Hot Mess History Podcast

In this mini episode, we focus on the final chapter of Jane Seymour’s life and the legacy that followed. We talk about the letters Jane wrote to Henry VIII while she was recovering from childbirth, offering one of the few moments where we hear directly from her and see how carefully she navigated her role as queen. We also examine the circumstances surrounding her death after the birth of Edward V...

In this episode, we take a closer look at Jane Seymour and dismantle the myth of the “good wife.” From her early life at court to her rise during the collapse of Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn, Jane learned quickly how dangerous survival near power could be. We explore her carefully managed role as queen, the one moment she dared to challenge Henry during the Pilgrimage of Grace, and the imm...

In the final Anne Boleyn episode of our Women Who Had to Put Up With Henry VIII’s BS series, Sarah and Alora step back from the chronology to untangle the myths that have followed Anne for centuries. We explore where some of the most enduring legends about her came from, why they were so easily believed, and what they reveal about how Anne has been remembered rather than who she actually was. From...

In Part 4 of our Anne Boleyn episodes in our series "women who had to put up with Henry VIII's BS", Sarah and Alora walk through Anne’s final days, from her arrest and imprisonment in the Tower of London to the carefully constructed charges that sealed her fate. We break down the accusations brought against her, the political motivations behind them, and the men who benefited most from her downfal...

In Part 3 of our Anne Boleyn series, Sarah and Alora follow Anne through the most volatile chapter of her queenship. We explore the intense pressure surrounding her pregnancy and the devastating miscarriage that leaves Anne’s position dangerously uncertain. As Catherine of Aragon’s death closes one era, Henry VIII’s near fatal jousting accident raises questions about the future of the Tudor dynast...

This is Part 2 of our Anne Boleyn story within our Women Who Had to Put Up With Henry VIII’s BS series, where Sarah and Alora follow Anne’s rise from Henry’s obsession to Queen of England. From thirst-filled love letters and firm boundaries to secret marriages, annulments, a lavish coronation, and the birth of Elizabeth, this episode explores how ambition, desire, and power collided—ultimately pus...

In Part 1 of our Anne Boleyn series, Sarah and Alora trace Anne’s early life—from her upbringing at Hever Castle to the sharp, glamorous education she received in the diverse courts of Europe. We explore how those years shaped her wit, charm, and political awareness, how the Boleyn family rose within Tudor society, and how her sister Mary’s affair with Henry VIII will set the stage for Anne’s own...

This week, we are re-releasing our episode on Lady Jane Grey. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we do not have a new episode for this week. Additionally, our upcoming episodes on Anne Boleyn has required more time to research and produce, and we did not want to rush such an important part of our series, Women Who Had to Put Up with Henry VIII’s BS . We hope you enjoy revisiting our exploration of L...

In Part 2 of the Catherine of Aragon saga in our series called: " Women who had to put up with Henry VIII’s BS ," Catherine of Aragon faces the collapse of her world as Anne Boleyn rises and Henry VIII convinces himself their 20-year marriage was a sin. Political chaos erupts, the court turns against her, and Catherine is dragged into a humiliating trial. This is where she delivers one of the most...

Welcome to our series called "women who had to put up with Henry VIII's BS"! Catherine of Aragon was destined for greatness long before she became Henry VIII’s first queen. This episode follows her from her powerful childhood in Spain to a tragic first marriage, years of political limbo, and finally her rise beside Henry...the man who adored her, needed her, and slowly became her undoing. We trace...

This week, Sarah and Alora dive into the wild, magical, and heartbreakingly messy story of Medea: a sorceress, healer, and priestess of Hecate whose reputation has been dragged for centuries. She helped a so-called hero rise to fame, got betrayed in return, and made sure no one forgot her name. Was she truly a monster… or just a woman who was pushed past her breaking point? Join us as we dig into...

The day that this episode comes out is Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, which is election day for (some) places in the U.S. If you haven't voted yet...go vote! Happy Voting! ***THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES VERY VERY HORRIFIC AND GRUESOME EVENTS. You have been warned. HAPPY HALLOWEEN HOT MESSES! This is your official Halloween episode! We are taking a break from our series on women who have been wrongly vill...

This week on the Hot Mess History Podcast, Sarah tells Alora the chaotic, unbelievable, and ultimately tragic story of Joan of Arc: the teenage peasant who said “God told me to do it,” led France’s army to victory, and scared men so badly they burned her for cross-dressing. We are unpacking the myths, the misogyny, and the messy politics that turned a teenage girl with a vision into one of history...

Before Eve, there was Lilith...Adam’s first wife, made from the same clay and absolutely not here to be told what to do. When she refused to submit, she was ran away from Eden and was later branded as a demon (because of course she was). In this episode of the Hot Mess History Podcast, Sarah tells Alora how Lilith’s story spiraled from equality to exile, how medieval fanfiction made her a baby-sna...

She’s been called vain, spoiled, and out of touch — but was Marie Antoinette really the villain of the French Revolution, or just a convenient scapegoat? In this episode, we uncover how sexism, propaganda, and political chaos turned a teenage girl into the most hated woman in France. From the “Let them eat cake” myth to the smear campaigns that destroyed her image, we’re separating fact from ficti...

When her husband was killed in one of history’s most brutal ways, Olga of Kyiv didn’t just avenge him, she built an empire. In this episode, Sarah and Alora unpack the legend of the widow who burned cities, rewrote the laws, converted an empire, and somehow became a saint. Was she really cruel? Or just a woman history couldn’t handle? Listen and find out! In solidarity with the Ukrainian people, w...

For nearly 3,000 years, Jezebel has been remembered as the Bible’s ultimate “bad girl.” But was she really the wicked queen we’ve been told about—or just the victim of some very effective ancient propaganda? In this episode, Sarah and Alora dig into Jezebel’s life, the legendary Mount Carmel showdown, her infamous feud with Elijah, and the brutal way she met her end. Along the way, they uncover th...

She’s been called a prostitute, a saint, a feminist icon, and even the secret wife of Jesus. But who was Mary Magdalene really? In this episode of the Hot Mess History Podcast, Sarah and Alora dive into the story of one of the most misunderstood women in history. From her appearances in the Gospels as the #1 fan and follower of Jesus, to the centuries-long smear campaign that branded her a “fallen...

She’s been called a scheming wife, a cold-blooded murderer, and the very embodiment of vengeance itself. But who was Clytemnestra really? Was she the villain of Greek tragedy—or the tragic heroine of her own story? In this episode of the Hot Mess History Podcast , Sarah and Alora dive into the life and legend of Clytemnestra—one of the most complex figures to emerge from ancient myth. Born into a...

In this week’s episode of the Hot Mess History Podcast, Sarah and Alora take you back to the height of the French Revolution, where a group of women chose faith and solidarity over survival. Known today as the Martyrs of Compiègne, these Carmelite nuns faced the guillotine with courage, walking together to their deaths while singing hymns. Their story isn’t just about martyrdom — it’s about defian...

In this episode of The Hot Mess History Podcast , Sarah and Alora unravel the chaotic and captivating life of Alexander Hamilton. Born in the Caribbean and rising from poverty to power, Hamilton became George Washington’s right-hand man and one of the most influential architects of America’s financial system. But with brilliance came controversy—his relentless ambition, fiery clashes with Jefferso...

Cleopatra might be one of the most famous women in history, but most of what we think we know about her was written by her enemies. In this episode of the Hot Mess History Podcast , we cut through the Roman gossip and Hollywood glam to get to the truth about Egypt’s last pharaoh. Was Cleopatra really a seductress who bewitched Caesar and Mark Antony—or a brilliant ruler fighting to keep her kingdo...

In this episode of the Hot Mess History Podcast , Sarah takes us through one of the wildest periods in English history: the Interregnum. From King Charles I’s downfall and shocking execution, to Oliver Cromwell’s rise as Lord Protector and his strict Puritan rule, we explore how England tried—and failed—to live without a monarchy. And just when you think it can’t get messier, we cover the bizarre...

In Part 2 of our Salem Witch Trials series, the hysteria reaches its deadly peak—innocent people are convicted on flimsy spectral evidence, and the gallows claim more victims. We cover shocking executions, including Giles Corey’s brutal death by pressing, and the turning point that finally ended the madness. This is the blood-soaked climax of Salem’s most infamous chapter. Fair Use Disclaimer: Thi...

In Part 1 of our deep dive into the infamous Salem Witch Trials, we’re setting the stage for one of the wildest moral panics in American history. What started with a group of young girls and some suspicious fits turned into a community-wide witch hunt that cost innocent people their lives. If you like the podcast, follow us on Tiktok: @hotmesshistorypodcast and instagram: @hotmesshistorypod Love t...