Watch Her Cook

Before food TV came to be, one woman taught America how to cook with joy… and lots of butter. From writing to working for the CIA, Julia Child’s path led her to Paris, where she discovered French cuisine and forever changed how America eats. Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast  Sources: The history of chocolate | alimentarium The French Chef - SNL  French Onion Soup | The French Chef Season 1 | Julia Child  Excerpt from 'A Covert Affair: Julia Child and Paul Child in the OSS' » PopMatters  The Passionate, Progressive Politics of Julia Child | The New Yorker  Paul Child, Artist, Dies at 92 - The New York Times  JULIA CHILD / 1912-2004 - Los Angeles Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She is known as “Miss Unsinkable.” Between the years 1908 and 1950, Violet Jessop worked as a stewardess and nurse aboard some of the most famous ships in history. Incredibly, she survived not one, not two, but three maritime disasters- including the Titanic itself.  Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast  Sources: The Stunning Survival Story of Ernest Shackleton and His Endurance Crew | HISTORY  Titanic survivor : the memoirs of Violet Jessop, stewardess https://web.archive.org/web/20120117003457/http://www.biography.com/people/violet-jessop-283646  Violet Constance Jessop : Titanic Stewardess (Survivor)  The Woman Who Survived All Three Disasters Aboard the Sister Ships: the Titanic, Britannic, and Olympic  Unsinkable Violet Jessop: Survivor of the Titanic and two other ship disasters | Sky HISTORY TV Channel  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early decades of the twentieth century, tuberculosis was a shadow that loomed over New York City. Amid segregation and discrimination in American health care, a group of black nurses at New York’s Sea View Hospital rose to the occasion. Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast  Sources: The Underground Railroad | Short History Of... | Noiser History Podcasts  Tuberculosis  Virginia Allen, one of the last surviving “Black Angels”, is Graduation Keynote Speaker | NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing  The ‘Black Angels’ who helped cure tuberculosis - The Emancipator  (The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis by Maria Smilios) The Heroic Black Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis | Scientific American  "Racial and Religious Democracy": Identity and Equality in Midcentury Courts by Elizabeth D. Katz :: SSRN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 18th-century France, Chevalière d’Éon became famous as a brilliant spy and diplomat- and one of the first openly transgender figures in European history. Throughout their life, it was unknown if they were a man or a woman, living boldly between identities and loyalties, carrying out secret missions for both France and England. Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast Sources: She went to the field : women soldiers of the Civil War : Tsui, Bonnie : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive  The Incredible Chevalier d'Eon, Who Left France as a Male Spy and Returned as a Christian Woman - Atlas Obscura  D'Eon de Beaumont, his life and times; : Homberg, Octave, 1876-1941 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive  Lettres, mémoires et négociations particuliéres du chevalier d'Éon : Misitre Plemipotentiaire aupres du Roi de la Grande-Bretagne; avec M.M. les Ducs de Praslin, de Nivernois, de Sainte-Foy, & Regnier de Guerchy, Ambassad. Extr. &c.&c.&c. : Eon de Beaumont, Charles Geneviève Louis Auguste André Timothée d', 1728-1810 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive  The Chevalière d'Eon, Transgender Autobiography and Identity - Morris - 2019 - Gender & History - Wiley Online Library  The French Diplomat Who Lived as Both a Man and a Woman | HISTORY  Charles, chevalier d’Éon de Beaumont | French secret agent, Eonism | Britannica  French Revolution: Timeline, Causes & Dates | HISTORY  Louis XIV | Palace of Versailles BBC - History - King Louis XV  Le Secret du roi ou l'histoire d'une sottise on JSTOR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During the height of spiritualism in the 1920s, Boston medium Mina "Margery" Crandon became a sensation with her dramatic séances and claims of spiritual contact. But not everyone was convinced. Rose Mackenberg, an investigator who worked alongside Houdini, went undercover to expose fraudulent mediums across the country - including mediums like Mina. Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast  Sources: Hauntings - Series 1: 1. The Enfield Poltergeist - BBC iPlayer  Enfield Poltergeist | Skeptical Inquirer  Overlooked No More: Rose Mackenberg, Houdini’s Secret ‘Ghost-Buster’ - The New York Times  HOUDINI'S GREATEST NEMESIS — American Hauntings  Houdini's Greatest Trick: Debunking Medium Mina Crandon  “The First Klansman”: Xenophobia, Faith, and Redemption in the Indiana Klan | Invisible Indianapolis  Ghosts, apparitions, and poltergeists : an exploration of the supernatural through history Article clipped from The Gazette The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Imagine a dollhouse, but amongst the miniature furniture and doors, you find…a murder scene. Frances Glessner Lee- often referred to as the “Mother of Forensic Science” - created tiny crime scenes known as the Nutshell studies, to revolutionize the way detectives investigated real cases. In this episode, we uncover how a woman from Chicago’s elite society transformed her privilege and passion into a legacy that shaped modern forensic science. Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast  Sources: Frances Glessner Lee – Science Technology and Society a Student Led Exploration  Murder Is Her Hobby: Frances Glessner Lee and The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death The Woman Who Invented Forensics Training with Doll Houses | The New Yorker  Tiny Murder Scenes are the Legacy of N.H. Woman Known as 'The Mother of CSI' | New Hampshire Public Radio  Glessner House  The Story of a House: Frances Glessner Lee and Erle Stanley Gardner  Death in Diorama: The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death | Legacy of Frances Glessner Lee  Frances Glessner Lee: The Mother of Forensic Science - A&E True Crime  The Formation of the Department of Legal Medicine · Corpus Delicti: the Doctor as Detective · OnView  Solon and Croesus  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Georgia Frontiere rose from the entertainment world to become one of the most powerful women in professional sports, making history as the first female primary owner of an NFL team. Facing intense public scrutiny, she guided the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl championship and cemented a legacy of resilience, vision, and underestimated leadership in the league. Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast  Sources: Former Rams Cornerback Jalen Ramsey Spotted in Los Angeles Socialite moved Rams to St. Louis - Los Angeles Times  Georgia Frontiere, 80, First Female N.F.L. Owner, Is Dead - The New York Times  End of an Era: The Rise and Fall of Georgia Frontiere  ESPN.com: NFL - L.A. Confidential, Part 1: Retracing the missteps in L.A.  57c. The Equal Rights Amendment  Who Killed the ERA? | Linda Greenhouse | The New York Review of Books  What is your opinion on Georgia Frontiere? : r/LosAngelesRams  From the Archives: Georgia Frontiere is St. Louis' misery, and it can have her - Los Angeles Times  Google newspaper The Myth of 'Bloody Mary,' England's First Queen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early 19th century, most people thought extinction was impossible - if no new creatures appeared, how could any have ever vanished? Mary Anning, a young fossil hunter from Lyme Regis, proved them wrong with discoveries that rewrote Earth’s history. Living on the Jurassic Coast, she became the first to uncover the first complete skeleton of an extinct marine reptile, changing paleontology forever. Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast  Sources: Mary Anning: the unsung hero of fossil discovery  Mary Anning: Biography  Mary Anning 1799-1847 Mary Anning- museum of earth  The life of Mary Anning, fossil collector  Smithsonian magazine  The geological society  Mcgill- William Buckland  Sir Henry De La Beche  Rosalind Franklin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back with Part 2 of our Nellie Bly series! Last week, we shared how Nellie went undercover in an asylum to expose the abuse and neglect happening behind closed doors. Her reporting shocked the nation and sparked real reform. This week, we follow her next bold chapter - the story of how she circumnavigated the globe. In 1889, Nellie set off on a solo journey to beat Jules Verne’s fictional Around the World in 80 Days. With just a single satchel, she crossed oceans, continents, and countless cultural boundaries and ended up making history.  Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast  Sources: Nellie and other 19th-century writers  Life Story: Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman, aka Nellie Bly (1864-1922) Heinz history center  The route of: Nellie Bly Remarkable Nellie Bly oil drum Nellie Bly- LA times  Nellie Bly students guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You may know us from our other podcast, National Park After Dark (Apple and Spotify). This week on Watch Her Cook, we will be sharing a National Park After Dark Episode about fearless Journalist, Nellie Bly, in our first 2-part series! In 1887, Nellie faked insanity to expose the brutal conditions inside Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum. Her daring undercover investigation not only shocked the nation, but ignited real change in mental health care and journalism. Join us next week for Part 2 where we follow Nellie on her groundbreaking journey to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. See you then! Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1848 marked the start of a wave of westward expansion that would forever change the American frontier and the lives of the Native peoples who called it home. Amid this upheaval rose Chipeta- a warrior for peace, a skilled diplomat and the soon-to-be voice of the Uncompahgre tribe. Married to Chief Ouray, Chipeta played a vital role in negotiations between Native nations and the U.S. government- helping to bridge the two worlds, often standing as the only woman at the table. This episode tells the story of her strength and compassion amongst the heartbreak, and explains why she will forever be honored as “Queen of the Utes” Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast Sources:  The valley of opportunity: A history of west-central colorado  Chipeta: A detailed story Colorado Encyclopedia Chipeta: native american rights and diplomat Ute indians: history to go Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1986, over 350 passengers on board Pan Am Flight 73 were faced with a traveller’s worst nightmare… their plane was hijacked. At just 22 years old, head flight attendant, Neerja Bhanot, stepped up to lead the cabin crew- making decisions that would come to define one of the most heroic responses in aviation history. This episode explores the story of Neerja and the brave flight attendants who risked their lives to protect the lives of strangers in the face of terror. Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast  Sources: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/chandigarh/when-neerja-s-husband-told-her-if-you-can-t-cook-stop-eating-647498/ Michael Thexton- A 13-hour hijack Goodbye darling, please keep coming; Here's what Neerja Bhanot's father wrote in her memory in 1986 BBC- Inside the hijack: The unheard stories of Pan Am 73 Neerja Bhanot- Inspiration Personified  Neerja: A fond tribute to a forgotten hero The story of Neerja Bhanot- India’s flight attendant Remembering Neerja Bhanot: Rare photos of India’s Braveheart Neerja’s father penned this heartbreaking piece  Tribute India Times The story of Pan American world airways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She was a woman who lived many lives. When beauty meets genius, the result is Hedy Lamarr. Even though she is known for her glamorous Hollywood roles, Hedy was also an inventor whose technology laid the groundwork for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. This episode uncovers her journey from silver screen star to tech thought-leader, revealing how her brilliance changed the world, even though it went unrecognized in her lifetime. Follow us on Instagram: @watchhercookpodcast  Sources: How Hollywood Star Hedy Lamarr invented the tech behind wifi  Hedy Lamarr and frequency hopping  Frequency hopping spread spectrum  Hedy Lamarr- Sultry star who reigned in Hollywood of 30s and 40s  Random Paths to frequency hopping Bombshell: Interview with Richard Rhodes on Hedy Lamarr How Hedy Lamarr and her inventions changed the world  Hollywood’s Brightest Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr story  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In light of Independence Day, we will not be releasing an episode this week. We'll be back next Wednesday, July 9, with another powerful story from an incredible woman! See you then! Please support us by subscribing and following us on Instagram: ⁠@watchhercookpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She was a loving mother, a grieving widow–and one of America’s most prolific female serial killers. In the 19th century, Norwegian immigrant Belle Gunness lured wealthy suitors to her Indiana farmhouse through newspaper ads promising love, fortune, and a fresh start—only for them to strangely disappear. What investigators discovered when they visited her home would leave behind one of the most chilling mysteries in American true crime history. Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@watchhercookpodcast ⁠ Sources: ⁠How the farm girl became the butcher of lonely men ⁠ ⁠Butcher of Men’: A murderous woman thrives in a credulous era⁠ ⁠100 year mystery: did she commit murder?⁠ ⁠Belle Gunness: Poisonous Pen⁠ ⁠Belle Gunness- crime library ⁠ ⁠Belle Gunness- murderpedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the heartland of rural India, 400,000 women dressed in pink saris have come together to fight domestic abuse, caste discrimination, and political corruption. Founded by Sampat Pal Devi, the “Gulabi Gang” carries bamboo sticks—not to incite violence, but to demand accountability where institutions have failed. In a society that often silences women and the marginalized, the gang has found power in numbers, reminding us all that when women stand together, they stand stronger. Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@watchhercookpodcast ⁠ Sources: ⁠India's Gulabi Gang: A force to be reckoned with⁠ ⁠Pink Vigilante's poll fight for Indian women's rights⁠ ⁠India’s Castocracy Dalit outcastes in the caste systems ⁠ ⁠Fighting for women’s rights in India⁠ ⁠Carrying a big stick: India’s Gulabi Gang⁠ ⁠Gulabi Gang Breaking the Ceiling with Lathis⁠ ⁠India’s Women Warriors⁠ ⁠From Lathis to London Museum⁠ ⁠Women's Vigilantism in India: A Case Study of the Pink Sari Gang⁠ ⁠The Gulabi Gang as a Social Movement⁠ ⁠India’s Big Gang Vigilantes⁠ ⁠Sampat Pal Devi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What began as a vivid dream on a stormy night during the “Year Without a Summer,” after a round of German ghost stories by the fire, would go on to spark the birth of science fiction. In this episode, we will explore Mary Shelley’s journey from her childhood to becoming the author of Frankenstein, and how her imagination–and pain–brought a creature to life that still resonates with us so deeply today. Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@watchhercookpodcast ⁠ Sources: ⁠Times: Did a Real-Life Alchemist Inspire Frankenstein?⁠ ⁠Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus⁠ ⁠Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley- Poetry Foundation⁠ ⁠JStore: Mary Shelleys obsession with the cemetery⁠ ⁠Artificial intelligence and Frankenstein- comparative analysis ⁠ ⁠Frankenstein or Modern Prometheus: Issues in biomedical science⁠ ⁠Frankenstein at 200: Why hasn’t Mary Shelley been given the respect she deserves?⁠ ⁠Mary Shelley Biography⁠ ⁠This day in history: Frankenstein published ⁠ ⁠Smithsonian Magazine- Breaking auction records⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the filthy streets of Victorian South London, a group of women from Elephant and Castle pulled off the largest and most sophisticated shoplifting operation in British history. Known as the Forty Elephants, these working-class women built a tightly run underground network—strategic, stealthy, and nearly untouchable. Targeting high-end department stores, they outsmarted police, intimidated male gangs and pulled off flawless heists again and again. Follow us on Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠@watchhercookpodcast ⁠⁠⁠ Sources: ⁠Dirty London: How Victorian Filth Formed the Urban Detective⁠ The Lady Gangsters of the Victorian Age⁠ ⁠Crime and the Victorians⁠ ⁠The Sun– Glamour Gangsters⁠ ⁠Meet The Forty Elephants, The All-Girl Gang From London⁠ ⁠What was crime like in Victorian London?⁠ ⁠https://www.walks.com/blog/crime-victorian-london/⁠ ⁠The all women gang that robbed London blind⁠ ⁠London’s Female Thieves, 1700-1710⁠ ⁠Criminal Gangs of 19th Century Britain⁠ ⁠Crime chronicles: Part 2⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In light of Memorial Day, we will not be releasing an episode this week. We'll be back next Wednesday, June 4, with another powerful story from an incredible woman! Please support us by subscribing and following us on Instagram: @watchhercookpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It began in the crowded harbors of Guangdong, where intelligent woman, Zheng Yi Sao, worked aboard a floating brothel. Through strategy, negotiation and an unshakable understanding of power, she went on to become the leader of 70,000 pirates, command hundreds of ships and take control over trade in the South China Sea—making her one of the most feared pirates ever recorded in history.   Sources: ⁠History of the Pirates Who Infested the China Sea From 1807 to 1810⁠ ⁠Royal Museums Greenwich⁠ ⁠Great Explorers: Zheng Yi Sao⁠ ⁠Cheng Yi Sao, Female pirate extraordinaire ⁠ ⁠Zheng Yi Sao: The most successful pirate you’ve never heard of⁠ ⁠Chinese piracy in the late 18th and 19th centuries  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices