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

Josephine Baker, an extraordinary figure, went from poverty to being a superstar. She became a spy for the Allies in WW2, using invisible ink and hiding documents. Her rise to fame, iconic banana skirt, and racism she faced are discussed. Her activism in civil rights and humanitarian work in adopting 12 children are highlighted.

Tony Bogaert, author of Understanding Asexuality, joins Kate to discuss the origins and impact of asexuality. They explore the challenges faced by asexual individuals in a hypersexual world and dive into the historical perception and medicalization of asexuality. They also delve into the peculiarities and complexities of human sexuality.

We all know how the song goes, the one about Hitler having one testicle.And whilst it's disarming to poke fun at someone so evil, there's an interesting and serious conversation to be had about how Hitler's relationships and sexuality could have shaped him.Today Kate is joined by Norman Ohler, author of Blitzed: Drugs in Nazi Germany, to find out more about Adolf Hitler's personal life, his views on sex, and whether there's any truth to the rumours.Did Hitler have a testicle bitten off by a goat? Was his interest in coprophilia true, or anti-Nazi propaganda? And who was the love of his life?Let's go Betwixt the Sheets to find out.This podcast was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. 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 concept of spectrophilia, a fetish involving sexual encounters with ghosts. Discuss the historical origins, power dynamics, and connection between sex and death. Debunk controversial accounts of erotically charged encounters with Christ. Discover the vengeful ghost of Javanese folklore and contemporary examples of spectrophilia in movies and celebrities' encounters with ghosts.

Discover how the Black Death in 14th century England led to increased autonomy and opportunities for women. Learn about the challenges of researching women's history and uncovering their forgotten voices. Explore the societal pushback against sex workers and women during the Black Death, and the subsequent pushback on women's rights. Find out about changes in laws surrounding domestic violence and women's involvement in the peasants revolt.

Learn about Helen Duncan, aka Hellish Brown, the last woman in England to be tried as a witch during WW2. Joined by Jess Marlton, manager of Bodmin Jail, they delve into Duncan's memorable performances, why her trial captivated the public, and the lasting impact of the 1735 Witchcraft Act.

Today's guest, Laura Lammasniemi, a professor at Warwick School of Law, takes us on a fascinating journey back in time to explore the ever-changing laws around consent. From medieval interpretations to Victorian scandals, Lammasniemi highlights the historical and societal contexts of consent laws. She also discusses the gender disparities in these laws and emphasizes the importance of conversations around consent today. Tune in to Betwixt the Sheets for a thought-provoking exploration of this topic.

Medieval historian Eleanor Janega joins the podcast to discuss the kinky myths and beliefs surrounding sex in the medieval period. They debunk the chastity belt myth, explore the strict rules imposed by the church, examine consequences of affairs, and delve into gender dynamics and queer communities. They also discuss methods of family planning and express gratitude for being on the podcast.

"I came. I saw. I conquered".Perhaps the most famous Julius Caesar quote of all time. But after hearing all about his bedroom antics, it takes on a slightly...different meaning.From Cleopatra, to his three wives, to male lovers, to mistresses - Julius Caesar definitely slept his way round Rome.Today Kate is Betwixt the Ancient Roman Sheets with Emma Southon, to find out all about his rampant sex life.This podcast was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. 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.

It's a credit to the resilience of the gay community that when society tried to outlaw and silence them, they just created a language of their own to keep conversation (and gossip) alive. The language, polari, was born out of prejudice, and while it's now classified as endangered, many of its words are still used by us today.What were its many origins? When was it at its peak? And why did some of the gay community eventually start to turn its back on it?Kate's joined by Paul Baker, author of Fabulosa!: The Story of Polari, Britain's Secret Gay Language, to find out more.This episode was edited by Tom Delargy, and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long. 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.