Best Mike Corradi Podcasts (2025)

We explore the fascinating intersection between one of the world’s most famous relics and one of its most brilliant minds: Leonardo Da Vinci and the Shroud of Turin. Was Da Vinci somehow connected to this mysterious cloth? Could he have had the knowledge, access, and motive? 🕯️ What You’ll Hear: The scientific investigation into the Shroud of Turin…

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Leonardo Da Vinci part 2 - from Florence to Milan 19:00

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2M ago19:00

19:00

Early Life & Education Born illegitimate, Leonardo spent his youth sketching and observing nature. After moving to Florence, he entered the prestigious workshop of Andrea Verrocchio, where he learned not only painting but also the chemistry behind pigments and the mechanics of sculpture and engineering. 🎨 Artistic Breakthroughs By 1472, Leonardo wa…

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191 - Leonardo part 1 - birth of genius 18:29

2M ago18:29

18:29

Starting from reasons to have a good cry, particularly concerning hair, we then head to Vinci, outside Florence in the mid 1400's to witness the birth and early childhood of Leonardo to see the start of some of the characteristics that will accompany him for the rest of his life. We hear about who gave and didn't give him affection and how his stat…

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The Lion's last roar and a new religion blooming (1519 - 1521) 18:59

3M ago18:59

18:59

In this episode, we dive into the dramatic papacy of Pope Leo X, exploring his efforts to secure Medici power, his architectural and social reforms in Rome, and his role in the early days of the Protestant Reformation. We track how his favoritism toward Florence shaped papal policy, the challenges he faced with Martin Luther, and the growing religi…

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189 - A German priest complains and a new emperor 15:44

4M ago15:44

15:44

Of course! Here's the revised version of the summary show notes with key words and phrases bolded for emphasis: In this episode, we explore the turbulent political and religious landscape of Italy and Europe in the late 1510s—a pivotal prelude to the Protestant Reformation. 🔹 Power Shifts in Europe 1516: Ferdinand of Aragon dies; Charles of Habsbur…

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188 - The Italian Wars 10: Medici at home, Milan back and forth and kings and emperors dying (1513 - 1516) 20:02

4M ago20:02

20:02

In this episode, we pick up the story of the Medici family as they return to Florence, armed with the great news of Giovanni de' Medicibecoming Pope Leo X. We dive into: How the Medici family subtly regained power in Florencewithout taking formal positions, carefully balancing loyalty and governance. The undoing of Savonarola's reforms and the rein…

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187 - The balls are back in town - the Medici return (1503 - 1513) 19:13

4M ago19:13

19:13

Among the many casualties of the battle of Garigliano was Piero de Medici, son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Piero, previously exiled from Florence for his poor leadership during the invasion of Charles VIII in 1494, drowned while trying to escape the battle. His body was found and buried at Montecassino Abbey, under the protection of his brother, Ca…

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God's banker - the Roberto Calvi affair - interview with Nicolò Majnoni 35:57

5M ago35:57

35:57

After the release of the series "Secret Kingdom - God's banker" we talk with the podcast creator Nicolò Majnoni about the Roberto Calvi affair and talk about Italy in the early 80's, the Vatican, the Cold War, Freemasons and the MafiaBy Mike Corradi

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Regional Italy episode 06 - Sicily 28:20

6M ago28:20

28:20

In this episode, we dive into a personal story that kicks off with a Christmas party invitation and an unexpected wardrobe choice — a kilt. From this quirky start, we delve into the historical significance of Sicily, a land that has shaped centuries of Mediterranean history. The episode takes us on a journey from the ancient Carthaginian and Greek …

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186 - Julius II changes his mind and some spanking (1509 - 1512) 14:55

6M ago14:55

14:55

Venice is reeling from the defeat at Agnadello, but immediately starts the comeback egged on by doge Lorenzo Loredan. After some promising victories they suffer another defeat at the hands of the League of Cambrai at Polisella. When all seems once again lost, Pope Julius II changes sides, allying with Venice and seeking to expel the French from Ita…

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Regional Italy episode 05 - Campania 28:10

6M ago28:10

28:10

From the Roman fast food joints in the marvel that is Pompei, to the buzzing historical streets of Naples and the witches of Benevento, we're going off, thanks to Explore Worldwide, to explore the southern Italian Region of Campania. What happened to the tree of the witches? What is the "Naples Splitter"? Where is the most iconic coast of Italy? Ca…

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185 - Clouds over Vernice - Julis II and Cambrai (1500 - 1509) 15:24

6M ago15:24

15:24

After following the adventures of Julius II we go and visit with Venice, who is having ups and downs, losing influence as the attentipn of the world turns to the Atlantic, losing colonies to the Turks and starting to make enemies in Europe, powerful enemies that will come together in the league of Cambrai, leading to the dramatic battle of Agnedell…

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Regional Italy 04 - Tuscany 27:51

6M ago27:51

27:51

We start from Siena, with the story of how I almost got beaten up and why there is an extra bit of Siena cathedral added on and incomplete. The it's up to Florence to visit with the Medici, Da Vinci, Botticelli and Simonetta Vespucci, his Venus. From the capital of the Renaissance we head to their arch enemy Pisa and their wonky tower and then Lucc…

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184 - Julius II: Warrior pope rising (1503 - 1508) 20:10

7M ago20:10

20:10

Giuliano della Rovere, after trying for more than a decade, finally manages to become pope Julius II in 1503. He gets to work breaking the last resistance of Cesare Borgia, then has to sort out his Papal States, gobbled up by Venice in the north with a whole series of local lords taking back power. In all of this, the pope calls in a special decora…

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Recap 08 episodes 161 - 183 31:22

7M ago31:22

31:22

We stop and take a look back at the episodes that cover the late 1400's as Italy completed her transition from the middle ages to the Renaissance and the lead up to the Italian Wars after the death of Lorenzo the Magnificent. We retrace the campaign of king Charles VIII of France, the adventures of Ludovico Sforza, Il Moro, the end of the independe…

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Regional Italy episode 03 - Lombardy 26:55

7M ago26:55

26:55

We take a little trip around the region of Lombardy, going beyond the financial and fashion capital Milan, to explore the beautiful nature of lake Como and hear all about the lake, monster that resides there. On the way, we will hear about a bridge, built by the devil in Pavia and the ghost that horns, the castle above the city of Como. We will als…

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Regional Italy episode 02 - Veneto 23:39

7M ago23:39

23:39

Which is the Italian region that can drink you under the table? Tradition would say it's Veneto and with wines such as Amarone della Valpolicella and Prosecco, it's not gard to believe. We start our journey trying not to talk too much about Venice and then doing just that, seeing the legend of the heart of brick and why the Gondola got its shape. T…

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183 - The fall of the Borgias (1503 - 1507) 20:43

8M ago20:43

20:43

Just when the Borgias seem at the top of their game and that nothing could possibly stop them, in August of 1503 pope Alexander VI, after a dinner party at a cardinal's house, becomes seriously ill and died after two weeks. His son Cesare also becomes very ill and cannot sum up the energy to control the fallout of the situation and outmanoeuvre the…

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Regional Italy episode 01 - Emilia Romagna 31:12

8M ago31:12

31:12

In our first episode of the Regional Italy miniseries we explore the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, travelling initially along the ancient Roman road created by Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. We start from the beautiful castles of the province of Piacenza, then cross the river to Parma, the culinary capital of Euope. Then it's a visit with Ma…

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Regional Italy launch and Buon Anno! 6:34

8M ago6:34

6:34

While wishing you a "Buon Anno" (Happy New Year" we are also excited to announce the launch of our new miniseries on the Italian regions: Regional Italy! Thanks to the support of our friends at Explore Worldwide, we'll be looking at the culture, landscape, legends and history of some of Italy's 20 beautiful regions. Join us! https://www.exploreworl…

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Seasons greetings: A Visit from Alaric 2:57

8M ago2:57

2:57

Just a quick one to wish you a happy whatever you are celebrating, or not celebrating and give you the gift of my rendition of the famous poem "a visit from Alaric" also known as "T'was the night before Saturnalia".By Mike Corradi

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182 - Cesare Borgia: Betrayal and vengeance (1502 - 1503) 17:28

9M ago17:28

17:28

People in Italy are getting very nervous about Cesare Borgia's successes, at times reached with treachery, and some of the unhappy party are actually Il Valentino's captains. When rebellion breaks out they see their chance and jump on the bandwagon. However, when things don't turn out as planned, the captains have to hope Cesare's forgiveness is si…

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Autumn 2024 update - episode, sketches, Italian schools and politics 7:48

9M ago7:48

7:48

Just a quick update to apologise for a publishing delay and tell you a little about our sketches, the Italian school system and the current political situation in ItalyBy Mike Corradi

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181 - Cesare Borgia flying high (1501 - 1502) 15:28

10M ago15:28

15:28

After doing his part for the French in the second Italian War Cesare Borgia heads back to Rome to concur with his father pope Alexander VI. They take care of some internal business with the Colonna, Orsini and Savelli and Cesare takes some time to kill some bulls and impregnate a few women. Then Cesare heads back to expand his duchy of Romagna aimi…

Mike Corradi Podcasts

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A History of Italy

Mike Corradi

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The History of England - Guest Episodes

David Crowther

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Summer update 1:12

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193 - Leonardo Da Vinci part 3 - twilight and legacy 20:43

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Leonardo Da Vinci part 2 - from Florence to Milan 19:00

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191 - Leonardo part 1 - birth of genius 18:29

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The Lion's last roar and a new religion blooming (1519 - 1521) 18:59

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189 - A German priest complains and a new emperor 15:44

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188 - The Italian Wars 10: Medici at home, Milan back and forth and kings and emperors dying (1513 - 1516) 20:02

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187 - The balls are back in town - the Medici return (1503 - 1513) 19:13

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God's banker - the Roberto Calvi affair - interview with Nicolò Majnoni 35:57

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Regional Italy episode 06 - Sicily 28:20

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186 - Julius II changes his mind and some spanking (1509 - 1512) 14:55

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Regional Italy episode 05 - Campania 28:10

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185 - Clouds over Vernice - Julis II and Cambrai (1500 - 1509) 15:24

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Regional Italy 04 - Tuscany 27:51

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184 - Julius II: Warrior pope rising (1503 - 1508) 20:10

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Recap 08 episodes 161 - 183 31:22

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Regional Italy episode 03 - Lombardy 26:55

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Regional Italy episode 02 - Veneto 23:39

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183 - The fall of the Borgias (1503 - 1507) 20:43

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Regional Italy episode 01 - Emilia Romagna 31:12

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Regional Italy launch and Buon Anno! 6:34

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Seasons greetings: A Visit from Alaric 2:57

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182 - Cesare Borgia: Betrayal and vengeance (1502 - 1503) 17:28

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Autumn 2024 update - episode, sketches, Italian schools and politics 7:48

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181 - Cesare Borgia flying high (1501 - 1502) 15:28