Hot History

Latest Episodes:

History of Dragons Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Dracarys, my divas! Today we are talking about the history of dragons!Diving back first to Ancient China, we are going to start by summarising the origins of Dragon mythology before focusing on one specific region and it's links to the winged firebreathers of old - Mount Pilatus in Switzerland!

Doing some real boots-on-the-ground journalism from 2,132m above sea level, we will tour dragon caves, hold mysterious dragon stones and look at the legends which made Pilatus 'the dragon mountain', all of which is made possible by Swiss Tourism, who organised this incredible opportunity.

Shout out to our incredible researcher Charlotte Wilkes and editor Jamie Rose for pulling this together.

If you're wanting more Hot History content you can follow along on Instagram @thehothistorypod and @hothistoryclub, on TikTok @hot.history, on Substack @hothistoryclub and of course, right here!

'Til next week, Ainslie x

1972 Rothschild Ball Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

This week, we're stepping into the bizarre world of the 1972 Rothschild Ball, one of the most extravagant and surreal parties ever thrown.

Hosted by Guy and Marie-Hélène de Rothschild at the family’s French château, this was a night of surrealist outfits, extravagant table settings and some of the most illustrious names in high society. Shout-out to our incredible researcher Gracie McCamish and editor Jamie Rose for pulling this together.

If you're wanting more Hot History content you can follow along on Instagram @thehothistorypod and @hothistoryclub, on TikTok @hot.history, on Substack @hothistoryclub and of course, right here!

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Jane Austen: The OG Yearnalist Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Calling my Austenites! This is your Yearnalism 101 crash course as we unpack the life of the one and only Jane Austen! As the 2nd daughter and 7th child of a country rector, we're looking at the family life, education and career of Jane, set against the backdrop of Georgian & Regency England where the role of class, women, money and power were not influences to Jane's work but THE central elements! Plus my divas, many MANY mentions of Mr Darcy!

Shout-out to our incredible researcher Gracie McCamish and editor Jamie Rose for pulling this together.

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Romanovs Part 6: The End Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

PART 6/6. You guys this is it ... the end, in every sense of the word. Although not everyone believes it ... for despite the death of the Romanovs in 1918 there have always been rumours of one surviving grand duchess, which begs the question: Did one Romanov remain?

If you want to watch the rest of our Romanov content you can find it here.

Shout-out to our incredible researcher Gracie McCamish and editor Jamie Rose for pulling this together.

'Til next week, Ainslie x

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Romanovs Part 5: The Fallout Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

PART 5/6. Well my divas, we're officially at the beginning of the end. This episode covers the death of Rasputin, the devastation of Bloody Sunday, the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the moment the Romanovs go from Russia's ruling family to prisoners under house arrest.

We're also going to meet Lenin again as he makes his return to Russia and watch as the Revolution gains momentum and the fate of the Romanov family becomes increasingly uncertain.

If you want to watch the rest of our romanov content you can find it here.

Shout-out to our incredible researcher Gracie McCamish and editor Jamie Rose for pulling this together.

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Romanovs Part 4: The Fall Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

PART 4/6. You guys have been patient so TODAY we're talking about none other than Rasputin!

Covering the back half of the Tsar's rule this episode will track from 1905 - 1915, looking at Bloody Sunday, the rise of Rasputin, the ideas of communism and the beginning of WW1 (plus so much more).

If you want to watch the rest of our Romanov content you can find it here.

Shout-out to our incredible researcher Gracie McCamish and editor Jamie Rose for pulling this together.

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Romanovs Part 3: The Heir Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

PART 3/6. It's any Romanov Tsar's worst nightmare: 10 years on the throne, four daughters, a phantom pregnancy and no heir. NOW we're in the thick of it, guys, looking at the first half of Nicholas and Alexandra's reign, and the dynastic crisis that would plague them AND the Russian people. We're also going to introduce some other key players today, including one Vladimir Lenin!

Make sure to check back in next Tuesday because we're about to get into the Rasputin of it all!

Shout-out to our incredible researcher Gracie McCamish and editor Jamie Rose for pulling this together.

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Romanovs Part 2: The Family Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

PART 2/6. Alright guys, we are picking things up with Alexander III, father of Nicholas II, grandfather of Alexei, and one of the most brutish imperial family members in Romanov history.

In this second episode, we're going from the reign and death of Alexander III to the marriage of Tsar Nicholas II & Alix of Hesse, whose union would lead Russia into the 10th century AND down a long and winding road ... to the end! Then, we're going to come back on Friday and look at how the pair's search for a son would lead to a dynastic crisis for the ages.

Shout-out to our incredible researcher Gracie McCamish and editor Jamie Rose for pulling this together.

Romanov Spotify playlist linked here!

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Romanovs Part 1: The Rise Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

PART 1/6. Strap in for the next 6 episodes, divas, because we are FINALLY unpacking the rise and fall of the last imperial family of Russia: The Romanovs.

In this first episode, we're exploring how the Romanov family came into power, from the early Viking days to Ivan the Terrible and one Anastasia Romanova, we're going to look at the big emperors/empresses who shaped russian history, ending with the last Tsar's grandfather!

Shout-out to our incredible researcher Gracie McCamish and editor Jamie Rose for pulling this together.

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Salem Part 2: The Witch Trials Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

We're back, and we're ready today to chat about the drama, deceit and devilry involved in the Salem Witch Trials!

From Abigail and Betty's affliction to the role of race and gender, the anatomy of hysteria, death by crushing and the accusation of a four-year-old baby who was chained up in prison, we're dissecting the anatomy of hysteria piece by piece. Plus, because this is Hot History, drawing parallels to the present digital witch hunts.

I'm so excited to finish this series for you guys; please also find the hilarious Joe Hegyes here!

Shout out to our incredible researcher Gracie McCamish and editor Jamie Rose for pulling this together.

'Til next week, Ainslie x

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