Right Answers Mostly - podcast cover

Right Answers Mostly

Claire Donald & Tess Bellomolinktr.ee
History is just gossip! Join hosts Tess Bellomo and Claire Donald every Monday as they break down the juiciest stories from history and pop culture over a cocktail!
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Episodes

(PREMIERE) RAM POP CULTURE EDITION! Next Gen NYC & RHOM

It’s the premiere of our brand-new Friday edition, where Bravo and pop culture take center stage! We've been working up to this moment for our entires lives. This week, we're diving into Real Housewives of Miami: aka our chaotic, scary aunts, and sharing why we're obsessed with Next Gen NYC. The new crew is bringing fresh energy, overdue conversations, and a whole new vibe to the network, and honestly? We’re here for it. We think this is the best show we've seen in awhile on Bravo since Summerho...

Jul 18, 20251 hr 3 min

The Smartest "Dumb Blonde" in Hollywood, Jayne Mansfield

Jayne Mansfield was one of the most iconic blonde bombshells of the 1950s and '60s, known for her curves, pink convertibles, and publicity stunts. But beneath the platinum hair and plunging necklines was a sharp mind, a savvy media manipulator, and a woman navigating the pressures of fame, motherhood, and misogyny in postwar America. In this episode, we explore Jayne’s life not just as a Hollywood starlet, but as a feminist figure ahead of her time, a woman who used her sexuality as currency, ch...

Jul 14, 20251 hr 9 min

Joan of Arc Was Burned for Wearing Pants (Literally)

This week, we’re diving into the story of the ultimate history girly: Joan of Arc. Born to a peasant farmer, Joan started receiving visits from saints (yes, really) at just 13 years old. These visions that told her to lead France to victory in the Hundred Years’ War. By 17, she was doing exactly that. But things took a turn when she was captured, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake...basically for being a woman in charge and wearing pants. Classic. We honor Joan, her bravery, and the legac...

Jul 07, 20251 hr 3 min

The College Admissions Scandal

In this week's episode we talk about the ridiculous 2019 College Admissions Scandal which consisted of wealthy parents trying to get their children into elite colleges illegally, two of those parents being famous actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin. Lori, famously being the mother of now influencer Olivia Jade had a very different process than Desperate Housewives' star, Felicity Huffman. We get into how it happened and what they paid to have done, how they plead, and the consequences o...

Jun 30, 202545 min

Love Island Winner: Elizabeth Weber Tells All

This week in the villa, wait, We mean on RAM! We're joined by Love Island USA Season 1 winner, Elizabeth Weber! Elizabeth gives us all the juicy behind-the-scenes details of Love Island: what it’s really like in the villa, whether people actually fall in love, and yes, just how many bathrooms there are (you’ll be shocked). We also dive into Elizabeth’s life post-Island, including how she’s built a career in social media and content creation. She shares how her experience in reality TV shaped her...

Jun 23, 202556 min

Feminist Astrology

In this episode we have the ICONIC feminist astrologist Babs Cheung on to dissect what it means to dismantle the patriarchy through astrology. She then reads both of our charts for some MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY READING as she likes to call it (get ready for some tears) and ends the episode with comparing our charts to see our compatibility in business and friendship. It was truly such a great, we will most definitely be having her on again for more fan questions about astrology! Produced and create...

Jun 16, 20251 hr 34 min

Steve Madden: From Jail to Retail

This week, we’re diving into the world of the shoe mogul himself: Steve Madden. From hustling shoes out of the trunk of his car to building a billion-dollar brand, Steve’s journey is anything but ordinary. We unpack how his rapid rise got tangled in the chaos of The Wolf of Wall Street, landing him behind bars, and how he managed to bounce back stronger than ever. His story is a wild ride of risk, resilience, and really good shoes. Who else grew up wearing Steve Madden? And we still love Steve M...

Jun 09, 20251 hr 14 min

HBO's Girls: All Adventurous Women Do

In this episode, we have friend of the pod and of our lives, Hannah Aaron Brown on as a fantastic guest to discuss HBO'S Girls: the cultural influence, controversies, favorite episodes, and if it could or should be made today! To all of our millennials who are nostalgic for this iconic show, or if you're a GenZ and just becoming obsessed, this episode is for you! We break it all down and feel like we're back in Brooklyn, with a PBR in hand, making a sad girl Tumblr post. Stick around for a fun q...

Jun 02, 20251 hr 26 min

Alcatraz: The OG Scary Island

We've been traveling, we've been to prison, that’s right: it’s Alcatraz time. Join us as we unpack the infamous island’s dramatic history. From its days as a military fort to becoming the country’s most notorious federal prison. We talk famous prisoners like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly (no, not that one), escape attempts, and what life was really like on the OG scary island. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo To learn more about our podcast go to our ⁠website ⁠ To sign up...

May 26, 202538 min

Justin, Hailey, and Selena

In this episode, we dive into one of pop culture’s most talked-about relationship timelines: Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber, and Selena Gomez. But this isn’t your typical celebrity gossip breakdown. Through a feminist lens, we explore how media narratives have consistently framed women as rivals, even when the story is far more complex, and human, than that. We trace the key moments, challenge the headlines, and ask bigger questions about fame, fan culture, misogyny, and the personal cost of publi...

May 19, 20251 hr 22 min

Judge Judy Takes No Sh*t

This week, we cover the one and only Judge Judy. From her Brooklyn beginnings where she honed that signature gift of gab, (hello, such a Rammie?!), to becoming the highest-paid woman in daytime TV history, Judy Sheindlin is truly in a court of her own. We get into her days as the only woman in her law school class, her personal ups and downs (three marriages, she stays busy!), and how she rose to become one of the most recognizable, meme-worthy, no-nonsense icons in pop culture. Court is in sess...

May 12, 20251 hr 14 min

Katy Perry Was Our Teenage Dream

Before TikTok trends and AI pop stars, there was Katy Perry, our Teenage Dream in a technicolor fever dream. In this episode, we take a glitter-drenched walk down memory lane to revisit the era of blue wigs, all her famous juicy relationships, whipped cream cannons, and that unforgettable Taylor Swift drama. Was it camp? Was it chaos? Was it genius? We’re unpacking the legacy of one of pop’s most delightfully bizarre icons, and wondering how we ever survived the 2010s without questioning the cup...

May 05, 20251 hr 25 min

From Side Piece to Duchess: Wallis Simpson

WALLIS SIMPSON PREVIEW: Twice divorced, fiercely charming, and unapologetically herself, Wallis didn’t just turn heads, she turned the course of British history. From American debutante balls to the glittering circles of high British society, she made her way to the top (and into the heart of a king). Prince Edward became utterly obsessed with her quick wit and razor-sharp style, and before long, he gave up the crown for love...whether she wanted him to or not. Was she a social climber? A scapeg...

Apr 28, 202544 min

Redefining Meghan Markle

In this episode, we’re unpacking Meghan Markle—yes, the Duchess of Sussex—as a modern feminist figure. From speaking out on women’s rights long before she joined the royal family, to pushing back against outdated expectations and relentless media scrutiny, Meghan’s journey has been anything but ordinary. We talk about why she deserves more credit, how her story highlights bigger issues around race, gender, and power, and why it's time we start seeing her in a different light. Love her or not sur...

Apr 21, 20251 hr 24 min

You Asked, We Overshared

We’re back from Tess’s wedding weekend, and this week we’re reconnecting with all our Rammies in a special Ask Us Anything! We cover it all—from our dream blunt rotation and advice for your early 20s to getting over situationships and, of course, all things RAM. We laughed, we cried, we mention it all. Enjoy, Rammies! Created by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo For more of RAM, go here! To join our premium subscription for THREE bonus episodes a month, go here! Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

Apr 14, 20251 hr 13 min

The Explosive Marriage of Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner

We're giving you Rammies a little preview of the wild ride that was Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner's relationship. He was “The Voice,” and she was “The Goddess.” Their love was passionate and fiery—full of glamorous movie sets, booze-filled nights, and insane drama. In this episode, we explore their past loves, the wild night in Palm Springs that brought them together, and the paths their lives took after their explosive divorce. Plus, we dive into the one thing that allegedly kept Ava coming bac...

Apr 07, 202542 min

The Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart

This week we are giving you a preview of our premium episode on the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart. In the summer of 2002, at the age of 14, Elizabeth Smart became one of the nation's most famous kidnap victims when she was abducted from her bedroom in Salt Lake City. We dive into the harrowing details of her nine-month captivity and the incredible rescue that brought her home! This story will leave your jaws on the floor. For the full episode, join our premium channel! TW: This episode has discu...

Mar 31, 202542 min

Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni

In this episode, we dive deep into the public clash between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, unpacking the layers of gender dynamics, power, and privilege that underpin the media frenzy. With a feminist lens, we explore how these two celebrities were portrayed differently in the media, how gendered expectations shaped public perception, and what this reveals about society's broader views on men, women, and the complexities of fame. And yes, we talk about the movie, the fashion, and the Tiktok dr...

Mar 24, 20251 hr 12 min

Girl Scouts!

This week we're bringing you the history of Girl Scouts LIVE from Spotify! We dive into the rebellious origins of the Girl Scouts, their fight to prove that girls could do more than just bake (though they did turn cookies into a billion-dollar empire), and the surprisingly intense rivalry that started it all. One thing is for sure, we are now going to LIVE BY THE GIRL SCOUT LAW! Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo For more about our podcast, go here! For three BONUS episodes a...

Mar 17, 202542 min

America's Next Top Model

In this episode, we take a wild ride through the iconic (and often absurd) world of America's Next Top Model. From Tyra's jaw-dropping moments to the fierce drama between contestants, ANTM was never short on jaw-dropping craziness. We're talking insane photo shoots, unforgettable meltdowns, and of course, Tyra's unforgettable "I was rooting for you!" rants. Grab your best smize, because we're breaking down the most chaotic, cringe-worthy, and hilarious moments from the show that made us laugh, c...

Mar 10, 20251 hr 9 min

Broke but Vibing: The Rise of Recession Pop!

This week, we're joined by THE TikTok hot girl anthropologist, Hannah Brown! She’s giving us the ultimate breakdown on Recession Pop—because even when our bank accounts were empty, the bottle service was flowing. From the Great Depression to the 2008 financial crisis, history shows that when morale is low, pop music is at its peak. We also dive into the fashion and culture of the era (Tumblr nostalgia, anyone?). So grab your last $20 and let's party like we’re going to live forever! Created and ...

Mar 03, 20251 hr 2 min

The First Female Self-Made Millionaire, Madam CJ Walker!

This week we tell the inspiring story of the pioneering entrepreneur and beauty mogul, Madam CJ Walker. From being the first member in her family to be born into freedom after the emancipation proclamation and her remarkable rise to becoming the first female self-made millionaire, we talk about the challenges she faced as a black woman in the early 20th century, her groundbreaking business strategies and her unwavering commitment to empowering other women. This is Madam CJ Walker! Created and pr...

Feb 24, 20251 hr 13 min

Shirley Chisholm: The Woman Who Should Have Been President

This week we're chatting about the groundbreaking life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm—the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first woman to seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. From her early days in Brooklyn as a day care teacher to her fearless fight for racial and gender equality, Shirley's career was defined by her unapologetic advocacy and refusal to play by the rules of the political establishment, and you know we love a woman who doesn't play by th...

Feb 17, 20251 hr 14 min

The History of Porn

In our first ever COLLAB episode with Honeydew Me Podcast, we talk about the history of Porn. Yup, let's say it all together now. PORN. In an attempt to take the shame out of porn, especially for women, we dive into the history from ancient porn, to the Golden Age of porn, what the internet did to expand it, and some of the benefits of watching it solo or with your partner. Of course we talk about juicy sex tapes and how the early 2000s completely changed pop culture regarding sex. To finish off...

Feb 12, 20251 hr 19 min

The OG of the OC, Vicki Gunvalson

We had the HONOR to talk to the OG of the OC, the first ICONIC Housewife who graced us on the Bravo screen for almost 13 years. She answered our juicy questions about friendship updates with Tamra and Shannon, how she really feels about Heather Dubrow, behind the scenes TEA of what really happens after the reunions, and entertained us with two games of "Love it or Leave it: Housewives Edition" and "Guess the quote: Housewives edition." What a TREAT! You can listen to Vicki's podcast, My Friend, ...

Feb 03, 202538 min

Amy Winehouse

This week we go into the extraordinary life, talent, and legacy of Amy Winehouse. From her rise at jazz clubs in London to her tragic battle with addiction. Join us as we unpack her musical genius, her impact on pop culture, and the challenges of fame that shaped her story. We love you, Amy! Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@Rightanswersmostly⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok at ⁠⁠⁠@Rightanswersmostly⁠⁠⁠ Join Premium at https://rightanswersmostly.supportingcast.fm/ for $7.99/month for two bonus episodes TW: This episode ...

Jan 29, 20251 hr 24 min

The Secrets and Scandals That Built Old Hollywood

We're kicking off our first themed month with OLD HOLLYWOOD! Claire takes us through the story of how Hollywood and the movie business came to be. We learn why the film industry moved out West from the East Coast (We're looking at you Thomas Edison), How the studios were built and the horrifying reality of what it was really like to be an original movie star. Welcome to old Hollywood month Rammies! Created and Produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@Rightanswersmost...

Jan 27, 202554 minSeason 3Ep. 1

Mary Jane Richards: The Civil War's Best Kept Secret

Happy Martin Luther King Jr day! Today we discuss "Mary Bowser", whose ACTUAL name was Mary Jane Richards, an extraordinary woman whose life exemplified courage and ingenuity during the American Civil War. Born into slavery in Virginia, she was freed by her owner, a Quaker, and later worked as a spy for the Union. After gaining her freedom, she worked in the Confederate White House in Richmond, Virginia, as a servant, which gave her unprecedented access to sensitive Confederate military and poli...

Jan 20, 20251 hr 4 min

Catherine The Great did NOT hook up with a Horse

We're kicking off 2025 with some royal history as we dive into the fascinating life of Catherine the Great! From a Prussian princess with an overbearing stage mom to the longest-reigning empress of Russia, Catherine transformed her empire into one of Europe’s greatest powers. Despite being betrothed to the awkward and incel-esque Peter III, she quickly rose above her circumstances, winning over the hearts of the Russian people and orchestrating a successful coup. And because it’s RAM, you know w...

Jan 14, 20251 hr 18 min

UFOs Are Real.

Claire gives us the back story on all things UFOs. From the Roswell incident and mysteries behind Area 51 to the new government program designed to study UAPS, this episode will leave you wondering, is there really life on mars? Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@Rightanswersmostly⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok at ⁠⁠⁠@Rightanswersmostly⁠⁠⁠ Join Premium at https://rightanswersmostly.supportingcast.fm/ for $7.99/month for two bonus episodes Learn more about your ad c...

Jan 06, 20251 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 27
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