Batting the Breeze

Thank you for looking in on our podcast where we share stories, invite others to share stories and sometimes just talk for the hell of it. Stories might be amusing, inspirational or stir the emotions. Often they relate to specific historical events and always try to be informative and thought-provoking.

So, if you are curious about the world, why not take a few minutes out of your hectic schedule and join us batting the breeze.

Reviews

Riverdance

"I ALWAYS thoroughly enjoy your notes – I am a history geek, and it scratches an itch – thank you. I am dabbing my eyes after rewatching the Riverdance video. My father passed away in 1999 – the …"

John G. USA | March 10, 2025

Extraordinary insight into the life of Sir Winston's bodyguard

"As an oil painter myself, I was fascinated to listen to your episode talking to Winston Churchill's last bodyguard, Edmund Murray. Murray was an oil painter like Sir Winston and would pick his locat…"

Eric P. | March 14, 2024

Inhuman Traficking.

"What an amazing story, thought provoking, enlightening and so well put together by the interviewer. Amanda is an amazing lady who suffered so many difficult times. So pleased that eventually there …"

Jeff | March 14, 2024

Listened to all!

"Listened to every episode and wait each week for the next one to drop. 80% are a great and interesting listen, The other 20% are just brilliant, emotional, thought provoking and sometimes rib tickl…"

fan,No1 | May 30, 2023

Bring a handkerchief

"Just listened to the most moving 25 minutes ever. In Symphony of a Mind, Stuart Carlson talks to the host Steve Winduss. Stuart is a professional violinist, but he also has autism. He talks to Steve …"

Maggie_Fl | May 26, 2023

A great find

"Fantastic. Just caught up with every episode. This is a don't miss."

Joescopelog | May 23, 2023

#33 Donut Dollie

"I so enjoyed talking with Steve. I have shared this and received such good feedback. Thank you Steve for the opportunity to tell a bit about our service in Vietnam."

Chicken Little Cu Chi | June 21, 2023

Symphony of a Mind

"Love these podcasts and am sharing with my friends! Steve is a great host!!"

HammerDTP | May 4, 2023

Admirable content

"This is my first time listening to your podcast I love it. I'll recommend it to my friends"

Successlad | March 6, 2023

It’s all around us

"Your episode about human trafficking was fascinating and terrifying. I will see people in a very different light."

Jonboy147 | March 14, 2024

Super professional

"Great job on making them, they sound super professional, really interesting topics, keep it up."

James M. | April 12, 2024

Really enjoying but.....

"Hi, I have been listening to your podcast for several episodes, and I wanted to share two pieces of feedback. First, I am really enjoying it! Very memorable stories and people telling them, presented…"

Nicole | April 18, 2024

Latest episode

"Thanks. What a great talker Manly is. Great podcast."

Jeff | May 9, 2024

Intriguing folk with curious stories to tell

"Thanks for letting me subscribe to The Breezer! Full of fascinating information and so interesting . I thoroughly enjoyed the podcast with Manly Hopkinson. Absolutely entrancing! A great tale an…"

Dot Coxhead | May 27, 2024

Alex’s Wish for Duchenne

"Gosh what an episode! You would have to be “The Tin Woodman” from Oz not to be touched by that story. Emma is an amazing inspiring lady who has transformed diversity to hope. I wish her son, Alex, w…"

Jeff | June 2, 2024

Revenge: The Scuttling of the German Fleet at Scapa Flow

"Wow Steve your newsletter is so beautiful!!! It was worth the wait! Keep you outstanding quality up, you’re one of a kind. Congratulations ❤️ S."

None | June 17, 2024

Great to hear from you

"So great to hear from you and wow I absolutely love the job you did with the podcast!! Thanks so much."

Rick Della Ratta | July 25, 2024

Steve is a truly wonderful podcast host!

"I love "Batting The Breeze" for the great stories and people, for the whole worlds it brings to us. And I absolutely loved every second spent in the making of our episode. Every aspect of it was tota…"

Simona Mango | Aug. 22, 2024

great watching and listening im hooked

"great stories, i enjoyed it all"

Annette Jamson | Nov. 1, 2024

Fly fishing and flat beer

"Steve: Thank you for this week's Breezer. I enjoyed all of it, but particularly your section about locally produced "real ales." I'm a Texan, so as you might expect, we generally prefer cold bee…"

Dan T. Dallas, Texas | Jan. 7, 2025

Beyond Gravity

"Steve - Awesome job! I love your commentary and questions, and the music to create the proper mood! Very well done. Your editing is superb to create an engaging story that flows nicely! That’s all yo…"

Jim Wetherbee | Feb. 11, 2025

Recent Newsletters

(published 2 weeks in arrears on website - to receive your live weekly newsletter, click here. Check out the full catalogue here.)

Three wheels on my wagon Don't rain on my planetary parade Echoes of Yalta and the rhythms of history
9th March 2025
Three wheels on my wagon
2nd March 2025
Don't rain on my planetary parade
23rd February 2025
Echoes of Yalta and the rhythms of history

 

Recent Episodes

Jan. 9, 2025

Beyond Gravity

What does an astronaut fear most? Believe it or not, it’s not dying. What tricks do you play on yourself to get to sleep the night before lift-off? What do you feel when you are standing in front of 180 feet of rocket which i...
May 30, 2024

Alex's Wish for Duchenne

Your son has a life expectancy in the 20’s. What are you going to do about it? Today’s guest is the embodiment of triumph over adversity, as are her family. Emma Hallam’s life is marked by extraordinary resilience in the face...
May 9, 2024

Hurricane Michael and the Compassionate Captain

If I suggested that you spend nine months away from home and family and sail 32,000 miles around the world the hard way around (ie against prevailing winds and currents), what would you say? And suppose I then told you that e...
April 18, 2024

The Khmer Rouge, Mr Clever and Me

In 1993, Chris Moon MBE was taken prisoner while clearing landmines in Cambodia by Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge, the most feared and brutal regime in the country's history. No Western prisoner had ever survived. Chris managed to ke...
Feb. 29, 2024

The Good, the Bad and the TV Anchor

If you ever seriously considered a career as a TV Anchor, you had better listen to this episode first. Elizabeth Pearson Garr has been there. After growing up at Stanford and studying at Harvard, she ventured out to the wild...
Feb. 15, 2024

Inhuman Trafficking

WARNING: Today’s episode contains adult themes, specifically sex trafficking and human trafficking, so please take that into account. Amanda Blackwood is a gem. She’s fun. She’s full of life. She’s also a survivor of human t...
Jan. 31, 2024

Twenty-two Black Arrows

In 1958, Sir Patrick Hine was part of a team of elite RAF pilots, the Black Arrows, who broke the world record for an aerobatic display manoeuvre that has never been equalled - and might never be. The Black Arrows performed ...
Jan. 18, 2024

Battling the Breeze in the 2003 America's Cup

The America's Cup - the pinnacle of professional sailing and one of the oldest and most prestigious trophies in international sport. The 2003 America's Cup: 10 teams, 1 winner. What was it like to be a competitor in one of th...
Jan. 4, 2024

Grounded by an Autobiographic Memory

Do you pride yourself on your infallible memory? Well think again. Memories about ourselves and the events of our lives are nurtured by our Autobiographic Memory and, shockingly, it turns out that it is unreliable by design. ...
Dec. 21, 2023

Our Blue Planet Up Close and Personal

Documentaries such as Blue Planet and The Great Reef have brought new wonder and awareness into our living rooms. Former Royal Navy underwater bomb disposal expert turned submarine pilot Mark Taylor now explores the planet's ...

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    ... for our weekly newsletter where curiosity knows no bounds! Spend a few minutes discovering historical snippets and fascinating facts related to the forthcoming week, with a dash of "lots more".

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