For the Love of History - world history, women’s history, weird history

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

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📍 Timestamps

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

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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:

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🧠 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.

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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

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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.

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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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Grab your smelling salts, delicious doughnuts, because we’re diving into the scandalous, bizarre, and often horrifying world of 18th-century reproductive health! This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Mina Moriarty—historian, writer, and content creator extraordinaire—to talk about contraception and menstruation in the 1700s. Spoiler alert: it involves lemon rinds, animal intestines, and a whole lot of societal shame.

What’s Inside This Episode?

🩸 The shocking (and slightly terrifying) ways people managed their periods in the 18th century

🩸 DIY contraceptives—sponges, vinegar, and, uh, the pull-out method

🩸 Why 18th-century condoms came with ribbons (adorable but deeply impractical)

🩸 The wild myths people believed about menstruation (Pliny the Elder, we’re looking at you)

🩸 How cunning women and herbal remedies gave women some control over their bodies

Why You’ll Love It:

If you’ve ever wondered how historical women handled their reproductive health without access to modern medicine—or just want to hear about some truly unhinged ancient medical practices—this episode is for you! It’s fun, it’s fascinating, and it’ll make you extra grateful for your modern menstrual products.

Links & Housekeeping

🎤 Follow Mina Moriarty on Instagram @HistoryHo101 for more historical chaos

📚 You can snag your copy of Mina's book Who the Hell is Olympe de Gouges here!

📱 Want to support For the Love of History? Rate, review, and share this episode with your fellow history buffs.

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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Ahoy, history besties! Ready to set sail into the chaotic and badass world of piracy? But forget the bearded, rum-guzzling captains of the 1600s—this week, we're diving into the legend of an ancient pirate queen who gave Rome the middle finger and (allegedly) cursed an entire city. Meet Teuta of Illyria, the woman who turned the Adriatic Sea into her personal treasure chest and left a legacy fierce enough to still haunt the waves.

What’s Inside This Episode?

⚓ A queen who ruled with a cutlass and a crown

⚓ How piracy went from a side hustle to Illyria’s top industry

⚓ Rome’s terrible attempt at diplomacy (Spoiler: it ends with an assassination)

⚓ Betrayals, sieges, and one epic curse that lasted centuries

⚓ Why Teuta’s legacy still slaps over 2,000 years later

Why You’ll Love It:

If you love history with a side of sass, drama, and high-seas adventure, this episode is for you. Plus, we’re getting back to our Empress Baddie roots with a woman who did not come to play—unless it was a game of ‘How Many Roman Ships Can I Plunder Before Lunch?’

💬 Leave a rating and review to keep the history algorithm gods happy.

Next week, we’re talking medieval menstruation with a special guest—because historical periods deserve some airtime too! Until then, grab your eye patch, drink some water (or a historically accurate pirate beverage), and remember: when history forgets the men but remembers you, you’ve already won.

Yo ho ho and a final ‘Arrr!’

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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When the world told them to sit down, they danced. When their voices were silenced, they sang. When religion and government tried to erase them, they thrived in the shadows.

Welcome to the story of mudang (무당), the women who shaped and preserved Korean shamanism (or Musok 무속) against all odds.

This episode dives into their centuries-long defiance and the magic, rebellion, and resilience that kept their traditions alive.

✨ How Korean shamanism became a lifeline for women cast out by Confucian society

🔥 The intense, years-long process of becoming a mudang—spoiler: you don’t choose the spirits, the spirits choose you

💃 The theatrical rituals where women channeled gods, ancestors, and spirits through dance and song

🔮 How shamanism was an underground act of resistance, giving women power in a world that denied them autonomy

🎭 The women of Jeju Island who used humor to make the gods laugh—and force them to bring blessings

Despite centuries of persecution, Korean folk religion is still alive. Today, mudang practice in secret and in broad daylight, performing rituals for everyone from K-pop idols to business moguls. Because if history has taught us anything, it’s this: when women are pushed to the margins, they don’t disappear—they fight, they adapt, and they rise.

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. 🎙️✨

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