The Homance Chronicles

Empress Elisabeth of Austria, fondly known as Empress Sisi, was a royal icon whose beauty, mystique, and unconventional spirit continue to captivate audiences around the world. She had an enchanted Bavarian upbringing and fairy-tale marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I. Her transformation from carefree duchess to empress thrust her into a world of grandeur, but also stringent court protocols that ch...

Edith Wilson's influence transcended the traditional role of First Lady.  She navigated the corridors of power with grace, resilience, and determination. Edith Wilson captured the heart of President Woodrow Wilson, but her life took an unexpected turn when her husband suffered a debilitating stroke during his second term, leaving him incapacitated. Unbeknownst to many, Edith would rise to the occa...

Nellie Bly, a trailblazing journalist, adventurer, and advocate who shattered barriers and changed the face of journalism forever. Nellie Bly's life was an incredible journey marked by courage, tenacity, and a relentless pursuit of truth. In the late 19th century, Nellie Bly burst onto the scene with her groundbreaking investigative reporting. She fearlessly tackled societal issues, from exposing...

This week's episode is inspired by a penile piercing called a "Prince Albert." Prince Albert was husband to one of history's most iconic monarchs - Queen Victoria. She took the throne at 18 years old and had the second longest monarch reign in the United Kingdom that spanned 63 years.  She was a sheltered princess who was forced to transform into a formidable queen. Her reign is known as the "Vict...

Mary Kenner, an unsung hero whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of household and personal care products with her groundbreaking innovations. Mary Kenner's journey was marked by both ingenuity and adversity. From a young age, she displayed a remarkable curiosity and a desire to make a difference. As an African American woman navigating a world plagued by racial discriminati...

This is the dark history behind Barbie. Step into the time machine and travel back to the post-war era as we uncover the captivating origin story of the world's most iconic fashion doll. We dig into the intriguing journey of the Bild Lilli doll and how it paved the way for the creation of Barbie. We unravel the tale of Lilli, a sassy and stylish doll who made her debut in the late 1950s. Explore t...

Policarpa Salavarrieta aka La Pola was no ordinary woman. Born in Guadas, New Granada (modern-day Colombia) in the late 18th century, she was destined to become a symbol of courage and determination in the struggle for liberty. As Colombia sought to break free from Spanish colonial rule, she became a key figure in the resistance movement. We take you through the various stages of La Pola's life: h...

Often overshadowed by her renowned literary creation, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley's own remarkable life story is nothing short of a gripping tale of love, tragedy, and groundbreaking literary achievements. In the early 19th century, amidst a society that restricted women's roles and ambitions, Mary Shelley defied all odds and emerged as one of the most influential figures in the history of literatu...

Miriam Makeba is a legendary icon who left an indelible mark on the world of music, civil rights, and African culture. She's known as "Mama Africa." Miriam comes from very humble beginnings. Her mom actually went to jail shortly after she was born due to making illegal beer. Miriam literally started off her life in jail. Thankfully, as a child she quickly discovered her mesmerizing voice and began...

Legendary jazz vocalist, Billie Holiday, known for her soulful voice, captivating stage presence, and raw emotional performances. She remains an icon in the world of music. We trace the journey of Billie Holiday from her humble beginnings in Baltimore to her rise as one of the most influential jazz singers of all time.  We explore Billie's groundbreaking recordings, including her signature song "S...

Step into the enchanting world of Madame Tussaud, where history, artistry, and fame converge in a mesmerizing tale. We delve into the fascinating life of the legendary woman behind the renowned wax museums that have delighted millions worldwide. Marie Grosholtz, later known as Madame Tussaud, had humble beginnings in 18th-century Paris. She rose to be one of history's most celebrated sculptors. Ma...

Carmen Dell'Orefice is 92 years old and the world's oldest model still actively working and gracing magazine covers. She's had the longest modeling career in history; a true icon and trailblazer in the world of fashion. Her daily motto is to enjoy herself at no one else's expense. She has had a remarkable journey - defying the odds and shattering conventional norms to become the epitome of eleganc...

Agnès Sorel, was a woman who defied convention and left an indelible mark on French history. We explore the life, intrigue, and scandalous affairs of one of the most influential mistresses of the 15th century. Agnès became King Charles VII's favorite mistress, so much so that he appointed her to royal court. She let all of that power go to her head. She gained unprecendented authority and immense...

We're exploring the captivating life of Florence Kelley, a pioneering reformer and advocate for social justice in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From her upbringing in the midst of industrialization to her tireless efforts in improving labor laws and championing the rights of women and children, Florence Kelley's story is one of resilience, compassion, and unwavering determination. Join u...

We're diving into the second half of the remarkable life of Emma Goldman, one of the most influential figures in the history of anarchism and women's rights. From her forties until her death, Emma Goldman's unwavering dedication to her ideals shaped her journey and left an indelible mark on society. From her relentless advocacy for individual freedom and social justice, to her tireless efforts in...

Emma Goldman was one of the most influential figures of the early 20th century. In this first part of a two-parter, we're diving deep into Emma Goldman's life, unearthing the defining moments and rebellious spirit that shaped her into a force to be reckoned with. Emma came from humble beginnings in Kovno, Lithuania. She went from innocent young girl to a formidable advocate for anarchism and women...

We dive into the extraordinary life and career of Norma Shearer, a trailblazing actress whose name became synonymous with Hollywood glamour and resilience. From her humble beginnings to her reign as the "First Lady of MGM," Shearer's journey is an inspiring tale of determination, talent, and breaking barriers. Join us on this mesmerizing journey through the life of Norma Shearer—a woman who defied...

Josephine Butler was a social reformer, women's rights activist, and an abolitionist. Her tireless efforts to advocate for the rights of women and marginalized communities have left a lasting impact on society. It was during her time as a mother that Josephine became acutely aware of the lack of reproductive rights and health care for women. She became a passionate advocate for women's rights, fig...

Jane Addams was the eighth of nine children in a prominent family. Her father was a wealthy businessman and politician, who was connected to Abraham Lincoln. Her mother was a homemaker who instilled in Jane a sense of duty to help others. After attending college in Illinois, Jane traveled to Europe and was deeply moved by the poverty and suffering she witnessed there. Upon returning to the United...

Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, known simply as Colette, was one of France's most celebrated writers of the 20th century. Born in Burgundy, France, in 1873, Colette began her life in a small village and married young. Her life was full of scandal and controversey. However, despite the limitations placed on women during this time, Colette pursued a career in writing and became a literary sensation with...

Joan Crawford was an Oscar-winning actress, dancer and executive. Joan Crawford's extraordinary career encompassed over 45 years and some 80 films. Joan was born Lucille Fay LeSueur and had a rough childhood. Her father left before she was one-year-old, so she had to work to survive instead of focus on school. That didn't deter her from following her dreams of becoming a dancer and actress. She mo...

Alma Maria Mahler Gropius Werfel was a composer, socialite, and a bit unhinged. Pathological cruelty, antisemitism, vanity and a sense that the world owed Alma Maria Schindler something in token for her brilliance and beauty were some of the traits her admirers and enemies alike recognised in Alma (from theguardian.com). She was married three times to different artists and had impressionable momen...

Fannie Porter was one of the most iconic madames during the times of the Wild Wild West. She started working as a sex working at 15 years old. By the age of 20 she was already widowed and owned her own brothel in San Antonio, Texas. She right in the middle of the "Sporting District," which was actually a red light district.  Her brothel was known to host all of the bad boys, including Butch Cassid...

Joanna Hiffernan, or Joanna Heffernan, has a lot of gaps in her recorded history; as you can tell from not even knowing the correct spelling of her last name. However, the parts of her life that we do know are inspiring and thought-provoking. She was known as, The Woman in White, because she was wearing a white dress while being the muse of famous American painter, James Whistler, in one of his pa...

Ada Lovelace is an English mathematician and was called the First Tech Visionary by The New Yorker. She's also be en called the first computer programmer for writing an algorithm for a computing machine in the mid-1800s.  Ada Lovelace, born as Augusta Ada Byron on December 10, 1815. She was born into privilege as the daughter of a famously unstable romantic poet, Lord George Gordon Byron. Her pare...