Mary Tudor

Mary is one of the more notorious monarchs on record, due in large part to her relentless persecution of Protestants earning her the moniker of “Bloody Mary.” But was this reputation earned? Mary’s brutality was not unique to the 16th century, but the lens of history loves to vilify women for doing the same things their male counterparts do. Mary’s reign is chalk full of religious upheaval and reform in England. Following the death of Henry VIII (good riddance!), England had two religions contending for supremacy. The reign of Mary Tudor represents Catholicism’s last gasping, violent breath. Not to mention the karmic balancing to all Henry VIII’s bullshit (ugh – we can’t hate him enough!) We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, kids. Religious fundamentalism is bad! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

Mary is one of the more notorious monarchs on record, due in large part to her relentless persecution of Protestants earning her the moniker of “Bloody Mary.” But was this reputation earned? Mary’s brutality was not unique to the 16th century, but the lens of history loves to vilify women for doing the same things their male counterparts do. Mary’s reign is chalk full of religious upheaval and reform in England. Following the death of Henry VIII (good riddance!), England had two religions contending for supremacy. The reign of Mary Tudor represents Catholicism’s last gasping, violent breath. Not to mention the karmic balancing to all Henry VIII’s bullshit (ugh – we can’t hate him enough!) We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, kids. Religious fundamentalism is bad! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

39. Mary Tudor - Queen of England

In the conclusion of Mary’s story, we discuss one of history’s most exaggerated rivalries between the Queen of Scots and the Queen of England. After the Scottish noble families turn on their queen, Mary flees Scotland for England where she hopes to find sanctuary from her cousin, Elizabeth. We discover that Mary was in fact much more difficult than we originally gave her credit for . . . much to her own detriment. In the end, all roads have led Mary to her infamous fate, a block that awaits her head and an axe for her neck. But Mary insisted on having the last word, promising the known world would erupt in chaos following her death. Spoiler alert: it did!--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

In the conclusion of Mary’s story, we discuss one of history’s most exaggerated rivalries between the Queen of Scots and the Queen of England. After the Scottish noble families turn on their queen, Mary flees Scotland for England where she hopes to find sanctuary from her cousin, Elizabeth. We discover that Mary was in fact much more difficult than we originally gave her credit for . . . much to her own detriment. In the end, all roads have led Mary to her infamous fate, a block that awaits her head and an axe for her neck. But Mary insisted on having the last word, promising the known world would erupt in chaos following her death. Spoiler alert: it did! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

38. Mary, Queen of Scots - Part III

Following the death of her first husband, Mary returns home and finds a less than warm reception in Scotland. Considered a foreigner in her own native country and, worse yet, a Catholic Queen in a recently converted Protestant country, Mary had an uphill battle to fight. Fortunately for our Mary, Queen of Scots, Europe is full of eligible bachelors and she gets her pick of the lot! Unfortunately for Mary, she chose Lord Darnley, who we can all agree was the literal worst. Join us for a tale of love, jealousy, gun powder and treason. For Mary, Queen of Scots, this is the height of her reign. But the end is nigh . . .--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

Following the death of her first husband, Mary returns home and finds a less than warm reception in Scotland. Considered a foreigner in her own native country and, worse yet, a Catholic Queen in a recently converted Protestant country, Mary had an uphill battle to fight. Fortunately for our Mary, Queen of Scots, Europe is full of eligible bachelors and she gets her pick of the lot! Unfortunately for Mary, she chose Lord Darnley, who we can all agree was the literal worst. Join us for a tale of love, jealousy, gun powder and treason. For Mary, Queen of Scots, this is the height of her reign. But the end is nigh . . . --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

37. Mary, Queen of Scots - Part II

Mary, Queen of Scots might be one of the most popular and well-known monarchs in Scottish history, but who was she really? Orphaned and the new Scottish Queen by the absurdly young age of six days old, Mary was marked by tragedy right from the start. From Henry VIII’s “Rough Wooing” of Scotland to Mary’s early years in France under the watchful eyes of her powerful Guise uncles and her headstrong mother-in-law, Catherine de’ Medici, Mary outshines her perpetually sickly and sniveling French husband and stakes a claim for the English throne. All before the age of seventeen.--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

Mary, Queen of Scots might be one of the most popular and well-known monarchs in Scottish history, but who was she really? Orphaned and the new Scottish Queen by the absurdly young age of six days old, Mary was marked by tragedy right from the start. From Henry VIII’s “Rough Wooing” of Scotland to Mary’s early years in France under the watchful eyes of her powerful Guise uncles and her headstrong mother-in-law, Catherine de’ Medici, Mary outshines her perpetually sickly and sniveling French husband and stakes a claim for the English throne. All before the age of seventeen. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

36. Mary, Queen of Scots - Part I

Dear Listener, we present you with a special episode about a tale of morality, power and petty letters to old lovers who have vexed us. In this relaxed episode Rachel and Kat discuss one of their favorite fantasy series and the nuanced women (and men) that make up the world of The Witcher. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

Dear Listener, we present you with a special episode about a tale of morality, power and petty letters to old lovers who have vexed us. In this relaxed episode Rachel and Kat discuss one of their favorite fantasy series and the nuanced women (and men) that make up the world of The Witcher. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

35. The Lesser Evil

Jeanne refused . . . that is all.We’ve discussed the French Wars of religion through Catherine de Medici’s own story and that of the Catholics. Now let’s flip it and reverse it, taking a look at the conflict through Jeanne d’Albret Queen of Navarre’s eyes and the side of the Protestants. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed! From an 11-year-old bride kicking and screaming down the aisle to the obstinate Queen of Navarre with an alliance and marriage offer for her son that sounds a little too good to be true. And through it all Jeanne refused to be anything other than the headstrong political leader of the Huguenots. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

Jeanne refused . . . that is all. We’ve discussed the French Wars of religion through Catherine de Medici’s own story and that of the Catholics. Now let’s flip it and reverse it, taking a look at the conflict through Jeanne d’Albret Queen of Navarre’s eyes and the side of the Protestants. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed! From an 11-year-old bride kicking and screaming down the aisle to the obstinate Queen of Navarre with an alliance and marriage offer for her son that sounds a little too good to be true. And through it all Jeanne refused to be anything other than the headstrong political leader of the Huguenots. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

34. Jeanne d’Albret (Jeanne the Queen!)

It is said that Catherine de’ Medici had dreams that came true and there was one in particular that haunted her throughout her family’s reign over the French Kingdom. In the final episode of our four-part series, Rachel and Kat discuss the fall of the Valois dynasty, thus fulfilling the prophetic dream Catherine fought so hard to prevent. But before the fall, we have more family drama, more awkward carriage rides following failed attempted coups and more people ignoring warnings about attempted assassinations. *Spoiler alert: everyone dies in the end (sort of)* But the legacy of Catherine de’ Medici survives and history remembers her as being one of the most complex and complicated female leaders to have ever existed. Some of her legacy is good; a lot of it is bad; but none of it is boring. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

It is said that Catherine de’ Medici had dreams that came true and there was one in particular that haunted her throughout her family’s reign over the French Kingdom. In the final episode of our four-part series, Rachel and Kat discuss the fall of the Valois dynasty, thus fulfilling the prophetic dream Catherine fought so hard to prevent. But before the fall, we have more family drama, more awkward carriage rides following failed attempted coups and more people ignoring warnings about attempted assassinations. *Spoiler alert: everyone dies in the end (sort of)* But the legacy of Catherine de’ Medici survives and history remembers her as being one of the most complex and complicated female leaders to have ever existed. Some of her legacy is good; a lot of it is bad; but none of it is boring. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

33. Catherine de’ Medici - Part IV:

Every villain has an origin story and this is where the Wicked and Evil Italian Queen is made:Catherine de Medici’s evolution from powerless pawn and scorned wife to master manipulator and Regent of France beside her son, King Charles, has been rife with religious unrest. The French Wars of Religion between the Catholics and the Huguenots has ramped up and, even with a union of Protestant and Catholic royalty on the horizon, Catherine’s own precarious strategizing will inevitably be her downfall and spark the flames that will forever tarnish Catherine’s good name. Warning: this episode gets dark and terrible and, while we don’t go into specific detail, we recommend you have a happy song/movie/podcast queued up and ready to go for after you’ve listened to Part III of Catherine de Medici. Rachel and I suggest the movie, Anastasia. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

Every villain has an origin story and this is where the Wicked and Evil Italian Queen is made: Catherine de Medici’s evolution from powerless pawn and scorned wife to master manipulator and Regent of France beside her son, King Charles, has been rife with religious unrest. The French Wars of Religion between the Catholics and the Huguenots has ramped up and, even with a union of Protestant and Catholic royalty on the horizon, Catherine’s own precarious strategizing will inevitably be her downfall and spark the flames that will forever tarnish Catherine’s good name. Warning: this episode gets dark and terrible and, while we don’t go into specific detail, we recommend you have a happy song/movie/podcast queued up and ready to go for after you’ve listened to Part III of Catherine de Medici. Rachel and I suggest the movie, Anastasia. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

32. Catherine de’ Medici - Part III

The saga of Catherine de Medici continues with the death of Francis I and the ascension of Henry II and Catherine to King and Queen of France. Sidelined once again while her husband’s focus remained on his mistress, Diane de Poitier and the overly ambitious Guise family her father-in-law warned him about, Catherine could do little but sit quietly and bide her time. After a series of unfortunate events and more of Henry ignoring the sage advice of those around him, Catherine was left widowed and fighting to defend the legacy of her children. Join us as we track Catherine de Medici’s evolution from powerless pawn and scorned wife to master manipulator. We also discuss the epic prophetic death of Henry II (yes, it really happened!), tease the origins of Mary, Queen of Scots, and lay the ground work for the French Wars of Religion to come. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

The saga of Catherine de Medici continues with the death of Francis I and the ascension of Henry II and Catherine to King and Queen of France. Sidelined once again while her husband’s focus remained on his mistress, Diane de Poitier and the overly ambitious Guise family her father-in-law warned him about, Catherine could do little but sit quietly and bide her time. After a series of unfortunate events and more of Henry ignoring the sage advice of those around him, Catherine was left widowed and fighting to defend the legacy of her children. Join us as we track Catherine de Medici’s evolution from powerless pawn and scorned wife to master manipulator. We also discuss the epic prophetic death of Henry II (yes, it really happened!), tease the origins of Mary, Queen of Scots, and lay the ground work for the French Wars of Religion to come. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

31. Catherine de’ Medici - Part II

Orphaned at just 21 days old, Catherine de Medici’s early life was every bit the storybook damsel tale. As the pawn of a wealthy Italian merchant family, she set off from Italy to marry her young husband, the future King Henry II of France. This strictly political match was intended to tie the Papacy in Rome and the wealth of the Medici family to the noble blood of France. But, thanks to a series of unfortunate events, Catherine suddenly found herself penniless and friendless in a foreign court. The origin story of France’s most cunning Renaissance Queen has it all: tragic childhoods, obnoxious French names, outrageous pageantry, uncomfortable mistress drama and a duck measuring contest of epic proportions. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

Orphaned at just 21 days old, Catherine de Medici’s early life was every bit the storybook damsel tale. As the pawn of a wealthy Italian merchant family, she set off from Italy to marry her young husband, the future King Henry II of France. This strictly political match was intended to tie the Papacy in Rome and the wealth of the Medici family to the noble blood of France. But, thanks to a series of unfortunate events, Catherine suddenly found herself penniless and friendless in a foreign court. The origin story of France’s most cunning Renaissance Queen has it all: tragic childhoods, obnoxious French names, outrageous pageantry, uncomfortable mistress drama and a duck measuring contest of epic proportions. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

30. Catherine de' Medici - Part I

Difficult Damsels is an amateur podcast, brought to you by two ridiculous humans, that explores the difficult damsels throughout history who said “f💋ck this” and broke out of their preordained roles as meek and obedient to be their most authentic selves. Your hosts Rachel and Kat delve into what it means to be a difficult damsel and just how these women changed history only to be labeled witch, mad, crazy because they dared to rise against societal and patriarchal norms and change their world!

In this relaxed episode we drink champagne, eat Dill Pickle Kettle Chips and chat about our love for Dune and a new dawn of fantasy and sci-fi in film and television. Come get nerdy with us in the new year. We may just throw in some Therapy Treehouse sessions in for you free of charge as well! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

In this relaxed episode we drink champagne, eat Dill Pickle Kettle Chips and chat about our love for Dune and a new dawn of fantasy and sci-fi in film and television. Come get nerdy with us in the new year. We may just throw in some Therapy Treehouse sessions in for you free of charge as well! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

29. Fear is the mind killer

In the 3rd century BCE, aggressive expansionism is the game. Rome defeats Carthage in the First Punic War, the Gauls are pushing further into new territories while actively avoiding the Greeks and the Ardiaei of Illyria are at the height of their power under the rule of their king, Agron. When King Agron dies, his wife Teuta picks up the mantel of her late husband’s expansionism. While her naval forces push to unify the Illyrian tribes along the Adriatic’s eastern coast, Illyrian pirates – well-known and feared for their plundering of merchant ships – are encouraged by their queen regent to antagonize Mediterranean trade routes. Illyrian pirating soon garners the unwanted attention of the growing Roman Republic. After much merchant whining, Rome sends an envoy to warn against any continuation of Teuta’s disruptive naval campaigns and Illyrian piracy within Roman trade routes. Teuta, in a display of cautious diplomacy, replies “she would see to it that Rome suffered no public wrong from Illyria, but that, as for private wrongs, it was contrary to the custom of the Illyrian kings to hinder their subjects from winning booty from the sea”, thus beginning the First Illyrian War with Rome. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

In the 3rd century BCE, aggressive expansionism is the game. Rome defeats Carthage in the First Punic War, the Gauls are pushing further into new territories while actively avoiding the Greeks and the Ardiaei of Illyria are at the height of their power under the rule of their king, Agron. When King Agron dies, his wife Teuta picks up the mantel of her late husband’s expansionism. While her naval forces push to unify the Illyrian tribes along the Adriatic’s eastern coast, Illyrian pirates – well-known and feared for their plundering of merchant ships – are encouraged by their queen regent to antagonize Mediterranean trade routes. Illyrian pirating soon garners the unwanted attention of the growing Roman Republic. After much merchant whining, Rome sends an envoy to warn against any continuation of Teuta’s disruptive naval campaigns and Illyrian piracy within Roman trade routes. Teuta, in a display of cautious diplomacy, replies “she would see to it that Rome suffered no public wrong from Illyria, but that, as for private wrongs, it was contrary to the custom of the Illyrian kings to hinder their subjects from winning booty from the sea”, thus beginning the First Illyrian War with Rome. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

28. Teuta of Illyria

Continuing with our theme of pirate queens, we take you back to the early 16th century in Northern Africa where we take a closer look at the life and reign of Sayyida al Hurra, the last woman in Islamic history to hold the title al-Hurra or Queen. After fleeing the Reconquista in Spain, Sayyida’s family would settle in Northern Africa as refugees. As they worked to unite their fellow refugees to create a unified Morocco, an informal navy of privateers assembled to serve up revenge against the Spanish and Portuguese forces that drove them out of their homeland. And Sayyida al-Hurra is the driving force behind this battle for control over Morocco and the Strait of Gebraltar. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

Continuing with our theme of pirate queens, we take you back to the early 16th century in Northern Africa where we take a closer look at the life and reign of Sayyida al Hurra, the last woman in Islamic history to hold the title al-Hurra or Queen. After fleeing the Reconquista in Spain, Sayyida’s family would settle in Northern Africa as refugees. As they worked to unite their fellow refugees to create a unified Morocco, an informal navy of privateers assembled to serve up revenge against the Spanish and Portuguese forces that drove them out of their homeland. And Sayyida al-Hurra is the driving force behind this battle for control over Morocco and the Strait of Gebraltar. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

27. Sayyida al-Hurra

Ching Shih, who lived and pillaged in the China Sea during the Qing Dynasty, has been called the most successful pirate in history (No, seriously! Google it!). A former prostitute from a floating brothel in the city of Canton, Ching Shih wed Cheng I, a fearsome pirate by family trade, and together they worked to unify the pirate bands against the Chinese and Portuguese Navy. At the height of her pirating days, Ching Shih commanded over 1,800 pirate ships, and an estimated 80,000 men – more than the famed Blackbeard within the same century.Embarrassing defeats for the Chinese Naval Armada, awkward possible ménage à trois with husband and kidnapped/adopted son, and one badass shrewd woman at the helm . . . this episode has it all! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

Ching Shih, who lived and pillaged in the China Sea during the Qing Dynasty, has been called the most successful pirate in history (No, seriously! Google it!). A former prostitute from a floating brothel in the city of Canton, Ching Shih wed Cheng I, a fearsome pirate by family trade, and together they worked to unify the pirate bands against the Chinese and Portuguese Navy. At the height of her pirating days, Ching Shih commanded over 1,800 pirate ships, and an estimated 80,000 men – more than the famed Blackbeard within the same century. Embarrassing defeats for the Chinese Naval Armada, awkward possible ménage à trois with husband and kidnapped/adopted son, and one badass shrewd woman at the helm . . . this episode has it all! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

26. Ching Shih

In a very special spooooky 2-for-1 Samhain episode, Rachel and Kat – along with a special guest – introduce two of history’s deadliest poisoners. Operating in the 17th century, Guilia Tofana and La Voisin had the men of Italy and France glancing over their shoulders and terrified of their soup (and the perfume!). Whether it was offering disenfranchised women an escape from their abusive marriages or providing noblewomen alternative means to secure an inheritance, both women created an elaborate underground network that involved the mass production and distribution of poisons. Also in this episode: we’ll teach you how to sniff out poison-laced cosmetics (Just kidding! They are odorless!), mourn convincingly when your husband dies of a “mysterious illness” and maybe even bewitch a King of France.  Disclaimer: This episode gets a little dark during the La Voisin episode and makes mention of infant mortality. This episode is sponsored by  · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

In a very special spooooky 2-for-1 Samhain episode, Rachel and Kat – along with a special guest – introduce two of history’s deadliest poisoners. Operating in the 17th century, Guilia Tofana and La Voisin had the men of Italy and France glancing over their shoulders and terrified of their soup (and the perfume!). Whether it was offering disenfranchised women an escape from their abusive marriages or providing noblewomen alternative means to secure an inheritance, both women created an elaborate underground network that involved the mass production and distribution of poisons. Also in this episode: we’ll teach you how to sniff out poison-laced cosmetics (Just kidding! They are odorless!), mourn convincingly when your husband dies of a “mysterious illness” and maybe even bewitch a King of France. Disclaimer: This episode gets a little dark during the La Voisin episode and makes mention of infant mortality. This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

25. Guilia Tofana & La Voisin

If ever there was a woman you did NOT want to mess with during the Medieval Ages, it was Olga of Kiev.  Venerated as a saint within the Russian Orthodox Church and recalled as a vengeful and deadly Viking Princess by ancient Russian and Slavic chroniclers, the story of Olga has perplexed historians for over 1000 years. Was she a sinner or a saint? A clever strategist amidst the chessboard of Kievan Rus politics or a blood thirsty heathen without scruples, hellbent on avenging her brutally murdered husband?  Hint: she was both. Olga of Kiev was not the sort of woman to be underestimated. And for the love of whatever gods you hold dear, do NOT ask for her hand in marriage. Or you’re going to have a bad time.  No sparrows or pigeons were harmed in the recording of this podcast. This episode is sponsored by  · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

If ever there was a woman you did NOT want to mess with during the Medieval Ages, it was Olga of Kiev. Venerated as a saint within the Russian Orthodox Church and recalled as a vengeful and deadly Viking Princess by ancient Russian and Slavic chroniclers, the story of Olga has perplexed historians for over 1000 years. Was she a sinner or a saint? A clever strategist amidst the chessboard of Kievan Rus politics or a blood thirsty heathen without scruples, hellbent on avenging her brutally murdered husband? Hint: she was both. Olga of Kiev was not the sort of woman to be underestimated. And for the love of whatever gods you hold dear, do NOT ask for her hand in marriage. Or you’re going to have a bad time. No sparrows or pigeons were harmed in the recording of this podcast. This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

24. Olga of Kiev

Aries chaos faces off against Virgo scrupulousness in this “relaxed” episode. Rachel and Kat discuss their favorite goddesses from around the world and the nuance of female gods that are paradoxically nurturing and life giving one moment and then destructive and vengeful the next. Stay tuned for bloopers because recording a podcast with five cats is nothing but blue skies and smooth sailing . . . said no one ever! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

Aries chaos faces off against Virgo scrupulousness in this “relaxed” episode. Rachel and Kat discuss their favorite goddesses from around the world and the nuance of female gods that are paradoxically nurturing and life giving one moment and then destructive and vengeful the next. Stay tuned for bloopers because recording a podcast with five cats is nothing but blue skies and smooth sailing . . . said no one ever! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

23. Goddesses - War, Death and . . . Cats?

The middle of the third century saw unrest and upheaval across the board in the known world – long established empires dwindled into dust and the Roman Empire itself nearly suffered the same fate during a time aptly named the Crisis of the Third Century. Enter Zenobia: clever, opportunistic and proud, Zenobia capitalized on a Rome distracted by invasions from Germanic tribes and deadly infighting. She’ll end up accomplishing what no other woman was able to do before or after; Zenobia will rule one-third of the Roman Empire independent of any male lovers or consort . . . at least for a time. In this episode we also talk about birthdays, taxidermied emperors, fast and the furious [baby] camels and our go-to comfort activities. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

The middle of the third century saw unrest and upheaval across the board in the known world – long established empires dwindled into dust and the Roman Empire itself nearly suffered the same fate during a time aptly named the Crisis of the Third Century. Enter Zenobia: clever, opportunistic and proud, Zenobia capitalized on a Rome distracted by invasions from Germanic tribes and deadly infighting. She’ll end up accomplishing what no other woman was able to do before or after; Zenobia will rule one-third of the Roman Empire independent of any male lovers or consort . . . at least for a time. In this episode we also talk about birthdays, taxidermied emperors, fast and the furious [baby] camels and our go-to comfort activities. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

22. Zenobia

Rachel and Kat discuss their personal religious views and upbringing in a segment that didn’t quite make the final cut for the Joan of Arc episodes. Full length episodes will resume in two weeks!--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

Rachel and Kat discuss their personal religious views and upbringing in a segment that didn’t quite make the final cut for the Joan of Arc episodes. Full length episodes will resume in two weeks! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

21. Random Musings: Personal Religious Views - Joan of Arc Cut Excerpt

In the early 1st Century, Rome was at the height of its power stretching its greedy, egotistical tendrils across the English Channel to subjugate the local tribes of ancient Britain before absorbing them into the Empire. That is, until Rome met Boudica. Following the brutal treatment of her daughters, Boudica rallied the local tribes of Britain against their would-be oppressors. Her challenge was simple: reclaim Britain from Rome, or die trying.Mother. Queen. Vigilante. Freedom Fighter. Renegade. Boudica’s story, like so many women’s stories from history, comes to us from the minds and pens of her enemies. We do our best to sift through the stories to try and decipher fact from fiction. Also in this episode: Kat and Rachel ponder the roles they would occupy in ancient and medieval society, Kat gets angry at the audacity of misogynistic Roman scholars and . . . we have more maps!*If you would like to skip the discussion involving the sexual assault of Boudica’s daughters the time stamp in the episode 35:45 - 37:00.--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast.  https://anchor.fm/app

In the early 1st Century, Rome was at the height of its power stretching its greedy, egotistical tendrils across the English Channel to subjugate the local tribes of ancient Britain before absorbing them into the Empire. That is, until Rome met Boudica. Following the brutal treatment of her daughters, Boudica rallied the local tribes of Britain against their would-be oppressors. Her challenge was simple: reclaim Britain from Rome, or die trying. Mother. Queen. Vigilante. Freedom Fighter. Renegade. Boudica’s story, like so many women’s stories from history, comes to us from the minds and pens of her enemies. We do our best to sift through the stories to try and decipher fact from fiction. Also in this episode: Kat and Rachel ponder the roles they would occupy in ancient and medieval society, Kat gets angry at the audacity of misogynistic Roman scholars and . . . we have more maps! *If you would like to skip the discussion involving the sexual assault of Boudica’s daughters the time stamp in the episode 35:45 - 37:00. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. <a href="https://anchor.fm/app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://anchor.fm/app</a>

20. Boudica

Difficult Damsels

The best podcast episodes of the most interesting stories and things. From skyping someone while they're in space, to tracking down and meeting a telephone scammer in person, to the story of a Galapagos. These episodes will keep you and all your friends entertained and captivated for hours. Learn something new in every episode! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes: Interesting Stories & Things

The best podcasts on investing. For anyone interested in the stories in the investing industry, whether it's an interview with Ray Dalio or Ed Thorp to the writer of The Big Short. This topic includes the most fascinating stories from all the best investors. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!