We Have Ways of Making You Talk Reaches Historic 1,000th Episode Milestone
One of the podcast industry’s most enduring success stories has reached a remarkable achievement. We Have Ways of Making You Talk, Goalhanger’s original podcast, has released its 1,000th episode, solidifying its position as the world’s largest Second World War history podcast.
Hosted by comedian Al Murray and historian James Holland, the show launched on April 2, 2019, and has now been running for 2,667 days—longer than the Second World War itself. The achievement underscores not only the hosts’ dedication to their craft but also the sustained audience appetite for quality historical content in the crowded podcast marketplace.
From Launch to Landmark
Over the past seven years, We Have Ways of Making You Talk has built a loyal international community by delivering expert historical insight blended with humor, unexpected tangents, and what the hosts affectionately call “war waffle.” The show’s content spans from major engagements like the Battle of Britain and D-Day to lesser-known campaigns and untold stories from across the Eastern Front and beyond.
The chemistry between Murray and Holland, visible in both the podcast and promotional imagery showing the two hosts together, has become central to the show’s appeal. Their approach demonstrates how podcast longevity depends not just on subject matter expertise, but on authentic personality and rapport between hosts.
Community-Driven Success
A significant driver of the podcast’s success has been its engaged community, known as the Independent Company. These listeners and members have provided both ears and financial support through Patreon, creating a sustainable model that has allowed the show to maintain consistent quality over seven years.
Al Murray commented on the milestone: “Seven years of wär wäffle in the company of my dear friend Jim, the Afflicted, and all this thing hath wrought—the IC, who’ve brought their ears and their generosity. Huge thanks to Tony Pastor and Goalhanger, and all apologies for accidentally spawning The Rest Is… chemin de gravy.”
James Holland added: “The one THOUSANDTH episode of We Have Ways today. Thank you to the big man Al Murray and everyone at Goalhanger, but especially to all those who listen to our war waffle and particularly the amazing INDEPENDENT COMPANY!”
Listeners Can Access the Milestone Episode
The 1,000th episode is available now on Spotify and across all major podcast platforms. For fans seeking in-person connection with the community and hosts, We Have Ways Fest will return to Blackpit Brewery from September 11–13. More details are available at wehavewaysfest.co.uk.
What This Means for Podcast Producers
The success of We Have Ways of Making You Talk offers valuable lessons for podcast professionals. The show demonstrates the importance of consistent scheduling, authentic host chemistry, niche expertise combined with entertainment value, and cultivating a supportive listener community. With thousands of new podcasts launching monthly, reaching 1,000 episodes represents an exceptional achievement in audience retention and production sustainability.
For podcasters looking to build their own long-running shows, the Goalhanger model—quality content, relatable hosts, community engagement, and diversified revenue through membership and events—provides a proven blueprint. As the podcast industry continues to evolve, shows like We Have Ways of Making You Talk remind us that great storytelling and genuine host connection remain the foundation of podcast success.
Source: Podwires Newsletter
