Category: Politics

THE BLACK NATIONALIST Queen Mother Audley Moore

Queen Mother Audley Moore was one of the most respected, most influential, longest-lasting influences on the US Black Nationalist movement, the Pan-African movement, the movement for Reparations, and the Black American organizing community in general across almost the entire 20th century. So why have most of us never even heard her name? Returning guest Ashley Farmer introduces Olivia to the incredible, unexpected force that was Queen Mother Audley Moore. Dr. Ashley Farmer is an internationally …

20th century / Africa / Black history / First woman to... / Ghana / Government / North America / Philosophy / Politics / South Africa / Tanzania / Travel / United States

THE MYSTERY The Ivory Lady

When a history-making Copper Age burial was unearthed in southern Spain in 2008, the world was stunned by the incredibly beautiful – and utterly unprecedented – artifacts found in the tomb of the so-called ‘Ivory Man.’ But fifteen years later, the archaeology world would be rocked by an even more astonishing discovery – that 5,000-year-old Ivory Man was actually an Ivory Lady! Archaeologist Marta Cintas Peña helps us dig into this remarkable ‘prehistorical mystery.’ Marta …

Ancient / Archaeology / Europe / Government / Politics / Prehistory / Religion / Spain

THE WITNESS Leonora Sansay

Leonora Sansay lived through the last chaotic years of the Haitian Revolution – but the book she wrote about it would tell an entirely unexpected story. Join returning guest Dr. Maria Windell as we explore the fascinatingly “messy-complicated” life of novelist Leonora Sansay – and uncover a fascinating link with “almost-Founding Father” (and 21st century Broadway icon) …Vice President Aaron Burr?   The text of Sansay’s novel Secret History is also available free on Project …

18th century / 19th century / Haiti / North America / Politics / Revolution / Travel / United States / War

THE SHAMAN QUEEN Himiko

In the 3rd century, a mysterious queen ruled the Kingdom of Yamatai (modern-day Japan) with a wise and steady hand. Her reign lasted almost 70 years – but what can we really know about her, when her people never wrote anything down? Anthropologist Laura Miller introduces Olivia to this elusive ancient queen.   Read more about Queen Himiko’s continuing “rebirth” as a powerful cultural icon in Laura Miller’s fascinating articles “Searching for Charisma: Queen Himiko” …

3rd century / Ancient / Archaeology / Asia / First woman to... / Government / Indigenous Peoples / Japan / Politics / Rulers

THE VAGABOND PRINCESS Gulbadan Begum

At the dawn of the Mughal Empire, a bold and brilliant Princess outlived three Emperors, and managed to create an adventurous, wildly unexpected life for herself during one of the most tumultuous eras in history. And luckily for the rest of us – she wrote it all down! Award-winning historian and author Dr. Ruby Lal is back to introduce us to THE VAGABOND PRINCESS, Gulbadan Begum.     Ruby Lal is Professor of South Asian Studies at …

16th century / Afghanistan / Asia / First woman to... / Government / India / Pakistan / Politics / Religion / Saudi Arabia / Travel / Writers

THE DOER Fulvia

The Roman Republic is collapsing and everything hangs in the balance. It’s a political game of kill-or-be-killed, and Fulvia did not come to play. You’ve heard of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra. But have you heard of Fulvia, who was at the eye of that infamous ancient Roman storm? Our guest Daisy Dunn⁠ is an award-winning classicist and author of ⁠The Missing Thread, A Women’s History of the Ancient World⁠. Travel with us to …

Ancient / Europe / Government / Italy / Politics

THE CLAIRVOYANT QUEEN Seondeok

Queen Seondeok of Silla was revered for her wisdom, her compassion, and most importantly – her ability to use nature’s signs to foretell the future! And with some truly audacious international diplomacy (and a resolute refusal to bend to patriarchal bullying) she would lay the foundations for the unification of The Three Kingdoms – now known as Korea. Karen Wang Diggs, author of The Book of Awesome Asian Women, helps us uncover the life of this …

7th century / Ancient / Archaeology / Asia / First woman to... / Government / Korea / Politics / Religion / Rulers

THE FREE AND INDEPENDENT WOMAN Sayyida al Hurra

Nobody knows her real name. But this “Uncontested Pirate Queen of the Western Mediterranean” certainly earned her title: the Sayyida al Hurra, the Free and Independent Woman. From child refugee fleeing the Spanish Inquisition, to ruling Governor of Tetouan, to the Sultana of Morocco – Sayyida was never one to follow the path society had laid out for her. Author Laura Sook Duncome helps us uncover the mystery of this one and only actual Pirate …

15th century / Africa / Europe / Government / Military / Morocco / Pirates / Politics / Religion / Rulers / Spain / Travel

THE IDEALIST Mary Ware Dennett

Mary Ware Dennett was one of the most important and influential activist for women’s rights, contraception, free speech and sex education in early 20th century America. So why does her nemesis Margaret Sanger get all the attention? Returning guest Stephanie Gorton helps Olivia unravel the mystery of this fascinating, forward-thinking woman. Stephanie Gorton wrote The Icon and the Idealist: Margaret Sanger, Mary Ware Dennett, and the Rivalry that Brought Birth Control to America (2024), longlisted for the …

19th century / 20th century / Activists / Educators / North America / Politics / United States / Writers

THE RELUCTANT EMPRESS Sisi

She prevented war and death on an immense scale, in acts that could earn the Nobel Peace Prize today. But History enshrined Sisi, Empress of Austria, as a vain beauty queen. The smear campaign was personal, not political: it started with her own tyrannical mother-in-law. Can Sisi conquer her own self-doubt, and drag draconian Austria into the modern world? Our guest is Nancy Goldstone, author of The Rebel Empresses: Elisabeth of Austria and Eugenie of …

19th century / Austria / Europe / Germany / Government / Hungary / Politics / Rulers / Slovakia / You Think You Know Her