The Exploress

Latest Episodes:

A Lady's Life in Tudor England, Part 2: Rise and Shine Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Season 3, Episode 2. Last time, we got some context about where we're time traveling back to. Now we'll open our eyes on Tudor England and get going with our day.

For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources and more, go to my website. The era-appropriate guitar music in this episode comes courtesy of John Sayles. To find out more about our excellent guest Ruth Goodman, check out her website. To hear my full interview with Ruth and other exclusive bonus goodies, check out The Exploress Patreon. If you'd like a beautiful (and accurate) timeline of ladycentric Tudor history, make sure to buy yourself one of my Ladycentric Tudor Timelines.

A Lady's Life in Tudor England, Part 1: Where Are We, Exactly? Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Season 3, Episode 1. Let's time travel back to Tudor England and explore your average lady's day. But first, we'll be contextualizing the time period: where are we, exactly, in English history? What sort of landscape and situation are we walking into? We'll meet all stars like Queen Elizabeth Woodville and Kingmaker Margaret Beaufort, who helped kicked off the Tudor dynasty, and find out more about the slice of history we'll be time traveling to.

For show notes, including a transcript, images, and a list of my sources, visit my website. If you'd like a beautiful (and accurate) timeline of ladycentric Tudor history, make sure to buy yourself one of my Ladycentric Tudor Timelines. To support the show - AND get bonus episodes AND all main episodes early and ad-free - become a patron. Find out more about our Tudor experts Ruth Goodman and Elizabeth Norton.

A History of Menstruation Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

How have women throughout history dealt with their periods? In this bonus episode, we'll explore how menstruation was viewed in different cultures and time periods, and learn about the historical evolution of sex education, period products, women's health, cultural taboos around virginity, and the magical qualities of period blood. For show notes, including a transcript of this bonus episode, further reading and images galore, go to my website.

The Wolf Den: Interview with Elodie Harper May 13, 2021

Show notes

You can order The Wolf Den in the U.K. and Australia wherever books are sold! For American listeners, Blackwell's in the U.K. is offering 100% FREE shipping to readers in the USA. All you need to do is create a free account with them when you order The Wolf Den online. They're also selling the book at a discount. U.K. listeners should know that Waterstones is selling a limited, signed edition with exclusive content on the real women and the lupanar of Pompeii. To find out more about Elodie, The Wolf Den, and her other work, make sure to visit her website, ElodieHarper.com.

Rebel Warrior Queens: Boudicca and Zenobia Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 33. Ancient Rome's military machine was legend, taking over lands far outside its capital. But there were always those who fought back against the Empire, giving everything they had for freedom. A few of them even happened to be women. We're about to go on an adventure with two of them: Boudicca and Zenobia. They're from vastly different places and eras, but they have something in common: they both went up against the Romans, and for a while, they WON.

The song "Hidden Past" comes courtesy of Kevin MacLeod. For a transcript, images, research notes, full music credits, and more, go to my website. To become a patron and get lots of bonus goodies, check out my Patreon page. To find art prints of Zenobia and Boudicca, my shop is waiting.

The First Ladies of the Roman Empire, Part 6: Empress Agrippina Jan 25, 2021

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 31. Last time, we saw Agrippina the Younger survive her exile AND a jealous young empress, only to marry her uncle Claudius and become empress herself. What a comeback! What will she do, now that she's finally achieved the kind of power she's always dreamed of? You can be sure she's about to shatter some imperial glass ceilings, but her position will also force her to make difficult and dangerous choices, and confront unimaginable loss.

For a transcript of this episode, images, and more, check out my website. To become a patron, head over to my Patreon page: you'll find a special bonus episode there full of Agrippina insights from our special guests, Dr. Rad and Dr. G. Make sure to listen to their The Partial Historians podcast. If you're looking for a good book about ancient Roman women, browse my Bookshop.com curated bookshelf.

The First Ladies of the Roman Empire, Part 5: Agrippina the Younger Jan 11, 2021

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 30. Last time, we saw Agrippina the Elder making some big power plays for her children, but ultimately she lost the imperial game. Her daughter Agrippina the Younger watched as half of her family was murdered, her remaining brother Gaius sent off to the island of Capri to hang out with Tiberius in what has to have been a very tense situation. But that's all over now. Tiberius has died, and brother Gaius has become emperor. In the years to come, Agrippina will face exile and heartbreak, power and prestige, threat and conspiracy. Ever resilient and ambitious, she will achieve feats that no imperial woman has before. Grab a golden cloak, a sharp tongue, and your best swimming stroke. Let's go traveling.

For a transcript of this episode, images, and more, check out my website. To become a patron, head over to my Patreon page. Hear more from Dr. Rad and Dr. G on the Partial Historians podcast. If you're looking for a good book about ancient Roman women, browse my new Bookshop.com curated bookshelf.

The First Ladies of the Roman Empire, Part 4: Livia and Both Agrippinas Nov 13, 2020

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 29. When we last left Agrippina the Elder and empress Livia, both had hit a real high point in terms of their personal power. But things are about to get pretty messy. Let's explore the end of Livia's life, the rest of Agrippina's, and the fraught beginnings of the legend that is her daughter, Agrippina the Younger.

The Women's Suffrage Movement & American Voting Rights Oct 31, 2020

Show notes

The story of the American suffrage movement is long and complex, filled with noteworthy characters, highlights and shadows, and plenty of paths we could get lost wandering down. In this bonus episode, I want to explore some of the more haunting aspects of the fight for suffrage, and the dark consequences that come when you don't have a public voice.

For a transcript, images, and a list of suggested reading/podcasts/movies on this issue, check out my website.

The First Ladies of the Roman Empire, Part 3: Livia and Agrippina the Elder Oct 24, 2020

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 28. Daughter of Rome's most venerated war hero, favorite granddaughter of its first emperor, wife of one of its most shining stars, Agrippina the Elder was born to be famous, thrust into the spotlight, whether she wanted to bask in it or not. But she also made her own spotlight, always fighting for what she believes in - and against those who would do her family harm. Let's explore the beginnings of Agrippina's story and bask in the latter half of Livia's.

For a transcript of this episode, images, and more, check out my website. To become a patron, head over to my Patreon page. Hear more from Dr. Rad and Dr. G on the Partial Historians podcast. Music courtesy of Michael Levy. If you're looking for a good book about ancient Roman women, browse my Bookshop.com curated bookshelf. Support an independent bookstore AND give me a little kickback: win-win!

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