The most successful pirate in history is one few have heard of: Ching Shih, the pirate queen of the South China Sea. At her height in the early 1800s, Shih commanded nearly 80,000 pirates. She took on entire nations… and won.
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Nov 2022
Thanksgiving Special: Just Add Arsenic
Over the ages, arsenic has had many lives — beauty fad, household product, medical prescription… and weapon of choice wielded by killers everywhere from Alabama to ancient Rome. Brine your turkey, knead your dough, and listen to our Thanksgiving Special on the regime-changing, as ... Show More
42m 41s
Oct 2025
#308 - Zheng Yi Sao, Pt. 2: Into the Tiger's Mouth
The Pirate Queen’s Red Flag Fleet reigns supreme, but a three-way battle at Tiger’s Mouth tests even her grip on the seas. Time Period Covered: 1807-1844 CE Major Historical Figures: Red Flag Fleet: Zheng Yi Sao (AKA Ching Shih, née Shi Yang), Co-Commander of the Red Flag Confede ... Show More
46m 6s
Mar 2011
Don't Cross the Dragon Lady, Cheng I Sao
<p>When people think of pirates, they usually picture male, western scoundrels flouting the law throughout the Caribbean. However, piracy is not a solely western pursuit. Listen in as Deblina and Sarah recount the exploits of pirates in the South China Sea.</p><p> </p> Learn more ... Show More
28m 8s
Oct 2021
Trick or Treat: A Pirate in Sheep's Clothing
<p>As long as there have been pirates, there have been people hired to make them stop what they're doing. And, sometimes, those individuals hired to catch pirates are, themselves, pirates. From Woodes Rogers to Benjamin Hornigold, Holly and Maria tell the stories of the influenti ... Show More
25m 38s