Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

Special guest Flick Thorley, a nurse on an AIDS ward, shares her experience and explains why it was a blessing. Richard McKay, author of 'Patient Zero And The Making Of The AIDS Epidemic,' discusses the larger societal reaction. Topics include the stigma of HIV, blaming and scapegoating in disease outbreaks, and the concept of Patient Zero.

Explore JFK's alleged affairs and scandalous behavior, including his unconventional sexual activities and reckless abandonment of his presidential responsibilities. Discover Jackie Kennedy's coping mechanisms and strength in dealing with her husband's infidelity.

This podcast explores the impact of Section 28, an anti-gay law passed in the 1980s in Britain. It discusses the context of the law, its impact on the LGBTQ+ community, and the mobilization of activists against it. Personal experiences, such as regrets about not showing physical affection in public, are shared. The podcast also highlights the formation of organizations like Stonewall and Outrage, and the increased activism and political mobilization resulting from Section 28.

Explore Napoleon Bonaparte's fascinating sex life, from his first sexual experiences to his complex relationship with his great love, Josephine. Learn about the bidding on his 'shrivelled eel' and his desire for a dynasty. Discover the impact of his traumatic experiences on his mental state and delve into the intimate details of his personal relationships. Plus, updates on the 'Napoleon' film release and podcast promotions.

Returning friend of Betwixt, Ronald Hutton, introduces us to some of the fantastic goddesses of yore. They discuss the Ancient world's gods of sex and death, the rock chick of ancient times, and the lack of sexualization in Christianity. They explore the origins of Aphrodite and Venus, the multi-faceted goddess Inanna, and the connection between ancient goddesses and modern brands. They also talk about Aphrodite, Lilith, and the Morrigan, and the power of female libido in ancient traditions.

This November marks 60 years since President John F Kennedy was assassinated. His name is associated with history defining events, but it’s also connected with a dynasty, known for their celebrity and notoriously for being ‘cursed.’The Kennedy family, thought of as American royals by many, have a fascinating and tragic history - especially the women in JFK’s life and family line.Today we're exploring the story of JFK's sister Rosemary. Following a failed lobotomy which left her unable to walk or talk, she was hidden from public view for fear of jeopardising the pristine image of the family dynasty.This is the second instalment in a mini-series, The Kennedy Women, which started with their great-grandma Bridget, and will also cover Jackie, JFK's affairs, and the so-called Kennedy curse.The senior producer was Charlotte Long. The producer was Stuart Beckwith.Archive courtesy of NBC.You can read Kate Clifford Larson's book, Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter, here.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts.Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Turner, the author of Men At War: Loving, Lusting, Fighting, Remembering 1939-1945, delves into the hidden stories of World War II soldiers. Topics covered include unconventional sexual activities during the war, the significance of oral testimony, the repression of sexuality under the Nazis, the life of LGBT activist Dudley Cave, and the progress made in LGBTQ+ representation in the military.

This November marks 60 years since President John F Kennedy was assassinated. His name is associated with history defining events, but it’s also connected with a dynasty, known for their celebrity and notoriously for being ‘cursed.’The Kennedy family, thought of as American royals by many, have a fascinating and tragic history - especially the women in JFK’s life and family line.Today we’re going right back to the start, to a farm in Ireland to meet JFK’s great-grandma, Bridget, who overcame tragedy and poverty to forge the foundation of a dynasty.This is the first instalment in a mini-series, The Kennedy Women, which will look into the lives of Bridget, Jackie, Rosemary and the so-called family curse.The senior producer was Charlotte Long. The producer was Stuart Beckwith.Archive courtesy of NBC.You can read more about Neal Thompson’s work here.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They’re famously thought of as a buttoned up prudish bunch, but we all know they loved to bump uglies as much as anyone today. Were the spanking punishments of boarding schools really the origins of flagellation brothels? Who were the pin-ups of Victorian women? And what did the saucy portrait Queen Victoria gave to Prince Albert look like? Today we go Betwixt the Victorian Sheets with Dan Snow, from History Hit sister podcast Dan Snow’s History Hit, to find out all about Victorian Sex. This podcast was edited by Tom Delargy. The producers were Charlotte Long and Freddy Chick. The senior producer was Charlotte Long. Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Kate Lister, Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Mary Beard and more.Get 50% off your first 3 months with code BETWIXT. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the origins of witchcraft, the history and prevalence of witch trials throughout Europe, and the factors that led to the rise of witch hunting. Debunk misconceptions spawned from the Maleficent Maleficarum. Discuss the theory of ergot poisoning's involvement in the Salem witch trials.