“If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?” 

This is our 2nd TIME TRAVEL Bonus episode. We picked 5 guest responses to our time travel question from the 2nd season of the podcast. Go back in time with: 

Time Stamps

0:08 Intro

0:49 Time Travel Lightning Round

2:34 Nahir Ortaño Gracia/Middle Ages, A Time of Possibility

6:50 Pearl Mackie/Civil Rights Movement, A Time of Power

9:20 Julien Ledford/18th Century Musicologist

11:24 Gayle Wald/To See the Blues Queens On Stage For Real

13:57 John Valadez/Going Into the Great Unknown

19:03 Audience/Tell Us Where You Would Time Travel

19:38 How to Contact

20:46 Disclaimer

TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE AT THIS LINK - PLEASE NOTE: TRANSCRIPTS ARE GENERATED USING A COMBINATION OF SPEECH RECOGNITION SOFTWARE AND HUMAN TRANSCRIBERS, AND MAY CONTAIN ERRORS.

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In Episode 37, the Boston Sisters (Michon and Taquiena) wrap up their second podcast season with 5 great Book/Film recommendations for Summer reading and watch lists. Film and series adaptations premiere this fall through 2024, with a few titles available for streaming now!

Scroll to the end of this podcast description for the transcript link.

0:08 Intro to Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters

0:47 Page to Screen Podcast Synopsis

2:38 “Daisy Jones & the Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

13:11 “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee

23:45 Page vs Screen

25:08 “Killers of the Flower” Moon by David Grann

31:40 “The Color Purple” musical adapted from novel by Alice Walker

39:33 Representation Controversies in “The Color Purple”

41:58 “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles

52:00 For More Book Information for Affiliate Bookstore Purchases

54:11 Disclaimer

PODCAST NOTES: The Boston Sisters were born and live in Washington, DC. We like to acknowledge persons from our hometown which include Taraji P. Henson, and Corey Hawkins in our discussion about THE COLOR PURPLE. Henson is an alum of Howard University (like Taquiena), and  Hawkins is an alum of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts (like Michon).

J. Edgar Hoover (1895-1972), mentioned in our discussion about KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, was also born in DC and graduated in 1913 from the then segregated (for white students only) Central High School known today as Cardozo. 

We mention Billy Taylor and Charles Kuralt in our conversation about “The Color Purple” author Alice Walker. The Sisterfire music festival was produced by DC-based Roadwork Productions. Michon was doing PR for the festival and invited jazz composer, performer and then CBS “Sunday Morning” television correspondent Billy Taylor (1921-2010) to feature one of the festival’s performing groups on the CBS magazine show. Taylor’s colleague, CBS “Sunday Morning” host, journalist and author Charles Kuralt (1934-1997), was seen at the festival that year. Alice Walker was also at the festival.

TRANSCRIPT LINK

Re transcripts:  PLEASE NOTE: TRANSCRIPTS ARE GENERATED USING A COMBINATION OF SPEECH RECOGNITION SOFTWARE AND HUMAN TRANSCRIBERS, AND MAY CONTAIN ERRORS.

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Professor of French and French Studies (University of the South) JULIAN LEDFORD brings to life the historical Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George who is dramatized in the film CHEVALIER by Kelvin Harrison Junior in the title role. CHEVALIER highlights Joseph Bologne’s improbable rise in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer, horseman, and fencer. Saint-George is bestowed the title of Chevalier by the French Royal Court and is a favorite of Marie Antoinette Ledford shines the light on the many accomplishments and provides the social and cultural context in which Chevalier de Saint-George was acclaimed, including his transcendence of France’s racial codes in the 18th century.

Julian Ledford, Assistant Professor of French and French Studies at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Professor Ledford specializes in early-modern French and Francophone literature with a particular focus on Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-George, and 18th-century women writers' contributions to discussions on masculinities. 

Professor Ledford’s additional research interests include ethnic, racial, and sexual alterity in the early 18th century; French Baroque opera; and second language teaching and learning. Professor Ledford’s article  “Joseph Boulogne, the Chevalier de Saint-George and the Problem With Black Mozart” appeared in the Journal of Black Studies in 2019.  

TRANSCRIPT

TIMESTAMPS

0:08 - Intro to Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters (Podcast Intro)

1:27 - CHEVALIER Film synopsis

3:46 - Julian Ledford Introduction

4:45 - Discovering Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George

11:39 - The Problem with “Black Mozart”

18:22 - Saint-George’s Musical Contemporaries

23:32 - The Magnetism of Saint-George

29:08 - Break

29:39 - Africans and Black Codes in 18th Century France

35:33 - Saint-George and “Black Excellence”

41:58 - Saint-George’s Contributions to Classical Music

43:57 - Student Reactions to CHEVALIER

47:36 - “Ernestine,” Saint-George’s First Opera 

50:10 - Impact of the CHEVALIER Film

52: 55 - Lightning Round: Becoming Saint-George's Musicologist, Historian, Documenter

Jamaican Flag, Music Note, Compass

57:30 - Where to Watch CHEVALIER Online (CHEVALIER available for streaming June 2023)

57:57 - Connect with Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters

59:25 - Podcast Credits and Disclaimers

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In episode 35 we’re talking with actor PEARL MACKIE (THE DIPLOMAT, DOCTOR WHO) about the PBS MASTERPIECE mini series TOM JONES. Pearl Mackie plays Honour Newton, the worldly-wise trusted lady’s maid of Sophia Western (Sophie Wilde) in a 4-part reimagining of Henry Fielding’s comic novel, "The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling," published in 1749. We discuss the dynamics of Honour and Sophia’s relationship, the challenge of riding a horse while wearing a corset, and living as two Black women from different social standings in mid-18th century England.

TRANSCRIPT

TIMESTAMPS: 0:08 Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters generic intro; 1:14 Episode Synopsis; 1:41 TOM JONES Synopsis; 2:15 PEARL MACKIE bio/credits; 3:38 Playing Honour Newton, Lady’s Maid; 8:42 Corsets and Horses; 12:40 Honour and Sophia in TOM JONES; 13:52 Black Women in Historical Drama; 20:41 Honour Assesses Tom Jones’s Character; 24:47 Podcast Break; 25:18 Listening to Actors; 30:47 Black Women Actors and Maid Roles; 41:28 Inclusive Casting in Historical Drama; 45:10 Lighting Round Questions; 45:31 Time Travel (1960S Civil Rights and Medieval Shield Maidens); 45:49 Pearl Mackie’s Time Capsule (Spice Girls, Tamagotchi, and Blow-Up Chairs) ; 48:00 Where to Watch TOM JONES; 49:17 Podcast Closing Credits; 50:18 Disclaimer

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In episode 34 Peabody award-winning documentary filmmaker JOHN VALADEZ joins us for a conversation about THE HEAD OF JOAQUÍN MURRIETA, the Amazon Prime Western action drama series that shares the same title as Valadez’s 2017 PBS documentary. In his film Valadez believes he has the actual head of Joaquín Murrieta, the legendary Mexican outlaw who blazed a trail of revenge across California until he was caught and decapitated in 1853. Valadez talks about the violent untold stories of the Gold Rush years after the U.S. Mexico war which serves as the backdrop for the 8-part drama featuring Juan Manuel Bernal as a mischievous Joaquín Murrieta. Viewer Note: The Amazon Prime 8-part series, THE HEAD OF JOAQUIN MURRIETA, is rated 18+ for violence, language, nudity. The series is in Spanish (original language) with subtitles (set for language). English track is available

A link to John Valadez's PBS documentary "The Head of Joaquin Murrieta" is available on the HISTORICAL DRAMA WITH THE BOSTON SISTERS podcast webpage (for a limited time). Go to the link for Episode 34.

TRANSCRIPT for Episode 34

TIMESTAMPS

0:08 Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters podcast open; 1:17 Introducing John Valadez, documentary filmmaker; 3:13 The Head of Joaquin Murrieta synopsis; 4:39 Joaquin Murrieta, Icon of Chicano Pride; 6:07 The Mexican American Story in U.S. History; 8:29 Mexican Americans and Race; 10:18 Myths vs History of the American West; 17:02 What's Missing in School History Classes; 19:28 U.S. History from Multiple Perspectives; 25:28 History -- Darn Good Stories; 26:47 BREAK; 27:57 Mexican American Lynchings History; 32:45 Creating A New American Story (or America Was Never White); 37:54 History and Documentary Filmmaking (or Teaching History in Documentary Filmmaking); 49:26 Lightning Round: Visiting the Future, Talking to Ancestors, Film Time Capsule; 50:15 Traveling to the Future; 50:38 Talking to Ancestors; 53:56 John Valadez's Time Capsule; 56:31 Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters Close, Credits and Disclaimer

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In Part 2 of our SANDITON Wrap-Up!, we talk about Georgiana Lambe, the heiress from Antigua who, in season 3, must defend and secure her inheritance as well as her reputation. Joining us in this conversation is SHARON D. JOHNSON, depth psychologist and story consultant to SANDITON. 

Georgiana has been on a dedicated search for her mother, who was an enslaved African woman sold away by Georgiana’s father, a white wealthy sugar planter separating mother and daughter. The heiress’s search comes to an end in season 3, and Georgiana’s longings for her mother shed new light on where her true love resides. 

DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT
Timestamps:

0:08 Podcast Opening; 1:16 Georgiana Lambe; 3:13 Court Battle for Georgiana's Inheritance; 5:59 Georgiana's Quest -- to Find Mother; 12:01 Mrs. Wheatley and Family Connections; 16:29 Introduction to Agnes Harmon; 17:52 Daughter and Mother Healing; 32:48 What's Next for Sharon D. Johnson; 35:14 Where to watch SANDITON; 35:34 Stay Connected to Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters

Link to Part 1/Episode 32 (Marriage, Friendship, and Love) of our SANDITON Wrap Up!

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The Boston Sisters welcome back SHARON D. JOHNSON, script and story consultant for MASTERPIECE and SANDITON. In part 1 of a 2-part conversation, we focus on the themes of Marriage, Love, and Friendship between new and familiar characters over the past 3 seasons of the series based on Jane Austen’s unfinished novel written a few months before her death in 1817. SANDITON is the story of independent-minded women making their way in a world where a woman’s social and economic status centers on making a good match in marriage. The series is available on PBS MASTERPIECE.

TRANSCRIPT LINK

0:08 - Podcast Opening; 1:27 Sanditon Part 1 Intro; 1:58 SHARON D. JOHNSON Intro; 2:22 SANDITON Season 1 Synopsis; 3:49 SANDITON Season 2 Synopsis; 4:53 SANDITON Season 3 Preview; 7:09 Emotions of Coming to the End of SANDITON; 11:18 Love and Myth Busting in SANDITON 3; 17:47 Charlotte and Ralph Starling; 21:38 Tom and Mary Parker or Displacement, People and Profit in SANDITON; 29:46 Podcast generic BREAK; 30:45 Charlotte and Georgiana's Friendship; 35:11 Edward Denham's Conversion; 42:35 What Would Jane Austen Say About SANDITON?; 47:34 Preview for SANDITON Part 2 with Sharon D. Johnson; 48:21 Where to Watch SANDITON; 48:40 How to Like, Share, Subscribe to the podcast

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SUPPORT this podcast ⁠ SHOP THE PODCAST⁠ on our affiliate bookstore

Buy us a Coffee! You can support by buying a coffee ☕ here — ⁠buymeacoffee.com/historicaldramasisters⁠

Thank you for listening!

In Episode 31 our conversation about VIKINGS VALHALLA continues with NAHIR OTAÑO GRACIA, a medieval scholar whose “Global North Atlantic” extends the Viking story from the North Sea to the Iberian Peninsula, Mediterranean, and the tip of North Africa. We talk about how the Vikings’s travels and encounters changed their culture and destinies as seen in VIKINGS: VALHALLA.

Nahir Otaño Gracia, is Assistant Professor of English at the University of New Mexico and a Member of the Institute for Advanced Studies located in Princeton, NJ (IAS). Her theoretical frameworks include Critical Race Studies, Translation Theory and Practice, and the Global North Atlantic—extending the North Atlantic to include the Iberian Peninsula and Africa. She has published several articles on literatures written in Middle English, Old Castilian, Old Catalan, Old Irish, and Old Norse-Icelandic, and they have appeared in journals such as "Arthuriana," "Comitatus," "Enarratio," "English Language Notes," and "Viator." Her essay, “Towards a Decentered Global North Atlantic,” won the 2022 Medieval Academy of America Article Prize in Critical Race Studies.

0:08 - Intro to Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters ((generic open); 1:20 - VIKINGS: VALHALLA Seasons 1 & 2 Recap; 2:47 - Nahir Otaño Gracia & Her Journey to Medieval Scholarship (Medieval Studies); 5:28 - Mapping the Global North Atlantic; 8:36 - Recovering Medieval History -- Not Just White and Male; 12:37 - Port Cities and Cultural Encounters; 17:26 - Shield Maidens, Scholars and Queens (Medieval Womanhood)

22:37 - Break

23:08- Religious Conflicts in the Middle Ages; 32:01 - Mariam, Muslim Scholar in Vikings: Valhalla; 35:17 - Middle Ages: A Time of Possibility

38:24 LIGHTNING ROUND Questions

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Ep. 30 gives you a “watchers guide” to Viking dramas available for streaming starting with VIKINGS: VALHALLA now in its second season on Netflix. Alex Chisnall, host of the popular business podcast Screw It Just Do It, is our guest and guide. We met Alex via the Clubhouse social media app where he gave podcasters like us the incentive, courage, and a road map to just do it and launch Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters. Alex, who is close to Viking history in the UK and shares our enthusiasm for history, got us curious about VIKINGS: VALHALLA, and other Viking-themed dramas (see below) currently available on streaming services.

Alex Chisnall started his audio career with BBC Radio in the 1990s before deciding to travel the world working for Virgin Atlantic Airlines. He founded his podcast agency, Podpreneur, after the success of his own podcast literally changed his life. Alex Chisnall's podcast Screw It Just Do It is a #1 rated business show downloaded in over 180+ countries from the UK to Uganda. (Recorded 2/20/23)

EP. 30 TRANSCRIPT

Set over a thousand years ago in the early 11th century, VIKINGS: VALHALLA chronicles the exploits of some of the most famous Vikings from history — the legendary explorer Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett), his courageous warrior sister Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson), and the ambitious Nordic prince Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter). Season Two begins after the tragic fall of Kattegat; an event that has shattered the main characters’ dreams and altered their destinies. Finding themselves suddenly fugitives in Scandinavia Leif , Harald, and Freydis are forced to test their ambitions and courage in worlds beyond the fjords of Kattegat. VIKINGS: VALHALLA is a sequel to the HIstory Channel’s VIKINGS series helmed by Michael Hirst. Created by Jeb Stuart (Die Hard, The Fugitive), VIKINGS: VALHALLA is set 100 years later towards the end of the Viking era 1066.

Ep. 30 Time stamps 

1:22 Vikings: Valhalla synopsis; 2:27: Alex Chisnall, podpreneur and Vikings enthusiast; 3:51 Vikings in UK History; 6:34 King Canute in VIKINGS: VALHALLA and the Real King Cnut the Great; 11:13 Leadership styles of Viking and Saxon Monarchs; 15:19 Leif Erikson; 18:55 Watchers Guide to Vikings Series: Where to Begin ; 23:17 Lightning Round Questions; 28:15 Where to Watch Vikings Dramas; 29:15  Episode 31 Preview (VIKINGS: VALHALLA continues) with Nahir Ortaño Gracia; 29:47 Closing and Credits

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In Ep, 29 we talk about the Baz Luhrmann film ELVIS with GAYLE WALD, George Washington University professor of American Studies and author of Shout, Sister, Shout! The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Our conversation extends to Black musicians and music traditions that shaped Elvis Presley’s music and how that aspect of Elvis’s story is dramatized in this 2022 biopic.

Wald's Rosetta Tharpe biography has been adapted into a musical, "Shout Sister Shout!," with book by Cheryl L. West, premiering at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC in March 2023. You can purchase Wald's "Shout, Sister, Shout!..." book from the podcast's affiliate bookstore on bookshop.org. This conversation was recorded 2/13/23.

Episode 29 Transcript (link)

TIME STAMPS

0:08 Historical Drama...generic open

1:17 Introduction to ELVIS podcast

1:54: ELVIS, the movie, synopsis

3:11 Austin Butler's performance

3:46 Gayle Wald introduction

7:30 Family, Race, and Music in ELVIS

9:30 Memphis and Nashville Music Hubs (Gospel, Blues, Rock-and-Roll, Country)

12:07 Black Music Traditions in ELVIS

16:23 BB King and Elvis Presley's relationship

20:45 Sister Rosetta Tharpe

26:09 Gospel Music and Social Commentary

31:01 BREAK

31:38 Little Richard -- Pushing Gender Boundaries

34:19 Elvis Presley Smashing Conventions (Austin Butler)

37:31 Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker: Popular Music and Commerce

40:52 Elvis and the Black Community

46:14 Black Music Today: Impacts of Gospel, Blues, Rock-and-Roll

47:58 Lightning Round Questions 

53:20 Ep. 29 Outro

54:34 Historical Drama generic Outro

------

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