thumbnail for Ear Today, Gone Tomorrow: Van Gogh’s Guide to Artistic Failure

May 5, 2026

Ear Today, Gone Tomorrow: Van Gogh’s Guide to Artistic Failure

Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day explore artistic failure through the lives of Vincent Van Gogh, George Sand, and Artemisia Gentileschi, questioning the timing of acclaim.

Episode thumbnail for Why isn’t Leonardo Da Vinci remembered as an engineer?

April 28, 2026

Why isn’t Leonardo Da Vinci remembered as an engineer?

Elizabeth Day and Dan Jones explore Leonardo da Vinci's engineering ambitions and how historical "failures" often lead to unexpected innovation.

7 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

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What is History’s Greatest Fails?

We’re often taught that history’s written by the winners. But we’d like to argue that, in fact, it’s the losers who end up making history. 

In this brand new series from Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day, History’s Greatest Fails aims to answer the simple, but complex, question: Why do losers make history? 

From Richard III, to Vincent Van Gough, to the purposefully forgotten female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, this series is going to help you better understand how the idea of failure changes over time, and what lessons failure has for all of us.  

Dan and Elizabeth are old friends, fellow history graduates, and fellow authors and podcasters. 

Dan Jones is host of ⁠This Is History — A Dynasty to Die For⁠, a narrative podcast that charts the bloody and complex drama of England’s Plantagenet dynasty, now up to its 10th season. 

Elizabeth is host of ⁠How To Fail⁠, a podcast that has brought together hundreds of luminaries and thinkers including Kate Winslet, Yuval Noah Hariri, and Malala Yousafzai, to reflect on failure in the present. 

Over six episodes, History’s Greatest Fails will dissect failure of all kinds, from troubled historical rulers, to the failures of remembrance, to the failures that have created the happy accidents that last for generations.

As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at ⁠patreon.com/thisishistory⁠. And for the bonus episodes of this series, Dan and Producer Al are hearing from the favourites directly — join us as they discuss the royal favourites’ special fail mentions. 

So, join us for the debut episode of History’s Greatest Fails.

––

A Sony Music Entertainment production. 

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts 

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com 

Learn more about your ad choices. 

Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

Presented by Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day  

Producer - Alan Weedon 

Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman

Executive Producer - Simon Poole 

Executive Producer - Dan Jones

Executive Producer for Daylight Productions - Elizabeth Day  

Production Manager - Jen Mistri 

Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan 

Head of Content - Chris Skinner

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates daily.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.

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