EUROPHILE

Coucou everyone! Happy Holidays from your favorite European-obsessed girlies! What could be more magical during the holiday season than seeing The Nutcracker ballet! Ugh those sugarplum fairies! This episode we are thrilled be joined by Kate's brother Eli, who is a ballet stage manager at the Houston City Ballet, to share the history of the Nutcracker. All from its early days as an unpopular Germa...

Coucou everyone! “I will not be defeated by a bad man and an American stick insect...instead I choose vodka...and...Chaka Khan;" spoken from the mouth of Bridget Jones - our friend, our icon, our inspiration, our dose of reality! We hope you enjoy this deep dive into the world of Bridget, including learning about the original column and book, life in the '90s as a modern woman, Bridget's stoic vul...

Coucou everyone! In this episode, we discuss the hilarious, raunchy, and politically-conscious comedy about a woman-led sex strike in Ancient Greece - The Lysistrata by Aristophanes. Cat then tells us about the Mati or evil eye - of course, it's blue for a reason! So grab a cup of Greek coffee and join us to go to Greece! Opa! Main topic sources: Brittanica : the Lysistrata Crash Course: The Lysis...

Coucou everyone! Women getting accused of witchcraft for pissing off men? A tale as old as time. Tune in to hear about 4 medieval women who were either too caring, too wealthy, too ambitious, or too in love for their worlds, and suffered greatly because of it. Then, we take a right turn and learn all about Les Alpes festival, which may be the cutest celebration to ever exist! Main topic sources: V...

Coucou everyone! We are so happy to have our dear friend Clare Wright of the Sunday Scaries horror film club ( ⁠@sundayscariesfilm⁠ ) on the pod to talk all about giallo - the Italian horror film subgenre. Focusing on giallo films from the 1960s and '70s, Clare breaks down 3 major themes, each with a film and director to match. What we love about giallo films are their iconic use of color, fashion...

Coucou everyone! Today's episode is all about the FABULOUS Anita Ekberg, including her rise to fame, her iconic roles, her diva behavior, and her famous boyfriends. Whether she was hopping on the back of a stranger's motorcycle at a film premier, shooting a bow and arrow at paparazzi, or flouncing in the Trevi Fountain, she did it with flair. Then Kate shares why some candy in Scandinavia is for a...

Coucou everyone! Upon the passing of Queen Elizabeth, as per custom, the bees were informed of her passing. This tradition of "Telling the Bees" stems from Celtic Mythology because bees are our connection to the underworld. Kate tells us about other places in Europe that have a mythological connection to these magical creatures. Catherine then tells us about the legend behind the iconic...

Coucou everyone! Happy 100 to us! Thank you to listeners old and new for being here, we love making Europhile and sharing it with you <3 Be sure to follow us on TikTok and Instagram to enter our first giveaway! This topic summarizes some of our favorite things - discovering traditions across cultures and history, and beauty/skin/hair care! From Germany to Ancient Greece, Hungary to the Vikings,...

Coucou everyone! Time to dip our toes back into the world of fashion...this episode is all about the brilliant, effortlessly cool, feminist, lover of love, and fiercely independent Diane von Furstenberg. From humble beginnings to the jet-set life, Studio 54, surviving cancer, marrying royalty, and literally inventing a closet staple (the wrap dress, duh), this babe can do it all...and did! Then th...

Coucou everyone! We're back - we had a fabulous summer and are ready to share more Europhile episodes with you! :) On this week's episode, we discuss what is considered to be thee original Italian novel, The Decameron (Il Decamerone) by Giovanni Boccaccio. Inspired by the recent debaucherous Netflix show, Kate tells us about why it was trailblazing, why it was controversial and why it even...

Coucou everyone! Ok yes we are all aware of the conspiracy theories and have probably seen/read The DaVinci Code ...but do you know the real history behind the Illuminati? Started in the 18th century by an anti-establishment perfectionist, the Illuminati was a secret society that was almost forgotten, until the counter-culture of the 1960's brought it back and completely changed its image. The...

Coucou everyone! There was a boyyyyy... A very strange enchanted boy that went to the Moulin Rouge and got his life turned upside down. In Part II of our Moulin Rouge Series, we discuss the film Moulin Rouge! (2001) directed by Baz Luhrmann starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. This film is a delight for the senses and we explore some facts and our personal feelings about this film. So grab yo...

Coucou everyone! Can you cancan?? Join us this week as we cancan into the history of thee Moulin Rouge! From the the famous and infamous history, we dive into why the Moulin Rouge remains famous to this day. Cat then tells us about the humble origins of the French staple, the beret. So allons-y and hike up your petty coat to go to the Moulin Rouge! Hint: there will be a part deux! Main topic sourc...

Coucou everyone! We are so happy to present an episode of Laune x Europhile! Our friend Emma McDonnell is known for her excellent taste showcased in her creative endeavor, Laune. Laune is the place where Emma is able to compile thoughts, recommendations, conversations with interesting people - it’s inspiring in every sense of the word! This week Emma was able to come on the podcast to share the hi...

Coucou everyone! Yo hooooo, alllll handsssss, hoist the colorssss hiiigh...come with us all over Europe as we learn about several women pirates! Anne Bonny, Mary Read, Jeanne de Clisson, and Charlotte de Berry were all baddies who we wouldn't want to get mixed up with. Then, Kate tells Catherine all about Salvador Dalí and venereal disease... :) Main topic sources: The lies and legend of Anne...

Coucou everyone! From bike tires to the most prestigious culinary rating institution, Michelin has a foundation that starts small and grows to be monumentally influential worldwide. And who exactly is Bibendum??? We then take a fashionable jaunt to discuss how the Marinière became synonymous with the typical french stereotype. So allons-y, off to France we go! Main topic sources: Michelin Guide: H...

Coucou everyone! Join us as we welcome Annie Replogle to Europhile this week! We feel so lucky we got to chat with Annie about using her love of wine and Italy to completely transform her life. It's an inspiring story about how to be ready for when luck and fate meet! Annie's Contacts Instagram Vin Concierge Fed & Ginger Don't forget to follow us on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ...

Coucou everyone! Hailed as the "best composer and musician of the kingdom (of France)" - there is nothing that Joseph Bologne was bad at. A skilled musician, athlete, dancer, and revolutionary, he had the ladies of the French court swooning and tbh now we have crushes on him. Tune in to hear all about the life of this incredible talent. Then, things take a left turn as we talk about the...

Coucou everyone! It is a truth universally acknowledged...that we are Pride & Prejudice (2005) apologists. Don't get us wrong we LOVE 1995's adaptation but 2005 will always be our P&P. We go through the plot, our opinions (of which there are many), discuss Joe Wright's choices, and pepper in some film trivia and historical facts. This is a new style of episode for us - we hope...

Coucou everyone! *trigger warning - abuse, sexual assault Have you ever wondered why Sinéad O'Connor ripped up the picture of the Pope on SNL? One of the reasons she did that is because of the Magdalene Laundries. Magdalene Laundries were Catholic-run institutions that were the equivalent of work houses for "fallen women". Many sinister things happened at these institutions and the r...

Coucou everyone! Let's go to 16th century Türkiye to discuss the true story of a enslaved woman named Hürrem who ended up empress of the Ottoman Empire. Rags to riches, betrayal, murder, true love, a simp Emperor*...her story has it all. Then, Kate tells Catherine about why Turkish women put salt in their fiance's coffee...cheeky! *Correction note: Catherine mentions "Suleiman the Gre...

Coucou everyone! Grab a glass of glüwein while Kate takes us to Part II of Christmas traditions in Europe! Catherine then tells us all about gift giving in the Middle Ages - do not be shy to "pillage" your boss' house. Naturally, we segue to casting the new Bond film! Dev Patel as Bond anyone?? Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! Main topic sources: Women's Christmas Nollaig...

Coucou everyone! The New York Times described him as a “futurist, couturier, mystic, madman, Dadaist, sculptor, architect, astrologer, perfumer, artist and prophet.” Salvador Dalí called him the "second genius of Spain" - we're diving into the wild life of the beloved genius Paco Rabanne, who was more eccentric than we ever realized! Then Kate shares details on a medieval pagan festi...

Coucou everyone! Say it with me: " I, being of sound mind and new Wonderbra do solemnly promise to cheer and dance and zig-a-zig-ah. Ariba! Girl Power! " Let's go to England and Kate tells us all about the sensational, magical, empowering Spice Girls - sprinkled with some tears along the way! Cat then tells us about the history of another girl power movement - the mini skirt! So put...

Coucou everyone! Did you think fuckboys were only a thing of the 21st century? Think again! The fictional, wealthy, Spanish libertine Don Juan lived to seduce the ladies...and in the end he paid for his "sins" in the creepiest way possible. On a lighter note this ep, we also learn about damascene jewelry and art - how beautiful! Main topic sources: Don Juan wiki The Legend of Don Juan Th...