Not Strictly History

Welcome to the finale of Season 2! I know it is a little abrupt, but I am so grateful for this season we have had together. Join me today as I talk about some of the experiences I have had podcasting and some of the things I've learned about creativity. Then, we will round off Season 2 by discussing the holidays. I'm going to share what they mean to me and some of the most precious teachin...

Happy Halloween, Friends!! Welcome to our Spooky Holiday edition of Not Strictly History! And an extra special welcome to our second guest on the podcast - one of my dearest friends in the world: Quinn! We met 7 years ago on a study-abroad tour of England, Ireland, and Wales and have been fast friends ever since. She is hysterical, creative, and my very own resident Spooky Girl. Today we are sitti...

Welcome to the longest-ever episode of Not Strictly History and a story from history that absolutely deserves to be told again and again. This is the episode that I have been hinting at for several weeks now: I started researching this and things got heavy very quickly. Not only that, there are so MANY layers here. I wanted to do the story justice. So, after a lot of extra research and weeks of wr...

We've done it! We are here for Part 2 of the story of Joan of Arc. Last week we discussed Joan's incredible journey from her small village to eventually being instrumental in the coronation of her king. This week we talk about her trial, execution, eventual retrial and declaration of innocence, and what Joan's legacy means today. We'll dive into court proceedings and even read some...

It would truly surprise me if you had gotten this far in your life without at least hearing the name Joan of Arc. But what do you know about the woman herself? Perhaps more than most, or maybe just her name, but this week, we're hopping in the Wayback to go to medieval France. In the first of a two-part story, we're going to learn about Joan of Arc the girl - her childhood, her family, her...

It is officially Fall, everyone! And as such, Spooky Season is upon us! For the first time on Not Strictly History, we mix history with the paranormal. Travel with me to Eureka Springs, Arkansas - a beautiful area in the Ozark Mountains that has been known in traditional Native American legends as the location of a natural spring containing healing powers. This town has seen many things, but one o...

I am so excited to share today's episode with you that you can probably hear me screaming from where you are! Today, we are diving into the early history of the English language and the literary work that defines it - the Old English poem Beowulf. Join me today as I explain the origins of English, dispel some of the myths associated with it, and share some of the deepest passions that stirred...

If you have heard about the ancient Library of Alexandria, you probably think that we lost it in the blaze of a horrible fire. But what if that wasn't the whole story? What if the loss of this ancient and wonderful Library was actually much more complicated? Come with me this week as we explore the history of this incredible institution, the kings and scholars who created it, the academics who...

You've seen the movie. You know it. You love it. You've quoted it. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." But have you overanalyzed "Dirty Dancing"? Have you thought about the little moments that add up to the many layers this love story contains? Released in 1987, the film "Dirty Dancing" has been many things to many people over the years. Today we present our very...

It is highly likely that you know something about the Boston Tea Party - whether you know quite a bit or whether you've only heard the event referred to. But whatever you do or do not know, this week we are deep diving into the Tea Party by exploring the people, the organizations, and the events that led up to it. Join me as we take a romp through Colonial America and discuss everything from t...

It is highly possible that many of you haven't heard of Billie Holiday. Known as "Lady Day" to close friends and family alike, Billie Holiday's intensely impactful career as a jazz musician spanned several decades and absolutely changed the face of music. Her name graces the walls of the Grammy Hall of Fame as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her incredible voice and style...

Have you ever read a book that you hated? Have you ever read a book you hated so much that it just stayed inside your brain and continued to ruin your life? Well, welcome to Season 2's first episode that is not strictly history! This week we are diving into a literary episode, talking about the book "The Buried Giant" - brought to you by Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro. Com...

Even if you didn't realize it - you have been heavily impacted by the work of author and playwright Dame Agatha Christie. Her crime novels came to the world over decades, introduced readers to two of the most popular detectives in literary history, and make her the best-selling author of all time. Come with me as we take a deep dive into the life and times of Agatha Christie - from a child playing...

Welcome Back!! Season 2 is finally here and Not Strictly History is better than ever! Join me today as we dive into a very well-known event: The Woodstock Music and Arts Festival. You may think you know something about Woodstock... but what do you really know? What about how it came about? The people behind it? The story of the artists who performed there? Or perhaps the booths there selling craft...

Here we are, friends! Back to finish Winnie the Pooh with more fun facts, more gushing about his friends, and even some dabbling in the Latin language! It is also the very last episode of Season 1. Which means we will be taking a break for a bit, but don’t worry! I’ll be back very soon with more history, more not strictly history, and more fun. In the meantime, keep listening to the episodes we ha...

Welcome to our very first two-part episode! Today we are beginning the journey of talking about one of the world's most amazing characters: Mr. Winnie the Pooh. Join me as I dive into Winnie the Pooh's origin story, a bit about the real Christopher Robin, and touch on some of the things that make Winnie the Pooh, his friends, and the Hundred Acre Wood the much-beloved sanctuary that they are for s...

It's our very first episode in which we discuss a book! Welcome to a not strictly history episode in which we dive, not into history, but into literature. This week we are covering the classic novel "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck. It is a novel set in timeless China chronicling the life of a poor farmer and his family. This book has so much to recommend it. It is a book about faith, love, famil...

Good morrow, friends! Welcome to the second episode of Not Strictly History that is not strictly history! Today, we are talking about the ICONIC 1986 coming-of-age film "Pretty in Pink". We discuss the various characters, themes, plotlines, and even spend some time gushing over the soundtrack, wardrobe, and notable quotes. Join me as I expound on the virtues of Duckie, present my controversial fee...

History calls her Juana the Mad, but have you ever really heard the story of this remarkable woman? One of five children born to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand (the Christopher Columbus people), Juana experienced incredible tragedies, devastating betrayals, and lifelong untruths. Come with me as we explore the woman herself, understand what really happened, and witness what a wonderful person s...

Welcome to a brief history of The Pueblo Revolt! In 1680, Pueblo Native Americans in the Spanish province of New Mexico revolted against the Spanish settlers/officials in an effort to regain their freedoms and defend their way of life. This is the only successful Native American uprising against a colonizing power in North America! As such, it is something we should be talking about SO MUCH more....

Welcome to the life of Mary Shelley! You may know her as the wife of Romantic poet Percy Shelley or the incredible author of Frankenstein. But what else do you know about her? Come with me as we explore her childhood, education, love of knowledge, devotion to her children, and pursuit of enlightenment. I hope you learn as much from this episode as I did! Drunk History Episodes Referenced: Why Byro...

Hello, friends! I'm so excited for the first episode of Not Strictly History that takes us to a historic place - Hadrian's Wall! In this episode, which is a bit shorter than normal, I talk a bit about the history behind Hadrian's Wall, the construction of the Wall, some of the psychological/symbolic functions it must have served, and maybe even... a birthday party? Join me as I take a brief look a...

It's the very first episode of Not Strictly History that is.... not strictly history!!! I absolutely cannot WAIT to share this episode with you. I've been a Macklemore fan for many moons and I was so excited to put this episode together and share it with all of you. We'll talk about the man himself, his love for his kids, his iconic style, his glorious music, and so much more! Addiction Recovery S...

What do you really know about the man, the myth, the legend, Mr. Julius Caesar? If the answer is "not much" or even "quite a bit", I can't wait to share this episode with you. Come with me as I summarize the life of this fascinating man and touch on his military career, political doings, and his relationship with the one and only Cleopatra!

Hi there, friends! Jordan is a historian, author, and many other things, here to discuss history and... other things as they arise. This episode we dive into the life and times of Mr. Al Capone. We will explore his childhood, his marriage, his time as a crime boss, and even discuss the fascination and love many of us have for figures like Capone. Thank you for being here! Buzzfeed Unsolved episode...