Eff The Tudors

Ben Pollard and Jenny Recaldin discuss the life of legendary 20th Century superstar Leslie Cheung. They then discuss the History of the minimum wage in England and the UK, starting with a great plague, Edward the 3rd and the heard immunity strategy, and ending with Brian Cox and Tony Blair in 1999.

In this episode of Eff The Tudors, Ben and Jenny take a dive into 20th Century History, starting with a Romani traveler from Poland who lived through two world wars and ending with a story about America's first great female comedian.

To celebrate the start of pride month, Ben Pollard and Jenny Recaldin discuss six intersectional queer people from history. Jenny discusses feminist abolitionist Angelina Grimké, gay moon deities Mitra and Varuna, and Disney legend and the mastermind behind Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, Howard Ashman. Ben discusses Marxist Urdu author Ismat Chughtai, intersex plantation worker Thomas(ine) Hall, and famed drag queen and political activist Marsha P Johnson.

Ben and Jenny discuss the Natalia Kills situation before diving into their historical stories of the week. Jenny tells the story of a group of Australian Vampire murderers in the 1980s, and Ben tells the story of American Student Amanda Knox and her false imprisonment for her student housemate on her year abroad in Italy.

For the third and final installment of their trip into the classical era, Ben and Jenny discuss disabilities in Ancient Greece and why you should never burn down Apollo's sacred forest. Ben tells the story of Hephaestus, the Greek God of blacksmiths, fire and volcanoes, and antiquity's most famous disabled deity. Jenny tells the story of Telesilla of Argos and how an army of women once beat Sparta's greatest warriors.

Ben and Jenny discuss Antinous the gay lover of Roman emperor Hadrian who subsequently became a God. They also discuss one of ancient Greek mythology's most influential black heroes and, what Boris Johnson really looks like underneath all that hair.

Ben and Jenny delve into antiquity this week with two stories from Ancient Greece. First up, it's the Amazon army- who was their leader? Why did they leave their breasts exposed during combat? And, were they all just great big lesbians? Then, Jenny tells the story of Telethusa and Iphis- who were they? And, is their story an example of ancient documentation of the transgender experience?

Ben and Jenny celebrate the life and legacy of Prince Philip by sharing some of his funniest gaffes and most questionable comments. Then, following along the royal theme, they discuss the short-lived Princess Isabella of Parma and her lesbian love affair with her husband's sister, before diving into the life of Nandi Bhebhe, Zulu Queen, and the mother of the last great Zulu King.

Ben and Jenny celebrate International Women's Day and the end of season 2 of Eff The Tudors by telling the stories of 6 women from from history from all across the world. Celebrate with us and learn about anti-apartheid activists, disabled Georgian painters, genderqueer Cornish artists and women who would do just about anything to stop you from having a drink. Thank you so much for listening to season 2

Ben and Jenny discuss the life of an AFAB trans orphan from the Wild West and, the 1st Century British feminist hero, Boudica!

Ben and Jenny discuss the life of Lance Loud, cast member of the first ever reality TV show and, the first gay man to recur on television. They also discuss Töregene Khatun, female ruler of the Mongolian Empire, possible lesbian, and Jenny's pick to be the next Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones.

This week, Ben and Jenny discuss the bisexual 17th Century singer, fencer and nun-burner, Julie d'Aubigny. They also discuss the bisexual (and possibly transgender) Syrian-born Roman emperor, Elagabalus, and their short but tyrannous reign.

Ben and Jenny discuss the tumultuous life of 20th century Mexican artist and feminist icon, Frida Kahlo, including her romantic and sexual relationships with Josephine Baker and Leon Trotsky. They also discuss Romaine-la-Prophétesse, a gender non-conforming Haitian abolitionist who played a fundamental early role in the liberation of Haiti from French colonial rule.

Ben and Jenny tell the story of the 16th century bisexual Italian author, playwright, poet and satirist, Pietro Aretino. They also discuss a group of early 20th century female murderers known commonly as the infamous angel makers of Nagyrev.

Ben and Jenny discuss the life and works of the great science writer Rachel Carson, the woman who launched ecofeminism and a global campaign to eliminate the dangerous pesticide DDT. They also discuss two shorter stories from history; one about an ancient Indian warrior-horse and another about a cross-dressing Tudor Highwaywoman.

Ben and Jenny discuss Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the first ever prince of Wales, and the last ever Welsh prince of Wales. They also discuss one of Egypt's longest ruling women Pharaohs, Hatshepsut, and her story of incest, queendom and questionable marriages.

Ben and Jenny discuss Shirley Chisholm, the first US black woman to run for leader of the Democratic Party, and Emma Goldman, famed anarchist, socialist, feminist and would be murderer.

Ben and Jenny discuss transgender trailblazer, Roberta Cowell, and genderqueer 18th century French spy, Chevalier D'Eon.

Ben and Jenny discuss the late and great gay footballer Justin Fashanu and Julia Bulette, the 19th century prostitute, firefighter and madam, who helped to found the American West.

Ben and Jenny discuss (feminist icon?) Freydís Eiríksdóttir, the colonialist Viking warrior, and the gay love affair between Hyacinthus and Apollo, the Greek god of the sun.

Ben and Jenny discuss the amazing lives and legacies of performers Josephine Baker and Gladys Bentley.

Ben and Jenny discuss the tragic murder of Stephen Lawrence and the life of 18th century bisexual pirate Anne Bonny.