What'sHerName

The Roman Republic is collapsing and everything hangs in the balance. It's a political game of kill-or-be-killed, and Fulvia did not come to play. You've heard of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra. But have you heard of Fulvia, who was in the eye of that infamous ancient Roman storm? ___________________ Travel with us to ITALY, to walk in Fulvia's footsteps! Our new LOST WOMEN OF ITALY Tour is open for registration! Daisy Dunn is an award-winning classicist and author of The Missing Thread, A Women's History of the Ancient World. Music featured in this episode: Michael Levy "Cogitatio," "Sacred Flame of Vesta," "Amatores" Jesse Gallagher: "The Anunnaki Return," "Spirit of Fire" Jimena Contreras: "Cosmic Nightmares" I Think I Can Help You: "Crab Nebula" M Murray: "Viking Medieval Theme" Plus sound effects from YleArkisto and LilMati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Queen Seondeok of Silla was revered for her wisdom, her compassion, and most importantly - her ability to use nature's signs to foretell the future! And with some truly audacious international diplomacy (and a resolute refusal to bend to patriarchal bullying) she would lay the foundations for the unification of The Three Kingdoms - now known as Korea. Karen Wang Diggs, author of The Book of Awesome Asian Women, helps us uncover the life of this elusive and fascinating queen. Huge thanks to the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago for providing some of the music featured in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

150 years ago, Irish farmer Johanna O'Brien created a secret recipe for black pudding. Today, her sausage is beloved by Michelin-star chefs across the world (and the recipe is still secret!). Join Katie on location with Rory Copplestone at Clonakilty Blackpudding in Cork, to hear about a penniless girl who survived the Great Famine, built a thriving farm, and in her sunset years, created one of Ireland's iconic flavors. ____________________ Travel with us: What'sHerName TOURS are open now! Music for this episode is from Andy Reiner and Jon Sousa's Canyon Sunrise; Halfpelican; The Parting Glass by Audionautix; Kevin MacLeod; Jesse Gallagher. Here is the charming vintage documentary on Irish farming life. Become a Patron to get these episodes ad-free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nobody knows her real name. But this "Uncontested Pirate Queen of the Western Mediterranean" certainly earned her title: the Sayyida al Hurra, the Free and Independent Woman. From child refugee fleeing the Spanish Inquisition, to ruling Governor of Tetouan, to the Sultana of Morocco - Sayyida was never one to follow the path society had laid out for her. Author Laura Sook Duncome helps us uncover the mystery of the one and only actual Pirate Queen. Music featured in this episode provided by Farya Faraji, Astron, The Tides, Doug Maxwell, The Mini Vandals, and Patrick Patrikios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She lived through the worst century in human history: the Black Death, famine, war, death and despair. So it was all the more surprising when Julian of Norwich rose from her deathbed saying she'd received a vision from God: All shall be well. How could that be true when the whole world seems to be falling apart? Travel with us to 14th century England, to visit famed mystic Julian of Norwich. I know it sounds crazy, she says, but trust me: everything is love. ____________ Fancy a Julian of Norwich mug reminding you All Shall Be Well? What'sHerName SHOP is open! Or travel with us on upcoming TOURS. Music for this episode featured St. Stanislav Girl's Choir singing compositions by Hildegard of Bingen; plus additional music by Doug Maxwell; Jesse Gallagher; and Jimena Contreras. Simon Critchley's new book is Mysticism; or check out the Showings of Julian of Norwich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mary Ware Dennett was one of the most important and influential activist for women's rights, contraception, free speech and sex education in early 20th century America. So why does her nemesis Margaret Sanger get all the attention? Returning guest Stephanie Gorton helps Olivia unravel the mystery of this fascinating, forward-thinking woman. Music featured in this episode provided by Asher Fulero, Kevin Macleod, The Mini Vandals, Late Night Feeler, Jeff Cuno, Cooper Cannell, Dan Bodan, and the American Quartet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She prevented war and death on an immense scale, in acts that could earn the Nobel Peace Prize today. But History enshrined Sisi, Empress of Austria, as a vain beauty queen. The smear campaign was personal, not political: it started with her own tyrannical mother-in-law. Can Sisi conquer her own self-doubt, and drag draconian Austria into the modern world? Our guest is Nancy Goldstone, author of The Rebel Empresses: Elisabeth of Austria and Eugenie of France, Power and Glamor in the Struggle for Europe. _________________ Music in the episode includes works by Johann Strauss, Joseph Suk, Giuseppe Verdi, Bedrich Smetana, Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert, Franz Liszt, and Kevin MacLeod. Join us on our women's history tours! What'sHerName listeners make the best travel buddies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When world-famous strongman Eugen Sandow finally met his match, nobody expected it to be at the hands of an 18 year old girl. But whether it was bending metal bars, beating horses in a tug-of-war, or hefting her own husband over her head with one arm, German strongwoman Katie Sandwina would continue to shatter records (and Victorian gender norms) for another forty years. Guest Haley Shapley, author of Strong Like Her, introduces Olivia to this astonishing, unexpected heroine. Your wish is our command! THE GREAT SANDWINA hoodies and tanks are HERE! Voiceovers for this episode provided by Marion Lamm, Anica Bell, Mark Henderson, and Matthew Meikle. Music featured in this episode provided by Jeremy Korpas, The United States Marine Band, Asher Fulero, Quincas Moreira, and Amanda Setlik Wilson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A pirate ship jammed with treasure. The worst storm to ever hit Cape Cod. The mythical shipwreck-- 280 years later, found. Everything in this swashbuckling tale (full of impossible things that really did happen) occurred because of Maria Hallett. Did she turn witch, to curse her lover's ship, or to save it? Join us on location at Real Pirates Museum in Salem, MA. Music featured in this episode includes: Blow the Wind Southerly by Anne Norman; Blow Boys Blow and Goodbye Fare You Well from the Library of Congress; and compositions generously shared by Cooper Cannell, Brian Bolger, Patrick Patrikios, Wayne Jones, Jesse Gallagher, and Jimena Contreras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did two ordinary 18th century Anglo-Irish sisters end up gallivanting around the European continent, fraternizing with all the most radical and revolutionary minds of the Enlightenment, and becoming BFFs with a Russian Princess? Guest Dr. Alexis Wolf introduces Olivia to the astonishing lives of Katherine and Martha Wilmot. Music for this episode provided by Amanda Setlik Wilson, Killarney, and Tatyana Kalmokova. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Travel to snowy Victorian Maine in this year's Christmas Special, as Katie reads from the memoirs of Sarah Orne Jewett. An immensely famous and beloved novelist in her day, Sarah wrote wholesome tales of the country folk of Maine, where as a child she had accompanied her physician father on his rounds. Find a massive collection of Sarah Orne Jewett's works collected by the Sarah Orne Jewett Text Project HERE. Our What'sHerName SHOP is open! Every purchase supports our mission to get these women's stories out into the world. Thank you for your support! Music in this episode includes: Fiddlesticks, from their album Cold Fusion; Wexford Carol by Rob Whalen on SoundCloud; Twin Musicom; Cooper Cannell; Kevin MacLeod; Esther Abrami; The Midshipmen Glee Club; Quincas Moreira; Asher Fulero. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zeynab Pasha was one of the most influential voices during several crises of 19th century Iranian history. From the Bread Crisis to the Tobacco Protests and the lead up to Iran's Constitutional Revolution, she led the way in taking back the power of the people. She was legendary, and then she disappeared - literally and figuratively. Author Afarin Bellisario helps us rediscover the life of this incredible woman. Music featured in this episode provided by Farya Faraji and selections from the Women's Worlds in Qajar Iran collection at Harvard University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you knew the recipe for an undetectable poison, would you use it? What about giving it to women with abusive husbands? Giulia Tofana's legendary poison Aqua Tofana was famed and feared in 17th-century Rome. But just how many terrible husbands can drop dead, before the Pope gets suspicious? In this year's Halloween Special, our guests are Gaia Aloisi and Ted Blackburn, the creators of Aqua Tofana, a new electronic opera about the life of Giulia Tofana. ________________ Travel with us in the footsteps of Giulia Tofana's poisoning ring! Our LOST WOMEN OF ITALY TOUR is open for registration! Find out more about Aqua Tofana the opera (and watch the Act 1 Preview) HERE The Black Widows of the Eternal City by Craig Monson is HERE from Indie booksellers You may also enjoy reading Mike Dash's history of Aqua Tofana - a lively summary of the Magical Underworld of Rome, though lacking the primary sources of the trial Music featured: Halloween Midnight by Roman Cano; Ghost Story and Ghost Processional by Kevin MacLeod Episode cover image is from The Love Potion by Evelyn De Morgan, 1903 Become a Patron⁠ for ad-free episodes and help us Make Women's History! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Sigrid Schultz was offered a job as a reporter in Berlin, Germany in 1919, she had no idea how her life was about to change - or how her work would change the world. Returning guest Pamela Toler introduces us to this indomitable woman, who was one of the first to raise the alarm about the Nazis, one of the last to leave as WWII made reporting impossible, and the first woman in history to head an American News Bureau. Music in this episode provided by Andy Reiner, Peak Duo, Amanda Setlik Wilson, Jeff Cuno, Esther Abrami, Sir Cubworth, The New Hot 5, and Emmit Fenn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whenever Teresa Lim asked about a striking woman she saw in old family photos, she was told 'That's Aunt Fanny; she was unfortunate.' So naturally, Teresa Lim spent years excavating Aunt Fanny's life in 1920s Singapore. It's a story of three devoted sisters, ghost husbands, working-class Chinese feminists, and sworn spinsters. Turns out, Fanny was very fortunate indeed...until History arrived at her front door. _________________________ You can buy Teresa Lim's The Interpreter's Daughter and benefit a local indie bookshop HERE Music in this episode was by: The Butterfly Lovers Concerto for violin performed by Takako Nishizaki Doug Maxwell: Honky Tonkin'; Lao Tsu Erhu Gene Kardos' Orchestra: My Extraordinary Gal, 1932 Yao Lie: Rose Rose I Love You Kevin MacLeod: Medusa; March of the Mind; Despair and Triumph Jesse Gallagher: Thin Places Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Throughout the 1920s, three sisters dominated the Australian film scene. The phenomenal filmmaking team of Isabel, Phyllis, and Paulette McDonagh reigned supreme as the undisputed Queens of Silent Cinema... until the talkies arrived to turn everything upside down. Award-winning author Mandy Sayer tells Olivia all about Those Dashing McDonagh Sisters, whose lives were every bit as dramatic (and as complicated) as any Hollywood film. Music featured in this episode provided by Amanda Setlik Wilson, Aaron Kenny, and E's Jammy Jams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aleksandra Samusenko commanded a unit of Soviet tanks through some of the most brutal battles in human history. The Soviet Union never told her story. But an American paratrooper who'd escaped a Nazi POW camp never forgot her. In the final months of World War II, he joined her unit, and together they made the final push to Berlin. Guest Hayley Noble shares the story of THE TANK COMMANDER Aleksandra Samusenko. Haley Noble's website on Soviet Women in Combat is HERE, with social media links HERE. Soviet WWII Music used in this episode can be found HERE. The Russian State History page on Samusenko (with lots of photos and documents) is HERE. Additional music was composed by Exra Lipp, Amulets, Jimena Contreras, Wayne Jones, Esther Abrami, and Quincas Moreira. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For decades, her remarkable achievements as United States First Lady have been overshadowed by her husband's big mistakes. Returning guest Heath Hardage Lee is back to help change that! Olivia introduces us to the remarkable and unfairly forgotten Pat Nixon. Music in this episode provided by The Westerlies, Aaron Kenny, Josh Lippi and the Overtimers, The Mini Vandals, Cooper Cannell, Doug Maxwell, Quincas Moereira, and the US Marine Corps Band. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She was one of the key figures of Irish Independence, known in her lifetime as The Irish Joan of Arc. But somehow, history only remembers her as the woman who wouldn't marry WB Yeats. More recently, a BBC headline called her "Ireland's heroine who had sex in her baby's tomb." Both those things are true, but... her real story is even more bonkers - and of course, so much more amazing. Join us with guest Orna Ross to put Maud Gonne back in her rightful place, among the founders of modern Ireland. Join the Kickstarter Campaign for a special edition of A Life Before benefitting the movement to memorialize Maud Gonne in Dublin! Music in this episode was generously shared by Andy Reiner and Jon Sousa from their album Canyon Sunrise. Plus music from E's Jammy Jams, Jesse Gallagher, Doug Maxwell, Wayne Jones, Kevin MacLeod, and Audionautix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Artemisia Gentileschi was one of the most famed and respected painters in 17th century Europe, but after she died, her story - and many of her works - were lost, and over the years, Artemisia has become better known for what was done to her than for what she did. Award-winning artist Lindsay Huss helps us try to change that. (Content warning: discussions of physical and sexual violence)   Music for this episode provided by Marc Nelson, Advent Chamber Orchestra, Catrin Finch, John Harrison, and the Wichita State University Chamber Players Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices