Hot Mess History Podcast

The day that this episode comes out is Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, which is election day for (some) places in the U.S. If you haven't voted yet...go vote! Happy Voting!

***THIS EPISODE DISCUSSES VERY VERY HORRIFIC AND GRUESOME EVENTS. You have been warned.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN HOT MESSES! This is your official Halloween episode!

We are taking a break from our series on women who have been wrongly villainized by history to bring you the incredibly gruesome tale of the Guernsey Martyrs.

In 1556, on a quiet island in the English Channel, three women were accused of heresy. Not for murder, not for treason, but for believing differently than those in power. What followed was one of the most horrifying executions of the Tudor era. This week, the Hot Mess History Podcast dives into the true story behind one of the darkest chapters in England’s religious turmoil: a moment when “justice” was drenched in fear and politics.

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Fair Use Disclaimer: This podcast may contain excerpts of copyrighted material used for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. This use is permitted under Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Hot Mess History Podcast, Sarah tells Alora the chaotic, unbelievable, and ultimately tragic story of Joan of Arc: the teenage peasant who said “God told me to do it,” led France’s army to victory, and scared men so badly they burned her for cross-dressing.

We are unpacking the myths, the misogyny, and the messy politics that turned a teenage girl with a vision into one of history’s most misunderstood icons.

Follow us on social media:

• Instagram: @hotmesshistorypod
• TikTok: @hotmesshistorypodcast
• Email us with future episode suggestions: [email protected]
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hotmesshistorypod

Fair Use Disclaimer: This podcast may contain excerpts of copyrighted material used for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. This use is permitted under Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before Eve, there was Lilith...Adam’s first wife, made from the same clay and absolutely not here to be told what to do. When she refused to submit, she was ran away from Eden and was later branded as a demon (because of course she was). In this episode of the Hot Mess History Podcast, Sarah tells Alora how Lilith’s story spiraled from equality to exile, how medieval fanfiction made her a baby-snatching night demon, and why she’s now seen as a feminist icon reclaiming her own legend. Everyone meet the queen of "standing on business", Lilith!

Fair Use Disclaimer: This podcast may contain excerpts of copyrighted material used for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. This use is permitted under Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She’s been called vain, spoiled, and out of touch — but was Marie Antoinette really the villain of the French Revolution, or just a convenient scapegoat?

In this episode, we uncover how sexism, propaganda, and political chaos turned a teenage girl into the most hated woman in France. From the “Let them eat cake” myth to the smear campaigns that destroyed her image, we’re separating fact from fiction — and asking why powerful women always seem to get the worst PR.

Follow us on social media:

• Instagram: @hotmesshistorypod
• TikTok: @hotmesshistorypodcast
• Email us with future episode suggestions: [email protected]
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hotmesshistorypod

Fair Use Disclaimer: This podcast may contain excerpts of copyrighted material used for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. This use is permitted under Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When her husband was killed in one of history’s most brutal ways, Olga of Kyiv didn’t just avenge him, she built an empire. In this episode, Sarah and Alora unpack the legend of the widow who burned cities, rewrote the laws, converted an empire, and somehow became a saint. Was she really cruel? Or just a woman history couldn’t handle? Listen and find out!

In solidarity with the Ukrainian people, we intentionally use the Ukrainian pronunciation and spelling of Kyiv.

Follow us on social media:

• Instagram: @hotmesshistorypod
• TikTok: @hotmesshistorypodcast
• Email us with future episode suggestions: [email protected]
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hotmesshistorypod

Fair Use Disclaimer: This podcast may contain excerpts of copyrighted material used for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. This use is permitted under Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For nearly 3,000 years, Jezebel has been remembered as the Bible’s ultimate “bad girl.” But was she really the wicked queen we’ve been told about—or just the victim of some very effective ancient propaganda?

In this episode, Sarah and Alora dig into Jezebel’s life, the legendary Mount Carmel showdown, her infamous feud with Elijah, and the brutal way she met her end. Along the way, they uncover the double standards and political spin that gave Jezebel her lasting bad reputation.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Jezebel was truly evil or just unfairly villainized, this episode gives her story a fresh look.

Follow us on social media:

• Instagram: @hotmesshistorypod
• TikTok: @hotmesshistorypodcast
• Email us with future episode suggestions: [email protected]
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hotmesshistorypod

Fair Use Disclaimer: This podcast may contain excerpts of copyrighted material used for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. This use is permitted under Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She’s been called a prostitute, a saint, a feminist icon, and even the secret wife of Jesus. But who was Mary Magdalene really?

In this episode of the Hot Mess History Podcast, Sarah and Alora dive into the story of one of the most misunderstood women in history. From her appearances in the Gospels as the #1 fan and follower of Jesus, to the centuries-long smear campaign that branded her a “fallen woman,” Mary Magdalene’s reputation has been rewritten more times than almost anyone in the Bible.

🎙️ Join us as we reclaim her story and give this unfairly villainized woman her moment in the spotlight.

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This episode goes out to the customer service agent who got my internet back up and working. Sorry the survey didn't work at the end. You're the real MVP. This one is for you. ✌️

Fair Use Disclaimer: This podcast may contain excerpts of copyrighted material used for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. This use is permitted under Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She’s been called a scheming wife, a cold-blooded murderer, and the very embodiment of vengeance itself. But who was Clytemnestra really? Was she the villain of Greek tragedy—or the tragic heroine of her own story?

In this episode of the Hot Mess History Podcast, Sarah and Alora dive into the life and legend of Clytemnestra—one of the most complex figures to emerge from ancient myth. Born into a cursed dynasty and surrounded by betrayal at every turn, her story is one marked by deception, vengeance, survival, and power.

We’ll explore her place in the infamous House of Atreus, the choices that defined her, and how her reputation has shifted across time. Clytemnestra’s legacy forces us to question where villainy ends and justice begins.

By the end, you may find yourself seeing this infamous queen of Mycenae in an entirely new light.

Fair Use Disclaimer: This podcast may contain excerpts of copyrighted material used for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. This use is permitted under Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of the Hot Mess History Podcast, Sarah and Alora take you back to the height of the French Revolution, where a group of women chose faith and solidarity over survival. Known today as the Martyrs of Compiègne, these Carmelite nuns faced the guillotine with courage, walking together to their deaths while singing hymns.

Their story isn’t just about martyrdom — it’s about defiance, unity, and the power of conviction in a time when chaos ruled France. We’ll explore who these women were, the events that led to their arrest, and why their final act became a powerful symbol that has echoed for centuries.

Join us as we uncover the haunting and inspiring tale of the women who sang on their way to the blade.

Fair Use Disclaimer: This podcast may contain excerpts of copyrighted material used for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. This use is permitted under Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Hot Mess History Podcast, Sarah and Alora unravel the chaotic and captivating life of Alexander Hamilton. Born in the Caribbean and rising from poverty to power, Hamilton became George Washington’s right-hand man and one of the most influential architects of America’s financial system. But with brilliance came controversy—his relentless ambition, fiery clashes with Jefferson and Adams, and entanglement in the nation’s first political sex scandal all cemented his reputation as both genius and troublemaker. His story reaches its dramatic climax in the infamous duel with Aaron Burr, a showdown that would end his life but ensure his legacy lived on.

Fair Use Disclaimer: This podcast may contain excerpts of copyrighted material used for purposes such as commentary, criticism, education, and discussion. This use is permitted under Section 107 of the United States Copyright Act. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.