Origin Story
History
About
What are the real stories behind the most misunderstood and abused ideas in politics? From Conspiracy Theory to Woke to Centrism and beyond, Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey dig into the astonishing secret histories of concepts you thought you knew.Want to support us in making future seasons? There are now two ways you can help out:• Patreon – Get early episodes, live Zooms, merchandise and more from just £5 per month.• Apple Podcasts – Want everything in one place with one easy payment? Subscribe to our premium feed on Apple Podcasts for ad-free shows early and bonus editions too.From Podmasters, the makers of Oh...
Episodes
- European Union – Part Two – Reality Bites
This episode, Part Two of the European Union story, continues from 1955, detailing the progression from the European Coal and Steel Community to the establishment of the European Economic Community in 1957. It covers political challenges,…
- European Union – Part One – Come Together
This episode of Origin Story begins a three-part series on the history of European union, tracing the evolution of Europe as an identity and the historical attempts at unification. It highlights the efforts of Count Richard von Coudenhove-…
- Origin Story – Live at Bloomsbury Theatre, 15th April 2026
This episode of Origin Story, recorded live at Bloomsbury Theatre, features a discussion on Matt Goodwin's political evolution, his book "Suicide of a Nation," and his controversial views. The hosts also recommend five films that reflect t…
- The General Strike – The Revolution That Wasn’t
This episode of Origin Story discusses the 1926 General Strike, a significant industrial dispute in British history. It covers the events leading up to the strike, the roles of key figures, and its unpredictable consequences for unions and…
- Introvert / Extrovert – In Two Minds
This episode of Origin Story explores the historical origins and scientific validity of the terms introvert and extrovert, tracing their emergence from the relationship between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud. It discusses the societal impact…
- Stephen Miller – American Fascist
This episode of Origin Story examines Stephen Miller, tracing his path from 1990s California politics to his influential role in the Trump administration. It discusses his impact on policies such as child separation and the Muslim ban, and…
- 15-Minute Cities – How Urban Design Entered the Culture War
This Origin Story episode discusses how the urban planning concept of 15-minute cities, where essential amenities are a 15-minute walk or bike ride away, became a target of conspiracy theories. It covers the origins of the idea and its evo…
- Blue Labour: We Need to Talk About Maurice
This episode of Origin Story discusses the Blue Labour movement and its founder Maurice Glasman, tracing its evolution and impact on the Labour Party. It examines Glasman's influence, the movement's changing ideologies, and its connections…
- Socialism: The Finale – What’s Left?
This episode, the finale of Origin Story season eight, reflects on the evolution of socialism over the last two centuries. It discusses socialism since 1991, its various definitions, and its relationship to communism, left-wing populism, a…
- The Fall of the USSR – End Game
This episode of Origin Story examines the fall of the USSR, focusing on Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms like perestroika and glasnost, and the unintended consequences that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. It delves into the events from…
- Che Guevara – Guerrilla in the Mist
This episode of Origin Story examines the life and legacy of Che Guevara, tracing his journey from an Argentinian youth to a revolutionary alongside Fidel Castro, and analyzing the complex blend of ideologies that defined his socialism. It…
- The New Left – Part Two – Children of the Revolution
This episode concludes the story of the New Left, detailing the 1968 protests, the movement's fragmentation, and its influence on new liberation movements. It also examines the theories of Antonio Gramsci and their significance for the lef…
- The New Left – Part One – Generation Next
This episode, titled "The New Left – Part One – Generation Next," is part of Origin Story's eighth season, "The Story of Socialism." It examines the New Left, its emergence following the discrediting of Soviet communism, and its developmen…
- Origin Story – Live at the Tabernacle, 13th Nov 2025
This episode of Origin Story, recorded live at the Tabernacle, focuses on political insurgents. It profiles radical right intellectuals James Orr and Curtis Yarvin, as well as socialist politicians Zohran Mamdani and Zack Polanski, examini…
- The Labour Party – Part Three – One Battle After Another
This episode, the third part of a series, examines the history of the Labour Party from 1979 to the present. It discusses challenges faced by the party, including leadership changes, ideological shifts, and electoral performance from Thatc…
- The Labour Party – Part Two – War and Peace
This episode of Origin Story continues the history of the UK Labour Party, covering its role in the wartime coalition, the Attlee government's post-war foundational work, internal party divisions during its "wilderness years," and the chal…
- The Labour Party – Part One – A Very British Socialism
Origin Story begins a series on the UK Labour Party, tracing its history from its formation to the eve of the Second World War. It covers key figures like Keir Hardie, Ramsay MacDonald, and Clement Attlee, examining the party's early strug…
- Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin – Part Three – Terror
This episode, "Terror," is the third and final part of the story of Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin. It focuses on Stalin's regime starting in 1929, covering events such as the Holodomor, the Great Terror, and the impact of World War II on the…
- Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin – Part Two – Power
This episode of Origin Story details the power struggles between Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin, focusing on the period after the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, the subsequent civil war, and the consolidation of power by Stalin by 1929. It exam…
- Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin – Part One – Revolution
This episode, part one of a three-part series, details the start of the Russian Revolution with a focus on Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin. It covers Lenin's early political journey, the rise of Bolshevism, and the pivotal events leading to the…
- Karl Marx – Part Two – The Father
This episode covers the life of Karl Marx in London, detailing the challenges he faced while writing "Capital" and his involvement in the International Working Men's Association. It explores his conflicts with rival socialists and anarchis…
- Karl Marx – Part One – The Fighter
This episode of Origin Story examines the early life and political development of Karl Marx, tracing his journey from a young Prussian philosopher to the leading figure of the Communist League. The discussion covers his collaboration with…
- The Birth of Socialism – A Better World is Possible
This episode of Origin Story explores the historical development of socialism, tracing its roots from the post-French Revolution era with figures such as Gracchus Babeuf, Henri de Saint-Simon, Charles Fourier, and Robert Owen. It covers th…
- The British Chinese – Hidden generations
This episode of Origin Story traces the history of the British Chinese community from Roman Britain to the present day. It explores challenges such as historical racism and deportation programmes, as well as the community's influence on th…
- Rivers of Blood – How Enoch Powell poisoned Britain
This bonus episode explores the history and impact of Enoch Powell’s 1968 "Rivers of Blood" speech. It discusses Powell's political background and examines how his rhetoric influenced British politics, populism, and modern attitudes toward…
- Shostakovich and Stalin – The Composer and the Dictator
This episode explores the complex life and career of composer Dmitri Shostakovich, examining his relationship with Joseph Stalin and the challenges of creating music under a dictatorship. It also discusses the controversy surrounding his m…
- ICE – How Trump built an American Gestapo
This special edition of Origin Story examines the origins, evolution, and expansion of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Hosts Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt track the agency's history from its creation under George Bush Jr. to…
- Martin Luther King Jr. – Part Two – Owning the dream
This episode concludes the series on Martin Luther King Jr., examining his later career, the challenges he faced after 1965, his assassination, and his legacy. Hosts Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt explore how his image has been shaped since h…
- Martin Luther King Jr. – Part One – Eyes on the Prize
In this episode, Origin Story explores the early life, rise to leadership, and philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr., starting with his emergence during the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott. The program examines King's development as a leader, h…
- Growth – GDP is the Magic Number
This episode of Origin Story explores the concept of economic growth and the history of GDP. The discussion examines how GDP became a primary economic metric, its limitations, and contemporary debates regarding sustainable growth, green gr…
- Mars – The Next Frontier?
This episode of Origin Story explores the history of Mars in popular culture, from ancient mythology and 19th-century speculation about canals to modern-day efforts toward exploration and colonisation. It examines how scientific discoverie…
- Appeasement – Part Two – Betrayal
This episode concludes the story of appeasement, covering the buildup to 1938, the Munich Agreement, and the eventual impact of the German invasion of Czechoslovakia. It examines the motivations of those who supported appeasement and the l…
- Appeasement – Part One – The Bitter Cup
This episode explores the history of the appeasement of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, analyzing the motivations behind the policy and its eventual transformation into a diplomatic failure. The discussion covers key figures, shifting political…
- Origin Story Live at 21 Soho – Grand Theft America
This live episode of Origin Story explores the American political landscape, analyzing how normality bias and historical parallels relate to Donald Trump's extremism. The hosts discuss complicity among politicians and voters, potential fai…
- Partition – Part Two – Dividing Lines
This episode concludes the story of the partition of India and Pakistan, examining the arrival of Lord Mountbatten, the escalation of violence, the independence process, and the ongoing legacy of the division. The discussion covers the rol…
- Partition – Part One – Before Midnight
This episode examines the history of the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, exploring the roles of political leaders and the conflict that led to mass displacement and violence. It covers key figures including Gandhi, Jinnah, Nehru,…
- Thatcherism – Part Two – Imperial phase
This episode explores the second part of Margaret Thatcher's premiership, examining her economic policies, the social divisions in Britain, and her eventual resignation in 1990. The discussion covers her political legacy, the impact of Tha…
- Thatcherism – Part One – Birth of a Notion
In this episode of Origin Story, hosts Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey examine the origins of Thatcherism, tracing Margaret Thatcher's life from her upbringing in Grantham to her premiership and triumph in the Falklands War.
- Kemi Badenoch – Identity crisis
This episode explores the political career and leadership style of Kemi Badenoch, examining her background, her rise within the Conservative Party, and the challenges she faces as leader. It questions her strategies for winning back voters…
- The Myth of Cultural Marxism – Anatomy of a conspiracy theory
This episode of Origin Story examines the history and development of the Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory. The hosts explore its origins in the 1990s, its connections to the Frankfurt School, and its evolution from fringe ideology to mai…
- Doctor Who – The Regeneration Game
This episode of Origin Story explores the history and cultural significance of Doctor Who, tracing its evolution from a 1963 television experiment to a major international drama. Hosts Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt analyze the show's core va…
- Trump’s inauguration: Can we call it fascism yet? – Plus exclusive audiobook excerpt
This episode of Origin Story considers whether the term fascism applies to Donald Trump’s inauguration and includes an exclusive audiobook excerpt.
- Elon Musk and the Death of Twitter
Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt examine Elon Musk's acquisition and rebranding of Twitter as X. The episode explores the business and political motivations behind the purchase, its impact on the platform, and its broader societal consequences.
- The Daily Mail – Part two – Paper Tigers
This episode of Origin Story concludes the two-part look at the Daily Mail, covering its transition into a tabloid under Vere Harmsworth and David English, and the long tenure of editor Paul Dacre. It examines the newspaper's influence on…
- The Daily Mail – Part one – Barons and Blackshirts
In part one of a two-part special, Origin Story examines the rise of the Daily Mail and the Harmsworth dynasty. The episode covers Lord Northcliffe's media empire and Harold Harmsworth’s transition into right-wing extremism, fascism, and s…
- The BBC – Part two – Balancing act
This episode examines the history of the BBC from the post-WWII era to the present day, covering its golden age, the impact of political tensions, and ongoing challenges. It explores the broadcaster's role in society, leadership changes, c…
- The BBC – Part one – Inform, educate, entertain
This episode explores the origins of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), tracing its history from its 1922 launch through the Second World War. It examines the organization's founding mission, key early figures, and its evolution d…
- Benjamin Netanyahu – Part two – Divide and conquer
This episode concludes the story of Benjamin Netanyahu, examining his political career from his first term in 1996 through his ongoing tenure. It explores his approach to the Oslo peace process, his return to power in 2009, and the impact…
- Benjamin Netanyahu – Part one – Making enemies
This episode explores the early life and political rise of Benjamin Netanyahu, examining the influences on his worldview and his path to becoming Israel's longest-serving prime minister. It covers his family background, military service, a…
- US Post-Election Live Show – Part Two
In the second part of their live post-election show at the Tabernacle, Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt analyze the US Presidential Election results. They discuss the implications of a Trump win for the UK and respond to questions from the audi…