logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
5m 27s

Women Behind the Curtain: Sorghaghtani B...

Wonder Media Network and iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Sorghaghtani Beki (c. 1190-1252) was one of the most powerful people in the Mongol Empire. Daughter-in-law to Genghis Khan, she used unique forms of diplomacy to cement her place in Mongol society and create a path forward for all four of her sons to become Khans in their own right. Her reforms, passed on through her children, gave stability and prosperity to the Mongol Empire at a crucial moment.

For Further Reading:

This month, we're pulling back the curtain to reveal women overlooked in their own lifetimes or in our historical accounts of the eras in which they lived. We're talking about the activists, thinkers, leaders, artists, and innovators history has forgotten.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more.  Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures. 

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, and Abbey Delk. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. 

Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

Follow Wonder Media Network:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Yesterday
Our Favorites: Sappho
Sappho (c. 615 BC) was an ancient Greek poet and an architect of the very words we use to talk about queer identity today.For the past six years, we’ve been telling the stories of women you may or may now know– but definitely should. This month, we’re bringing back our favorite W ... Show More
6m 15s
Oct 8
Our Favorites: Regina Jonas
Regina Jonas (1902-1944) asked a short, but important question: Can women serve as rabbis? She dedicated her life to proving that the answer to that question was 'Yes.'For the past six years, we’ve been telling the stories of women you may or may now know– but definitely should. ... Show More
6m 11s
Oct 7
Our Favorites: Juana Maria
Juana Maria (unknown-1853), also known as the lost woman of San Nicolas island, lived a solitary and fabled life as one of the last members of the Nicoleño tribe.For the past six years, we’ve been telling the stories of women you may or may now know– but definitely should. This m ... Show More
6m 49s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2021
DAWN OF EVERYTHING: The True History of Humanity
What if everything we think we know about the history of our species is wrong? That’s the provocative question at the heart of a new book by today’s guest, David Wengrow. Hailed as fascinating, brilliant, and potentially revolutionary, “The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Hu ... Show More
1h 20m
Feb 2024
Who Really Was Boudica?
She's the warrior queen who took on the mighty Roman Empire, but who really was Boudica? Separating facts from the myths we've read can be tricky, but thankfully Kate is joined by the wonderful Emma Southon, author of A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women, to find out the tru ... Show More
41m 28s
Sep 2023
Gloria Steinem
For over sixty years, Gloria Steinem has been at the center of American culture and political life, where she has been instrumental in shaping our ideas about feminism, humanity, and equal rights for all people. She joins to talk about her legendary career as an award-winning jou ... Show More
1h 14m
Dec 2023
The Amish: Origins and Society
Simple living, plain dress and pacifism. This is not a lifestyle typical of the United States. So how did the Amish come to be in America? Where did this religion come from? And how has their society changed with modernisation? In this episode, Don and Dr Joseph Donnermeyer journ ... Show More
39m 7s
Oct 2023
Kitty Maguire : Menstrual mentor
Topics covered : Grief, trauma, legacy, divine timing, signs, menstruality, spirituality, shedding shame, woman wound, trauma resolution, healing, honouring the stages of life, power of retreat. In this episode I speak to menstrual mentor Kitty Maguire.Kitty lives in Dublin with ... Show More
1h 8m
Feb 2024
277. What Happened Last Weekend: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun & We DID!
Glennon, Abby and Amanda take you behind the scenes into the magic of their recent adventure at Brandi Carlile and Catherine Carlile’s GIRLS JUST WANNA Weekend in Mexico.  Discover:  Glennon’s triumphant – gyrating – return to the stage (and why it scared her nephew);  The breath ... Show More
1h 1m
Feb 2024
Enemy Aliens
As the Nazis waged war on Europe, Britain had to take extreme measures to protect its shores. German and Italian nationals were imprisoned across the UK, including a small community of women on the Isle Of Man. Al Murray and James Holland return to the National Archives, to disco ... Show More
33m 30s
Aug 2023
Anne Boleyn part 1 for Tudor Week!
Who's that girl? It's Anne! Anne Boleyn is one of the most infamous figures in British history. Her short life is often defined by her marriage to King Henry VIII, her role in the English Reformation, and ultimately, her execution. However, in this episode (part of our Tudor Week ... Show More
58m 36s
Oct 1
S3 Ep345: Coffee and Community Cracks A Cold Case
In 1992, the remains of a woman were discovered in north Houston, Texas. For 33 years, she was known only as a Jane Doe. Today, through forensic genetic genealogy, she has finally been identified as Joann Zamora, a mother of six. With the help of Moxxy Forensic Investigations, In ... Show More
53m 34s
Sep 2024
The Self Service Revolution
Rerun: Clarence Saunders opened the world’s first self-service supermarket, ‘Piggly Wiggly’, in Memphis, Tennessee on 6th September, 1916.Calculating that the revenues gained through impulse purchases would outweigh those lost from shoplifting, Saunders’ concept forever changed t ... Show More
11m 40s