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
Jul 7
The Mitford Sisters | 1 : life of the week
For much of the 20th century, six sisters from Britain’s minor aristocracy had a knack for making headline after scandalous headline. They were Nancy, Pamela, Diana, Unity, Jessica and Deborah Mitford. Now, the sisters' incredible shared story has been adapted into a TV drama cal ... Show More
49m 28s
May 2
"I have not Finished...": Rokahya Diallo on being Black, Muslim, and frequently interrupted (Emilie Diouf, JP)
Emilie Diouf of Brandeis English, whose monograph on genocide and trauma is forthcoming, joins John to speak with the celebrated French journalist and activist Rokahya Diallo. Diouf places Diallo within a transnational black intellectual tradition, founded in the interwar period ... Show More
48m 39s
Jan 2025
La Grande Mademoiselle : une rebelle sous Louis XIV (1/3)
Dès sa naissance, Anne-Marie Louise d’Orléans se distingue par son statut et sa fortune hors-norme : petite fille d’Henri IV, celle qu’on surnomme la grande Mademoiselle, est aussi la plus riche héritière d’Europe. Pourtant, elle n’est pas épargnée par le destin. Orpheline de mèr ... Show More
29m 7s
Oct 2024
La légende noire de la reine Margot (1/4)
Dans un royaume en proie aux guerres de religion, le début du règne de Marguerite de Valois n’est pas de tout repos. Catholique, elle est mariée à un roi protestant dans l’espoir de ramener la paix, en vain. Refusant de se cantonner à la place que lui imposent sa naissance et son ... Show More
25m 45s
Mar 2025
Aphra Behn: Revolutionary, Author, Spy
Aphra Behn was a true original. Not only was she the first woman to earn a living by writing, she was also a spy, a political propagandist and a revolutionary. Publicly she was all brash sexuality and outspoken politics, but what is known about the woman beneath? Professor Suzann ... Show More
40m 26s
Oct 2024
La légende noire de la reine Margot (4/4)
Après son retour d’exil, le mariage de Marguerite est annulé et son mari l’autorise à rentrer à Paris. Malgré son âge avancé, elle ne perd rien de son charisme et de son esprit, et marque l’Histoire même après sa mort.
"Secrets d'Histoire" est un podcast d'Initial Studio, adapté ... Show More
20m 7s