'Stuff the British Stole' podcast traces the true stories behind stolen artifacts

Greek and Maori carvings, a silver chalice from Ireland, an entire bird species, and actual human heads: this is a very incomplete list of items taken in empire-building. 

But Marc Fennell says that such things are more than just historical curiosities: "These are objects that tell us about who we are and they tell us how we ended up with the world we have today."

That is a literal truth for the Australian journalist, who has family roots in Singapore, India, and Ireland. It's why he hosts Stuff the British Stole — a lively history podcast from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that tells the backstories behind the official plaques that we see on display in museums and institutions. 

Through good conversation, expressive sound, and humane storytelling, Fennell pieces together the often dramatic tales behind objects, revealing the realities of the past and present. The Guardian has called the episodes "excellent...immensely entertaining." 

CBC has joined ABC in producing Stuff the British Stole, and you can hear two samples of the podcast on this episode of IDEAS about the 'Tippoo's Tiger' and the semi-mythical creature, the dodo.