logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
9m 23s

Best Of: Val Plumwood

Wonder Media Network and iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

This back to school season, we're bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. Today's Womanican is Val Plumwood (1939-2008). She was an environmentalist and philosopher who went against the grain. She was a pioneering thinker in ecofeminism. She believed that the western human-centric approach to life devalued nature, and she advocated for an alternative, more expansive way of life. 

This month, we’re heading back to school – and we’re taking you along with us! For all of September, we’ll be bringing back some of our favorite Womanica episodes you might have missed. You’ll hear me – and some talented guest hosts – share both iconic and under-appreciated stories. But there’s a twist... each week is dedicated to a different school subject. This week: Women you should be learning about in science classes!

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, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Lauren Willams, and Adrien Behn. 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
Today
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
Yesterday
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
Feb 2025
Vertigogo
In this episode, first aired in 2012, we have two stories of brains pushed off-course. We relive a surreal day in the life of a young researcher hijacked by her own brain, and hear from a librarian experiencing a bizarre and mysterious set of symptoms that she called “gravitation ... Show More
25m 48s
Mar 2025
Reality TV Sociology (‘TRASH’ TV) with Danielle Lindemann
Nude strangers. Icy roads. Brain rot. True love. Class warfare. Queer visibility. Scripted ad libs. Sociologist, professor, author of the book “True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us,” and straight up Reality TV Sociologist, Dr. Danielle Lindemann studies human behavior throug ... Show More
1h 14m
Apr 2025
The Age of Aquaticus
For years, scientists thought nothing could live above 73℃/163℉. At that temperature, everything boiled to death. But scientists Tom Brock and Hudson Freeze weren’t convinced. What began as their simple quest to trawl for life in some of the hottest natural springs on Earth would ... Show More
43 m
Aug 2024
Life Lessons From Historical Women
When women's stories aren't being flat-out ignored from the history books, they can often be sidelined. Well not here! Joining Kate today is the comedian and author of Life Lessons from Historical Women, Eleanor Morton, to share some of her favourite stories of inspirational wome ... Show More
35m 48s
Jun 2025
731. Narcissim Throughout History
In this episode, Krista welcomes Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a licensed clinical psychologist famous for her expertise in narcissism. On a mission to educate the masses about this high-conflict personality type, Dr. Ramani hosts the popular Navigating Narcissism podcast and has written ... Show More
12m 56s
Feb 2025
159: Sadism, Sex Potions, & Deer Musk?? History’s Most Disturbing Aphrodisiacs
Hi friends, happy Wednesday! Since ancient times, people have sought out aphrodisiacs—those mysterious foods, herbs, and even animal parts thought to ignite desire, spark passion, and awaken romance. But do these so-called love enhancers really work? Are they based on science or ... Show More
45m 47s
Mar 2024
The Case of the Two Nancy Drews
The biggest Nancy Drew mystery isn’t hidden in the plots of the books. It’s right there on the cover. If “Carolyn Keene” is a pseudonym, who really wrote the series? For 50 years, two women laid claim to that title. And in 1980, with help from an amateur detective, the truth came ... Show More
55m 16s
Jan 2025
BIG Summer Book Club : Uplifting reads for Mental Wellbeing + a deep dive with Julie Goodwin
Summer is here, and if you're looking for your next read, Jess has you covered! In this episode of the Big Summer Book Club, Jess shares the books that have been a source of strength, inspiration, and hope during challenging times, offering her invaluable support for her mental w ... Show More
50m 10s
Sep 12
797. What They Don't Tell You About Birth Control
Ricki Lake and her longtime business partner and filmmaker, Abby Epstein, join the show today to talk about their groundbreaking new documentary film, The Business of Birth Control – a truth finding journey where they tell the impactful stories of women who’ve had a whole range o ... Show More
12m 54s
Sep 2
History's Worst F*ckboys: Charles II
Our mini-series exploring the worst f*ckboys in history is back!In today's episode, Kate is joined by Dr. David Taylor of Oxford University to get to know the so-called Merry Monarch and the many women in his life.Was it better to be married or be a mistress to Charles II? How ma ... Show More
44m 49s