Episodes 153
Avg. Duration 51m
Activity Sporadic
Apple Rating 4.7 (5,136)
Since Apr 2020
Latest Episode Mar 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Hosting
feeds.megaphone.fm

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Real Dictators is the award-winning podcast that explores the hidden lives of history's tyrants. Hosted by Paul McGann, with contributions from eyewitnesses and expert historians. New episodes available a week early for Noiser+ subscribers. You'll also get ad-free listening, early access and exclusive content on shows across the Noiser podcast network. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started or head to noiser.com/subscriptions For advertising enquiries, email [email protected] No part of this podcast may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. In accordance with Article 4(3) of the DSM Directive 2019/790, Noiser Ltd expressly reserves this work from the text and data mining exception.

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Recent Episodes

S6 Introducing: Real Vikings - Episode 1

Mar 20, 2026 54m Bonus

This is a preview of a brand-new show from the Noiser podcast network. Hosted by Iain Glen (Game of Thrones, Silo), Real Vikings takes you on a deep dive into the Viking age. You’ll board longboats…

S6E147 Jean-Bédel Bokassa Part 3: A Coronation for the Ages

Dec 31, 2025 1h 3m

The new emperor of the Central African Republic is introduced to the world in a totally surreal manner - with white horses from Belgium, finery from France and songs from a Broadway musical. The…

S6E146 Jean-Bédel Bokassa Part 2: The Power Grab, the Châteaux and the Missing Daughter

Dec 24, 2025 58m

A new year brings new beginnings in the Central African Republic. President Bokassa attempts to modernise. But at the same time, the mass incarcerations and torture ramp up and corruption takes hold.…

S6E145 Jean-Bédel Bokassa Part 1: The Butcher of Bangui

Dec 17, 2025 1h 1m

The former soldier in the French army who seized power in his African homeland. The leader of the Central African Republic who proclaimed himself emperor. The emperor who ruled as an avaricious…

S6 Introducing: Charles Dickens Ghost Stories - A Christmas Carol

Dec 08, 2025 48m Bonus

This is a preview of a brand-new audiobook from the Noiser Podcast Network. Join Sir David Suchet as he reads a selection of Charles Dickens’s most chilling short works, brought to life with sound…

S6E144 Fidel Castro Part 10: Emergency on an Airplane

Jul 01, 2025 57m

The end arrives. Embarrassed at a baseball game, the Maximum Leader responds with arrests and intimidation. We hear first-hand testimony from a Cuban on the receiving end of the violence. A nasty…

S6E143 Fidel Castro Part 9: Down With Fidel!

Jun 24, 2025 57m

After a tragedy in the Florida Straits, a dramatic tug of war takes place between Castro and America - all centred on a five-year-old boy. A new leader in the Soviet Union comes to power with fresh…

S6E142 Fidel Castro Part 8: Miami Vice

Jun 17, 2025 54m

When a bomb goes off on a south Florida street, it bears all the hallmarks of a Cuban expert. Castroland is going international. As exiles flock to Miami, Fidel sets off on a globe-trotting mission -…

S6E141 Fidel Castro Part 7: Che Guevara in the Jungle

Jun 10, 2025 57m

Castro sets out to create a breed of “new people” - turning Cuba into an island of mini-Fidels. A particular dairy cow becomes a national treasure and hot dog vendors are declared…

S6E140 Fidel Castro Part 6: The Cuban Missile Crisis

Jun 03, 2025 56m

The first man in space arrives in Cuba for a special visit. A passenger liner from the Soviet Union docks in Havana. But it’s not carrying tourists. Out in the countryside a massive yet mysterious…

S6E139 Fidel Castro Part 5: The Bay of Pigs

May 28, 2025 56m

A man who was right there tells us the tale of one of history’s most notorious military failures. Castro’s former lover is given a handful of poison capsules and dispatched to Fidel’s hotel. A Havana…

S6E138 Fidel Castro Part 4: Havana’s TV Star

May 20, 2025 57m

Castro goes on a victory parade, eventually arriving in Havana on top of a tank. Vengeance is wrought on the old dictator’s supporters, as the new leader moves into the Hilton hotel. Fidel takes a…

S6E137 Fidel Castro Part 3: The Mountain Guerrillas

May 13, 2025 55m

While Batista tries to convince the world that Castro is dead, Fidel regroups in the mountains. The world’s press descends on Cuba, hoping to meet this elusive rebel, and Fidel is only too happy to…

S6E136 Fidel Castro Part 2: Shipwrecked in the Swamps

May 06, 2025 58m

Castro wrestles with Marxism and begins another affair. Attempting to reignite the revolution, he swims naked across the US border. At a get-together in Mexico City, he strikes up a rapport with a…

S6E135 Fidel Castro Part 1: Rise of ‘The Crazy One’

Apr 29, 2025 1h 6m

Fidel Castro - a revolutionary turned strongman dictator, beloved by his supporters and loathed by his enemies. The bête noire of the United States who pushed the world to the brink of annihilation.…

S5 Introducing: Titanic: Ship of Dreams - Episode 1

Apr 08, 2025 52m Bonus

This is a taster episode of a brand-new podcast from the Noiser podcast network. Join host Paul McGann as he explores life and death on the most famous ship in history.You’ll be right there on board…

S5E134 Benito Mussolini Part 7: Break for the Border…

Jan 29, 2025 1h 4m

As Italy switches sides, Hitler hatches a plan to rescue his pal. But with the Axis collapsing on all fronts, Mussolini makes for Switzerland - stowed away and in disguise. For Il Duce’s enemies, the…

S5E133 Benito Mussolini Part 6: The Road to Perdition

Jan 22, 2025 1h 1m

It all starts to go horribly wrong… After the disastrous invasion of Greece, Mussolini sends troops to Russia. Benito’s Blitz prompts bemusement in Britain. An Italian assassin somehow survives the…

S5E132 Benito Mussolini Part 5: The Pact of Steel

Jan 15, 2025 57m

At the Munich Conference, Mussolini postures as a peacemaker. With Hitler in the ascendancy, the Rome-Berlin Axis is upgraded to a military alliance. High on fascist adrenaline, Il Duce invades…

S5E131 Benito Mussolini Part 4: A Fine Bromance

Jan 08, 2025 1h

Il Duce uses propaganda to become a folk hero - part saint, part Father Christmas. He bans journalists from mentioning his birthday or the fact he’s a grandfather - to promote an image of eternal…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Real Dictators have?

Real Dictators has published 153 episodes since April 2020, covering topics in Drama, Fiction.

Is Real Dictators still active?

Real Dictators is currently sporadic with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 51m.

How do I contact Real Dictators for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Real Dictators, including email and social media links.

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