Two Friends Talk History Podcast

Two Friends Talk History is a podcast where public historian, Zofia, chats with scholars, archaeologists, researchers and more to explore fascinating histories, look behind the scenes and ask the big question that’s missing in much academic discourse: so what? Why is this relevant today?

New Friends on Two Friends

Carrying on from season 1 in which Zofia and Liam explored the ancient world through stories and interviews, season 2 invites new friends to Two Friends. Find me on Instagram at Two Friends Talk History and Patreon at ArchaeoArtist.

Entangled Histories: Rats in Human Worlds with Daan Jansen – Two Friends Talk History

What can rats tell us about human history? In this episode of Two Friends Talk History, newly minted Dr Zofia Guertin (!) is joined by University of York doctoral researcher Daan Jansen to explore the surprisingly complex relationship between humans and rats. From eighteenth-century attitudes towards animals to the changing fortunes of black and brown rats in Northern Europe, Daan reveals how human beliefs, urban environments and animal behaviour have shaped one another. Together, they ask what it means to write history from an animal’s perspective—and why rats might deserve a much bigger place in our understanding of the past.To read more about the traces of rats in his archival research: https://the-rattus-project.blogspot.com/2025/04/rat-traces-in-archives.htmlYou can follow the project at @archaeoRattus on Twitter, and Daan on Bluesky @daancjansen or Instagram @animal_historian.Studies mentioned in this episode:Moth and plant communication: https://english.tau.ac.il/research/moths-plantsGrammar of whales: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240709-the-sperm-whale-phonetic-alphabet-revealed-by-aiTo get in touch and find out more about Two Friends Talk History:Find us on Instagram & TwitterSupport us through PatreonBuy our merch on Redbubble🌍 Explore more at http://www.Archaeoartist.com🔗 If you'd like to get in touch, email at Zofia@ArchaeoArtist.com Music by the wonderfully talented Chris SharplesIllustration by Zofia Guertin

Two Friends Talk History Art

I have been challenging myself with creating the mash-ups in my own digital drawing style but, where appropriate, using the historical style the original image was made in. These episode images are available as mugs, tees and postcards on our Two Friends Talk History Redbubble Shop!

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If you would like to support this podcast, receive behind the scenes extras, and get downloadable episode art, additional content (maps, images and related goodies), Hundred Word Histories join my PATREON. You can sign up for a monthly pledge to support the pod all for the cost of a pint! I also post to our INSTAGRAM account to accompany the episodes.

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Author: Zofia

I am a student of Classical Archaeology and an Artist living in Scotland. My passion for travel and Ancient History takes me to incredible archaeological sites which inspire and influence my art. View all posts by Zofia