Captain Stephen Barton and his daughter Clara Barton Natalie Clifford Barney Did you ever wonder who started the American Red Cross? No? Well, Angie did. She starts us off this week with the story of Captain Stephen Barton and his daughter, Clara Barton. Theresa picks up the baton and shares the story of Natalie Clifford Barney, writer & queen of t…

Look, the first Pride was a riot and Theresa came with the receipts. Join Angie and Theresa as they explore what led up to the Stonewall Uprising. Starting with the mafia moving in and opening gay bars, to kicklines, broken glass, and a mention of Afeni Shakur (Tupac Shakur's mom) and her connection to the riots and the Black Panthers.…

Sometimes life is a weird mashup of stories. This podcast episode fairly encapsulates that. First Angie shares the History of Coffee and the times it's been banned – most notably by King Gustav III. Theresa resorts to comforting violence as she shares the story of when four sailors pick a fight at a bar for the LGBTQ+ community. The Black Nite Upri…

This week Angie and Theresa brought some completely unhinged stories. Theresa starts off with the tale of Christine Jorgeson, the WWII GI who underwent a sex change in the 1950s and went into entertainment. Angie didn't want to be outdone and shared Sally Stanford, the brothel-owning woman who would go on to be mayor of Sausalito.…

First off, let us start by saying that Disney lied to us. Theresa attempts to address this issue by sharing the story of Mulan in the various ways it's gone through history, including the opera. Angie closes us out by sharing the story of Abigail Kawānanakoa, Hawaii's last princess. She covers HRH's philanthropic efforts and her marriage to her wif…

Do you know the story of the Chinese Amelia Earhart, Kathrine Sui Fun Cheung? Let's fix that. Angie starts this episode off by sharing how this aviatrix entered the history books and became one of the fabled Ninety-Nines. Theresa continues this heart-warming trend by sharing the story of Seneca Village, the thriving Black community in what is now C…

We all have bad days at work, but never, and I mean never have we struggled as hard as Rear Admiral Zinovy “Mad Dog” Rozhestvensky as he led the Russian Second Pacific Squadron from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean to do his part in the Russo-Japanese War. Theresa has way too much fun sharing what could only be the real-life basis for Mchale's N…

You ever learn about a guy so bold and self-assured *and* keeps winning?! Angie tells us the story of the Norwegian Hans Solo, Peter Wessel Tordenskjold. At one point he goes in for a court martial and comes out with a raise instead. Theresa then shares the Dancing Plague of 1518. You know, that time everyone just compulsively danced until they dro…

Grab a juice box and settle in. Theresa is telling the story of Nakano Takeko, her joshigun (women's army), and the battle at Aizu-Wakamatsu. Takeko leads this group of 20-30 trained female warriors, think samurai, into battle and shows everyone just what an alpha female looks like.By twigliot

Okay, some sets of stories are so delightfully unhinged they will be shared in public, without warning. These are two of those tales. Angie sets things off with the retelling of the Ghost Army, the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops from WWII. These men used inflatable tanks, set design, and everything theater instructors had ever taught to fool the …

This episode has it all. The plague. Trebuchets. WWII. Ducks. Theresa starts us off with a rollicking tale of how the Golden Horde allegedly flung their plague-ridden corpses into the city of Caffa around 1345–1347 because Khan Jani Beg had some big feelings about losing. Thank goodness Angie takes it upon herself to lighten the load, so to speak. …

Journey through the pages of medieval writing with Angie and Theresa as we learn about the Voynich Manuscript. Angie unpacks what we know about this unreadable text. She shares theories and touches on aliens. Yup. Aliens.By twigliot

Come for the myth of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Stay for Theresa sharing the facts around what we really know about the Voudou Queen of New Orleans. If you're like us, the truth is far more compelling.By twigliot

This last week of Women's History Month hits hard. Theresa shares the story of Grunya Efimovna Sukhareva, the Russian researcher who discovered Autism decades before Hans Asperger. Angie makes Theresa cry when she shares the story of Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman to make it to space.By twigliot

You know these two love a good WWII spy story. Theresa serves up the tale of Aline Griffith, the Princess Spy. She served the Allies during the war while based in Spain before marrying into a noble family. Angie brings us all the way back to the California Gold Rush with the story of Eleanor Dumont, the French card player who earned the nickname "M…

Angie starts off strong telling the story of Margaret Skinnider. This strong woman had zero chill. She starts out as a school teacher and turns into a revolutionary in Ireland. She participates in the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin as a sniper. Before we introduce Theresa's story, let's point out that she misspeaks and says, "Mexican-owned Canada" mu…

Get a fresh cup of coffee, drink it black, and strap in. Theresa starts us off by sharing the tale of Queen Lili'uokalani, the first and last queen of Hawaii. Angie comes in hot with the tale of a lesser-known aviatrix, Beryl Markham. This woman does it all, including two princes.By twigliot

Join us as Angie kicks off Women's History Month with an absolute doozy. Kick your feet up and listen to the story of Georgia's Queen Tamar. This absolute badass lived from c. 1160 – 18 January 1213 and was their first queen to rule in her own right.By twigliot

Some stories just stick with you. In Episode 55, Theresa mentioned Nubian warrior queens in passing. This caused Angie to rabbit hole and dig that story out. So sit back and enjoy the history of the Kandake, or Candaces, Sudan's warrior queens. These women face down Rome, at its height. Theresa brings us back to the US as she shares the story of Dr…

This romp through history starts with Theresa returning to the 1980's in Brooklyn. She tells the tale of the Lo Life Crew. This group of men united through their passion and started boosting Ralph Lauren's Polo merch. From there they unknowingly changed the course of fashion. Angie balances out the episode by taking us back to the Wild West and tel…

This was an incredible round-up of stories, as we celebrate Black History Month. Angie starts us off with a bang telling the story of Bass Reeves (July 1838 – January 12, 1910) the Black marshall who started his life as a slave. Theresa ponders the severity of travel warnings from the US State Department, as she shares the pyramids of Sudan.…

Look, you're going to have some big feelings about this episode. This week, Theresa covers Henrietta Lacks and the medical racism that exists. While we have greatly benefited from Lacks' medical contributions, there are a lot of issues with the medical ethics around the HeLa cell line.By twigliot

Some mashups are so bizarrely incredible that you don't know you need until you get them. We hope you're sitting down. This week Angie shares the story of the dark purple menace, Libby Holman. This singer, activist, and actor is on a whole other level. Theresa follows her up sharing the story of Phyllis Latour Doyle. Latour Doyle was a female spy i…

What a year of podcasts it's been. Angie shares the history of the guillotine because, of course, she does. Then Theresa shares the most unhinged Christmas party that ever happened. She tells the tale of the Egg Nog Riots, that time when the Westpoint Academy went off the rails when they over indulged in the holiday drink.…

Whew. What a couple of stories we've gathered for you. Angie shares the delightfully unhinged tale of Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. This dude (1742-1819) has zero chill and is why Wellington won the Battle of Waterloo. Theresa must have known what Angie was bringing and matched the unhingedness with her telling of Erasmus of Lueg. This 15th-centur…

Come hang out with us. Theresa starts off by telling us the folklore of Julia Brown, the Voodoo Queen ...sorta. She does a deeper dive giving you her origin story. Angie torments Theresa by telling the tale of Alexander the Great's death.By twigliot

Come with us to 1066 as Angie starts off by sharing the Battle of Hastings. Don't get too comfortable learning about this battle, because Angie uses it just to share about the Bayeux Tapestry. It is 230 feet long and is believed to have been embroidered by Queen Matilda and six of her women in waiting. The Bayeux Tapestry visually tells the story o…

Venture back with us to WWII and learn more about the enigmatic Colin Gubbins, the Director of the SOE. Under the guise of Professor Sandwich, Gubbins got the Enigma Machine into British hands. He also headed up Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. This is the WWII story you need to hear.By twigliot

This time-sensitive episode reflects fondly on two notable smuggling events. Theresa covers the Boston Tea Party that took place on December 16, 1773. Angie shares the Great Maple Syrup Heist, which while it took place over months, the investigation occurred from December 18-20, 2012.By twigliot

Join us for a delightful smattering of stories. Angie starts us off by telling us about the Great Balloon Escape. During this story, two families, Strelzyk and Wetzel, smuggle themselves from East Germany over the Berlin Wall on September 16, 1978. Theresa shares the lighthearted tale of Clara, the 18th-century rhinoceros who became a European sens…

Brace yourselves. Theresa is coming with spoilers for the movie Killers of the Flower Moon as she covers the horrific murders of the Osage Indians during the Reign of Terror, which took place from 1921-1926. Angie fills her role as the palette cleanser and brightens the mood by regaling us with both the history of mustaches and the waiter's stike o…

Whatever you're expecting from this episode, you aren't ready. Theresa shares the story of Francis Pegahmagabow, an indigenous Canadian veteran from WWI. He was the deadliest sniper, the most decorated First Nations veteran, and a staunch defender of his people's rights.By twigliot

We know you're like us. You woke up looking for a story about barmaids, banjo players, the 1814 Beer Flood, and zebras. So Angie shares the story of Lady Meux, the Victoria socialite who really lives a crazy life.By twigliot

If you're looking for a story that has everything, click that play button. A pointless battle, pirates, dysentery, and an absinthe bar. Theresa covers the Battle of New Orleans from 1814. You know, it was part of the War of 1812... yeah... it's a doozy.By twigliot

Theresa just can't contain her excitement as she regales us with the pirates from Baratarian Bay. Jean and Pierre Lafitte led colorful lives in the early 1800's in the New Orleans area. Angie shares the story of the only emperor of the United States, Joshua Abraham Norton, ( c. 1818 – January 8, 1880) who lived ruled from San Francisco. This man cr…

Whew. We hope you're fully hydrated for this episode. Theresa starts off with the tale of Arthur the Ghost who haunts the B-29 at Castle Air Museum in Atwater, CA. Angie follows her up with a true crime / supernatural mashup when she recounts the story of Bridget Cleary who is known as "the last witch burned in Ireland" in 1895.…

Join us this week as Theresa shares a bit of history and myth around Portland, Oregon's Shanghai Tunnels. She covers everything from Nina the ghost to the Chinese building and using them to escape drug raids.By twigliot

It's time for some comfy leggings and spooky stories. Join us this week as Angie shares the history behind Lady Mary Howard (1596-1671) and her carriage of bones.By twigliot

Come for the history story of Theresa sharing what she learned about Japanese saber saint Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645). He's yet another fighter of history with a remarkable number of duels under his belt -- over 60 duels that he's undefeated in.By twigliot

Whew. Grab yourself a tasty beverage of choice and nestle in for Angie sharing how Pepsi once had the sixth-largest navy in the world. Then get your refill before Theresa recounts the War of the Stray Dog. In 1925, Greece and Bulgaria had a conflict with a surprising start.By twigliot

No, you aren't suffering a mental breakdown listening to this. Theresa shares how Helen Duncan was the last woman sentenced under the British Witchcraft Act of 1735 ...in 1944. Angie "brightens" the mood by sharing her top 3 favorite mistakes in space.By twigliot

Strap your helmets on as Angie starts us off with a tale from the Van Buren sisters. In 1916, these women crossed the country on motorcycles within 60 days making themselves the first women to accomplish such a feat. Theresa refuses to be outdone and talks about the Great New England Vampire Panic. She touches on Mercy Brown, the Jewett City Vampir…

Whew. I hope you poured yourself a drink... Theresa starts off by sharing the creator of wifi, and the reason we have nice things like GPS and Bluetooth technology, Hollywood starlet, and Hedy Lamarr. Angie then shares the history of bourbon.By twigliot

Why does the 1800s get all the greats?! Pop in your earbuds and check out Angie's retelling of The Great Locomotive Chase of 1862. It starts with stealing a train and ends with the United States giving the first Medal of Honor to the participants.By twigliot

Few individuals live a life as unhinged as "Lord" Timothy Dexter. Living during the founding of the United States of America, Dexter goes from a poor uneducated son of farm laborers to a rich obnoxious uneducated neighbor. Join us as Theresa recounts the life of this man who keeps making money despite himself.…

Prepare to be delighted with this week's stories. Angie starts us off by sharing the tale of Jerome of Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia. This mysterious man appeared on September 8, 1863. Theresa turns around and tells the story of Sergei Ponomarenko, the time traveler from Kyiv who shows up in 2006 with evidence he's been to 2050.…

Join us this week for more incredible tales. First, Theresa shares the story of the 2002 mayoral election in Hartlepool, where residents voted for H'Angus the monkey mascot of the local football team to be their mayor. Stuart Drummond, the man behind the mask made for a surprising leader. Angie recounts her favorite mistress for the English king, C…

Join us as Angie shares the story of the Revolutionary War's Culper spy ring and Agent 355. Before you leave, stick around as Theresa recounts the problematic retelling of possibly trans man Catalina de Erauso, the lieutenant nun, who lived from 1592–1650.By twigliot

Get your popcorn ready; we'll wait. Theresa shares the story of 6th-century Frankish queens, Fredegund and Brunhild. These two women married into the Merovingian dynasty and reigned against each other during the 40-year civil war. There are assassins. There are battlefield tactics. This story has it all.…

Angie starts us out by telling the story of Cassius Marcellus Clay, Former United States Ambassador to Russia, abolitionist, and a man who was just born to fight. Theresa introduces Anandi Joshi, the very first female doctor in India.By twigliot