THE HAUNTREPRENEUR Caroline Emmerton: 2026 Halloween Special

The 2026 Halloween Special is here! A sinister haunted house. The witchiest city in the world. A classic Gothic horror novel. 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 …

19th century / 20th century / Educators / Halloween Specials / North America / on-location / Special Episodes / United States

THE PIRATES Anne Bonny and Mary Read

They’re usually billed as piracy’s most infamous 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 as we revel in this remarkable adventure. Charles Johnson’s A General History …

17th century / England / Europe / Ireland / LGBTQ+ / North America / Pirates / Travel / United States / West Indies

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 …

17th century / Europe / First woman to... / France / Writers

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. You can …

20th century / Athletes / North America / Performers / Theater / Travel / United States

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 …

19th century / Antarctica / Central America / Chile / North America / Panama / South America / Travel / United States

THE REBEL SAINTS Clare of Assisi & 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 …

13th century / Czech Republic / Europe / First woman to... / Italy / Religion

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 …

20th century / Activists / North America / on-location / United States

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 …

18th century / 19th century / Artists / Europe / France / Italy / War

THE CASTAWAY Marguerite de La Rocque

Marooned on a frigid island in 1641, a young French woman single-handedly fought off polar bears, starvation, and loneliness, buried her lover, her maidservant, and her newborn child, and spent almost two full years completely alone — except, of course, for the 100,000 demons whose screams were her nightly companions. That she lived through it all is a miracle – and a mystery: How did Marguerite de La Rocque survive the infamous “Isle of Demons” …

16th century / Canada / Europe / France / North America / Travel

THE ENTOMOLOGIST Evelyn Cheesman

Over the course of her 87 years, self-taught British entomologist Evelyn Cheesman went on eight solo insect-collecting expeditions across the South Pacific, collected nearly 100,000 specimens, identified dozens (possibly hundreds!) of previously unknown species, and used her specialized knowledge of Oceania to save countless lives during WWII. Meet the indomitable genius who persevered against unimaginable odds to build herself the life she wanted – no matter what stood in her way. Our guest is Sarah …

20th century / Colombia / England / Europe / Oceania / Papua New Guinea / Science / South America / Tahiti / Travel / Vanuatu