In this episode of The History of California Podcast, host Jordan Mattox discusses Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies by Lara Gabrielle, the definitive biography of film star Marion Davies. Long overshadowed by her relationship with William Randolph Hearst and the gossip that surrounded her, Davies’s true story reveals a woman of independence, resilience, and remarkable talent. Drawing on unprecedented archival research, Gabrielle shows how Davies overcame disability and social stigma to become one of Hollywood’s leading comediennes and a devoted philanthropist. This episode shines a light on a complex figure who lived life on her own terms and declared herself “the captain of her soul.”4