The World War II podcast with comedian Al Murray and historian James Holland.
We Have Ways of Making You Talk dives deep into WWII history, exploring key battles, forgotten front lines, and incredible untold stories. Whether you're fascinated by the Battle of Britain, the D-Day landings, or the Eastern Front, this show offers a rich, detailed look at the war that shaped the modern world.
Al and James bring a unique blend of expert knowledge and humour, discussing everything from the Third Reich, Churchill's leadership, and the Fall of Berlin, to World War 2 tanks, fighter planes, and naval battles. Expect historical insights, lively tangents, and discussions on iconic second world war events like Operation Barbarossa, the Pacific Theatre, and the North African campaign.
Join our membership club for extra content, livestreams and ad-free listening: patreon.com/wehaveways
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Chart trend
Position in the History chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#27#53JunJulAugSep
#6
all-time peak
6
days in the top 10 since Nov 2024
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Introducing: Bear Hunt
350 British civilians are dead and Russia is responsible. Number 10 hits back as a hapless Prime Minister plays his hand in the age of regime decapitation.Bear Hunt is a
Sep 10 11 min
One Man's War: Rommel & Gazala (Part 3)
How did Rommel reverse Allied fortunes in North Africa? What was the importance of The Gazala Line in WW2? When was The First Battle Of Alamein?
Join Jim and Al for part
Sep 9 42 min
One Man's War: Operation Compass (Part 2)
Why was Operation Compass such a success for Allied forces in North Africa? When was Operation Compass? How did Sam Bradshaw and his friends survive in the early desert w
Sep 7 39 min
One Man's War: Deserted In The Desert (Part 1)
Why did young British men like Sam Bradshaw end up fighting overseas in North Africa? When was the situation in North Africa at the start of The Second World War? How did
Sep 2 39 min
British Band Of Brothers: Disaster At Berjou (Part 8)
What were American forces doing during the Battle of Normandy? How did the Sherwood Rangers deal with SS units? What high jinks did the men get up to on leave?
Join Jim
Aug 31 50 min
British Band Of Brothers: Battle Of Bloody Ridge (Part 7)
How did the Sherwood Rangers defeat Nazi Jagdpanthers? What was Hitler's Operation Luttich? And, were the men affected by the casualties they witnessed?
Join Jim and Al
Aug 26 1 h 01 min
British Band Of Brothers: Operation Bluecoat (Part 6)
What was the Battle of Hottot? Who is Stan Perry? Why was Operation Bluecoat planned?
Join Jim and Al for Part 6, as they follow the trail of the Sherwood Rangers, Brita
Aug 24 48 min
British Band Of Brothers: Back In Action (Part 5)
How did the Sherwood Rangers recuperate after D-Day? Why were the Germans struggling in Normandy? What were the physical and mental demands on tank commanders?
Join Jim
Aug 19 58 min
Before The Storm: Midnight Approaches (Part 4)
What were Britain's 'shadow factories'? Why did the allies plan to intervene in the Finno-Soviet Winter War? How did Germany hope to meet it's desperate need for resource
Aug 17 45 min
Before The Storm: The Nazi Myth (Part 3)
Why does the fantasy of Nazi economic success still remain prominent? What did Mussolini and Ciano think about joining the war? How did Britain rapidly become self-suffic
Aug 12 59 min
Before The Storm: Drumbeat Of War (Part 2)
What was the state of the French Army in 1939 ? Why was Belgium so against Britain and France reinforcing defences there? How did the press cover the beginning of the war
Aug 10 56 min
Before The Storm: The Phoney War Begins (Part 1)
What is the truth behind the Nazi myth of German technological superiority? Why were German generals planning to kill Hitler? How well was Britain prepared for war in 193
Aug 5 54 min
Operation Barbarossa: Winning To Death (Part 8)
What was so important about The Smolensk Pocket? Why did Guderian try overambitious battle plans despite a lack of adequate resources? How did Hitler and Halder disagree
Aug 3 1 h 05 min
Operation Barbarossa: One Man's War (Part 7)
How were young men like Wilhelm Prüller radicalised by Nazi propaganda and ideology? What did troops think of the invasion of the USSR? When did the soldiers think the ca
Jul 29 59 min
Operation Barbarossa: The Surge (Part 6)
What happened to Russian resistance once German units reached the Dneiper river? Why were units like Panzer Group Guderian suffering from success? How did Nazi Germany de
Why did Nazi Germany invade the Soviet Union in June 1941? What were the 3 main army groups and their objectives once they advanced Russian territory? How did Stalin reac
Jul 22 1 h 11 min
1000th Episode Special
Why did James Holland and Al Murray start a WW2 Podcast? How did bats build a media empire? What are some of the most memorable bits of WW2 Pod: We Have Ways Of Making Yo
Jul 20 44 min
WW2 & The World Cup
As a part of our continuing effort to commemorate the incredible global story of WW2, we present our ongoing ‘Family Stories’ series.
This series tells YOUR relatives’ s
Jul 15 36 min
North African Odyssey: To Hell And Back (Part 3)
How did the men of 2 Para make it to British lines? What did axis troops do to captured paratroopers? And, did the disaster at Oudna spell the end for paratroop operation
Jul 13 53 min
Antony Beevor: Downfall In Berlin
Was The Battle of The Bulge a delay in the fall of Nazi Germany? Why did Western Allies like Eisenhower not race to capture Berlin? How did Soviet generals waste their ow
Jul 9 24 min
Chart positions
Where WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 12, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
Fantastic operational details included here. As a former infantryman in the 101st, to finally hear hear on a podcast a detailed evaluation of the events surrounding the delay in securing the road bridge at Nijmegen was refreshing. By the way James….the 325th was the glider infantry of the 82nd, not the 327th (that was 101’s glider regiment). It stabbed my heart to hear your (understandable ) misallocation. The 327th is better than that…..No Slack!
k from the sticks · Sep 2024
Al and James offer their personal perspectives on a wide range of subjects and campaigns. My personal favorites are the deep dive reviews of Dunkirk, El Alamein, Stalingrad Etc. Guest speakers offer opinions that get you thinking.
Take the revisions that some offer on the morality of decisions with a pinch of salt. In the words of Johnny Johnson, if you weren’t there keep your bloody mouth shut.
Their British attempts at American German and other accents could offend if they weren’t so bad.
All in all a lighthearted review of a very complex and on occasion very dark subject 80 years on, with relevance to the challenges of today’s world.
Mike G Chicken Patrol IC 4002 · Aug 2024
Love the podcast and the guys, however I found the recent episodes on fighting in Normandy post D-Day to be tough to get through. Monty has perhaps been unfairly blamed for much that was outside his control, but Al and James may be over correcting in their support of Monty, to the point of narrowly presenting information that elevates his generalship while failing to address his tactical shortcomings. Also, the reading of German primary sources in an overwrought accent can come across as boorish. Still, wonderful on the whole.
chomper1009 · Jul 2024
Have discovered “we have ways” this past year and the voices of James and Al have been constant companion on my dog walks.
Have been a WW2 nerd since primary school. My grandfather spent the war in Japanese POW camp and my father and other grandfather were Dutch Nationals in Indonesia and spent the war in an internment camp. Have paid special attention to those episodes on pow camps and have gained a lot more appreciation in what my father and grandfather’s experienced.
Have also loved the episodes with John McManus and would love more episodes on the Pacific (especially the Naval war) and the Far East, including Malaysia and Burma.
My only criticism of the show is sometimes it’s hard to follow the conversation. James and Al sometimes are trying to talk over each other and interrupt a lot.
Dbouwmeester · Jun 2024
Over the years this pod has devolved from sincere history into a promotional vehicle for Holland and Murray's careers. It can be quite good, but all too often it's just Al and Jim yukking it up and shilling for themselves. The occasional political commentary betrays an elitist bias (Murray is a direct descendent of William Makepeace Thackeray, after all), as well as a frankly bigoted and shockingly simplistic view of American culture and current affairs. Still, the pod's stature does attract big-name guests. Listen, but be aware that the hosts are mighty pleased with themselves -- and they might consider your views beneath their enlightened intellect.
SullyAg · Jun 2024
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About WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk on Reason.fm
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