Over the past few years, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be a guest on a range of truly fantastic podcasts. What started as simple conversations about family history often turned into rich, surprising, and deeply enjoyable discussions that ventured into all kinds of unexpected territory.
While the heart of these podcasts is often rooted in genealogy, history, and uncovering the past, the conversations themselves are far from one-dimensional. We’ve wandered into topics ranging from personal discovery to societal change, from forgotten ancestors to modern-day mysteries. Every chat has brought something new, and I’ve loved every moment of it.
If you’re someone who enjoys thoughtful dialogue, personal stories, and a bit of historical detective work, I think you’ll find something to enjoy in these episodes.
To make things easy, I’ve added links to the episodes, but they’re available across all the usual platforms. Feel free to explore them wherever you like to listen!
Where to Start?
A great starting point is Dr. Michaela Hulme’s podcast, Unearth The Past. In this episode, I join the legendary Paul McNeil—aka the Time Detective and TV star of DNA Journey. Together, we delve into what makes family history so compelling, and why uncovering the past can sometimes feel like a thrilling detective story.
There’s laughter, insight, a few surprises and hopefully, something that sparks your own curiosity about your roots.
My ABC Guide to Research
Whether you’re diving into your own genealogy journey or just navigating everyday life, you can have my little ABC guide for free.
“Accept Nothing, Believe Nobody, Check Everything.”
🎧 Podcast #2: The Family Histories Podcast with Andrew Martin
Episode: Family, Lego, and the Stories That Connect Us
Available on: Spotify and all major platforms
Next up is a delightful episode on The Family Histories Podcast, hosted by the brilliant Andrew Martin. This podcast is a real gem in the genealogy world, thoughtful, warm, and always filled with personal stories that bring history to life.
In this particular episode, we cover all the usual family history topics, challenges in research, surprising discoveries, and how the past shapes our present. But what makes this one extra special is that we also delve into another one of my passions: Lego!
Yes, that’s right, genealogy meets bricks! We chat about how Lego has been a creative outlet for me, a way to relax, build, and even tell stories in a totally different medium. It might sound like an unexpected crossover, but as we discuss, there’s actually quite a bit of overlap between the two: patience, creativity, problem-solving, and the joy of putting pieces together to reveal something meaningful.
This episode is a great listen if you’re interested in how hobbies outside of family history can still enrich your research and perspective, and vice versa.
🎧 Podcast #3: Journeys Into Genealogy with Emma Cox
Episode: Exploring Stories Behind the Records
Available on: Spotify and all major platforms
Another highlight was my appearance on the wonderful Journeys Into Genealogy podcast, hosted by the always engaging
In this episode, we covered a wide array of topics that go well beyond the basics of family history.
Emma has a real talent for drawing out the human stories behind the research, and together we explored everything from unusual record finds to the emotional impact of uncovering ancestral lives. We talked about how stories, both factual and fictional, can be powerful starting points for research. Even a half-remembered family legend or anecdote can lead to meaningful discoveries if you’re willing to dig a little deeper.
In this episode, we also touched on my work with Family Tree Magazine, including my role in the ‘Dear Paul’ column, where I help readers navigate the often complex world of genealogy. We discussed the value of family heirlooms, not just as keepsakes but as storytellers in their own right, and how physical objects can help us to tell our family history stories.
One particularly meaningful part of our conversation was about my work researching and creating The Old Palace School Bombing Project where I have recorded and shared the stories of the 34 firefighters who died during WW2 in London, in what is still today, the largest ever loss at a single incident for the Fire Brigade. It’s a subject close to my heart and a reminder of how family history can intersect with broader historical events in powerful and deeply personal ways.
🎧 Podcast #4: Out of the Blank with Rob McConnell
Episode: Exploring Ideas, Curiosity, and the Roots of Research
Available on: Spotify and all major platforms
Something a little different this time! On the Out of the Blank podcast, hosted by the always-thoughtful Rob McConnell, we step away from the usual family history focus and dive into a wide-ranging conversation full of theories, ideas, and curious detours.
This episode was an absolute pleasure to record because it gave us the freedom to go beyond the standard genealogy talk and instead explore how and why I got started in research in the first place. We discussed the spark of curiosity that drives people to dig deeper into their pasts, and how that same spark often leads us into all sorts of other unexpected interests.
We also touched on the world of blogging, and how sharing stories and research online can connect you with a wider community. Whether you’re documenting your findings, raising awareness about forgotten history, or just trying to make sense of it all, blogging can be a powerful tool for learning and reflection.
This episode is for anyone who loves big questions, open conversations, and exploring the “why” behind the “what.” It’s a reminder that history isn’t just about dates and documents—it’s also about ideas, curiosity, and the stories we choose to tell.
🎧 Podcast #5: Coach Carole – The Essential Genealogist
Episode: Family History Chats from Down Under
Available on: Spotify and all major platforms
This time, we head down under for a lovely chat with Coach Carole on her podcast The Essential Genealogist. Carole brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a fresh perspective to everything she does, and in this episode, we dive deep into all things family history with a distinctly Australian flavour.
We talked about what makes genealogy such a compelling pursuit, how family stories are preserved and passed on across continents, and the importance of asking questions before it’s too late. Carole also asked some brilliant questions about the emotional side of research, why it matters, what keeps us going, and how uncovering the past can help us better understand ourselves in the present.
It was a refreshing and thoughtful conversation that reminded me how universal family history really is. Whether you’re in the UK, Australia, or anywhere else in the world, the desire to understand where we come from is something that connects us all.
If you’re after a grounded, heartfelt discussion that blends personal reflection with practical advice, this episode is well worth a listen.
🎧 Podcast #6: The 15 Minute Genealogist
Episode: Reflections on RootsTech London
Available on: Spotify and all major platforms
In this episode of The 15 Minute Genealogist podcast, I had the opportunity to reflect on my experiences at RootsTech London, one of the biggest and most exciting events in the genealogy calendar.
We chatted about the energy of the conference, the innovations in family history technology, and the inspiring stories shared by genealogists from all over the world. It was a chance to discuss what makes RootsTech such a unique gathering; the blend of experts, enthusiasts, and newcomers all coming together to celebrate the past and look toward the future.
I also shared some personal insights about the highlights of the event and how attending conferences like RootsTech can reinvigorate your passion for research. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just starting out, events like these are a fantastic way to connect, learn, and grow.
If you’re curious about what RootsTech London is like or looking for some inspiration to fuel your own family history journey, this episode offers a quick and engaging overview.
🎥 Podcast #7: My First Ever Video Blog – Now on Substack
Episode: Stepping Into the Spotlight
This one feels particularly special. After years of writing, researching, and speaking behind the scenes (or behind the mic), I recently published my very first video blog on Substack, a new and exciting format for me, and definitely a bit of a leap outside my comfort zone.
It’s one thing to talk about family history on a podcast, but being in front of the camera added a whole new layer of vulnerability and excitement. This was my first real attempt at stepping into the spotlight, sharing not just my knowledge and research, but a bit more of me in the process.
In the video, I reflect on some of the topics that frequently come up in my work: what motivates us to dig into the past, the lessons we learn from our ancestors, and how history still echoes in our daily lives. But more than that, it’s also about growth, about trying something new, even when it feels a little daunting.
This episode marks the beginning of what I hope will be a growing series of video reflections, updates, and behind-the-scenes peeks into the world of genealogy (and beyond). If you’ve ever been nervous about sharing your voice or putting yourself out there, I hope this inspires you to give it a go.
You can watch the video and follow along on Substack, where I’ll be continuing to share updates, stories, and thoughts in both written and video form.
Make the most of this folks, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as you catch a rare glimpse of me stepping outside of my comfort zone – Enjoy! Click on the link below to hear the Vlog
Wrapping Up: Join the Journey
Thank you for joining me on this podcast journey through family history and beyond! Each conversation has been a unique adventure, blending stories, insights, and a shared passion for uncovering the past. Whether we’re diving into dusty archives, exploring creative hobbies, or reflecting on inspiring events, these podcasts show just how rich and varied the world of genealogy can be.
If any of these episodes spark your curiosity, I encourage you to give them a listen. There’s something special about hearing stories unfold through conversation—bringing history to life in a way that’s personal, relatable, and often surprising.
I’ll be adding more podcast appearances and stories here over time, so please stay tuned. And if you listen to any of the episodes, I’d love to hear your thoughts, stories, or questions. Feel free to reach out or leave a comment below!
Until next time, happy researching—and happy listening.
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