Welcome to Season 11! In this episode, we’re diving into the truth behind Atlantis—no glowing crystals or ancient aliens here. Just mythology, philosophy, pseudoscience, and a wild detour into Nazi occultism (yep, really). Discover how Plato’s fictional allegory became one of the most misunderstood stories in history, how it fueled racist pseudoscience, and why people *still* believe in the Lost City today. Plus: real sunken cities, academic beef, and why archaeologists would LOVE to find Atlant...
Jul 04, 2025•42 min
Was Red Sparrow just a steamy spy thriller—or was it based on something real? In this episode, we dive deep into the Cold War’s most seductive secret: Russia’s alleged Sparrow School, where young agents were allegedly trained in sexpionage to seduce and spy on targets across the globe. From blackmail, honey traps, and sparrows in sexy lingerie to real operations that reached as far as the Obama administration (allegedly 👀), this episode uncovers the history behind the world’s most infamous spy ...
Jun 27, 2025•27 min
💌 Episode Summary Before Instagram poets and moody notebook scribbles, there was Sappho—the original lyric poet who set hearts (and historians) on fire. This week, we dive into the life, love, and legend-level drama of the Greek icon whose poems gave us longing, lyricism, and one of the best ancient bisexual panics in literary history. From inventing an entire genre of poetry to possibly being married to “a literal penis from the Island of Man” (thanks, trolls), Sappho’s legacy is powerful, poe...
Jun 20, 2025•27 min
Ever heard of a spy duo in their 60s walking three Cocker Spaniels around Nazi-occupied Paris by day and running a secret escape line by night? No? Then buckle in. In this episode, TK interviews bestselling author Matthew Goodman about his riveting new book, *Paris Undercover*—a deep-dive into the true story of two real-life badass women who defied fascism during World War II. We talk about the historical detective work that uncovered the truth behind a bestselling memoir, the women erased from ...
Jun 14, 2025•46 min
Welcome, delicious donuts! 🍩 In this episode of For the Love of History, we’re unraveling the fascinating story behind The Dressmakers of London with award-winning author and Emmy-nominated journalist Julia Kelly. It's part historical deep-dive, part emotional sister saga, and 100% packed with nerdy joy — just how we like it. 🧵 What You’ll Learn: 💙How women navigated fashion rationing in WWII (spoiler: red lipstick was patriotic). 💙What it really meant to be conscripted as a woman in 1941. �...
Jun 06, 2025•50 min
This week, we’re diving toga-first into the life and utter chaos of Caligula—the Roman emperor who ruled for just four years and made every single second a full-blown historical fever dream. From horse palaces and floating orgy boats to stabbing Poseidon and bullying his own guards, Caligula redefined what it meant to rule like a god (or at least think he was one). But was he really mad… or just the ultimate troll in a laurel wreath? This is Roman history at its weirdest—and honestly, its most f...
May 30, 2025•29 min
Forget everything you thought you knew about pirates—because this week, we’re telling the real story of the woman who ran the South China Sea and left Blackbeard in the dust. Meet Zheng Yi Sao: sex worker turned pirate queen, ruthless businesswoman, and literal nightmare of the Qing Dynasty. In this wild ride through 18th-century China, you’ll hear how a nameless girl from a fishing village built the most powerful pirate confederation the world has ever seen—and retired with her head (and fortun...
May 23, 2025•41 min
What do Catholic women in the Balkans, tattooed mummies in the Philippines, and Arctic medicinal ink have in common? They've all left their mark—literally and metaphorically—on the history of indigenous tattoo traditions. In this episode of For the Love of History, I sit down with renowned tattoo anthropologist Dr. Lars Krutak to explore his latest book: Indigenous Tattoo Traditions. We dive deep into the meaning, evolution, and resistance etched into skin across continents and centuries. 🖋️ Fr...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 2 min
There would be no true crime without this man!! What do Marilyn Monroe, Sharon Tate, and Robert F. Kennedy have in common? They were all investigated by Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the so-called “Coroner to the Stars.” In this episode of For the Love of History, host TK sits down with author and researcher Anne Choi to talk about her book L.A. Coroner, which unpacks the bizarre true story of how one Japanese American forensic pathologist turned celebrity death into public drama while navigating life as ...
May 09, 2025•40 min
In this powerful episode of For the Love of History, host TC is joined by scholar and author Dr. Anita Say Chan to explore the unsettling historical roots of modern data science and artificial intelligence. Drawing from her groundbreaking book Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future, Anita uncovers how today's predictive algorithms trace back to 19th-century eugenics. Yes, really. Statistical regression—the backbone of online recommendation engines—was develo...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 12 min
🎙 Sisters in STEM: The Truth About Hypatia (No, She Wasn’t a Math Babe Martyr) Who really was Hypatia of Alexandria? A fourth-century philosopher. A math editor. A teacher who handed out celestial knowledge like candy—and nope, she wasn’t some toga-clad sex symbol seducing her students for extra credit. (We’re looking at you, 19th-century fanfic bros.) In this season finale of For the Love of History, your charmingly chaotic guide TK unpacks the real story behind one of the most misunderstood w...
Apr 25, 2025•46 min
I can't thank this community enough, thank you for giving me a voice, thank you for helping me give a voice to the voiceless of the past, and thank you for joining me for the last 5 years as I talk about the weirdest shit in history! I love you always and don't forget to drink your water 💙💛 TK 🍩 💙💛 Links & Housekeeping 🎤 Love for the Love of History? Rate, review, and share this episode! 🤩App Info🤩 ______________________________________ Want more For the Love of History? Patreon Inst...
Apr 20, 2025•1 hr 23 min
🛑 Step away from the keyboard, put down your lukewarm coffee, and get ready for a journey through the most stomach-churning, backbreaking, and downright horrifying jobs in history! This week, we’re diving into the roles that made people question their life choices—often while covered in filth, plague, or both. What’s Inside This Episode? 💩 Tosher – Because someone had to shovel Victorian human waste (spoiler: it was as bad as it sounds) 🔥 Sin Eater – the poor unfortunate souls that ate bread ...
Apr 04, 2025•47 min
It's time for some hidden history, dear one!! Did you know one of Japan’s most famous artists had a secret weapon? And no, it wasn’t just his paintbrush! In this episode, we uncover the fascinating, overlooked story of Katsushika Oi, the daughter (and possible secret collaborator) of the legendary Hokusai! Oi wasn’t just any artist—she was a bold, brilliant painter who worked in the shadow of her famous father. Her work, including the stunning 'Night Scene in the Yoshiwara,' showcased her master...
Mar 28, 2025•52 min
Hold onto your corsets and brace yourself for some historical spice, because today we’re talking about Victorian nipple rings. Yes, you read that right. The prim and proper era of high collars, afternoon tea, and… pierced nipples? Turns out, the Victorians (and their French counterparts in the Belle Époque) were way freakier than we give them credit for. What’s Inside This Episode? 💎 The origins of nipple piercings—from medieval queens to Victorian aristocrats 💎 Why high society women (and men...
Mar 21, 2025•27 min
Grab your smelling salts, delicious doughnuts, because we’re diving into the scandalous, bizarre, and often horrifying world of 18th-century reproductive health! This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Mina Moriarty—historian, writer, and content creator extraordinaire—to talk about contraception and menstruation in the 1700s. Spoiler alert: it involves lemon rinds, animal intestines, and a whole lot of societal shame. What’s Inside This Episode? 🩸 The shocking (and slightly terrifying) ways peo...
Mar 14, 2025•48 min
Ahoy, history besties! Ready to set sail into the chaotic and badass world of piracy? But forget the bearded, rum-guzzling captains of the 1600s—this week, we're diving into the legend of an ancient pirate queen who gave Rome the middle finger and (allegedly) cursed an entire city. Meet Teuta of Illyria, the woman who turned the Adriatic Sea into her personal treasure chest and left a legacy fierce enough to still haunt the waves. What’s Inside This Episode? ⚓ A queen who ruled with a cutlass an...
Mar 07, 2025•34 min
When the world told them to sit down, they danced. When their voices were silenced, they sang. When religion and government tried to erase them, they thrived in the shadows. Welcome to the story of mudang (무당), the women who shaped and preserved Korean shamanism (or Musok 무속) against all odds. This episode dives into their centuries-long defiance and the magic, rebellion, and resilience that kept their traditions alive. ✨ How Korean shamanism became a lifeline for women cast out by Confucian soc...
Feb 28, 2025•40 min
Buckle up, history besties—this episode is not safe for work (unless you’ve got headphones and a rebellious streak). We’re diving deep into the history of sex with none other than Esmé Louise James, the brilliant mind behind Kinky History! In this delightfully scandalous conversation, we uncover: 🔥 How Esmé went from studying religious history to becoming a sex historian 🔥 The wild story of how the history of the dildo launched her career 🔥 The medieval obsession with…well, rimming and witchc...
Feb 21, 2025•51 min
Happy Valentine’s Day, history besties! Whether you’re blissfully in love, dodging dating apps like a pro, or just here for the weird history (respect ✊), this episode is for you. We’re diving deep into history’s strangest, grossest, and most WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT aphrodisiacs and ancient booty calls. Spoiler: some people really went to extreme lengths to set the mood. 💘 What’s on the Love Potion Menu? 🪲 Spanish Fly: The original "love potion" (also, uh, poison). 📞 YOU UP?: The 5 am booty cal...
Feb 14, 2025•32 min•Season 10Ep. 159
Welcome to For the Love of History! In this episode, we dive into a lesser-known yet fascinating tale of maritime history with author and archaeologist Andrew Celyn. His latest book, Kidnapped at Sea: The Civil War Voyage of David Henry White, uncovers the harrowing journey of a free Black teenager who was abducted and forced aboard the infamous Confederate raider, the CSS Alabama. We discuss how David Henry White’s story defies Confederate propaganda and serves as a powerful counterpoint to the...
Feb 07, 2025•44 min•Season 10Ep. 158
Welcome back, my delicious doughnut! 🍩 This week, we’re peeling back the velvet curtain on one of London's most scandalous and fabulous crime syndicates: the Forty Elephants, an all-women gang who ruled the shoplifting scene from the Victorian era well into the Roaring Twenties. Think Oceans Eleven, but make it corsets, diamonds, and bloomers with pockets big enough to hide a whole department store. What You’ll Learn in This Glamorous Heist of an Episode: 💎 How these women outsmarted Victorian...
Jan 31, 2025•39 min•Season 10Ep. 157
Welcome back, dear one! This week, we’re scrubbing in and diving scalpels-first into the history of surgery. From ancient skull drilling to the OG rhinoplasty (nose job, anyone?), this episode explores the bizarre, bloody, and brilliant evolution of ancient surgical techniques. Spoiler: it’s not all medieval barber surgeons and questionable hygiene. What you’ll learn in this episode: 📚How Neolithic humans invented brain surgery (and somehow survived!). 📚Why ancient Egyptian surgeons were ahead...
Jan 24, 2025•36 min•Season 10Ep. 156
Welcome, history besties and ink enthusiasts! This week on For the Love of History, we’re taking a deep dive into the fascinating world of tattoo anthropology with none other than Lars Krutak, author of Tattoo Traditions of Asia. Lars shares jaw-dropping stories from his 25+ years of fieldwork, uncovering the hidden meanings behind indigenous tattoo traditions across Asia and beyond. Ever wondered why a hornbill or centipede might make it onto someone’s skin? Or how tattoos protected warriors in...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 10Ep. 155
Did you know that Socrates—yes, that Socrates—had a teacher who was a woman? And not just any woman, but Aspasia of Miletus, the queen of ancient philosophy, rhetoric, and savage comebacks. In this episode, we’re diving deep into her life, her legacy, and the absolutely wild smear campaigns she endured (spoiler: haters gonna hate since 450 BCE). Get ready to learn how Aspasia schooled some of the smartest guys in Athens, ran academic salons that gave women a voice, and may have even written some...
Jan 10, 2025•42 min•Season 10Ep. 154
🇯🇵 JAPAN TRIP🇯🇵 💛💙Community Census💙💛 Welcome back, dear one! Season 10 kicks off with a bang as we hop into our time machine and zoom back to the Minoan civilization—the OG seafaring fashionistas of Crete. Were they ruled by thick (with two C’s) nature mommies? Or was it all just ancient patriarchy with a side of fabulous frescoes? Let’s find out! What’s in Store: 🛕 A deep dive into Minoan palaces (hello, indoor plumbing and menstrual pits—yes, you read that right). 🎨 Frescoes, frescoe...
Jan 03, 2025•39 min•Season 10Ep. 153
It’s time for a creepy, cozy Christmas! In this episode of For the Love of History, we delve into the chilling legend of Krampus, the infamous counterpart to Saint Nicholas. This horned, mythical creature has haunted Alpine folklore for centuries, delivering punishment to those who land on the naughty list. Discover the fascinating origins of Krampus, from his roots in Norse mythology to his connections with the goddess Perchta in Alpine pagan traditions. We’ll explore: How Krampus evolved from ...
Dec 27, 2024•29 min
If you’ve ever wondered about the wild, weird, and occasionally disgusting history of colors, you’re in for a treat. In this week’s episode of For the Love of History, we’re joined once again by fan-favorite and resident archaeologist Hannah—a walking encyclopedia of ancient technologies. Together, we dive into the fascinating history of pigments and explore how colors shaped human history, art, and even survival. From poisonous paints to snail-squeezed purples, this episode is packed with quirk...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Grab your hot beverage ☕️ and cozy up, because this week on For the Love of History, we're diving into the magical world of winter witches. Across the globe, from the snowy mountains of Japan to the frosty forests of Germany, winter has long been intertwined with folklore, magic, and powerful women. Join me as I uncover captivating tales of winter witches, their cultural significance, and how they’ve inspired both awe and fear throughout history. Discover fascinating legends such as: Frau Holle,...
Dec 13, 2024•31 min
Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of historical poison! 🧪💀 This week, we’re joined by the fabulous Sinead Hanna, co-host of The Poisoner’s Cabinet. Together, we unravel the legendary tale of Aqua Tofana, the deadly (yet oddly empowering?) poison of 17th-century Italy. What’s Inside This Episode? 📚Aqua Tofana 101: The mythical poison that could kill with precision—days, weeks, or even years later! 📚Julia Tofana’s Poison Ring: How women in abusive marriages found an unconventional “out”...
Dec 06, 2024•49 min•Ep. 152
