Shows
The Exploress1,001 Nights with Al-KhayzuranSeason 6, Episode 5. One Thousand and One Nights – the famed collection of stories in which the vizier’s daughter, Scheherazade, agrees to wed a paranoid king who marries a new bride each night only to kill her in the morning. To delay her execution, Scheherazade starts to tell the king a different story every evening, but makes sure to leave it unfinished at sunrise so he’ll keep her alive for another day in order to hear the end. She weaves tales for 1,001 nights, until the king is cured of his paranoia, and he stops marrying and killing innocent women. The bo...2025-05-0723 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in the Viking Age, Part 3: The Daily GrindSeason 6, Episode 4. In this series, we're exploring what life was like for women in the Viking (Norse) Age. In this episode, we're going to spend a day with your average Norse woman. We'll find out everything from what we're sleeping on, what sorts of chores we're doing, what we're wearing and eating, what our houses are like, where we're going to the bathroom, and so much more. Our experts for this series are Eleanor Barraclough, a broadcaster and author whose latest book studies the physical remains the Vikings left us, and Nancy Marie Brown, who has been...2025-04-2243 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in the Viking Age, Part 2: Relationships, Marriage, and PowerSeason 6, Episode 3. In this series, we're exploring what life was like for women in the Viking (Norse) Age. In this episode, we're going to find out more about what the Vikings looked for in their ladies: what traits did the ideal Norse woman possess, according to the Sagas? We'll also explore courtship and marriage: Norse runic love notes, fathers as marriage brokers, and some amorous adventures (with a side of contraception). Bonus: we'll meet some of the Saga's most impressive queens, from the impressive Åsa Haraldsdottir to the drama queen Olga of Kiev. Our experts for this s...2025-04-0745 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in the Viking Age, Part 1: Finding the NorseSeason 6, Episode 2. In this series, we're exploring what life was like for women in the Viking (Norse) Age. Let's start by talking about our sources: how do we know what we know about the Vikings? We'll explore our written sources, runes, and archeological material, as well as the biases male writers and scholars have brought to the study of women in this age. We'll find out who the Norse where - the time period we're dealing with, societal structure, law and order - and bust some myths about women in the Viking Age. Our experts for this...2025-03-2042 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in the Viking Age: The Goddess FreyjaSeason 6, Episode 1. In this series, we're going to explore what life was like for women in the Viking (Norse) Age. But first, let's meet Freyja, a powerful Nordic goddess, who will introduce us to the Viking religious pantheon. We'll hear some of her more famous stories and learn about her links to magic, fertility, sexuality, war, and death. She's quite the lady! CW: this one's clean in terms of language, but there are several references to sexy time. Ways to support The Exploress: Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes, including one about...2025-03-0615 min
The ExploressThe History of the BikiniSeason 5, Episode 7. Today we’ll be tracing the history of women’s bathing suits from the 1700s to the 1960s. We’ll look at how swimwear fashion evolved from the drab bathing gowns and modest bloomer suits to the sporty one piece swimsuit and the scandalous bikini. We’ll learn how some old-timey swimsuits could literally kill you, or possibly just get you arrested, how swimming became an acceptably “feminine” fitness option for girls, and how Annette Kellerman, the famed competitive swimmer, aquatic entertainer, and millionaire movie star mermaid, made swimming sexy. I have a book coming out in Augus...2024-07-1236 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, 4: Off to Battle with Samurai Warrior WomenSeason 5, Episode 6. In this four-part series, we're time traveling back to Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) to find out what life was like there for the ladies. If you've been binging Shogun lately, then this one's for you! For show notes, including a list of sources and some cool images, go to The Exploress website (If you're dying for a full transcript, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) In June, I'm doing a NIGHTBIRDS readalong on my other podcast, Pub Dates. Whether you're looking for a recap before FYREBIRDS comes out or are keen to read along with me f...2024-06-2440 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part 3: Fashion & Fun with the Glamorous GeishaSeason 5, Episode 5. In this four-part series, we're time traveling back to Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) to find out what life was like there for the ladies. If you've been binging Shogun lately, then this one's for you! For show notes, including a list of sources and some cool images, go to The Exploress website (If you're dying for a full transcript, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) In June, I'm doing a NIGHTBIRDS readalong on my other podcast, Pub Dates. Whether you're looking for a recap before FYREBIRDS comes out or are keen to read along with me f...2024-06-0655 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part 2: Home, Duty, Marriage, and TeaSeason 5, Episode 4. In this four-part series, we're time traveling back to Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) to find out what life was like there for the ladies. If you've been binging Shogun lately, then this one's for you! For show notes, including a list of sources and some cool images, go to The Exploress website (If you're dying for a full transcript, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) In June, I'm doing a NIGHTBIRDS readalong on my other podcast, Pub Dates. Whether you're looking for a recap before FYREBIRDS comes out or are keen to read alo...2024-05-2250 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part 1: Welcome to the Edo EraSeason 5, Episode 3. In this four-part series, we're time traveling back to Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) to find out what life was like there for the ladies. If you've been binging Shogun lately, then this one's for you! For show notes, including a list of sources and some cool images, go to The Exploress website (If you're dying for a full transcript, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) In June, I'm doing a NIGHTBIRDS readalong on my other podcast, Pub Dates. Whether you're looking for a recap before FYREBIRDS comes out or are keen to read alo...2024-05-0834 min
The ExploressThe Crusader Queens, Part 2Season 5, Episode 2. Once upon a time, back in the Middle Ages, four sisters would come to shape the Crusader States called Outremer. One would rebel (several times) against their father; another would come to rule more or less in her own right. All would see a healthy heaping of conflict while living in a chaotic time and place. In Part 2, we'll rejoin our royal sisters as they weather scandal, trial by combat, suspicious deaths, and rebellious sons. For show notes for this episode, go to The Exploress website. (If you're dying for a full transcript of the e...2024-04-2229 min
The ExploressThe Crusader Queens, Part 1Season 5, Episode 1. Once upon a time, back in the Middle Ages, four sisters would come to shape the Crusader States called Outremer. One would rebel (several times) against their father; another would come to rule more or less in her own right. All would see a healthy heaping of conflict while living in a chaotic time and place. In Part 1, we'll explore the many roles women played in the Crusades, and we will meet our leading ladies - Alice, Yvette, Hodierna, and Melisende - the daughters of the second Crusader King of Jerusalem. For show notes for t...2024-04-0836 min
The ExploressAmerica's Fight for Women's Rights: Interview with Elizabeth CobbsSeason 4, Episode 14. Join us for an interview with Professor Elizabeth Cobbs, the author of Fearless Women: Feminist Patriots from Abigail Adams to Beyonce. Her book gives us a panoramic view of the fight for women's rights in America, and today, she'll talk to us about the history of feminism, suffrage, and what rights women really had in the 1920s. 2024-02-0156 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in the 1920s, Part 4: A Friday NightSeason 4, Episode 13. Last time, we found out what stay-at-home wife life was like in the 1920s. Now we're going to go out on the town. Let's explore all the fun we were getting up to: dancing, nightclubs, amusement parks, swimming, and girls in automobiles. We'll even dive into the world on 1920s dating. You can now buy my ladycentric timelines, maps, and art prints at the Exploress shop. Also, did you know: I’ve got a novel out! NIGHTBIRDS is a 1920s-tinted fantasy about girls who will gift their magic with a kiss...for a price. I thi...2023-12-1844 min
The ExploressThe Lady Killers of 1920s ChicagoSeason 4, Episode 12. Settle in for a tale of passion, jealousy, corruption, and the lady killers who entranced 1920s America. Grab your gun, your best fur coat, and a flask of bootleg gin. Let’s go traveling. You can now buy my ladycentric timelines, maps, and art prints at the Exploress shop. Also, did you know I’ve got a novel out? NIGHTBIRDS is a 1920s-tinted fantasy about girls who will gift their magic with a kiss...for a price. I think you might like it. You'll find show notes for this episode at my Exploress websit...2023-12-0346 min
The ExploressWriting the Women of Pompeii: Elodie Harper Interview, Part 2Remember back in 2021 when the amazing Elodie Harper told us all about the sex workers of ancient Rome, and also her novel The Wolf Den? She's back to talk to us about The Temple of Fortuna, the epic conclusion to her immersive trilogy about a woman just trying to survive in ancient Pompeii. Join us as we talk about courtesans, an ancient queen, female gladiators, and what it might have been like to survive the eruption of Vesuvius. Warning: we WILL be spoiling some aspects of the first two books in the series, so make sure you've read them...2023-11-1553 min
The ExploressGiulia Tofana, Italy's Poison QueenI hope you enjoy this spooky minisode bonus from the dark days of 2020! Let's meet one of history's most prolific female poisoners. You can now buy my ladycentric timelines, maps, and art prints at the Exploress shop. Also, did you know: I’ve got a novel out! NIGHTBIRDS is a 1920s-tinted fantasy about girls who will gift their magic with a kiss...for a price. I think you might like it. You'll find show notes for this episode at my Exploress website. If you want to support the show, you can do so over on Patreo2023-11-0218 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in the 1920s, Part 3: A Thursday at HomeSeason 4, Episode 11. Last time, we headed to the office as 1920s working women; now let's give the stay-at-home wife life a spin. Grab your brand new vaccuum and your fave home economics book: let's go traveling. You can now buy my ladycentric timelines, maps, and art prints at the Exploress shop. Also, did you know: I’ve got a novel out! NIGHTBIRDS is a 1920s-tinted fantasy about girls who will gift their magic with a kiss...for a price. I think you might like it. You'll find show notes for this episode at my Exploress web...2023-10-1736 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in the 1920s, Part 2: A Wednesday at WorkSeason 4, Episode 10. It's time to grab our sensible heels and head to the office to find out about a woman's work in the 1920s. Let's find out about college life, then dive into some of our trials, triumphs, and tribulations in the workplace. Nothing's going to hold us down! Let’s go traveling. You can now buy my ladycentric timelines, maps, and art prints at my Printable shop. Also: I’ve got a novel out! NIGHTBIRDS is a 1920s-tinted fantasy about girls who will gift their magic with a kiss...for a price. I think you might like...2023-10-0242 min
The ExploressA Lady’s Life in the 1920s, Part 1: A Summer SaturdaySeason 4, Episode 9. Rise and shine! It’s time to get up and start our day in the life of a 1920s American gal. Let’s find out some things about life in the period, from what we’re wearing on a casual Saturday to what we’re eating for breakfast, where we’re getting our food from, and (of course) how we’re dealing with that time of the month. Pull up your stockings and turn up that radio. Let’s go traveling. I’ve finally got Exploress merch back up and running! You can now buy my ladycentric t...2023-09-1541 min
The ExploressUnsinkable: The Women Aboard the TitanicIn this bonus episode, let's revisit the tragic story the Titanic, but focus on the women aboard. Who were they? What was it like, to ride on this infamous luxury liner? What did they see and feel, that fateful night? As always, you'll find show notes for this episode, includng images and a list of my research sources, at my Exploress website. If you want to support the show, you can do so over on Patreon.2023-07-071h 11
The ExploressCelebrating Women of Myth with Ancient History FangirlSeason 4, Episode 8. Season 4 is taking an intermission for the moment; I hope to have us traveling back to the 1920s soon. Until then, I’ve got something fun for you: a chat with the wonderful Genn McMenemy and Jenny Williamson of Ancient History Fangirl about their new book, Women of Myth. It’s a beautiful compendium of stories from all around the world about a diverse cast of heroines, goddesses, and monsters, all told with Genn and Jenny’s signature humour, empathy, and wit. So grab a drink, settle in, and let’s dive into the stories of some women fro...2023-05-2959 min
The ExploressWriting Black Women Back into History: Interview with Krystal MarquisSeason 4, Episode 7. In this episode, we’re jumping back to 1910s Chicago, which is the setting for my friend Krystal Marquis’s New York Times and Indie bestselling novel The Davenports. This heartwarming historical romance introduces us to four young Black women navigating life at the turn of the century, falling in love, taking risks, and carving their own paths through the world. I loved talking to Krystal about her research and inspirations.2023-05-0234 min
The ExploressThe Women of the 1920s Who Defied ProhibitionSeason 4, Episode 6. The 1920s was the decade of speakeasies, gin joints, illicit nightclubs, and cabarets. Today we’ll meet the many women brewing their own moonshine, and doing serious jail time. We’ll meet the bootleggers, smugglers, and rum runners like Gertrude Lythgoe, the queens of the speakeasies, like Texas Guinan and Belle Livingstone, and Pauline Morton Sabin, the woman who eventually helped repeal Prohibition. We’ll learn about what cocktails were popular, what a 1920s cabaret looked like, and how outlawing alcohol inadvertently gave American women the chance to finally drink, dance, and date in public, which led to a d...2023-04-201h 02
The ExploressThe Women of the 1920s Who Supported ProhibitionSeason 4, Episode 5. Women were a big reason why the prohibition of alcohol became a constitutional amendment in 1920s America. Today we’ll learn about the history of the saloon and dry laws, the politics behind the Volstead Act and the 18th Amendment, and why women were at the forefront of the temperance movement. We’ll meet Anna Gordon and Frances Willard, the Presidents of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union; Carrie Nation, who campaigned for Prohibition by smashing up saloons with her hatchet; and we’ll meet the women who enforced the law – Assistant US Attorney General Mabel Walker Willebrand...2023-03-2849 min
The ExploressWriting 1920s-Inspired Historical Fiction with Lyssa Mia SmithSeason 4, Episode 5. Join me for a fun-filled interview with my friend and fellow debut author, Lyssa Mia Smith, whose novel, REVELLE, came out last month. Described as MOULIN ROUGE meets THE GREAT GATSBY, it’s one the fantasy-romance fans amongst you don’t want to miss. Much like my novel, NIGHTBIRDS, it takes a lot of inspiration from history, and I loved this chat about magic, courtesans, and all the ways we used elements of Prohibition and the 1920s to craft our fantastical stories. NIGHTBIRDS and REVELLE are both available now, wherever good books (or audiobooks) are sold...2023-03-1546 min
The ExploressThe Exploress: NIGHTBIRDS EditionI am thrilled to share a juicy snippet of the NIGHTBIRDS audiobook with you, listeners! Please enjoy the prologue and first chapter, brought to life by the incredibly talented Saskia Maarleveld. You can buy the full audiobook wherever they're sold. My novel, NIGHTBIRDS, comes out TODAY! It is a 1920s-tinted YA Fantasy about a world with a prohibition on magic, and a group of girls called Nightbirds who will gift you their rare magic with a kiss - for a price. It’s full of flapper-inspired dresses, magical cocktails, illicit speakeasies, nods to women’s history, and of c...2023-02-2757 min
The ExploressThe 1920s, But Make It Fiction with Amie KaufmanSeason 4, Episode 3. I'm thrilled to be in conversation with Amie Kaufman, fellow author, friend, and co-host of my other podcast, Pub Dates, about taking inspiration from history and weaving it into fantasical worlds. Her novel, The Isles of the Gods, and my own both take certain aspects of the 1920s and use them as springboards into fictional exploration, but we've used our sources in very different ways. This is such a fun conversation about writing and our love of history; if you've ever wanted a more up-close-and-personal catchup with The Exploress, this one's for you. If you...2023-02-261h 01
The ExploressThe Flappers of the 1920sSeason 4, Episode 2. The flapper is the most iconic lady of the Roaring Twenties. We’ll learn about her signature bobbed hairdo, what makeup she was rocking, and how Coco Chanel inspired the dresses she’d wear. We’ll meet the two most notorious flappers of the age, Zelda Fitzgerald and Lois Long, and how they spent their time drinking, smoking, making out in cars and dancing to jazz in cabarets. We'll talk about how the public perception of the flapper was scandalous, and rebellious – she was immoral and immodest, and some people hated her for it. But she was also fun...2023-02-2051 min
The ExploressRe-Release: The Women's Suffrage Movement & American Voting Rights (The 2023 Edition)Season 4, Episode 1. Let's time travel back to the 1920s! But first, we're going to revisit a vintage Exploress episode that explores something momentous that happened in the year 1920, when American women finally won the right to vote. You can pre-order my novel, NIGHTBIRDS, wherever print, ebook, or audiobooks are sold! If you do, make sure to claim the exclusive Nightbirds pin by February 27th. If you order from One More Page Books, you'll get your copy signed and personalized AND get some special character cards as well. To find out more about it, have a listen to...2023-02-131h 00
The ExploressBeing Queen with Elizabeth ISeason 3, Episode 28. Queen Elizabeth I ruled for 45 years as the Virgin Queen, Good Queen Bess, and Gloriana, and her reign is now referred to as the Golden Age, or the Elizabethan Age. Today we’ll be hearing from Bess herself as she talks us through her top tips for a successful queenship. We’ll learn about how she was able to reign as an unmarried woman, why she refused to marry at all, the many marriage proposals she rebuffed, her long time love for Robert Dudley, and how she created a cult of virginity to calm fears about succession. We’l...2023-01-1244 min
The ExploressEducation in Tudor England with Queen Katherine ParrSeason 3, Episode 27. Survived. Join Henry VIII’s sixth and final queen, Katherine Parr, as we explore what education looked like for women in Tudor England. We’ll discover where girls studied, what subjects they learned, and how many of them could read and write. We’ll also learn about the extraordinary life of Katherine Parr, and how she became the wife that survived by leveraging her education. She became the first Queen of England to publish her own book, educated her step-daughter (the future Queen Elizabeth I), promoted religious reform, made reading the most popular pastime for upper class Tudor...2022-12-2052 min
The ExploressSex in Tudor England with Queen Catherine HowardSeason 3, Episode 26. In this episode, Queen Catherine Howard is going to be our guide as we explore all things sex for Tudor women. We’ll walk through the era’s expectations and understanding of a woman’s virtue, how a lady might keep from getting pregnant should she choose to risk her reputation, and what happens if a woman gets pregnant out of wedlock. It’s bound to be steamy, and…let’s be honest…possibly dire. For this episode's show notes, including a transcript and tons of images, go to The Exploress website. To support the show, become a...2022-11-271h 02
The ExploressMagic, Poison, and Sex in the French Court of King Louis XIVSeason 3, Episode 25. What connects a sorceress, a murderess, a mistress and a French king? Let's find out in this special Halloween bonus. For this episode's show notes, including a transcript and tons of images, go to The Exploress website. To support the show, become a patron. To find out more about Elizabeton Norton's fanstastic work, check out her website.2022-10-1830 min
The ExploressWWII Code Girls with Ellie MarneySeason 3, Episode 24. Murder, mystery, and WWII code girls: oh my! Join me as I chat with Ellie Marney, the New York Times bestselling author of the new YA historical novel The Killing Code. Atmospheric, compulsive, and deliciously dark, it’s the perfect book to kick off the spooky season, and it’ll introduce you to a slice of women’s history you might not know that much about. Ellie joined me to talk about the real-life female codebreakers who inspired her novel, as well as life for women in wartime D.C. in the 1940s. To find out more...2022-10-041h 03
The ExploressCourtship in Tudor England with Queen Anne of ClevesSeason 3, Episode 23. Like most royal women, Anne of Cleves - English king Henry VIII's fourth wife - didn’t have much choice when it came to whom she married. It was considered her “duty” to honor the needs of her family and her kingdom over whatever her own might be. But what about everyone else - the non-royals? Did they get to pursue their hearts more freely? Let’s take a walk with Anne of Cleves, who’ll show us more about what love, courtship, and marriage looked like for women in Tudor England. For this episode's show notes...2022-09-2055 min
The ExploressTudor Ladies in Waiting: Interview with Sylvia Barbara SobertonSeason 3, Episode 22. Join me as I sit down with author Sylvia Barbara Soberton to talk about a Tudor queen's ladies-in-waiting: who they were, what they did, and what kind of impact they had on the women they served and the court at large. As always, there are lots of ways to support the Exploress: tell a friend about the show, leave a review wherever you listen, become a patron, or have a browse over on my website. For more on Sylvia’s book and her other work, check out her website.2022-09-0248 min
The ExploressChildbirth in Tudor England with Queen Jane SeymourSeason 3, Episode 21. English King Henry VIII's third wife, Jane Seymour, will take us on a journey through one of the most important jobs and greatest perils women faced in Tudor England: fertility and childbirth. We will explore getting pregnant, staying pregnant, and getting through the delivery ordeal in (we hope) one piece. For this episode's show notes, including a transcript and tons of images, go to The Exploress website. To support the show, and get bonus Tudor content, become a patron. To find out more about Elizabeth Norton's fanstastic work, check out her website.2022-08-0854 min
The ExploressWas Shakespeare Really A Woman?Season 3, Episode 20. Will the real William Shakespeare please stand up? The Shakespeare authorship debate started with a woman named Delia Bacon, and since then, thousands of anti-Stratfordians have become obsessed with using literary analysis and ciphers to search for hidden meanings within the Bard's plays, in a quest to prove that Shakepeare was merely a pen name. Names like Edward Vere, Christopher Marlowe, and Sir Francis Bacon have all been floated around as possible candidates for the real genius behind the quill, but one name is particularly intriguing – Amelia Bassano Lanyer. So, why are people so unwilling to accept th...2022-07-2325 minThe ExploressReimagining Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn for The King's Wife Musical: Interview with Jennifer KranzSeason 3, Episode 19. I had the privilege of interviewing Jennifer Kranz, the producer of The King's Wife, a musical that reimagines the relationship between Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. Come behind the scenes with me on this still-developing musical, which gives us a heartfelt, feminist version of the story of two of Tudor England's most infamous queens, and find out what it takes to make a show about women in history. Make sure you listen through to the end to hear one of show's beautiful songs, "I Know You." To find out more about The King's Wife...2022-07-0849 minThe ExploressAll Things Anne Boleyn: Interview with Natalie GrueningerSeason 3, Episode 18. I enjoyed my chat with our special guest from Fashion with Anne Boleyn so much that I've decided to publish it in full. Natalie gives us such an interesting glimpse into what life was like for Anne Boleyn at the Tudor court, and into her ultimate downfall. So let's dive in. Find out more about Natalie's work and her upcoming book at her website, or On The Tudor Trail. Make sure to listen to Talking Tudors, too! You can find show notes, images and transcripts for all my episodes on Tudor times at The Exploress...2022-06-241h 20
The ExploressFashion in Tudor England with Queen Anne BoleynSeason 3, Episode 17. Let English king Henry VIII's most fabulously fashionable queen, Anne Boleyn, be your guide as we glide through the halls of the Tudor court exploring why fashion was so important in Tudor England, especially for female members of the royal family, and how women used dress to achieve some of their most important aims. We will cover Tudor headgear, jewelry, textiles, symbolism, and more. For this episode's show notes, including a transcript and tons of images, go to The Exploress website. To support the show, become a patron. 2022-06-0954 min
The ExploressReligion in Tudor England with Queen Catherine of Aragon, Part 2Season 3, Episode 16. Religion lives at the heart of Catherine of Aragon's story, and at the center of Tudor life. Let's continue our journey with our queen as she finds herself faced with a divorce crisis and the English Reformation. How will it change things for women in England? And how will Catherine of Aragon use her moral authority to fight for what she knows to be true? For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources, music/voiceover credits and more, go to my website. To explore the treasure trove of bonus materials, check out The E...2022-03-3036 min
The ExploressReligion in Tudor England with Queen Catherine of Aragon, Part 1Season 3, Episode 15. Religion lives at the heart of Catherine of Aragon's story, and at the center of Tudor life. Let's walk beside this regal queen and find out what role it played in her life and tumultuous times. These episodes aren’t going to be straight birth-to-death biographies. Instead, the six wives of Henry VIII are going to be our guides as we dive into different aspects of womanhood in the Tudor era. For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources, music/voiceover credits and more, go to my website. To explore the treasure trove of b...2022-03-1833 min
The ExploressIntroducing: Pub DatesI'm excited to announce the new podcast I'm making with my friend Amie Kaufman. It'll take you behind the scenes on the making of our books, The Isles of the Gods and Nightbirds, which are both coming out in 2023. Think of it as your backstage pass to our characters, our worlds, and all the stories of their making. I can't wait to introduce you to my debut novel full of magic and intrigue, historical inspiration, and - of course - powerful women.2022-02-1502 min
The ExploressThe History of Mrs, Miss, and MsSeason 3, Episode 14. Ever wondered about the origin stories of the titles Mrs., Miss, and Ms.? They're more than likely to surprise you. This bonus episode come courtesy of my patrons. Patrons not only really help me keep the show going, but they also get access to exclusives bonuses like this one, as well as Q&As, sneak peeks, interviews with guests, early access to episodes, cool contests, and more. To find out more, just go to my website.2021-12-2015 min
The ExploressThe Magnificent Lady Fu HaoSeason 3, Episode 13. For years, China's ancient Shang Dynasty was almost a myth, but its stories were lying in wait in the Yellow River plain, where it had been hiding for centuries. And at the heart of it all, an almost lost queen. Let's meet the Shang and their impressive warrior queen. This bonus episode come courtesy of my patrons. Patrons not only really help me keep the show going, but they also get access to exclusives bonuses like this one, as well as Q&As, sneak peeks, interviews with guests, early access to episodes, cool contests, and m...2021-12-1313 min
The ExploressA Brief History of SequinsSeason 3, Episode 12. This month, I'm pulling three bonus episodes from the Patreon vault to share with everyone. Happy holidays! I LOVE me some sequins. It’s hard to feel anything but celebratory when you’re sparkling like a mirror ball. The shiny plastic disc you’re picturing is a relatively new invention, but sequins have a surprisingly long and interesting history. This episode is brought to you by my patrons. Patrons not only really help me keep the show going, but they also get access to exclusives bonuses like this one, as well as Q&As, sneak peeks...2021-12-0613 min
The ExploressWomen and Witch Hunts in Scotland and EnglandSeason 3, Episode 11. Between 1450 and 1750, some 100,000 Europeans were tried for witchcraft, and some of the most intense periods of witchy panic took place in Scotland and England. Most, but not all, of these so-called witches were women. During this special Halloween episode, we’ll be tracing the history of witch hunts, and talking about why King James VI was so fanatical about killing witches. We’ll learn about the Malleus Maleficarum (or the veritable Guide to Witch Hunting), and discover how to “spot” a witch. We’ll learn what types of women were in danger of being accused of witchcraft, why people...2021-10-3047 min
The ExploressRe-Release: A History of Women & PoisonSeason 3, Episode 10. This is one of my earliest Halloween-inspired bonus episodes, finessed and remastered, to get you warmed up for our Tudor-era Halloween special next week. It will take us from the ancient world into the Tudor and Victorian eras and beyond, exploring that age-old link between women and poison. It's a perfect companion to the spooky season! And it'll teach us some bizarre and fascinating things about the Tudor monarchs' paranoia about poison. For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources and more, go to my website. To explore the treasure trove of bonus...2021-10-1840 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tudor England, Part 9: Feast & FunSeason 3, Episode 9. We Tudor ladies have done a lot of work in this series. So let's prepare a meal, then take our place at the table and enjoy it. We'll find out what kinds of food we might be enjoying, how to make sure we mind our manners while feasting, and find out what kinds of things we do for fun in Tudor times. For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources and more, go to my website. The era-appropriate guitar music in this episode comes courtesy of John Sayles. To find out more about...2021-10-1133 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tudor England, Part 8: Women of BusinessSeason 3, Episode 8. We've talked a lot about the kinds of work Tudor women were doing inside of the domestic sphere. But what about out in the wider world? Let's see what professions were open to the ladies, talk about their rights under the law, and what kinds of punishments they might have encountered if they colored outside of society's strictly drawn lines. For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources and more, go to my website. The era-appropriate guitar music in this episode comes courtesy of John Sayles. To find out more about our excellent...2021-10-0421 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tudor England, Part 7: A Woman's Work, ContinuedSeason 3, Episode 7. In our last episode, we found out just how much work we ladies have to do in Tudor England. Now...well...we’re going to work some more. Grab your linen basket and a sturdy accounts ledger, and let's explore how Tudors are doing their laundry, tending to the sick in their households, and more. For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources and more, go to my website. The era-appropriate guitar music in this episode comes courtesy of John Sayles. To find out more about our excellent guest Ruth Goodman, check out he...2021-09-2716 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tudor England, Part 6: A Woman's Work is Never DoneSeason 3, Episode 6. Women in Tudor England had a LOT to do on the day to day. Let's dive into what kinds of tasks she would typically be getting into, from cleaning to dairying, and making two huge staples of our diet: bread and ale. For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources and more, go to my website. The era-appropriate guitar music in this episode comes courtesy of John Sayles. To find out more about our excellent guest Ruth Goodman, check out her website. To hear my full interview with Ruth and other exclusive bonus...2021-09-2020 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tudor England, Part 5: Let's Get DressedSeason 3, Episode 5. What the Tudor woman wears, and particularly what type of fabrics, will depend a lot on her level of wealth and social station, but they're all wearing the same basic layers. Let's explore those layers, as well as other clothes-related gems: why we design our clothing to come in many pieces, the origin of the word 'spinster', and why we have such a large number of straight pins. For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources and more, go to my website. The era-appropriate guitar music in this episode comes courtesy of John...2021-09-1323 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tudor England, Part 4: Getting CleanSeason 3, Episode 4. Before we get dressed in Tudor England, we've got some cleaning of our bodies to do. What DOES a Tudor lady smell like? Let's go traveling. For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources and more, go to my website. The era-appropriate guitar music in this episode comes courtesy of John Sayles. To find out more about Ruth Goodman and read all about her books, check out her website. To hear my full interview with Ruth and other exclusive bonus goodies, check out The Exploress Patreon. If you'd like a beautiful (and accurate) t...2021-09-0616 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tudor England, Part 3: Of Godliness and PriviesSeason 3, Episode 3. In part 2, we got out of bed and explored our Tudor cottage a little. Now it's time to get right with God and find a place to have our morning pee. How are we going to the bathroom in Tudor England? And what're we doing about menstruation? Let's find out. For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources and more, go to my website. The era-appropriate guitar music in this episode comes courtesy of John Sayles, while the choral music comes from The Tudor Consort. To find out more about Ruth Goodman and...2021-08-3011 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tudor England, Part 2: Rise and ShineSeason 3, Episode 2. Last time, we got some context about where we're time traveling back to. Now we'll open our eyes on Tudor England and get going with our day. For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources and more, go to my website. The era-appropriate guitar music in this episode comes courtesy of John Sayles. To find out more about our excellent guest Ruth Goodman, check out her website. To hear my full interview with Ruth and other exclusive bonus goodies, check out The Exploress Patreon. If you'd like a beautiful (and accurate) timeline of l...2021-08-2315 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Tudor England, Part 1: Where Are We, Exactly?Season 3, Episode 1. Let's time travel back to Tudor England and explore your average lady's day. But first, we'll be contextualizing the time period: where are we, exactly, in English history? What sort of landscape and situation are we walking into? We'll meet all stars like Queen Elizabeth Woodville and Kingmaker Margaret Beaufort, who helped kicked off the Tudor dynasty, and find out more about the slice of history we'll be time traveling to. For show notes, including a transcript, images, and a list of my sources, visit my website. If you'd like a beautiful (and accurate) timeline...2021-08-1613 min
The ExploressA History of MenstruationHow have women throughout history dealt with their periods? In this bonus episode, we'll explore how menstruation was viewed in different cultures and time periods, and learn about the historical evolution of sex education, period products, women's health, cultural taboos around virginity, and the magical qualities of period blood. For show notes, including a transcript of this bonus episode, further reading and images galore, go to my website.2021-08-0236 min
The ExploressThe Wolf Den: Interview with Elodie HarperYou can order The Wolf Den in the U.K. and Australia wherever books are sold! For American listeners, Blackwell’s in the U.K. is offering 100% FREE shipping to readers in the USA. All you need to do is create a free account with them when you order The Wolf Den online. They’re also selling the book at a discount. U.K. listeners should know that Waterstones is selling a limited, signed edition with exclusive content on the real women and the lupanar of Pompeii. To find out more about Elodie, The Wolf Den, and her other work...2021-05-1442 min
The ExploressRebel Warrior Queens: Boudicca and ZenobiaSeason 2, Episode 33. Ancient Rome's military machine was legend, taking over lands far outside its capital. But there were always those who fought back against the Empire, giving everything they had for freedom. A few of them even happened to be women. We’re about to go on an adventure with two of them: Boudicca and Zenobia. They're from vastly different places and eras, but they have something in common: they both went up against the Romans, and for a while, they WON. The song "Hidden Past" comes courtesy of Kevin MacLeod. For a transcript, images, research notes, fu...2021-03-221h 05
The ExploressSisters in Arms: Cleopatra and the Hasmonean WomenCleopatra was a boss lady who loomed large during her lifetime as one of the most successful monarchs of the East. But there were other royal women in the countries around her, suffering the same trials. Two of them – Alexandra and Mariamne of Judea – became friends with Cleopatra. This is the story of that friendship, and these women's lives. It’s also the story of one of Cleopatra’s greatest rivals and one of the hottest messes in the ancient world: Herod the Great. For a transcript of this episode, images, and more, check out my website. To becom...2021-02-1638 min
The ExploressThe First Ladies of the Roman Empire, Part 6: Empress AgrippinaSeason 2, Episode 31. Last time, we saw Agrippina the Younger survive her exile AND a jealous young empress, only to marry her uncle Claudius and become empress herself. What a comeback! What will she do, now that she's finally achieved the kind of power she's always dreamed of? You can be sure she's about to shatter some imperial glass ceilings, but her position will also force her to make difficult and dangerous choices, and confront unimaginable loss. For a transcript of this episode, images, and more, check out my website. To become a patron, head over to my...2021-01-2540 min
The ExploressThe First Ladies of the Roman Empire, Part 5: Agrippina the YoungerSeason 2, Episode 30. Last time, we saw Agrippina the Elder making some big power plays for her children, but ultimately she lost the imperial game. Her daughter Agrippina the Younger watched as half of her family was murdered, her remaining brother Gaius sent off to the island of Capri to hang out with Tiberius in what has to have been a very tense situation. But that’s all over now. Tiberius has died, and brother Gaius has become emperor. In the years to come, Agrippina will face exile and heartbreak, power and prestige, threat and conspiracy. Ever resilient and ambitious, sh...2021-01-1149 min
The ExploressThe First Ladies of the Roman Empire, Part 4: Livia and Both AgrippinasSeason 2, Episode 29. When we last left Agrippina the Elder and empress Livia, both had hit a real high point in terms of their personal power. But things are about to get pretty messy. Let's explore the end of Livia's life, the rest of Agrippina's, and the fraught beginnings of the legend that is her daughter, Agrippina the Younger. For a transcript of this episode, images, and more, check out my website. To become a patron, head over to my Patreon page. Hear more from Dr. Rad and Dr. G on the Partial Historians podcast. If you're looking...2020-11-1350 min
The ExploressThe Women's Suffrage Movement & American Voting RightsThe story of the American suffrage movement is long and complex, filled with noteworthy characters, highlights and shadows, and plenty of paths we could get lost wandering down. In this bonus episode, I want to explore some of the more haunting aspects of the fight for suffrage, and the dark consequences that come when you don’t have a public voice. For a transcript, images, and a list of suggested reading/podcasts/movies on this issue, check out my website.2020-10-3158 min
The ExploressThe First Ladies of the Roman Empire, Part 3: Livia and Agrippina the ElderSeason 2, Episode 28. Daughter of Rome’s most venerated war hero, favorite granddaughter of its first emperor, wife of one of its most shining stars, Agrippina the Elder was born to be famous, thrust into the spotlight, whether she wanted to bask in it or not. But she also made her own spotlight, always fighting for what she believes in - and against those who would do her family harm. Let's explore the beginnings of Agrippina's story and bask in the latter half of Livia's. For a transcript of this episode, images, and more, check out my website. To...2020-10-2548 min
The ExploressA Brief History of the BraLove them or hate them, bras have always been with us in one form or another. They've squashed us down, lifted us up, and shaped our silhouettes, a constant part of our day to day. Let's take a trip through time to see how - and why - it took shape and meet some of the women who shaped its evolution in this special bonus episode. For a transcript of this episode, images, and more, check out my website. To become a patron, head over to my Patreon page. If you're looking for a good read, go an...2020-10-0928 min
The ExploressThe First Ladies of the Roman Empire, Part 2: Livia, Octavia, and JuliaSeason 2, Episode 27. When we last left our Roman ladies, Octavia and Livia, their lives were changing fast. After all that bloodshed and drama, Octavian has finally been left as the last man standing in the fight for control over Rome. What happens now? Octavian becomes Augustus, Rome’s very first emperor, and the ladies become the imperial legends. Let's explore the extreme highs (and sometimes very low lows) of the women in his life. For a transcript of this episode, images, and more, check out my website. To become a patron, head over to my Patreon page. Li...2020-09-2554 min
The ExploressThe First Ladies of the Roman Empire, Part 1: Livia and OctaviaSeason 2, Episode 26. Let's trace the paths of some of ancient Rome’s first imperial superstars: the wives, sisters, and daughters who rose with Octavian (later Augustus) to become Rome’s first family: Livia, Octavia, Julia, Messalina, both Agrippinas. In a time of great change, these women had to navigate both public love and hate. They had access to power in ways that few women had before them, but to grasp it was a delicate and dangerous game. For a transcript, images, and more, check out my website. To become a patron, head over to my Patreon page. List...2020-09-1149 min
The ExploressArsinoë II, Queenmaker of Ptolemaic EgyptCleopatra maneuvered her way through Egyptian, Greek, and Roman politics, defying the odds to keep the Ptolemaic dynasty – and Egypt’s independence – going. But what of all the Cleopatras who came before her? In delving into Cleo’s life, I found a host of interesting women in the family that shaped her. But only one amongst them truly set the tone for the dynasty, creating a mold that had royal Ptolemaic women ruling not from behind their husbands, but beside them. That woman is Arsinoë II. Let’s dive into the wild and crazy ride that was her life. This...2020-07-1138 min
The ExploressCleopatra, Part 4: Exploring Her LegacySeason 2, Episode 24. Cleopatra died more than 2,000 years ago. And yet stop any person on the street today and ask them who she was, and they’ll know – at least her name. That name has been attached to soaps and bath balms, to slot machines and casinos, to a popular brand of cigarettes. As an asteroid - 216 Kleopatra – the Egyptian queen has even made it to the stars. What is it about Cleopatra that has captured our imaginations for millennia? Why do we remember her the way that we do? Let's travel through the years from her death to the presen...2020-06-2246 min
The ExploressCleopatra, Part 3: It Is Indeed Most FineSeason 2, Episode 23. When we last left Cleopatra, she was creeping out the back door of a chaotic Rome in the wake of Julius Caesar’s death. As she sails the waves back to Alexandria, she broods over what might happen next. She’s just lost her Roman lover, ally, and protector, in a world where Rome is increasingly calling most of the shots. And then there is Caesarion, her son with Julius Caesar. In him, she has both a valuable advantage AND a potential danger. In some ways, she’s just as vulnerable as she was as a young exile...2020-06-131h 00
The ExploressCleopatra, Part 2: Make It SoSeason 2, Episode 22. Last time, we saw Cleopatra grow up in the city of Alexandria, amid both luxury, excess, and the constant threat of death by family member. When her pharaoh father fled Egypt, she went with him, experiencing Rome for the very first time. General Pompey and some of their other Roman friends helped dear old dad win back his throne from his other daughter Berenice, and then, years later, he did something unfortunate: he left Egypt to Cleopatra AND her annoying brother Ptolemy XIII, and then he ALSO put them under Rome’s guardianship. She ruled well for a...2020-05-1930 min
The ExploressCleopatra, Part 1: Growing Up PtolemySeason 2, Episode 21. Cleopatra, the last great queen of Egypt, doesn’t really need an introduction. You can see her in your mind already, can’t you? Pretty and sultry with her cat-eye makeup, covered head to toe in shiny gold. Extravagant, self-serving, ruthless: this epic seductress used every magic trick in her lady arsenal to hold onto power, no matter the cost. Didn’t she? That’s the Cleopatra the ancient Romans want us to see. The truth is that few women’s stories have been more brutally revised by sexist haters. But clear away the acrid smoke of sexist Rom...2020-05-0145 min
The ExploressA History of Women & PoisonSeason 2, Episode 20. Throughout the ages, women have used poison - but their worlds also found ways to poison them. Doctors who didn’t know better, giving them medicine that hurt instead of cured; toxic cosmetics; workplace negligence. In this special bonus episode, we travel through time to explore the link between women and poison in all its different guises, from the lady poisoners of ancient Rome up to the radium poisonings that happened in the 20th century. To support the show and get more bonus episodes like this one, check out my Patreon. To view the show notes, including ima...2020-04-0339 min
The ExploressThe Women Who Ran Ancient Rome, Part 3: FulviaSeason 2, Episode 19. It’s 47 or 46 BCE, and we’ve stepped into a private chamber, where a woman is pulling down her saffron-colored veil. Today she’s getting married, but she’s no blushing virgin. In fact, this is her third marriage, and she’s as shrewd, seasoned, and ambitious as they come. When she marries a man, she becomes his ultimate champion. And lucky for him, her fiancé is about to find out what it means to be married to Rome’s #1 lady gangster. Fulvia is a mighty force of nature. She’s also one of the scariest and least appreciat...2020-03-201h 00
The ExploressThe Women Who Ran Ancient Rome, Part 2: ServiliaSeason 2, Episode 18. In ancient Rome, a woman was defined in relation to her family. Any fame she won was supposed to be confined to the private, domestic sphere. She wove such fine wool; she kept such a fine house; she was so very chaste and never made her father look bad! They weren’t welcome in the public sphere of governance. They couldn't vote or hold office. Theirs was a distinctly patriarchal world, true fame and public achievement was supposed to be reserved for men. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, and in a society that c...2020-02-2743 min
The ExploressThe Women Who Ran Ancient Rome, Part 1: CorneliaSeason 2, Episode 17. In ancient Rome, a woman was defined in relation to her family. Any fame she won was supposed to be confined to the private, domestic sphere. She wove such fine wool; she kept such a fine house; she was so very chaste and never made her father look bad! They weren’t welcome in the public sphere of governance. They couldn't vote or hold office. Theirs was a distinctly patriarchal world, true fame and public achievement was supposed to be reserved for men. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, and in a society that c...2020-02-1445 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in the Ancient Roman Empire, Part 3Season 2, Episode 16. Welcome to a day in the life of an ancient Roman matrona. In Part 3 of our exploration of a Roman woman's day, we go out into the streets, taking in the Coliseum, the Forum, and the famous Roman baths. We'll also go to a dinner party, then talk about sexuality in ancient Rome and what kinds of medical care we can expect to find. For a transcript, a list of my sources, and lots of images, check out my website. To support the show and get extra content and goodies, go to my Patreon page o...2019-11-291h 06
The ExploressA Lady's Life in the Ancient Roman Empire, Part 2Season 2, Episode 15. Welcome to a day in the life of an ancient Roman matrona. Now that we've learned a bit about Rome's overarching history, woken up, visited the bathroom, and gotten dressed and ready for the day in Part 1, let's explore our domus, meet our husband, and talk about some of our rights under the law. We'll find out what women are doing for work and take a trip to the House of Vesta to meet the Vestal Virgins, who are some of the most powerful women in Rome. For a transcript, a list of my sources...2019-11-221h 02
The ExploressA Lady's Life in the Ancient Roman Empire, Part 1Season 2, Episode 14. Let's travel back to ancient Rome and meet the women who lived amid this ancient-world juggernaut. Many are Roman citizens: the wives and daughters and sisters of influential men who use every tool at their disposal to leave a lasting mark on their fast-changing world—and survive its cutthroat rules about what women were allowed to do and be. Others are "barbarians" who refuse to bow to the ever-expanding Empire, fighting against it with both cunning and spears. We will explore the events and laws they had to navigate, the intrigues and wars in which they had a...2019-11-141h 01
The ExploressA History of Female Hair RemovalSeason 2, Episode 13. Our grooming habits are a contested issue, no more so than the question of what we do with our hair down below. This is especially true for women, for whom the question of whether or not to keep the hair down there has been always been charged with social and sexual meaning. How has our relationship with our pubic hair changed over time, from ancient past to present? What influences our feelings and grooming practice? Join me and Lyndsey Craig, a grad student at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (who has conducted a study on this...2019-10-1137 min
The ExploressQueen Olympias & Alexander the Great's Women, Part 2Season 2, Episode 12. In Part 1 we met Olympias, Alexander the Great's mother, and saw her navigate some savage drama to get her and her son to the top. Now let's see what she does when he goes off conquering. When he dies, she and several of Alex's women will battle with the men around them for power - often a battle to the death - in a war for an empire that would put Game of Thrones to shame. Get ready for a whole lot of stabbing. Check out the show notes for a transcript, images, a list o...2019-08-2242 min
The ExploressQueen Olympias & Alexander the Great's Women, Part 1Season 2, Episode 11. Ancient Greek queen Olympias went to epic lengths to ensure her son Alex ended up on the throne. In doing so, she helped make him worthy of his title: Alexander the Great. Alexander accomplished a lot all on his own, but there’s no doubt he got a lot of help from his momma. Despite what some people believed about women being meek and quiet, Olympias was one of the most influential people in his life. She was the ultimate momager, shaping his view of himself and the world, maneuvering through the complexities of the cutthroat Macedonian co...2019-08-1549 min
The ExploressAmazons & the Real Warrior Women of Antiquity, Part 2Episode 2, Season 10. The ancient Greeks told lots of stories about the Amazons: the mythic bands of warrior women that Hellanikos of Lesbos described as "golden-shielded, silver-axed, man-loving, boy-killing females.” They made up fantastic stories about both loving and subduing these women who were bold, violent, promiscuous, and independent: everything a good Greek wife wasn’t supposed to be. To many they were a fantasy, equal parts exciting and terrifying. And for a long time, scholars thought that was all they were: a figment of the Greek imagination. But now we understand that the ancient world saw its fair share of w...2019-08-0832 min
The ExploressAmazons & the Real Warrior Women of Antiquity, Part 1Season 2, Episode 9. The ancient Greeks told lots of stories about the Amazons: the mythic bands of warrior women that Hellanikos of Lesbos described as “a host of golden-shielded, silver-axed, man-loving, boy-killing females.” They made up fantastic stories about both loving and subduing these women who were bold, violent, promiscuous, and independent: everything a good Greek wife wasn’t supposed to be. To many they were a fantasy, equal parts exciting and terrifying. And for a long time, scholars thought that was all they were: a figment of the Greek imagination. But the ancient world saw its fair share of warrio...2019-08-0146 min
The ExploressSappho & Sexuality in Ancient GreeceEpisode 2, Episode 8. When it comes to the words that made it through time to us, ancient Greece is particularly loud with men’s voices. But if you listen, you can hear one woman through the crowd—we still hear her today. Heralded as a genius in her time, Sappho was called “The Poetess” and “The Tenth Muse.” People made coins with her face on them and created honorary statues of her all over Greece. In our century, she’s heralded as one of the earliest same-sex love advocates, boldly writing about lesbian desire. Who was this mysterious woman poet? What did it me...2019-07-2536 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Ancient Greece, Part 2Season 2, Episode 7. Ancient Greece is notorious for keeping women silent, veiled, and firmly fixed at the loom. But was life for women in places like Athens really so restrictive? What did they get up to behind those veils and shaded screens? After exploring their houses, rights and duties in Part 1, we're going to talk about life as a matron: childbirth, Athenian nightlife (including the famous escorts who rule it), ritual and festivals. We'll even hop over to ancient Sparta to see what those hardcore ladies get up to. To check out the show notes, go here. If...2019-07-1041 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Ancient Greece, Part 1Season 2, Episode 6. Ancient Greece is notorious for keeping women silent, veiled, and firmly fixed beside the loom. But was life for the ladies in places like Athens really so restrictive? What did they get up to behind those veils and shaded screens? Let's time travel back to the Classical period to find out what it was like to be them. To check out the show notes, go here. If you'd like to give a one-off donation or become a patron of the show, check out my Patreon page. Music composed on replicated lyres of antiquity...2019-07-0346 min
The ExploressThe History of Women and BeerSeason 2, Episode 5. For millennia, brewing was overwhelmingly a woman’s game. You can’t research beer’s history without stumbling across female brewers. So why, when we conjure up an image of a brewer, is it a bearded dude we always picture? How did beer, both the brewing and the drinking, become overwhelmingly a “man’s drink”? To find out, we’ll explore how beer was made in the ancient world, then skip-hop forward through time up to the present, following a particular story through history: the relationship between women and beer. Their connection to one of the world’s oldest beverag...2019-05-2946 min
The ExploressThe Lady Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, Part 2: Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, and TawosretSeason 2, Episode 4. Let's continue exploring the lives of ancient Egypt's female pharaohs. We'll start by talking about Hatshepsut's rise to fame and glory: how she stayed on top and what she did while she was there. Then we'll dive into the stories of Nefertiti, a savvy beauty queen with a fanatical boyfriend, and Tawosret, who wasn't afraid to get blood on her hands on her path to power. We'll travel through several eras, looking at the Egyptian language of power and what these women had to do to prove they were more than capable of ruling their world. 2019-05-2256 min
The ExploressThe Lady Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, Part 1: Merneith, Neferusobek, and HatshepsutSeason 2, Episode 3. In ancient Egyptian, the word "pharaoh" doesn’t mean king; it means “great house”. They had no word for queen at all. All royal women were defined by their relationship to that house: with titles like Great Royal Wife, Great Royal Daughter, Great Royal Mother. They were there to support, not to rule. And yet, in an ancient world where men ruled the day, Egypt saw a slew of influential females stalking the gilded royal halls. Some were royal wives and mothers, whispering in their pharaoh brother-husband’s ear, and some stepped in to rule for him when he...2019-05-1544 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Ancient Egypt, Part 2Season 2, Episode 2. Let's continue our day as an everyday lady in ancient Egypt's New Kingdom during the 18th Dynasty. We'll talk about what we're doing for both work and pleasure, go to a feast, and explore medicine, contraception, mummification and the afterlife. Put on your best jewels and let's go traveling. For show notes, head over to my website. While you're there, become a patron of the show and receive bonus goodies by clicking on Become a Patron. (Most) music by Keith Zizza and Derek & Brandon Fiechter. 2019-05-0840 min
The ExploressA Lady's Life in Ancient Egypt, Part 1Season 2, Episode 1. Of all the civilizations in the ancient world, Egypt was perhaps the most prone to the miraculous. They invented many wonders: the 365-day calendar, breath mints, paper, the ramp and lever. And then there’s this particular wonder: ancient Egyptian women had more freedom and power than anywhere else in the ancient world. Why was Egypt such an exception to the ancient rule? What did their lives really look like? Grab a linen sheath, your dangliest earrings, and a whole lotta sunscreen. Let’s go traveling. Music from this episode includes: “Hathor,” “Nefertiti,” and “Lost Tombs” from th...2019-05-0146 min
The ExploressPioneer Women in the Wild WestSeason 1, Episode 11. America's Wild West evokes images of grizzled men in fringed chaps, but women were also there to help shape the frontier: the pioneer women who fought through many hardships to carve out a life on the dusty plains and the Mexican and Native American women who were already there, trying to hold on to their way of life. What was life like for these women as they traveled by wagon train and set up houses on the prairie? How did women already living there deal with the threat pioneers posed? And what about the cowgirls and lady...2019-01-1159 min
The ExploressNovelist & Abolitionist: Harriet Beecher StoweThe 19th century's best-selling novel was an incendiary story about the evils of slavery, written by a northern woman who wanted to change the world. Meet Harriet Beecher Stowe, the authoress who refused to sit down and be silent about the peculiar institution. In this bonus episode, let's find out how (and why) she wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, and what about it lit mid-19th century America on fire. We'll also explore what it took to be a lady writer in a time when "working mother" wasn't a thing genteel society wanted you to be. For more...2018-12-2136 min
The ExploressHarriet Tubman & Elizabeth Keckley, Part 2Season 1, Episode 10. Harriet Tubman and Elizabeth Keckley took different paths to freedom, and navigating their new world. One because a famous conductor on the Underground Railroad, spending a decade liberating family and strangers alike. The other became a successful dressmaker in the nation's capitol, dressing the leading political ladies of the day. Both showed an incredible work ethic, a hunger for success, and a deep commitment to themselves and to helping others. Let's hear the rest of their incredible stories!2018-12-011h 15
The ExploressHarriet Tubman & Elizabeth Keckley, Part 1Season 1, Episode 9. Elizabeth Keckley and Harriet Tubman spent decades in bondage, suffering everything the "peculiar institution" promised before finding very different paths to freedom. What they did with that freedom is nothing short of extraordinary. In weaving together the lives of these two incredible women, a picture emerges: a window into what it might have been like to be an enslaved woman in 19th-century America. In Part 1 of this two-part episode, we'll dive into the world they were born into and their childhood struggles, exploring the trials of their lives in chains...and how they ultimately escaped them.2018-11-091h 05