*Episodes are available in video format on ⁠Spotify ⁠and ⁠YouTube⁠

In this episode of Dr. Emma & Me: Parallel Lives, we explore the intertwined legacies of two powerful women who shaped early modern Europe in very different courts—Isabel Clara Eugenia of Spain and Anna of Denmark. Both daughters of dynasties and cultural patrons with sharp political instincts, they carved out influence within their respective spheres. Join Rebecca and Dr. Emma as they trace the lives, challenges, and impact of these remarkable women navigating monarchy, motherhood, and power on the world stage.

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Book suggestions:

⁠https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526142498/⁠

⁠https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/spectacular_rubens/⁠

⁠https://tiendaprado.com/en/books/7937-rubens-s-workshop-9788484806226.html⁠

⁠https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Jonathan-Brown/dp/0300097611⁠

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Credits:

Hosts:

Rebecca Larson & Dr Emma Cahill Marron

In this episode, we explore the remarkable life of Marguerite d’Angoulême—Renaissance writer, queen, and sister to King François I of France. Discover how Marguerite’s bold literary works, like the Heptameron, challenged gender norms, and how her passion for religious reform placed her at the heart of early evangelical movements. We’ll trace her journey from the French court to the throne of Navarre, revealing a woman who shaped politics, faith, and the role of women in 16th-century Europe.

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Credits:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Emily Lalande

Step into the shadows of Renaissance Italy to uncover the real Lucrezia Borgia. Branded a poisoner and seductress, she has long been the center of scandal—but was there more to her story? Join us as we explore Lucrezia’s rise from political pawn to powerful duchess, and how she carved out a legacy beyond the infamy of the Borgia name.

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Narrated by: Rebecca Larson

Researched by: Emily Airey

**This episode is available in video format on Spotify and YouTube!

In this episode of Dr. Emma & Me, we dive into the lives of two extraordinary women of the 16th century: Mary of Hungary, the powerful queen and regent who shaped European politics, and Margaret Roper, the brilliant daughter of Sir Thomas More who defied expectations with her intellect and loyalty. Discover how their stories reveal the challenges and triumphs of women navigating a world ruled by men.

Dr. Emma's book suggestion on Mary of Hungary by N Garcia Perez: Mary of Hungary, Renaissance Patron and Collector: Gender, Art and Culture

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Co-Hosts:

Rebecca Larson & Dr. Emma Cahill Marron

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Joanne Paul, acclaimed author of a sweeping new biography on Thomas More, to peel back the layers of one of Tudor England’s most fascinating figures. Together, we explore More’s sharp wit, his complicated relationship with ambition inherited from his father, and his distaste for court life—even as he found himself a witness to some of the most pivotal moments of the Tudor dynasty. We’ll also discuss his surprisingly cutting opinions about members of Katherine of Aragon’s household upon her arrival in England, and why the man behind Utopia was far more than the saint—or villain—history often remembers. Join us as we uncover the human side of Thomas More: the reluctant courtier, the keen observer, and the man who made kings uneasy.

Get a copy of the book - Thomas More: A Life

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Joanne Paul

She defied convention, sailed under a black flag, and vanished from the records just as quickly as she rose. In this episode, we follow the trail of Anne Bonny—pirate, outlaw, and mystery—and ask: how does a woman who made history simply disappear?

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You can also become a FREE member and join the conversation!

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Narrated by: Rebecca Larson

Researched by: Emily Airey

This episode is available in video format (highly recommended) on Spotify or YouTube!!

In this episode of Dr. Emma & Me: Parallel Lives, we step into the Baroque brilliance of two of the era’s greatest painters—Peter Paul Rubens and Diego Velázquez with Dr. Alejandro Vergara Sharp. Though born worlds apart, their lives intersected through diplomacy, royal courts, and their unparalleled ability to capture power on canvas.

Rubens, the polished Flemish diplomat-artist, and Velázquez, the introspective Spanish court painter, each navigated the treacherous politics of 17th-century Europe with a brush in hand. How did their work reflect—and shape—their positions in court? What set them apart, and where did their paths cross?

Want to get straight to the episode and skip the banter? Fast Foward to 13:12!

JOIN THE CONVERSATION OVER IN OUR COMMUNITY!!

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Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr Emma Cahill Marron

Guest: Dr. Alejandro Vergara Sharp

Whether you're an Anne Boleyn enthusiast or rolled your eyes at yet another episode about her—trust me, you’ll want to listen to this one. Anne was my first love in Tudor history, and I’ll admit I worried this might be a retread of familiar ground. I was wrong. In this conversation with historian Sylvia Barbara Soberton, I discovered fresh perspectives and surprising details I’d never heard before.

Find Sylvia's books everywhere, including Amazon!

Sylvia's Substack

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sylvia Barbara Soberton