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What'sHerName: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Dr. Katie Nelson and Olivia Meikle
What’sHerName puts the women back into world history. Hosts Dr. Katie Nelson and Olivia Meikle are professors-turned-podcasters (and sisters!) Weaving interviews with experts into vivid, nuanced biographies, What'sHerName women's history podcast tells the stories of fascinating women you’ve never heard of (but should have). Fascinating and funny, thought-provoking and insightful.
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- 1 weeks ago46 min
THE HAUNTREPRENEUR Caroline Emmerton
The 2026 Halloween Special is here! A sinister haunted house. The witchiest city in the world. A classic tale of Gothic horror. These became the foundation of Caroline Emmerton's tourist attraction, The House of the Seven Gables. Caroline fully embraced darkness and death, and by doing so, she built a community of belonging that is still doing so much good to this day. Join Katie on location in a moody October Salem Massachusetts cemetery, with returning guest David Tullis! ________________________ Check out our upcoming TOURS and join us on our next adventure! Music in this episode: "TipToes," Tragic Story," and "Underworld" by Myuu; "Curse of the Witches by Jimena Contreras; "Waltz of the Doomed" by Tenonic; "Corny Candy" by The Soundlings; "Ghost Processional" and "Meditation Impromptu No. 01" by Kevin MacLeod; "Horror House" by Aaron Kenny; "Scary Church Organ" by FoolBoy Media; "No. 4 Piano Journey" by Esther Abrami; "Halloween Midnight" by Roman Cano; classic haunted house soundscape by BeautifulDayMonster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- Sep 17, 202656 min
THE PIRATES Anne Bonny and Mary Read
They're usually billed as piracy's most famous female double act. But how did Anne Bonny and Mary Read find their way from obscurity and scandal to become the 17th century's biggest "open secret" - and how did they really feel about their lives, their shipmates, and each other? Historian Greg Jenner, host of the BBC comedy history podcast You’re Dead To Me, joins us for a remarkable seafaring adventure! (And be sure to check out the Anne Bonny and Mary Read episode of You're Dead To Me here!) Music featured in this episode provided by: The Midshipmen's Glee Club, Cooper Cannell, Jesse Gallagher, The Peerless Quartet, The Mini Vandals and Jeff Cuno Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- Aug 31, 202654 min
THE FAIRYTELLER Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy
350 years ago in Paris, Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy retired from espionage and formed a Fairy Tale Resistance. Her team of women wrote over 70 fairy tales, each with hidden critiques of patriarchy and gender roles. We now know their stories as Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast and more. But in their original versions, strong women saved themselves. So how did the Brothers Grimm get it so spectacularly wrong? Professor Jane Harrington unearths the story of Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy, whose real life was wilder than any fairy tale. _____________________________ Want to learn more? Check out Jane Harrington's Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance. We dream of making What'sHerName completely free and ad-free around the world! Can you join the dream and give $1/month ? What'sHerName TOURS are open for registration, come join us! Music in this episode: "None Shall Plunder," "Blew Cap," and "Parthenia" performed by Philip Serna, composed by Wm. Lawes 1651; "FairyTale Waltz," "Pooka," and "Arcadia" by Kevin MacLeod; "Magical Forest," "Spying in the 60's" by Sir Cubworth; "Dark Elves" by Jimena Contreras; "The Palace Gardens" by Asher Fulero; "Toy Piano" by Wayne Jones; "A Baroque Letter," and "In the Temple Garden" by Aaron Kenny. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- Aug 17, 202655 min
THE LAST OF THE WILD WEST COWGIRLS Goldie Griffith
Goldie Griffith lived at least a dozen different lives. From preteen boxer in a sketchy snake-oil show, to bronco-riding superstar of the world-famous Buffalo Bill Wild West, to accidental bigamist and bartender - Goldie dived headlong into every new endeavor with her trademark fearless enthusiasm. And she never shot a husband who didn't deserve it. Olivia is on location in Nederland, Colorado with Kay Turnbaugh, author of The Last of the Wild West Cowgirls. Music featured in this episode includes "I Ain't No Angel" by The Strangebyrds, "You Win Again" by The Earth Stringband, "Cripple Creek" by Half Pelican, "Spirit Riders" and "Bone Dry" by Telecasted, "Western Spaghetti" and "Fractal of Light" by Chris Haugen, "Broken Promise" by Jimena Contreras, "Empty Bottle, Empty Bed" by the Mini Vandals, and "A Ghost Town" by Quincas Moreira Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- Aug 3, 20261h 0m
THE SEA CAPTAIN Mary Ann Patten
It's 1857. A clipper ship is headed into a monster storm at Cape Horn- the most dangerous waters on earth. The captain is in a coma; the first mate is locked up in the brig. Who can lead the ship through the jaws of death? Mary Ann Patten, a pregnant 19-year-old from the Boston slums, that's who! Katie brings us a love story and incredible adventure- and all of it really happened. Our guest is bestselling biographer (and sailor!) Tilar Mazzeo, author of The Sea Captain's Wife. _________________________________ What'sHerName TOURS are open for registration - come join us! Music in this episode: "Monumental Journey" by Jesse Gallagher; "Drunken Sailor" by Cooper Cannell; "Rolling Hills" by Sir Cubworth; "American Frontiers" by Aaron Kenny; "Golden Cage," "Frightmare," "Midnight Trace," and "Devil's Organ" by Jimena Contreras; "Fall of the Solar King" by Twin Musicom; "Sea of Doom" by Doug Maxwell; "Tributary" by Lish Grooves; with clips from Sea Songs Medley 1913 at the Library of Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- Jul 13, 202649 min
THE REBEL SAINTS Clare of Assisi and Agnes of Bohemia
When 18-year-old Clare fled her family to become the world's first Franciscan nun, she committed to a lifetime of poverty, austerity, and caring for the poor. But when a powerful man tried to rewrite all the rules, Clare was faced with an impossible choice - defy the Pope or deny her own conscience. Then when Princess-turned-Abbess Agnes of Bohemia learned of Clare's struggle, she too joined the fray - two nuns against the patriarchy in the fight of their lives. Olivia interviews Kathleen Brady, award-winning author of Francis and Clare: The Struggles of the Saints of Assisi. Music featured in this episode generously provided by Elthin, Schola Gregoriana Pragensis, Anonymous III, and Farya Faraji & World Musicians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- Jun 29, 202655 min
THE HYSTERICAL SOCIETY The Savannah Seven
Savannah Georgia is famous for its stunning historic architecture and unmatched Southern vibe. Basically all of it was saved from the wrecking ball by seven women, who saw the bulldozer and decided to Do Something About It. To mark America250, a lovely story of a group of women who decided history was important. Together, they saved one of America's prettiest cities, and helped pioneer Historic Preservation in the process. Join us on location at the Davenport House Museum in Savannah, to unveil America's first monument to preservationists. ________________ Become a PATRON to help us make more episodes! What'sHerName TOURS are open for registration! Watch the Savannah Seven monument unveiling event HERE. Music in this episode: "Star Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful" by the US Marine Band; "Georgia on My Mind" by Hoagie Carmichael; "Weekend Croquet" by Christian Larssen (License code: H3HTM4DLOIZQW3VJ); "Length of Light" by Amulets; "Hard Hearted Hannah the Vamp of Savannah" by Paul Whiteman Orchestra; "Cest La Vie" by All Good Folks (License code: 0HEHHMLLRPM1ERFV). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
- Jun 15, 202655 min
THE PORTRAITIST Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun
Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun could paint anyone so they looked full of character, and vibrantly alive. So Europe's aristocrats clamored for her brush. But when the French Revolution toppled thrones and chopped off heads, she had to run for her life. For 12 years across Europe, she chased her lost Eden. Can you ever get back to the Good Old Days? Our guest is Judith Lissauer Cromwell, author of Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, Portrait of an Artist 1755-1842. ________________ Music in this episode generously shared by: Haydn Symphony 85 (famed as Marie Antoinette's favorite!) recorded by Ars Lyrica Houston; J.S. Bach C Major Prelude and Brandenburg Concerto recorded by Kevin MacLeod; No. 8 Requiem by Esther Abrami; Apolcalyptic Echoes, Devil's Organ, and Frightmare by Jimena Contreras; Solo Cello Passion by Doug Maxwell; Alpine Bierhalle by Aaron Kenny; Length of Light by Amulets; Elegy by Wayne Jones; Catherine the Great's Russian Anthem; and Run Until Your Wings Grow by Late Night Feeler. Guillotine soundscape by Jorgemaca. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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About What'sHerName
What’sHerName puts the women back into world history. Hosts Dr. Katie Nelson and Olivia Meikle are professors-turned-podcasters (and sisters!) Weaving interviews with experts into vivid, nuanced biographies, What'sHerName women's history podcast tells the stories of fascinating women you’ve never heard of (but should have). Fascinating and funny, thought-provoking and insightful.
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