Episode 418 - Operation Aphrodite

Episode 421 - The Battle of Dorylaeum Ft. Failure to Launch

Jul 6, 20261h 9mSummary

In episode 421 of the Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast, the hosts are joined by guests from the Failure to Launch podcast to analyze the Battle of Dorylaeum and the complex geopolitical landscape of the First Crusade. The discussion moves beyond the standard narrative of holy war, highlighting how the crusades were fundamentally driven by feudal power structures, the search for wealth, and the tactical failures of an uncoordinated, multi-national army. The episode examines the erratic role of the Byzantine Empire and Emperor Alexios, who found himself overwhelmed by an uninvited, marauding force of tens of thousands of Europeans. The hosts break down the mercenary-like motivations of commanders such as Bohemond of Taranto and explain the cynical reality behind the church's invention of the remission of sins—a strategic loophole that served as a moral permit for violence. By contrasting the chaotic, supply-starved crusader mob with the specialized Seljuk military, the episode paints a vivid picture of a campaign marked by internal infighting, poor logistics, and the dangerous consequences of ignoring local expertise in favor of religious fervor and the desperate pursuit of loot.

*PREVIEW* Maurice Wilson, The Man Who Wanted To Crash His Plane Into Mount Everest

Jul 1, 202610 minSummary

In this episode of Lions Led By Donkeys, the hosts delve into the bizarre and ill-fated mission of Maurice Wilson, a man who decided in the 1930s that the best way to conquer Mount Everest was to fly a plane to the summit, crash it, parachute out, and climb the rest of the way. Despite having no experience as a pilot or a parachutist, Wilson was undeterred by the skepticism of everyone he encountered. The hosts break down the absurdity of his plan, comparing the lack of aviation infrastructure and expertise in the 1930s to the monumental task he set for himself. They explore his disastrous training, which included nearly killing flight instructors and sustaining multiple injuries, as well as his reckless approach to parachuting. By contrasting Wilson’s "dream" against the highly funded and professional expeditions of his time, the episode highlights the sheer madness of a man who viewed himself as a pioneer of solo mountaineering before the concept even existed. It is a comedic yet detailed look at an eccentric figure whose ambition far outpaced his actual abilities.

Episode 420 - The Sicilian Expedition

Jun 29, 20261h 20mSummary

In this episode of the Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast, the hosts delve into the disastrous Sicilian Expedition, a pivotal turning point in the Peloponnesian War. The discussion explores the geopolitical power struggle between the Delian League, led by Athens, and the Peloponnesian League, led by Sparta. By 415 BCE, after years of intermittent conflict, Athens turned its sights toward Sicily—specifically the militaristic city-state of Syracuse—motivated by a mixture of opportunistic expansionism and the influence of the ambitious, pro-war politician Alcibiades. The hosts provide a humorous look at the chaotic Athenian decision-making process, characterized by mission creep and petty internal politics. This included Nicias, a reluctant commander, attempting to sabotage the expedition by framing Alcibiades for religious sacrilege. The resulting expedition, which swelled far beyond its original scope, eventually fell apart as the leadership proved disjointed and indecisive. Throughout the episode, the hosts highlight how personal grudges, lack of cavalry, and strategic incompetence turned what could have been a contained intervention into a massive, self-inflicted quagmire that ultimately devastated the Athenian military machine.

*PREVIEW* The French Wars of Religion: Part 2

Jun 24, 20269 minSummary

In the second installment of their deep dive into the French Wars of Religion, the hosts of Lions Led By Donkeys explore the volatile political and religious landscape of 16th-century France. Following the death of François I, the throne passed to Henri II, whose reign was marked by the continuation of expensive foreign conflicts and the growing influence of the Protestant Reformation. The episode traces the intellectual transition from Renaissance humanism and internal Catholic renewal to the birth of radical dissent. The hosts discuss the efforts of scholars like Erasmus and the members of the Meaux Circle, who initially sought reform from within the Church. However, as the Sorbonne began labeling these reformist ideas as heresy, many thinkers were forced into exile, inadvertently laying the groundwork for French Protestantism. The narrative culminates in the 1534 Affair of the Placards, where inflammatory anti-Catholic propaganda appeared across French cities and even on the king’s chamber door. Through their characteristic blend of historical analysis and sharp commentary, the hosts examine how these early ideological tremors set the stage for a conflict that would irrevocably alter European history.

Episode 419 - The Battle of Castillon

Jun 22, 20261h 4mSummary

In this episode of the Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast, the hosts delve into the dramatic conclusion of the Hundred Years War, focusing specifically on the Battle of Castillon. Moving beyond the popular narrative of individual knights and skirmishes, the discussion highlights the crucial military and structural transformations that defined the final phases of the conflict. The hosts explore how France evolved from a collection of squabbling fiefdoms into a centralized power by establishing the first permanent standing army, a shift that allowed for consistent funding and loyal command structures. A key point of the episode is the technical revolution of French artillery under the direction of the Bureau brothers. By standardizing cannon sizes and logistics, the French transformed what were previously unreliable, bespoke weapons into a devastating, mobile, and cohesive force. The narrative follows the aging English commander John Talbot as he attempts to reclaim Gascony. Despite his fearsome reputation as the Terror of the French, Talbot finds himself outmaneuvered by the French military’s new tactical sophistication, eventually leading his forces into a well-fortified trap at Castillon, effectively marking the definitive end of English rule in France.