Best Tristan Alexander Podcasts (2025)

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Origins of Yoga 54:48

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3d ago54:48

54:48

Warrior, Cobra, Downward Dog. If you do Yoga today, those are poses you’re surely aware of. But where and when did Yoga originate? In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Jim Mallinson to uncover the ancient roots of yoga - a tradition stretching back over 3,000 years. From the meditative practices of the Indus Valley Civili…

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Episode 698 – The AFTN Soccer Show (The Guys Are Lethal - Dallas destroyed, MLS and CPL playoff round-ups, Vancouver FC end of season review) 2:36:48

4d ago2:36:48

2:36:48

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat. Vancouver Whitecaps kicked off their quest for the 2025 MLS Cup with a dominant home playoff win against FC Dallas on Sunday. We look at the many highs coming out of that one, plus hear from both head coaches, Jesper S…

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Boudica's Tribe: How the Iceni Survived the Romans 1:00:24

6d ago1:00:24

1:00:24

Join us for a special episode of The Ancients, recorded on-site in Norfolk, as we delve into the fascinating history of the Iceni tribe both before and after Boudica's famed revolt against the legions. Tristan Hughes joins Professor William Bowden at the dig to hear about Iceni resistance, cultural continuity, and adaptation in the face of Roman co…

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Episode 697 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Drop Ya Like Jenga - Whitecaps vs Dallas playoff preview, Jayden Nelson and Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson interviews) 2:30:36

8d ago2:30:36

2:30:36

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League playoff chat and interviews. It's the business end of the season and the room for error is minimal. Vancouver Whitecaps face off against FC Dallas in game one of a best of three playoff series on Sunday. We set up the match …

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Bog Bodies 1:02:02

10d ago1:02:02

1:02:02

What lurks under the surface of the dense black peat pits strewn across northern Europe? Bog bodies, naturally mummified humans, have fascinated archeologists for decades as they offer unique insights into ancient cultures. Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Melanie Giles to examine how old these bodies are, how they're preserved and incredible …

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Episode 696 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Something's Happening Round Here - Axel Schuster roundtable, Joedrick Pupe and Rayan Elloumi interviews, MLS playoffs and awards) 3:06:48

12d ago3:06:48

3:06:48

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer chat and interviews. It was a heartbreaking weekend for the Whitecaps, who battled valiantly for 80 minutes down a man at home to Dallas but couldn't find the point they needed to finish top of the MLS Western Conference. Great defending, a lack of f…

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Marcus Aurelius: The Philosopher Emperor 1:09:07

14d ago1:09:07

1:09:07

He's known as Rome’s philosopher-emperor and faced plague, rebellion and war in the East. Yet Marcus Aurelius ruled with a pen as much as a sword, finding peace in philosophy which still inspires the world today. In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor William Stephens to uncover the life, legacy, and stoic philosophy…

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The Sons of Attila the Hun 46:26

17d ago46:26

46:26

The year is 453 AD. The most feared warlord in Europe - Attila the Hun - lies dead on his wedding night. But what happened next plunged his vast empire into bloody chaos. In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Hyun Jin Kim to uncover the dramatic story of Attila’s heirs and the fall of the Huns. From bitter rivalries…

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Episode 695 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Feeling Heaven - Müller magic sends Whitecaps top, Isaac Boehmer interview, World Cup tickets and qualifiers) 2:51:30

19d ago2:51:30

2:51:30

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and FIFA World Cup chat and interviews. Some late drama and some Thomas Müller magic saw the Whitecaps hit the summit once again in the MLS Western Conference with one game of the regular season to go. With first place and the number one seeding on the…

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Rise of Islam 1:04:08

21d ago1:04:08

1:04:08

In the 7th century, a new empire rose from the sands of Arabia - united by faith, driven by conquest, and destined to change history forever. In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Khododad Rezakhani to explore the emergence of Islam from the ashes of Rome and Persia’s great struggle for supremacy. Together they discover ho…

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The First Hawaiians 51:57

24d ago51:57

51:57

Tristan Hughes goes on an exploration of Hawaii's earliest settlers, guided by the insights of Dr. Patrick Kirch, a leading expert on Hawaiian archeology. From the arrival of Polynesians around AD 1000, using sophisticated double-hull canoes, to their unique agricultural practices and the construction of monumental architecture, they delve into the…

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Episode 694 – The AFTN Soccer Show (A Little Charm and a Lot of Style - Ryan Gauld interview, Whitecaps roll on, World Cup tickets and kick off times) 2:51:51

25d ago2:51:51

2:51:51

By AFTN.ca

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Gladiators: A Day in the Life 59:56

28d ago59:56

59:56

The Colosseum packed with roaring crowds, the sand stained with sweat and blood. But today, you’re not watching - you’re fighting. Welcome to a day in the life of a Roman gladiator. In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by historian and author Dr Harry Sidebottom to uncover the brutal reality behind Rome’s most iconic fighters. …

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Origins of Mythology 47:45

1M ago47:45

47:45

From Cinderella to Beauty and the Beast, the roots of fairy tales stretch back thousands of years — to the dawn of Indo-European languages and beyond. In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by author and journalist Laura Spinney to explore the origins of mythology. From the tales compiles by the Brothers Grimm to cutting-edge lin…

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Episode 693 – The AFTN Soccer Show (The One With All The Cups - Whitecaps Kings of Cascadia again, Martin Nash, Mark O'Neill, Can Champ preview) 2:36:51

1M ago2:36:51

2:36:51

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Championship chat and interviews. The Whitecaps may be down to the bare bones in terms of squad selection, especially on the defensive side, but that didn't stop them claiming an 8th Cascadia Cup following draws with Portland and Seattle. …

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The First Pharaohs 45:58

1M ago45:58

45:58

Unveiling the Enigmatic Story of Egypt's First Pharaohs, roughly 5,000 years ago. Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Aidan Dodson to discuss the renowned Scorpion King and early dynasties, the unifying figure of Narmer, as well as the evolution of early Egyptian tombs and traditions, providing a fascinating insight into the dawn of Egypt's earli…

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Inanna: Mesopotamian Sex Goddess 41:43

1M ago41:43

41:43

Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Kate Lister to take us on a journey through the fascinating history of Innana, an ancient goddess of love, war, fertility, and political power. They delve into her evolution from a humble agricultural deity to one of the most powerful and complex figures in ancient mythology, revered in Mesopotamia and beyond. This o…

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Episode 692 – The AFTN Soccer Show (The Way The Future's Meant To Feel - Whitecaps dominant in KC, all-BC Can Champ final set, Mathias Laborda, Devon Kerr, Pacific FC for sale) 2:59:58

1M ago2:59:58

2:59:58

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Championship, and Canadian Premier League football chat and interviews. What a week it's been for Vancouver and BC soccer. The Whitecaps and Vancouver FC of Langley set up a first ever meeting between the two teams in next week's Canadian Cham…

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The Picts: Rulers of the North 45:45

1M ago45:45

45:45

Tristan Hughes journeys up to windswept Scotland to uncover the secrets of the Picts — fierce warriors, skilled artisans, enemies of Rome and rulers of the North. In this special episode of The Ancients - recorded on site at East Lomond hill fort and National Museums Scotland - Tristan is joined by Professor Gordon Noble and Dr. Martin Goldberg exp…

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The Permian Extinction: When Life Nearly Died 58:20

1M ago58:20

58:20

It was the biggest mass extinction event in Earth’s history. 250 million years ago, a 252 million years ago, Earth faced its deadliest crisis. 97% of all life was wiped out in the Permian Extinction – a cataclysm so severe it’s known as The Great Dying. In this episode of The Ancients, the fourth and final part of our Great Disasters miniseries, Tr…

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Episode 691 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Wie spät ist es? - Whitecaps destroy Union, Forge preview, Thomas Muller, Rayan Elloumi, Belal Halbouni, Tristan Borges, BC derby day) 3:00:00

2M ago3:00:00

3:00:00

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Championship, and Canadian Premier League football chat and interviews. The Whitecaps sent a message to the rest of MLS with a 7-0 thumping of the Supporters Shield leading Philadelphia Union on Saturday. We delve into the many highs from that…

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541 AD: The Worst Year in History 1:04:20

2M ago1:04:20

1:04:20

Was this the worst year in human history? Bubonic plague sweeps across the Mediterranean. The sun vanishes behind volcanic ash. Crops fail, famine bites, and the Roman empire lurches towards collapse. In this episode of The Ancients, the third in our special Great Disasters series, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Kyle Harper to uncover the perfect s…

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Episode 690 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Playing On - Kevin Egan, Whitecaps-Philly, Jayden Nelson, Anja Heiner-Moller, Heidi Smith) 2:15:05

2M ago2:15:05

2:15:05

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Vancouver Rise, international and women's football chat and interviews. There's so much football on at the moment, we just had to bring you a second episode this week ahead of the big clash between the Whitecaps and Philadelphia Union. We preview the m…

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Fall of the Sumerians 1:01:36

2M ago1:01:36

1:01:36

Tristan Hughes continues our special series on Great Disasters, journeying back to ancient Mesopotamia with Dr Paul Collins to explore the fall of the Sumerians. 4,000 years ago, the great cities of Sumer — Ur, Uruk, Lagash, Girsu — stood as glittering centres of power, crowned with mighty ziggurats and ruled by ambitious dynasties. Yet within a fe…

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Episode 689 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Travelled Near and Travelled Far - Jesper Sorensen, Jeevan Badwal, Rayan Elloumi, MLS run-in, CanMNT impress, World Cup 2026 qualifiers and tickets) 2:48:02

2M ago2:48:02

2:48:02

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps and international football chat and interviews. The Whitecaps have wrapped up week two of their three weeks off and everyone's getting itchy week, just wanting to get back at it. We have a chat with Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen about the difficulties of getting any …

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The Minoan Eruption: Bronze Age Cataclysm 55:09

2M ago55:09

55:09

More than 3,500 years ago, a massive volcanic eruption devastated Thera - modern day Santorini - engulfing the Bronze Age world in ash and fire. Entire landscapes were buried, ash darkened the skies, and the shockwaves rippled across the eastern Mediterranean. In this episode of The Ancients, the first in our new special series on Great Disasters, …

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How Greece Shaped Rome with Mary Beard 53:59

2M ago53:59

53:59

Professor Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins join Tristan in this episode all about Greece and Rome - the two greatest civilisations of classical antiquity. How did the Romans borrow, adapt, and sometimes rival Greek culture? What did they admire and what did they reject? From temples and theatre to politics and philosophy, join us as two of the UK’s…

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Episode 688 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Melees and Malaise with guests Sebastian Schonlau and Michael D'Agostino) 2:58:31

2M ago2:58:31

2:58:31

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Leagues Cup chat and interviews. The Whitecaps may have three weeks off, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to talk about! We delve into the 'Caps news of the week including the transfer speculation around Ali Ahmed, the injury to Brian White,…

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The Sumerians 50:24

2M ago50:24

50:24

More than 5,000 years ago, in what is today southern Iraq, one of the world’s first civilisations emerged. A civilisation often credited with the invention of writing, the wheel and cities. The Sumerians. The Sumerians are a people that you have probably heard of, but might not know too much about. And in today’s episode of The Ancients, we are re-…

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The Sea Peoples 1:11:07

2M ago1:11:07

1:11:07

Tristan Hughes sits down with Professor Eric Cline to explore the enigmatic Sea Peoples, often blamed for the catastrophic Bronze Age collapse over 3,000 years ago. Together they explore surviving sources from ancient Egypt to find out who the Sea Peoples were, and how they swept into Egypt. They discuss the diverse groups that comprised these inva…

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Episode 687 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Doing Great Things with guests Axel Schuster and Asa Rehman) 2:07:08

2M ago2:07:08

2:07:08

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer chat and interviews and this episode we're joined again by special guest co-host, Global TV and CKNW's Asa Rehman. The football gods giveth and the football gods taketh away. Thankfully for Vancouver Whitecaps, they were in a generous mood on Saturda…

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Origins of Homo Sapiens 41:10

2M ago41:10

41:10

Where do we come from? The origins of modern humans stretch back hundreds of thousands of years, and new discoveries are reshaping how we understand our species’ story. In this episode, recorded on location at London’s Natural History Museum, Tristan Hughes speaks with Professor Chris Stringer, one of the world’s leading paleoanthropologists. Toget…

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Ashurbanipal: The Last Great King of Assyria 52:11

2M ago52:11

52:11

Known as the 'King of the World' and the last great king of Assyria, Ashurbanipal bestrode the ancient Mesopotamian world as a warrior but also a scholar, ruling the great Assyrian empire at the height of its power. In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by Assyriologist Dr Selena Wisnom to uncover the dual legacy of this fearsome conqueror and …

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Episode 686 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Müllermania with guests Ali Ahmed, Asa Rehman, Liam Mackenzie, and Oliver Schusser) 2:53:33

2M ago2:53:33

2:53:33

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Championship chat and this episode we're joined by special guest co-host, Global TV and CKNW's Asa Rehman. All the focus this week was on Thomas Müller's arrival in Vancouver, but it was also a week of two very important matches for the Wh…

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The White Huns 53:32

3M ago53:32

53:32

The Huns weren’t just Attila’s warriors in Europe — in Central Asia, the White Huns built the most powerful Hunnic empire, ruling for a century and dominating the ancient Silk Roads. While the European Huns fought Rome, the White Huns commanded trade routes, overthrew kingdoms, and waged relentless campaigns across Central and South Asia. Their inf…

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Roman Aqueducts 1:04:50

3M ago1:04:50

1:04:50

How did Roman aqueducts help build an empire? They’re some of the most iconic structures from the ancient world — feats of engineering that transformed cities. But how exactly did Roman aqueducts work, and why were they so revolutionary? Join Tristan Hughes and Dr Duncan Keenan-Jones as they explore the rise and reach of Roman aqueducts. From mount…

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Episode 685 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Horror Clown Show - AKA The Tim Ford Experience) 2:25:25

3M ago2:25:25

2:25:25

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian Championship chat. Podcasts can be cathartic. It's better than screaming in to the void. And after the weekend we had in Whitecapsland, there's a lot to say! The emotional rollercoaster that was Vancouver Whitecaps…

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How to Survive in Carthage 1:08:10

3M ago1:08:10

1:08:10

From towering tenements to Punic porridge — step into the streets of ancient Carthage. In this immersive episode of The Ancients, Tristan travels back to 210 BC to explore daily life in the heart of one of the ancient world’s richest and most vibrant cities. Joined by Dr Eve MacDonald, together they uncover what it took to survive in Carthage befor…

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The Olmec: Mother of Mesoamerican Civilisations 1:08:13

3M ago1:08:13

1:08:13

Iconic monumental stone heads, the intriguing Lord of Las Limas, the enigmatic 'were-jaguar' figures, so much survives from the ancient Olmec civilisation. Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Jillian Mollenhauer to unravel the Olmec's sophisticated artistry, the symbolic significance of greenstone, and the blend of naturalistic and supernatural portray…

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Episode 684 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Heart Is On Fire - Thomas Müller officially a Whitecap, Schuster and Sorensen on Müller signing, Ralph Priso interview, MLS schedule changes coming) 2:53:52

3M ago2:53:52

2:53:52

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat and interviews. Thomas Müller's signing by Vancouver Whitecaps is now official and we've got you covered all the way. We delve into the ins and outs of how the deal played out and got done, we look at how the German leg…

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Livia: Empress of Rome 1:00:21

3M ago1:00:21

1:00:21

Powerful, cunning, uncompromising, even murderous (allegedly)... meet Rome’s first empress and one of ancient history’s ultimate power players. Livia Drusilla has long been cast as the bloodthirsty matriarch of the early Roman Empire — wife of Augustus, mother of Tiberius, and alleged poisoner of rivals. But how much of this infamous image is fact …

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Siberian Ice Mummies 49:05

3M ago49:05

49:05

In this special episode of the Ancients, released just hours after the embargo on new research was lifted, Tristan Hughes discusses the fascinating discovery of ancient Siberian ice mummies and their tattoos with Dr Gino Caspari, the senior author of the study. The Iron Age Pazyryk culture, renowned for their elaborate burials in the Altai Mountain…

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Episode 683 – The AFTN Soccer Show (A Thousand Sounds In My Head - Thomas Müller to Vancouver, Sebastian Berhalter interview, Vancouver stadium talk ignited & more) 2:59:29

3M ago2:59:29

2:59:29

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat and interviews. It's been a dramatic week in the Vancouver football world and we have you covered with it all here on the podcast. The two biggest Whitecaps stories came off the pitch, with German legend Thomas Müller s…

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263. Why I Changed My Mind About Hydrogen Water (with Tyler LeBaron) 2:01:22

3M ago2:01:22

2:01:22

Ever wondered why a molecule as simple as hydrogen could influence everything from Parkinson's to metabolic syndrome? We explored how molecular hydrogen selectively targets only the most harmful free radicals while leaving beneficial ones alone, making it fundamentally different from every other antioxidant supplement gathering dust in your cabinet…

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Fall of Roman London 58:21

3M ago58:21

58:21

Why was London transformed from a bustling Roman metropolis into a ghost town by the fifth century? Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Dominic Perring to explore the rich archaeological findings that reveal the city's final chapters, including the building of defensive walls, the influence of key figures like Magnus Maximus, and the economic shifts imp…

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Irish Mythology 1:06:08

3M ago1:06:08

1:06:08

Epic heroes, sacred rivers & ancient gods – this is Irish mythology as you’ve never heard it. From Newgrange to the Hill of Tara, Ireland’s myths are rooted firmly in its prehistoric past. In today's episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Anthony Murphy to explore the rich tapestry of Irish mythology – stories of divine battles, magic…

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Episode 682 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Light Beams Disappear - Whitecaps vs San Diego, Vancouver's World Cup contract revealed) 2:24:13

3M ago2:24:13

2:24:13

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and 2026 FIFA World Cup chat. The Whitecaps ended a tough five-game road stretch with a fairly decent record of two wins, one draw, and two defeats. The last of those matches saw them miss out on the chance to go back top of th…

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Megalodon 40:20

3M ago40:20

40:20

As part of our week of Sharks on the Ancients, today we tell the story of Megalodon, the largest living marine animal, ever. Does this colossal prehistoric shark still lurk beneath the waves? Tristan Hughes is joined by leading expert Professor John Long to unveil the jaw-dropping size, power, and ferocity of this ancient super-predator. John recou…

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Grapplecast: Building up to Grapplemax 2 with Tristan Smith & Dave Weston 24:10

4M ago24:10

24:10

The lads run through the fight cards, the benefits of the sponsors and all things Grapplemax 2By The Stromcast

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Episode 681 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Solving Problems - Whitecaps results rollercoaster, Vite departs, Cabrera arrives, Can Champ semis set, CPL midseason review) 1:58:35

4M ago1:58:35

1:58:35

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian Championship chat and we're joined this episode by AFTN writer Felipe Vallejo. Football brings highs and lows and if you're a Whitecaps fan, you've had some pretty wild swings of those in the past week as the team …