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Evergreen Podcasts

Untangling history’s greatest controversies. Every month, we take a hard look at the historical conflicts that raise difficult questions, stoke controversy, and send our moral compasses spinning.

Conflicted: A History Podcast

In the summer of 1960, all eyes are on Israel. As the Jewish nation unveils its capture of Adolf Eichmann to the world, a bitter controversy swirls around the notorious SS officer. Eichmann’s lawyer, Dr. Robert Servatius, scrambles to cobble together a defense strategy and save his client from the noose. In Jerusalem, journalist and scholar Hannah Arendt wrestles with questions about the nature of evil. 

 

SOURCES:

Aharoni, Zvi. Dietl, Wilhelm. Operation Eichmann: Pursuit and Capture. 1997. 

Arendt, Hannah. Eichmann In Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil. 1963.

Bascomb, Neal. Hunting Eichmann: How a Band of Survivors and a Young Spy Agency Chased 

Down the World’s Most Notorious Nazi. 2009.

Bergman, Ronen. Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations. 2018.

Charles Rivers Editors. The Mossad. 2019.

Charles Rivers Editors. Germany and the Cold War. 2018.

Charles Rivers Editors. Israel’s Most Legendary Operations. 2018.

Goni, Uki. The Real Odessa: How Nazi War Criminals Escaped Europe. 2003.

Fairweather, Jack. The Prosecutor: One Man’s Batlle to Bring Nazis to Justice. 2025.

Hourly History. The Nuremberg Trials. 2020. 

Lipstadt, Deborah. The Eichmann Trial. 2011.

MacLean, French. American Hangman: MSGT. John C. Woods. 2019.

Roland, Paul. The Nuremberg Trials: The Nazis and Their Crimes Against Humanity. 2010. 

Scott-Bauman, Michael. The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine. 2023.

Stangneth, Buttina. Eichmann Before Jerusalem: The Unexamined Life of a Mass Murderer. 2014.

Stein, Harry. Malkin, Peter. Eichmann In My Hands. 1990. 

Steinke, Ronan. Fritz Bauer: The Jewish Prosecutor Who Brought Eichmann and Auschwitz to Trial. 2020. 

Thomas, Gordon. The Secret History of the Mossad. 1999. 
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Get Eichmann – Israel’s Hunt For A Nazi War Criminal - Part 3

Adolf Eichmann has been found. In the spring of 1960, Mossad launches a daring operation to kidnap “Ricardo Klement” and smuggle him back to Israel to face judgement. 

 

SOURCES:

Aharoni, Zvi. Dietl, Wilhelm. Operation Eichmann: Pursuit and Capture. 1997. 

Arendt, Hannah. Eichmann In Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil. 1963.

Bascomb, Neal. Hunting Eichmann: How a Band of Survivors and a Young Spy Agency Chased 

Down the World’s Most Notorious Nazi. 2009.

Bergman, Ronen. Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations. 2018.

Charles Rivers Editors. The Mossad. 2019.

Charles Rivers Editors. Germany and the Cold War. 2018.

Charles Rivers Editors. Israel’s Most Legendary Operations. 2018.

Goni, Uki. The Real Odessa: How Nazi War Criminals Escaped Europe. 2003.

Fairweather, Jack. The Prosecutor: One Man’s Batlle to Bring Nazis to Justice. 2025.

Hourly History. The Nuremberg Trials. 2020. 

Lauryssens, Stan. The Eichmann Legacy. 2017.

Lipstadt, Deborah. The Eichmann Trial. 2011.

MacLean, French. American Hangman: MSGT. John C. Woods. 2019.

Roland, Paul. The Nuremberg Trials: The Nazis and Their Crimes Against Humanity. 2010. 

Scott-Bauman, Michael. The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine. 2023.

Stangneth, Buttina. Eichmann Before Jerusalem: The Unexamined Life of a Mass Murderer. 2014.

Stein, Harry. Malkin, Peter. Eichmann In My Hands. 1990. 

Steinke, Ronan. Fritz Bauer: The Jewish Prosecutor Who Brought Eichmann and Auschwitz to Trial. 2020. 

Thomas, Gordon. The Secret History of the Mossad. 1999. 

https://www.npr.org/2019/07/16/740686212/the-doctor-who-helped-israeli-spies-catch-eichmann-but-refused-recognition-for-i
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Get Eichmann – Israel’s Hunt For A Nazi War Criminal - Part 2

When World War II ended, SS officer Adolf Eichmann disappeared. As a key organizer of Nazi Germany’s Final Solution, the genocidal program that murdered 6 million European Jews, Eichmann became one of the most hunted men on earth. For 15 years, he remained hidden. But in 1957, through the efforts of a West German lawyer, a blind man, and Israeli intelligence, Eichmann’s trail was found, leading to Buenos Aires, Argentina…

 

 

SOURCES:

Arendt, Hannah. Eichmann In Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil. 1963.

Bascomb, Neal. Hunting Eichmann: How a Band of Survivors and a Young Spy Agency Chased 

Down the World’s Most Notorious Nazi. 2009.

Bergman, Ronen. Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations. 2018.

Charles Rivers Editors. The Mossad. 2019.

Charles Rivers Editors. Germany and the Cold War. 2018.

Charles Rivers Editors. Israel’s Most Legendary Operations. 2018.

Goni, Uki. The Real Odessa: How Nazi War Criminals Escaped Europe. 2003.

Fairweather, Jack. The Prosecutor: One Man’s Batlle to Bring Nazis to Justice. 2025.

Hourly History. The Nuremberg Trials. 2020. 

Lauryssens, Stan. The Eichmann Legacy. 2017.

Lipstadt, Deborah. The Eichmann Trial. 2011.

MacLean, French. American Hangman: MSGT. John C. Woods. 2019.

Roland, Paul. The Nuremberg Trials: The Nazis and Their Crimes Against Humanity. 2010. 

Scott-Bauman, Michael. The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine. 2023.

Stangneth, Buttina. Eichmann Before Jerusalem: The Unexamined Life of a Mass Murderer. 2014.

Stein, Harry. Malkin, Peter. Eichmann In My Hands. 1990. 

Steinke, Ronan. Fritz Bauer: The Jewish Prosecutor Who Brought Eichmann and Auschwitz to Trial. 2020. 

Thomas, Gordon. The Secret History of the Mossad. 1999. 
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Get Eichmann – Israel’s Hunt For A Nazi War Criminal - Part 1

In the conclusion of the series, Justinian and Theodora face a cascade of setbacks and disasters. The Empress hatches a plan to destroy John the Cappadocian. Belisarius learns of Antonina’s serial infidelity. A deadly Plague threatens to bring the Byzantine empire to its knees. 

 

SOURCES:

Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape. 1978.

Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 2015.

Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian. 2023.

Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 2017.

Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 2023.

Kaldellis, Anthony. The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium. 2023.

Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium. 2003.

Procopius. The Secret History. 

Procopius. The Wars of Justinian. 

Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 2006.

Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy. 2011.

Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 2002. 

Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy. 2024. 

Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor. 2014.

Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018

Captivating History. The Vandals. 2018

Dahm, Murray. Combat: Byzantine Cavalryman vs Vandal Warrior. 2023.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/01/03/gods-librarians
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When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 4

With the Nika Riots behind them, Justinian and Theodora rebuild Constantinople and pursue a bold new agenda for the Byzantine Empire. Belisarius sails to war against the Vandal Kingdom. John the Cappadocian seeks to drive a wedge between the imperial couple. 

 

SOURCES:

Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape. 1978.

Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 2015.

Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian. 2023.

Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 2017.

Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 2023.

Kaldellis, Anthony. The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium. 2023.

Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium. 2003.

Procopius. The Secret History. 

Procopius. The Wars of Justinian. 

Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 2006.

Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy. 2011.

Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 2002. 

Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy. 2024. 

Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor. 2014.

Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018

Captivating History. The Vandals. 2018

Dahm, Murray. Combat: Byzantine Cavalryman vs Vandal Warrior. 2023.
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When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 3

After being crowned Emperor and Empress of the Byzantine Empire, Justinian and Theodora face their first major test as rulers, the deadly Nika Riots of 532 AD. 

SOURCES:
Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape.
Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 
Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian
Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 
Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 
Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium.
Procopius. The Secret History. 
Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 
Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 
Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy
Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor.
Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018
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When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 2

From 527 to 565 AD, Emperor Justinian I and his Empress Theodora ruled over the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople. Together, they reshaped the Mediterranean world, weathering political upheaval, wars of conquest, and an outbreak of bubonic plague. In this first installment of a multi-part series, we explore the early years of New Rome’s greatest power couple. Rising from a disreputable background in the brothels of Constantinople, the actress-turned-informant Theodora catches the eye of Prince Justinian, heir to the Byzantine throne...

SOURCES:
Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape.
Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 
Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian
Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 
Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 
Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium.
Procopius. The Secret History. 
Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 
Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 
Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy
Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor.
Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018
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When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 1

On December 3rd, 1971, India and Pakistan go to war on two fronts, battling for the future of Bangladesh. In the East, the Indian army races against time, hoping to capture Dacca and force a Pakistani surrender before the United Nations can demand a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger unleash a fusillade of diplomatic pressure to frighten a defiant Indira Gandhi into compliance. After months of imprisonment, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman learns what has happened to his country. The war ends, and a new era begins. 

SOURCES:
Bass, Gary K. The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten Genocide. 2013.
Bennet-Jones, Own. The Bhutto Dynasty. 2020.
Carney, Scott. Miklian, Jason. The Vortex: A True Story of History’s Deadliest Storm, an 
Unspeakable War, and Liberation. 2022.
Chang, Jung. Halliday, Jon. Mao: The Unknown Story. 2005.
Frank, Katherine. Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi. 2001.
Gewen, Barry. The Inevitability of Tragedy: Henry Kissinger and his World. 2020.
Hiro, Dilip. The Longest August: The Unflinching Rivalry Between India and Pakistan. 2015.
Hitchens, Christopher. The Trial of Henry Kissinger. 2001.
Hoodbhoy, Pervez. Pakistan: Origins, Identity and Future. 2023.
Jalal, Ayesha. The Struggle for Pakistan. 2014.
James, Lawrence. Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India. 1997.
Jayakar, Pupul. Indira Gandhi: A Biography. 1975.
Khosa, Faisal. The Making of Martyrs in India, Pakistan & Bangladesh. 2021.
K.S. Nair. December In Dacca. 2022.
Keay, John. India: A History. 2000.
Mookherjee, Nayanika. The Spectral Wound. 2015.
Raghavan, Srinath. 1971: A Global History of the Creation of Bangladesh. 2013.
Rose, Leo. Sisson, Richard. War and Secession. Pakistan, India, and the Creation of Bangladesh. 1990.
Saikia, Yasmin. Women, War, and the Making of Bangladesh. 2011.
Schanberg, Sydney.”He Tells Full Story of Arrest and Detention.” New York Times Jan 1972
Schendel, Willem van. A History of Bangladesh. 2009.
Schwartz, Thomas Alan. Henry Kissinger and American Power. 2020.
Sengupta, Nitish. Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal. 2011.
Siddiqi, A. R. Yahya Khan: The Rise and Fall of a Soldier. 2020. 
Tudda, Chris. A Cold War Turning Point: Nixon and China, 1969-1972. 2012.
Walsh, Declan. The Nine Lives of Pakistan. 2020.
Zakaria, Anam. 1971: A People’s History from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. 2019.
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The 1971 Bangladesh War – Part 5: Thank God, They’ve Attacked Us

As Yahya Khan’s crackdown in East Pakistan sparks a refugee crisis and a guerilla insurgency, the neighboring nation of India, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, must decide how to respond. Meanwhile, President Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger pursue secret talks with Communist China. In Madison Square Garden, musicians George Harrison and Ravi Shankar organize a massive charity concert for the people of Bangladesh. 

SOURCES:
Bass, Gary K. The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten Genocide. 2013.
Bennet-Jones, Own. The Bhutto Dynasty. 2020.
Carney, Scott. Miklian, Jason. The Vortex: A True Story of History’s Deadliest Storm, an 
Unspeakable War, and Liberation. 2022.
Chang, Jung. Halliday, Jon. Mao: The Unknown Story. 2005.
Frank, Katherine. Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi. 2001.
Gewen, Barry. The Inevitability of Tragedy: Henry Kissinger and his World. 2020.
Hiro, Dilip. The Longest August: The Unflinching Rivalry Between India and Pakistan. 2015.
Hitchens, Christopher. The Trial of Henry Kissinger. 2001.
Hoodbhoy, Pervez. Pakistan: Origins, Identity and Future. 2023.
Jalal, Ayesha. The Struggle for Pakistan. 2014.
James, Lawrence. Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India. 1997.
Jayakar, Pupul. Indira Gandhi: A Biography. 1975.
Khosa, Faisal. The Making of Martyrs in India, Pakistan & Bangladesh. 2021.
K.S. Nair. December In Dacca. 2022.
Keay, John. India: A History. 2000.
Mookherjee, Nayanika. The Spectral Wound. 2015.
Raghavan, Srinath. 1971: A Global History of the Creation of Bangladesh. 2013.
Rose, Leo. Sisson, Richard. War and Secession. Pakistan, India, and the Creation of Bangladesh. 1990.
Saikia, Yasmin. Women, War, and the Making of Bangladesh. 2011.
Schendel, Willem van. A History of Bangladesh. 2009.
Schwartz, Thomas Alan. Henry Kissinger and American Power. 2020.
Sengupta, Nitish. Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal. 2011.
Tudda, Chris. A Cold War Turning Point: Nixon and China, 1969-1972. 2012.
Walsh, Declan. The Nine Lives of Pakistan. 2020.
Zakaria, Anam. 1971: A People’s History from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. 2019.
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The 1971 Bangladesh War – Part 4: Casus Belli

Join me for a special featured episode of BEEF, a scripted podcast narrated by award-winning host Bridget Todd. This episode tells the story of explorers Sir Richard Burton and Captain John Hanning Speke as they face unimaginable dangers, and their own divisiveness, while searching for the source of the Nile River.
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When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 2

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