History Is Sexy

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History is Sexy is a podcast presented by historian Dr Emma Southon and writer Janina Matthewson answering listener questions about history. What did the Romans do for us? Where did marrying for love come from? What was world war one all about? Find your answers, with added jokes, here. Produced and…

History Is Sexy


    • May 20, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 4m AVG DURATION
    • 112 EPISODES

    4.6 from 78 ratings Listeners of History Is Sexy that love the show mention: history, knowledge, love this podcast, like, fun, listen, best, show, good, emma and janina.


    Ivy Insights

    The History Is Sexy podcast is an absolute gem for history buffs, offering a unique blend of humor and insight in covering interesting historical topics. Unlike many other history podcasts, this show captivates listeners by presenting information in an exciting and relevant way, making it engaging and critical. The hosts assume their audience are history buffs themselves, resulting in appropriately academic discussions that still remain accessible to listeners from all backgrounds. Additionally, Emma's books are highly praised and add another layer of expertise to the podcast. Overall, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in history.

    One of the best aspects of The History Is Sexy podcast is the smart and entertaining hosting duo. Emma and Janina bring their own flair to the show, infusing it with charm, wit, and a delightful banter that feels like having a nerdy chat with friends. They make even the most mundane historical topics feel exciting by delivering them with humor and personal insights. Furthermore, their ability to critically analyze sources and provide a broader context to the discussed subjects is commendable.

    While The History Is Sexy podcast has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, there have been no negative comments or criticisms mentioned thus far. This indicates that the podcast delivers consistently on its promise of making history fun and accessible without any notable shortcomings.

    In conclusion, The History Is Sexy podcast stands out as a great source of entertainment and knowledge for history enthusiasts. Its unique blend of humor, insight, and academic rigor make it an engaging listen for anyone interested in learning about fascinating historical topics. With Emma's books also receiving high praise from listeners, it's clear that this podcast is a must-follow for those seeking an enjoyable dive into the past.



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    Latest episodes from History Is Sexy

    Episode #107 - Carthage

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 79:20


    Carthage, known primarily as one of early Rome's foremost nemeses, but what's the real story behind this North African city-state?

    Episode #104 - History's Greatest Conmen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 68:06


    You may have noticed Episode 104 was missing from our feed, here it is! Sorry for the delay!

    Episode #106 - The History of KPop

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 74:34


    A topic that definitely isn't going to animate the internet, this one, Oliver does his level best to give us a history of KPop, where it started from, what influenced it, and the idol system that keeps it running.

    Episode #105 - Tumblr History with HR Owen

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 76:43


    Tumblr, the online home of a certain ind of millennial, has a complicated relationship with history, mainly that relationship involves making up bonkers stuff and passing it off as real. Tumblr expert HR Owen joins Emma to discuss some of the nuttiest examples of Tumblr History.

    Preview - Bonus Episode #2: Ask Us Anything!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 5:19


    This is a preview of our second bonus episode, available exclusively on Patreon, to hear the full episode, join us at Patreon.com/HistoryisSexy

    Episode #103 - Manifest Destiny

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2025 67:28


    Episode #103 - Manifest Destiny by History Is Sexy

    Episode #102 - The History of Sex Work

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 66:02


    Episode #102 - The History of Sex Work by History Is Sexy

    Episode #101 - WTDW The Marquis de Sade?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 62:09


    He's widely known as one of history's biggest freaks, but what was actually the deal with the Marquis de Sade?

    Episode #100 - Patron Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 60:48


    All three of us take to the mic for this 100th episode celebration, answering questions supplied by the members of our patreon! www.historyissexy.com www.patreon.com/historyissexy

    Episode #99: Quick Roman Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 60:51


    A bunch of questions about Rome and Romans that don't fit into an episode of their own www.patreon.com/historyissexy www.historyissexy.com

    Bonus Episode #1 Preview - Glad2ator and Megalopolis

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 9:47


    A taster of our first ever bonus episode, a film review show about two roman-inspired films. Full episode only available on Patreon: www.patreon.com/historyissexy

    Episode #98 - Who Were The Druids?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 65:34


    The Druids, mysterious figures in pre-Roman British history, but who were they really??

    Episode #97 - The Shroud of Turin & Veils of Veronica

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 48:57


    Miraculous holy faces! Where do they come from? What is their history? Join Emma and Janina as they take a trip through the bizarre world of face-based relics!

    Episode 96 - Was Mansa Musa The Richest Person Ever?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 63:09


    He's the legendary emperor of Mali, famed for his epic journey to Mecca, but was he really the richest person in history?

    The History of Yugoslavia - Part 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 72:13


    Tito is dead, what happens now? www.patreon.com/historyissexy

    The History of Yugoslavia - Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 72:53


    It's Tito Time

    The History of Yugoslavia - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 71:59


    This time on History is Sexy, Emma and Janina continue their deep dive into the tumultuous history of the Balkans.

    The History of Yugoslavia - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 62:09


    This time on History is Sexy, Emma and Janina begin their deep dive into the tumultuous history of the Balkans.

    Episode #91 - Why Have Chefs Historically Been Men/History of Restaurants?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 54:07


    Why have chefs historically been men, and how did the concept of the restaurant take shape?

    Quick Announcement - Patreon

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2024 0:46


    Support us at patreon.com/historyissexy! Thank you!

    Episode #90 - Who Were The Luddites?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2024 54:46


    Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/historyissexy Who were the Luddites? Were they really "anti-technology", or were they about something entirely different? Was the problem capitalism all along?

    Episode #89 - What's The History of Teddy Bears?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 49:43


    Where do Teddy Bears come from? Why did they suddenly take over the world? Was Teddy Roosevelt really involved? Join Emma and Janina as they unravel the hairy truth behind our plush pals.

    Episode #88 - What Really Happened in Catiline's Conspiracy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 62:23


    Who was Catiline? Why did he try to do a coup? was it a big deal? Why did Cicero hate him? Find out all this and more in this episode! Further reading and show notes https://historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-88-what-really-happened-in-catilines-conspiracy

    #87 - Janina's Top 3 Shipwrecks

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 64:37


    Join Emma and Janina on the high seas as Janina tells us all about her favourite shipwrecks

    Episode #86 - Napoleon III

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 64:37


    How big of a dickhead was Napoleon III, anyway?

    Episode #85 - What Did The Romans Eat?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2024 60:11


    Dormice? Sow's Uterus? What on earth did the Romans eat? Join Emma and Janina for a culinary odyssey through the world of Roman Food.

    Episode #84 - Badass Saints

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 64:22


    Who are some of the most badass saints? What were their lives like? What's a "desert father"? Find out all of this and more!

    Episode #83 - The Borgias

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 75:04


    The most devious, murderous cut-throat family of renaissance Italy.. or misunderstood victims of slanderous propaganda? Emma and Janina take a look at one of Italy's most infamous families, their rise, and fall.

    Episode #82 - What Makes The Dark Ages "Dark"?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 55:36


    ... and were they really so dark? Listener survey link: https://forms.gle/78wMyX42uQvpHf1Y8 Show notes: https://historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-82-what-makes-the-dark-ages-dark

    Episode #81 - History is Rexy! Anne Boleyn (feat. Rex Factor)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 62:11


    Graham and Ali from Rex Factor are here and we're talking about England's most consequential Queen Consorts, and all the skulduggery she got up to!

    Episode #80 - What's The Deal With Empress Elisabeth?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2023 78:55


    Willkommen in Ă–sterreich! Emma is joined by History Is Sexy producer and Austria Correspondent Oliver to have a look at a story that's captured Austrian hearts for a hundred years, the life of Empress Elisabeth.

    Episode #79 - The Ptrouble With Ptolemys - Part 2! (Feat. HR Owen)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 43:12


    Emma is joined by HR Owen once again to discuss the most dramatic family in Classical Egypt!

    Episode #78 - The Ptolemys, Part 1 (feat. HR Owen)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2023 68:05


    Janina's on a bit of a break, but history never sleeps, so Emma is joined by acclaimed podcaster HR Owen for a deep dive into perhaps one of the most dramatic families in history, the Ptolemys.

    Episode #77 - Why Is The UK "United"?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2023 71:36


    How did the various states that've existed on the British Isles/North Atlantic Archipelago coalesce, fracture, and coalesce over and over until it became the country we know today? A thousand years of history, all in just over an hour!

    Episode #76 - The Story of Boudica

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2023 54:30


    In 60CE, Boudica, Queen of the Iceni, led a violent uprising of unprecedented scale that tore across the southeast of Britannia, burning London and shocking the Roman world. But what's the real story? Was she real? Was she a literary construct? How are our modern conceptions of Boudica affected by the Victorians and Elizabethans?

    Episode #75 - On Debutantes, Balls, and "The Season"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2023 70:50


    Put on your gown and get ready to enter high society, as Emma and Janina walk you through the bizarre world of Debutantes, Balls, and "The Season"

    Episode #74 - What's The Deal With Matriarchal Societies In History?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 65:32


    This time, Dr Emma Southon and Janina Matthewson take a deep dive into matriarchal societies in classical and pre-history, did they really exist?

    Episode #73 - Caligula (1979)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2023 68:47


    Caligula is a 1979 film made by pornographers, starring Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, Sir John Gielgud, and Peter O'Toole. It's also completely bananas. Join Emma (seen it dozens of times) and Janina (not seen it before) as they discuss this scandalous and notorious historical film.

    Episode #72 - What Was So Great About Alexander?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2023 57:41


    And why was he so special?

    Episode #71 - What's the Deal with Wild Children?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 55:42


    Emma and Janina investigate the mystery of wild children, and whether any of them were actually raised by olves.

    wild children
    Episode #70 - When Did Men's Clothes Get So Boring?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 57:37


    What's "The Great Masculine Renunciation?" Who was Beau Brummell? Why are men's clothes so boring now?

    boring clothes beau brummell
    Episode #69 - What's The Deal With Vikings, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2023 53:40


    Emma and Janina are back behind the mast of the longship! This time, we're discussing sagas, eddas, and other various mythological titbits. www.historyissexy.com

    Episode #68 - What's the Deal with Vikings, Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 66:40


    We're back, and better than ever! This time, Emma and Janina will be answering a few questions about everyone's favourite nordic seafaring pirate raiders, the Vikings! Were the Vikings the ISIS of the 9th century? Were the Vikings criminal outcasts from their homelands? Did we like Assassin's Creed: Valhalla? Tune in to find out!

    A Small Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2022 6:16


    A quick update to promise you that we are not dead and encourage you to stop giving us money. Please stop giving us money until 2023!

    Episode 67: Why Do We Think The Victorians Were Prudes?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2022 63:53


    Where did the idea that Victorians were all repressed weirdos come from? Is it true? Did they cover their piano legs for modesty? What's going on? Show notes and links and get in contact at www.historyissexy.com

    Episode 66: Did the Illuminati Cause the French Revolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2022 68:30


    Who were the Illuminati? Did they cause revolutions all over the world, or were they just a bunch of nerds? Are philosophers to blame for everything? And did the French make books out of the skins of those they guillotined? Show Notes at https://historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-66-did-the-illuminati-cause-the-french-revolution Support us at www.historyissexy.com

    Episode #65 - Petra

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2022 55:14


    What's the history of Petra? Why was it considered lost for so long? Why aren't Bedouin people allowed to live there any more, and other things colonialism has ruined. Show notes at https://historyissexy.com/

    Episode 64: What's the History of Alchemy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2021 77:26


    This week we explore the weird and wonderful world of alchemy, from ancient China to Isaac Newton. Show notes https://historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-64-whats-the-history-of-alchemy

    Episode #63 - Did a girl from Cork become a Moroccan Empress and other stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 67:15


    People who's lives turned out to involve things no one could have predicted. Show notes: historyissexy.com/show-notes/cqcz3d5vh0ftaryie0kdkbw8s5ht7g

    Episode #62: Where Did the Idea of Human Rights Come From

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2021 79:19


    *Reuploaded* This episode we talk political philosophy, chaos, revolutions and war crimes and the messy path to human rights theory. Show notes, merch and contact form at www.historyissexy.com

    Episode #61 - Did Jesus Really Exist?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2021 74:22


    Did a real human man called Jesus actually live and was he really crucified or did the church make the whole thing up? Show notes: https://historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-61-did-jesus-really-exist

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