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

Genital warts fashioned into necklaces, teeth harvested from the battlefield and blood vessels eternalised in wax: these are some of the things that you might find inside Edinburgh’s Surgeons’ Hall Museums.But who did they belong to? Kate is talking to Thomas Elliot, head of learning and interpretation, to find out.*WARNING this episode includes themes of an adult nature*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Lewis Mason.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

What do you think of when you think of birth control? Is it condoms, IUDs, the pill? What about vasectomies?From monkey testicles to possible cancer treatments to ties of honour, over the past 150 years ‘the snip’ has had a few variations and uses … not all of them scientifically sound. But what is it? And how did it come about?Kate is joined Betwixt the Sheets by Georgia Grainger (https://twitter.com/sniphist) to discuss the vasectomy’s place as a contraceptive, as well as its relationship with eugenics and masculinity.*WARNING this episode includes mentions of mental illness, eugenics and themes of an adult nature* Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Pete Dennis. 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 Singer Sewing Machines “Three Smart Daughters” advertisement, 1940, and Beich Whiz Bar “Party Magic” commercial, 1938.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Elinor Cleghorn, a historian and author of 'Unwell Women', dives deep into the troubling gender bias in the medical field. She reveals shocking historical practices, from leeching and mercury to barbaric surgeries without anesthesia. Dr. Cleghorn explores concepts like the 'wandering womb' and critiques the misogynistic roots of gynecology, including the controversial legacy of James Marion Sims. Her insights shine a light on the ongoing repercussions of these biases in modern medicine.

Why did kings and queens have spectators on their wedding night? Was sex always just for the love of their country and the want of an heir, or were some royals into different kinks?And what about outside marriage? From an official mistress who does not have sex with the king, to one who put laxatives in her rival’s food, what does it take to get and keep this position?Kate is Betwixt the royal Sheets with bestselling author Eleanor Herman to find out the nitty gritty from the royal bedchambers.This episode includes archive clips from Sixty Glorious Years, 1938 and The Private Life of Henry VIII, 1933.Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Matt Peaty.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

Hidden in bedside tables or proudly displayed on mantelpieces, wherever you keep them (if you do), sex toys have come a long way since the first phallic-shaped object was found around 30,000 years ago.But before they were arriving through our post boxes in unmarked, tracked packages, what did sex toys look like? What were they made from? And why were doctors using them to treat... back pain?!Kate is joined Betwixt the Sheets by writer, sex and gender historian Hallie Lieberman to discuss the first dildo, the myth of the vibrator, and more…Find out more about Hallie's book, Buzz: The Stimulating History of the Sex Toy, here.*WARNING this episode includes fruity language and themes of an adult nature*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.This episode includes music by Epidemic Sound and an archive clip from public vocational video from 1940.

Journalist and historian Catharine Arnold discusses the chaotic history of Bedlam, a notorious mental hospital in London known for questionable treatments and public spectacles. The episode explores the evolution of mental health care, societal perceptions of madness, and the challenges faced by patients. WARNING: adult themes and mental health discussions included.

WARNING: This episode includes adult themes and explicit words.Why did Henry VIII want everyone to know about his wet dreams? What animal product were condoms made from? And was coffee really ruining the sex lives of wives?Suzannah Lipscomb from our sister podcast, Not Just the Tudors, joins Kate Betwixt the Sheets to talk all things sex in the 16th century.Find out whether sex back then really was just to reproduce, the ‘discovery’ of the clitoris, and the truth about royal syphilis.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.This podcast includes music from Epidemic Sounds and an archive clip from The Private Life of Henry VIII, 1933.

Explore the history and impact of psychiatric drugs, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Learn about the accidental discoveries that led to the creation of these drugs. Discover the connection between lithium and Seven Up and its effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder. Delve into the development and marketing of Caledimite, sodium flap roort, and valproic acid for bipolar disorder. Uncover the concept of 'mother's little helper' and the development of tranquilizers as a safer alternative. Reflect on the importance of mental health in a chaotic world and the need to prioritize global problems.

Exploring the history and changes in shoes with insights from the Bata Shoe Museum. From the functional use of shoes to their symbolic role in fashion and social status. The evolution of footwear, the changing perception of femininity, and the challenges women face in the workplace. The origins of trainers and their popularity among industrialists. The significance of sneakers as status symbols and the fashion trends they represent. A passionate discussion about sneakers and upcoming episodes.

Who had the very first boob job? Why were women injecting liquid paraffin into their chests? And, how has the procedure developed over time?Kate is joined Betwixt the Sheets by Professor Ruth Holliday and cosmetic surgeon Professor Vikram Devaraj to find out the bumpy history of breast augmentation, involving lawsuits, pin-ups... and mattress foam.Find out how a sixties American housewife was persuaded to have the very first silicone implants, and more about medical scandal involving boob jobs.You can find out more about Ruth's book here, and more about Vikram's work here.Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Annie Coloe.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.If you'd like to learn more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! To download the History Hit app please go to the Android or Apple store.This podcast includes music by Epidemic Sounds and an archive clip from the Oprah Winfrey Network.