Category: Government

THE FIRST LADY Pat Nixon

For decades, her remarkable achievements as United States First Lady have been overshadowed by her husband’s big mistakes. Returning guest Heath Hardage Lee is back to help change that! Olivia introduces us to the remarkable and unfairly forgotten Pat Nixon. All photos courtesy of the US National Archives unless otherwise indicated. Heath Hardage Lee is an award-winning historian, biographer, and curator. Heath’s first book, Winnie Davis: Daughter of the Lost Cause, won the Colonial Dames …

20th century / Activists / Educators / First woman to... / Government / North America / United States / You Think You Know Her

THE IRISH JOAN OF ARC Maud Gonne

She was one of the key figures of Irish Independence, known in her lifetime as The Irish Joan of Arc. But somehow, history only remembers Maud Gonne as the woman who wouldn’t marry WB Yeats. More recently, a BBC headline called her “Ireland’s heroine who had sex in her baby’s tomb.” Both those things are true, but… her real story is even more bonkers – and of course, so much more amazing. Join us with …

19th century / Activists / Europe / Government / Ireland / Journalists / Writers

THE BYZANTINE Irene of Athens

From arriving at the port of Constantinople as a teenage bride to the heir to the Byzantine Throne, to exiling – and blinding – her own son, Constantine IV, to boldly crowning herself the first Empress Regnant of the Byzantine Empire, Irene of Athens’ life was a wildly unpredictable ride through one of the most tumultuous and fascinating periods of medieval history. Olivia interviews archaeologist and historian Judith Herrin, author of Women in Purple: Rulers …

8th century / 9th century / First woman to... / Government / Greece / Politics / Religion / Turkey

THE SOLID CITIZEN Frances Perkins

Frances Perkins, first female cabinet secretary in US history, was the mind (and the will) behind nearly every landmark policy of the Roosevelt administration’s New Deal – so why doesn’t anyone know her name? Award-winning author Stephanie Dray introduces us to the remarkable woman whose vision and relentless hard work would touch the life of every American for nearly a century.   Frances Perkins’ childhood home in Maine has recently been designated a National Historic …

20th century / Activists / First woman to... / Government / North America / Politics / United States

THE WILD CHILD Alice Roosevelt

When Alice Roosevelt’s dad became President of the United States, her family became the center of attention for the entire country (and the world) – and that was just how Alice liked it. Whether smoking on the White House roof, racing her bright red motorcar through the streets of Washington DC, or wearing her snake Emily Spinach as jewelry while attending Congressional Balls – Alice scandalized her parents and delighted the nation. But that was …

20th century / Activists / Government / North America / Politics / United States / Writers

THE MONGOL KHATUN Genghis Khan’s Daughters

Without the daughters of Genghis Khan, there would have been no Mongol Empire. Four women ruled over North, South, East, and West, in what would become the largest land empire in the history of the world. It’s a story you’ve never heard, because the sisters were literally cut out of the Mongol records. Join us with eminent Mongol scholar Jack Weatherford, who went searching for the missing story… and found it. illustrations of the Khatun …

12th century / 13th century / Asia / China / Government / India / Iran / Military / Mongolia / Politics / Russia / Syria / Travel / Turkey / Uzbekistan / War

THE QUEEN OF HAITI Marie-Louise Christophe

Say you join a revolution in the name of liberty and equality – then someone hands you a crown. Could you do more good with that power? Or will everything fall apart? Come with us to Haiti and across Europe in the twisty-turny tale of the Queen of Haiti, Marie-Louise Christophe. Katie’s guest is Vanessa Riley, author of Queen of Exiles.   To learn more about the sound recordings by anthropologist Alan Lomax, check out …

19th century / Black history / England / Europe / Government / North America / Politics / Religion / Travel / War

THE WOMAN KING Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut is probably the most successful female pharaoh Egypt ever had – so why doesn’t anyone know how to say her name? Discover the 18th Dynasty’s most fascinating, enigmatic ‘woman king’ with returning guest Egyptologist Kara Cooney. Dr. Kathlyn (Kara) Cooney is a professor of Egyptian Art and Architecture at UCLA. In her latest book, The Good Kings, she turns to five ancient Egyptian pharaohs – Khufu, Senwosret III, Akenhaten, Ramses II, and Taharqa – …

Africa / Ancient / Archaeology / Egypt / Government / Politics / Religion

THE WARDEN Maria van Nispen

We often hear about history’s various Golden Ages, but what about when good times were over? Maria van Nispen, a bricklayer’s daughter, came of age during the Dutch “Disaster Year,” 1672. Justice, stability, even the Republic itself seemed lost. If you can’t change the world, change yourself… Travel with Katie to Leiden archives to unearth this remarkable tale with guest Susan Suer. Check out this 360 view of the Leiden Prison today. Susan Suèr is …

17th century / Europe / Government / Netherlands

THE WARRIOR QUEEN Chand Bibi

Chand Bibi served as regent of two different Sultanates in the 16th century Deccan peninsula, and ruled over some of the most important – and tumultuous – years in the region’s history. Versions of her story have been told and retold in India for generations – but what really happened to this enigmatic queen? Our guest Dr. Sarah Waheed helps us unravel this fascinating mystery.   Learn more about the important ways that ‘rediscovering’ Chand …

16th century / Asia / Government / India / Military / Politics / Religion / War