Episodes

  • Musok | The Legacy and History of Korean Shamanism a Religion of Resistance

    Musok | The Legacy and History of Korean Shamanism a Religion of Resistance
    Feb 28 2025
    When the world told them to sit down, they danced. When their voices were silenced, they sang. When religion and government tried to erase them, they thrived in the shadows. Welcome to the story of mudang (무당), the women who shaped and preserved Korean shamanism (or Musok 무속) against all odds. This episode dives into their centuries-long defiance and the magic, rebellion, and resilience that kept their traditions alive. ✨ How Korean shamanism became a lifeline for women cast out by Confucian society 🔥 The intense, years-long process of becoming a mudang—spoiler: you don’t choose the spirits, the spirits choose you 💃 The theatrical rituals where women channeled gods, ancestors, and spirits through dance and song 🔮 How shamanism was an underground act of resistance, giving women power in a world that denied them autonomy 🎭 The women of Jeju Island who used humor to make the gods laugh—and force them to bring blessings Despite centuries of persecution, Korean folk religion is still alive. Today, mudang practice in secret and in broad daylight, performing rituals for everyone from K-pop idols to business moguls. Because if history has taught us anything, it’s this: when women are pushed to the margins, they don’t disappear—they fight, they adapt, and they rise. 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. 🎙️✨ 🤩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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    40 mins
  • Kinky History | a chat with Author and Sex Historian Esmé Louise James

    Kinky History | a chat with Author and Sex Historian Esmé Louise James
    Feb 21 2025
    Buckle up, history besties—this episode is not safe for work (unless you’ve got headphones and a rebellious streak). We’re diving deep into the history of sex with none other than Esmé Louise James, the brilliant mind behind Kinky History! In this delightfully scandalous conversation, we uncover: 🔥 How Esmé went from studying religious history to becoming a sex historian 🔥 The wild story of how the history of the dildo launched her career 🔥 The medieval obsession with…well, rimming and witchcraft (yep, you read that right) 🔥 How history’s censorship laws gave birth to tentacle hentai 🔥 The long-standing and surprisingly biological reasons behind the world's foot fetish But beyond the laughs, this episode is also about representation in history. Esmé’s book isn’t just a collection of spicy facts—it’s a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt like their identity wasn’t reflected in the history books. Because let’s be real: there is nothing new under the sun. Want to keep the kinky history party going? Support Esmé by grabbing a copy of Kinky History in print, digital, or audiobook (trust us, you’ll want to hear her narrate that passage). And while you’re at it, subscribe to For the Love of History for more weird, wonderful, and eyebrow-raising stories from the past. Now go forth, spread the historical filth, and stay curious! 🎙️🔥 Where to Find Esmé Website: www.esmeljames.com Instagram: @emse.louise TikTok: dr.esme.louise Podcast 🍆SexTistics 2🍆 TrovaTrip Alert! Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it! https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025 🤩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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    51 mins
  • Ancient Booty Calls and WTF Aphrodisiacs | weird history of love and dating

    Ancient Booty Calls and WTF Aphrodisiacs | weird history of love and dating
    Feb 14 2025
    Happy Valentine’s Day, history besties! Whether you’re blissfully in love, dodging dating apps like a pro, or just here for the weird history (respect ✊), this episode is for you. We’re diving deep into history’s strangest, grossest, and most WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT aphrodisiacs and ancient booty calls. Spoiler: some people really went to extreme lengths to set the mood. 💘 What’s on the Love Potion Menu? 🪲 Spanish Fly: The original "love potion" (also, uh, poison). 📞 YOU UP?: The 5 am booty call of Heian Japan 💍 What Came Before Dating: a brief history of what came before tinder 🐦 Bird Spit Soup: Because nothing says romance like eating a swiftlet’s spit. 🔥 The Worst One Yet: I won’t spoil it, but trust me—your flabbers will be GASTED. 💋 Why Listen? If you’ve ever side-eyed modern dating, this episode will make you grateful that the worst we have to deal with is ghosting and bad pickup lines. At least no one's force-feeding you... well, you’ll see. 🎧 Tune in now for a wild ride through history’s freakiest aphrodisiacs and courting practices! And if you love the show, spread the love by supporting the show on Patreon—where history is always juicy, weird, and never boring. 👉 Listen now and cringe with me! TrovaTrip Alert! Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it! https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025 🤩App Info🤩 ______________________________________ Want more For the Love of History? Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Spotify Merch Store Book Club Keywords: Weirdest aphrodisiacs in history Unusual historical aphrodisiacs Bizarre love potions through time Strange aphrodisiacs used in history Historical aphrodisiacs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • Kidnapped at Sea | The Story of David Henry White By Andrew Sillen

    Kidnapped at Sea | The Story of David Henry White By Andrew Sillen
    Feb 7 2025
    Welcome to For the Love of History! In this episode, we dive into a lesser-known yet fascinating tale of maritime history with author and archaeologist Andrew Celyn. His latest book, Kidnapped at Sea: The Civil War Voyage of David Henry White, uncovers the harrowing journey of a free Black teenager who was abducted and forced aboard the infamous Confederate raider, the CSS Alabama. We discuss how David Henry White’s story defies Confederate propaganda and serves as a powerful counterpoint to the glorification of the Lost Cause. Andrew shares his journey from archaeology to Civil War history, his research challenges, and the surprising cultural connections between Cape Town and the Confederacy. From forensics to historical analysis, this episode is packed with revelations about one of history’s unsung heroes. Episode Highlights: Andrew Celyn’s surprising start as an archaeologist and how it led him to uncover the story of David Henry White. The role of the CSS Alabama during the Civil War and its unexpected stop in Cape Town. How White’s life reveals the lies behind Confederate narratives. The challenges of reconstructing White’s story through sparse historical records. Discussion on Civil War naval stories, the Lost Cause myth, and Confederate propaganda. The importance of including marginalized voices in historical narratives. Call to Action: Don’t miss this enlightening conversation that challenges traditional Civil War narratives and brings a hidden story to light. Subscribe to For the Love of History wherever you listen to podcasts and leave a review to help us continue uncovering fascinating historical tales. Share this episode with your friends who love learning about untold stories from history! Guest Information: Find out more about Andrew Celyn and his book Kidnapped at Sea: The Civil War Voyage of David Henry White by visiting kidnappedatsea.com Additional Notes: Check the show notes for a link to Andrew’s website and updates on upcoming book signings and events. Stay tuned for more captivating episodes on history that you didn’t know you needed to hear. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, share it, subscribe, and come back next time for more historical deep dives. TrovaTrip Alert! Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it! https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025 🤩App Info🤩 ______________________________________ Want more For the Love of History? Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Spotify Merch Store Book Club Keywords David Henry White biography CSS Alabama history Civil War naval stories Teenage sailor Civil War Author interview Andrew Celyn Life aboard the CSS Alabama Confederate propaganda Maritime abductions in the Civil War Historical biographies Civil War Lost Cause revisionism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • London's Most Fashionable and Fierce All Women Gang | The 40 Elephants

    London's Most Fashionable and Fierce All Women Gang | The 40 Elephants
    Jan 31 2025
    Welcome back, my delicious doughnut! 🍩 This week, we’re peeling back the velvet curtain on one of London's most scandalous and fabulous crime syndicates: the Forty Elephants, an all-women gang who ruled the shoplifting scene from the Victorian era well into the Roaring Twenties. Think Oceans Eleven, but make it corsets, diamonds, and bloomers with pockets big enough to hide a whole department store. What You’ll Learn in This Glamorous Heist of an Episode: 💎 How these women outsmarted Victorian shopkeepers with handmade “grafter bloomers” (yes, pockets galore!) 💎 The rise of Alice Diamond, the fierce queenpin rocking diamond-knuckled rings 💎 The jaw-dropping heists that left London buzzing (hello, mink coats worth thousands!) 💎 Why luxury goods weren’t just about vanity but a defiant statement of independence Why You’ll Love It: It's history with sass, scandal, and some seriously clever ladies who knew how to game the system. If you've ever wondered whether you'd survive as a Victorian-era crime boss, this episode will have you dreaming up your own heist team. 🎧 Ready to dive in? Hit play now, and if you loved this peek into women's badass history, don’t forget to support us on Patreon. Your support keeps the history (and the fun) coming! TrovaTrip Alert! Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it! 🤩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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    39 mins
  • The Bloody and Unnecessarily Difficult History of Surgery

    The Bloody and Unnecessarily Difficult History of Surgery
    Jan 24 2025
    Welcome back, dear one! This week, we’re scrubbing in and diving scalpels-first into the history of surgery. From ancient skull drilling to the OG rhinoplasty (nose job, anyone?), this episode explores the bizarre, bloody, and brilliant evolution of ancient surgical techniques. Spoiler: it’s not all medieval barber surgeons and questionable hygiene. What you’ll learn in this episode: 📚How Neolithic humans invented brain surgery (and somehow survived!). 📚Why ancient Egyptian surgeons were ahead of their time (magic spells optional). 📚The shocking origin story of India’s first nose job—a bloody masterpiece. 📚How one Roman hotshot (we’re looking at you, Galen) stalled surgical progress for 1,000 years. 📚Quirky, gross, and oh-so-fascinating, this episode unpacks the twists and turns of medieval medicine and beyond. Whether you’re a history buff or just morbidly curious, you won’t want to miss this. 🎧 Hit play now, and don’t forget to leave a review! What did you think of this episode? Your feedback keeps us slicing into history’s quirkiest corners. ⭐⭐Calm History ⭐⭐ Try the new podcast, Calm History: www.calmhistory.com TrovaTrip Alert! Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it! What’s the Tea with the Community Census? Your voice matters! Fill out the For the Love of History 2025 Community Census and tell me what you want more of (or less of!) in upcoming episodes. Plus, you’ll get the chance to win a free t-shirt or one of my favorite books. Sweet deal, right? 🤩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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    36 mins
  • Tattoo Traditions of Asia | Author Interview with Tattoo Anthropologist Lars Krutak

    Tattoo Traditions of Asia | Author Interview with Tattoo Anthropologist Lars Krutak
    Jan 17 2025
    Welcome, history besties and ink enthusiasts! This week on For the Love of History, we’re taking a deep dive into the fascinating world of tattoo anthropology with none other than Lars Krutak, author of Tattoo Traditions of Asia. Lars shares jaw-dropping stories from his 25+ years of fieldwork, uncovering the hidden meanings behind indigenous tattoo traditions across Asia and beyond. Ever wondered why a hornbill or centipede might make it onto someone’s skin? Or how tattoos protected warriors in battle (think magical meteorites and spiritual rituals)? Get ready for a wild ride through culture, identity, and artistry! ⭐⭐Calm History ⭐⭐ Try the new podcast, Calm History: www.calmhistory.com In this episode, you’ll learn: How Lars stumbled into tattoo anthropology (hint: Fairbanks, Alaska, and minus 55°F temperatures play a role). The intricate and spiritual meanings behind traditional tattoos in Borneo, Nagaland, and more. The mind-blowing connection between tattoos and cosmic meteorites. Why traditional tattooing is making a comeback—and how artists are keeping it relevant today. Lars’s research isn’t just academic; it’s an adventure story featuring remote villages, motorcycles, and cultural revivals. Whether you’re a tattoo lover, a history buff, or someone who just loves a good Indiana Jones-esque tale, this episode is for you! Where to find Lars Website Vanishing Tattoo Documentary Instagram Tattoo Traditions of Asia (get your copy here) 🎧 Hit play now, and don’t forget to subscribe for your weekly dose of world history, women’s history, and all the quirky, unexpected topics in between! TrovaTrip Alert! Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it! What’s the Tea with the Community Census? Your voice matters! Fill out the For the Love of History 2025 Community Census and tell me what you want more of (or less of!) in upcoming episodes. Plus, you’ll get the chance to win a free t-shirt or one of my favorite books. Sweet deal, right? 🤩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 hr and 8 mins
  • Aspesia | The hidden teacher of Socrates and the most brilliant woman in Athens

    Aspesia | The hidden teacher of Socrates and the most brilliant woman in Athens
    Jan 10 2025
    Did you know that Socrates—yes, that Socrates—had a teacher who was a woman? And not just any woman, but Aspasia of Miletus, the queen of ancient philosophy, rhetoric, and savage comebacks. In this episode, we’re diving deep into her life, her legacy, and the absolutely wild smear campaigns she endured (spoiler: haters gonna hate since 450 BCE). Get ready to learn how Aspasia schooled some of the smartest guys in Athens, ran academic salons that gave women a voice, and may have even written some of Pericles’ greatest speeches. Buckle up, because we're about to hop in our time machine for a spicy mix of history, scandal, and feminist truth bombs. What’s Inside This Episode? How a girl from Miletus ended up teaching Socrates (mind-blown emoji). The drama-filled romance with Pericles (a.k.a. Perry the Platypus). Her legendary intellect, her haters (looking at you, Aristophanes), and her ultimate disappearance from history. The ridiculous sexism that still erases Aspasia from textbooks today. TrovaTrip Alert! Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it! What’s the Tea with the Community Census? Your voice matters! Fill out the For the Love of History 2025 Community Census and tell me what you want more of (or less of!) in upcoming episodes. Plus, you’ll get the chance to win a free t-shirt or one of my favorite books. Sweet deal, right? Why You’ll Love This Episode: If you’re into Greek history, badass women, or just want an excuse to feel smarter than everyone at your next trivia night, this one’s for you. It’s part historical deep dive, part roast session, and 100% a love letter to one of the most overlooked women in history. Final Thoughts: The haters may have tried to erase Aspasia, but not on my watch. Let’s reclaim her legacy and give this queen the credit she deserves. Tune in, sip some wine (or tea), and enjoy the sassiest history lesson of the season! 🤩App Info🤩 📚Resources can be found here!📚 ______________________________________ 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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    42 mins