In part one, Theodora escaped poverty and exploitation and rose through the ranks of Byzantine society. When she marries the love of her life, Justinian, and he gets the bump to Emperor, she rises even higher – to co-ruler – and uses her newfound power to fight for women’s rights. Theodora has everything she’s ever wanted – status, love, and the ability to make change. But when riots threaten to topple her reign, she’ll resort to ruthless measures to hold on to her new life. Be the first to know...
Mar 10, 2025•40 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast You know those messages that you get all the time, the ones that pop up out of nowhere? They could be real, but something about them seems fishy. You likely dismiss these texts and emails as mere annoyances, thinking you’ve stopped some random stranger from ripping you off. But the shocking truth is, the person behind that message might be trapped inside a “scam factory” on the other side of the world and forced to scam others against their will. From Wondery, comes a new series about the brutal...
Mar 05, 2025•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Empress Theodora was a true rags to riches story. She rose from humble circus performer all the way to the top of the royal food chain through wit, charm, and sheer gutsiness. As a child, she dreams of a more glamorous life – but climbing the ladder is tough, particularly during the Byzantine era. And the higher she goes, the more people try to knock her down. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Mar 03, 2025•40 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast We'll be back next week with an all-new episode of Even the Royals. In the meantime, we're returning to one of our favorite episodes on Grace Kelly's daughter, Stephanie, Princess of Monaco. When Grace Kelly died tragically in 1982 she left behind a legacy as an actress, philanthropist, and fashion icon. But she also left behind a 17-year-old daughter who was in the car crash that took Grace’s life. Princess Stephanie of Monaco is born into royal fame and fortune, but almost immediatel...
Feb 24, 2025•47 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast Monica Lewinsky has been a major reference in pop culture since she was 24 years old when a scandal made her a household name overnight. Since then, she’s fought to redefine her reputation - and now, she's ready to encourage others to take back their power, too. On her new podcast "Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky," Monica leads honest and wide-ranging conversations about what it means to write your own narrative. Each week, guests share how they've rediscovered purpose, rebuilt relationships, an...
Feb 19, 2025•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re throwing it back to high school and dishing out some superlatives — with a royal twist of course. Who’s the most rebellious royal? Which couple gets the sweetest love story? And who will be crowned our most devious schemer? Brooke and Aricia are joined on the yearbook committee by Katy Hearne-Church and Nathan Foster, hosts of Queens Podcast, where they talk about the royals you may or may not have heard about in history class. The four hosts will share their Royal insights, hot takes, and...
Feb 17, 2025•36 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re bringing you three stories of modern royals who, against the odds, found their OTL. There’s Aussie Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark, whose unlikely love story hinges on the approval of the Danish people accepting a foreigner as their future queen. Then American college-grad Ariana, who meets a mystery man at a nightclub, only to find out months into their relationship that the man she’s fallen in love with is an Ethiopian prince. And finally, small-town...
Feb 10, 2025•48 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast This two-part series is all about Sundiata Keita of Mali – the founder of one of West Africa’s largest empires. In part one, Sundiata battled scheming family members, fled his home in Niani, and found a new life in the Kingdom of Mema. But now that Niani is in danger, it’s time for Sundiata to return home and fulfill the prophecy of his birth. But first he’ll have to unite dozens of warring kingdoms – and then take on a seemingly invincible enemy. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newes...
Feb 03, 2025•39 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast Centuries before Pumbaa and Timon taught Simba the meaning of hakuna matata in The Lion King, a real-life lion king founded the Mali Empire in the 13th-century. Sundiata Keita was destined to be a great ruler from birth – a prophecy even promised he’d be the next Alexander the Great. But after his father dies, his scheming stepmother steals his throne for her own son, and banishes Sundiata. So Sundiata heads out on an epic quest to reclaim his kingdom, and prove that his reign truly is written i...
Jan 27, 2025•41 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast In Part Two, Catherine the Great launched a coup and kicked her good-for-nothing husband to the curb. But turning her bold new vision for Russia into a reality is easier said than done. Catherine has to abandon some of her Enlightenment ideals and embrace her ruthless side – all while balancing her professional life and her love life. And in the end, she’ll have to decide what matters more – love, or country. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more...
Jan 20, 2025•41 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast In Part One, Catherine the Great transformed from an eager-to-please princess into an ambitious leader focused on bringing Russia out of the dark ages. But when it becomes clear that her husband Peter isn’t going to step up and help, Catherine decides it’s time to take matters into her own hands. With the support of her newest lover, Catherine stages a coup and takes over. But once she’s in the top spot, she realizes that maintaining her ideals is easier said than done – and that she’ll have to ...
Jan 13, 2025•39 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast They don’t call her The Great for nothing. There’s a reason Catherine the Great is the star of TV series, movies, and an overall pop culture icon. Bold, ambitious, and famous for her double digits list of lovers, Catherine seized control of Russia and ruled the country longer than any woman in history. But her career didn’t start off without a hitch. At first, she was just a shy princess from a no-name duchy. But when her new husband Peter rejects her, Cat has to forge new paths to power…and lov...
Jan 06, 2025•41 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast In part one, Grace Kelly fought her way from aspiring actress to onscreen queen. Now she has an even bigger role on the horizon: European princess. Grace is about to catch the attention of Prince Rainier of Monaco, but marrying into a royal family will come with a whole lot more than she bargained for. Princess of Monaco will be her hardest role yet – and will eventually cost Grace her career, her happiness, and her freedom.Next week, we'll be back with a brand-new Even the Royals episode. Be th...
Dec 31, 2024•46 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast While we work on some brand-new episodes of Even the Royals, we’re bringing back one of our first - and one of our favorite - Royals. Grace Kelly was a Hollywood icon in the 1950s. She worked with legends like Clark Gable and Alfred Hitchcock and only left when it was time to marry a real-life prince. She seemed to live the ultimately fairy tale life, but it came at a price – she fit herself into the box of perfection only to find herself trapped there. In part one of this two-part series Grace ...
Dec 30, 2024•46 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast On this special episode of Even the Royals, we’re going to tune into one of our favorite forms of entertainment – holiday rom coms! Join Brooke and Aricia for a rewatch of “The Princess Switch,” the Netflix classic about a Duchess and a Chicago baker who swap places to experience each other’s lives. It’s a royal twist on a Hallmark Christmas flick featuring Vanessa Hudgens’ being a total queen and a couple of steaming hot co-stars. Brooke and Aricia will make connections between the characters a...
Dec 23, 2024•34 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast On Christmas day in 1950, twenty-five-year-old Scotsman Ian Hamilton and his friends embark on the heist of the century. The Stone of Destiny, an ancient Scottish artifact, was stolen by the British in the thirteenth century and moved to Westminster Abbey. And now Ian decides it’s high time to steal it back. But busting out an ancient artifact from a national landmark is easier said than done. This holiday caper has it all – sneaky stakeouts, buried treasure, last minute freak outs, and a reveng...
Dec 16, 2024•42 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast This two-part series is all about Isabella I of Castile – one of the most powerful female rulers in European history. In part one, Isabella went from pawn to queen by outsmarting her brother and scooping up the crown. Now, she has to step up her game if she wants to remain queen and turn Castile into a Spanish empire. But the road to global dominance comes with a high price – one that history will never forget. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, a...
Dec 09, 2024•46 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast Before there was Queen Elizabeth or Catherine the Great, there was Isabella I of Castile, a 15th century queen who changed the course of history – and created the Spain we know today. Isabella was a princess who was never destined to be queen. But when she realizes that she can do the job better than the men around her, she takes matters into her own hands and fights for the throne. After gaining power, she spends the rest of her life proving that it may take a king to make an heir – but it...
Dec 02, 2024•44 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast While we work on some brand-new episodes of Even the Royals, we're bringing back one of our first episodes, with some new updates. Martha Louise was born a princess of Norway, but she never truly felt like one. She spends years looking for a place where she can belong. And in true modern fashion, this place includes angels, a controversial celebrity shaman and a whole lot of bad press. This is the story of a clairvoyant princess who never felt truly at home in a castle, so she create...
Nov 25, 2024•48 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast We’re taking a pause from scandal, beheadings and teen betrothals to get excited for the holiday season! It's no secret that the UK loves Christmas. British Vogue contributor Rebecca Cope joins Brooke and Aricia to dish on the most entertaining, hilarious and scrumptious British royal holiday traditions. From joke gifts to six-course dinners, Christmas with the Windsors will not disappoint. Later on, Brooke and Aricia will test some classic British holiday treats to see if mince pies a...
Nov 18, 2024•37 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast In part one, George Villiers joins King James’ Royal Bedchamber and quickly becomes the king’s Favorite – and his lover. But George is desperate to prove that he’s more than just a pretty face, so he starts a new career in politics. In the end, he’ll have to make some hard choices – and decide if being a history-maker is worth giving up the love of the King. Listen to Even The Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. J...
Nov 11, 2024•43 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast George Villiers is a noble nobody who wants to be a royal somebody. He spots an opportunity for greatness by becoming one of King James’s Gentlemen of the Bedchamber, AKA the group of men who are bestowed with titles, cash…and sometimes the honor of being the king’s lover. But getting into James’ bed is easier said than done – especially when James’ current lover is a jealous, power-hungry Earl who has no intention of giving up the top spot. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a...
Nov 04, 2024•42 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast In part one, Sophia Duleep Singh’s British it-girl existence came crashing down after a trip to India revealed that her picture-perfect life was a facade. Now, Sophia is back in London, but she’s through with dog shows and tea parties. She’s ready to join a group of women fighting for their right to be heard – the suffragettes. But power players in London are set on keeping these women silent, including the Crown. Sophia will have to put her elite life, and actual life, on the line in order to m...
Oct 28, 2024•43 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast Sophia Duleep Singh was a Punjabi princess who grew up in England at the turn of the 20th century. She spends her teen years proving to the English elite that she belongs. But her reality shatters when she visits India for the first time and realizes just how much her life in England’s posh circles was a lie. In her search for a place to belong, Sophia ends up connecting with a group that’s ready to raise hell - and make some royal enemies along the way. Listen to Even The Royals on th...
Oct 21, 2024•38 min•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 
