Shows
The Fem Files12- Women in the Irish Republican Army (IRA)In this episode of The Fem Files, we dive into the stories of four powerful women in the Irish Republican Army (IRA) who challenged British colonial rule in Northern Ireland. From armed resistance to prison hunger strikes, these women played critical roles in the Irish struggle for freedom.We explore the lives of Máire Drumm, Rosaleen Walsh, Martina Anderson, and Rosaleen McCorley— activists, writers, political leaders, and survivors. Learn how these women fought for Irish independence, civil rights, and national identity during The Troubles, all while facing state violence, internment, and media erasure.2025-06-0527 minThe Fem Files11- Lilith, Adam's First Wife and Dark Feminine ArchetypeThis episode of The Fem Files explores the story of Lilith: Adam’s first wife and the original rebel. Tracing Lilith's transformation from an ancient goddess to a demonized outcast, this episode explores how myths were rewritten to punish feminine strength, independence, and sexuality. Sources:Baskin, Judith. “Lilith.” The Cambridge Dictionary of Judaism and Jewish Culture, 2011.“Lilith.” Historical Dictionary of Witchcraft, 2012.https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/seccll/2016/2016/10/SEO Keywords:Lilith, Adam’s first wife, Lilith myth, feminist icon Lilith, divine feminine, dark feminine, dark goddess...2025-05-2417 minThe Fem Files10- Lizzie Magie: The True Inventor of Monopoly, AKA The Landlord's GameThis episode uncovers the surprising origins of Monopoly, the board game that was never meant to celebrate capitalism but to critique it. Discover how Lizzie Magie’s original vision was twisted into a tool for promoting greed and how her message matters now more than ever. Join me to explore the game’s cultural impact, the rise of privatization in America, and the forgotten solution of The Single Tax.SEO terms: Monopoly history, Lizzie Magie, Henry George, single tax theory, capitalism critique, privatization in America, board game origins, economic justice, American culture, land...2025-05-0822 min
The Fem Files09- Francis Farmer Will Have Her RevengeIn this episode of The Fem Files, Grace Bowland dives into the brutal legacy of Frances Farmer. Labeled insane for refusing to comply, Farmer’s story is less about madness and more about misogyny in a white coat. From electroshock “cures” to lobotomy rumors, we trace how brilliance in women gets pathologized, then punished. Sources:https://newsroom.artandwriting.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Farmer%E2%80%94God-Dies.pdfWilliam Arnold, Shadowland (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1978); Frances Farmer and Jean Ratcliffe, Will There Really Be a Morning? (New York: Dell Publishing Co., 1972); Frances Farmer...2025-04-1143 minThe Fem Files08- Henrietta Lacks and Her Immortal CellsIn this episode, we uncover the story of Henrietta Lacks: a woman whose cells changed the course of medical history. Taken without consent, her cells sparked breakthroughs in everything from vaccines to space research. We explore how her legacy was buried, how her family was left in the dark, and why her story still matters in the age of medical mistrust.Sources: https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/educ/exhibits/womenshallfame/html/lacks.htmlhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/henrietta-lacks-immortal-impact-on-medical-researchhttps://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/henrietta-lacks2025-03-2623 minThe Fem Files07- Emma Goldman: Anarchist, Feminist, Radical ThinkerOnce labeled "the most dangerous woman in America," Goldman fought for workers’ rights, free speech, birth control, and sexual liberation while challenging capitalism and the state at every turn. Sources: https://libcom.org/article/mother-earthhttps://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/goldman-1869-1940/https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/goldman/works/1920s/disillusionment/index.htm2025-03-1336 minThe Fem Files06- The Mothers of Gynecology: Anarcha, Betsey, and LucyIn this episode, I share the stories of the Mothers of Gynecology: Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy. These enslaved women were experimented on for years without anesthesia by Dr. J. Marion Sims, AKA the “father” of modern gynecology. Their suffering paved the way for advancements in women’s healthcare, yet their names and experiences were erased from history. Join me this Thursday to learn about their painful stories, and discuss the legacy of medical racism that continues to impact black women today.Sources:https://orwh.od.nih.gov/toolkit/recruitment/histor...2025-02-2724 min
The Fem Files05- My MANIFESTA "Common Sense"This week I'm switching it up a little by reading my manifesta to the American people: Common Sense. It was insprired by Thomas Paine's revolutionary pamphelts that convinced the colonists to revolt in 1776. These are ideas I've been holding onto for quite some time, and am hoping to attract like minded individuals!Thanks so much for listening.GENERAL STRIKE:https://generalstrikeus.com/SOURCES: https://www.britannica.com/event/Smith-Acthttps://www.c-win.org/the-monterey-amendments2025-02-1352 minThe Fem Files04- Ada and Minna Everleigh: The Story of America’s Most Infamous BrothelStep into the extravagant world of Ada and Minna Everleigh, sisters who built America’s most luxurious brothel at the turn of the 20th century. In this episode of The Fem Files, we explore their rise as pioneering entrepreneurs in a male-dominated industry, their legacy of empowerment, and the societal tensions they navigated. We also draw a modern mirror to today’s conversations about sex work, gender, and autonomy. Join us as we uncover the bold, controversial, and inspiring
story of the Everleigh Sisters.
Sources:
“1900-1911—Everleigh Club.” Chicagology.com, 6 Jan...2025-01-301h 15
The Fem Files03- Lynda Resnick: California's Water TycoonJoin me to hear Lynda Resnick’s journey from whistleblower to agriculture billionaire. This episode exposes her role in California’s water crisis and the systemic failures enabling corporate greed and environmental exploitation.
PLEASE consider donating directly to thos affected by the Los Angeles Fires! GoFundMe's and Venmo's below.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-mom-rebuild-after-losing-everything-in-the-palisades?attribution_id=sl:044ace28-a8a9-4902-86db-ead64392fc61&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
https://linktr.ee/eato...2025-01-1726 minThe Fem Files02- Cancel Culture in Salem, MAThis episode is all about The Salem Witch Trials, and how hysteria plays out today.
References:
Debunking the “Moldy Bread” theory. (2023, May 17). salemwitchmuseum.com. https://salemwitchmuseum.com/2023/05/17/debunking-the-moldy-bread-theory/
Hill, F. (1995). A Delusion of Satan: The full story of the Salem witch trials. http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA28736054
Schiff, S. (2015). The Witches: Salem, 1692. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL29734611M/Witches2024-12-2652 min
The Fem Files01- The Resurrection of Mary MagdaleneOur debut episode dives into the life of Mary Magdalene, one of history’s most fascinating women. Was she a prostitute, a saint, or something more profound? We’ll discover how the patriarchy twisted her story and share the truth of her spiritual power as Jesus’s closest confidante.Sources for this episode:The Bible- God“Believers Eastern Church.” Believers Eastern Church, 2023, www.bec.org/mary-magdalene-apostle-to-the-apostles/.Brakke, David . Gnosticism from Nag Hammadi to the Gospel of Judas. The Great Courses, 2015, disc 19.“Definition of Let Him Who Is...2024-12-1235 minThe Fem FilesWelcome to The Fem FilesWelcome to The Fem Files. I’m your host, Grace Bowland. This podcast aims to unravel the myths, mysteries, and conspiracies surrounding history’s most misunderstood women. 2024-12-0501 min