Podcast
The Exploress
Hosted by Kate J. Armstrong, Carly A. Quinn · EN
Join us as we time travel through women's history, one era at a time. We'll explore the lived experiences and everyday lives of historical ladies, both famous and obscure, from a variety of different time periods, countries, and cultures. Let's go traveling.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Empress Trailer
Sep 2400:00:53Tap to summarizeEMPRESS. The word comes from Old French, but its roots stretch back to the Latin imperium. It means a command; it means authority, it means power over a realm. But what does it mean, to be a woman with power over so many? What does it look like when an empire allows a woman to rule? In this series, we will travel with three different empresses, exploring their reigns, their worlds, and what it might have been like to be them.
Transcribe →
Heroines of the Harlem Renaissance with Victoria Christopher Murray
Aug 5, 202500:37:33Tap to summarizeSeason 6, Episode 11. Welcome back to Exploress Book Club! Join me in talking to Victoria Christopher Murray, author of the historical fiction novel Harlem Rhapsody, as she talks about the unsung heroine of the 1920s Harlem Renaissance, Jessie Redmon Faucet. In this conversation, Victoria dives into what life was like for Black women in 1920s Harlem. She'll tell us more about the women of the Harlem Renaissance, especially the part Jessie played in the artistic movement that championed Black lives and voices (and the ways in which the men around her sidelined her incredible work). To find out more about Victoria's many excellent books, check out her website. You can watch the video version of our chat over on Patreon for the rest of August 2025. Ways to support The Exploress: Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes Grab a book by one of our guests, or read the current Exploress Book Club pick, at the Exploress Bookshop Buy some merch and art available at the Exploress shop Check out Kate's novel, NIGHTBIRDS, and its sequel FYREBIRDS
Transcribe →
A Lady's Life in the Viking Age, Part 5: Shield Maidens and Sorceresses
Jul 23, 202500:48:56Tap to summarizeSeason 6, Episode 10. In this series, we're exploring what life was like for women in the Viking (Norse) Age. In this episode, we're exploring one of our favorite Viking archetypes - the shield maiden, or shield maid. Were there really axe-weilding, braid rocking warriors who went on raids alongside the men? We'll examine the Norse myth about the Valkyries, then dive into what archaeologists have to tell us about the fighting women of the Viking age. We'll also talk about the mysterious sorceresses known as volva, and the power these religious practioners wielded in Viking society. Our experts for this series are Eleanor Barraclough, a broadcaster and author whose latest book studies the physical remains the Vikings left us, and Nancy Marie Brown, who has been writing about Vikings, and particularly warrior women, for decades. Ways to support The Exploress: Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes, including the full episodes with both our Viking experts and some extra Viking content Grab a book by one of our guests, or read the current Exploress Book Club pick, at the Exploress Bookshop Buy some merch and art available at the Exploress shop Check out Kate's novels, NIGHTBIRDS and its sequel FYREBIRDS
Transcribe →
Sappho & Sexuality in Ancient Greece
Jul 24, 2019Tap to summarizeEpisode 2, Episode 8. When it comes to the words that made it through time to us, ancient Greece is particularly loud with men's voices. But if you listen, you can hear one woman through the crowd—we still hear her today. Heralded as a genius in her time, Sappho was called "The Poetess" and "The Tenth Muse." People made coins with her face on them and created honorary statues of her all over Greece. In our century, she's heralded as one of the earliest same-sex love advocates, boldly writing about lesbian desire. Who was this mysterious woman poet? What did it mean, in her time, to write about same-sex relationships? What did it mean to be in one? Check out the show notes for a transcript, images, and more. To support the show, become a patron or go and nab something from my brand-new Exploress Etsy shop. To hear the amazing music featured on this episode, all make on recreated lyres of antiquity, check out Michael Levy.
Transcribe →