For the Love of History - world history, women’s history, weird history

There would be no true crime without this man!! What do Marilyn Monroe, Sharon Tate, and Robert F. Kennedy have in common? They were all investigated by Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the so-called “Coroner to the Stars.” In this episode of For the Love of History, host TK sits down with author and researcher Anne Choi to talk about her book L.A. Coroner, which unpacks the bizarre true story of how one Japan...

In this powerful episode of For the Love of History, host TC is joined by scholar and author Dr. Anita Say Chan to explore the unsettling historical roots of modern data science and artificial intelligence. Drawing from her groundbreaking book Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future, Anita uncovers how today's predictive algorithms trace back to 19th-century eu...

🎙 Sisters in STEM: The Truth About Hypatia (No, She Wasn’t a Math Babe Martyr) Who really was Hypatia of Alexandria? A fourth-century philosopher. A math editor. A teacher who handed out celestial knowledge like candy—and nope, she wasn’t some toga-clad sex symbol seducing her students for extra credit. (We’re looking at you, 19th-century fanfic bros.) In this season finale of For the Love of Hist...

I can't thank this community enough, thank you for giving me a voice, thank you for helping me give a voice to the voiceless of the past, and thank you for joining me for the last 5 years as I talk about the weirdest shit in history! I love you always and don't forget to drink your water 💙💛 TK 🍩 💙💛 Links & Housekeeping 🎤 Love for the Love of History? Rate, review, and share this episode! 🤩A...

🛑 Step away from the keyboard, put down your lukewarm coffee, and get ready for a journey through the most stomach-churning, backbreaking, and downright horrifying jobs in history! This week, we’re diving into the roles that made people question their life choices—often while covered in filth, plague, or both. What’s Inside This Episode? 💩 Tosher – Because someone had to shovel Victorian human w...

It's time for some hidden history, dear one!! Did you know one of Japan’s most famous artists had a secret weapon? And no, it wasn’t just his paintbrush! In this episode, we uncover the fascinating, overlooked story of Katsushika Oi, the daughter (and possible secret collaborator) of the legendary Hokusai! Oi wasn’t just any artist—she was a bold, brilliant painter who worked in the shadow of her...

Hold onto your corsets and brace yourself for some historical spice, because today we’re talking about Victorian nipple rings. Yes, you read that right. The prim and proper era of high collars, afternoon tea, and… pierced nipples? Turns out, the Victorians (and their French counterparts in the Belle Époque) were way freakier than we give them credit for. What’s Inside This Episode? 💎 The origins...

Grab your smelling salts, delicious doughnuts, because we’re diving into the scandalous, bizarre, and often horrifying world of 18th-century reproductive health! This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Mina Moriarty—historian, writer, and content creator extraordinaire—to talk about contraception and menstruation in the 1700s. Spoiler alert: it involves lemon rinds, animal intestines, and a whole l...

Ahoy, history besties! Ready to set sail into the chaotic and badass world of piracy? But forget the bearded, rum-guzzling captains of the 1600s—this week, we're diving into the legend of an ancient pirate queen who gave Rome the middle finger and (allegedly) cursed an entire city. Meet Teuta of Illyria, the woman who turned the Adriatic Sea into her personal treasure chest and left a legacy fierc...

When the world told them to sit down, they danced. When their voices were silenced, they sang. When religion and government tried to erase them, they thrived in the shadows. Welcome to the story of mudang (무당), the women who shaped and preserved Korean shamanism (or Musok 무속) against all odds. This episode dives into their centuries-long defiance and the magic, rebellion, and resilience that k...

Buckle up, history besties—this episode is not safe for work (unless you’ve got headphones and a rebellious streak). We’re diving deep into the history of sex with none other than Esmé Louise James, the brilliant mind behind Kinky History! In this delightfully scandalous conversation, we uncover: 🔥 How Esmé went from studying religious history to becoming a sex historian 🔥 The wild story of how...

Happy Valentine’s Day, history besties! Whether you’re blissfully in love, dodging dating apps like a pro, or just here for the weird history (respect ✊), this episode is for you. We’re diving deep into history’s strangest, grossest, and most WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT aphrodisiacs and ancient booty calls. Spoiler: some people really went to extreme lengths to set the mood. 💘 What’s on the Love Potio...

Welcome to For the Love of History! In this episode, we dive into a lesser-known yet fascinating tale of maritime history with author and archaeologist Andrew Celyn. His latest book, Kidnapped at Sea: The Civil War Voyage of David Henry White, uncovers the harrowing journey of a free Black teenager who was abducted and forced aboard the infamous Confederate raider, the CSS Alabama. We discuss how...

Welcome back, my delicious doughnut! 🍩 This week, we’re peeling back the velvet curtain on one of London's most scandalous and fabulous crime syndicates: the Forty Elephants, an all-women gang who ruled the shoplifting scene from the Victorian era well into the Roaring Twenties. Think Oceans Eleven, but make it corsets, diamonds, and bloomers with pockets big enough to hide a whole department sto...

Welcome back, dear one! This week, we’re scrubbing in and diving scalpels-first into the history of surgery. From ancient skull drilling to the OG rhinoplasty (nose job, anyone?), this episode explores the bizarre, bloody, and brilliant evolution of ancient surgical techniques. Spoiler: it’s not all medieval barber surgeons and questionable hygiene. What you’ll learn in this episode: 📚How Neolith...

Welcome, history besties and ink enthusiasts! This week on For the Love of History, we’re taking a deep dive into the fascinating world of tattoo anthropology with none other than Lars Krutak, author of Tattoo Traditions of Asia. Lars shares jaw-dropping stories from his 25+ years of fieldwork, uncovering the hidden meanings behind indigenous tattoo traditions across Asia and beyond. Ever wondered...

Did you know that Socrates—yes, that Socrates—had a teacher who was a woman? And not just any woman, but Aspasia of Miletus, the queen of ancient philosophy, rhetoric, and savage comebacks. In this episode, we’re diving deep into her life, her legacy, and the absolutely wild smear campaigns she endured (spoiler: haters gonna hate since 450 BCE). Get ready to learn how Aspasia schooled some of the...

🇯🇵 JAPAN TRIP🇯🇵 💛💙Community Census💙💛 Welcome back, dear one! Season 10 kicks off with a bang as we hop into our time machine and zoom back to the Minoan civilization—the OG seafaring fashionistas of Crete. Were they ruled by thick (with two C’s) nature mommies? Or was it all just ancient patriarchy with a side of fabulous frescoes? Let’s find out! What’s in Store: 🛕 A deep dive into Minoan pa...

It’s time for a creepy, cozy Christmas! In this episode of For the Love of History, we delve into the chilling legend of Krampus, the infamous counterpart to Saint Nicholas. This horned, mythical creature has haunted Alpine folklore for centuries, delivering punishment to those who land on the naughty list. Discover the fascinating origins of Krampus, from his roots in Norse mythology to his conne...

If you’ve ever wondered about the wild, weird, and occasionally disgusting history of colors, you’re in for a treat. In this week’s episode of For the Love of History, we’re joined once again by fan-favorite and resident archaeologist Hannah—a walking encyclopedia of ancient technologies. Together, we dive into the fascinating history of pigments and explore how colors shaped human history, art, a...

Grab your hot beverage ☕️ and cozy up, because this week on For the Love of History, we're diving into the magical world of winter witches. Across the globe, from the snowy mountains of Japan to the frosty forests of Germany, winter has long been intertwined with folklore, magic, and powerful women. Join me as I uncover captivating tales of winter witches, their cultural significance, and how the...

Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of historical poison! 🧪💀  This week, we’re joined by the fabulous Sinead Hanna, co-host of The Poisoner’s Cabinet. Together, we unravel the legendary tale of Aqua Tofana, the deadly (yet oddly empowering?) poison of 17th-century Italy. What’s Inside This Episode? 📚Aqua Tofana 101: The mythical poison that could kill with precision—days, weeks, or even ye...

Gobble gobble, dear one! 🦃 In this special archived episode, we’re taking a delicious stroll down memory lane to revisit the iconic Turkey God episode—the one that started it all! Almost five years ago, on April Fool’s Day (just in case I needed an out), I nervously hit publish on this masterpiece. Fast-forward to now, and here we are a thriving podcast community built on weird history, women’s h...

🎙 A Little History of Psychology with Dr. Nikki Hayes Ready to dive into the fascinating world of psychology? In this episode, we chat with Dr. Nikki Hayes, a rockstar in the field of psychology and the author of the brilliant book A Little History of Psychology. She's written 25+ books, and she's here to share her knowledge with us on the wild, weird, and wonderful journey of psychology through t...

Welcome, history besties and chaos goblins, to a special archived episode of For the Love of History—and trust me, this one is iconic. 🐊 We're diving into the wild world of ancient Egyptian mythology and uncovering the bizarre, beefy, and downright sweaty cult of Sobek, the alligator god. Yes, you read that right—SWEATY alligator god. Prepare to meet the god of crocodiles, sweat, and... baby-grav...