When the Bender family disappeared from Labette county, Kansas, in 1873, they left a dozen bodies buried in the garden of their home.But who were they? Who were their victims? And why did people take bricks from their well as souvenirs?Today Betwixt the Sheets, Kate is joined by Susan Jonusas to explore the mystery of the Benders, a family of serial killers, and finding out how their crimes were handled by the law enforcement and the press of the time.*WARNING this episode includes discussion of murder*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Sophie Gee.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

From facilitating affairs to public facilities, how has shopping changed our lives?And where did the one-stop shop, the palace of splendour and opportunity that is the department store come from?Kate talks to Erika Rappaport about the birth of shopping culture, the mark that department stores have had on our everyday lives and how exactly women could have their husbands sent to jail by buying an expensive sofa.*WARNING There is some fruity language in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Peter Dennis.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

In this episode we are looking into the first time abortion was made illegal in the US. This is the first of a special two-part series looking at the history of abortion in the US and the UK.The overturning of Roe v. Wade in June ended almost half a century of the option to choose whether to continue a pregnancy in the US. But abortion had not always been illegal before Roe v. Wade. So when did this happen? How was it policed? And were all abortions forced into alleyways or were there any safer options?Kate spoke to Professor Leslie J. Reagan from the University of Illinois. Leslie is the author of When Abortion Was a Crime, she explains the forces which drove abortions underground in the late 19th century, the methods of enforcement for these laws and the ways that people found to get around them.*WARNING there is discussion of abortion and death in this episode which some listeners might find upsetting*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Sophie Gee.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

From a rifle-carrying brothel madam to missionaries walking for months on end; from the Native American First Ladies of settler outposts to the mormon pilgrim whose name meant ‘rotten vagina’: the women of the American West were a varied group.Usually when we talk about the ‘Wild West’ we think of men in cowboy hats, but today Betwixt the Sheets, Katie Hickman tells us about the women who are integral to the story of the great migration across North America.*WARNING There is some fruity language in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Seyi Adaobi.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.Vote for Betwixt the Sheets in the Listener’s Choice Award at The British Podcast Awards: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voteBritish Podcast AwardsListeners' Choice Award — British Podcast AwardsVote for your favourite podcast in the Listeners' Choice Award supported by Acast+

Bras are an everyday item for around half of the adult population, and for as long as humans have developed breasts they have been faced with the question of how to keep them contained within intricate outfits and during strenuous activity.But how has the modern day bra developed from strapping and so-called bra bags? When did cups and cup sizings make their debut? What about underwires and padding? And has the pandemic changed our preferences?Kate is joined by Lorraine Smith, twitter’s Master of Bras, to find out about the technical and stylistic development of bras, and what burning them is all about.*WARNING There is some fruity language in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Edited & Mixed by Thomas Ntinas.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society.A podcast by History Hit.Vote for Betwixt the Sheets in the Listener’s Choice Award at The British Podcast Awards

Warrior. Diplomat. Queen.From fighting alongside her father and negotiating with the Portuguese on her brother’s behalf, to campaigning for the freedom of Ndongo and Matamba until her death aged 82, Queen Nzinga’s life was full to the brim with drama.So who was the Mother of Angola? Why did she have to lead an army for three decades? And what is her legacy?To get some answers, Kate spoke to Astrid Madimba and Chinny Ukata, the authors of a new book ‘It’s a Continent’ *WARNING There are adult themes and discussion of racism in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Edited & Mixed by Thomas Ntinas.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society.A podcast by History Hit.Vote for Betwixt the Sheets in the Listener’s Choice Award at The British Podcast Awards

Outside Medieval London’s city walls, Southwark was a land without rules. It was the place where people went to partake in theatre, watch bear baiting and visit brothels. It was also under the control of the Bishop of Winchester.Kate is joined Betwixt the Sheets by Matt Lewis from History Hit’s Gone Medieval to talk about the sex workers of Southwark, once known as the Winchester Geese. They explore the role of the church and state in controlling Medieval sex work, and how this is mirrored today.*WARNING There are adult themes and discussion of sex, abuse and abortion in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Seyi Adaobi.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

Explore the life and contributions of Carl Heinrich Ulrichs, the first person to articulate the idea of sexuality as an integral part of one's identity. Learn about his groundbreaking advocacy for gay rights in the 19th century and his role as an unsung hero of LGBTQ history. Discover the stories of key individuals advancing queer rights in Germany and challenging the belief of homosexuality as a disease. Uncover Orick's overlooked role in shaping societal views on sexuality. Get insights into the research on Ulrichs and upcoming books about his life and activism.

Pint, bottle, schooner, tinny … no matter how you drink it, beer is undeniably a part of social life here in Britain and around the world.But how did it come to hold this position? Why has this been more true for British men than for British women? And what did beer taste like before mass production and microbiology?Kate has a pint with author, broadcaster and beer lover Pete Brown to find out.*WARNING this episode includes some fruity language*Senior producer: Charlotte Long. Assistant producer: Sophie Gee. Mixed by Thomas Ntinas.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.This podcast includes music from Epidemic Sound and archive clips from "Brooklyn Bar Owner Wins Irish Sweepstake", 1937.

We’re used to exhibits in museums detailing our ancestors’ home lives and work lives, but what about their sex lives?On a sunny day in London, Kate met Deborah Sim, the Keeper of the Museum of Sex Objects, who brought along a collection of objects that represent just that.From a china figurine to a mysterious mudlarking discovery, what can these objects tell us about the history of sex and sexuality?*WARNING: There are adult themes in this episode* Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Pete Dennis.To find out more about the museum, you can find it here. Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit. This episode includes music by Epidemic Sound.