STORICAL HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: THEDA BARA, VAMPIRE
Theda Bara was the most famous movie star you’ve probably never heard of. One of the first movie stars, America’s first goth, and Hollywood’s first sex symbol, Theda Bara was the epitome of Madame Mystery. Though most of her films have been lost to time, Theda is one of the pioneers of early Hollywood.
STRANGE STORIES IN PERFUME HISTORY
It’s my first ever live show! I recently gave a talk on perfume history and shared some of my favorite stories. Listen to learn more!
STORICAL HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: MERCY BROWN AND THE NEW ENGLAND VAMPIRE PANIC
We all know about Eastern European vampires but did you know that right here in America we had our own vampire panic? Yup. It turns out New England was kind of a scary place the first 200 years of colonial and then American rule. Listen to today’s episode to learn about the New England Vampire Panic and Mercy Brown, the teenaged purported vampire.
THE GILDED AGE: ASTORS VS VANDERBILTS PT. 2
Gilded Age New York was all about flaunting your money. And no one did it better than the first families of excess, the Astors and the Vanderbilts. Part two is all about multi-hyphenate Alva Vanderbilt. Social climber, society leader, architect, suffragette. We will also take a look at her daughter Consuelo Vanderbilt, Duchess of Marlborough. Tune in!
THE GILDED AGE: ASTORS VS VANDERBILTS PT. 1
Gilded Age New York was all about flaunting your money. And no one did it better than the first families of excess, the Astors and the Vanderbilts. Part one of a multi part series, today we’re looking at the life of Caroline Astor, the “Mystic Rose” and arbiter of taste in New York Society. You’ll want to listen to the episode to get primed on the new HBO series, The Gilded Age. Tune in!
STORICAL HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: LIZZIE BORDEN TOOK AN AXE
This is the Storical Halloween Special. The veil is thin and the dead walk among us. Before you indulge in some tricks or treats, enjoy this episode and decide whether Lizzie Borden really took an ax to give her mother 40 whacks. Links to all sources referenced and full transcript are below!
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS: THE CAPTIVE QUEEN
Storical is back with an all new episode about the messy life of Mary Queen of Scots.
EDMONIA LEWIS: SCULPTING AN IDENTITY IN MARBLE
Storical is back for an all new season starting with a special episode for Black History Month. This week, we’re talking about Edmonia Lewis, the first American artist of color to achieve international fame.
A VERY VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS
The festivities that grew into modern day Christmas have spanned millennia. But most of the traditions we recognize today began under the reign of Queen Victoria. Take a listen for the history of Christmas cards, kissing balls, Christmas trees, and presents. Check out the links below for some creepy Victorian cards. Happy holidays! See you in 2021!
FAN FAV: THE PAGANS, OLIVER CROMWELL, & CHARLES DICKENS
Pssst…it turns out Christmas is a super pagan holiday. On today’s episode we’re doing a brief overview of the origins of Christmas and how Charles Dickens brought the holiday back after Oliver Cromwell had Christmas canceled. For all those who think there’s a war on Christmas…just be glad Oliver Cromwell’s not still around.
SARAH WINNEMUCCA: NATIVE ACTIVIST & AUTHOR
It’s Native American Heritage Day! For today’s episode, I’ll be shining a light on an important Native woman in Nevada history: Sarah Winnemucca. She was the first Native woman to write an autobiography and traveled around the US on a lecture tour educating and protesting the plight of her people. Take a listen and get inspired, then research the tribes indigenous to your area. There is fascinating history all around us.
STORICAL HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
Edgar Allan Poe had a mind for the macabre. But as it turns out, some of his most famous works were based on true tales of horror. Listen to the episode for the origin stories of 5 of Poe’s spookiest works.
LITERARY ROAD TRIP WITH EDGAR ALLAN POE
Edgar Allan Poe died in 1849, but there are still places standing that housed the author. This week, we’re traveling from Richmond to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston for a look at some of the most interesting places to visit on your very own Poe Pilgrimage.
STORICAL FOOTNOTES: THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF EDGAR ALLAN POE
Edgar Allan Poe died as he lived…mysteriously. It’s been more than 200 years and we still don’t know what killed Poe but there are theories. Today, we’re taking a look at the leading theories as to what killed the macabre author as well as the mysterious story of the Poe Toaster.
CHARLES DICKENS, EDGAR ALLAN POE, & GRIP THE RAVEN
Edgar Allan Poe’s masterpiece, The Raven, was inspired not by any ordinary raven, not by a harbinger of doom, it was a talking pet raven named Grip owned by none other than Charles Dickens. Tune in for the story of Grip…then go visit the real Grip who is still on display at the Free Library of Philadelphia!
EDGAR ALLAN POE: ATMOSPHERE OF SORROW
October is spOoOoky month and OF COURSE Edgar Allan Poe died in October. This month on Storical, tune in every week for a new episode on the life and writings of Poe. Today, we’re going over his full life story. Check back for episodes on Grip the raven, the mysterious death of Poe, and some of the inspirations for his tales of terror.
MARIE LAVEAU: WITCH OR SAINT?
Marie Laveau was THE Voodoo Queen in a city overrun with purported doctors and queens. Today we’re separating fact from fiction about both Marie and voodoo. Was she a witch or a saint? When you actually get into the nitty gritty of her life and dig deeper than the many exaggerated stories about both the woman and voodoo itself, what you find is actually not spooky at all – it’s a story of mercy, generosity, and serious hustle.
STORICAL FOOTNOTES: MARY SHELLEY AND THE CALCIFIED HEART
When Percy Bysshe Shelley was cremated, Lord Byron and the others present noticed something odd… his heart wouldn’t burn. This week, we’re diving into the strange story of Mary Shelley and the calcified heart of her husband.
ARTEMISIA GENTILESCHI'S REVENGE
Artemisia Gentileschi was a Baroque painter whose story has long been dominated by that of her father…and her rapist. But Artemisia lived a long, full, and successful life. She was the only woman who followed in the tradition of Carvaggio and was the court painter for the Medicis. Listen for her fascinating story of survival and transcendence.
FAN FAV: FRIDA KAHLO - HER SURREAL REALITY
This week, we’re revisiting the colorful, iconic, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Her life was marked by pain and suffering of both the body and the heart. Listen to learn about the life and loves of Frida.