{"podcast":{"title":"The English Heritage Podcast","slug":"the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199","podcast_index_feed_id":1111199,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/EHE9742327131","website_url":"https://www.english-heritage.org.uk","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/668330d4-7cc2-11ee-a5ea-07253fb3eec9/image/70adb887611b592c53ddec06599e8d50.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"English Heritage","episode_count":379,"summary":"Every object has a story to tell. But how can one mystery item lead us on a journey through history, people and places? In the English Heritage podcast, comedian and writer Amy Matthews brings you entertaining tales from unexpected places. Each week, we begin with a mystery item and with the help of English Heritage experts and special guests, Amy explores what our past can tell us about our present and perhaps our future. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts.","last_synced_at":"2026-06-25T12:21:33.694200+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199"},"episode":{"title":"A history of natural history","slug":"a-history-of-natural-history","published_at":"2026-05-07T05:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199/a-history-of-natural-history","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199","url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/EHE6484197429.mp3?updated=1778080138","audio_url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/EHE6484197429.mp3?updated=1778080138","summary":"As broadcaster and natural historian David Attenborough celebrates his 100th birthday, Amy Matthews explores how Britain learned to observe, record and make sense of the living world and why those early questions about nature still matter today. Beginning at Down House, the family home of Charles Darwin, this episode explores how natural history was shaped not just by Darwin’s famous ideas, but by generations of collectors, classifiers and curious observers. From ancient thinking to early citizen science and the origins of modern-day questions, history-of-science expert Dr Edwin Rose from the University of Leeds and English Heritage’s Sabrina Villani explore how this became both a science and a national pastime. Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show. Join English Heritage: ⁠https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/⁠ Podcast listeners can get 20% off the first year of an annual membership. Use code POD20 at checkout.* Support our work: ⁠https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/⁠ The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. *Offer is available through the use of this code and valid for new memberships by annual Direct Debit only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on life memberships or renewals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices","meta_description":"As broadcaster and natural historian David Attenborough celebrates his 100th birthday, Amy Matthews explores how Britain learned to observe, record and ma…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2363,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199/episodes/a-history-of-natural-history/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199/a-history-of-natural-history.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}