The Tenth Muse

*WARNING: This podcast is currently produced over Zoom, and so some technical difficulties do occur... see if you can spot the obvious re-record of a sentence in here!* In this week's podcast, Helena tells us the story of British-Jamaican nurse, healer and businesswoman Mary Seacole who set up the "British Hotel" behind the lines during the Crimean War and should be far more famous than she is, and then Siobhán tells us about drag king, Stonewall legend, and the "Gay Superhero of New York City", Stormé DeLarverie, who arguably helped kick off the Gay Liberation Movement in the US. As always let us know what you think over on instagram @tenthmusepodcast and Twitter @TenthMusePod!

In this week's podcast, we round-up some more TV/music/book/podcast recommendations before Siobhán tells us about American scientist, inventor, and NASA legend Valerie L. Thomas. Then Helena tells us the story of American-born heir to the Singer sewing machine fortune Winnaretta Singer - who defined putting your money where your mouth is. As always let us know what you think over on instagram @tenthmusepodcast and Twitter @TenthMusePod

WE'RE BACKKKKKK! It's a new year and we have a new series of The Tenth Muse coming out for you! That's right baby we're back! Apologies for our (loooonng) absence, the pandemic has been tough on everyone and our lives and postgrads got in the way of continuing our podcast - but no longer! In this week's podcast, we start off with a 2020 pop culture round-up before Helena tells us all about Dr. James Barry - aka Margaret Ann Bulkley - the famous military surgeon who revolutionised living conditions for patients. Then Siobhán tells us the story of actress, inventor and Hollywood bombshell Hedy Lamarr, who was much more than a pretty face! As always let us know what you think over on instagram @tenthmusepodcast and Twitter @TenthMusePod

[PRE-WARNING FOR LOUD MUSICAL INTERLUDES***] From Riot Grrrl era rockers to Queercore heavyweights, this week Siobhán takes us on a crash course through punk rock history! Listen out for a sure fire list of bands you should listen to after the episode ends, plus a challenge for all you listeners. // Keep the conversation going with us! We're on Twitter at @TenthMusePod, Instagram at @tenthmusepodcast, and you can always email us as tenthmusepodcast@gmail.com // ***Only available to hear when listening via Anchor - on another device? No problem, the songs to listen to at your own pleasure: Rebel Girl - Bikini Kill & Lezbophobia - Tribe 8... enjoy!

In this week's podcast, Siobhán continues delving into LGBTQ+ history to celebrate Pride month! This week, it's radical icon and relentless activist Miss Major, who has dedicated 50 years of her life to fighting for trans women of colour and gender non-conforming people, while Helena tells the story of Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist with more achievements under her belt than you can possibly count! Editor: Helena Davidson.

This week Helena tells us the real story of the salem witch trials, and why 'witch-fever' was so big in England and Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries. Keep your ears peeled for some interesting facts about Macbeth, and a now-drained loch in Edinburgh city centre! // Keep the conversation going with us! We're on Twitter at @TenthMusePod, Instagram at @tenthmusepodcast,

We're backkkkkk! // In episode six (number 3 in lockdown!): What happens when you take a 10th century Viking warrior grave and add a dash of modern DNA analysis, with a hint of badass female scientists? You get a whole new vision of Viking society! This week Helena takes us from 10th century Sweden, through the Victorian scientific community, to 21st century TV shows to tell this story. Then, Siobhán takes us on a history lesson through the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in America - from the Castro district of San Francisco, to the Stonewall riots of NYC, all the way to marriage equality across America with lesbian pioneer and activist Phyllis Lyon, and her wife Del Martin, in a special exploration dedicated to their memory. // Got a Muse? Send it in! We're on Twitter at @TenthMusePod, Instagram at @tenthmusepodcast, or you can email us at tenthmusepodcast@gmail.com! Editor: Siobhán Fletcher

In the second of our special bi-weekly mini-episodes (in this case, quite a long one...), Siobhán takes you back in time to the early days of Walt Disney Animation, to talk about the women behind the classic films, rides and theme parks - with some side discussions into traditional vs. CGI animation, which Disney film is the best, and the under-rated Disney classic, The Haunted Mansion (2003). Further reading: The Imagineering Story docu-series on Disney+, and 'The Queens of Animation: The Untold Story of the Women Who Transformed the World of Disney and Made Cinematic History' by Nathalia Holt. Got a Muse for us? Email us at tenthmusepodcast@gmail.com, tweet us @TenthMusePod or message us on Instagram @tenthmusepodcast.

In the fifth episode (and second in quarantine!), Helena goes on an adventure in the mountains to discuss Japanese mountain climber and pioneer Junko Tabei, whilst Siobhán picks up a sword and takes up opera singing to discuss our first listener suggestion - French bisexual legend Julie d'Aubigny (badly pronounced French is included with no added cost to listeners!). We hope you are all doing okay in lockdown, and if you have a muse you want us to cover, send it in! Email: tenthmusepodcast@gmail.com Twitter: TenthMusePod Instagram: tenthmusepodcast Stay safe, and hang in there everyone! - Helena and Siobhán

In the first of our special bi-weekly mini-episodes, Helena goes solo to tell you all about why female authors throughout history used male pseudonyms to get their work published and acknowledged. Got a Muse for us? Email us at tenthmusepodcast@gmail.com, tweet us @TenthMusePod or message us on Instagram @tenthmusepodcast.

In the fourth episode (and first in quarantine!), Siobhán takes to the skies with record-breaking American pilot and business executive Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran while Helena discusses English-born Irish republican revolutionary, suffragette and actress Maud Gonne... who may have also been a real-life Tenth Muse for one of the greatest poets in history! The Tenth Muse is switching to weekly uploads! Send us your Muses here: Email: tenthmusepodcast@gmail.com Twitter: TenthMusePod Instagram: tenthmusepodcast Stay safe, and hang in there everyone! - Helena and Siobhán

In the third episode, Helena discusses Emily Warren Roebling and her role in building a New York City icon: the Brooklyn Bridge. Then Siobhán takes us on a walk through rock 'n' roll history to talk about musical prodigy Sister Rosetta Tharpe. New York Times "Overlooked": https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/obituaries/overlooked-emily-warren-roebling.html?fbclid=IwAR1NRT7h6WfyMM5uKfUrosmbznXy32KaTrJIwCnBrQQMcNgYJaAY7xXV_Co Sister Rosetta Tharpe performing "Didn't It Rain" live in Manchester: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnAQATKRBN0

In the second episode, Siobhán discusses African-American medical wonder Henrietta Lacks and her superhuman cells, whilst Helena takes us on a mission to hunt Nazis with Dutch sisters Freddie and Truus Oversteegen. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtLFG61TBw "Seducing and Killing Nazis" book link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seducing-Killing-Nazis-Resistance-Heroines-ebook/dp/B07TMRTVBD?fbclid=IwAR2kCzClE0YYPRgwX8-BCNsPBx7P8REBgxpkuhO9IvJvmCEnK1OXkkwUt-s

In the very first episode, Helena and Siobhán discuss American war correspondent, novelist, and all-round badass Martha Gellhorn, and Irish-American legend of the sea, the infamous and ruthless pirate Anne Bonny.

Welcome to The Tenth Muse! Join hosts Helena Davidson & Siobhán Fletcher as they discuss a unique collection of women through time who deserve more recognition in the history books for the amazing things they've done.