Best Miriam Spies Podcasts (2025)

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Season 4 Episode 6: Disability, Dignity, and Faith Communities with Robbie Walker & Ty Ragan 56:21

12d ago56:21

56:21

Send us a text 🎙️ In this episode of the Mad & Crip Theology Podcast, we sit down with Robbie Walker and Ty Ragan to dive into their work and the larger conversations happening in our community around disability justice and faith. Robbie reflects on the tensions between Pentecostal theology and disability justice, exploring how healing can be about…

1
Benito Mussolini Part 7: Break for the Border… 1:08:42

1M ago1:08:42

1:08:42

As Italy switches sides, Hitler hatches a plan to rescue his pal. But with the Axis collapsing on all fronts, Mussolini makes for Switzerland - stowed away and in disguise. For Il Duce’s enemies, the race is on to get to him first. His downfall will come at the hands of his own people… A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson. Many thanks to Giu…

1
Benito Mussolini Part 6: The Road to Perdition 1:05:10

2M ago1:05:10

1:05:10

It all starts to go horribly wrong… After the disastrous invasion of Greece, Mussolini sends troops to Russia. Benito’s Blitz prompts bemusement in Britain. An Italian assassin somehow survives the firing squad. A famous American mobster helps the Allies in Sicily. And Il Duce’s son telephones his father with devastating news… A Noiser production, …

1
Benito Mussolini Part 5: The Pact of Steel 1:01:08

2M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

At the Munich Conference, Mussolini postures as a peacemaker. With Hitler in the ascendancy, the Rome-Berlin Axis is upgraded to a military alliance. High on fascist adrenaline, Il Duce invades Albania. Soon, in the backdraft of the German Blitzkrieg, he will declare war on Britain and France… A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson. Many thank…

1
Benito Mussolini Part 4: A Fine Bromance 1:04:38

2M ago1:04:38

1:04:38

Il Duce uses propaganda to become a folk hero - part saint, part Father Christmas. He bans journalists from mentioning his birthday or the fact he’s a grandfather - to promote an image of eternal youth. Ernest Hemingway arrives in Switzerland to interview the Italian strongman, and sees right through him. Italy launches a genocidal campaign in Liby…

1
Benito Mussolini Part 3: Murder in Broad Daylight 1:06:29

2M ago1:06:29

1:06:29

World leaders line up to hail the new Italian strongman. But the fascists are already silencing dissenting voices. An epochal discovery in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings unleashes a curse, or so Mussolini believes. Il Duce gets his top off in the wheat fields - making sure to be caught on camera. He comes to an arrangement with the Pope and meets the …

1
Benito Mussolini Part 2: The March on Rome 1:07:45

3M ago1:07:45

1:07:45

Wounded at the Front, Mussolini’s war ends early. A playboy aristocrat forms his own private army, offering inspiration to Il Duce. As Italian workers go on strike, Mussolini’s goons crack skulls on the streets. And in a smoke-filled hall in Milan, he declares the birth of a new movement. His fascists will soon begin an audacious march on the capit…

1
Introducing: Sherlock Holmes Short Stories 30:44

3M ago30:44

30:44

A brand-new release from the Noiser Network. Join Hugh Bonneville on a thrilling journey through Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most celebrated Holmes mysteries - read in their original, masterful form. If you enjoy this taster episode, search ’Sherlock Holmes Short Stories’ in your podcast app and hit follow for more episodes. Or follow this link: https…

1
Benito Mussolini Part 1: Italy’s Fascist Godfather 1:05:26

3M ago1:05:26

1:05:26

We begin at the end… in 1945, with a pile of bodies dumped in Milan then strung up for all to see. Among them, the most powerful man in Italy. One of the most significant figures in modern history. How did it come to this? In this episode, we scroll back to follow the start of Benito Mussolini’s extraordinary rise. From humble origins as the son of…

1
General Videla Part 4: Dictator in the Courtroom 56:25

4M ago56:25

56:25

The Falklands War casts a long shadow over Argentina as the junta teeters on the verge of collapse. The country slowly returns to democracy. But that isn’t the end of Videla’s time in the spotlight. As a heroic legal case is brought against him, justice for his victims finally seems within reach. We’ll meet a man who sat mere feet away from Videla …

1
General Videla Part 3: God, Football, the Falklands 1:01:06

4M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

The 1978 FIFA World Cup rolls into Argentina. A surreal fortnight ensues. Fans flock to revamped stadia, while just metres away prisoners cower - hidden in secret torture facilities. As foreign journalists begin to join the dots, Videla goes into statesman mode. With the tournament in the balance, the dictator and a famous friend pay Argentina’s op…

1
Season 4 Episode 5: Becky Jones - Imago Dei Belongs in Community 35:54

4M ago35:54

35:54

Send us a text Today we talk with Becky Jones about her piece "Imago Dei Belongs in Community: A Classroom Project that Invites Disabled People to Reflect on Biblical Passages About Disability." You can view Becky's paintings here: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cjtmhd/article/view/42978/32607 Watch on YouTube with closed captions here: …

1
General Videla Part 2: Mr Clean’s Dirty War 1:01:40

4M ago1:01:40

1:01:40

Videla’s dirty war begins. ‘Subversives’ are rooted out, with torture centres established across the land - including one known as the ‘Argentine Auschwitz’. Education, music, children’s books and haircuts are subjected to new regulations. And as the Junta garners international attention, Videla will employ elaborate means to gloss over the atrocit…

1
General Videla Part 1: The Skinny One and the Witch 1:05:49

4M ago1:05:49

1:05:49

Argentina. The story of a gaunt, hawkish man who earned the nickname “the Hitler of the Pampa”. A man whose awkward bearing belied his capacity for cruelty. A dictator who literally stole the children of his prisoners. In 1925, Jorge Rafael Videla is born into a country at a crossroads. But no one can imagine just how deeply he will impact Argentin…

1
BONUS: Dictators’ Books 29:31

6M ago29:31

29:31

Almost every dictator, at one time or another, has put pen to paper. Some have wrestled with ideas, with philosophy. Many have merely vented - spewing their diatribes onto the page. Others have made forays into fiction, poetry and drama… with varying degrees of success. Noiser writer Duncan Barrett spoke to a man who’s made it his mission to wade t…

1
Pinochet Part 3: Searching for the Disappeared 52:53

6M ago52:53

52:53

Pinochet consolidates control, creating a terrifying new secret police force. The dictator’s war on communism extends abroad, as Chile joins Operation Condor. But how long can Pinochet’s global allies allow him to go unchecked? And will the families of the murdered and the disappeared ever find justice? A Noiser production, written by Sean Coleman.…

1
Season 4 Episode 4: Zoughbi Zoughbi, Director of Wiam Centre 45:54

7M ago45:54

45:54

Send us a text We are privileged to be joined today by Zoughbi Zoughbi who wrote "Trauma and Resistance: Wiam Centre in Palestine." Read his piece here: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cjtmhd/article/view/42975 Abstract: There is no nation, community, or individuals without passing through conflict, suffering, stress or trauma. Suffering …

1
Pinochet Part 2: The Caravan of Death 44:11

7M ago44:11

44:11

September 11th, 1973. The touchpaper is lit. President Allende realises he’s been double-crossed. Pinochet keeps his cards close to his chest. A loyal naval admiral finds his cars sabotaged and his phone lines cut. And as Allende and his bodyguards prepare to defend the palace, the first soldiers take to the streets of Santiago… A Noiser production…

1
Pinochet Part 1: An Arrest in London 50:48

7M ago50:48

50:48

We travel to South America. In September 1973, Augusto Pinochet seizes power in Chile following a coup d’état. The aim is to topple the country’s socialist president. And it succeeds. But how does Pinochet - a seemingly unremarkable army man - come to lead the notorious uprising? And after that, how do he and his wife consolidate power, remaining i…

1
Season 4, Episode 3: Vicki Marie & Shauna Kubossek 46:16

8M ago46:16

46:16

Send us a text On this episode we speak with Vicki Marie and Shauna Kubossek, two contributors to the Spring 2024 issue of The Canadian Journal of Theology, Mental Health, and Disability on Trauma and Resistance. About her poem, "To Know and To Grow," Vicki shares: I attended Catholic parochial school in the early 1950’s and was the only African Am…

1
Season 4, Episode 2: Sarah Travis 36:30

9M ago36:30

36:30

Send us a text On this episode of the Mad and Crip Theology Podcast we talk with Rev. Dr. Sarah Travis about her Invited Commentary "Of Ghost Stories and Field Hospitals: Worship Leadership Amid Trauma." Read Sarah's commentary here: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cjtmhd/article/view/42973 Follow us on Facebook Read the Journal Check out…

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Introducing: D-Day: The Tide Turns - Episode 1 54:13

10M ago54:13

54:13

This is a taster episode of a brand-new podcast from the Noiser network. Host Paul McGann follows the real people involved in the D-Day landings. It’s 1944 and Europe is in the grip of the Nazi war machine. But on the shores of Great Britain, thousands of men and women are planning the great fightback. What will it take to turn the tide of World Wa…

1
Season 4, Episode 1: Konnie Vissers and Wendy Cabell on Sexual Abuse and Trauma and "So How Are You Today?" 50:50

10M ago50:50

50:50

Send us a text We are back after a brief hiatus! This episode features a conversation with Konnie Vissers and Wendy Cabell, two contributors to the Spring (2024) issue of The Canadian Journal of Mental Health, Disability, and Theology: Trauma and Resistance. Find Konnie's piece "Sexual Abuse Trauma, Mental Health, and Theology: Why Theology in Prac…

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Oliver Cromwell Part 4: The Conquest of Ireland 1:10:12

11M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

In the final part of the Cromwell story, outrage at the King’s execution leads Ironsides to wage war on Scotland and, notoriously, Ireland. Insurgencies over, he’ll become Lord Protector - king in all but name. But as discontent continues to spread, the unthinkable will once again become possible. The Stuart monarchy couldn’t be restored… could it?…

1
Oliver Cromwell Part 3: To Kill a King… 1:01:13

11M ago1:01:13

1:01:13

With the King in captivity, both sides seek a settlement. But when Charles escapes, all trust is broken. For Cromwell there is only one course of action - a solution that will plunge the British Isles into unknown territory. His Majesty must be put on trial… A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson. Many thanks to Peter Gaunt, Clare Jackson, Ann…

1
Oliver Cromwell Part 2: Civil War Across the Realms 1:01:17

11M ago1:01:17

1:01:17

England is plunged into conflict. Oliver Cromwell, an obscure politician, soon proves himself an outstanding military commander. King Charles, meanwhile, unveils his own star signing - a dashing young cavalry officer named Prince Rupert. A daring mission featuring the Queen threatens to tip the balance the Royalists’ way. But Cromwell’s New Model A…

1
Oliver Cromwell Part 1: The Rise of Ironsides 1:06:00

11M ago1:06:00

1:06:00

Say “Oliver Cromwell” today and certain things come to mind. He won the English Civil War and prompted the execution of Charles I. He purged the realm with such zeal that he even cancelled Christmas. In Ireland, where Cromwell’s troops besieged its towns with a notorious barbarity, his name is still used as a curse. “The greatest prince that ever r…

1
Introducing: The Curious History of Your Home - Baths 33:31

12M ago33:31

33:31

A brand-new podcast from the Noiser network. Join domestic historian Ruth Goodman as she explores the remarkable, often epic, tales behind everyday objects. This taster episode is all about the bath. A murderous emperor builds the grandest bath complex ever seen in Ancient Rome. The arrival of a new disease spells trouble for the bathhouses of Tudo…

1
Enver Hoxha Part 2: Stalin’s Shadow, Europe’s North Korea 53:05

1y ago53:05

53:05

As a new premier takes charge in Moscow, Hoxha makes a new friend in China. The Albanian dictator tasks an entire media industry with maintaining his image. But as his country sinks into an economic mire and his own health deteriorates, Hoxha and Albania’s isolation will be complete. How will the country even begin to escape his clutches? A Noiser …

1
Enver Hoxha Part 1: The Albanian School Teacher 1:00:42

1y ago1:00:42

1:00:42

From 1944 to 1985, Enver Hoxha ran Albania as an extraordinarily repressive Stalinist dictatorship. But how did a middle class teacher from the provinces become the most powerful man in the country and a key player in the communist world? What did he do to turn Albania into one of the most isolated countries in the world? And how did ‘Uncle Enver’ …

1
Herod the Great Part 2: Murders in the Family 56:07

1y ago56:07

56:07

Herod leaves Rome to wrest Judea from the Parthians. He will marry a princess, commission extraordinary building works, and even murder his in-laws as he tries to win over his people. But how will that desperate quest shape his subjects’ lives, and his own legacy? And what of Herod’s most notorious act - the Slaughter of the Innocents? A Noiser pro…

1
Herod the Great Part 1: Ruler of Galilee 58:14

1+ y ago58:14

58:14

Herod - you may well know the name from the Nativity story. The cruel king who learns of a prophecy proclaiming a Messiah and orders the slaughter of innocent children in response. He’s become synonymous with almost pantomime villainy. At the same time, Herod changed the face of the Middle East in the 1st century BC. His reign featured dazzling arc…

1
Saddam Hussein Part 5: The War on Terror 53:45

1+ y ago53:45

53:45

In the aftermath of 9/11, President Bush and Prime Minister Blair send troops back into Iraq. In a highly symbolic moment, beamed around the world, a giant statue of Saddam comes crashing down. But as the Iraqi dictator performs his vanishing act, how soon can they track him down? And after Saddam’s toppling, how will ordinary Iraqis fare? A Noiser…

1
Season 3, Episode 7: Allen Jorgenson and Laura MacGregor 52:17

1+ y ago52:17

52:17

Send us a text Join Amy and Miriam as they talk with Allen Jorgenson and Laura MacGregor about their recent book: "Beyond Saints and Superheroes: Supporting Parents Raising Children with Disabilities - A Practical Guide for Faith Communities." Proudly published by The Mad and Crip Theology Press (Amy Panton, Founder/Publisher). Available with capti…

1
Saddam Hussein Part 4: The First Gulf War 46:42

1+ y ago46:42

46:42

After Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, US forces are deployed to the region. For some Iraqis, it seems like the perfect time to rise up against their dictator. As economic sanctions bite, Saddam treats himself to a bit of retail therapy. All the while, his sons are becoming terrifying figures in their own right. A family crisis is about to snowball into …

1
Saddam Hussein Part 3: Oil and the Ayatollah 54:38

1+ y ago54:38

54:38

Saddam nationalises the Iraq Petroleum Company and clashes with the new leader of Iran. A man called ‘Chemical Ali’ commits one of the most heinous atrocities of modern times. Meanwhile, sculptures of the Iraqi dictator are commissioned across the land. With his personality cult firmly established, Saddam is ready for war… A Noiser production, writ…

1
Saddam Hussein Part 2: Enforcer, Frontman, Mafia Godfather 48:55

1+ y ago48:55

48:55

Saddam consolidates his own power base, appointing friends and relatives to key positions. We hear a remarkable account from a woman whose own family was targeted by his secret police. Soon, the deputy will be in pole position to move against his mentor. And after that, Saddam will shore up the loyalty of his party with an act of political theatre …

1
Saddam Hussein Part 1: Son of the Alleyways 49:22

1+ y ago49:22

49:22

In the spring of 1937, a child dies and his brother is born. Translated from Arabic, the newborn’s name - Saddam - means ‘one who confronts’. As his life will demonstrate, it couldn’t be more appropriate. So how does a boy from a tough peasant background go on to rise to the very top of Iraq’s leadership? How does his journey towards global infamy …

1
Season 3 Episode 6: Delightful Chat with Anonymous 37:17

1+ y ago37:17

37:17

Send us a text This month we talk with Anonymous about their piece, "On Care and Control." Read the full piece: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cjtmhd/article/view/40814 We talk about interdependency, care as control, care as mutual, and the desire to be mediocre and celebrate mediocracy! Have a listen/watch! Check out 10 Principles of Di…

1
Macías Nguema Part 2: Hiding in the Jungle with all the Money 44:17

1+ y ago44:17

44:17

With President Macías in power, educated Equatoguineans come under attack, as a bizarre vendetta is pursued against teachers, lawyers and doctors. Things take a turn for the metaphysical, as Macías declares himself God. Finally, as paranoia completely overwhelms him, his inner circle will take matters into their own hands… Narrated by Paul McGann. …

1
Macías Nguema Part 1: The Dachau of Africa 51:56

1+ y ago51:56

51:56

This is the extraordinary, blood-curdling story of a dictator you may never have heard of. From 1968-1979, the African nation of Equatorial Guinea was helmed by its first, and to date only, freely elected president. Initially, Francisco Macías Nguema was seen by the Spanish colonial authorities as a safe choice. He proved to be anything but. Things…

1
Hitler: The Bunker and the End (Part 25) 1:04:15

1+ y ago1:04:15

1:04:15

We reach the dramatic conclusion of Hitler’s downfall. With the Battle of Berlin raging, the Führer makes his last stand. Underground, in a bunker beneath the Chancellery, he will conduct the final act of his life: a macabre ritual of marriage, murder and suicide… A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson. This is Part 25 of the Hitler Story. Scr…

1
Season 3, Episode 5: Anita Belliveau & Conni Cartlidge 58:04

1+ y ago58:04

58:04

Send us a text Join Amy and Miriam in their conversation with Anita Belliveau and Conni Cartlidge as they reflect on caring for their parents and all the emotions/relationship dynamics of that time of life. We encourage you to read, reflect on, and discuss both of their pieces in the Spring 2023 issue: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cjtm…

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Hitler: Operation Valkyrie, Blowing up the Führer (Part 24) 55:05

1+ y ago55:05

55:05

A delusional Hitler downplays the Normandy Landings. A group of generals, meanwhile, attempts an audacious military coup. And with Allied bombers pounding the Fatherland, Germany’s dictator plays his next card… Scientific wonder-weapons that will turn the war back his way… A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson. This is Part 24 of the Hitler S…

1
Hitler: Mussolini’s Prison Break (Part 23) 51:01

1+ y ago51:01

51:01

In Italy, Il Duce is overthrown. So Hitler stages a daring mission to rescue his fascist partner. With the Red Army rampant, another epochal battle sends the Wehrmacht on the retreat. Soon, more bad news will reach the Berghof, as Allied troops start landing in Normandy. But with the Führer fast asleep in his quarters, will anyone dare to break it …

1
Hitler: The Battle of Stalingrad (Part 22) 56:18

1+ y ago56:18

56:18

The myth of the Nazi war machine is blown apart in one of the pivotal battles of World War 2. Serious questions arise as to Hitler’s leadership, encouraging a growing German resistance. As Allied forces eye Sicily, a paranoid Führer retreats further into himself. His war of conquest is becoming a war of defence… A Noiser production, written by Jeff…

1
Adolf Hitler: The Final Solution (Part 21) 55:48

1+ y ago55:48

55:48

This is Part 21 of the Hitler Story. You can start listening here. Or, scroll down the Real Dictators feed for earlier episodes. We pick up the story in 1942. World War 2 is well underway and the Führer is still in the box seat. But he is not as untouchable as he used to be. Nazi high-ups gather at the Wannsee Conference, honing a plan to extermina…

1
Season 3, Episode 4: Emily Duggan & Keith Reynolds 44:09

1+ y ago44:09

44:09

Send us a text Join us for an episode featuring Emily Duggan and Keith Reynolds, clergy in The United Church of Canada. They reflect with Amy and Miriam on experiences of caregiving and care-receiving: Emily with her daughter and Keith with a member of Avondale United in Stratford. Watch on Youtube with subtitles here: https://youtu.be/t-aKY4Kacyo …

1
Introducing: Real Survival Stories - Glacier Escape 44:43

1+ y ago44:43

44:43

Noiser presents a brand-new podcast. Real Survival Stories brings you astonishing tales of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary survival situations. In this taster episode, two friends embark on an awe-inspiring trip into the mountains. But then, one false step sends Jim Davidson and Mike Price plummeting into a crevasse. Trapped deep beneath …

1
Attila the Hun Part 2: The Scourge of God 51:36

1+ y ago51:36

51:36

We track Attila’s progress as he rampages through Gaul. A family bust-up sparks an extraordinary alliance, as Attila gets engaged to the Roman Emperor’s sister. With the Huns storming deep into Western Europe, their king is on a collision course with his old friend Aetius. Will the Romans’ fragile coalition hold? Or will the prophecy of the Sword o…

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