This week, we’re diving toga-first into the life and utter chaos of Caligula—the Roman emperor who ruled for just four years and made every single second a full-blown historical fever dream.

From horse palaces and floating orgy boats to stabbing Poseidon and bullying his own guards, Caligula redefined what it meant to rule like a god (or at least think he was one). But was he really mad… or just the ultimate troll in a laurel wreath?

This is Roman history at its weirdest—and honestly, its most fun.

⏱️ What You’ll Hear

00:02:00 – Who was Caligula really? And why did soldiers call him “Little Boots”?

00:06:00 – Roman power struggles, poisoned dads, and childhood trauma

00:08:00 – The golden-boy emperor everyone loved… until he got sick

00:11:00 – Enter: the villain era. Tormenting senators, gladiator cosplay, and birthday revenge

00:13:00 – Floating bridges, floating orgies, and Mussolini’s wild archaeological discovery

00:17:00 – Declaring war on the ocean and forcing soldiers to collect seashells

00:20:00 – The assassination that changed Roman history—and why the public still loved him

🤯 Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you like:

Ancient history with drama that rivals reality TV

Stories of power, pettiness, and possible mental illness

Tangents about orgy boats and emotionally sensitive dictators

…this one’s for you.

🧠 Fun Facts You’ll Be Googling After This

“Caligula” literally means Little Boots

He once declared war on Poseidon and made his army stab the sea

His orgy boats were real—and Mussolini found them

He might have made it illegal to mention goats in front of him

Caligula’s biographers: Suetonius and Cassius Dio

Upcoming Patreon lecture: Samurai Ladies

A love letter to weird history episodes past (yes, even the Pope excommunicating cats)

This one is vintage For the Love of History—chaotic, messy, and full of weird Roman facts you’ll absolutely bring up at brunch. Thank you for helping me hit a new download record (!!!) and for being the best little history nerds on the internet.

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If Caligula didn’t ban public affection, I won’t either.

Subscribe & review (mention your weirdest Roman fact!)

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Use code THANKYOU for free shipping on your merch (you earned it)

Don’t forget: drink your water, do something kind for yourself, and maybe don’t stab the sea today. Just a thought. 🐚

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Forget everything you thought you knew about pirates—because this week, we’re telling the real story of the woman who ran the South China Sea and left Blackbeard in the dust. Meet Zheng Yi Sao: sex worker turned pirate queen, ruthless businesswoman, and literal nightmare of the Qing Dynasty.

In this wild ride through 18th-century China, you’ll hear how a nameless girl from a fishing village built the most powerful pirate confederation the world has ever seen—and retired with her head (and fortune) intact. TLDR: She didn’t die in battle. She negotiated her way out and opened a salt empire. Iconic.

⏱️ What You’ll Hear

🧠 Why This Episode Slaps (Historically Speaking)

💥 Fun Facts

📚 Mentions & References

🎙️ From Your Host, TK

This episode is dedicated to my dad, who taught me pirate flags before I learned cursive. And yes, I absolutely wore a child-sized wench costume to pirate festivals. No regrets. I hope you love this one as much as I do—it’s got revenge, politics, gay throuples, decapitations, and a business-savvy queen. What more could you want?

🚀 Help Us Climb the Charts!

If you enjoyed this episode:

Stay badass. Stay curious. And remember: Zheng Yi Sao wasn’t legendary in spite of being a woman—she was legendary because she was one. 🖤

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What do Catholic women in the Balkans, tattooed mummies in the Philippines, and Arctic medicinal ink have in common? They've all left their mark—literally and metaphorically—on the history of indigenous tattoo traditions.

🗓️ 📚 Subscribe for more history that doesn’t make the textbooks

🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss our weird, feminist, global episodes

📖 Grab Lars’s new book, Indigenous Tattoo Traditions, via Princeton University Press

🎥 Treasure of the Rice Terraces, Ft Apo Whang Od - Official Teaser

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There would be no true crime without this man!!

What do Marilyn Monroe, Sharon Tate, and Robert F. Kennedy have in common? They were all investigated by Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the so-called “Coroner to the Stars.” In this episode of For the Love of History, host TK sits down with author and researcher Anne Choi to talk about her book L.A. Coroner, which unpacks the bizarre true story of how one Japanese American forensic pathologist turned celebrity death into public drama while navigating life as a first-generation immigrant.

We dive into the racial politics behind Dr. Noguchi’s fame, how the media turned autopsies into headlines, and why Noguchi’s legacy still looms large in L.A.’s culture of death and spectacle. If you're into forensic history, medical ethics, or the strange intersection of race, fame, and mortality, this episode is for you.

📌 Key Topics Covered:

Who was Dr. Thomas Noguchi, and why did the media love him?

The rise of the “celebrity autopsy” in 1960s–70s Los Angeles

How racial identity shaped Noguchi’s public perception and career

The political fallout after the RFK and Monroe investigations

Why Noguchi was fired—twice—and what that says about institutional racism

The role of the L.A. County Coroner in shaping true crime culture

How Anne Choi used public records, news archives, and court documents to research L.A. Coroner

📚 About Our Guest:
Anne Choi is a writer, researcher, and historian focused on race, science, and death in American history. Her debut book, L.A. Corone,r explores how Dr. Noguchi’s work at the morgue intersected with celebrity culture, Cold War paranoia, and the racial politics of postwar Los Angeles.

📖 Featured Book:
L.A. Coroner by Anne Choi – available now wherever books are sold.

Instagram: @latruecrime

Website: annesoonchoi.com

✨ Want more delightful brain food? Support the pod and get bonus goodies over on [⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠] (

👉 Don’t forget to rate, review, and tell your cat about us. It helps more history nerds find us! 🐈‍⬛

📍 Timestamps

00:01 — Meet Anne Choi and the story behind L.A. Coroner

🎯 Call to Action:

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In this powerful episode of For the Love of History, host TC is joined by scholar and author Dr. Anita Say Chan to explore the unsettling historical roots of modern data science and artificial intelligence. Drawing from her groundbreaking book Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future, Anita uncovers how today's predictive algorithms trace back to 19th-century eugenics. Yes, really. Statistical regression—the backbone of online recommendation engines—was developed by a eugenicist. And that’s just the beginning.

We unpack how algorithmic bias, data colonialism, and techno-eugenics operate in today’s platforms—from Facebook’s role in global violence to the AI industry’s resistance to regulation. If you’re curious about the intersections of technology, race, gender, and power, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

📌 Key Topics Covered:

The hidden eugenic origins of data science and regression analysis

How algorithms are modern tools of social control

The racist, classist history of “fitness” in academic institutions

What “techno-eugenics” looks like today—from content moderation failures to AI bias

Case studies: Facebook’s role in violence in India and Myanmar

Why Big Tech underinvests in safety protocols outside the West

How tech elites bypass democratic institutions for unchecked influence

📚 About Our Guest:
Dr. Anita Say Chan is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and founder of the Community Data Clinic. Her research focuses on feminist, decolonial approaches to tech and global information justice.

📖 Featured Book:
Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future by Anita Say Chan

📍 Timestamps (For Better UX + SEO):

00:01 — Meet Dr. Anita Say Chan

04:00 — Eugenics and the invention of data prediction

10:15 — U.S. universities and the rise of eugenic policy

17:45 — Techno-eugenics: What it means today

24:30 — Case study: Facebook in India and Myanmar

30:00 — Tech elites, lobbying, and the erosion of democracy

35:00 — The fight for global data justice

🎯 Call to Action:

✨ Want more delightful brain food? Support the pod and get bonus goodies over on [⁠Patreon⁠] (

👉 Don’t forget to rate, review, and tell your cat about us. It helps more history nerds find us! 🐈‍⬛

🧠 SEO Keywords Integrated:

Big Tech and eugenics

history of data science

algorithmic bias in tech

techno-eugenics explained

AI and racial bias

Anita Say Chan interview

Predictive algorithms and inequality

data colonialism

podcast on tech ethics

podcast on eugenics history

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🎙 Sisters in STEM: The Truth About Hypatia (No, She Wasn’t a Math Babe Martyr)

Who really was Hypatia of Alexandria? A fourth-century philosopher. A math editor. A teacher who handed out celestial knowledge like candy—and nope, she wasn’t some toga-clad sex symbol seducing her students for extra credit. (We’re looking at you, 19th-century fanfic bros.)

In this season finale of For the Love of History, your charmingly chaotic guide TK unpacks the real story behind one of the most misunderstood women in STEM history. We travel back to the golden—er, blood-stained—streets of ancient Alexandria, where academic clout could literally get you killed. (Spoiler alert: it did.)

This episode dives into:

⭐ Why Hypatia was the original SparkNotes queen of ancient math

🌟 The messy political stew that led to Hypatia’s brutal death (hint: it wasn’t religion)

🌟 The manipulation and exaggeration of her character

🌟 And yes… that iconic tampon mic drop moment 💅

So if you’re into the history of women in STEM, Alexandria drama, or just love a good ancient scandal, this one’s for you.

✨ Want more delightful brain food? Support the pod and get bonus goodies over on [Patreon] (

👉 Don’t forget to rate, review, and tell your cat about us. It helps more history nerds find us! 🐈‍⬛

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I can't thank this community enough, thank you for giving me a voice, thank you for helping me give a voice to the voiceless of the past, and thank you for joining me for the last 5 years as I talk about the weirdest shit in history! I love you always and don't forget to drink your water 💙💛

TK 🍩 💙💛

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🛑 Step away from the keyboard, put down your lukewarm coffee, and get ready for a journey through the most stomach-churning, backbreaking, and downright horrifying jobs in history! This week, we’re diving into the roles that made people question their life choices—often while covered in filth, plague, or both.

What’s Inside This Episode?

💩 Tosher – Because someone had to shovel Victorian human waste (spoiler: it was as bad as it sounds)

🔥 Sin Eater – the poor unfortunate souls that ate bread and took one for the team (self-inflicted eternal damnation)

🪱 Leech Catchers – keeping up with leech demand was a full-time job

🤿 Can Oppeners – it is not at ALL what you think it is, think boom boom balloons underwater

🤮 And so much more

Why You’ll Love It:

If you’ve ever thought your job was bad, this episode will make you grateful for ergonomic chairs and lunch breaks. We’re talking about professions that were dangerous, disgusting, and (somehow) still essential to society. History has never smelled worse—and we’re here to tell you all about it!

What It Was Like to Be a Body Collector During the Black Plague

Resurrectionists: The Body Snatchers that Built Modern Medicine

The Worst Jobs In History with Tony Robinson S02E01 Urban

Links & Housekeeping

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It's time for some hidden history, dear one!! Did you know one of Japan’s most famous artists had a secret weapon? And no, it wasn’t just his paintbrush! In this episode, we uncover the fascinating, overlooked story of Katsushika Oi, the daughter (and possible secret collaborator) of the legendary Hokusai!

Oi wasn’t just any artist—she was a bold, brilliant painter who worked in the shadow of her famous father. Her work, including the stunning 'Night Scene in the Yoshiwara,' showcased her mastery of light and color. But was she merely an assistant, or did she play a far bigger role in Hokusai’s masterpieces? Join us as we dive into her life, her art, and the reasons history nearly erased her.

Spoiler: This is hidden women’s history at its finest!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🎨 Who was Katsushika Oi, and why was she so important?👻 The inspiration behind The Ghost Brush and Oi’s mysterious legacy

🖌️ Why her work was overshadowed—and how modern scholars are changing that

📜 The hidden women’s history behind Japan’s Edo-era art scene, including other overlooked female artists of the period

Love untold stories of incredible women? Support the podcast and unlock exclusive content—like behind-the-scenes insights, bonus episodes, and more—by joining us on Patreon!

Want to experience history with me in real life? Join the History BFF Trip this August and explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara while we celebrate history, culture, and maybe even some birthday karaoke chaos. Spots are filling up—grab yours before they’re gone!

https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025

Until next time, drink your water (yes, now), and remember: the gods may be immortal, but so is defiance. 🎙️✨

NHK Show

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/3018009/

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Keywords:

Hidden women’s history, Katsushika Oi, Hokusai’s daughter, The Ghost Brush, Edo period art, Japanese women artists, forgotten female artists, history podcast, art history

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Hold onto your corsets and brace yourself for some historical spice, because today we’re talking about Victorian nipple rings. Yes, you read that right. The prim and proper era of high collars, afternoon tea, and… pierced nipples? Turns out, the Victorians (and their French counterparts in the Belle Époque) were way freakier than we give them credit for.

What’s Inside This Episode?

💎 The origins of nipple piercings—from medieval queens to Victorian aristocrats

💎 Why high society women (and men!) loved to bedazzle their naughty bits

💎 The wildest myths and medical fears surrounding nipple piercings (spoiler: cancer, madness, and loose morals)

💎 The connection between hygiene, wealth, and who could afford a fancy nipple ring

💎 The scandalous underground world of Victorian body modification (yes, it was a thing!)

Why You’ll Love It:

If you love history with a side of sass and scandal, this episode is a must-listen. We’re busting myths, spilling tea, and giving a whole new meaning to putting a ring on it—Victorian style. Plus, you’ll never look at Julius Caesar or Parisian aristocrats the same way again.

Links & Housekeeping

🎤 Want more historical chaos? Follow For the Love of History on Instagram! @fortheloveof_historypodcast

💬 Love this episode? Leave a rating & review—it makes my day (and keeps the history algorithm gods happy)!

📱 Join the Patreon for behind-the-scenes content, history polls, and Japan adventures!

Next time, we’re diving into the world of Victorian tattoos—because body mods weren’t just for sailors. Until then, keep your jewelry where you like it, embrace the weird, and stay curious!

Want to experience history with me in real life? Join the History BFF Trip this August and explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara while we celebrate history, culture, and maybe even some birthday karaoke chaos. Spots are filling up—grab yours before they’re gone!

https://trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-tehya-nakamura-aug-2025

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