I'm TK, your guide to the past as we uncover the people, events, and little-known facts hidden in the shadows of your old history textbooks. From empress baddies like Hatshepsut and Wu Zetianto, activist profiles, Egyptian and Japanese gods and goddesses, and the history of the toothbrush, tattoos, Pompeii peepees, and everything in between, you can find it all here. No event is too small and no topic too big, because this is For The Love of History. ----------------------- For over 100 archived episodes and bonus content you can head over to Patreon!
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The Ghost Brush | Hokusai's Daughter and Hidden Collaborator Katsushika Oi
Friday, March 28, 2025 • Duration 51:42
It's time for some hidden history, dear one!! Did you know one of Japan’s most famous artists had a secret weapon? And no, it wasn’t just his paintbrush! In this episode, we uncover the fascinating, overlooked story of Katsushika Oi, the daughter (and possible secret collaborator) of the legendary Hokusai!
Oi wasn’t just any artist—she was a bold, brilliant painter who worked in the shadow of her famous father. Her work, including the stunning 'Night Scene in the Yoshiwara,' showcased her mastery of light and color. But was she merely an assistant, or did she play a far bigger role in Hokusai’s masterpieces? Join us as we dive into her life, her art, and the reasons history nearly erased her.
Spoiler: This is hidden women’s history at its finest!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🎨 Who was Katsushika Oi, and why was she so important?👻 The inspiration behind The Ghost Brush and Oi’s mysterious legacy
🖌️ Why her work was overshadowed—and how modern scholars are changing that
📜 The hidden women’s history behind Japan’s Edo-era art scene, including other overlooked female artists of the period
Love untold stories of incredible women? Support the podcast and unlock exclusive content—like behind-the-scenes insights, bonus episodes, and more—by joining us on Patreon!
Want to experience history with me in real life? Join the History BFF Trip this August and explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara while we celebrate history, culture, and maybe even some birthday karaoke chaos. Spots are filling up—grab yours before they’re gone!
https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025
Until next time, drink your water (yes, now), and remember: the gods may be immortal, but so is defiance. 🎙️✨
NHK Show
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/3018009/
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Keywords:
Hidden women’s history, Katsushika Oi, Hokusai’s daughter, The Ghost Brush, Edo period art, Japanese women artists, forgotten female artists, history podcast, art history
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Victorian Nipple Rings: A Tale of Fashion, Status & Scandal
Friday, March 21, 2025 • Duration 26:52
Hold onto your corsets and brace yourself for some historical spice, because today we’re talking about Victorian nipple rings. Yes, you read that right. The prim and proper era of high collars, afternoon tea, and… pierced nipples? Turns out, the Victorians (and their French counterparts in the Belle Époque) were way freakier than we give them credit for.
What’s Inside This Episode?
💎 The origins of nipple piercings—from medieval queens to Victorian aristocrats
💎 Why high society women (and men!) loved to bedazzle their naughty bits
💎 The wildest myths and medical fears surrounding nipple piercings (spoiler: cancer, madness, and loose morals)
💎 The connection between hygiene, wealth, and who could afford a fancy nipple ring
💎 The scandalous underground world of Victorian body modification (yes, it was a thing!)
Why You’ll Love It:
If you love history with a side of sass and scandal, this episode is a must-listen. We’re busting myths, spilling tea, and giving a whole new meaning to putting a ring on it—Victorian style. Plus, you’ll never look at Julius Caesar or Parisian aristocrats the same way again.
Links & Housekeeping
🎤 Want more historical chaos? Follow For the Love of History on Instagram! @fortheloveof_historypodcast
💬 Love this episode? Leave a rating & review—it makes my day (and keeps the history algorithm gods happy)!
📱 Join the Patreon for behind-the-scenes content, history polls, and Japan adventures!
Next time, we’re diving into the world of Victorian tattoos—because body mods weren’t just for sailors. Until then, keep your jewelry where you like it, embrace the weird, and stay curious!
Want to experience history with me in real life? Join the History BFF Trip this August and explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara while we celebrate history, culture, and maybe even some birthday karaoke chaos. Spots are filling up—grab yours before they’re gone!
https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025
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Further Reading
Encyclopedia of Body Adornment
English Mechanic and World of Science
Victorian Nipple Rings
Nipple Rings for Aristocrats – The Wild Victorian Fashion Trend
Nipple rings and genital piercings were once a symbol of the Victorian upper class
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Periods and Contraception in the 18th Century with Mina Moriarty
Friday, March 14, 2025 • Duration 48:18
Grab your smelling salts, delicious doughnuts, because we’re diving into the scandalous, bizarre, and often horrifying world of 18th-century reproductive health! This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Mina Moriarty—historian, writer, and content creator extraordinaire—to talk about contraception and menstruation in the 1700s. Spoiler alert: it involves lemon rinds, animal intestines, and a whole lot of societal shame.
What’s Inside This Episode?
🩸 The shocking (and slightly terrifying) ways people managed their periods in the 18th century
🩸 DIY contraceptives—sponges, vinegar, and, uh, the pull-out method
🩸 Why 18th-century condoms came with ribbons (adorable but deeply impractical)
🩸 The wild myths people believed about menstruation (Pliny the Elder, we’re looking at you)
🩸 How cunning women and herbal remedies gave women some control over their bodies
Why You’ll Love It:
If you’ve ever wondered how historical women handled their reproductive health without access to modern medicine—or just want to hear about some truly unhinged ancient medical practices—this episode is for you! It’s fun, it’s fascinating, and it’ll make you extra grateful for your modern menstrual products.
Links & Housekeeping
🎤 Follow Mina Moriarty on Instagram @HistoryHo101 for more historical chaos
📚 You can snag your copy of Mina's book Who the Hell is Olympe de Gouges here!
📱 Want to support For the Love of History? Rate, review, and share this episode with your fellow history buffs.
Want to experience history with me in real life? Join the History BFF Trip this August and explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara while we celebrate history, culture, and maybe even some birthday karaoke chaos. Spots are filling up—grab yours before they’re gone!
https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025
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Empress Baddie | The Pirate Queen Teuta
Friday, March 7, 2025 • Duration 34:00
Ahoy, history besties! Ready to set sail into the chaotic and badass world of piracy? But forget the bearded, rum-guzzling captains of the 1600s—this week, we're diving into the legend of an ancient pirate queen who gave Rome the middle finger and (allegedly) cursed an entire city. Meet Teuta of Illyria, the woman who turned the Adriatic Sea into her personal treasure chest and left a legacy fierce enough to still haunt the waves.
What’s Inside This Episode?
⚓ A queen who ruled with a cutlass and a crown
⚓ How piracy went from a side hustle to Illyria’s top industry
⚓ Rome’s terrible attempt at diplomacy (Spoiler: it ends with an assassination)
⚓ Betrayals, sieges, and one epic curse that lasted centuries
⚓ Why Teuta’s legacy still slaps over 2,000 years later
Why You’ll Love It:
If you love history with a side of sass, drama, and high-seas adventure, this episode is for you. Plus, we’re getting back to our Empress Baddie roots with a woman who did not come to play—unless it was a game of ‘How Many Roman Ships Can I Plunder Before Lunch?’
💬 Leave a rating and review to keep the history algorithm gods happy.
Next week, we’re talking medieval menstruation with a special guest—because historical periods deserve some airtime too! Until then, grab your eye patch, drink some water (or a historically accurate pirate beverage), and remember: when history forgets the men but remembers you, you’ve already won.
Yo ho ho and a final ‘Arrr!’
Want to experience history with me in real life? Join the History BFF Trip this August and explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara while we celebrate history, culture, and maybe even some birthday karaoke chaos. Spots are filling up—grab yours before they’re gone!
https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025
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Musok | The Legacy and History of Korean Shamanism a Religion of Resistance
Friday, February 28, 2025 • Duration 39:51
When the world told them to sit down, they danced. When their voices were silenced, they sang. When religion and government tried to erase them, they thrived in the shadows.
Welcome to the story of mudang (무당), the women who shaped and preserved Korean shamanism (or Musok 무속) against all odds.
This episode dives into their centuries-long defiance and the magic, rebellion, and resilience that kept their traditions alive.
✨ How Korean shamanism became a lifeline for women cast out by Confucian society
🔥 The intense, years-long process of becoming a mudang—spoiler: you don’t choose the spirits, the spirits choose you
💃 The theatrical rituals where women channeled gods, ancestors, and spirits through dance and song
🔮 How shamanism was an underground act of resistance, giving women power in a world that denied them autonomy
🎭 The women of Jeju Island who used humor to make the gods laugh—and force them to bring blessings
Despite centuries of persecution, Korean folk religion is still alive. Today, mudang practice in secret and in broad daylight, performing rituals for everyone from K-pop idols to business moguls. Because if history has taught us anything, it’s this: when women are pushed to the margins, they don’t disappear—they fight, they adapt, and they rise.
Want to experience history with me in real life? Join the History BFF Trip this August and explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara while we celebrate history, culture, and maybe even some birthday karaoke chaos. Spots are filling up—grab yours before they’re gone!
https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025
Until next time, drink your water (yes, now), and remember: the gods may be immortal, but so is defiance. 🎙️✨
🤩App Info🤩
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Kinky History | a chat with Author and Sex Historian Esmé Louise James
Friday, February 21, 2025 • Duration 51:11
Buckle up, history besties—this episode is not safe for work (unless you’ve got headphones and a rebellious streak). We’re diving deep into the history of sex with none other than Esmé Louise James, the brilliant mind behind Kinky History!
In this delightfully scandalous conversation, we uncover:
🔥 How Esmé went from studying religious history to becoming a sex historian
🔥 The wild story of how the history of the dildo launched her career
🔥 The medieval obsession with…well, rimming and witchcraft (yep, you read that right)
🔥 How history’s censorship laws gave birth to tentacle hentai
🔥 The long-standing and surprisingly biological reasons behind the world's foot fetish
But beyond the laughs, this episode is also about representation in history. Esmé’s book isn’t just a collection of spicy facts—it’s a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt like their identity wasn’t reflected in the history books. Because let’s be real: there is nothing new under the sun.
Want to keep the kinky history party going? Support Esmé by grabbing a copy of Kinky History in print, digital, or audiobook (trust us, you’ll want to hear her narrate that passage). And while you’re at it, subscribe to For the Love of History for more weird, wonderful, and eyebrow-raising stories from the past.
Now go forth, spread the historical filth, and stay curious! 🎙️🔥
Where to Find Esmé
Website: www.esmeljames.com
Instagram: @emse.louise
TikTok: dr.esme.louise
Podcast
🍆SexTistics 2🍆
TrovaTrip Alert!
Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it!
https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025
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Ancient Booty Calls and WTF Aphrodisiacs | weird history of love and dating
Season 10 · Episode 159
Friday, February 14, 2025 • Duration 31:40
Happy Valentine’s Day, history besties! Whether you’re blissfully in love, dodging dating apps like a pro, or just here for the weird history (respect ✊), this episode is for you. We’re diving deep into history’s strangest, grossest, and most WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT aphrodisiacs and ancient booty calls. Spoiler: some people really went to extreme lengths to set the mood.
💘 What’s on the Love Potion Menu?
🪲 Spanish Fly: The original "love potion" (also, uh, poison).
📞 YOU UP?: The 5 am booty call of Heian Japan
💍 What Came Before Dating: a brief history of what came before tinder
🐦 Bird Spit Soup: Because nothing says romance like eating a swiftlet’s spit.
🔥 The Worst One Yet: I won’t spoil it, but trust me—your flabbers will be GASTED.
💋 Why Listen?
If you’ve ever side-eyed modern dating, this episode will make you grateful that the worst we have to deal with is ghosting and bad pickup lines. At least no one's force-feeding you... well, you’ll see.
🎧 Tune in now for a wild ride through history’s freakiest aphrodisiacs and courting practices! And if you love the show, spread the love by supporting the show on Patreon—where history is always juicy, weird, and never boring.
👉 Listen now and cringe with me!
TrovaTrip Alert!
Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it!
https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025
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Keywords:
Weirdest aphrodisiacs in history
Unusual historical aphrodisiacs
Bizarre love potions through time
Strange aphrodisiacs used in history
Historical aphrodisiacs
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Kidnapped at Sea | The Story of David Henry White By Andrew Sillen
Season 10 · Episode 158
Friday, February 7, 2025 • Duration 44:08
Welcome to For the Love of History! In this episode, we dive into a lesser-known yet fascinating tale of maritime history with author and archaeologist Andrew Celyn. His latest book, Kidnapped at Sea: The Civil War Voyage of David Henry White, uncovers the harrowing journey of a free Black teenager who was abducted and forced aboard the infamous Confederate raider, the CSS Alabama.
We discuss how David Henry White’s story defies Confederate propaganda and serves as a powerful counterpoint to the glorification of the Lost Cause. Andrew shares his journey from archaeology to Civil War history, his research challenges, and the surprising cultural connections between Cape Town and the Confederacy. From forensics to historical analysis, this episode is packed with revelations about one of history’s unsung heroes.
Episode Highlights:
Andrew Celyn’s surprising start as an archaeologist and how it led him to uncover the story of David Henry White.
The role of the CSS Alabama during the Civil War and its unexpected stop in Cape Town.
How White’s life reveals the lies behind Confederate narratives.
The challenges of reconstructing White’s story through sparse historical records.
Discussion on Civil War naval stories, the Lost Cause myth, and Confederate propaganda.
The importance of including marginalized voices in historical narratives.
Call to Action:
Don’t miss this enlightening conversation that challenges traditional Civil War narratives and brings a hidden story to light. Subscribe to For the Love of History wherever you listen to podcasts and leave a review to help us continue uncovering fascinating historical tales. Share this episode with your friends who love learning about untold stories from history!
Guest Information:
Find out more about Andrew Celyn and his book Kidnapped at Sea: The Civil War Voyage of David Henry White by visiting kidnappedatsea.com
Additional Notes:
Check the show notes for a link to Andrew’s website and updates on upcoming book signings and events. Stay tuned for more captivating episodes on history that you didn’t know you needed to hear.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, share it, subscribe, and come back next time for more historical deep dives.
TrovaTrip Alert!
Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it!
https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025
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Keywords
David Henry White biography
CSS Alabama history
Civil War naval stories
Teenage sailor Civil War
Author interview Andrew Celyn
Life aboard the CSS Alabama
Confederate propaganda
Maritime abductions in the Civil War
Historical biographies Civil War
Lost Cause revisionism
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London's Most Fashionable and Fierce All Women Gang | The 40 Elephants
Season 10 · Episode 157
Friday, January 31, 2025 • Duration 38:40
Welcome back, my delicious doughnut! 🍩 This week, we’re peeling back the velvet curtain on one of London's most scandalous and fabulous crime syndicates: the Forty Elephants, an all-women gang who ruled the shoplifting scene from the Victorian era well into the Roaring Twenties.
Think Oceans Eleven, but make it corsets, diamonds, and bloomers with pockets big enough to hide a whole department store.
What You’ll Learn in This Glamorous Heist of an Episode:
💎 How these women outsmarted Victorian shopkeepers with handmade “grafter bloomers” (yes, pockets galore!)
💎 The rise of Alice Diamond, the fierce queenpin rocking diamond-knuckled rings
💎 The jaw-dropping heists that left London buzzing (hello, mink coats worth thousands!)
💎 Why luxury goods weren’t just about vanity but a defiant statement of independence
Why You’ll Love It:
It's history with sass, scandal, and some seriously clever ladies who knew how to game the system. If you've ever wondered whether you'd survive as a Victorian-era crime boss, this episode will have you dreaming up your own heist team.
🎧 Ready to dive in? Hit play now, and if you loved this peek into women's badass history, don’t forget to support us on Patreon. Your support keeps the history (and the fun) coming!
TrovaTrip Alert!
Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it!
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The Bloody and Unnecessarily Difficult History of Surgery
Season 10 · Episode 156
Friday, January 24, 2025 • Duration 35:48
Welcome back, dear one! This week, we’re scrubbing in and diving scalpels-first into the history of surgery. From ancient skull drilling to the OG rhinoplasty (nose job, anyone?), this episode explores the bizarre, bloody, and brilliant evolution of ancient surgical techniques. Spoiler: it’s not all medieval barber surgeons and questionable hygiene.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
📚How Neolithic humans invented brain surgery (and somehow survived!).
📚Why ancient Egyptian surgeons were ahead of their time (magic spells optional).
📚The shocking origin story of India’s first nose job—a bloody masterpiece.
📚How one Roman hotshot (we’re looking at you, Galen) stalled surgical progress for 1,000 years.
📚Quirky, gross, and oh-so-fascinating, this episode unpacks the twists and turns of medieval medicine and beyond. Whether you’re a history buff or just morbidly curious, you won’t want to miss this.
🎧 Hit play now, and don’t forget to leave a review! What did you think of this episode? Your feedback keeps us slicing into history’s quirkiest corners.
⭐⭐Calm History ⭐⭐
Try the new podcast, Calm History: www.calmhistory.com
TrovaTrip Alert!
Oh hey, history buffs! Want to nerd out with me in person? Join me on a dreamy trip to Japan (hello matcha, temples, and Kyoto sunsets!) from August 24–30, 2025. Spots are limited, and early birds get a discount—don’t sleep on it!
What’s the Tea with the Community Census?
Your voice matters! Fill out the For the Love of History 2025 Community Census and tell me what you want more of (or less of!) in upcoming episodes. Plus, you’ll get the chance to win a free t-shirt or one of my favorite books. Sweet deal, right?
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