The British town of Bedford may seem like an unlikely spot for the Garden of Eden, but members of the Panacea Society really believed it was.

This week, Amy is joined by Zara Matthews, Director of the Panacea Museum, to discuss the life of Mabel Barltrop aka Octavia. How did an Anglican vicar's widow go on to found a matriarchal religious sect based on the prophecies of Joanna Southcott? What was the truth of her "cure for all ills"? And what did she tell her followers if they ate their toast too loudly?

Evil seductress taking advantage of the king, or a young widow in an impossible situation?

Guest Gemma Hollman talks with Amy about Alice Perrers, mistress of Edward III. Often depicted by historians as manipulative and cruel, is there any actual evidence of this? Or has she been misrepresented for centuries?

For the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, Amy is joined by historian Clare Mulley to discuss Elżbieta Zawacka, better known as Agent Zo, who served as a spy and resistance fighter for Poland during WW2. They discuss Elżbieta's childhood in an area which was then part of the Prussian Empire, Poland's brief freedom, and how she risked her life throughout the German occupation... and beyond!

"Agent Zo" by Clare Mulley has been shortlisted for theWomen's Prize for Nonfiction 2025.

Caroline Norton, born into the famous Sheridan theatrical family, was a respected poet and society hostess. Falsely accused of having an affair with British Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, Caroline's marriage crumbled. This week, Dr Katherine Hobbs talks us through Caroline's fight for access to her children, her earnings, and her freedom.

Natalia Kobrynska was a 19th Century writer and feminist, who advocated for women's access to education and literature as a path to equality.

To discuss her life, Amy is joined by Dasha Nepochatova, founder of Creative Women Publishing - a feminist publishing house which is continuing to publish in Ukraine through the current invasion. Dasha is currently studying for her doctorate at the University of Oxford, focusing on Kobrynska and the anthology she created, "The First Wreath".

This week, Amy is joined by Els Flour from the Archive and Research Centre for Women's History (AVG Carhif) in Brussels to discuss the work of the 1970s women's collective, La Maison des Femmes. What challenges did they face in supporting the women of Belgium? And how did they overcome them?

More information about the Research Centre can be found here: https://avg-carhif.be/en/accueil-english/

This week's episode is full of blood, bones and brains. Amy and Emma talk with Cat Irving, Human Remains Conservator for Surgeons' Hall in Edinburgh, about the life of 18th Century anatomist and artist, Anna Morandi Manzolini.

In 1968, archaeologists in Finland excavated an unusual grave. The individual had been buried approximately 1000 years ago, with a selection of jewellery, a sickle, and two swords. Who were they?

Amy chats with Owen Hurcum from the University of York about gender identity in the past and the evolving field of trans-archaeology.

Forget Xena. Dr Ashley E Remer, Founder and "Head Girl" of the Girl Museum joins Amy and Emma to share the stories of two very different girls who led armies and changed the world:

Lady Trieu, from 3rd Century Vietnam

Caterina Sforza from 15th Century Italy

They lived very different lives, but with many parallels. Tune in and learn more.

This week, Amy and Emma learn about Avodotya Panaeva, a 19th Century Russian writer and editor who challenged established ideas of women's roles in the home and workplace. Learn about her extraordinary life and why her works haven't received the international acclaim of her male contemporaries. With Dr Margarita Vaysman, of the University of Oxford, and Fiona Bell, PhD student at Yale University.

Please be aware that this episode briefly mentions miscarriage. This is discussed in a historical context and without details.