Best Rizal Podcasts (2025)

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S6E13: If Not Shipwrecks, Scurvy 17:29

2d ago17:29

17:29

The route of a Spanish galleon from Manila to Acapulco was littered with the wrecks of ships that sailed before—hit by storms, hammered by tides, preyed on by pirates. Meanwhile, on the filthy decks, hunger and disease stalked the ranks of the sailors, slaves, and passengers. Spanning thousands of kilometers, every voyage of the Galleon Trade was g…

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Extra Credit: On Filipino studio photos from the 1900s 5:00

4h ago5:00

5:00

Costumes, backdrops, dedications—in the 1900s, having your photo taken in a studio and sending prints to loved ones was the hot new thing in the Philippines! (Listen to S6E12 before this one.)

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Dusting off the microphone 9:00

4d ago9:00

9:00

In this episode, Candace opens up about the gentle nudge that pulled her back into recording after taking a long break. She reflects on the healing process she went through, and how she’s now stepping into her work with a fresh, positive energy. Whether you're navigating your own breaks or just looking for a dose of inspiration, this episode remind…

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S6E12: The Skull Photographers 15:36

5d ago15:36

15:36

When the Americans arrive to take over the Philippines, amateur photographers take pictures of every possible inch of their new possession. Snapshots soon emerge from inside the cemeteries of towns and cities, showcasing an eerie and macabre trend. It seems that not even the most private places of the dead would be spared from the camera’s roving, …

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Extra Credit: On William Dampier, privateer of the Pacific 5:05

11d ago5:05

5:05

Scourge, scientist… and slave owner! Discover the ties of one of England’s most famous mariners to Philippine history. (Listen to S6E11 before listening to this one!)

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S6E11: Robinson Crusoe Captures a Manila Galleon 16:54

19d ago16:54

16:54

In 1719, a book appeared on London shelves—and became an instant bestseller. Its cover featured the now-iconic image of a man, trapped in a deserted island, dressed only in goat skins. Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe, never confirmed nor denied that his massive hit was based on the life of Alexander Selkirk, a Scotsman marooned for years on…

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Extra Credit: On a prisoner’s life in Japanese-occupied Manila 6:04

26d ago6:04

6:04

As he was brutally tortured by the Kempeitai, captured guerilla Gustavo Ingles was moved to different prisons and safehouses. What was his day-to-day life like behind bars? (Listen to S6E10 before listening to this one.)

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S6E10: A Guerilla’s Torment 18:36

1M ago18:36

18:36

When the Japanese invaded the Philippines, young military cadet Gustavo Ingles tried to hitch a ride with the upperclassmen to the front lines in Bataan. But officers told him to go home. Undeterred, he founded a guerilla group called the Hunters ROTC to continue the fight against the new occupiers. Then, in 1943, Ingles was caught by the secret po…

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Extra Credit: On the end of the Galleon Trade 5:09

1M ago5:09

5:09

The Royal Philippine Company helped usher in the twilight of the longstanding Galleon Trade that linked Manila and Acapulco! (Listen to S6E9 before listening to this one.)

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S6E9: Francisco Goya and the Royal Philippine Dead End 16:47

2M ago16:47

16:47

In Francisco Goya’s painting Junta de Filipinas, sinister, shadowy figures preside over a stockholders’ meeting of the Royal Philippine Company. What was this Royal Philippine Company—and what was so important about it that Goya made a painting of one of its meetings? And more than that, what was Goya trying to say about this tumultuous period in S…

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Episode 87: Lord Byron Pt. 3 1:33:32

2M ago1:33:32

1:33:32

Send us a text TW: Dead kids; We're finally here, to the ending legacy of Lord Byron! Fraught with love affairs, well-meaning missions, and neglected children-- Lord Byron is truly one of the biggest piles of shit we've covered on this show. And that's saying something. Join us as we follow our club-footed companion through his dangerous affairs in…

1
Extra Credit: On American campaigns against Lanao 5:04

2M ago5:04

5:04

The sunken gunboats resurrected by the Americans were only a small part of the bloody war waged by the new occupiers against the Meranaw! (Listen to S6E8 before listening to this one.)

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S6E8: The Lost War Boats of Lake Lanao 16:36

2M ago16:36

16:36

As Spain departed the Philippines, it abandoned four gunboats to a watery grave. For years, they slumbered at the bottom of Lake Lanao, their existence only a rumor back up on the surface. But when the Americans arrive in Marawi, they are determined to bring these ghost ships back to life. Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @the…

1
Episode 86: Lord Byron Pt. 2 1:11:57

2M ago1:11:57

1:11:57

Send us a text TW: Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide; Well I'm sure you can tell from the trigger warnings, but the second part of our three-part series on Lord Byron has arrived! Find what happens when a man with questionable morals gets a shitload of cash and spends even more on credit, all while gaining a steady amount of fame for his epic work,…

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Special: The Colonial Dept. 2024 Year in Review 11:28

3M ago11:28

11:28

Show highlights. Favorite episodes. Behind-the-scenes bits. Think of this as The Colonial Dept. Wrapped. 2024 has been an amazing year for the podcast. I released a book version of the podcast, I've grown to more than 2,000 subscribers, and I've heard from fans from as far away as Spain, Singapore, and France. Thanks for sharing in my love for Phil…

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Extra Credit: Carriages and coachmen in Manila’s motorized age 6:38

3M ago6:38

6:38

Even as the automobile and the tram change the face of commuting and transportation in Manila, the cocheros persist… and resist. (Listen to S6E7 before listening to this one.)

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S6E7: Manila, Meet the Automobile 16:44

3M ago16:44

16:44

Soon after the American takeover of the Philippines, Manila witnesses the coming of its first-ever car—a three-and-a-half horsepower, single-cylinder, wire-wheel Richard-Brasier. From then on, it’s full speed ahead for the wide-scale adoption of the automobile in the capital city and beyond. Packards and Studebakers roar through newly constructed M…

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Episode 85: Lord Byron Pt. 1 1:26:36

3M ago1:26:36

1:26:36

Send us a text TW: Child Abuse, Dead Kids, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Torture; Welcome! To Caleb Can't Read Season 7! This time we're coming in with a bang-- with our cousins! Join us in our three-part series about how such a bastard comes to be as infamous-- and yet still somehow so loved-- as King of the Fuccbois, Lord Byron!…

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Episode 84: Richard Connell 35:49

3M ago35:49

35:49

Send us a text For our special 11th author on this season finale, we are looking at the short history of Richard Connell, the author of one of horror's most influential (for better or worse) stories, "The Most Dangerous Game"!By Jordan Raebel

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Extra Credit: Japanese mercs, merchants in colonial Luzon 5:18

3M ago5:18

5:18

Trade and tensions in the history of our two archipelagoes! (Listen to S6E6 before listening to this one!)

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S6E6: A Saint, a Samurai, and a Shipwreck 14:51

4M ago14:51

14:51

In a time when both God and gold define the tense relations between Japan and Manila, the galleon San Felipe gets stranded in the land of the rising sun. There, the fate of its passengers now lies in the hands of the most powerful warlord in Japan: Toyotomi Hideyoshi! Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us:…

1
Extra Credit: ‘Trained baboons’—Filipino servants and their American employers in the 1900s 4:38

4M ago4:38

4:38

With poor salaries and pidgin commands, American women take charge of their household servants as they move into the Philippines! (Listen to S6E5 before listening to this one!)

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S6E5: Who Murdered Señor Villegas? 14:11

4M ago14:11

14:11

When the guardia civil forced the Intramuros house of Victor Villegas open, they found a trail of blood that led all the way to a bathroom. Inside was the bloody corpse of the señor, his head smashed in, his body stripped to his underclothes. The police’s immediate suspects? The houseboys. Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @the…

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Episode 83: John Howard Griffin 1:02:28

5M ago1:02:28

1:02:28

Send us a text You ever go a little too far with your good intentions? John did. And hoo boy is it a doozy. Come cringe with us as we discuss the man who lived undercover in the Deep South in the worst way possible and his resulting novel, "Black Like Me", John Howard Griffin!By Jordan Raebel

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Extra Credit: More about the legend of Bernardo Carpio 4:52

5M ago4:52

4:52

Learn more about one of the most enduring Filipino folktales. (Listen to S6E4 before listening to this one!)

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S6E4: When Giants Walked the Philippines 14:05

6M ago14:05

14:05

In the 1600s, a friar chronicled wild stories of titans who carried spears the size of tree trunks, waded all the way to Surigao, got slain by small warriors, or even traveled to Manila. Where did this titanic fascination come from—and what do stories of giants tell us about the world of our colonizers and our ancestors? Follow us on IG: @thecoloni…

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Extra Credit: On kare-kare’s nutty history 4:05

6M ago4:05

4:05

One of the most fascinating dishes in the Philippines is kare-kare, which has a history as rich as its stew. (You don’t need to listen to S6E3 before listening to this one, but I’d appreciate it if you do!)

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Episode 82: George Dawson 1:13:04

6M ago1:13:04

1:13:04

Send us a text TW: Dead kids; Been a while since we talked about lynchings, shootings, and the misjustices of America, hasn't it? Well wake up and give your kids a shot of whiskey, 'cause today we're covering one of the oldest authors to ever publish a book, the old and ever-delightful George Dawson!…

1
S6E3: Fervor, Fury, Friars 14:31

6M ago14:31

14:31

One of the most low-key and long-lived eateries in Makati’s central business district is the humble ‘jolly jeep’ known as SisigSaRada, which, as you can tell from the name, is located inside Rada Street. But who is this “Rada” the road is named after? To answer that, we travel four and a half centuries back in time. What can the story of Fray Marti…

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Episode 81: Walt Whitman 1:58:12

6M ago1:58:12

1:58:12

Send us a text Welcome! To Nicole Can't Leave! Join us as we go over the life of poetry's most closeted man, and voted Most Likely to Smell Like Used Motor Oil in his high school yearbook: the author of the infamous "Leaves of Grass", Walt Whitman!By Jordan Raebel

1
Extra Credit: A short history of horses in the Philippines 4:46

7M ago4:46

4:46

Yay or neigh? In this week’s episode of Extra Credit, join us for a short and sweet exploration of equine history in our corner of the world. (Listen to S6E2 before listening to this one.)

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Episode 80.5: Caleb Can't Hang 4:26

6M ago4:26

4:26

Send us a text I'll reiterate it here in case you don't have the time, but basically Caleb will be taking several short hiatuses between authors 'cause he's such a busy guy. And while yes, this is technically the definition of slowing down, the podcast ain't goin' anywhere. We have several, SEVERAL subjects to get through, and if we wait 'til Caleb…

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Bonus: The Philippine book launch... LIVE! 31:25

7M ago31:25

31:25

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to give you this audio recording, straight from the Philippine launch of Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, which is the book version of this podcast! This event was a long time coming, and I'm happy we finally got to make it happen this August 31. Much love…

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S6E2: The Last Cavalry Charge 15:11

7M ago15:11

15:11

One month after Pearl Harbor, the Philippine army is in tatters after the relentless Japanese assault. The 26th Cavalry Regiment—one of the few cavalry units left in the US army that still hadn’t traded in their horses for tanks or halftracks—had the thankless task of guarding the defensive lines against Imperial flank attacks. In the town of Moron…

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Extra Credit: How did students dress in 1800s Manila? 5:01

7M ago5:01

5:01

Before they became dandies, they were students who chafed under a dress code! In this week’s episode of Extra Credit, we take a look at the suits and swag of the scholarly set. (Listen to S6E1 before listening to this one.)

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S6E1: The Dudes and Dandies of Colonial Manila 15:49

7M ago15:49

15:49

Cravats. Top hats. Barongs. Striped pants. Wide, wide waistbands. Well-dressed men are on the prowl in Luneta, turning heads and inciting whispers. Let’s meet these fashionable fops, shall we? Follow us on IG: ⁠@thecolonialdept⁠ Follow us on TikTok: ⁠@thecolonialdept⁠ Email us: ⁠[email protected] Audio from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagge…

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Episode 80: Shirley Jackson 1:32:35

7M ago1:32:35

1:32:35

Send us a text ooOOOOoowe're here to tell you frightening tales-- like those of manipulative husbands, bad adaptations, and mixing your prescriptions! We're also here to talk about the woman who has largely been considered the Queen of Horror, Shirley Jackson! Join us as we go over her long career, her fight with critics, and some of her most famou…

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Trailer: What is the Colonial Dept.? 1:57

8M ago1:57

1:57

Are you ready to plunge into the archives of Philippine history?

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Special: The book launch... live! 25:44

8M ago25:44

25:44

Last weekend, the book version of this podcast, 'Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves', was launched in a small event at Book Bar SG along Duxton Road in Singapore. Of course, I got into a funny little accident right before it happened. Listen to scenes from the Singapore book launch here! My publisher and I talk about how the book came into being, how The…

1
A lake a day will keep the doctor away 17:23

9M ago17:23

17:23

Welcome to "A Lake a Day Will Keep the Doctor Away," where I recount a remarkable week-long vacation exploring a different lake each day with great friends. Our days were filled with biking scenic trails, fishing in tranquil waters, paddling amongst the mountains and floating down rapids, while our kids reveled in outdoor adventures and evenings we…

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Special: All about the book 'Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves' 5:48

8M ago5:48

5:48

Special episodes take you behind the scenes at The Colonial Dept.! In this bonus bit, I walk you through the book version of this podcast, which is entitled Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946. What's inside? How did I make it? How can you get it? Hopefully, I get to answer all your questions here…

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Healing today for a brighter tomorrow 14:36

9M ago14:36

14:36

Hey everyone, welcome to today's episode where I'm diving into a topic close to many of our hearts: healing generational trauma. I'll chat about how working on ourselves isn't just good for us, but it can also stop passing down old wounds to our kids. But here's the deal—our healing journey won't magically fix everything for our children. They're o…

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Treat every day as if it's a miracle: Amanda Ferrin 1:02:12

9M ago1:02:12

1:02:12

In this heartfelt episode, Candace and Amanda swap stories from childhood and some recent stories. They are both story tellers and each share their perspective on what drives them to continue their work. In Amanda's miracle message, she talks about how it's not the fame or the spotlight, but that it's about reaching that one person who needs to hea…

1
Episode 79: Jose Rizal Pt. 3 1:12:33

9M ago1:12:33

1:12:33

Send us a text Damn, who's that guy over there in the corner? Oh man, you say he's a doctor? And a writer? And in trouble with the Spanish government? And he bangs all the high-class ladies? And he-- oh. Oh, he says the alcohol wasn't free. Oh, he's making me pay for his meal. Ah. Well then, this could only be the conclusion to the most illustrious…

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Follow your heart into the wild unknown: Emily-Jane Sarroff 45:47

9M ago45:47

45:47

Ever feel like you're living for everyone but yourself? Today's guest, Emily- Jane Sarroff, had a moment of realization that changed everything. Tune in to hear her inspiring journey from following others' expectations to pursuing her true passions. Emily-Jane’s mission is to show entrepreneurs that the possibilities of what they can achieve in lif…

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The Inspired Leader: Ally Stone 54:16

9M ago54:16

54:16

In today's episode, Ally talks about the journey that led her to become the inspired leader that she is today. She shares the highs and the lows and what it was that ultimately created such a great culture within the teams she would build, that others admired and wanted to replicate. Ally Stone has been a partner and leader in the hospitality indus…

1
Special: The book version of this podcast is now live… and so are the remastered eps! 7:09

9M ago7:09

7:09

Special episodes take you behind the scenes at The Colonial Dept.! In this bonus bit, we talk a bit about my book Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves (order here). I also announce our new remastered episode initiative—take a listen at the teaser inside! Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail…

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Episode 78: Jose Rizal Pt. 2 1:05:40

10M ago1:05:40

1:05:40

Send us a text This poor dude might've actually done less damage had he just been left the hell alone. Sure they say the pen is mightier than the sword, but Jose Rizal seemed content to let sleeping Spaniards lie once he found out how much trouble he was in. Unfortunately, the people around him would force his environments to change, and his life t…

1
A miracle story 25:58

9M ago25:58

25:58

In today's episode, Candace shares a little snippet of the way in which her and Amanda Ferrin's paths have crossed. She talks about how in being a part of Amanda's Miracle Movement has forever changed the life of her students and that if they ever go through a hardship or know someone else who does, that they will believe in the possibility of a mi…

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The path home 20:40

10M ago20:40

20:40

In today's episode, Candace shares a journey that led her home to herself. Candace Dunaway is the Host of the All Things Relatable podcast. Candace practices daily gratitude and believes that this practice is the key to living a joyful life. Candace sees the world through an optimistic lens and looks for the silver linings, even in the most difficu…

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Rizal Podcasts

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