Author Nancy Bernhard discusses her powerful debut novel, The Double Standard Sporting House. Set in New York City, 1868, during the shadowy reign of Tammany Hall, Nancy's story follows Doc—a sharp, fearless woman who runs an elite brothel as a covert way to fund her free clinic for women. Her world is one of grit, autonomy, and unexpected power, built at a time when society demanded "respectability" above all else. Nancy shares the surprising historical research behind the novel, including eye‑opening statistics about sex work in 19th‑century NYC and the complex reasons so many women entered the trade. We also dive into her writing journey, the family inspiration behind the book, and why she describes medicine of the era as "the wild west." If you love historical fiction, hidden histories, or stories about women carving out their own paths, you won't want to miss this conversation.
