Herstory

Well, hello listener and fellow Herstorian. We've missed you, but we're back. To celebrate, we're covering women who came back fighting, even when the chips were down! Amy covers Eleanor of Aquitaine, a queen twice over. Shelby discusses Indian mountaineer Arunima Sinha. We also apologize for a few technical glitches during the recording. It doesn't hinder the listening TOO much.

We have to put on our faces for this episode because we're covering make-up moguls. Shelby is sick, so bear with her while she discusses the Houstonian princess of pink, Mary Kay Ash. Amy educates us on glam gal and one of make-up's firsts, Merle Norman. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

For this Halloween episode, we're covering demons. You know them. They're mean as hell. Shelby discusses Baba Yaga, a demon ogress who likes to eat children. Amy talks about Lady Midday (aka Poludnista), who happens to be a day demon, whatever that is. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

It's all about the fashion, baby! Shelby talks about the herstory of the bustle and the g-string. Amy educates us on bras and corsets. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast  

Today we're covering the lady bosses of the sea! Shelby discusses one of the most famous sea captains and pirates of all time, Grace O'Malley. Amy educates us on Naomi James, the first woman to have sailed single-handed around the world via Cape Horn, and the second woman to have ever sailed solo around the world. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast    

Due to current events, Shelby and Amy cover the Islamic Revolution and the murder of Mahsa Amini. If you'd like to help Iranians work around censored internet, go to snowflake.torproject.org for more information.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast  

Lions and elephants and bees, oh my! Today we cover lady non-humans. Amy educates us on the Western Short-Horned Walkingstick. Shelby discusses some animal matriarchy with elephants and bees.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

It's Shelby's Motherland! We're off to Lebanon. Shelby covers the founder of KAFA (enough) Violence & Exploitation against women and girls, Zoya Rouhana. Amy discusses the heavy metal band Slave to Sirens. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Some ladies are the best of the best, so let's talk about World Record Holders. Shelby covers the oldest documented woman ever to live, Jeanne Calment. Amy discusses the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest and the first woman to ascend the Seven Summits, climbing the highest peak on every continent, Junko Tabei. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast  

School is back in session, and to celebrate, we're covering lady professors. Shelby discusses Black American educator Sarah Jane Woodson Early, who also happened to have a pretty cool family. Amy tells us about Marjorie Lee Browne, a mathematician who just LOVES MATH! Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

In today's episode, Shelby interviews small business owner Ruby Wendell. Ruby tells us how she started staging homes in Los Angeles and gives great advice to anyone interested in starting their own business. Check out her IG account, rubyjwendell.interiors, for some great home decor inspo. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

She's with the band. Today, we talk about groupies! Shelby discusses Cynthia "Plaster Caster" Albritton. She not only loved English rock stars, but she was also an artist in her own right. Amy talks about Cleo Odzer who not only enjoyed the groupie lifestyle but also authored books about prostitution, the hippie lifestyle in India, and cybersex.  This episode contains sexual content, so listener beware. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

If you're into food, you're going to love this episode about lady farmers. Shelby discusses the Woman's Land Army of America, a WWI and WWII program bringing women to the fields while the menfolk went off to war. Amy educates us on Pappammal, an Indian organic farmer who also happens to be the oldest farmer still active in the fields. WARNING: We talk about sex in this episode.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

On a very special Herstory, we get to sit down with former nurse, retired healthcare executive, and all-around awesome human, Jennifer Welch. We talk about abortions, and she shares her own story. This is a fascinating episode. Jennifer knows what she's talking about. EVERYONE should listen to this one.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Off with their heads! In honor of Bastille Day, we take a deep-dive into the lives of a couple of women involved in the French Revolution. Amy takes us on a wild ride with the life of the doomed Madame du Barry. Shelby discusses the intriguing tale of Theroigne de Mericourt. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Take a spin around the track with us while we talk about 2 cool ladies of NASCAR. Shelby discusses Mexican stock car racing driver, Mara Reyes. Amy takes it to the pit and educates us on tire-changer, Brehanna Daniels. She was the first African American woman in a NASCAR Cup Series pit crew and part of the first female duo to do pit crew work. How cool is that? Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast  

It's a scary time to be a person with a uterus in the United States right now. Shelby and Amy do a deep dive to try to decipher what we can do now that Roe v Wade has been overturned. Check it out, and send any info you may have to herstorythepodcast@gmail.com.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast  

Let's give a shoutout to the brass section. We love that these women get to toot their own horns. Amy talks about one of the founding members of Sly and the Family Stone, Cynthia Robinson. Shelby discusses the first female trumpet player in a well-known orchestra, Susan Slaughter. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast  

Let's face it. Some women are just mean. Amy educates us on Madagascar's Ranavalona I. This woman did not play games. Shelby discusses the Queen of Mean herself, Leona Helmsley.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Abracadabra! Women of illusion are this week's topic. Amy covers the "Queen of Magic," Adelaide Herrmann. Shelby discusses the "Georgia Wonder," Lulu Hurst. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Buckle up everyone because we're off to Poland! Shelby covers WWII badass,  Irena Sendlerowa. She helped a bunch of Jewish kids (specifically) escape the Nazis. Amy did extra credit and educates us on 2 amazing  Polish women from days gone by: The first female to attend university - Nawojka,  and Poland's first female surgeon - Magdalena Bendzisławska. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

And we're back! Amy survived Covid, and the women we're covering today survived their catastrophes. Amy covers Juliane Koepcke, who made it through a plane crash as a teenager. Shelby discusses sailor and author Tami Oldham Ashcraft who survived 41 days at sea. Buckle up because this episode is a nail-biter.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Herstorians! Apologies, but Amy has the Covid, so we have to skip this week. We hate disappointing you, so listen to Shelby critique Ojai, CA instead. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast  

Well, we knew it was coming. They're prepping to take away a woman's body autonomy in the US, so let's educate ourselves about abortions. Shelby discusses abortion methods used throughout human history while Amy talks about the fascinating Jane Collective, an underground abortion service before Roe v. Wade was passed in the US. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Ahhh, the days of yore. Today we're covering 2 captivating women from the Renaissance era. Amy discusses Italian poet and court writer, Christine de Pizan. Shelby shares the scandalous life of Christina, Queen of Sweden. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Time to RAGE!!! We're covering lady punk rockers on this week's episode. Amy educates us on German singer/songwriter/actress, Nina Hagen. Shelby talks about English singer/songwriter and frontwoman for X-Ray Spex, Poly Styrene. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

If you're obsessed with the HBO show, you'll love this week's Gilded Age episode. Shelby covers The Mrs. Astor, Caroline Schermerhorn Astor. Amy educates us on another society bigwig, Marion Graves Anthon Fish. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Crikey, we're going to Australia! Amy covers the harrowing tale of Martu Aboriginal woman, Molly Kelly. Shelby discusses Olympic swimming medal winners, Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Inspired by Shelby's recent visit to Alcatraz, we're covering Prisons. It's a broad topic, we know. Amy discusses the history of women's prisons (with STATS), mainly in the United States. Shelby talks about the women (wives of guards) and girls (daughters) who lived on Alcatraz island.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast  

Let's travel around the world with lady explorers. Circumnavigate the globe with Shelby and Nellie Bly. Amy covers Aloha Wanderwell who drove across the world. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Argh! Technical difficulties left you without a March 14th episode! Here is our apology. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Have you heard? We have a new Supreme Court nominee, and we want to know about her. Shelby and Amy cover the fluffy resume of Ketanji Brown Jackson. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast  

It's time to stand up and FIGHT! This week, we're covering superheroes. Amy educates us on DC Comic badass, Anita Fite. Shelby explains the origin of martial arts extraordinaire, Katana. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

We need a break, so we're taking President's Day off. Thank you for being the best Herstorians ever!!! We'll be back on Monday, February 28. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

To celebrate Valentine's Day, we're talking about our girl crushes. Shelby shares the life of 80s and 90s supermodel, Paulina Porizkova. Amy gushes over the incomparable powerhouse, Jane Krakowski. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Love 'em or hate 'em, they still exist, so today we're covering lady billionaires. Amy tells us about Chinese entrepreneur, Zhou Qunfei. Shelby offers some interesting facts about philanthropist and writer, MacKenzie Scott. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

We love her. We miss her. We celebrate her. Shelby and Amy give a truncated overview of the great Betty White's life and career. You don't want to miss this one.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast    

They say youth is wasted on the young, so we're covering Child Stars. Amy educates us on 1930s/1940s ingenue and songstress, Deanna Durbin. Shelby tells the tragic tale of Poltergeist's breakout star, Heather O'Rourke. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

Oops. We have a sick co-host, so it's another emergency episode! Find out random facts about some cool ladies while one of us gets better. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

It's time to get in shape! Or at least talk about it. This week, we're covering Fitness Gurus! Shelby discusses 90s fitness sensation, Susan Powter. Amy educates us on the founder of Prancercise, Joanna Rohrback. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast  

It's episode #111, and we've decided to get spiritual on you! Amy covers mystic, clairvoyant, and herbalist, Baba Vanga. Shelby talks about channeler, Esther Hicks (aka Abraham Hicks). Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

We are not clowning around on this episode. Amy educates us on the notable female jester, Mathurine, while Shelby gives a brief overview of lady clown herstory.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast  

The Big Apple! The City That Never Sleeps! We're covering lady NYC Scenesters - whatever that means. Amy educates us on the NY socialite Brenda Frazier. Shelby discusses cool gal Cookie Mueller. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

And a 5 - 6 -7 - 8... We covered ladies who express themselves through motion. Shelby discusses burlesque artiste Blaze Starr. Amy educates us on English salsa dancer, Paddy Jones. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

We're going to Spain, where fiestas and siestas rule, and it doesn't get dark until 11 pm! Amy discusses Spanish anarchist and intellectual, Federica Montseny. Shelby talks about Spanish Romani flamenco dancer and singer, Carmen Amaya. Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

You know, those cool girls that you were too scared to talk to in high school - GOTH GIRLS! Amy tells us about silent film actress, Theda Bara. Shelby discusses pre-Elvira muse, Maila Nurmi (aka Vampira). Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

We need to give the ladies of the 40s some well-deserved attention. Amy reveals the fascinating story or Tokyo Rose, Iva Toguri D'Aquino. Shelby gives an epic account of the 40s Hollywood redheaded icon, Rita Hayworth.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

All aboard! We're celebrating ladies on trains. Shelby discusses Edwina "Curlie" Justus, the first Black woman to be a Union Pacific locomotive engineer. Amy tells us about Surekha Yadav, a female locopilot of the Indian Railways in India.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast

It's October, and we're kicking off the month with Spooky Stories!!! (Ghost sound here) Shelby tells the tale of La Llorona, the weeping woman. Amy gives us some serious history on Bloody Mary and surprises Shelby with some fun facts about the spend-the-night activity.  Intro Song: What I Do by Kristy Krüger © ℗Just Like Freddy Music ASCAP Instagram: herstorythepodcast