Hot History

Latest Episodes:

Salem Part 1: The Origins of Witchcraft Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble, my divas, because today we are unpacking the History of Witchcraft!

From the ancient world right up to the events in Salem, we are unpacking the origins of the term witch, the difference between magic and miracles, the role of religion and the Church, and even taking a trip through space-time to the University of Melbourne to see a very rare copy of the Malleus Maleficarum!

All this and so much more will give you the basic knowledge to understand exactly HOW the hysteria mounted in the Salem Witch trials, which we will cover in part 2!

Shout out to our incredible researcher Gracie McCamish and editor Jamie Rose for pulling this together, and to the team at the University of Melbourne for hosting us.

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Njinga Mbande: The Woman King Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Hi divas! Strap in today because we are chatting about the Angolan warrior queen who fought off both the patriarchy and slavers through her wildly sharp wit AND wildly sharp weaponry. THIS is the story of Njinga Mbande, and I can't wait to share it with you!For more on Njinga, I recommend you watch the African Queens series on Netflix!

Shout out to our incredible researcher Charlotte Wilkes for pulling this together.

The Galloway Hoard Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

On today's show, we are chatting about three of my favourite things: Scotland, Vikings & Treasure! From the origins of Vikings in the British Isles to the discovery of the Galloway Hoard, which we were lucky enough to go and see first-hand, we're travelling through time today to look at the mix of cultures and religion which dominated Viking-era Scotland!

Thank you so much to the Australian National Maritime Museum for making this episode of Hot History possible - head to sea.museum for 10% off your tickets to see the Galloway Hoard while it's in Sydney until October 11.

Shout out to our incredible researcher Grace McCamish for pulling this together, and to Inger Shiel for chatting with us.

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Anna Pavlova: The Romanov Ballerina Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Divas strap in, because we are going back to Imperial Russia with our deep dive on Anna Pavlova: the most famous ballerina in history!

From the cold, damp streets of St Petersburg where she struggled with sickness and poverty, to the glittering stages of the world, Anna Pavlova became both the darling of Romanov High Society and the Russian Imperial Ballet Academy, going on to redefine what the term 'ballerina' meant for every single dancer who followed!

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Clara Bow: Part 2 - Taylor Swift's muse Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back for Part 2 of our Clara Bow series where we unpack how this young girl from Brooklyn became the muse of Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks and Margot Robbie!

Looking at her relationship with the press, struggles with mental health, financial situation and final years, we're going to unpack Clara's impact on both culture and history. Because as it turns out, Hollywood and indeed society haven't really changed how we speak about or view women since Clara Bow!

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Please take care while listening with the sensitive themes mentioned at the top and should you require assistance please use the below:In Australia, support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 0477 131 114 (lifeline) or 1300 22 4636 (Beyond Blue).In the USA, support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 (⁠⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠) or texting HOME to 741741 for the ⁠⁠Crisis Text Line⁠⁠.In the UK, support is available 24/7 by calling NHS 111 (NHS) or ⁠⁠116 123⁠⁠ (Samaritans)

Clara Bow: Part 1 - The original 'it' girl Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

You've been asking for her, so here we go. Today we're deep diving into the highs and lows of the original 'it' girl, Clara Bow. From her early years in Brooklyn tenements to the fame and fortune contest that changed her life, we're tracking just how the big-eyed Brooklyn beauty made it to the top of the box office AND the pinnacle of cultural influence.

Then come back on Monday for part 2 where we look at her relationship with the press, struggles with mental health, financial situation and how Clara Bow became the muse of one Taylor Swift!

'Til next week, Ainslie x

The Fabergé Eggs: Part 1 Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Hello divas! This week we're diving into one of my biggest Roman Empires... the Fabergé Eggs!

From a tiny jewellery workshop in St Petersburg to the glittering halls of the Romanovs, this episode follows Peter Carl Fabergé's rise to become Imperial Jeweller and the creator of the most famous Easter gifts in history. We’ll also chat Tsars, Tsarinas, impeccable craftsmanship and of course, the very first Imperial Egg.

This is also the perfect little warm-up for our four-part Romanov series coming this September, which I cannot wait to share with you all.

Also as promised, here’s the ⁠Substack⁠ of my experience seeing an actual, real life Fabergé Egg with my own eyes at Christie’s last year (an experience I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever get over!).

Til next week, Ainslie x

The Fabergé Eggs: Part 2 Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Two episodes in one day divas! Welcome back for part two of our Fabergé Eggs deep dive!

We continue to deep dive some of the Romanovs' most extraordinary Easter gifts, uncovering the stories hidden inside each masterpiece and following the collection through revolution, exile and mystery. We'll also chat about where the eggs are today, why some are still missing, and how these tiny treasures became some of the most valuable objects in history.

Enjoy this perfect little warm-up for our four-part Romanov series coming this September, which I cannot wait to share with you all.

Also as promised, here’s the Substack of my experience seeing an actual, real life Fabergé Egg with my own eyes at Christie’s last year (an experience I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever get over!).

Til next week, Ainslie x

The Admiral: Artemisia I Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

Here we are at the end of our Ancient Greek series and today we're ditching the dudes and talking about the Greek Queen dubbed 'more man than men'. I can't wait for you all to meet Artemisia of Caria, one of my favourite women in antiquity!

As promised, ⁠the Hot History Substack⁠ is also now live! If you'd like to support us there, you'd be very welcome!

Til next week, Ainslie x

THE ODYSSEY: WTF is it? Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Divas its Odyssey day! I am so thrilled to bring this episode to you all as Christopher Nolan's film hits cinemas. We're covering as much as possible in summary form (there are 12,100 lines of this poem after all), from a tidbit on Homer to the end of the Trojan War and the King's return to Ithaca!

As promised, the Hot History Substack is also now live! If you'd like to support us there, you'd be very welcome!

Til next week, Ainslie x