The Fem Files

Long before witches were Halloween costumes and aging was a curse, there was Baba Yaga: bone-legged, iron-toothed, and untameable. In this episode of The Fem Files , I trace the roots of this Slavic folklore legend, from her deep ties to nature and feminine power, to the ways she still creeps through our culture today. 🕯️ Keywords: Baba Yaga, Slavic folklore, feminist folklore podcast, mythology p...

In this episode of The Fem Files , we dive into the stories of four powerful women in the Irish Republican Army (IRA) who challenged British colonial rule in Northern Ireland. From armed resistance to prison hunger strikes, these women played critical roles in the Irish struggle for freedom. We explore the lives of Máire Drumm, Rosaleen Walsh, Martina Anderson, and Rosaleen McCorley— activists, wr...

This episode of The Fem Files explores the story of Lilith: Adam’s first wife and the original rebel. Tracing Lilith's transformation from an ancient goddess to a demonized outcast, this episode explores how myths were rewritten to punish feminine strength, independence, and sexuality. Sources: Baskin, Judith. “Lilith.” The Cambridge Dictionary of Judaism and Jewish Culture , 2011. “Lilith.” H...

This episode uncovers the surprising origins of Monopoly, the board game that was never meant to celebrate capitalism but to critique it. Discover how Lizzie Magie’s original vision was twisted into a tool for promoting greed and how her message matters now more than ever. Join me to explore the game’s cultural impact, the rise of privatization in America, and the forgotten solution of The Single...

In this episode of The Fem Files , Grace Bowland dives into the brutal legacy of Frances Farmer. Labeled insane for refusing to comply, Farmer’s story is less about madness and more about misogyny in a white coat. From electroshock “cures” to lobotomy rumors, we trace how brilliance in women gets pathologized, then punished. Sources: https://newsroom.artandwriting.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Fa...

In this episode, we uncover the story of Henrietta Lacks: a woman whose cells changed the course of medical history. Taken without consent, her cells sparked breakthroughs in everything from vaccines to space research. We explore how her legacy was buried, how her family was left in the dark, and why her story still matters in the age of medical mistrust. Sources: https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/educ...

Once labeled "the most dangerous woman in America," Goldman fought for workers’ rights, free speech, birth control, and sexual liberation while challenging capitalism and the state at every turn. Sources: https://libcom.org/article/mother-earth https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/goldman-1869-1940/ https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/goldman/works/1920s/disillusio...

In this episode, I share the stories of the Mothers of Gynecology: Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy. These enslaved women were experimented on for years without anesthesia by Dr. J. Marion Sims, AKA the “father” of modern gynecology. Their suffering paved the way for advancements in women’s healthcare, yet their names and experiences were erased from history. Join me this Thursday to learn about their pa...

This week I'm switching it up a little by reading my manifesta to the American people: Common Sense. It was insprired by Thomas Paine's revolutionary pamphelts that convinced the colonists to revolt in 1776. These are ideas I've been holding onto for quite some time, and am hoping to attract like minded individuals! Thanks so much for listening. GENERAL STRIKE: https://generalstrikeus.com/ SOURCES...

Step into the extravagant world of Ada and Minna Everleigh, sisters who built America’s most luxurious brothel at the turn of the 20th century. In this episode of The Fem Files, we explore their rise as pioneering entrepreneurs in a male-dominated industry, their legacy of empowerment, and the societal tensions they navigated. We also draw a modern mirror to today’s conversations about sex work, g...

Join me to hear Lynda Resnick’s journey from whistleblower to agriculture billionaire. This episode exposes her role in California’s water crisis and the systemic failures enabling corporate greed and environmental exploitation. PLEASE consider donating directly to thos affected by the Los Angeles Fires! GoFundMe's and Venmo's below. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-mom-rebuild-after-los...

This episode is all about The Salem Witch Trials, and how hysteria plays out today. References: Debunking the “Moldy Bread” theory. (2023, May 17). salemwitchmuseum.com. https://salemwitchmuseum.com/2023/05/17/debunking-the-moldy-bread-theory/ Hill, F. (1995). A Delusion of Satan: The full story of the Salem witch trials. http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA28736054 Schiff, S. (2015). The Witches: Salem, 1...

Our debut episode dives into the life of Mary Magdalene, one of history’s most fascinating women. Was she a prostitute, a saint, or something more profound? We’ll discover how the patriarchy twisted her story and share the truth of her spiritual power as Jesus’s closest confidante. Sources for this episode: The Bible- God “Believers Eastern Church.”  Believers Eastern Church , 2023, www.bec.org/ma...

Welcome to  The Fem Files . I’m your host, Grace Bowland. This podcast aims to unravel the myths, mysteries, and conspiracies surrounding history’s most misunderstood women.