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It's not just twitter or the 24-hour news cycle that have led to public fascination and uproar about politicians and sex. Turns out, sex scandals been a part of American politics from it's very beginnings. Here's a quick taste of what we're working on for the next episode. Unobserved mourning periods! Social calls left unreturned! Accidental bigamy! Presidential cabinets resigning! Oh wait, that last one is pretty serious...

Listeners, we're back together again! And this week we are asking the hard-hitting questions about the history of menstruation, like, will sharks be attracted to my period if I swim in the ocean and is my feminist book club really all on the same moon cycle?! But, f'reals, this episode is chocked full of stereotypes, mythologies, and concerns over women and their periods. After Lauren nerds out about the linguistic origins of the word menstruation, she gets into the ideas and practices related to periods in Ancient Greece. We then discuss contrasting views of menstrual women. While some cultures see them as powerful, others see them as impure. Turns out, orthodox and traditional forms of most major world religions fall into the latter camp, leading to different types of prohibitions on menstruating women. Sadface. Next we delve into period technology and airquote science! We get into the terror of sanitary belts and why we both were convinced we were always minutes away from contracting toxic shock syndrome as teenagers. Thank god for modern adhesives and government regulation, both from the 1970s. In particular, the dramatic warnings on tampon boxes today are the result of epidemics and activism during the era. Stay tuned to the end to learn if ladies' periods are really controlled by the moon and all sync up together. And finally, you might be asking, where's the sex?! Well, don't worry, we also talk about period sex etiquette and why some people are really jazzed to bone when menstrual blood is involved.

The world of academia has temporarily torn us apart, but never fear, listeners - VOICE MEMOS TO THE RESCUE! This week we talk about love letters from two famous couples - Heloise and Abelard, and Rivera and Kahlo. Heloise and Abelard are your typical 12th-century romance: lots of involvement with the Catholic Church, a castration, and a child smuggled into Brittany. You know, standard stuff. The academic telling of the story has minimized Heloise until quite recently, but don't worry: Lauren is here to point out how she was actually a proto-Marxist badass bitch. Erin discusses Rivera and Kahlo, who had their own rather violent love story. Maybe it's the passion that makes their letters so rich. All this leaves us with an important question, though: since so few people write love letters, what is taking their place? Could it be sexting? Is this bad for the nation? Will we survive the anarchy of explicit emojis?? Find out in this thrilling episode.

Hey guys, we're busy getting the next episode together, but thought we'd share a few minutes of our convo with you in the meantime. We'll be talking at your real soon!

In our experience, every boner at some point won't bone, but there still seems to be a lot of anxiety wrapped up in very common issues we define as dysfunction. As usual, we start of the episode shooting the shit about our personal experiences with dysfunction. Spoiler: theres a lot of "idiosyncratic boners" in our dating histories. Stay tuned to the end of the ep for some honest and thoughtful talk from friend of the show, Kasey, on desire in long-term relationships. She tells us what its like to be both the partner with no sex drive and the one doing all the initiating. Our history this week is not so old. Sexologists didn't really start studying dysfunction until the 1960s. After their widely popular first book on the physiology of sex, awesome researchers Masters & Johnson started looking into "sexual inadequacy" and developing ways to treat it. The next big milestone in the history of sexual dysfunction is the invention of viagra and the beginning of direct to consumer marketing. Seriously, can anyone else get through an episode of something without seeing an "ED" ad? You're drunk Hulu analytics, go home. Lauren also gives us the skinny on the other cultural changes happening in the the 90s and 2000s that lead everything from conservative Christian marriage advice manuals to Cosmo sex columns touting "10 New Ways to Drive Him Crazy in Bed!" to tell everyone they should constantly be having awesome sex. If there are any sex wizards out there who know the secret to mind-blowing boning every time, you know how to reach us.

In the latest episode we chat about the "Golden Age" of pornography, which begins, surprisingly with Andy Warhol in 1969. While his "Blue Movie" might have kicked off the era, it was really Deep Throat that made serious waves in pop culture and US law. We also get into the impact of video and the internet and discuss whether or not we should really upgrade to some "artisanal" porn that costs money. #adulting And stay tuned to the end for an awesome musical bonus! Til next time, follow, like and subscribe. If you like fun sex history facts and articles about what the crazy kids are doing these days, check out Facebook and Twitter. The end. And a deep throat to you all.

This week's episode takes on pornography, and it turns out we had a lot to say on the subject. So, we give you part 1, and we'll be back in two weeks with the thrilling conclusion! Before we get to the history of early pornography, we talk about our first experiences with porn as young people which involves some confusion and for Lauren some frustration over the double standards between porn preferences and real-life sex. For our history this week, we start with 18th century France and Lauren explaining the "forbidden bestsellers" in the revolutionary era. Turns out the French loved their philosophy with a side of erotica. We also get into the continued associations between the dirty dirty French and porn in the US. Did you guys know that just about every innovation in communication changes porn pretty quickly? Erin talks underground Austrian stag film clubs, Edison, and the exciting history of bathtub peeping. Next episode we're going to delve even more into recent history --the "Golden Age of Porn" in the 1970s, legal debates over censorship, the internet--and share some chats we had with friends and listeners of the show about their thoughts and experiences with porn. Wanna talk about yours? Get in touch! As always, follow, like, and share! And, if you have some thoughts on porn or any of our previous topics, record a voice memo and email it to us at historyofbaddates at gmail dot com and maybe you'll hear yourself on the next episode.

And now for part two of our podcast crossover fun with the Alyssa and Wazina from Follow that Flannel! The four of us talk sex ed over the last 100 years and why we still use confusing animal metaphors to try to talk to young people about sex. We start with our own experiences learning (or mostly not learning) the birds and the bees as young people. Encyclopedias and google were pretty crucial here, priests were not. Our history this episode covers the origins of sex ed in the US and what they were teaching young people back then. The 1910s is when kids starting learning about sex in the classroom from educators rather than in the barnyard or the home. By the 1920s and 1930s, sex ed or "marriage education" courses were common in high schools and colleges across the country. Then, as is often the case now, the overarching message to young people was "don't do it." Also, fear mongering about venereal disease and masturbation. Finally, Alyssa and Wazina talk to us about what it's like to be sex educators today. Highlights: the politics of sex ed content and funding, sexuality pie, giving agency to young women, trans- and homophobia, explaining merkins, and why the alternative title for this episode should be "Sex Education, or Counting Holes for Beginners." Turns out they're the sex ed teachers we all wish we had as kids--funny and completely honest about everything from scat play to marriage pressure. If you like what you hear from them, make sure to check out their podcast! As always, follow us on Twitter (@baddatehistory) and like our new Facebook page for more fun sex history facts in between episodes.

Guys! We're back and we've missed you. Our first episode of the new year is about penises and what makes them "ideal" in different times and places. What has been the gold standard for dicks in ancient Egypt all the way to today? Turns out, lots of cultures have had really specific ideas about what type of penises were attractive--big, small, circumcised, or not. Other highlights include satirical papyrus porn, Erin's encounter with a half giant penis, Greek fertility gods losing their boners, terrifying codpieces, and the foreskin restoration movement. And, whatever you do, don't let the head of your penis show at the gymnasium in Ancient Greece. Wow, we saved you some real embarrassment there... Next we chat with friend of the show, Anthony the biologist, who gives us the lowdown on the variety of crazy penises in the animal world. Self-guiding penis missiles! Corkscrew dongs! As people without penises, we did our best to tell you about their history and show them some love. They've done a lot for us. Also, serious question, should "dick scanner" go on one's resume? #askingforafriend As always, send us voice memos with your comments to historyofbaddates at gmail dot com and be sure to follow up on social media if you want more pictures of crazy animal dicks!

Hey guys! We're busy getting everything geared up for a brand new year (spoiler: how did you learn about sex? Send us your tweets, comments, and voice memos and tell us!). While we concentrate on upcoming episodes, ugly sweaters, crafting last minute gifts, and grading papers (oh-so-many papers), we thought we'd share the entirety of our recent interview with Babeland co-founder Claire. We had to cut a lot out to fit it into our episode two weeks ago, but thought you guys would be interested in all the other great stuff that didn't make it in--Fifty Shades of Grey and more! We'll be back with you guys in two more weeks. Until then, we hope you're eating and drinking well, and going to some weird parties. We know we've got some new strange stories to share with you guys already!

We're talking about a subject that historically seems to have introduced quite a bit of anxiety in men and women alike. (And according to our very scientific poll of Lauren's hetero dude friends, still causes anxiety for men today.) That's right, it's vibrator time, and we've got an expert on the subject sharing her knowledge! First, we take you all the way back to ancient Greece for Galen, hysteria or "the wandering womb," and the history of the "non-sexual" clitoral orgasm. We finally get to the invention of the vibrator in the 19th century when weak-wristed physicians were really concerned about time-management. Under discussion: vibrators in doctor's offices, Sears-Roebuck catalogs, the kitchen, and, inevitably, popular culture. Then, we're super excited to share Erin's interview with Claire, one of the founders of Babeland! They talk in the Soho store about what sex shops were like in the 90's, the experiences that drove her and her business partner Rachel to open Babeland, and the value of artisinal vibrators. Lastly, we have a submission from a friend talking about his emotional journey when a new partner unexpectedly tossed a vibrator into their sexy time salad. What happens? Does he start crying and run away? Refuse to ever look at another girl naked? Enjoy the fuck out of the experience? Only one way to find out. Wanna see those first vibrators? That sexy water cannon we were talking about? Of course you do. Check us out on Instagram (@historyofbaddates) and Twitter (@baddatehistory). Until next time!

This week we tackle "red flags" or those moments when your spidey-sense is tingling and you should have (but regrettably didn't) recognize a bad situation. Inspired by our worst date experiences that we somehow didn't see coming, we also explain why Europeans should have known something was a brewin' in 1914 and World War I was going to "suck hard." Potentially inappropriate comparisons include: entangling European alliances, dating your friends, and inevitably having to divide pumpkin carving events; militarism, mustard gas, and aggressive texting; nationalism and neighborhood chauvinism; and finally, why assassinations and bragging about erotic poetry readings should get everyone worried. (Like, fer serious, how could you overlook that?) And, we talk about what we think our own red flags are...ex boyfriends and dudes who never texted us back, feel free to let us know. Also, we're putting together a mini episode with listeners own "red flag" experiences. If you want to contribute, send us a voice memo at historyofbaddates at gmail dot com. If you're not already subscribed on iTunes or SoundCloud, or following us on Twitter and Instagram, do it now!

This week we're tackling the history of non-hormonal birth control from pre-history cave people times to the present. Turns out, from the beginning of humans humaning, we've been trying to have sex without having babies. We're gonna give you the skinny on all the strange and not so strange things used by the ancient Greeks & Egyptians, 16th century European soldiers, and Americans after the vulcanization of rubber. In addition to all the technological talk about animal intestines and mass-produced diaphragms, we'll also get into how politics, culture, and economics often have had even more to do with what methods of birth control people are using than the latest birth control discoveries. Case and point, America freaks out in the 19th century over all the birth control they think middle-class white ladies are using and makes it illegal! Who doesnt love a good sex panic? And don't worry, we'll also talk about out own awkward experiences with birth control, rag on abstinence-only sex education, and dissect that frequent nagging fear for hetero ladies that you might be pregnant. Comment and let us hear your thoughts! Follow us on the social medias for fun birth control images and facts--Twitter (@baddatehistory) & Instagram (historyofbaddates). Subscribe on iTunes, SoundCloud, or whatever you use to listen to podcasts to automatically have us in your pocket every other Wednesday.

Happy fall listeners! We're getting pretty jazzed about a gentle gourd season. We're also excited to share Episode 3, in which we discuss a widespread phenomenon we've all experienced, and the differences between common male and female approaches to navigating it. That's right, it's time for the friend zone conversation. Would it surprise you to learn that Erin and I dislike it intensely? And that it's led to awkward social situations?! Spoilers: accidental sexting, subway goodbyes, and some serious backyard BBQ debates. Before we debate and laugh with a new friend of the show (David), we discuss passionate and, potentially, although not necessarily, romantic friendships between women in conservative, middle-class America prior to World War I. Turns out in the past there were a lot more options besides "just friends" and "more than friends" for women. Listen on to hear how Alexander Hamilton fits in to all of this and how historians have put gay relationships in the friend zone. Want more? Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and iTunes, where you can subscribe! We'd love to hear about your experiences with the "friend zone" and whether or not you think it's a real place.

We're back with Episode 2, talking about the history of what women have been wearing under their clothes since the 17th century. Spoiler Alert: underthings weren't considered "sexy" until bathing regularly was "fashionable." We get into the marketing of corsets, the meaning of "airbrushed sexuality," and dating underwear strategies. We also talk with two biologists about the study of rats, "lingerie," and what combining the two can tell us about human sexuality. Be sure to check us out on Insta (historyofbaddates) and Twitter (@baddatehistory), where we'd love to hear about your approach to or thoughts on lingerie. We'll be back in two weeks, talking about the history of vibrators, how historians ended up studying the subject, and why it's so important.

Hey guys! We’re excited to share our first podcast with you on treating, this practice of men paying for dates and expecting things in return. In it, we talk about the most recent time Lauren texted Erin from the bathroom of a bad date, and the conversation that drove Lauren into that bathroom. Turns out we can blame industrialization and women’s low pay in factories for every awkward “should-I-pay-sort-of-grab-the-wallet-half-eye-contact-argggghghg” situation that any of us has ever endured. Also, we’ll discuss the super-sexual history of roller coasters, when prostitution became a career (it’s newer than you think), male guilt for letting ladies pay, and talk to our friend Kate for a non-hetero perspective on the who pays dilemma. Be sure to check us out on Insta (historyofbaddates) and Twitter (@baddatehistory), where we’d love to hear about your worst “who pays” experiences. Thanks for listening!