

Vulgar History: Halloween
Vulgar History | Realm
A feminist women's history comedy podcast. We look at history through a feminist lens, focusing on the women often removed from the narrative. 
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 38min
Mary Shelley Month: Lord Byron, The Original F***boi of Literature
 Mary Shelley famously wrote Frankenstein while on a summer-long sleepover party with her husband, sister, and her husband's friend, Lord Byron.
To close out Mary Shelley Month, it's time for a deep dive on Lord Byron. Joining us is podcast legend Emily Edwards (from F***bois of Literature and Ticklish Business fame).
Learn more about Emily's work at msemilyedwards.com
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Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! 
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Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
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Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
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Support Vulgar History on Patreon 
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Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

Oct 24, 2025 • 1h 30min
Mary Shelley Month: Why Frankenstein Still Matters
 
Mary Shelley is still most famous for writing FRANKENSTEIN, and with good reason! Her story was adapted into a play shortly after it was first published, and has been adapted and retold nonstop ever since.
Horror author Claire Fitzpatrick joins us to talk about Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, and what makes this story so timeless.
Learn more about Claire and her work at her website.
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Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! 
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Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon 
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 15min
The Wild Life of Mary Shelley, Author of Frankenstein
 It's Mary Shelley Month, which requires us to revisit this classic Vulgar History episode about Mary Shelley: Goth Queen, Mom Friend. And honestly, it hits different now that we know more about her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft.
Shop Mary Shelley: Goth Queen, Mom Friend merch! (US)
Shop Mary Shelley: Goth Queen, Mom Friend merch (rest of world)
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Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! 
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon 
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 10min
Mary Shelley's mother, Mary Wollstonecraft (part two)
 In last week's episode, Mary Wollstonecraft decided to head over to Paris as the French Revolution was turning into The Terror, just for the vibes. This week, we learn what she did when she got there (and which of our faves she ran into!), and what happened next.
Trigger warning: discussion in this episode includes depression, suicidal ideation, and attempted suicide.
Next time: we get into the story of Wollstonecraft's daughter, Mary Shelley!!
—
Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! 
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon 
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

Oct 10, 2025 • 53min
Mary Shelley Month: Slashed Beauties, with Allison Rushby
 Mary Shelley's influence can be felt in countless feminist body horror novels written in the past two hundred years. But how many of those books are about anatomical wax figures who come to life to KILL THE MEN WHO PREYED UPON THEM??
Allison Rushby's novel Slashed Beauties is about just that. We talk about the real (grotesque) history behind her novel, how Mary Shelley inspired her, and how she researched the lives of 18th-century sex workers. Plus: what's her next novel about??
Buy a copy of Slashed Beauties by Allison Rushby (affiliate link)
Learn about the real-life anatomical wax figures
—
Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! 
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon 
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 15min
Mary Shelley's mother, Mary Wollstonecraft (part one)
 Dive into the tumultuous life of Mary Wollstonecraft, a woman shaped by her abusive upbringing and fierce independence. Discover her struggles against domestic violence, the impact of her friend Fanny Blood, and her ambitious vision to educate girls. Explore her transition from grief over loss to becoming a renowned writer advocating for women's rights. Uncover how her radical ideas and literary achievements paved the way for future generations, all while setting the stage for the legendary Mary Shelley. 

Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 8min
Why do we still care about Marie Antoinette?
 Marie Antoinette feels as present today as she was in her life, with a new V&A exhibit, a TV series, the recent five-episode podcast series of Vulgar History and a new biography! Why do people continue to be intrigued by this 18th-century Queen?
Author Melanie Burrows, a lifelong fan of Marie Antoinette (and author of the new book Marie Antoinette: Teen Queen to Guillotine) joins us for a chat about Marie Antoinette's legacy.
Order a signed copy of Marie Antoinette: Teen Queen to Guillotine from Melanie!
—
Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! 
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon 
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

Oct 3, 2025 • 34min
How Benjamin Franklin Tried (And Failed) To Conquer Canada
 
Throughout his long and illustrious career, Benjamin Franklin nursed a not-so-secret desire to annex Canada and make it American. But he failed, over and over again.
Author Madelaine Drohan has written all about this in her new book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin's Failure to Annex Canada. And she joins us on the podcast to tell all!
Buy a copy of He Did Not Conquer (affiliate link)
—
Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! 
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon 
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

Oct 1, 2025 • 2h 5min
Marie Antoinette (part five): It's Brutal Out Here
 It's the epic conclusion to the season! In this season finale, Marie Antoinette moves into her final era, and makes a final major fashion statement.
Join the Vulgar History Patreon to watch this episode as a video!
—
Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! 
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon 
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

Sep 26, 2025 • 2h 18min
Marie Antoinette (part four): The Escape Plan
 Last time on HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIE ANTOINETTE: The mob forced Marie Antoinette, Berry, and their family to leave Versailles. Marie Antoinette knew nothing good would come of this, and worked with her hot Swedish lover to figure out an escape plan featuring a party bus, false identities, and Monsieur Sauce.
Historical fiction author (and returning Vulgar History guest) Allison Epstein joins us for the unhinged saga.
Join the Vulgar History Patreon to watch this episode as a video!
—
Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency! 
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon 
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History.
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 


