Podcast
Right Answers Mostly
Hosted by Claire Donald & Tess Bellomo · EN
History is just gossip! Join hosts Tess Bellomo and Claire Donald every Monday as they break down the juiciest stories from history and pop culture over a cocktail!
42episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Madonna Changed Pop Music Forever
3d ago01:18:22Tap to summarizeLong before pop stars built entire careers around reinvention, Madonna was changing the rules in real time. In this episode, we trace her journey from a broke dancer arriving in New York City with a lot of religious trauma and just a few dollars to becoming the best selling female recording artist of all time. Along the way, we unpack the controversies that made headlines, the reinventions that reshaped pop culture, her groundbreaking advocacy during the AIDS crisis, and the ambition that inspired generations of artists, from Britney Spears to Taylor Swift. Love her or hate her, modern pop stardom wouldn't exist without Madonna. Created and produced by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald For our socials, merch and more about us, check out our website! TRY NUULY HERE! Code RAM for $28 dollars your first month! To join our premium channel with THREE bonus episodes a month, go here! It is just $7.99 and you get to support our show, get access to close friends and be the first to purchase highly requested merch! Link to Truth or Dare documentary Listen to Tess's best of Madonna playlist here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcribe →American Girl Dolls were BRAT
1w ago00:57:22Tap to summarizeRE-RELEASE: Join us in this MUCH requested nostalgic episode as we delve into the enchanting world of American Girl Dolls, exploring their rich history and the cultural impact they've had since their inception in 1986 by founder Pleasant Howard . We’ll trace the journey from the original dolls—each representing a different era in American history (THEY ARE RAMMIES)—to the diverse characters that reflect contemporary society. Discover how these beloved dolls not only sparked a passion for history in young girls but also fostered conversations about identity, diversity, and empowerment. ALSO SURPRISE: Enjoy two 90s quizzes to take at home! Created and produced by Claire Donald & Tess Bellomo Follow us here for more information about Right Answers Mostly including social media, merch, and announcements. Join our premium channel HERE where you get three bonus episodes a month (celeb gossip and personal catch up plus ONE more history lesson). You'll get added to our close friends on instagram and also get first access to merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space
2w ago01:12:12Tap to summarizeIn honor of America's 250th birthday and American Icons month (in a cool, liberal way), we're celebrating the trailblazers who helped shape the country, and few reached greater heights than Sally Ride. This week, we're telling the story of the physicist who became the first American woman in space, broke through one of the world's most exclusive boys' clubs, and inspired generations of girls to dream bigger. But behind the headlines was a woman who fiercely guarded her private life. For nearly three decades, Sally shared her life with her partner, Tam O'Shaughnessy, a relationship the public didn't learn about until after Sally's death. We explore why she chose privacy, what it meant to be a gay woman navigating fame in the 1980s and '90s, and how her legacy extends far beyond her historic spaceflight. From NASA missions and media scrutiny to quiet courage and lasting impact, this is the story of an American icon whose influence is still reaching for the stars. Created and produced by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald Merch, shop our outfits and check out our socials here Want three bonus eps a month for just $7.99?? We talk personal lives, pop culture and more! TRY NUULY HERE! Code RAM for $28 dollars your first month! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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RuPaul: The Queen of Drag
3w ago00:31:35Tap to summarizeEverybody knows RuPaul. But the story of how he became RuPaul? It's even better than you think. This week, we're following his journey from a kid in San Diego to discovering drag in Atlanta, creating his unforgettable glamazon persona in New York, overcoming addiction, and building the empire that is RuPaul's Drag Race. We also unpack the lessons that have defined his life: identity, resilience, chosen family, and the radical act of believing in yourself before the world does. Whether you're a Drag Race superfan or simply curious about the man behind the icon, this episode is a celebration of one of the most influential cultural figures of our time. Sources: The House of Hidden Meanings, NPR, Vanity Fair, Vulture, A&E Biography, Wikipedia Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us on social media, buy merch, and more HERE! Join our premium channel for 3 bonus eps a month here and save 15% when you buy annually! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Harvey Milk And The Politics Of Hope
Jun 2201:16:04Tap to summarizeWe're BACK! This Pride Month, we're diving into the extraordinary life and legacy of Harvey Milk, the camera shop owner turned activist who became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. Long before rainbow logos and corporate Pride campaigns, Harvey Milk was fighting for visibility, representation, and equality at a time when being openly gay could cost you your job, your family, and your safety. From his childhood on Long Island to becoming the unofficial "Mayor of Castro Street" in San Francisco, Milk transformed personal authenticity into political power, encouraging LGBTQ+ people everywhere to step into the light and be seen. In this episode, we explore Milk's rise to political office, his role in defeating California's anti-gay Briggs Initiative, his famous call for people to come out, and the tragic assassinations of both Milk and Mayor George Moscone. We also unpack the "Twinkie Defense," the White Night Riots, and why Harvey Milk's message that "hope will never be silent"continues to resonate today. Thank you to our guest, Chris DeRosa, for joining us! Check him out here and make sure to listen to our episode of Fixing Famous People Created and produced by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald If you want to follow us on socials, buy merch, and shop our outfits, go here If you're interested in our Premium Channel where you get THREE bonus episodes a month for $7.99, or you can save 13% if you buy annually, please support our show! Sources include: History.com, Wikipedia, Milk (The Movie) The Times Of Harvey Milk Documentary (1984) If you are an LGBTQIA+ listener and are struggling, please know that you are not alone and support is available. The Trevor Project provides free, confidential crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people 24/7: Call: 1-866-488-7386 Text: START to 678-678 Chat online: thetrevorproject.org/get-help 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available for anyone experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis: Call or Text: 988 LGBT National Help Center offers confidential peer support and local resources: National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564 Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-7743 Visit: lgbthotline.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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How André Leon Talley Changed Fashion Forever
Jun 1501:17:13Tap to summarizeRE-RELEASE FOR PRIDE: This week's episode is on a fashion industry icon and trailblazer, André Leon Talley. From his early years growing up in the Jim Crow-era South to his rise to prominence as a fashion journalist and Vogue's first African-American male creative director. Join us as we dish on everything from his infamous caftans and his time at Vogue magazine to his juicy stories of Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld...we spill it all. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault and eating disorders Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Go here to discover more about us, buy merch, and follow our socials Join Premium to access THREE bonus episodes a month for $7.99 Bellesa Link, EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE toy or gift card!: https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/rightanswersmostly-podcast Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/RAM #rulapod new customers can use code RAM and get 20% off your first order at perelelhealth.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Frida Kahlo & The Art of Suffering
Jun 801:18:27Tap to summarizeRE-RELEASE for Pride Month! We dive deep into the life and work of Frida Kahlo, the fearless woman who endured pain, tragedy, and even a tumultuous love life. We'll explore how her self-portraits captured both her physical and emotional pain, and how her work challenged the dominant artistic traditions of her time. From her early struggles as a young artist to her rise as a feminist icon, Claire and Tess cover all the juicy details of Frida's life. This is Frida Kahlo, a queer, feminist icon!. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us here to learn more about us, get merch, and check us out on socials Join Premium for $7.99/month for three bonus episodes a month here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Andy Cohen And The Real History of Bravo
Jun 101:04:33Tap to summarizeRE-RELEASE EPISODE: We're kicking off pride month with the king of Bravo and the king of our hearts, Andy Cohen. We know Andy as the father of the Real Housewives but in this episode we find out about his idyllic childhood in St. Louis, MO and how his love of soap operas were unknowingly prepping him for all things Housewives. We talk about Andy's extensive career as a producer/journalist at CBS before rising the ranks at Bravo and we delve into the personal life of Andy Cohen and the challenges he has faced along the way. From navigating his identity as an openly gay man in the media industry to becoming a father through surrogacy, we explore the impact of his personal experiences on his career and the broader cultural landscape. This is Andy Cohen. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us on Instagram @Rightanswersmostly and TikTok at @Rightanswersmostly Follow us on socials, and check out merch here! If you want to join our premium channel for THREE bonus episodes a month, check out all of the perks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Dark Side of Coco Chanel
May 2500:42:49Tap to summarizeThis week, we unravel the myth of Coco Chanel, the woman who revolutionized women’s fashion, built one of the most powerful luxury empires in history, and carefully crafted herself into a feminist icon. But behind the pearls, perfume, and little black dresses was a much darker story. From poverty and ambition to affairs with powerful men, antisemitism, Nazi collaboration allegations, and the reinvention of her own legacy, we explore how Coco Chanel became both a symbol of female freedom and one of fashion’s most controversial figures. Was she a visionary? A social climber? A survivor? A villain? Maybe all four. Grab a cigarette and your tweed blazer, because this one is messy. Created and produced by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald If you want the full episode, and to get THREE bonus episodes a month, go here. Follow us on socials, buy merch, and stay updated here! Sources: Chanel Unbuttoned BBC, Wikipedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Christian Dior: Couture, Scandal & The New Look
May 1801:07:57Tap to summarizeThis week, we’re discussing the extraordinary history of Christian Dior and the designer who reshaped fashion forever. From the devastation of post WW2 Paris to the revolutionary debut of the “New Look” in 1947, Christian Dior created a vision of glamour, femininity, and fantasy that transformed the fashion industry forver. We explore Dior’s early life, World War II, couture during occupation, the rise of the House of Dior, the evolution of luxury branding, and the legacy that still defines fashion today. From couture salons to celebrity campaigns, this is the story of how Christian Dior became CHRISTIAN DIOR. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us on social media, buy merch, and more HERE! Join our premium channel for 3 bonus eps a month here and save 15% when you buy annually! SOURCES: Vogue , Vogue on Christian Dior , The New Look, Wikipedia , Glam Observer , Time, The Independent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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