Episodes

  • 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 mins
  • 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 mins
  • Victorian Nipple Rings: A Tale of Fashion, Status & Scandal

    Victorian Nipple Rings: A Tale of Fashion, Status & Scandal
    Mar 21 2025
    Hold onto your corsets and brace yourself for some historical spice, because today we’re talking about Victorian nipple rings. Yes, you read that right. The prim and proper era of high collars, afternoon tea, and… pierced nipples? Turns out, the Victorians (and their French counterparts in the Belle Époque) were way freakier than we give them credit for. What’s Inside This Episode? 💎 The origins of nipple piercings—from medieval queens to Victorian aristocrats 💎 Why high society women (and men!) loved to bedazzle their naughty bits 💎 The wildest myths and medical fears surrounding nipple piercings (spoiler: cancer, madness, and loose morals) 💎 The connection between hygiene, wealth, and who could afford a fancy nipple ring 💎 The scandalous underground world of Victorian body modification (yes, it was a thing!) Why You’ll Love It: If you love history with a side of sass and scandal, this episode is a must-listen. We’re busting myths, spilling tea, and giving a whole new meaning to putting a ring on it—Victorian style. Plus, you’ll never look at Julius Caesar or Parisian aristocrats the same way again. Links & Housekeeping 🎤 Want more historical chaos? Follow For the Love of History on Instagram! @fortheloveof_historypodcast 💬 Love this episode? Leave a rating & review—it makes my day (and keeps the history algorithm gods happy)! 📱 Join the Patreon for behind-the-scenes content, history polls, and Japan adventures! Next time, we’re diving into the world of Victorian tattoos—because body mods weren’t just for sailors. Until then, keep your jewelry where you like it, embrace the weird, and stay curious! 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 🤩App Info🤩 📚 Resources 📚 ______________________________________ Want more For the Love of History? Patreon Instagram Website TikTok Spotify Merch Store Book Club Further Reading Encyclopedia of Body Adornment English Mechanic and World of Science Victorian Nipple Rings Nipple Rings for Aristocrats – The Wild Victorian Fashion Trend Nipple rings and genital piercings were once a symbol of the Victorian upper class Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • Periods and Contraception in the 18th Century with Mina Moriarty

    Periods and Contraception in the 18th Century with Mina Moriarty
    Mar 14 2025
    Grab your smelling salts, delicious doughnuts, because we’re diving into the scandalous, bizarre, and often horrifying world of 18th-century reproductive health! This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Mina Moriarty—historian, writer, and content creator extraordinaire—to talk about contraception and menstruation in the 1700s. Spoiler alert: it involves lemon rinds, animal intestines, and a whole lot of societal shame. What’s Inside This Episode? 🩸 The shocking (and slightly terrifying) ways people managed their periods in the 18th century 🩸 DIY contraceptives—sponges, vinegar, and, uh, the pull-out method 🩸 Why 18th-century condoms came with ribbons (adorable but deeply impractical) 🩸 The wild myths people believed about menstruation (Pliny the Elder, we’re looking at you) 🩸 How cunning women and herbal remedies gave women some control over their bodies Why You’ll Love It: If you’ve ever wondered how historical women handled their reproductive health without access to modern medicine—or just want to hear about some truly unhinged ancient medical practices—this episode is for you! It’s fun, it’s fascinating, and it’ll make you extra grateful for your modern menstrual products. Links & Housekeeping 🎤 Follow Mina Moriarty on Instagram @HistoryHo101 for more historical chaos 📚 You can snag your copy of Mina's book Who the Hell is Olympe de Gouges here! 📱 Want to support For the Love of History? Rate, review, and share this episode with your fellow history buffs. 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 🤩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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    48 mins
  • Empress Baddie | The Pirate Queen Teuta

    Empress Baddie | The Pirate Queen Teuta
    Mar 7 2025
    Ahoy, history besties! Ready to set sail into the chaotic and badass world of piracy? But forget the bearded, rum-guzzling captains of the 1600s—this week, we're diving into the legend of an ancient pirate queen who gave Rome the middle finger and (allegedly) cursed an entire city. Meet Teuta of Illyria, the woman who turned the Adriatic Sea into her personal treasure chest and left a legacy fierce enough to still haunt the waves. What’s Inside This Episode? ⚓ A queen who ruled with a cutlass and a crown ⚓ How piracy went from a side hustle to Illyria’s top industry ⚓ Rome’s terrible attempt at diplomacy (Spoiler: it ends with an assassination) ⚓ Betrayals, sieges, and one epic curse that lasted centuries ⚓ Why Teuta’s legacy still slaps over 2,000 years later Why You’ll Love It: If you love history with a side of sass, drama, and high-seas adventure, this episode is for you. Plus, we’re getting back to our Empress Baddie roots with a woman who did not come to play—unless it was a game of ‘How Many Roman Ships Can I Plunder Before Lunch?’ 💬 Leave a rating and review to keep the history algorithm gods happy. Next week, we’re talking medieval menstruation with a special guest—because historical periods deserve some airtime too! Until then, grab your eye patch, drink some water (or a historically accurate pirate beverage), and remember: when history forgets the men but remembers you, you’ve already won. Yo ho ho and a final ‘Arrr!’ 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 🤩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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    34 mins
  • 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