Datepie Podcast

A special episode recorded inside a church sets the scene as we explore Walt Disney’s life and the creation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This episode looks at how Disney risked everything on the first full-length animated feature, the technical innovations behind the film, its release in 1937, and how it permanently changed cinema, animation, and popular culture. A focused look at the film that built the Disney empire.

A retelling of The Robber Bridegroom unfolds entirely in Dan’s own words, revisiting the dark folk tale of courtship, deception, and violence. This episode explores the story’s origins, its unsettling themes, and how the tale changes when reshaped through a modern voice, keeping the menace intact while reframing the meaning for today.

The murder of a doctor in 1950s Eastbourne shocked a quiet seaside town and became one of Britain’s most unsettling post-war crime cases. This episode examines who the doctor was, how the killing unfolded, the police investigation that followed, and why the case captured national attention at the time. A factual look at a crime that shattered the illusion of calm in mid-century England.

The discovery of Saturn’s co-orbital moons Janus and Epimetheus revealed one of the strangest arrangements in the solar system. This episode explains how the two moons share the same orbit, periodically swapping places in a precise gravitational dance, how they were discovered decades apart, and why their motion puzzled astronomers for years. A clear look at the science behind Saturn’s “twin-track” moons and what they taught us about orbital mechanics.

The first episode of The Simpsons marked the unlikely beginning of what would become the longest-running scripted TV show in history. This episode explores the show’s rough early animation, its debut in 1989, audience reactions at the time, and how that first outing laid the groundwork for decades of cultural influence, satire, controversy, and iconic characters. A look at how a dysfunctional cartoon family reshaped television forever.

The controversy surrounding Saturday Night Fever is unpacked as we explore how the film’s gritty themes, violence, and portrayal of race and gender clashed with its disco-glamour reputation. This episode looks at the backlash, the cultural misunderstandings, and how a movie remembered for dancing and music sparked serious debate about what audiences missed beneath the soundtrack.

John Paul Getty’s life of extreme wealth and extreme control is examined as we explore how the oil tycoon became the richest man in the world, his ruthless business tactics, and the infamous kidnapping of his grandson. This episode covers Getty’s rise through the oil industry, his obsession with frugality, the ransom refusal that shocked the public, and the legacy of a billionaire whose fortune came at a very human cost.

The moment a shoe was hurled at George W. Bush during a press conference in Iraq became one of the most replayed political protests in modern history. This episode breaks down what happened in the room, who threw the shoe, why it resonated so strongly across the Middle East, and how the incident became a global symbol of public anger, protest, and political spectacle caught on camera.

Pope Celestine V’s brief and bizarre reign is unpacked as we explore how a reclusive hermit unexpectedly became pope in 1294, only to resign just months later. This episode covers his sudden rise, his struggle with power, the political chaos that followed, and how his abdication reshaped the papacy forever. A deep dive into one of history’s most reluctant leaders, Pope Celestine V, and the decision that made him unforgettable.

Dionne Warwick’s legendary career takes the spotlight as we explore her rise through the golden age of pop and soul, her long-running collaboration with Burt Bacharach, her chart-topping hits, and her lasting influence on modern music. This episode covers her Grammy wins, cultural impact, and how Dionne Warwick became one of the most recognisable voices of the 20th century.