Harlots of History

Ma Rainey: Boas, Boll Weevils, and Orgies. Mar 01, 2021

While Ma Rainey is the Mother of the Blues, yet when she died, her occupation was recorded as "housekeeper" and her death was never reported. Most of the press coverage she receives today is in response to the new movie on Netflix (which, while amazing, is based on all fictional characters except Ma herself). Emily tells Karamia about Ma: who always travelled with Peacock feathers; whose music defied heteronormative expectations of the 1920's; and who was once arrested for having an orgy with her female band members. Pour yourself some gin and dive in as we learn that boll weevils are not rabbits; Elvis stole a lot of songs from Black female songwriters; and Ma may have inadvertently inspired Karamia's shoulder tattoo.

Get Off Your High Tomato: Josephine Baker Part III Feb 22, 2021

Well, we did it. We finally finished the saga of Josephine Baker. In this emotional roller coaster of an episode, we learn about Josephine's 12 adopted children; her friendship with Grace Kelly; and her career as a civil rights activist (among many others). Get out your tissues and your wine coolers; this episode is a doozy, but a perfect way for us to wrap up the thousand lives of Josephine Baker.

Ostrich Carriages Are The Only Way To Travel: Josephine Baker Part 2 Feb 18, 2021

Welcome to part 2 of Josephine Baker! Because her life is SO INTERESTING, we decided to extend it into three parts. In this episode, we will talk about her movie career; her opera performances; her time with the Ziegfeld Follies; her career as a French Resistance fighter; and how she travelled around town in a carriage drawn by an ostrich. Fake Counts with fake monocles; undercover spies in Portugal; Cheetahs named Chiquita: this episode has it all. Grab your Bouillon cubes and a stiff Martini, and settle in for what may be our most interesting Harlot yet!

Valentine's Day Special: Harlots' Love Stories Feb 14, 2021

Happy Valentine's/Galentine's/Ballantine's day. We are so excited to spend it with all of our harlots! For a special treat, we asked you to send us in your terrible love stories, and boy did you deliver. Grab a box of red wine and 7 cappuccinos as we dive into some truly terrible horrid stories, and regale you with some of our very own worst (and best) dates. Story titles include... Catfish is Only Good Served Deep Fried; Bloody Valentine; and Misogyny? I Don't Know Her. Enjoy!

Naked in Her Dressing Room Eating Lobster: Josephine Baker (Part 1) Feb 08, 2021

When the lights went up for the show and Josephine Baker was nowhere to be found... it was because she was naked in her dressing room eating lobster. We don't know about you, but we REALLY want to be friends with her. We weren't really sure how to fit someone who lived 1000 lives into one episode, so we decided to split up Josephine's story into two. In Part 1, Karamia tells Emily about Josephine's childhood: from supporting her entire family at age 9; to marrying TWO different men named Willy before age 15; to wowing audiences from St. Louis to Paris with her infectious grin and goofy faces. Grab yourself a plate of lobster; rename all your pets "Tomato"; put on a fake monocle, and get ready to fall in L.O.V.E. with Josephine.

PS... at the end of the episode we get cut off before we can tell you goodbye (but we were probably done saying anything interesting anyway).

Super Secret Medieval Affair Jan 25, 2021

Welcome to our last medieval episode! Karamia tells Emily about a super scandalous affair in 1300s France that inadvertently caused the 100 years war. Intrigued? You'll just have to listen to find out! Grab your wine flagons, your favorite Brie, your dashing knight, and head to a tower where they hopefully have WIFI so you can listen to this titilating episode!

Madona/Whore/Alice Perrers Jan 18, 2021

Last week, we talked about the War of the Roses. This week, we are going back a little bit further... Emily tells Karamia about Alice, who came from nothing (literally, we know nothing about her) but rose through the ranks to quickly become the richest woman in England. Along the way we will discuss Edward III. Phillipa the Phertile, and how Karamia once ran into a window in Armani Exchange. Grab your turkey legs, 400 gallons of gascon wine, and settle in for a rowdy episode, chalk-full of good olde-fashioned EmilyRants (TM).

Punished for Harlotry: Jane Shore (and the War of the Roses) Jan 11, 2021

Hey, remember season 5 of Game of Thrones when Cersei had to do the literal walk of shame? Turns out, like a lot of Game of Thrones, it actually happened! (well, without the dragons and ice monsters). Emily tells Karamia about Jane Shore, the mistress of Edward IV who was punished for Harlotry by walking through the streets Cersei-style! Along the way, we attempt to unravel the sticky time web of War of the Roses, and ask....why did everyone have to name their kids Edward, Henry, and Richard and not something unique like Moonshine? So grab your Kirtles and Tapers and a big ol' mug of wine, and join us for ye olde fashioned Harlotry!

Agnes Sorel: The OG Royal Mistress Jan 05, 2021

Welcome to Medieval Mistress Month! We are excited to let our Apple Dumpling Shops loose and talk about some pretty peachy mistresses. To kick it off, Karamia tells Emily about Agnes Sorel, the original ORIGINAL royal mistress to King Charles VII, who ruled the country (while Charles was in the corner being creepy); invented fashion and forks; and was the victim of a 600-year-old secret mercury poisoning plot. So grab your Meade and your favourite fur coat, and please help us figure out what century we are actually in.

We Are Not Joking: "Operation Midnight Climax" Was A Real CIA Program Dec 31, 2020

Welcome to the end of 2020! We are so happy this year is almost over, and while we all have a lot of work to do in 2021... we wanted to kick off the New Year by telling you about one of the craziest CIA covert ops EVER and it's super-secret code name: Operation Midnight Climax. Yup. That's it, that's the real name. Karamia tells Emily about this sub-project of MKUltra, and how the CIA opened "safe-houses" (brothels) in San Francisco, paid sex workers to bring men back and unknowingly give them LSD-laced cocktails...all while CIA operatives sat behind two-way mirrors sitting on portable toilets drinking pitchers of martinis and recording....nothing. So grab your sparklers and sparkling beverage, lock your doors (because it is SUPER not safe outside), and help us kick off 2021 by asking, What in the actual fork?

"No Woman Can Love A Man Enough To Kill Him": The Real Women of "Chicago" Dec 29, 2020

Hi Harlots! After a few diva moments of exhaustion, we FINALLY bring you... Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner... aka the inspirations behind Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly. Emily tells Karamia about what happens when you mix gin, sex, revolvers, and too-tight curls. (Hint: It ain't good.) Beulah watched her lover die while drinking cocktails and listening to cocktails, and Belva once threatened to kill her husband for walking in on her with another man. Intrigued? Grab your "Hula Lou" records, pour yourself some bathtub gin, and join us in the Jazz Age.

Hello Kitty Bedspread Satin Funk: Mariah Carey, Part Two Dec 24, 2020

Happy Christmas Eve! We hope that you are in good spirits, or at least have a lot of spirits! Today we are bringing you the finale of our Naughty Aughts Month and the Conclusion to our favorite Diva. All we want for Christmas is to talk about her infamous 2001 "breakdown", Diva Moments of Exhaustion, mermaid themed living rooms, and what really happened with the Eminem-Mariah-Nick Cannon Feud. Pour yourself some red wine and Captain Crunch, put on your favorite Karl Lagerfeld silk dress, ditch your haters, and tune in as we learning to grudgingly respect the Queen of Christmas.

Naughty Otts: Mariah Carey? We Don't Know Her. (Part 1) Dec 21, 2020

Welcome to Naughty Aughts: The Christmas Week Edition! We figured there was no better way to kick this week off than by covering the Queen of Christmas. If all you know about Mariah is that she is really good at hitting high notes, loves butterflies, and was the only person that David Rose every said I love you to, then we are right there with you. But Mariah is so much more than her Diva moments, and if you join us down the rabbit hole, you might, like us, learn to grudgingly respect her. Pour yourself some red wine in your fancy glasses, bathe in milk in your Hello Kitty themed bathroom, and tune in as we journey back to the mid-90s and get in touch with our inner Christmas Queens.

Naughty Aughts: Paris Hilton Part 2- Was She Punk? Dec 17, 2020

Welcome to Part 2 of Naughty Aughts: Paris Hilton edition. In this episode, we continue our journey through the early 2000s, and re-think everything we thought we knew about Paris. As we re-examine the platinum-blonde Mother of Social Media, we find more than a vapid heiress, who was the victim of revenge porn, the Bling Ring, and a "Paris Exposed" storage unit fiasco. We will sort through the heavy silver eyeshadow, Dior purses, and platform sandals to find that Paris was unapologetically herself, which really is quite punk. So spritz on your "Heiress" perfume, layer a few tank tops over your favorite skin-type long-sleeve, pour yourself a Captain Morgan and Cherry Coke, and join us for the conclusion of this very confusing deep dive. And remember: You don't get that far by being a dumb blonde.

Naughty Aughts... What's Walmart: Paris Hilton, Part 1 Dec 14, 2020

Welcome to Naughty Aughts: the platinum edition. This year Paris Hilton revealed to us that she is more than an heiress, more than a reality star, more than an IT Girl, and more than a DJ... She is also a survivor who was cycled through the ‘troubled teen industry’ at Provo Canyon school in the mid -90’s. We thought that this was a good time to set our DeLorean Flux Capacitors for the early 00s and revisit Paris’ life because it seems that the missing pink puzzle piece was finally found. We had so much to unpack that we decided to split this episode into two parts...And just like the matching pieces of your velour tracksuit, they are both equally Juicy. In part 1, Karamia tells Emily about Paris who was raised very rich, very privileged, and very blonde, splitting her time between Beverly Hills and the Waldorf Astoria. In her rebellious teen years when she traded Cotillion for Manhattan nightclubs and high heels for combat boots, her parents had her kidnapped and sent to a behavior modification school where she was forced to stay until she turned 18. From here, she launched herself into a modeling career, being paid to party, and her future as the first reality TV star. So dye your hair platinum blonde, pull your thong out of you low-waisted jeans, grab your dog and your DIOR purse, and turn your iPod mini all the way up... you don't want to miss this one.

Naughty Oughts: Back to Missy Elliott... But She Never Really Left Dec 10, 2020

You might know her as the powerhouse behind the iconic songs that played at your middle school dances, on the school bus, or through the headphones of your 4th generation pink iPod Nano. You might know her as the amazing female rapper who had us all picking our jaws off the floor and baby teenyboppers asking ‘WHO is THAT?’ at the Superbowl and Video Vanguard Awards. Missy Elliott is an American treasure (duh), but what do you really know about her beyond her ICONIC music videos, her MTV Cribs episodes, or her close best-friendship with Timbaland? Missy comes from an abusive past, has struggled with anxiety and autoimmune disease, and has been the focus of body image critics and been boxed-in by tabloids who felt it was their duty to define her sexuality. She defined a generation of fashion, has been a fierce advocate for mental health, and has fought tooth and nail against racist and misogynistic industry standards... all while wearing our favorite iconic robot suits. So go try to find some Smirnoff Ice or some long-gone Pepsi Blue and listen to us gush over sexy lyrics, Aaliyah, “Lady Marmalade”, and how Emily once sang both parts of The Elephant Love Medley by herself.

[FYI around minute 42 we lost the rest of our episode and had to re-record the second half, so bear with us, and use that spot as a place to pause and refresh your pizza bites and vodka Red Bulls.]

Bonus: Liz Kendall, Ted Bundy, and Why You Should Never Unlock Your Doors Ever Again Dec 07, 2020

If you were super excited for our December Naughty Oughts... don't worry. They are still coming! Due to some technical difficulties, we decided to release one of Patreon episodes, and give you an exclusive into what's going on over there. Tune in Thursday to get back to our regularly scheduled program of 2000's Pop Harlots. But for now... let us give you another reason to deadbolt your doors. We wanted to tell you all about Liz Kendall, Ted Bundy's long time girlfriend... but unfortunately we can't do that without talking about Ted. Emily tells Karamia about the shocking similarities she has with Liz, how Zac Efron actually made a pretty good Ted Bundy, and why this story needs to be told. Pour yourself some hot chocolate, wrap yourself in a fuzzy blanket, adopt a guard dog, and lock ALL your doors.

Walk The Plank, Blackbeard: Ching Shih, The Queen of the South China Sea Nov 30, 2020

Ahoy! Ahoy t' Harlots o' History. Today we 'ave a mighty special episode fer ye! Ye know Blackbeard, right? Th' infamous, much a-feared pirate who commanded 300 scallywags 'n 4 whole ships, th' greatest pirate in history...Enter Ching Shih. She was a madame turned pirate who commanded 70,000 scallywags, 2000 boats, 'n would 'ave laughed Blackbeard right off th' plank into Davy Jone's Locker. Pour yourself some rum, grab yer pet polly, 'n get ready t' join us on th' South China Sea!

Thanksgiving Minisode: What You're Doing Wrong According to Emily (Post) Nov 26, 2020

Happy Thanksgiving Harlots! We hope that you are staying safe and home and having thanksgiving with your cats. But dinner is dinner and even if it's just you, your 14 chinchillas, and a boatload of mashed potatoes, you should still be using proper etiquette! Enter Emily Post. You may know her as Miss Manners; she quite literally wrote the (900 page) book on the proper way of life. We want to make sure you are not combing your hair or flossing your teeth at the table, and if you are a host, that you are doing frequent checks of the toilets to make sure nobody left any unwanted presents. Lock your doors (so no unwanted guests show up), pour yourself a GIANT winter sangria, (none of your relatives will be there to judge how sloshed you get), and dig into the pumpkin pie early as you listen!

And Now... Back to Martha (Stewart) Nov 23, 2020

Happy Thanksgiving 2020! Are you curious about how to cure your own leather couch for all your guests (AKA your Himalayan cats and your computer Zoom screen)? Would you like to know how to get the mud off of your fine silver (for your dinner for two)? Have you ever wondered how to make your own flour from the wild grains you have growing in your farm (to make boatloads of bread to eat with your pet Chinchillas) ? Well, don't worry because here to tell you is the blonde tycoon who has graced your Thanksgiving tables and Kmart aisles for years and has personally victimized every homemaker in America: Martha Helen Stewart. Karamia tells Emily the dirty deets our mothers never told us about Martha, who built an empire around her hatred for scented candles and her love for New England farmhouses. From her infamous prison stay, to her early life as a model and stock-broker, to her relationship with Anthony Hopkins, Martha is a multi-faceted 79-year old bombshell who embodies the word synergy. Get ready to be jealous of her relationship with Snoop Dogg, be shocked at her comments during the Roast of Justin Bieber, and to finally realize that you begrudgingly respect her. Make yourself a bourbon sour, cure your own meat, wash your car, and help us decide: Is Martha a Good Harlot or a Bad Harlot?

Jerry Harding and Nan Britton: Or, How the Pen is Mightier Than The Sword Nov 16, 2020

You may have heard of Warren Harding... or maybe you haven't! He was a wet-shoe, trash monster president from 100 years ago with a certain piece of male anatomy named Jerry and a penchant for adultery and younger women. Emily fills Karamia in on the many MANY dirty little secrets in Warren Harding's back (and front) pockets that stayed hidden for decades until a deluge of steamy letters and a DNA test spilled the tea. Please forgive us for the myriad of times we get sidetracked, as this episode was recorded on election day and fueled by anxiety, hard Kombucha, and our desperate attempt to sidetrack ourselves from impending doom. While we will do a quick rundown on some of his political scandals, this episode is focused on the women in his life; especially Nan Britton, his secret baby mama young enough to be his granddaughter and the writer of the first ever Kiss-and-Tell book after his death. Grab a block of cheese, a radiant beverage, and indulge us as we try to sort through the dumpster fire of Warren Hardings life.

She May Be A Pretty Bird, But Don't Ask To See Her Plumage: Julie d’Aubigny (La Maupin) Nov 09, 2020

Convents are meant for praying…...and love affairs…...and to be burnt down. Tune in to learn about Julie d’ Aubigny AKA La Maupin; the swashbuckling, bisexual, grand lover of a 17-century swordsperson who also sang in the opera on the side. Karamia tells Emily of this LGBTQ heroine that shocked everyone in France except for the Sun King, as well as her future biographers, whose fragile male egos could simply not handle her energy. She joined a nunnery to be with her girlfriend, and in an epic tale of body-snatching and arseny, burnt down the entire convent to escape her lover's overbearing father. She regularly beat trios of men in illegal duels and occasionally turned the men she stabbed through the shoulders into her side pieces. She also stunned Paris with her beauty on stage, and the best part, she did it all while dressed in "men’s" clothing. Pour yourself some eggnog, put on your best swashbuckling pants, and join us in our pillow forts for our new favorite Harlot!

Minisode: “Not Comfortable for He-men”: Eve Adams (Eva Kotchever) Nov 05, 2020

Come get a cup of tea with me (and if we are lucky, a side of gin) at Eve’s Hangout! Oh, you haven’t heard of the place? It’s the quaint one in Greenwich Village with the sign outside that reads, “Men are admitted, but not welcome.” In our last minisode of the year Karamia sadly tells Emily how we are 100 years too late to visit one of the first lesbian bars in the U.S., run by Eve Adams; an openly gay Jewish immigrant who was beaten down by the System. Join us as we discuss the discriminatory honeypot scheme by the police, her anarchist friends, and her lost anthology “Lesbian Love”. But get ready for waves of outrage when we talk about her charges which led to time in the workhouse and eventual deportation that deposited her right in the center of Nazi Europe. We recommend anger relief after this minisode, so make sure a friend and a strong cocktail (or cup of tea!) is on standby for a rant.

Franklin and Eleanor: You Can't Hire Emotional Mercenaries Nov 02, 2020

Because it's November, we thought it only appropriate to spill the tea on some of our favorite Presidential Harlots: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Emily tells Karamia about Eleanor, who had boots on the ground in depression-era America, an ax to grind with her inner demons, and a secret love that posthumously propelled her front and center to the Gay Rights Movement. Karamia tells Emily about Franklin, who turned a divided country back on its feet by day and by night made stiff drinks and bedroom eyes at every Lucy, Martha, or Missy that passed his way. Grab a hotdog and make yourself a cocktail (try not to pour it into your houseplant) and get ready for the kind of political scandal we actually enjoy. Music by Lloyd Rogers. Like and Subscribe for more of our favorite Harlots!

Minisode: Lilith, The OG Harlot Oct 29, 2020

She's not just Frasier's frigid ex wife or Sabrina's teacher with amazing hair and a thing for guys with horns. Nay, she is Lilith, another demonized footnote of folklore; or as we like to call her, The OG Harlot. In our last Spooky Minisode, Emily tells Karamia about the the mythical demon who spent centuries as a scary bedtime story before the world was ready to see her for what she really was: an intensely feminine, fiercely sexually, ravenously independent feminist ICON. Not only did Lilith make her way out of the shadows in the 70s, she went on to inspire some of the most awe-inspiring artists of our time, like Jewel. So lock up your male partners, grab a fuzzy sweater, and curl up cause we have some TEA to SIP.

Lycanthropy, Or How Women Were Blamed For Blizzards Oct 26, 2020

If you live in Colorado, you might be experiencing some extra snowy weather right now. Well, if you lived in Switzerland in the 1600's and had ever pet a dog, you might actually be blamed for causing the snow! In our LAST full episode of Spooky Harlots, Emily teaches Karamia about lycanthropy: a hard word to say; the TERRIBLE Werewolf trials of Europe; and reason 207 you should be glad you weren't born in the Middle Ages. As we love to caution you during our Spooky episodes, LOCK YOUR DOORS, pour yourself a Meade, and get ready for things to get HAIRY. Disclaimer: We do not recommend you listen to this episode on a Full Moon.

Minisode: You, Me, and Arthur Miller Were Wrong About Tituba Oct 22, 2020

With disputed origins and a history that is truncated in 1693, Tituba is a complete mystery other than the groan-inducing court transcripts from the Salem Witch Trials. In this spooky Minisode, Karamia teaches Emily (better than our high school teachers ever did) about how Samuel Parris was financially motivated to incite the famous witch panic; how Tituba became his pawn in in his exaggerated attempt for job security; and the pretty badass ways she enthralled the town of Salem and escaped the Stake. We will revel in her story-telling abilities that saved her life and included the witch-on-a-broomstick trope, a translucent cat or two, and a man with so many animals that we might want to date him if we weren't already taken. Arthur Miller, we loved your book but we condemn you for failing her with "The Crucible" by solidifying the racist cariicature of her that has been wrongly created over the years. So (everyone who is not Arthur Miller), cuddle up with your translucent cat, grab your favorite sweater and a cup of apple cider, and settle in for a LOT of relearning. Just don't make yourself a witch cake (they contain urine).

Spooky, But Not a Harlot: Wicca, Witchcraft and Laurie Cabot Oct 19, 2020

If all you knew of Witchcraft and Wicca you learned from shows like Charmed, Sabrina, Bewitched, and Witches of Eastwick, then you are not alone! In this spooky rendition of not a Harlot, Karamia tells Emily about all things Magik; the differences between witchcraft and Wicca; and Laurie Cabot, the official Witch of Massachusetts who we seriously wish was our Grandmother. We will get deep into the origins of Wicca, find out what kind of witches we are, and discover that we are too broke to afford a love obsession spell (which might be a good thing!) Grab your favorite fall sweater, a glass of Witch’s brew, light a candle (or 30), and join us as we ask the hard hitting questions, like how would 1692 Salem have responded to a Queef?! Music by Lloyd Rogers. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @harlotsofhistorypodcast!

Betsy, Honey,You Could Have Just Showed Him Your Ankle Oct 15, 2020

As we are winding down October and our Spooky Episodes, we decided to get extra Haunty before going back to your regularly scheduled programming. This week, Emily tells Karamia about the Bell Witch, rabbits, big birds, strange dogs, and nefarious goings-on in 19th Century Tennessee caves. Join us as we get silly talking about the ghost-version of ourselves! Make yourself a spooky cocktail, bare your ankles for the world to see, and make sure you aren't driving alone in the woods when listening to this extra Spooky Harlot Episode!

The Canonical Five: Part 2 of Not Jack the Ripper Oct 12, 2020

You MAY have heard of Jack the Ripper, but how much do you know about his victims? Last week, we set the scene for you with sex working in Victorian England. This week, Emily tells Karamia about the Canonical Five, the women murdered between August 31 and November 9, 1988 who are widely believed to be the victims of the notorious Ripper. If you would like to know more about the lives of the women who became victims to the most famous and elusive serial killer in history, then grab a fuzzy blanket and settle in as we finish our boxes of wine, try our best to be criminologists, and do some pretty terrible British accents. We urge you to DEADBOLT your doors, cuddle up with your resident guard dog (or cat, or turtle), and keep a warm beverage (or two) at your fingertips to wrap up this creepy crawly two part episode!

“Screaming Relaxes Me So” : Vampira, The Original Horror Host Oct 08, 2020

Welcome to the Vampira Show! Actually, it's just us discussing the amazing cult secret that was The Vampira Show in all its 1950s L.A. glory. Karamia tells Emily how Vampira, with her corseted waist, bat-sleeves, iconic eyebrows, and blood-curdling scream, shook up the vanilla world of 1950s television and became an inspiration for the genre of horror-hosts to come! Be ready to hear some stories about James Dean, a tidbit about Orson Welles, and a lot about Elvira. Make yourself a Vampira Cocktail from your Poison Bar, sit back, and listen to tales about one woman's fight to preserve her creativity in this extra sexy, extra spooky minisode!

We Aren't Talking About Jack The Ripper (Part 1) Oct 05, 2020

Yes yes yes. We all know Jack the Ripper. He's creepy, he's evil, he may have been a Vampire, and he's way too overdone. We are sick of talking about him. So, instead, we are going to talk about his victims who far too often appear as footnotes in an enigmatic chapter of history. In the first of a two part episode, Emily tells Karamia about sex working in Victorian England and what it was actually like for the women who were to become his victims. Be prepared for some rants about patriarchy, slut-shaming, misogyny, and all the usual suspects that come along with Victorian England. Channel your inner Dickens' character, spice yourself some cider, and get ready for our spookiest of Harlots yet: Part 1!

Minisode: The Ladies Who Got A World Record for Serial Killing Oct 01, 2020

On today's installment of Spooky Harlots, we will be talking about two women who together share a Guinness Book of World Record for being the most prolific serial killers! Las Poquianchis spread fear throughout Mexico in the 1960s, and even today remain largely shrouded in mystery. Emily tells Karamia about the women who ran brothels and murdered the women AND the clients who worked for them, racking up more than 90 bodies buried under their rose bushes! We classify them in our Evil Harlots category, so grab some tequila, a black cat, and a handful of mini pumpkins, and lock your doors as we get SPOOKY! Music by Lloyd Rogers.

L'affaire Des Poisons: La Voison, Arsenic, and Fortune Telling in 17th Century France Sep 28, 2020

The head of a network of fortune tellers, 6 lovers, love potions, and black masses. A recipe for an amazing historical comedic episode! Karamia tells Emily about the poison plot that infiltrated Versailles. La Voison was a famous fortune teller that kept company with occultists and alchemists. She began to sell her potions and magic all over Paris including to King Louis XIV’s royal mistress! A stiff drink is needed when heads begin to roll. Be ready to learn about the cautionary tale of getting rid of the man/partner in your life, even when they suck! Happy listening!

Minisode: In The Joints of Their Toes:The Fox Sisters Sep 24, 2020

Did you ever wonder how The Long Island Medium came to be? Well, there would be no Theresa Caputo without the Fox Sisters. In the mid-1800’s the Fox Sisters lit the fire under the Spiritualist movement by falsely claiming they could speak to the dead. Karamia tells Emily about how some bored teenagers fooled the nation and profited from it. The ghost of Benjamin Franklin makes an appearance along with some joint cracking and lack of parental supervision. Some herbal tea will pair well with your oncoming disbelief. Afterwards ask yourself the question, if I was a teenager with no TV in the middle of nowhere, how far would I go to create some entertainment? Music by Lloyd Rogers.

The VooDoo Queen of New Orleans Sep 21, 2020

When you think of Marie Laveau, you may conjure images of Angela Bassett, rag dolls full of pins, and dark rituals of animal sacrifice under the full moon in the deepest part of the Bayou. Well, make yourself a Sazerac and get comfy, because it turns out, you're actually pretty wrong about all of that. In our first installment of Spooky Harlots, Emily tells Karamia about how Marie Laveau/The Widow Paris/The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans was a little bit more of a naturopathic healer and a little bit less of an evil priestess than her legacy says. We will once again be discussing white supremacy and patriarchal influence on our history books, and we won't be leaving any of that out because we think it's too "un-American." Sage your house, order some beignets for delivery, and settle in as we get spooky.

Minisode: The Eldest Escort on Earth Sep 17, 2020

If you would like to know who we both aspire to be in our elderly age, it's Sheila Vogel-Coupe, AKA the world's oldest escort. Emily surprises Karamia by telling her about Sheila, a British grandmother who traded her velour jumpsuit for lacy garters and ditched her bifocals for a set of bedroom eyes. Sheila has lost family members, been "stitched up" by the press, and been the brunt of joke headlines and we think she deserves a little more admiration and a round of applause. This is another SPICY episode so ditch the kids and listen in while you wash your knickers and nibble on some bangers and mash. Grab a glass of champagne and a slice of chocolate cake, and join us in singing a LOUD round of happy birthday to our new adopted grandmother.

Linda Lovelace: How Far Does A Girl Have To Go To Untangle Her Tingle? Sep 14, 2020

Who really is Linda Lovelace? We know she played the “tit-le” role in ‘Deep Throat’, but did you know that she could not escape the infamy of this movie for the rest of her life? From Catholic school to undiagnosed hepatitis, from hardcore loops to full-length pornographic films, from being a star in the Golden Age of Porn to being an anti-porn advocate; Linda was a complicated woman. Get ready for our most XXX-rated episode yet! Karamia tells Emily about peep shows, obscenity trials, and the dark side of the industry that Linda claims she was forced into. Make sure there are no children near and prepare for some jaw-dropping moments that may require a stiff drink. For the cherry on top, Karamia gives a summary of ‘Deep Throat’ which she watched all 62 minutes of! She even quotes her favorite “stimulating” moments of dialogue. Happy listening and a deep throat to you all!

Minisode: Camilla "Not-A-Tampax" Duchess of Cornwall Sep 10, 2020

Camilla Parker Bowles was the reluctant star of a royal tale of scandal and debauchery in the Windsor Family. She was once the most hated woman in all of England after her affair with Prince Charles was revealed by Princess Diana herself! Karamia tells Emily how this was actually true love that persisted throughout decades of tacky clothing, loveless marriages, Camillagate, death, and the scorn of Queen Elizabeth and the tabloids. Try out your best proper English accent, drink some tea with a side of sherry, while your ears devour Camilla’s journey from being an unofficial companion to becoming the next in line to be queen! Proper headwear is desired, fascinators preferred.

Episode 8: Judith Exner Sep 07, 2020

Judith Exner was painted as a real harlot who ruined the Kennedy White House, ran around with mob bosses and Frank Sinatra, and amounted to nothing more than a trollop with a Tiffany's brooch and loose morals. Emily tells Karamia how all that was utter trash, and how Judith was a woman to be sympathized with, who took the fall when the ideal image of Kennedy's Camelot was shattered. Put on some Edith Pilaf, pour yourself a cocktail, and settle in for some juicy conspiracy theories, secret assassination plots, and a bunch of pretty terrible boyfriends.

Episode 7: Sex Workers of the Wild West Part 2 Aug 31, 2020

Karamia continues to entrall Emily about the different types of sex workers in the Wild West and the dangers they faced in their profession. They tell the life stories of Julia Butte, Dora DuFran, and famed madam Mattie Silks. The Women's Temperance Union, crib houses, STD's, duels. and Calamity Jane are examined at full. Be ready for some raunchy details!

Episode 6: Sex Workers of the Wild West: Part 1 Aug 24, 2020

Karamia tells Emily about the romanticized Wild West, the boomtowns, their "soiled doves", and bawdy houses. They discuss the social identity of women and sex workers at the time, while exploring the reasons for entering the sex trade. You are cordially welcome to learn all about "disorderly houses" and the women within.

Episode 5: Virginia Hill Aug 15, 2020

Known as the Queen of the Mob, Virginia Hill was more than just a dumb broad who liked to sip champagne and throw really expensive parties. Emily tells Karamia about how Virginia climbed her way from Bessemer Alabama to the top of the mob, and her turbulent relationship with Murder Inc boss Bugsy Siegel along the way. Was Virginia a cold-hearted criminal, or was she a woman struggling to escape a past and make her way in the world of fedoras and tommyguns? Or was she both? Make yourself a soda water or a "soda water" and dive into prohibition, Hollywoodland, and some pretty amazing archived obituaries.

Episode 4: Not a Harlot: A brief history of geishas, Mineko Iwasaki, and "Memoirs of a Geisha" Aug 15, 2020

If all you know about geishas is from that dumpster-fire of a book ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’, then this episode is for you. Karamia tells Emily about how geishas are not sex workers and they discuss orientalism and kimonos, and the difference between a geisha and a maiko. Legendary geisha Mineko Iwasaki sued author Arthur Golden over her representation in the fictional Memoirs of Geisha. He single-handedly influenced the generation of millennials to be misinformed of the long and beautiful Japanese tradition of the geisha.

Episode 3: Madame de Pompadour Aug 15, 2020

AKA King Henry XV’s mistress. And that’s it. That’s all she did…. Just Kidding. Emily tells Karamia about Jeanne Poisson, who was so much more than just a mistress to the king. Lets talk about who was really running the show, who had influence over the king, and how it was possible to memorize entire plays, wear the giant headpieces, AND be the prime minister of France at the same time.

Episode 2: Eva Braun Aug 15, 2020

Sure you know about Hitler, but what about his longtime secret mistress? Karamia tells Emily about how Eva Braun was a bottle blond, loved cameras, champagne, dogs.....and the Fürher who was the leader of the Nazi Party and responsible for the genocide of millions. Was she guilty as well? Or was she just a supportive, loving partner to the inhuman leader of the Third Reich?

Episode 1: Mata Hari Aug 15, 2020

Mata Hari is best known for being a double spy who caused the death of 50,000 men. Or did she? Emily tells Karamia about Margaretha Zelle, the woman behind the tassels and glitter, who has been painted as a duplicitous, cold-hearted traitor. But did she really double cross the French army, or was she just a successful entrepeneur who took the fall for a deluge of poor military tactics? Was she secretly sending war tactics to the Germans, or did men mistake her foundation for invisible ink? Grab a drink and settle in for some juicy and revealing content!

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