Olivia and Catherine the Great have a lot in common. They are both trying to do a LOT in the 24 hours we have in a day. Running a country, running a business, dealing with family, love, body issues, and trying to choose what dress to wear to the government ball on top of that? Feels impossible. If the Empress of Russia also struggled with these things, and managed to be a complete legend, maybe we’re doing OK too.
Today we talk about the impossibility of doing it all, all the time. We discuss viral songs and the rhetorical prowess of TikTok creators. We talk about the complicated and human Catherine, Empress of Russia from 1762-1796, including her twelve lovers and a document she wrote that is still considered one of the most remarkable feats of political writing in history. Turns out she fits right into the Feminish world.
Labour by Paris Paloma (TikTok song): https://open.spotify.com/track/2Ggr9IfS70wYQacW8nZKPG?si=46dbd77402d2467a
Jessie’s read: Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman: https://bookshop.org/a/81323/9780345408778
