Episodios

  • From Brothel to Battlefleet: The Rise of Pirate Queen Zheng Yi Sao

    From Brothel to Battlefleet: The Rise of Pirate Queen Zheng Yi Sao
    May 23 2025
    Forget everything you thought you knew about pirates—because this week, we’re telling the real story of the woman who ran the South China Sea and left Blackbeard in the dust. Meet Zheng Yi Sao: sex worker turned pirate queen, ruthless businesswoman, and literal nightmare of the Qing Dynasty. In this wild ride through 18th-century China, you’ll hear how a nameless girl from a fishing village built the most powerful pirate confederation the world has ever seen—and retired with her head (and fortune) intact. TLDR: She didn’t die in battle. She negotiated her way out and opened a salt empire. Iconic. ⏱️ What You’ll Hear The Origins – How a Tonka girl outsmarted a pirate king and negotiated her way into power Fleet Boss Moves – Zheng Yi Sao's brutal pirate code (decapitations included) Protection Rackets & Political Games – When piracy meets mafia tactics and government bribes The Retirement Plot Twist – Why this pirate queen walked away, rich and respected Legacy – Her influence on Pirates of the Caribbean, feminist history, and pop culture 🧠 Why This Episode Slaps (Historically Speaking) Zheng Yi Sao led a 70,000-strong pirate fleet and enforced one of the most progressive (and deadly) pirate codes of all time She outmaneuvered the navies of China, Britain, and Portugal—then walked into retirement as a government official She is a textbook example of a woman who used the patriarchy against itself—Confucian law? She laughed in its face 💥 Fun Facts She required pirates to bank 80% of their loot in a centralized pirate fund She chopped off heads for cheating… or skipping work Her fleet had more vessels than the Spanish Armada She transitioned her pirates into military and civil service with full pardons 📚 Mentions & References Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (yes, she inspired that pirate council scene) Sleepy History, Patreon goodies, and secret projects with the International Spy Museum (!!!) Shoutout to TK’s dad and their shared pirate obsession—Blackbeard shirts included 🎙️ From Your Host, TK This episode is dedicated to my dad, who taught me pirate flags before I learned cursive. And yes, I absolutely wore a child-sized wench costume to pirate festivals. No regrets. I hope you love this one as much as I do—it’s got revenge, politics, gay throuples, decapitations, and a business-savvy queen. What more could you want? 🚀 Help Us Climb the Charts! If you enjoyed this episode: Rate & review on your podcast app (or just tell me what snacks you eat while listening) Subscribe so you never miss another fierce lady from history Support the pod on Patreon for exclusive extras and more pirate nerdery Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Merch Store YouTube Stay badass. Stay curious. And remember: Zheng Yi Sao wasn’t legendary in spite of being a woman—she was legendary because she was one. 🖤 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 m
  • Indiginous Tattoo History | With Lars Krutak

    Indiginous Tattoo History | With Lars Krutak
    May 15 2025
    What do Catholic women in the Balkans, tattooed mummies in the Philippines, and Arctic medicinal ink have in common? They've all left their mark—literally and metaphorically—on the history of indigenous tattoo traditions. In this episode of For the Love of History, I sit down with renowned tattoo anthropologist Dr. Lars Krutak to explore his latest book: Indigenous Tattoo Traditions. We dive deep into the meaning, evolution, and resistance etched into skin across continents and centuries. 🖋️ From the sacred tattoos of Ainu women to anti-colonial Catholic ink in Bosnia 📸 From healing scars to lost libraries of tattooed skin 🔥 From cultural preservation to painful commodification This isn't just body art—it’s a global language of identity, resistance, and storytelling. 👉 TELL US your favorite tattoo story in the comments 🗓️ 📚 Subscribe for more history that doesn’t make the textbooks 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss our weird, feminist, global episodes 📖 Grab Lars’s new book, Indigenous Tattoo Traditions, via Princeton University Press 🎥 Treasure of the Rice Terraces, Ft Apo Whang Od - Official Teaser 🎤 Read Lars's interview with Princeton Press Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Merch Store YouTube 📌 Timestamps 00:00 – Intro to Lars & Indigenous Tattoo Traditions 04:00 – Tattoo anthropology 101 08:00 – The search for tattooed Catholic grandmas in the Balkans 12:00 – Indigenous tattoos in Africa 18:00 – Sacred, therapeutic tattoos in Japan & the Arctic 23:00 – Cultural appropriation vs. cultural revival 28:00 – Tattooed skin at Oxford?! 😱 32:00 – Gender & tattooing: women as artists and recipients 35:00 – The legacy of Whang-Od and the Philippines’ tattoo revival 40:00 – Modern indigenous artists keeping traditions alive 45:00 – Lars’s wildest discoveries and why museums are sleeping on this history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 2 m
  • L.A.’s Most Famous Coroner: Anne Choi on Dr. Noguchi, Celebrity Autopsies & the Politics of Death

    L.A.’s Most Famous Coroner: Anne Choi on Dr. Noguchi, Celebrity Autopsies & the Politics of Death
    May 9 2025
    There would be no true crime without this man!! What do Marilyn Monroe, Sharon Tate, and Robert F. Kennedy have in common? They were all investigated by Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the so-called “Coroner to the Stars.” In this episode of For the Love of History, host TK sits down with author and researcher Anne Choi to talk about her book L.A. Coroner, which unpacks the bizarre true story of how one Japanese American forensic pathologist turned celebrity death into public drama while navigating life as a first-generation immigrant. We dive into the racial politics behind Dr. Noguchi’s fame, how the media turned autopsies into headlines, and why Noguchi’s legacy still looms large in L.A.’s culture of death and spectacle. If you're into forensic history, medical ethics, or the strange intersection of race, fame, and mortality, this episode is for you. 📌 Key Topics Covered: Who was Dr. Thomas Noguchi, and why did the media love him? The rise of the “celebrity autopsy” in 1960s–70s Los Angeles How racial identity shaped Noguchi’s public perception and career The political fallout after the RFK and Monroe investigations Why Noguchi was fired—twice—and what that says about institutional racism The role of the L.A. County Coroner in shaping true crime culture How Anne Choi used public records, news archives, and court documents to research L.A. Coroner 📚 About Our Guest:Anne Choi is a writer, researcher, and historian focused on race, science, and death in American history. Her debut book, L.A. Corone,r explores how Dr. Noguchi’s work at the morgue intersected with celebrity culture, Cold War paranoia, and the racial politics of postwar Los Angeles. 📖 Featured Book:L.A. Coroner by Anne Choi – available now wherever books are sold. Instagram: @latruecrime Website: annesoonchoi.com ✨ Want more delightful brain food? Support the pod and get bonus goodies over on [⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠] ( 👉 Don’t forget to rate, review, and tell your cat about us. It helps more history nerds find us! 🐈‍⬛ ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Merch Store⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube⁠ 📍 Timestamps 00:01 — Meet Anne Choi and the story behind L.A. Coroner 04:15 — Who was Dr. Noguchi? 09:30 — How Noguchi became “the Coroner to the Stars” 13:00 — Celebrity culture, death, and the L.A. media machine 18:40 — The RFK investigation and political fallout 23:50 — Noguchi's firings and the racialized scandal 28:00 — What autopsies reveal about power and spectacle 34:15 — Researching death through archives and ethics 39:00 — Final thoughts on legacy, race, and true crime 🎯 Call to Action: Obsessed with true crime and weird L.A. history? Then don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow crime-curious. And grab a copy of L.A. Coroner—you’ll never look at celebrity culture the same way again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 m
  • How Big Tech Inherited Eugenics: Anita Say Chan on Algorithmic Bias, Data Colonialism & Techno-Eugenics

    How Big Tech Inherited Eugenics: Anita Say Chan on Algorithmic Bias, Data Colonialism & Techno-Eugenics
    May 2 2025
    In this powerful episode of For the Love of History, host TC is joined by scholar and author Dr. Anita Say Chan to explore the unsettling historical roots of modern data science and artificial intelligence. Drawing from her groundbreaking book Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future, Anita uncovers how today's predictive algorithms trace back to 19th-century eugenics. Yes, really. Statistical regression—the backbone of online recommendation engines—was developed by a eugenicist. And that’s just the beginning. We unpack how algorithmic bias, data colonialism, and techno-eugenics operate in today’s platforms—from Facebook’s role in global violence to the AI industry’s resistance to regulation. If you’re curious about the intersections of technology, race, gender, and power, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. 📌 Key Topics Covered: The hidden eugenic origins of data science and regression analysis How algorithms are modern tools of social control The racist, classist history of “fitness” in academic institutions What “techno-eugenics” looks like today—from content moderation failures to AI bias Case studies: Facebook’s role in violence in India and Myanmar Why Big Tech underinvests in safety protocols outside the West How tech elites bypass democratic institutions for unchecked influence 📚 About Our Guest:Dr. Anita Say Chan is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and founder of the Community Data Clinic. Her research focuses on feminist, decolonial approaches to tech and global information justice. 📖 Featured Book:Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future by Anita Say Chan 📍 Timestamps (For Better UX + SEO): 00:01 — Meet Dr. Anita Say Chan 04:00 — Eugenics and the invention of data prediction 10:15 — U.S. universities and the rise of eugenic policy 17:45 — Techno-eugenics: What it means today 24:30 — Case study: Facebook in India and Myanmar 30:00 — Tech elites, lobbying, and the erosion of democracy 35:00 — The fight for global data justice 🎯 Call to Action: Enjoyed this deep dive into the dark roots of data? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Share this episode with a friend who's still not questioning the algorithm—and grab a copy of Predatory Data to keep the conversation going. ✨ Want more delightful brain food? Support the pod and get bonus goodies over on [⁠Patreon⁠] ( 👉 Don’t forget to rate, review, and tell your cat about us. It helps more history nerds find us! 🐈‍⬛ ⁠Patreon⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Website⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Merch Store⁠ ⁠YouTube 🧠 SEO Keywords Integrated: Big Tech and eugenics history of data science algorithmic bias in tech techno-eugenics explained AI and racial bias Anita Say Chan interview Predictive algorithms and inequality data colonialism podcast on tech ethics podcast on eugenics history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 12 m
  • Hypatia: Math, Murder, and Misogyny

    Hypatia: Math, Murder, and Misogyny
    Apr 25 2025
    🎙 Sisters in STEM: The Truth About Hypatia (No, She Wasn’t a Math Babe Martyr) Who really was Hypatia of Alexandria? A fourth-century philosopher. A math editor. A teacher who handed out celestial knowledge like candy—and nope, she wasn’t some toga-clad sex symbol seducing her students for extra credit. (We’re looking at you, 19th-century fanfic bros.) In this season finale of For the Love of History, your charmingly chaotic guide TK unpacks the real story behind one of the most misunderstood women in STEM history. We travel back to the golden—er, blood-stained—streets of ancient Alexandria, where academic clout could literally get you killed. (Spoiler alert: it did.) This episode dives into: ⭐ Why Hypatia was the original SparkNotes queen of ancient math 🌟 The messy political stew that led to Hypatia’s brutal death (hint: it wasn’t religion) 🌟 The manipulation and exaggeration of her character 🌟 And yes… that iconic tampon mic drop moment 💅 So if you’re into the history of women in STEM, Alexandria drama, or just love a good ancient scandal, this one’s for you. ✨ Want more delightful brain food? Support the pod and get bonus goodies over on [Patreon] ( 👉 Don’t forget to rate, review, and tell your cat about us. It helps more history nerds find us! 🐈‍⬛ Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Merch Store YouTube Target SEO Keywords: Hypatia of Alexandria history of women in STEM ancient women philosophers women in science history Neoplatonism explained Library of Alexandria Alexandria history ancient math history Hypatia podcast Hypatia the philosopher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 m
  • 5th Year Anniversary Live Q&A

    5th Year Anniversary Live Q&A
    Apr 20 2025
    I can't thank this community enough, thank you for giving me a voice, thank you for helping me give a voice to the voiceless of the past, and thank you for joining me for the last 5 years as I talk about the weirdest shit in history! I love you always and don't forget to drink your water 💙💛 TK 🍩 💙💛 Links & Housekeeping 🎤 Love for the Love of History? Rate, review, and share this episode! 🤩App Info🤩 ______________________________________ Want more For the Love of History? Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Spotify Merch Store Book Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 23 m
  • The Worst Jobs in History | Groom of the Stool, Tosher, Match Stick Girl

    The Worst Jobs in History | Groom of the Stool, Tosher, Match Stick Girl
    Apr 4 2025
    🛑 Step away from the keyboard, put down your lukewarm coffee, and get ready for a journey through the most stomach-churning, backbreaking, and downright horrifying jobs in history! This week, we’re diving into the roles that made people question their life choices—often while covered in filth, plague, or both. What’s Inside This Episode? 💩 Tosher – Because someone had to shovel Victorian human waste (spoiler: it was as bad as it sounds) 🔥 Sin Eater – the poor unfortunate souls that ate bread and took one for the team (self-inflicted eternal damnation) 🪱 Leech Catchers – keeping up with leech demand was a full-time job 🤿 Can Oppeners – it is not at ALL what you think it is, think boom boom balloons underwater 🤮 And so much more Why You’ll Love It: If you’ve ever thought your job was bad, this episode will make you grateful for ergonomic chairs and lunch breaks. We’re talking about professions that were dangerous, disgusting, and (somehow) still essential to society. History has never smelled worse—and we’re here to tell you all about it! What It Was Like to Be a Body Collector During the Black Plague Resurrectionists: The Body Snatchers that Built Modern Medicine The Worst Jobs In History with Tony Robinson S02E01 Urban Links & Housekeeping 🎤 Love history with a side of absurdity? Rate, review, and share this episode! 🤩App Info🤩 📚 Resources 📚 ______________________________________ Want more For the Love of History? Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Spotify Merch Store Book Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 m
  • The Ghost Brush | Hokusai's Daughter and Hidden Collaborator Katsushika Oi

    The Ghost Brush | Hokusai's Daughter and Hidden Collaborator Katsushika Oi
    Mar 28 2025
    It's time for some hidden history, dear one!! Did you know one of Japan’s most famous artists had a secret weapon? And no, it wasn’t just his paintbrush! In this episode, we uncover the fascinating, overlooked story of Katsushika Oi, the daughter (and possible secret collaborator) of the legendary Hokusai! Oi wasn’t just any artist—she was a bold, brilliant painter who worked in the shadow of her famous father. Her work, including the stunning 'Night Scene in the Yoshiwara,' showcased her mastery of light and color. But was she merely an assistant, or did she play a far bigger role in Hokusai’s masterpieces? Join us as we dive into her life, her art, and the reasons history nearly erased her. Spoiler: This is hidden women’s history at its finest! What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🎨 Who was Katsushika Oi, and why was she so important?👻 The inspiration behind The Ghost Brush and Oi’s mysterious legacy 🖌️ Why her work was overshadowed—and how modern scholars are changing that 📜 The hidden women’s history behind Japan’s Edo-era art scene, including other overlooked female artists of the period Love untold stories of incredible women? Support the podcast and unlock exclusive content—like behind-the-scenes insights, bonus episodes, and more—by joining us on Patreon! Want to experience history with me in real life? Join the History BFF Trip this August and explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara while we celebrate history, culture, and maybe even some birthday karaoke chaos. Spots are filling up—grab yours before they’re gone! https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025 Until next time, drink your water (yes, now), and remember: the gods may be immortal, but so is defiance. 🎙️✨ NHK Show https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/3018009/ 🤩App Info🤩 📚 Resources 📚 ______________________________________ Want more For the Love of History? Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Spotify Merch Store Book Club Keywords: Hidden women’s history, Katsushika Oi, Hokusai’s daughter, The Ghost Brush, Edo period art, Japanese women artists, forgotten female artists, history podcast, art history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 m
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