Follow Grace each week as she dives into the history of sex, death, and everything in between. Every episode she will take a look into the archives and sources looking to peel back the curtains of the past to show that history is not just something of dates and numbers. But of gossip, intrigue, and most importantly relatability. Showing that the stories that often got cast to the side and hidden, are actually the most interesting of all.
Publisher
Grace Ardis
Category
education · history · science · society & culture · true crime
Her Sister was a Witch: The History of Witches in the Early Modern Era
In this week's episode, Grace delves into the intriguing world of witchcraft. Explore the historical context of witchcraft trials, the influence of demonology, and the societal upheavals that fueled these infamous events!
Sources used: Witchcraft: A History in 13 Trials [https://www.amazon.com/Witchcraft-History-Thirteen-Marion-Gibson-ebook/dp/B0C7RMWPDV/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bDHNvWCZHOXXfSzsEAtEBf-ubK5I6ukdKlzwgA_v8ryUZM5117-q9GPDW7wi2155BvfIberIxMBlvHSfoOwsrhpSrG6uTPiOhvznzjnTgqpAGDSO3eOUKL_0h3acCddmu32iRpBZpN_Vmm8-4XEBcqn5NxJ_lIpWEFe6CysMoZ3dbQ5VHFGawPcbqUudXa7D.uzjcyzzJFQM5kgVeNQESin5qdyh1tMML86KrrQ4Zox8&qid=1766884195&sr=8-1]
14 Dec 2025
Let's Talk About Sex VD ( Venereal Disease that is)
This week's episode takes you on a journey through the intriguing and often grim world of 18th-century venereal disease treatments. Drawing from her master's thesis, Grace explores the historical context of these diseases, which were rampant in London. Discover the bizarre and sometimes dangerous remedies of the time, including mercury treatments, and learn about the role of women in the medical field. This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the past and the cultural stigma surrounding these secret maladies.
28 Nov 2025
Madam Leeson Continued: The End of Dublin's Finest
In this episode, Grace returns to share the dramatic continuation of Margaret Leeson's story. She dives into the latter part of Leeson's memoir, revealing the emotional and stylistic shifts in her writing. From heartbreak and poverty to resilience and societal defiance, discover how Margaret navigated the complexities of her life as a high-class courtesan.
31 Oct 2025
Madame Leeson: a Madam before her time
In this episode we go on a journey back to the Georgian era, exploring the life of Madame Margaret Leeson, a Dublin madam and prostitute. Discover the challenges and societal pressures she faced, her candid reflections on virtue and vice, and the poignant story of her memoir. Grace delves into the complexities of Leeson's life, offering insights into the historical context and personal struggles that shaped her narrative. Join us for a compelling exploration of history, morality, and resilience.
Sources Used: Memoirs of Mrs. Leeson [https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Mrs-Leeson-Madam-ebook/dp/B00D5FOENG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SXRM3KRU2LF4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UoyGFo2XXn1j7G12kWZX9g.pRRd1tvzMX_q8iSWwbVwVNZAflT5O4FtUdoE3SetHrw&dib_tag=se&keywords=memoir+of+madame+leeson&qid=1761872583&sprefix=memoir+of+madam+leeson+%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-1]
16 Oct 2025
Dr. Gisella Pearl: The Angel of Auschwitz
In this episodes, Grace delves into the harrowing yet inspiring story of Dr. Gisella Pearl, known as the "Angel of Auschwitz." Through the lens of Pearl's experiences, Grace explores the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust, the resilience of the human spirit, and the difficult choices made to preserve life amidst despair. This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering history to prevent its repetition. Trigger warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics including the Holocaust, child loss, and ab*rtion.
Sources Used:
* I Was a Doctor in Auschwitz [https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Auschwitz-Lexington-Studies-Literature-ebook/dp/B07NFDJFLL/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sR8vx5usJ3oFK_cPJDgCBIawCXF6fMPNyUi7uMhuVO0mRYawee9FpVceISShNx-djh5IZftzMk-VX4ekXP-P-GiMNOyw64-LRWt-_Xu1V-d6Q6KTjDfklO-k5osBac6W6jY3BuwKuFYCZvxJ3gca_yBBAk_O_zUpIfaEWAXJyeYOmSE9l1HzT_ijDul2vSkfHj2Ask_8ed202upJgH_XMw.ehyD-ze8TvEBHVvmxK5HGUUxce35sOkkHDpk6g_3sG8&qid=1758909478&sr=8-2]
* Gisella Pearl: Angel and Ab*rtionist in Auschwitz [https://phdn.org/archives/holocaust-history.org/auschwitz/gisella-perl/]
26 Sept 2025
Mary Toft: Birther of Rabbits?
This week's episode unravels the bizarre tale of Mary Toft, the woman who claimed to have given birth to rabbits in 1726. This episode delves into the frenzy that captivated 18th-century Britain, drawing the attention of King George I and the media. Grace explores the societal and medical implications of this historical hoax, examining its impact on the professions involved and the lessons it holds for us today. Tune in for a fascinating journey into a story where truth was indeed stranger than fiction.
Sources Used
* Mary Toft - Rabbit Breeder [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13910428/]
* A Short Narrative on the Extraordinary Delivery of Rabbits [https://wellcomecollection.org/works/y87qsh5x/items?canvas=3]
* Mary Toft's Three Confessions [https://tofts3confessions.wordpress.com/]
11 Sept 2025
Arsenic and "Incest": A Love Story of the Ages
This weeks episodes delves into a scandalous 1765 court case from Scotland, involving murder, poison, and "incest?" Discover the tangled web of relationships and deceit surrounding Catherine Nairn and Patrick Ogilvy, as they navigate accusations of murder and forbidden love. Was justice truly served, or did the truth remain hidden? Tune in to explore this historical mystery and its dramatic courtroom proceedings.
Sources: https://wellcomecollection.org/works/je6gyqj4/items
29 Aug 2025
Taverns on the Towne: Tavern Life in Colonial Charleston
This week's episode takes us back to Charleston, Colonial Charleston that is! Discover how taverns served as meeting points for the elite and common folk alike, offering a space for business deals, social gatherings, and even entertainment. From the lively streets of Meeting and Broad to the intricate dynamics of class and control, this episode delves into the multifaceted role of taverns in shaping Charleston's history.
14 Aug 2025
Wives for Sale: The Colonial Jamestown Story
This week's episode explores the intricate cultural and social dynamics of early Jamestown. Delve into the lives of the Jamestown Brides, women who were hand picked to raise and fund the colony, and uncover how their presence shaped the colony's social fabric.
Sources: Jamestown Brides [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1782399135/?bestFormat=true&k=jamestown%20brides%20jennifer%20potter&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k0_1_16_de&crid=BQ3BOG56V1XL&sprefix=jamestown%20brides]
7 Aug 2025
Jamestown & the Starving Times: What the Disney's Movie Didn't Show
This week's episode takes us back to the early 1600s as we explore the grim realities faced by the Jamestown settlers during the infamous 'Starving Time.' In this episode, Grace Ardis sheds light on the struggles, survival tactics, and the stark contrast between myth and reality in one of America's first colonies. Discover the untold stories of hardship and resilience that shaped the course of history.
Sources
* Jamestown, the Truth Revealed [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYXB6BN/ref=docs-os-doi_0]
* To Feast on Us as Their Prey [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LGX6J9Y?ref=yb_qv_ov_kndl_dp_rw]
* George Percy's : Trewe Relacyon [https://www.jstor.org/stable/4250269]
* The "tragicall historie": Canibalism and Abunance in Colonial Jamestown [https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5309/willmaryquar.68.1.0047]
* The works of John Smith [https://archive.org/search?query=creator%3A%22Smith%2C+John%2C+1580-1631%22]
* Starving Settlers in Jamestown [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/starving-settlers-in-jamestown-colony-resorted-to-cannibalism-46000815/]
In this episode, Grace's delves into the life of Charlotte Hayes, a woman who carved out a name for herself in 18th-century London. Born into a world of complexity and contradiction, Charlotte's journey from Genoa to becoming a renowned madam is both fascinating and controversial. Discover how she navigated societal expectations, maintained her status, and left a legacy that continues to intrigue. Join us as we explore the intricacies of her life, her relationships, and the impact she had on her era.
Sources: Nocturnal Revels [https://archive.org/details/NocturnalRevelsOrTheHistoryOfKings-placeAndOtherModernNunneriesVol/page/n3/mode/2up]
The Covent Garden Ladies [https://www.amazon.com/Covent-Garden-Ladies-General-Extraordinary/dp/0752437399]
17 Jul 2025
Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies: an 18th Yelp Review for Harlots
This week's episode takes us to the bawdy streets of 18th-century London. Grace explores the history and cultural impact of "Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies," a notorious directory that rated and reviewed the city's prostitutes. Learn about the key figures behind its creation, the social dynamics of Covent Garden, and how this publication offers a unique glimpse into the lives of women who shaped the era.
Sources used: Covent Garden Ladies [https://www.amazon.com/The-Covent-Garden-Ladies/dp/1784165956/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3OASIAPTMEN62&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uTz3mhrlKl4sgVzp66v68a8szXfDcx6XSFs85fP_GDwjl_2L-1ZnRW2hHNdnN3wuzCJEXRpPH7dRu_xZR8o26aOt91wpMr_dsHURSaN3Z8At0NkegK6vECJetrqBC0lpzBJ_RPnqyfdghtAf2fOPbpY9ogtAelyrL50vjKBhnnbAtoGoBh10pFMk0d_altwoQ2uGennoLMCRa9gV8QwRyZImlTjnTIcgBOAaqA38Gh0.ARpCoY3a8-iOzE4HvbPS9HmSQOca1T4X3qdHQzmgzGU&dib_tag=se&keywords=covent+garden+ladies&qid=1752718857&sprefix=covent+garde%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1]
Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies, 1788 [https://www.amazon.com/Harriss-List-Covent-Garden-Ladies-ebook/dp/B0091TR5YK/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3OASIAPTMEN62&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uTz3mhrlKl4sgVzp66v68a8szXfDcx6XSFs85fP_GDwjl_2L-1ZnRW2hHNdnN3wuzCJEXRpPH7dRu_xZR8o26aOt91wpMr_dsHURSaN3Z8At0NkegK6vECJetrqBC0lpzBJ_RPnqyfdghtAf2fOPbpY9ogtAelyrL50vjKBhnnbAtoGoBh10pFMk0d_altwoQ2uGennoLMCRa9gV8QwRyZImlTjnTIcgBOAaqA38Gh0.ARpCoY3a8-iOzE4HvbPS9HmSQOca1T4X3qdHQzmgzGU&dib_tag=se&keywords=covent+garden+ladies&qid=1752718857&sprefix=covent+garde%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-2]
10 Jul 2025
Burke & Hare: Murders for Medicine, Part 2
This week's episode takes us back the city of Edinburgh during the year 1828. Grace explores the end of Burke and Hare story and how their murder spree would go on to change not only the city of Edinburgh but medical history forever. Additionally it shows the true meaning of Karma's a B*tch
Sources mentioned: Anatomy of Murders by Lisa Rosner [https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Murders-Spectacular-Edinburghs-Commission/dp/0812221761]
Trial of William Burke and Helen M'Dougal [https://wellcomecollection.org/works/bzaxh2d2]
Supplement to the Trial of William Burke [https://wellcomecollection.org/works/fedyf7yd]
Bodies and Bureaucracy [https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.24794]
3 Jul 2025
Burke & Hare: Murders for Medicine, Part 1
Grace examines the infamous case of William Burke and William Hare, who murdered sixteen people in 1828 Edinburgh and sold their bodies to surgeons, revealing the dark side of 19th-century medical advancements.
26 Jun 2025
Who Were the Casket Girls?
Grace explores the real history of the Casket Girls, detailing their mistreatment in French prisons and the subsequent erasure of their vital contributions as founding women of Louisiana.
18 Jun 2025
Madam Belle Cora: Influencer of the West
Historian Grace discusses Madam Belle Cora's life during the Gold Rush era in San Francisco, examining her rapid rise and potential fall in society as a successful madam; this is an interview episode.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 22 / 100
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Quality
31
Social presence
0
YouTube
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Engagement
32
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