e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1 27e95b09-f7f9-438f-84f9-b1fb011be120 56c1736b-308b-48e9-803a-b3cb0112d291 48090b89-a05d-49e6-9a6c-b3cb0112d6d4 en-US The Secret World of Roald Dahl https://www.listentoparallax.com/shows/secretworldofpodcast You know Roald Dahl as the writer who thought up Willy Wonka, Matilda, and the BFG. But did you know he was also a spy? "The Secret World of Roald Dahl" is a wild journey through the hidden chapters of his extraordinary, controversial life. How did this secret agent and struggling screenwriter wind up as the most successful children’s author ever? And what darkness from his covert past seeped into the stories we read as kids? A dark, twisty, fascinating true story from creator and host Aaron Tracy.

]]> serial You know Roald Dahl as the writer who thought up Willy Wonka, Matilda, and the BFG. But did you know he was also a spy? "The Secret World of Roald Dahl" is a wild journey through the hidden chapters of his extraordinary, controversial life. How did this secret agent and struggling screenwriter wind up as the most successful children’s author ever? And what darkness from his covert past seeped into the stories we read as kids? A dark, twisty, fascinating true story from creator and host Aaron Tracy. iHeartPodcasts applepodcast@howstuffworks.com iHeartPodcasts 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia no https://www.omnycontent.com/d/programs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/56c1736b-308b-48e9-803a-b3cb0112d291/image.jpg?t=1768237253&size=Large The Secret World of Roald Dahl https://www.listentoparallax.com/shows/secretworldofpodcast Willy Wonka: Aaron Goes on What Went Wrong Willy Wonka: Aaron Goes on What Went Wrong How do you turn a beloved but prickly children's book into a candy colored fever dream that outlives everyone who made it? Aaron is the guest on What Went Wrong, the fantastic, hit podcast unpacking the improbable origin story of a single movie. This time it's the 1971 classic, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Listen to more episodes of What Went Wrong wherever you get your podcasts. We're huge fans. https://www.whatwentwrongpod.com/

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]]> How do you turn a beloved but prickly children's book into a candy colored fever dream that outlives everyone who made it? Aaron is the guest on What Went Wrong, the fantastic, hit podcast unpacking the improbable origin story of a single movie. This time it's the 1971 classic, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Listen to more episodes of What Went Wrong wherever you get your podcasts. We're huge fans. https://www.whatwentwrongpod.com/

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]]> full 1 13 iHeartPodcasts 4f16e17e-6e6c-4667-9da3-b483012c51c1 4f16e17e-6e6c-4667-9da3-b483012c51c1 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000 6110 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/bonus-episode-willy-wonka-aaron-goes-on-what-went-wrong (Bonus Episode) You Have Questions (Bonus Episode) You Have Questions Aaron answers your questions about Dahl and the show with the help of two extraordinary guests: writer Mark Harris on how to capture a complicated life, and the journalist who, decades ago, found himself alone with Dahl when the mask finally slipped.  

 

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]]> Aaron answers your questions about Dahl and the show with the help of two extraordinary guests: writer Mark Harris on how to capture a complicated life, and the journalist who, decades ago, found himself alone with Dahl when the mask finally slipped.  

 

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]]> full 1 12 iHeartPodcasts 13be9ce6-8c02-493d-80fc-b443014c3261 13be9ce6-8c02-493d-80fc-b443014c3261 Mon, 11 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000 2759 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/bonus-episode-you-have-questions (Bonus Episode) Giant: A Conversation with Playwright Mark Rosenblatt (Bonus Episode) Giant: A Conversation with Playwright Mark Rosenblatt Mark Rosenblatt had never written a play before Giant, his portrait of Roald Dahl. Now it's the most talked about, best reviewed show on Broadway. Aaron sits down with Mark for a wide ranging conversation. Two writers who've spent a lot of time wrestling with the same complicated author, comparing notes. 

 

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]]> Mark Rosenblatt had never written a play before Giant, his portrait of Roald Dahl. Now it's the most talked about, best reviewed show on Broadway. Aaron sits down with Mark for a wide ranging conversation. Two writers who've spent a lot of time wrestling with the same complicated author, comparing notes. 

 

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]]> full 1 11 iHeartPodcasts f594d27a-6f45-4bae-9efc-b42e0151c6a0 f594d27a-6f45-4bae-9efc-b42e0151c6a0 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000 2744 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/bonus-episode-giant-a-conversation-with-playwright-mark-rosenblatt The Writing Life The Writing Life After all the adventures, all the struggles, all the discarded masks, Dahl finally discovers exactly who he's meant to be. Locked away in a small hut in an apple orchard, Dahl creates a ritual so precise and sacred that it borders on obsession. And decades after his death, his presence still looms over us. Featuring a conversation with an expert in children’s literature who knew Dahl personally. 

 

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]]> After all the adventures, all the struggles, all the discarded masks, Dahl finally discovers exactly who he's meant to be. Locked away in a small hut in an apple orchard, Dahl creates a ritual so precise and sacred that it borders on obsession. And decades after his death, his presence still looms over us. Featuring a conversation with an expert in children’s literature who knew Dahl personally. 

 

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]]> full 1 10 iHeartPodcasts 02c38803-0ef0-4d0a-9e68-b3e000134337 02c38803-0ef0-4d0a-9e68-b3e000134337 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 2182 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/the-writing-life Adaptation Adaptation Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, Wes Anderson, Robert Zemeckis, Quentin Tarantino. No other author’s work has attracted as many legendary filmmakers as Roald Dahl. Some adaptations become instant classics. Others crash and burn. And then there's the beloved film watched by millions every year that Dahl loathed. Featuring a conversation with NPR's David Bianculli, longtime critic for Fresh Air. 

 

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]]> Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, Wes Anderson, Robert Zemeckis, Quentin Tarantino. No other author’s work has attracted as many legendary filmmakers as Roald Dahl. Some adaptations become instant classics. Others crash and burn. And then there's the beloved film watched by millions every year that Dahl loathed. Featuring a conversation with NPR's David Bianculli, longtime critic for Fresh Air. 

 

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]]> full 1 9 iHeartPodcasts cdf27b09-c333-40cd-aba8-b3e00013433a cdf27b09-c333-40cd-aba8-b3e00013433a Mon, 16 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 2062 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/adaptation The Fan's Dilemma The Fan's Dilemma Dahl’s work faces a reckoning. Plus, decades after his death, a shocking decision is made about Dahl's books that ignites a worldwide controversy. Featuring conversations with cultural critics, including bestselling author Claire Dederer.  

 

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]]> Dahl’s work faces a reckoning. Plus, decades after his death, a shocking decision is made about Dahl's books that ignites a worldwide controversy. Featuring conversations with cultural critics, including bestselling author Claire Dederer.  

 

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]]> full 1 8 iHeartPodcasts d65dd5b1-d329-4675-bad4-b3db0113c3c6 d65dd5b1-d329-4675-bad4-b3db0113c3c6 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 2328 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/the-fans-dilemma The Interview The Interview At the height of his fame, Dahl picks up the phone for an interview and makes bigoted remarks that will haunt his legacy forever. A difficult question emerges that affects how we think about all artists, but especially those who shape our children’s imaginations. Featuring conversations with Roxane Gay, and The Atlantic’s Yair Rosenberg. 

 

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]]> At the height of his fame, Dahl picks up the phone for an interview and makes bigoted remarks that will haunt his legacy forever. A difficult question emerges that affects how we think about all artists, but especially those who shape our children’s imaginations. Featuring conversations with Roxane Gay, and The Atlantic’s Yair Rosenberg. 

 

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]]> full 1 7 iHeartPodcasts b0217918-fb6c-4252-9de9-b3db0113b996 b0217918-fb6c-4252-9de9-b3db0113b996 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000 1964 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/the-interview The Pivot The Pivot Desperate to salvage his fledgling career, Dahl makes a radical pivot and submits a children's story to his publisher. It's a massive gamble, and it fails spectacularly. His personal life implodes soon after. But from the wreckage of everything he's lost, Dahl discovers greater success than he’s ever known before. 

 

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]]> Desperate to salvage his fledgling career, Dahl makes a radical pivot and submits a children's story to his publisher. It's a massive gamble, and it fails spectacularly. His personal life implodes soon after. But from the wreckage of everything he's lost, Dahl discovers greater success than he’s ever known before. 

 

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]]> full 1 6 iHeartPodcasts 9d3921c3-49f3-4821-a498-b3da01217737 9d3921c3-49f3-4821-a498-b3da01217737 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000 2254 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/the-pivot Lady MacRobert's Reply Lady MacRobert's Reply When tragedy strikes his family, Dahl is forced into a waking nightmare that transforms him from a struggling writer into an unlikely medical pioneer. In the process, he ends up saving the lives of thousands of children around the world. But just as one crisis ends, another begins, followed by several more in brutal succession. Yet somehow, out of this unimaginable darkness, something hopeful emerges. 

 

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]]> When tragedy strikes his family, Dahl is forced into a waking nightmare that transforms him from a struggling writer into an unlikely medical pioneer. In the process, he ends up saving the lives of thousands of children around the world. But just as one crisis ends, another begins, followed by several more in brutal succession. Yet somehow, out of this unimaginable darkness, something hopeful emerges. 

 

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]]> full 1 5 iHeartPodcasts 865d4a47-a3c7-41cf-8da0-b3da01216784 865d4a47-a3c7-41cf-8da0-b3da01216784 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000 2426 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/lady-macroberts-reply In Pursuit In Pursuit After a brief introduction at a mutual friend’s dinner party, Dahl falls madly in love with Oscar-winning actress Patricia Neal. He’s determined to win her over, but soon discovers a giant, immovable obstacle in his path. Namely, she’s still in love with the biggest movie star in the world. Eventually, Neal and Dahl build a life together. But can their relationship survive as her career soars into the stratosphere, while his comes crashing down to Earth? 

 

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]]> After a brief introduction at a mutual friend’s dinner party, Dahl falls madly in love with Oscar-winning actress Patricia Neal. He’s determined to win her over, but soon discovers a giant, immovable obstacle in his path. Namely, she’s still in love with the biggest movie star in the world. Eventually, Neal and Dahl build a life together. But can their relationship survive as her career soars into the stratosphere, while his comes crashing down to Earth? 

 

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]]> full 1 4 iHeartPodcasts 55b6c1a7-e611-496f-9ca0-b3d2017b3017 55b6c1a7-e611-496f-9ca0-b3d2017b3017 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000 2178 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/in-pursuit Stalky Stalky As the war winds down, Dahl packs up and takes his talents to Hollywood. Seduced by stardom and early success, Dahl plunges into an exciting new adventure. But will his massive ego permit him to survive inside a collaborative medium? A crucial test comes when he’s offered the assignment of a lifetime, shaped by his past as a real-life 007. 

 

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]]> As the war winds down, Dahl packs up and takes his talents to Hollywood. Seduced by stardom and early success, Dahl plunges into an exciting new adventure. But will his massive ego permit him to survive inside a collaborative medium? A crucial test comes when he’s offered the assignment of a lifetime, shaped by his past as a real-life 007. 

 

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]]> full 1 3 iHeartPodcasts e6a9f736-1bd5-431f-98b9-b3d2017b2fda e6a9f736-1bd5-431f-98b9-b3d2017b2fda Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000 2395 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/stalky Did You Know You Were a Writer? Did You Know You Were a Writer? In his early 20s, Dahl flies harrowing combat missions for the Royal Air Force until it all comes to a sudden, violent end. Reassigned to the U.S., Dahl is quickly drawn into a world of power, wealth, and influence under the guidance of two mysterious mentors. 

 

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]]> In his early 20s, Dahl flies harrowing combat missions for the Royal Air Force until it all comes to a sudden, violent end. Reassigned to the U.S., Dahl is quickly drawn into a world of power, wealth, and influence under the guidance of two mysterious mentors. 

 

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]]> full 1 2 iHeartPodcasts 105031fb-1fa0-473a-b59e-b3d201746a57 105031fb-1fa0-473a-b59e-b3d201746a57 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000 2599 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/did-you-know-you-were-a-writer The Irregulars The Irregulars Before Roald Dahl becomes the world's most popular children's author, he's a 26-year-old British spy in wartime Washington, seducing congresswomen, mixing martinis for FDR, and gathering secrets for Churchill.

 

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]]> Before Roald Dahl becomes the world's most popular children's author, he's a 26-year-old British spy in wartime Washington, seducing congresswomen, mixing martinis for FDR, and gathering secrets for Churchill.

 

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]]> full 1 1 iHeartPodcasts 638cdaee-4b4d-4283-a9ef-b3d201735baa 638cdaee-4b4d-4283-a9ef-b3d201735baa Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000 2220 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/the-irregulars Introducing: The Secret World of Roald Dahl Introducing: The Secret World of Roald Dahl Audio trailer for "The Secret World of Roald Dahl" podcast.

 

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]]> Audio trailer for "The Secret World of Roald Dahl" podcast.

 

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]]> trailer iHeartPodcasts b13aed61-2bf1-4a80-8323-b3cd01243e62 b13aed61-2bf1-4a80-8323-b3cd01243e62 Fri, 09 Jan 2026 17:51:50 +0000 67 https://omny.fm/shows/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/introducing-the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl