EUROPHILE

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...

Coucou everyone! Donning the infamous beaked mask, waxed cloak and walking stick, Plague Doctors had an infamous reputation around town. This week we discuss the origin and treatment of the Black Plague and the doctors that treated it. Cat then tells us about the Scottish legend of Half Hanged Maggie. Pour your tea and sit by the fire while we tell you some dark stories! EDIT: The word 'buboes...

Coucou everyone! Trigger warning: sexual abuse, rape Often called the "original Kardashians" (which is RUDE considering they did it first ), Magda, Zsa Zsa, and Eva Gabor were three sisters from Hungary who moved to the US and became tabloid sensations where their personal lives literally equalled money. Between the three of them they married 19 times to 20 men (meaning there was overlap...

Welcome back - Coucou everyone! Trigger warning: sexual abuse, rape For our first episode back from our summer break, we go to Türkiye to discuss a woman who came from the bottom and rose all the way to the top! Theodora's enigmatic nature and beauty won the hearts of many men, however the most impressive part is her feminist legislation that was passed years ahead of it's time (or right o...

Trigger warning: suicide, sexual abuse, rape Coucou everyone! This episode gets dicey as we discuss the twisted Marquis de Sade (who the term sadism is named after). He was a libertine who spent over a third of his life (rightfully) in jail - and we will tell you why! Then we move on to Picasso's "Ponytail Period" and his youthful and lovely muse Sylvette David. Don't forget to f...

Coucou everyone! Welcome back - this is our episode back from the South of France! The tan is still fresh and the memories will linger forever!! So let's dive back into it, shall we? This week Kate tells us all about the European Grand Tour. It's a tour that distinguished young gentlemen started doing to become educated and polished - in more ways than one. Cat then switches gears to tell...

Coucou everyone! Happy Pride!! Tune in to hear all about the romantic escapades of Anne Lister aka Gentleman Jack, and the first lesbian wedding in England! Then, Kate tells us where the phrase "paint the town red" comes from, and we decided that the unofficial theme of this ep is "rich people can really get away with anything." Shocking! Don't forget to follow us on  Insta...

Coucou everyone! Come with us to Greece this week where Kate tells us all about the absolutely wild story of the Livanos Sisters - Tina and Eugenia. They were from a wealthy Greek shipping dynasty and found their way in rough waters with other Greek shipping titans Onassis & Niarchos. Then Cat tells us all about the origins of Baklava. Off to Greece we sail - OPA! Don't forget to follow us...

Coucou everyone! You may know this story....but do you know all the horrifying details? Come to 19th century Scotland with the girls to hear all about how William Burke and William Hare murdered 16 people and sold their corpses to an anatomy professor...they really were a pair of greedy, evil brutes. Then, hear about an ancient tradition called "burning the clavi," which will help you st...

Coucou everyone! We finally get to chat all about the most glamorous woman in old Hollywood - our dear Marlene! She stood up for what she believed in, fantasized about killing Hitler, and had affairs with the hottest men AND women of her day. No one did it like Marlene. Then Kate tells Cat about prudish neighbors and how you can be ticketed for vacuuming?? Like if you're boring just say so......

Coucou everyone! This week Kate tells us about how the perfume industry started in Grasse because things were a little stinky before - to say the least! We then explore some of the perfumes that have significant historical importance and get into some juicy gossip! We can't not talk about the French Perfume Industry without of course discussing Chanel No 5! Cat then tells us about a mystery at...

Coucou everyone! Who doesn't love a tragic tale of star-crossed lovers? Tune in to hear the story of Tristan and Iseult (aka Isolde) - a medieval chivalric legend featuring giants, love potions, dragons, jealousy, poison, and true love. Then hear all about the romantic Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival. Love is in the air! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :) Main topic sources: Tristan and I...

Coucou everyone! People have been desperate for Millenia and we're here to tell you the tales! Some unlucky lovers have been more shocking than others but join us this week as we discuss love magic all around Europe. Catherine then tells us all about Aspasia another muse lucky in love! So, I think we should kiss now. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :) Main topic sources: Ancient Love Spells...

Coucou everyone! In September 1951, 2,000 of the world's richest, most beautiful, and innovative aesthetes flocked to Venice for the "ball of the century," which cost ~$20 million in today's money. Cat tells Kate all about the ball, and the eccentric man who threw it - Count Don Carlos de Beistegui y de Yturbe. Then, Kate tells Cat about a delicious little liqueur - amaro. Andiamo! Don't forget to...

Coucou everyone! We've seen the pictures, and yes she looks incredible on her gondola!  This week we discuss the life of American Peggy Guggenheim in France and Italy. Famous for her extensive and inventive art collecting, she also had the most wild life! It's rumored to be said that she had been with 1,000 lovers! Cat then tells Kate a little bit about Marchesa Luisa Casati! Andiamo to Venez...

Coucou everyone! Described as a "demonic dominatrix," the wife and muse of Salvador Dalí, Gala Dalí, was liked by few and disliked by many. Nevertheless, is she the reason Salvador Dalí is a household name and remembered as one of the most iconic masters of surrealism? We think so!!  Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :) Main topic sources: Gala Dalí’s Life Wasn’t Quite Surreal, but It Wa...

Coucou everyone! Every year Chanel does a fashion show around the world to showcase their artisan partners - let's dive into why Chanel does this show and what kinds of artisan partnerships that make sense for the Chanel Metiers d'Art program! Cat then tells us all about the delicious history of the baguette. Vive la France! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :) Main topic sources: Chanel Meti...

Coucou everyone! Who doesn't love a mystery? The Amber Room, called "the 8th wonder of the ancient world," was stolen from Russia and disappeared in the hands of Nazi forces in the early 1940s. Tune in to hear Cat tell Kate all about this room shrouded in mystery and even a curse. Then Kate tells Cat about the evolution of cosmetics in the USSR and it links all the way back to our first episode. A...

Coucou everyone! Let's go to Europe taste the waters! The mineral waters that is! In this episode, Kate tells us all about the history of 'Taking the Waters' once widely prescribed by physicians and we learn why. Getting a little bit technical - we learn why European waters are superior! Cat then tells us about one of the first gay icons of the UK! So pop some Pelligrino (never over ice - this is...

Coucou everyone! Potions! Spells! Skeletons! Ghosts! Tune in to this week's ep to to tour Europe and hear all about different Halloween and All Saints Day traditions. Then hear Kate tell a spooky tale of a medieval girl who quite literally disappeared. Eek! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :) Main topic sources: Bizarre, Amazing and Weird Halloween Traditions in Europe WEIRDEST HALLOWEEN TRA...

Coucou everyone! Join us as we learn about wine from our dear friend Kendal! Hear about her schooling, wine knowledge, and charming wine-making stories from her time spent in Italy and France. We adore you, Kendal! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :) Recommendations: Kendal's Recommendation - Try a Sicilian white wine! And read a book by Peter Mayle. Cover art and logo by Kate Walker Mi...