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.
STORICAL FOOTNOTES: MOZART'S FORGOTTEN SISTER, NANNERL
Nannerl Mozart was Mozart’s older sister and a child prodigy herself. Today we’re taking a look at the life of the pushed aside sister.
STORICAL FOOTNOTES: MOZART VS SALIERI
The movie Amadeus solidified the belief that not only was Mozart murdered, but he was murdered at Salieri’s hand. That didn’t actually happen and the real story is a lot more complicated. Listen to the episode to learn more about Mozart’s “rival,” Antonio Salieri.
STORICAL FOOTNOTES: JOAN OF ARC FROM HERETIC TO SAINT
Bishops from the Catholic church were in charge of Joan of Arc’s trial and ended up condemning her to die. So if it was the church that burned her, why the change of heart and change of status to a saint? Today we’re looking at what happened during the 500 years after her death that led to her becoming the patron saint of France.
STORICAL FOOTNOTES: THE SAINTS WHO SPOKE TO JOAN OF ARC
We all know that Joan of Arc believed she heard the voices of saints sent by God on her mission to save France. But who were these saints and what were there stories? Today, we’re taking a look at the origin stories of St. Michael, St. Margaret, and St. Catherine and where they fit in to the politics of the time.
STORICAL FOOTNOTES: THE KING WHO WAS MADE OF GLASS
Charles VI believed he was made entirely of glass and that any small movement would cause him to shatter. Listen in for an exploration of the glass delusion (afflicted lots of nobles!) and how this French king’s fear that his body was glass set Joan of Arc’s mission in motion.
JOAN OF ARC: SOLDIER AND SAINT
Joan of Arc is the patron saint of France, and unlike many of the saints…she actually existed! Listen to the episode to learn how an illiterate peasant girl was able to drive out the English and put the French back on the path to reclaim their country during the Hundred Years War. Did she really speak to angels? Was she a bloodthirsty soldier? We know more about her than most Medieval women but there are no easy answers in her story.
5 HISTORICAL PANDEMICS AND WHAT THEY TELL US ABOUT COVID-19
With the rapid spread of COVID-19, people across the globe are feeling anxious and uncertain. It’s important to remember that we’ve been here before. Many times. With less technology and less knowledge about health, medicine, and germs. So, before you rush out and buy more toilet paper, take a look at five of the worst pestilences in human history and how we got over them and changed the world.
STORICAL SHAKESPEARE SPECIAL
This week marks both the birthday and death day of one of (the?) greatest writer of all time, William Shakespeare! For the Storical Shakespeare Special, we’re doing a primer on his life with some interesting, little known facts about the Bard. All the world’s a stage and he was merely a player…but a player who left a lasting impact on Western culture.
STORICAL FOOTNOTES: MADAME TUSSAUD'S CHAMBER OF HORRORS
After you visited the museum, if you were brave enough and could afford the extra six pence admission, Madame Tussaud would allow you entry to her infamous Chamber of Horrors. An early version of The Chamber was created in the late 1700s and was the most popular exhibit until its demise in 2016. Today we’re looking at the gory appeal of Madame Tussaud’s Chamber of Horrors.
MADAME TUSSAUD: THE FRENCH REVOLUTION IN WAX
You’ve seen the creepy wax figures of celebrities, but did you know that Madame Tussaud was an actual person who hung out with Marie Antoinette? Today we’re looking at the artist who survived The Terror to rule an entertainment empire that is still going strong 200 years later.
FAN FAV - CHARLOTTE BRONTË: A BIRD NO NET COULD ENSNARE
Final episode in our series for Irish History Month is a rebroadcast of last year’s episode on Charlotte Brontë! (Her grandparents were Irish, it counts.) Charlotte wasn’t just some spinster writer. Her life was full of adventure and tragedy. Listen to learn more about the creator of Jane Eyre!
THE SECRET LIFE OF DR. JAMES MIRANDA BARRY
Dr. James Miranda Barry was a Victorian doctor with a big secret: he was born Margaret Anne Bulkley. We’re rounding out Irish History Month with the highly accomplished doctor (wish we had him now for the pandemic!) with a fluid gender. Tune in for more on his life and the scandal that ensued upon his death.
MICHAEL COLLINS: FREEDOM FIGHTER OR TERRORIST?
Whether someone is a freedom fighter or a terrorist depends on whose side you’re on. Such is the case with Michael Collins, the Irish revolutionary who paved the way for Irish independence. Tune in to learn more about the enigmatic “Big Fellow” who brought an empire to it’s knees before his assassination at age 31.
MARGARET SANGER: THE WOMAN REBEL
It’s International Women’s Day! What better way to celebrate than diving into the life of Margaret Sanger - the reproductive rights advocate who founded Planned Parenthood. Margaret was integral in making birth control available to all women. She also had some dark beliefs. Tune in to learn how this Irish-American woman changed history.
OSCAR WILDE'S FLAMBOYANT LIFE
Calling all dandies! We’re kicking off Irish Heritage Month with a look at witty Irish playwright, Oscar Wilde. Listen in for a detailed look at his work…and his downfall. Plus, there are TWO references to Dracula and friend of Storical, raging spiritualist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, makes an appearance.