Did people in the 18th century know about contraception? How did young women learn the facts of life before their wedding nights? How accurate is Bridgerton? What do we know about queer people from this era? We answer all these questions and more in a chat with romance novelist Alexandra Vasti! Learn more about Alexandra's books: alexandravasti.com/books Preorder Alexandra's upcoming sapphic romance novel Ladies in Hating (affiliate link) — Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel o...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Laura Secord was a 19th-century Canadian woman known mostly for a) the chocolate store named after her now and b) her iconic Canadian Heritage Minute, recounting her heroic walk. We break down her real story (and what's the connection to the chocolate company?) in this Canada Day Special! Featuring the debut of the Celine Dion Canadian History Scoring Scale! — Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! — RSVP for the Vulgar History in-person meet-up in...
Jul 01, 2025•48 min
The American and French Revolutions inspired people in Haiti to rise up. Yet the Haitian Revolution is not always included in discussions of the revolutionary 18th century. Here to untangle this knot of connections is author Zoe Sivak, whose novel Mademoiselle Revolution is about a woman navigating her way through this revolutionary era. Buy Zoe's book Mademoiselle Revolution from Bookshop (affiliate link) — Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! — RSV...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 21 min
Jean-Jacques Dessalines was one of the major figures in the Haitian Revolution. He was vilified and demonized during his life and afterwards. Julia Gaffield has written a new biography reckoning with his complex legacy, and she joins us this week to explain his importance to history. Buy a copy of I Have Avenged America: Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Haiti's Fight for Freedom by Julia Gaffield (affiliate link) — Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! — RSVP...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Last year, we dropped this bonus episode talking with Kit Heyam about the horny teen trans Roman Emperor Elagabalus. It fits so well in this month's Pride specials, the time felt right for a rerelease! After all, the French Revolution crowd were obsessed with ancient Rome and this story is a good reminder that the Romans were just as chaotic as anyone else in any other era. Plus, we're now in a post-Gladiator II world and the way Elagabalus fits into that narrative may just surprise you. Kit's b...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 30 min
Gouvernour Morris is a lesser-known American Founding Father (that was his name btw, not his job title). He was so full of BDE that he headed over to France in the midst of the Revolution to a) be the Ambassador and b) fuck. We're joined by historian Cassandra Good to discuss Gouvernour's sex scandal-filled life. Learn more about Gouvernour and other founding fathers sexy shenanigans in Cassandra's new course Early American Sex Scandals. — Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of th...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Diversity in human sex and gender is not a modern phenomenon. People have been living beyond the binary since the earliest recorded human civilizations, and authors Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett are here to celebrate all these transcestors in their new graphic novel Trans History: From Ancient Times to Present Day. Alex and Andrew join us for this celebration of trans history (the concept) and Trans History (their book) just in time for Pride Month! Buy a copy of Trans History: From Ancient Ti...
Jun 13, 2025•59 min
From warriors to tyrants and everything in between, the lives and reigns of Africa’s female and genderqueer rulers have long been shrouded in mystery, misunderstanding and misogyny. We're joined today by Paula Akpan to discuss several of these people, including Njinga of Ndongo and Ranavalona I of Madagascar. Paula's new book, When We Ruled: The Rise and Fall of Twelve African Queens and Warriors, is now available! Click here to buy a copy (affiliate link) — Preorder info for Ann's upcoming ...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Antonio de Erauso* was a trans man from Spain who went to South America in the 17th century, looking for adventure. The story of his life is full of murder, narrow escapes, and llamas. Author Gabriela Cabezón Cámara joins us to discuss her novel, We Are Green and Trembling, which examines the saga of Antonio de Erauso. * We previously discussed Antonio on this podcast under his birth name, Catalina de Erauso. Buy a copy of We Are Green and Trembling from Bookshop (affiliate link) — Preorder i...
Jun 06, 2025•53 min
Women's accomplishments across history are often dismissed as exceptions. But why are most scientists, reporters, sports stars, politicians, and businesspeople all men? Allison Tyra joins us to discuss the 600 women she's re-inserting into the historical narrative with her book Uncredited: Women's Overlooked, Misattributed and Stolen Work. Get a copy of Allison's book (affiliate link) Learn more about Allison's Infinite Women project Listen to Allison's Infinite Women podcast — Preorder info f...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Because of wildfires affecting northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, I'm re-releasing this episode about a woman who lived in these areas: Thanadelthur. She was a Dene woman who had a profound impact on the Dene people in Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba during the eighteenth-century fur trade. Much of Thanadelthur’s story is shared through oral storytelling among the Dene community. Our guest for this episode is Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth, a member of the Hatchet Lake Dënesųłiné First Nation in Tr...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Dangerous Liaisons (1988) is a movie based on a play based on Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's novel from 1782. What does this have to do with the French Revolution? Lots, including that Marie Antoinette herself owned a copy of this novel. I'm joined by Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times movie reviewer and co-host of Unspooled to talk about this movie and also the pros and cons of how movies are the way many people learn about history. Learn more about Amy's podcast, Unspooled! — Preorder info for my...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Manon Roland was a super-smart bookworm who amazed those around her from an early age with her intelligence (and strong opinions). When the French Revolution kicked off, she sent letters from Lyons to Paris to keep people updated on the latest news. She also got on the wrong side of Robespierre, which didn't go well. — Preorder info for my book, Rebel of the Regency! — Sign up for the Vulgar History mailing list! — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era....
May 21, 2025•2 hr 10 min
Etta Palm d'Aelders was a Dutch woman so sexy that she got hired as a spy for three different countries (simultaneously). One of these countries was France, which is how she wound up in Paris during the French Revolution. — Sign up for the Vulgar History mailing list! — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout — Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shi...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 26
To celebrate Pope Leo XIV, I pulled this out of the Patreon vault so everybody can enjoy our spoiler-filled discussion. Last year when the movie Conclave came out, Allison and I both went bananas. Little did we know, it would later be nominated for numerous Academy Awards, or that there would be an IRL conclave, or that the new Pope would be from Chicago WHERE ALLISON LIVES??? — Sign up for the Vulgar History mailing list! — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at comm...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 45 min
Charlotte Corday is a notorious figure from the French Revolution, best known for assassinating Jean-Paul Marat. Who was she, why did she do this, what art was inspired by her act, was she the Luigi of her time, and must we stan?? Special guest Gavin Whitehead from The Art of Crime podcast joins us to talk about the ribbons of it all. — Sign up for the Vulgar History mailing list! — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com...
May 07, 2025•2 hr 12 min•Season 7Ep. 26
Let’s go girls! Claire Lacombe and Pauline Léon came from different backgrounds: Claire was an actress from the countryside, and Pauline grew up in Paris the daughter of chocolatiers. But what they had in common was a passion for the French Revolution, women's rights, and attacking anyone who disagreed with them. And they were also Historically Very Good Friends if you know what I mean, and I'm sure you do. Plus: special guest stars The Market Ladies!! — References: Wikipedia (Claire) Wikipedia ...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 35 min•Season 7Ep. 25
Anne-Josèphe Théroigne de Méricourt was one of the most notorious people in the French Revolution. She arrived in Paris ready for revolution, used her theatrical experience to design unforgettable outfits, and did her best to fight for women's rights (with a sword by her side). We're joined by Claire Mead to talk about the gender shenanigans of Théroigne's saga, and why she deserved much better. Keep up with Claire's work about queer women and swords at clairemead.com — Sign up for the Vulgar Hi...
Apr 23, 2025•2 hr 16 min•Season 7Ep. 24
For the next seven weeks, we'll be looking at women who were actively involved on the Revolution side of the French Revolution in a miniseries we'll call Liberté, égalité, sororité: You Can't Stop The Women of the Revolution! We're starting off with one of the most well-known women of this era, Olympe de Gouges. Guiding our discussion/ explaining the French Revolution (because it's very confusing to me) is return guest and friend of the podcast, Leah Redmond Chang! Follow Leah on Substack at htt...
Apr 16, 2025•2 hr 26 min•Season 7Ep. 23
Esther Brandeau was a Jewish teen from France who (in true Catalina/Antonio de Erauso style) dressed in boy's clothes, chose a very fun pseudonym, and got a variety of jobs on ships. This is how they became the first Jewish person to set foot in Canada (though they didn't stay long). Image is from the cover of Sharon E. McKay's novel Esther (artist unknown). References: Dictionary of Canadian Biography Wikipedia — Sign up for the Vulgar History mailing list! — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewell...
Apr 11, 2025•29 min
Belle Elmore was born in a Brooklyn tenement and became a star on London's music hall scene. She devoted herself to fundraising for the Music Hall Ladies Guild and formed close friendships with her fellow performers. And then she was murdered by her husband. Author Hallie Rubenhold explores Belle's life and death in her new book Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress, and Dr. Crippen. Hallie joins us on the podcast to share Belle's story, and why she deserves to be seen as much more than jus...
Apr 09, 2025•59 min
Françoise-Marie Jacquelin, Madame La Tour, was a French woman in the 17th century remembered for her heroic deeds after she moved to the French colony in modern-day New Brunswick, Canada. Learn more about Place Fort La Tour in modern-day New Brunswick. Canadian voters: get info on strategic voting in your riding at https://smartvoting.ca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 05, 2025•39 min
Joanna of Naples (1326-1382) was Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily for thirty action-packed and highly scandilicious years. This story has it all: kidnappings! Revenge murders! Evil popes! Evil husbands! Being trapped in an iron cage for fourteen years! The black plague! References: Queens of Infamy: Joanna of Naples by Anne Theriault on Longreads The Lady Queen: The Notorious Reign of Joanna I, Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily by Nancy Goldstone — Sign up for the Vulgar History maili...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Anahareo, also known as Gertrude Bernard, was a Canadian writer, animal rights activist and conservationist of Algonquin and Mohawk ancestry. She also invented having a bob with bangs. Canadians: get info on strategic voting for the federal election at SmartVoting.ca Buy a copy of Anahareo's book Devil in Deerskins: My Life With Grey Owl Info on Grey Owl's cabin in Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan References: Anahareo, by Alison Wick Anahareo (Wikipedia) — Vulgar History is an affilia...
Mar 28, 2025•42 min
Anne I (1665 – 1714), best known as the main character of the movie The Favourite, was Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland and then of Great Britain and Ireland for twelve years. Her life story is a gossip buffet of rivalry, death, and resiliency. But how will she score on the scandilicious scale?? References: Queen Anne: Politics and Passion by Anne Somerset The Favourite: The Life of Sarah Churchill and the History Behind the Major Motion Picture by Ophelia Field — Sign up for the Vulgar Hi...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 9
I'm back and as Canadian as ever, ready to share the nonstop twists and turns of the story of Mona Parsons! Featuring: my hometown, and maybe my ancestor? And also, hard launching What'shisface, my boyfriend! Elbows up, y'all. Learn more about Mona Parsons at monaparsons.ca Get a copy of Mona Parsons: From Privilege to Prison, From Nova Scotia to Nazi Europe by Andria Hill-Lehr — Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through an...
Mar 21, 2025•56 min
Eugénie of France was one of the most influential and glamorous women in nineteenth-century Europe. Nancy Goldstone's new book Rebel Empresses explores Eugénie's efforts to rule amid the scandal, intrigue, tragedy, and violence of their era. Order a copy of Nancy Goldstone's book The Rebel Empresses: Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France, Power and Glamour in the Struggle for Europe. — Sign up for the Vulgar History mailing list! — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at c...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Season 7Ep. 22
Time to learn about Canadian history! In this first Canadian Heritage Minute(s) we learn about: Why Canada has united in rage-patriotism What "elbows up" means And, most importantly, the story of iconic Canadian heroine Viola Desmond! References: Canadian History Ehx episode about Viola Desmond 'Elbows up' rallying cry evokes memories of Mr. Hockey by Alastair Steele, CBC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 13, 2025•27 min
A real-life historical figure, the woman known as Malinalli, Malintzin, La Malinche and Doña Marina is best known as the Nahua interpreter who helped Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés communicate with the native people of Mexico. But she was a whole person long before he arrived. Mexican-American author Veronica Chapa has retold her story in the new novel Malinalli, and joins us to talk about the real history that inspired her book. Buy a copy of Malinalli by Veronica Chapa. — Sign up for the V...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 33 min
Here's a recording of the event that I did last week in Minneapolis at Magers & Quinn booksellers with Allison Epstein! You may recognize a familiar voice from the audience, which is Minneapolis local and Vulgar History icon Lana Wood Johnson! Yes, this is the event where Lana, Allison and I all met each other in person for the FIRST TIME in front of twenty other people! Buy a copy of Fagin the Thief here! — Sign up for the Vulgar History mailing list! — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jeweller...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 9 min
