Not So Familiar History

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A new history podcast by Helen Gunn and David Cirillo where we connect modern trends and news to their historical counterparts. New episodes are available every other Friday! From TikTok trends to pandemics, we cover familiar modern topics while transporting you to some not so familiar historical origins. What stories will we dig up next?

David Cirillo and Helen Gunn


    • Apr 15, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 10 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Not So Familiar History

    Eurovision: Europe's Greatest Diplomat

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2021 24:35


    Remember when American Idol was such a big deal? We don't either! Come listen to our episode on Eurovision Song Contest--a show that not only showcases talented artists from all over the world, but also serves as a geopolitical and diplomatic event. Learn about the song contest that blows our paltry contests out of the water and makes our hosts wish we were in Europe.

    Cults!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2021 24:12


    In this episode, we dive into the good, the complicated and controversial, and the bad surrounding cults. From classical Roman religious cults to the contentious Gulen and Falun Gong movements to the infamous Jonestown, join us as we politely ask to indoctrinate you.

    A Not So Cinderella Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2021 26:44


    Fairytales are things of wonder and oral tradition, passed on through the ages in a variety of cultural contexts. Join us as we delve into one of our favorites, Cinderella, through Vietnamese, Germanic, and French traditions, as well as the popular Disney spin-offs we know and love today.

    Sex Sells (Over Time)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2021 23:34


    Sexualized period dramas have been in vogue for a while now, but there's nothing quite like Bridgerton, Netflix's new soapy Regency-era drama. After recently binging all of the show, Helen and David decided to take a deep dive into some famed literature and paintings to see how, through beloved adaptations and evolutions, sexualization in art has transformed to meet its cultural surroundings.

    The History Keepers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2021 30:40


    Influenced by the prevalence of recent K-Dramas and "fake news", Helen and David take a look at the historians of Joseon Korea. These historians compiled the events of every single day in the kingdom and, most amazingly, were allowed to write the unvarnished truth. Today, their records stand as a model and a contrast to biases in what we archive, what we are told, and what we are taught. Take a deep dive with us!

    Welcome to Hell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2021 47:25


    In this episode, join us as we travel through the different iterations of Hell. From cultural, to literary, to religious interpretations, can we come to a consensus? And is that consensus that the devil is pretty attractive? Listen to find out!

    The Goat, The Witch, and The Christmas Whipper

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2020 30:31


    Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and happy holidays regardless of your affiliation! Today, on Christmas itself, we are delving into some quirky holiday traditions and stories. Move over Santa, because we're bringing in the witches and the whippers to ring in the holiday this year.

    A Tale of Two Ladies

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2020 30:03


    In a year where we lost some feminist greats and a lot of progress seemingly hangs in the balance, we look at two giants in the feminist canon who, quite literally, changed everything. From Sappho to Woolf, this is a tale of two ladies from the world of literature who made waves and revolutionized movements.

    tale woolf two ladies
    Once Upon Some Suffering

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2020 26:07


    2020 is just the worst, but what if it isn't THE worst? Join us as we look at the harrowing events of 1883, a year full of pandemics, wars, colonization, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis...because, after all, misery loves company. 

    Little House on the Petit Trianon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 33:06


    TikTok is synonymous with trends nowadays, and one of the biggest things we've seen on TikTok is the concept of 'cores'. In this episode, we take a look at cottage-core, in its modern sense, and in its royal roots at Versailles. And yes, we believe Marie Antoinette would be both Instagram and TikTok famous if she was alive today.

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