Mission Control: Show History
Ep 001: Introduction: Mission Control by Apollo Scholars
Mission Control has officially launched. The brand-new podcast from Apollo Scholars is here to help students study smarter, understand more and perform better in their exams. With new episodes every week, packed with academic insights, exam strategies and practical advice, it is time to take control of your learning.
Ep 002: From Republic to Ruin: Germany, 1918–1945
How does a functioning democracy hand power to a dictatorship in under fifteen years?
In this episode, Matt and Lucy trace the entire arc of Weimar and Nazi Germany, from the revolution and hyperinflation of the early 1920s, through the “Golden Age” of the mid-decade, to the Depression-fuelled collapse of democracy, Hitler’s rise to power and the terror of the Third Reich. Built for students studying this period, it is a fast, clear guide to the key events, figures and turning points, with the “why” behind every “what.”
Ep 003: The Cold War, c1945-1991
In this episode, Matt and Lucy trace the entire arc of the Cold War, from the breakdown of the wartime alliance and the division of Europe after 1945, through the crises, proxy wars and nuclear tensions that shaped the second half of the twentieth century, to the collapse of Soviet communism in 1991. Built for students studying this period, it is a fast, clear guide to the key events, figures and turning points, with the “why” behind every “what.”
Ep 004: Markets and Market Failure
In this episode, Matt and Lucy trace the entire story of markets and market failure, from scarcity, choice and opportunity cost, through specialisation, trade, demand, supply and the price mechanism, to the reasons markets sometimes fail. They explore externalities, public goods and information gaps before examining how governments attempt to intervene, and why those interventions can sometimes create problems of their own. Built for students studying Economics, it is a fast, clear guide to the key concepts, examples and debates, with the “why” behind every “what.”
Ep 005: What Makes A Great Speech?
In this episode, Matt and Lucy explore what makes a great speech, tracing the techniques, context and stories behind six of the most famous speeches in history. From Elizabeth I and Abraham Lincoln to Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy, they examine antithesis, repetition, anaphora, tricolon, imagery and the importance of audience and purpose. They also explore the haunting Apollo 11 speech that was written but never delivered. Built for students studying English Language, it is a fast, clear guide to the techniques and ideas behind powerful speeches, with the “why” behind every “what.”
Ep 006: Macbeth Explained: How Does a Hero Become a Tyrant?
In this episode, Matt and Lucy explore Shakespeare’s Macbeth, tracing the themes, context and characters behind one of the most famous tragedies ever written. From the Jacobean world of King James I and the Gunpowder Plot to the rise and fall of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, they examine ambition, appearance and reality, fate and free will, guilt and the imagery of blood and sleep. They also explore how Banquo, Duncan, Macduff and the witches shape the story, and how to use key quotes and language techniques in your own essays. Built for students studying English Literature, it is a fast, clear guide to the ideas behind the play, with the “why” behind every “what.”
Ep 007: The UK Economy: How It Performs and Who Is Steering the Ship
In this episode, Matt and Lucy explore how the UK economy works, examining the key measures, models and policies that shape economic performance. From GDP, inflation and unemployment to aggregate demand, aggregate supply and the business cycle, they break down the forces driving the economy and the trade-offs facing policymakers. They also explore monetary, fiscal and supply-side policies, connect economic theory to events such as Brexit, Covid-19 and the 2022 inflation surge and explain how to evaluate policies effectively in your own essays. Built for students studying Economics, it is a clear, practical guide to understanding the economy, with the “why” behind every “what.”
Ep 008: The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007
In this episode, Matt and Lucy explore how modern Britain was made between 1951 and 2007, examining the political, economic, social and international changes that shaped the country. From the post-war consensus and the affluent society to the Sixties, the strikes and crises of the 1970s, Thatcherism and the era of New Labour, they break down why governments won and lost power, how everyday life and attitudes changed, and how Britain adjusted to life after empire. They also explore turning points such as Suez, devaluation, the three-day week, the miners’ strike, Black Wednesday and Iraq, and explain how to build strong arguments in your own essays by weighing up causes, tracing continuity and change, and using the debates between historians.
Ep 009: Hamlet Analysis – Themes, Characters, Key Quotes and Context
In this episode, Matt and Lucy explore Shakespeare’s Hamlet, examining the conventions of revenge tragedy and Elizabethan beliefs about ghosts and the divine right of kings. They break down the plot, key characters and central themes, from Hamlet’s hesitation and Claudius’ corruption to appearance and reality, death and madness. Through key quotations and close analysis, they explain how Shakespeare uses language and structure to develop meaning. They also explore competing interpretations and show how to build stronger English Literature essays.
Ep 010: Coming Soon…
Mission Control: Show History
Welcome to the Mission Control Show History, the complete archive of the Apollo Scholars podcast.
From history and politics to economics, society and the ideas that have shaped our world, Mission Control takes learning beyond the classroom.
Here, you can explore every episode we have released, revisit previous discussions and discover the academic insights, stories and questions we have explored along the way.
Whether you are preparing for an exam, looking to deepen your understanding or simply curious about the world around you, there is always another mission to explore.