This two part series is all about Napoleon Bonaparte, the scrappy outsider who just wanted to belong. In part one, Napoleon worked hard to prove himself in the French army after he was booted out of his homeland of Corsica. He used his brilliant mind to rise through the ranks and help the revolutionaries secure an independent France. But after a disastrous military campaign in Egypt, he returns to France to find all of his hard work undone. Now, Napoleon has a new mission – achieving political p...
Oct 14, 2024•47 min•Ep. 45
Napoleon Bonaparte is notorious for being a power-hungry, vertically-challenged French emperor who conquered, and then pissed off, much of Europe in the 19th century. But Napoleon wasn’t that short, wasn’t born in France, and actually wanted to be a writer. He was an upstart from Corsica who started out as a bullied outcast just looking for some respect. But he quickly learns that men like him aren’t just handed respect. They have to take it for themselves. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wonde...
Oct 07, 2024•44 min•Ep. 44
In part one, Christina rejected gender norms and was raised as a prince in order to prepare for the throne. But parting with tradition eventually meant parting with her crown. So Christina bids goodbye to Sweden and heads off to a new, exciting life in Rome. But life without a crown will turn out to be a lot tougher than she imagined. Eventually, she decides her only option is to find a new one – no matter the cost. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your ...
Sep 30, 2024•43 min•Ep. 43
Christina of Sweden was a 17th century royal who rebelled against gender norms from the day she was born – when she was wrongly misgendered as a boy! Even after the air was cleared, Christina rejected the life of a classic femme royal by learning swordplay, riding horses, and having an affair with her lady-in-waiting. But when Christina comes up against the one duty she can’t escape – marrying and providing an heir – she risks her crown to stay true to herself. Listen to Even The Roy...
Sep 23, 2024•44 min•Ep. 42
Esther Kamatari is a Burundian princess – and one of France’s first Black supermodels. She was raised to be a devoted princess to her people, but when the monarchy falls and her family is blacklisted, Esther flees to Paris. She embraces her new life and makes history on the Parisian catwalks. But Esther can’t outrun her past. And eventually, she has to figure out if she can be both a world-class supermodel and a people’s princess. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App...
Sep 16, 2024•44 min•Ep. 41
Jack and Jackie have turned over a new leaf. He’s not sleeping around (as much), and Jackie’s expecting a new addition to the family. But just as they’re finally learning to live together, another tragedy tears them apart. Listen to Even The Rich on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by ...
Sep 09, 2024•40 min•Ep. 40
Now that they’re married, Jackie can’t wait to build a home with her new husband Jack. But the chronically ill politician has other ideas in mind. Convinced he’ll die young, Jack says yes to every opportunity that comes his way – and every woman. The stress of Jack’s disrespect takes a physical toll on Jackie and pushes their marriage to the breaking point. But with the White House on the horizon, they’ll have to team up to make it through. Listen to Even The Rich on the Wondery App or wherever ...
Sep 02, 2024•45 min•Ep. 39
We'll be back in two weeks with all-new Even the Royals episodes, but in the meantime, we’re bringing you a story about American Royalty. It’s a series from our sister show, Even the Rich, all about the tumultuous love story between John F. Kennedy and Jackie Onassis.Without a guaranteed inheritance, Jackie’s future depends on marrying well. But none of the men in her social set excite her. She’s brilliant, cultured, and endlessly curious – and they just want an adoring housewife. Ent...
Sep 02, 2024•44 min•Ep. 38
In part one, Katherine worked hard to be the perfect wife for her first two husbands. She never thought husband #3 would be the King. But Katherine thrives as Henry’s sixth wife and starts using her platform as queen to promote her passion for religious reform. She thought she had Henry’s full support – until she spots an arrest warrant with her name on it, signed by the King himself. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad...
Aug 26, 2024•44 min•Ep. 37
Katherine Parr was Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife and is known for being the one who survived. But she almost didn’t survive marriage to Henry, and for a way different reason than any of his other wives. Katherine was forced to give up her dream of marrying for love when Henry chose her as his next wife. She decides to turn lemons into lemonade and make the most of her new-found power and status as queen. But ambition is the fastest way to make enemies at court – and Katherine will learn the ...
Aug 19, 2024•42 min•Ep. 36
All her life, Catherine Howard had to fight for agency in a world of men who tried to control her. When she becomes Queen number five, she’s given her first dose of power – and she’s finally able to make some of her own choices…including choosing a lover she’s actually into. But there’s no such thing as privacy in Tudor England. And when you’re sneaking around on Henry VIII, you’re risking more than just true love. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podca...
Aug 12, 2024•44 min•Ep. 35
Anne of Cleves was planning on living a nice, quiet life in her small German province. But when Henry VIII proposes after seeing her portrait, her whole world gets turned upside down. Things become extra complicated when Anne and Henry finally meet in person. Henry decides he’s not attracted to her – and tells anyone who will listen that she catfished him. Anne will have to find a way to stay out of the line of fire – or risk Henry trying to get rid of her by any means necessary. Listen to Even ...
Aug 05, 2024•39 min•Ep. 34
Jane Seymour was a seemingly unremarkable woman destined to live on the fringes of other people's great lives – until she catches the eye of the king. Now that she has a better future in sight, Jane will use everything she’s learned at court to ensure that she becomes Henry’s third queen. But marrying Henry will turn out to be the easy part. After Anne Boleyn is beheaded, it’s clear to Jane that there are no happily ever after guarantees with King Henry VIII. Listen to Even The Royals ...
Jul 29, 2024•44 min•Ep. 33
In Part One, Anne climbed the ranks and became Henry’s second wife. Now she has to make up where the last queen failed and give Henry a male heir. But when that proves easier said than done, Henry’s eyes start to wander…right over to Anne’s new lady-in-waiting, Jane Seymour. Anne wants to stop history from repeating itself. But she has no idea how low her enemies will go to get her out of the way. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen earl...
Jul 22, 2024•39 min•Ep. 31
Anne Boleyn has been painted by history as a woman-hating vixen who weaseled her way into being Queen number two. But the real story is way more complicated. Anne started out as a pious lady-in-waiting who garnered the King’s attention. When Henry’s interest grows into a full-blown obsession, Anne decides she wants to be more than just another mistress. But first she’ll have to convince him to leave his first wife – which means changing the religion of an entire country. NBD. Listen t...
Jul 15, 2024•42 min•Ep. 30
In part one, Catherine’s once ideal marriage to Henry VIII started to sour when she didn't provide a son to inherit the throne. And now that he has a younger girlfriend, Henry is ready to do whatever it takes to replace and erase Catherine – and make Anne his new queen. But two decades on the throne have turned Catherine into a formidable opponent. And she’s determined to hold on to her crown – no matter how ugly the fight gets. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever ...
Jul 08, 2024•44 min•Ep. 29
We mostly remember Henry VIII’s six wives because of their fate at the hands of history’s most notorious ex. But there’s so much more to them than divorce, death and beheadings. Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was a Spanish princess who grew up believing that being Queen of England was her destiny and God-given right. But getting–and staying–on the throne turns out to be a lot more complicated than she thought. When she isn’t able to have a healthy son and heir to the throne, Henr...
Jul 01, 2024•44 min•Ep. 28
Lady Jane Grey ruled London for just nine days in 1553 before getting royally screwed by a power hungry Queen Mary I. But the creators of the new Amazon Prime series My Lady Jane are reclaiming Jane’s narrative, and building a world where Jane not only survives, but thrives. Brooke and Aricia sit down with the creator and showrunners of My Lady Jane , Gemma Burgess and Meredith Glynn, to find out what it took to bring this story to the screen. Later, the show’s breakout star Emily Bader joins th...
Jun 27, 2024•37 min•Ep. 32
In part one, Queen Charlotte and King George III fell into the kind of love story you usually only see in movies. But when George's health takes a mysterious turn, Charlotte finds herself with more questions than answers. Now, George’s rivals – including his own son – are plotting to force him off the throne. Charlotte has to find the strength to take on these enemies and pull the love of her life back from the brink. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts...
Jun 24, 2024•38 min•Ep. 27
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz is a C-list princess from a tiny province who plans on living a lowkey life. But when the King of England asks for her hand, 17-year-old Charlotte finds herself thrust into the spotlight. Lucky for her, she and George III fall madly in love. But their fairy tale marriage is threatened when George falls prey to a mysterious illness. Shy Charlotte suddenly finds herself having to step up to the big leagues and play a political game – all to protect the love of her...
Jun 17, 2024•41 min•Ep. 26
In part one, Seretse Khama of Bechuanaland convinced his people to accept his white, British wife Ruth, only to discover that Britain and South Africa had other ideas. Now, these world powers are trying to prevent him from ever becoming king. But Seretse refuses to accept it. He’s determined to find a way to keep his wife and rule his people….even if he has to make a lot of good trouble along the way. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen ...
Jun 10, 2024•43 min•Ep. 22
Prince Seretse Khama was supposed to become the next king of the Bangwato tribe (in present day Botswana). But when, in the 1940s, he falls in love with a white British woman, their relationship sparks an international scandal. Powerful nations jump in to tear the couple apart and the crisis threatens Seretse’s crown. But he’s determined to be with the woman he loves and become the leader he was born to be – no matter how hard his enemies fight to bring him down. Listen to Even Th...
Jun 03, 2024•44 min•Ep. 21
This two-part series is all about Richard III, a Medieval family man who finds himself navigating England’s real-life Game of Thrones. In part one, Richard grew up in the shadow of his big brother and learned how to tear it up on the battlefield. Now, he’s in a battle with his in-laws to lead the Kingdom. But the more Richard fights for his rightful place, the closer he’ll get to his ultimate demise. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen e...
May 27, 2024•46 min•Ep. 24
Richard III has gone down in history as the hunchback king who killed his own family for the throne, thanks to William Shakespeare. But Shakespeare got a lot wrong. The English king’s life was a lot more like Game of Thrones than Shakespeare’s play. Like Ned Stark, Richard battles rumors and all kinds of backstabbing to protect his family’s throne. But the more he tries to hold on to power, the sharper the knives in his back become. Even worse, the people who wield them aren’t just his...
May 20, 2024•45 min•Ep. 23
Ubolratana of Thailand’s story is the classic tale of a princess who wants to throw her crown away and live happily ever after with a commoner. Except…Ubolratana’s story doesn’t end with happily ever after. Because this princess decides she made a mistake. But she’ll soon find out that putting the crown back on her head will be a lot harder than taking it off. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join W...
May 13, 2024•44 min•Ep. 25
In Part One, Caroline of Brunswick escaped her controlling parents only to wind up in a worse situation – married to Prince George IV of England, a serial cheater who despises her. Luckily, the English people hate the Prince just as much as she does. And that’s gonna come in handy because George is about to become king – and will use his newfound power to try to get rid of Caroline, again. She’ll have to use every trick up her sleeve in order to beat him at his own game. Listen to...
May 06, 2024•42 min•Ep. 20
Over a hundred years before Princess Diana and Prince Charles, there was another doomed British royal couple: Queen Caroline and King George IV. Caroline and George’s hatred for each other runs so deep that it leads to a war that snowballs into a full blown tabloid circus. (Imagine Johnny Depp and Amber Heard-level drama, but set in Jane Austen’s era.) Their fighting eventually ends in a trial about sexual double standards -- with the whole country waiting on the edge of their seats to...
Apr 29, 2024•44 min•Ep. 19
Grigori Rasputin has gone down in history as the famous Russian peasant who used his mystical skills to rise to the height of power at the turn of the 20th century. But do you know the man who murdered him? Meet Prince Felix Yusupov, the handsome and rich Russian royal desperate to make a name for himself. But Felix is about to find out that plotting the magic man’s murder is way easier than getting away with it. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You...
Apr 22, 2024•44 min•Ep. 18
In part one, Grigori Rasputin went from a powerless peasant to the spiritual advisor of the Tsar and Tsarina, the most powerful couple in Russia. Now, Rasputin’s “healing abilities” have been put to the test. If he saves their son, Alexei, he can solidify his place of power. If he doesn’t, he’s gone for good. Unfortunately for Rasputin, whatever the outcome, he’s already made enemies who are scheming to bring him down - dead or alive. In this episode we discuss sexual assault. If you or so...
Apr 15, 2024•40 min•Ep. 17
Pop culture has painted Grigori Rasputin as a power-mad mystic who rose from the dead and destroyed the Russian dynasty. But the truth about Rasputin is a lot more complex. In this two-part series, we follow the story of a peasant who dreams of rising to the top of society and a Russian Tsarina desperate for a miracle. But the higher Rasputin climbs, the more his enemies want him gone – for good. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts...
Apr 08, 2024•43 min•Ep. 16
