May 16, 1920. Tens of thousands of people surround St. Peter’s Basilica to honor Joan of Arc, a French peasant girl who died nearly five hundred years before. Joan’s feats in battle—and her visions of God—have become legendary since her heyday during the Hundred Years' War. And today, the Catholic Church is making her a saint. But Joan was a real person – an ... Show More
Mar 16
HTW Live: Busting the Myths of Irish Immigration — Recorded at the Tenement Museum
March 18, 1879. A crowd gathers around an indoor track in Brooklyn, NY, as an Irish immigrant named Bartholomew O’Donnell attempts a strange feat: walking 80 miles in 26 hours. Newspapers claim he’s eighty years old. Lap after lap, he circles the track: smoking a pipe, sipping ho ... Show More
40m 56s
Mar 12
From Radio Diaries: Orson Welles and the Blind Soldier
Why did Orson Welles take on a murder mystery? Listen for yourself. This week, we're sharing a special preview of Orson Welles and the Blind Soldier from the podcast Radio Diaries. In this series, we learn how Welles used his platform to shed light on a crime in a small, southern ... Show More
11m 5s
Feb 2025
Now I Know How Joan of Arc Felt
The girlies are back with a long-awaited Girlboss Summit where they explore the lore of two historical legendresses: Joan of Arc and Marie Skłodowska-Curie. Digressions include the consequences of shakin’ up ya life, our solemn duty to remind everyone about CTE, and of course, Hi ... Show More
1h 39m
Sep 2025
The Real Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine was a queen who defied expectations, a duchess who outmanoeuvred kings, and a mother whose dynasty shaped the future of Europe. She is often remembered through myth, gossip, and legend—but the truth is far more fascinating. Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by Pro ... Show More
1 h
Nov 2024
Women of Controversy: Catherine de’ Medici
Catherine de’ Medici (1519-1589) ruled France for decades, whether through her husband or her sons. Her attempts to create peace during the French wars of religion were futile– and, ultimately, undercut by her own reputation as the “Serpent Queen” and the possible conspirator beh ... Show More
6m 58s
May 2024
Dans la classe de, Jeanne d'Arc
<p>Jeanne d’Arc, la légendaire guerrière, la libératrice d’Orléans et l’un des plus fascinants symboles de l’Histoire de France. Née dans une modeste famille paysanne en pleine guerre de Cent-Ans, la très pieuse Jeanne entend des voix qui lui ordonnent de bouter les Anglais hors ... Show More
13m 26s
Jul 2025
The Truth Behind (some) Catholic Virgin Saints
What do a beheaded music lover, a teenage runaway, a dragon-slayer, and a girl who just wanted to stay single have in common? They all became virgin saints — whether they asked for it or not.In this episode, we unravel the lives (and afterlives) of St. Agnes of Rome, St. Cecilia, ... Show More
53m 24s