History Is Sexy

This time on History is Sexy, Emma and Janina investigate the persistent notion of tickling being used as torture. Where does this story come from? Are there any sources at all? What are Mario and Luigi doing in that picture? Content Warning/Listener discretion is advised: This episode contains descriptions of mutilation and torture. Sources: https://historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-32-chinese-tickle-torture www.ko-fi.com/hispod

This time, Emma and Janina dive into a big vat of history, answering a question from Emma's Mum's friend: "In medieval times, how come there was so much ale available. What was it made of, how come it was so available and how was it made and transported?" Sources: https://historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-31-beer-middle-ages

This time, Emma regales Janina (and us) with the story of Procopius, a cautionary tale of historical bias, fake news, and bizarre stories about geese! Featuring: Power couple Justinian and Theodora!

After a short break, Emma and Janina dive into the world of musical theatre, examining important shows and pondering the question, why are so many musicals about revolution? Featuring: Rambunctious revolutionaries! Corpulent kings! Bangers, wall-to-wall bangers! Support History is Sexy here: www.ko-fi.com/hispod

This time, Emma and Janina take a close look at a topic not many people are aware of: the Nazi breeding program. What was Lebensborn? How did it operate? Why is it largely forgotten and relatively unknown in today's society? Featuring: A mighty mangling of German! A lack of levity Lots of kidnapped kinder Sources: https://historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-28-lebensborn

Please take our listener survey, we'd love to hear your feedback and how you think we could improve the show! https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JQVH895?fbclid=IwAR1XURKStu4Xj7f-Juy9kUtfDAHnRBKOSsn6LmMbjrtrneJrkhRpeS07y9Y This time Emma and Janina take a look at the lives of women in the very martial Norse and Mongolian cultures. How were their lives different from those of their contemporaries in other cultures? Featuring: A very novel use for a sack of silver! The grave matter of burial goods! Political powerhouses! Sources: https://historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-27-viking-mongolian-women

This time, Emma and Janina take a deep dive into the history of time and how we measure it! How did people in the pre-Christian world mark dates and years? What other calendars are there? Did the time period between 340AD and 911AD even exist?? Featuring: Lots of Kings and Emperors!

This week Emma and Janina dive into the history of witch trials and the story of the possessed nuns of Loudun! What's the real story behind one of medieval Europe's most famous possession stories? What happened to the townspeople of Salem, Massachusetts? Featuring: A whole host of demons, signing a contract!

It's Christmas! To celebrate the season of goodwill, we're answering your excellent quick questions in our bumper Xmas special! Where does Santa come from? Is Christmas really a pagan thing? Who is Father Christmas? How was he different to Santa? Why did the Puritans hate him? And much more!

In this episode, Emma and Janina take a deep dive into the history of menstruation! What methods did people in the past use to cope during their periods? What cultural attitudes and taboos did historic societies have towards the subject of menstruation? Why do modern people tend to have heavier periods? Featuring: All manner of bizarre "feminine hygiene products" (designed by people who have not menstruated) The Period Hut Various belts and apparatuses!

This time on History is Sexy, Emma and Janina dive into a listener's question about the history of people with albinism. Why did the Romans think they came from Albania? How has their history shaped understandings of race? and what challenges do they face in our modern world? Featuring: Noah being embarrassed

Join Emma and Janina as they consult the oracle, examine the augurs, and read the stars in their quest to answer another question: What's the history of omens? Featuring: Magpies! Some very unfortunate chickens! Your mum's spine!

As it's that time of year, we dive into history's most mysterious and macabre ghost stories. What is a ghost anyway? Would you want to do the hoovering for eternity? Emma and Janina investigate these troublesome tales of terror and share their favourite spooky stories from history. Featuring: Spooky spectres!

Join Emma and Janina as they tackle a historical topic you might not have heard much about, just how have natural disasters changed the world we live in? Featuring: Volcanos, which we ought to worship really.

Join Emma and Janina as they delve into the historic and linguistic mysteries of names. Why did medieval kings have nicknames? Where do surnames come from? Featuring: A million Gaius Juliuses John le Fucker If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned Barbon

Join Emma and Janina as they dive into the depressing history of childhood, and explore how even children in the not-too-distant past suffered in ways that today's children can only dream of. Featuring: Spinning Jennies!

This week, Emma and Janina are joined by guest James Harland to discuss what exactly happened after the Romans abandoned Britain. Was it an apocalyptic event, or was it all a bit more complicated than that?

How did people wipe their bums a thousand years ago? How many messengers actually did get killed? Who was the first Barry? It's another quick questions!

This time, Dr Emma and Janina examine a question close to the good doctor's heart, how did Christianity grow from such humble beginnings to become a dominant force in the world? How do religions spread? What did Christianity do differently? Featuring: Grumpy Jesus!

This week, Emma and Janina take a deep dive into the bizarre world of Nazi pseudoscience and occultism. Did they really go all Indiana Jones and look for powerful holy relics? Featuring: Golden people who reproduce like flowers!