logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
5m 49s

Disappearing Acts: Marsha "Mudd" Ferber

Wonder Media Network and iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Marsha “Mudd” Ferber (1941-unknown) was a hippie, a back-to-the-lander, a revolutionary, and an outlaw. She was also the owner of The Underground Railroad, an alternative music haven in Morgantown, West Virginia that hosted the likes of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Grateful Dead. In 1988, she disappeared – and her whereabouts have remained a mystery to this day. 

For Further Reading (and Listening!): 

Historically, women have been told to make themselves smaller, to diminish themselves. Some have used that idea to their advantage, disappearing into new identities. For others, a disappearance was the end to their stories, but the beginning of a new chapter in their legacies. This month we’re telling the stories of these women: we’re talking about disappearing acts.

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, Luci Jones 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
Aug 22
Pink Collar Workers: Virginia Apgar
Virginia Apgar (1909-1974) was a pioneering obstetric anesthesiologist who designed a test that still saves newborns every day. She was also the first woman to become a full professor at Columbia University. This month, we’re bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes y ... Show More
6m 5s
Aug 21
Pink Collar Workers: Angélique du Coudray
Angélique du Coudray (1712-1794) transformed the practice of midwifery in eighteenth century France. Her work was so invaluable that the king of France himself recognized her contributions and funded her teaching. This month, we’re bringing back some of our favorite Womanica epis ... Show More
5m 34s
Aug 20
Pink Collar Workers: Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta (1930-present) is one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century and a leader of the Chicano civil rights movement. She helped found the organization now known as United Farm Workers and helped organize the Delano grape strike in 1965. She is credi ... Show More
7m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2024
The Power of Girls (Mattie Kahn)
“I think historically we have always seen that intergenerational partnership is the way that movements grow and expand and the way people feel resilient about what they're trying to accomplish. The first defeat as a young person, when you feel your morals are on the line, your se ... Show More
56m 29s
Jun 2024
333: Case 286: The Survivors' Network
After two planes struck New York City’s World Trade Center on September 11 2001, Tania Head was one of the lucky few who managed to escape from above the impact zone of the South Tower. Saved by lauded 9/11 hero Welles Crowther, Tania’s incredible and heartbreaking story of survi ... Show More
1h 17m
May 2024
Kelly Rowland, Cate Blanchett And A Film Festival Uproar
Ahh Cannes Film Festival, where wearing flats was once the ultimate scandal, has become a hotbed of celebrity headlines. We're talking not one, not two, but THREE red carpet security incidents. Plus an eyebrow raising Cate Blanchett press panel that’s left us wondering… are we mi ... Show More
17m 24s
Jan 2022
Amanda de Cadenet and Holly Whitaker
 In this special episode of The Conversation, Amanda de Cadenet invites Holly Whittaker, author of the bestselling Quit like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol,  on for a frank discussion about their active recovery. Together, they discuss ... Show More
43m 10s
Oct 2023
The ‘Stunt Work’ That Launched Women Into Investigative Journalism
Women including Ida B. Wells and Nellie Bly were on the front edge of investigative journalism in the 1800s. But even with these historical trailblazers, why were women excluded from reporting hard news until recent history?  Producer Jordan Pettiford sits down with author, journ ... Show More
29m 45s
Jun 2024
Introducing...Dangerous Memories
Introducing...Dangerous Memories When Sarah watched her 23 year old daughter cycle away from her in Chelsea - a well-off corner of London - she had no idea it would be the last time they’d see each other for 6 years. What would make a loving child from a life of privilege sever t ... Show More
3m 25s
Feb 2024
Gwyneth Paltrow : l’étrange gourou venu de l’Upper East Side
L’épisode que vous vous apprêtez à écouter n’est pas interdit aux moins de 18 ans, et pourtant, on va parler de “bains de vapeur vaginaux” et de “bougie senteur orgasme”. Ce chapitre est donc consacré à Gwyneth Paltrow, l’actrice hollywoodienne aux 45 films, certes, la comédienne ... Show More
39m 44s
May 2024
Tonya Harding : triple axel, jalousie et barre de fer
Certains d’entre nous l’ont sans doute découverte au moment de la sortie du film Moi, Tonya, en 2017, dans lequel elle est brillamment incarnée par Margot Robbie. En janvier 1994, l’Américaine Tonya Harding, prodige du patinage artistique américain, est accusée d’avoir agressé Na ... Show More
23m 14s
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
May 2024
Extrait : Donna Perry, la tueuse transgenre de l'East Sprague
Cet épisode est réservé aux abonnés Minuit +. Vous souhaitez entendre la suite ? Retrouvez cet épisode en intégralité sur la chaîne Crimes Histoires Vraies l'Intégrale, ainsi que des centaines d'autres histoires et trois épisodes inédits par semaine, sans publicité et avec un moi ... Show More
4m 59s