The Homance Chronicles

Before Marilyn, before Madonna, before the femme fatales of noir, there was Theda Bara—the original “Vamp” of the silver screen. In this episode, we explore the life of the woman who seduced audience…

Eleanor of Aquitaine was no ordinary queen—she was one of the most powerful and influential women of the Middle Ages. Born into immense wealth and power, she became Duchess of Aquitaine in her own ri…

Behind the towering legacy of Victor Hugo lies a lesser-known, haunting tale—that of his youngest daughter, Adèle. Born into privilege and brilliance, Adèle possessed a vivid mind, a gift for writing…

Before she was America’s most beloved sex therapist, Dr. Ruth Westheimer survived the Holocaust, trained as a sniper, and earned her doctorate in education. In this episode, we dive into the fascinat…

Madame de La Fayette was one of the first women in history to publish a bestselling novel and forever change French literature. Born into nobility in 1634, Marie-Madeleine Pioche de La Vergne defied …

She was the voice of a generation—America's sweetheart with a heartbreaking soprano that defined the late '50s and early '60s. In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary life of Connie Francis, …

She was known around the world for her extreme plastic surgeries and headline-grabbing persona—but Lolo Ferrari was far more complex than the tabloid caricature she became. Born Eve Valois, she rose …

MacKenzie Scott is best known as the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos—but that’s only a fraction of her story. In this episode, we explore the life of a woman who helped build Amazon, pursued her passion as a n…

Ruth Ellis was a nightclub hostess, mother, and the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom. From her difficult childhood to the turbulent relationships that shaped her future, we explore the…

Before Stonewall, before Pride parades, before the word “queer” was reclaimed—there was Ruth Ellis. Born in 1899, Ruth lived boldly and authentically as an out Black lesbian for over a century.

Ruth …

Gladys Bentley was a Harlem Renaissance trailblazer, unapologetic performer, and one of the first public figures to challenge gender norms in 20th-century America. With her signature tuxedo, top hat,…

We’re switching things up this episode. Instead of our usual stories about women in history, we’re pausing to bring awareness to Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (aka chronic hives). Nicole is opening u…

Long before women had a seat at the table in medicine, Dr. Zaruhi Kavaljian carved out a space of her own. She was the first Armenian women to become a physician—an educator, trailblazer, and advocat…

Ava Gardner lived a dazzling yet complicated life. She was a timeless beauty, a fierce spirit, and one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable icons. From her humble beginnings in rural North Carolina to b…

We step into the shadowy corridors of 17th-century Paris to uncover the life and legacy of Catherine Monvoisin—better known as La Voisin. Fortune-teller, midwife, poisoner, and alleged sorceress, La …

we dive into the chilling and mysterious history of Aqua Tofana—a deadly poison that quietly haunted 17th-century Italy. Said to be undetectable, tasteless, and odorless, this lethal concoction was r…

Sally Ride catapulted from telescope‑toting kid in Encino to NASA trailblazer, winning collegiate tennis titles, earning dual Stanford degrees, and acing a Stanford Ph.D. before joining the first ast…

Deborah Sampson defied 18th-century gender norms by disguising herself as a man to fight in the American Revolutionary War. Born into poverty and bound by the limitations of her time, Deborah's coura…

Malala Yousafzai is an activist and when she was a young girl from Pakistan’s Swat Valley she stood up to the Taliban and became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate. From her early advocacy …

Anna Der-Vartanian was a true trailblazer in the U.S. Navy and beyond. From her early days of service during World War II to making history as the first woman to achieve the rank of E-9 Master Chief …