logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
45m 17s

Josephine Baker: life of the week

IMMEDIATE MEDIA
About this episode
Showbusiness, spying and civil rights - the extraordinary life of Josephine Baker had it all. From difficult beginnings, Baker transformed herself into the world's first black superstar, before turning her talents to espionage on behalf of the French Resistance. Hanna Diamond tells Ellie Cawthorne more about Baker's showbiz lifestyle, tireless campaigning, t ... Show More
Up next
Oct 8
Being disabled in the medieval era
Prosthetic legs, wheelbarrow wheelchairs and guide… children? Those were just some of the assistive technologies and body augmentations available to our medieval and early modern ancestors. In this episode, Rae Gillibrand highlights how bodily difference was understood in this pr ... Show More
45m 39s
Oct 6
Vanilla: a far from ordinary history
It's now often used as an adjective for anything standard, plain, and borderline boring – but the history of vanilla is anything but. Eric T Jennings – whose book Vanilla: The History of an Extraordinary Bean is among the titles shortlisted for the 2026 Cundill History Prize – te ... Show More
37m 11s
Oct 5
Ancient explosives and the philosopher's stone: a history of alchemy
Think of alchemy, and you likely imagine bubbling vials of strange potions and molten metals. But how close is this popular perception to the truth? That’s the question behind historian and adventurer Kit Chapman’s latest book, The Age of Alchemy, which was recently announced as ... Show More
35m 46s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2025
Josephine Baker: Diva and WWII spy!
Joy and co-host Obasi are so obsessed with historical spycraft that they become top secret spies! Their mission, should they choose to accept it: investigate the life of superstar Josephine Baker.Josephine danced and sang on the biggest stages of Europe in 1920s and 30s — and fel ... Show More
34m 26s
Mar 2020
Josephine Baker
Greg Jenner is joined by historical expert Dr Michell Chresfield and comedian Desiree Burch to travel to 1920s Paris and meet the phenomenal Josephine Baker. Josephine Baker was a renowned performer and entertainer, a civil rights activist and even a spy during the German occupat ... Show More
49m 44s
Dec 2023
115: How This Icon Dazzled & Duped The Nazis | Josephine Baker pt. 2
Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Today, we have part 2 of our Josephine Baker story, and we’re learning how this badass performer-turned-Parisian icon became a lowkey secret agent leading up to WW2. She really did it ALL… We’re talking singing, flying airplanes, working again ... Show More
36 m
Dec 2020
Josephine Baker (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined by historical expert Dr Michell Chresfield and comedian Desiree Burch to travel to 1920s Paris and meet the phenomenal Josephine Baker. Josephine Baker was a renowned performer and entertainer, a civil rights activist and even a spy during the German occupat ... Show More
28m 58s
Dec 2023
114: The Dark History of Josephine Baker pt. 1: the first influencer was also a spy
Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Today's story is one that's so juicy it feels like a movie plot. I'm talking about fan favorite Josephine Baker. What if I told you that your favorite celebrity was not just an international superstar but also a secret agent who single-handedl ... Show More
44m 2s
Oct 2013
Josephine Baker - Black American Superstar
In 1925 a young black American dancer became an overnight sensation in Paris. Her overtly sexual act soon made her one of the most famous women in Europe. Her name was Josephine Baker - hear from her adopted son Jean-Claude Baker about her dancing, and her life.(Photo: Josephine ... Show More
9m 5s
May 2023
Part Two: Josephine Baker: The Actor and Spy Who Mighta Saved the World
Margaret continues her conversation with journalist and writer Laurie Penny about Josephine Baker, the first black woman to star in a film, who also helped fight the Nazis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
1h 14m
Jun 2023
Josephine Baker’s Chateau (Classic)
<p>Writer and travel educator Tracey Friley tells the story of the glamorous life of entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist, Josephine Baker and the pilgrimages women still make to her chateau.</p><p>Learn more: <a href="http://www.traceyfrileytravel.com" ... Show More
15m 56s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami