Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the weekly comedy history podcast hosted by women, bringing you two bite-sized biographies of the forgotten people, overlooked lives, and surprising stories history didn’t quite hang onto.

If you enjoy funny history podcasts, women’s history, Victorian travel, and fascinating true stories, you’re in exactly the right place.

This week we are revisiting two earlier stories from our very first episode! Now no longer available due to the very dodgy sound recording.....we’re travelling from Imperial Russia to the far corners of the globe with two extraordinary women who lived lives that sound almost too dramatic to be true.

First, Andrea introduces us to Maria Rasputin, daughter of the infamous Grigori Rasputin, yes, that Rasputin. After her father’s shocking murder during the final days of the Russian Empire, Maria’s life takes a series of unexpected turns. From aristocratic circles to exile, from cabaret to the shipyards of the Second World War. Her story is a fascinating glimpse into Russian history, revolution, and survival in a rapidly changing world.

Then Annie brings us the incredible story of Isabella Bird, one of the most famous yet often overlooked Victorian explorers and travel writers. At a time when women were expected to stay firmly at home, Isabella set off alone across North America, Asia, and beyond, documenting her journeys in bestselling books. Fearless, curious, and determined to see the world on her own terms, she became a true pioneer of women’s travel writing and exploration history despite a physical disability.

Expect adventure, reinvention, royal scandal, and a few laughs along the way as we dive into two lives that prove history is far stranger (and more entertaining) than fiction.

If you love history podcasts, forgotten women in history, Russian history, Victorian exploration, and real-life stories of resilience and adventure, Mostly Unsung is your new favourite listen.

Andrea used the following sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Rasputin

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-many-lives-of-maria-rasputin-daughter-of-the-mad-monk

https://allthatsinteresting.com/maria-rasputin

Annie used the following sources:

https://www.victorianweb.org/history/explorers/bird.html

https://www.rsgs.org/blog/isabella-bird-bishop

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/23/isabella-bird-explorer-history-heroine-tv-ruby-wax

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-63735816

Where you can find us:

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/

https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung

[email protected]

See you next Friday!

Welcome back to Mostly Unsung, the comedy history podcast where hosts Annie and Andrea uncover the forgotten people, surprising stories, and historical characters that somehow never made it into the textbooks. Every Wednesday we bring you two bite-size historical biographies packed with fascinating facts, social history, and a healthy dose of humour.

If you enjoy funny history podcasts, British history, Victorian history, and stories about remarkable people who changed the world, you’re absolutely in the right place.

First up, Annie dives into the life of Francis Egerton, the man often credited with kick-starting Britain’s canal revolution. In the middle of the Industrial Revolution, this ambitious aristocrat helped transform transport, trade, and industry with the creation of the famous Bridgewater Canal. Coal, engineering innovation, and some seriously bold thinking helped reshape the economy. Think less peaceful narrowboat holiday and more industrial history drama.

Then Andrea heads much further afield with the incredible story of Florence Baker, one of the most fascinating and often overlooked women in the history of Victorian exploration. Her life reads like an adventure novel beginning with a dramatic childhood, before travelling across continents and becoming the partner of famed explorer Samuel Baker on expeditions through Africa in search of the sources of the Nile. Courageous, resilient, and far more capable than society expected.

Expect Victorian adventure, industrial innovation, British social history, and a few laughs along the way as we bring these two extraordinary lives back into the spotlight.

If you love history podcasts, forgotten women in history, exploration stories, and the strange characters who shaped the modern world, join us every Wednesday for another episode of Mostly Unsung.

For this episode Andrea used these sources:

https://explorersweb.com/great-explorers-florence-baker/

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Florence-Lady-Baker/

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/may/31/florence-baker-polyglot-slave-girl-turned-explorer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Baker

For this episode Annie used these sources:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Egerton-3rd-Duke-of-Bridgewater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Egerton,_3rd_Duke_of_Bridgewater

Where you can find us:

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/

https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung

[email protected]

See you next Friday!

Mary “Mother” Jones & Sarah “Madam Rachel” Russell: Forgotten Women of Irish, American & Victorian History

Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the light-hearted comedy history podcast hosted by women, where Annie and Andrea share the remarkable stories of the forgotten people history left behind. Every Wednesday we bring you two bite-sized historical biographies, packed with fascinating facts, social history, and plenty of laughs along the way.

This week we’re uncovering the lives of two extraordinary women who refused to accept the limits placed on them.

First, Andrea follows the remarkable journey of Mary “Mother” Jones, one of the most outspoken labour activists in American history. Born in Ireland during the Great Famine, her life takes her across the Atlantic to Canada and eventually Chicago. After devastating personal tragedy, she reinvents herself as a fierce campaigner for workers’ rights and child labour reform. Her most famous protest? Leading a march of hundreds of children to confront the President of the United States all with a dash of reinvention and character building!

Then Annie heads to the filthy streets of Victorian London, where Sarah “Madam Rachel” Russell decides she’s had quite enough of scraping by on pennies. Instead, she launches one of the most audacious beauty and business schemes of the 19th century: a money-making venture that promised youth, glamour, and transformation to wealthy women. It’s part Victorian beauty empire, part scandal, and honestly the kind of hustle that would probably go viral on TikTok today.

If you love funny history podcasts, forgotten women in history, Victorian London stories, and surprising tales of activism, entrepreneurship, and social history, this episode of Mostly Unsung is the perfect place to start.

This week Andrea used these sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Jones

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-harris-jones

https://blog.epicchq.com/herstory-irelands-epic-women-mother-jones

https://www.iup.edu/library/departments/archives/coal/people-lives-stories/mary-harris-jones.html

This week Annie used these sources:

https://helenrappaport.com/womens-history/the-true-story-of-madame-rachel/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Rachel_Russell

Where you can find us:

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/

https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung

[email protected]

See you next Friday!

Welcome back to Mostly Unsung, the comedy history podcast that every week brings you two bite-size biographies of obscure historical figures, the forgotten heroes, the overlooked geniuses, and the truly lost villains.

This week, Annie tells the extraordinary story of Gladys West, the mathematician whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern GPS. A gifted Black mathematician working during the era of segregation, West faced systemic racism, constant scrutiny, and repeated barriers to promotion. Yet her complex mathematical modeling of the Earth’s shape made satellite navigation possible, meaning your Google Maps and sat nav directions all trace back to her calculations. If you’ve ever found the nearest coffee shop using GPS, you’ve benefited from her brilliance.

Then Andrea takes us inside the intrigue of the Forbidden City during the Ming Dynasty. Enter Wei Zhongxian, one of the most notorious and powerful figures in imperial Chinese history. Rising from obscurity to dominate court politics, Wei’s story is packed with corruption, manipulation, spies, power-grabbing… and yes, a rather extreme DIY career move required to gain entry into the palace system. It’s a tale of ambition, influence, and spectacular downfall.

If you love hidden history, unsung heroes, political scandal, powerful women and men history tried to forget, and comedy podcasts with a dash of education this episode is for you.

Subscribe to Mostly Unsung for weekly light-hearted deep dives into obscure history, forgotten figures, and the strange corners of the past you won’t hear about in school.

In this episode Andrea used these sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wei_Zhongxian

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianqi_Emperor

http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Ming/personsweizhongxian.html

https://www.usrf.org/news/010308-hiddenpower.html

In this episode Annie used these sources:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gladys-West

https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/pioneers-and-innovators/gladys-west-a-global-legacy-built-on-precision/

Where you can find us:

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/

https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung

[email protected]

See you next Friday!

Welcome to Mostly Unsung, the weekly, comedy history podcast that brings you not one but TWO bitesize biographies every week!

Join Annie and Andrea, two old friend huddled in a blanket fort somewhere in England, as they unravel the stories your history teacher never taught you.

This week on Mostly Unsung Andrea is in Australia.Tensions are running high between British settlers and the local Bunuba tribe, lands are getting destroyed, sacred places defiled and the police present an ever going threat. Until one young man named Jandamarra is forced to choose a side. A fascinating and bloody period of Australian history ensues.

Then Annie is back with the English History books. Brighton in the Georgian Era was the place to see and be seen. Strolling Dandies walked the Steine and one young man went to new and eccentric lengths to express himself. Henry Cope gained the nickname The Green Man for his eccentric way of life. But rigorous study of the law combined with heartbreak led to a tragic end.

For this episode Andrea used these sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jandamarra

https://ia.anu.edu.au/biography/jandamarra-8822

https://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/story-of-jandamarra.html

https://bunuba.com/

For this episode Annie used these sources:

https://georgianera.wordpress.com/2017/01/10/the-green-man-of-brighton-henry-cope/

https://www.joannemajor.com/post/the-green-man-of-brighton-or-the-bath-bugabo

Where you can find us:

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/

https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung

[email protected]

See you next Friday!

Margaret Pollard & Charles Berlitz The Cornish Bard & The Bermuda Triangle

Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the weekly comedy history podcast hosted by women, bringing you two bite-sized biographies of the overlooked, the underestimated, and the wildly unexpected figures history left behind.

Every Wednesday, Annie and Andrea dive into forgotten history, surprising lives, and true stories you probably didn’t learn at school, all with humour, curiosity, and a strong cup of tea.

This week we’re covering two very different but equally fascinating characters.

 First, we meet Margaret Pollard, the Cornish Bard. A passionate advocate for Cornish culture, language, and identity. At a time when regional traditions were at risk of being lost, she devoted herself to celebrating Cornwall’s heritage through writing and cultural revival. Plus she did some pretty outrageous things to fund the National Trust and undertook, a quite frankly, epic craft project.

Then we turn to Charles Berlitz, the language teacher turned global publishing phenomenon. Yes, that Berlitz, the name synonymous with language learning. But his story doesn’t stop with phrasebooks. He became one of the biggest popularisers of mysteries like the Bermuda Triangle, blending history, speculation, and storytelling into international bestsellers. Visionary marketer? Master of mystery? Bit of both? We’ll let you decide.

If you love funny history podcasts, forgotten women in history, educational history, language learning history, and deep dives into cultural phenomena like the Bermuda Triangle, this episode of Mostly Unsung is for you.

For this episode Andrea used these sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Berlitz

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-01-me-berlitz1-story.html

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Charles-Berlitz-Bermuda-Triangle-author-2832395.php

https://biblio.co.uk/authors/charles-berlitz/12526

For this episode Annie used these sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Steuart_Pollard

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-margaret-pollard-1313345.html

Where you can find us:

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/

https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung

[email protected]

See you next Friday!

Billy Waters & Marjorie Pollard: Forgotten Black British History & Women in Sport

Welcome to Mostly Unsung the weekly comedy history podcast serving up two bite-size biographies of the forgotten people and overlooked lives history quietly erased. Every Wednesday, Annie and Andrea uncover the stories your history teacher never had time for.

This episode spans Black British history, American history, and women’s sports history, with two fascinating figures whose legacies deserve far more attention.

First, Andrea begins in New York, where William "Billy" Waters, a young Black man born into slavery, finds an unexpected escape by enlisting in the Royal Navy. After a life-changing injury, Billy settles in London, reinventing himself as a talented street musician and performer. But fame comes at a price, and Billy’s public image is cruelly reshaped by others, turning a devoted family man into a caricature. It’s a powerful, eye-opening story about race, representation, and who gets to write history.

Then Annie heads back to the dreaded school hockey pitch (cold, muddy, and deeply traumatic for some of us). But for Marjorie Pollard, sport was a lifelong passion. She dedicates her career to championing women in sport, breaking barriers and eventually becoming one of the first women to carve out a role in the male-dominated BBC sports department. It’s an inspiring story of persistence, visibility, and changing the game, literally.

If you enjoy funny history podcasts, forgotten Black history, women in history, British social history, and true stories of people who challenged the system, this episode of Mostly Unsung is the perfect place to start.

Andrea used these sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Waters_(busker)

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/21/billy-waters-the-african-american-musician-who-captivated-1820s-london

https://stephenliddell.co.uk/2023/09/05/billy-waters-the-king-of-the-beggars/

https://yalebooks.yale.edu/2024/06/25/black-in-new-york-city-the-story-of-billy-waters/

Annie used these sources:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marjorie-Pollard

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjorie_Pollard

Where you can find us:

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/

https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung

[email protected]

See you next Friday!

Welcome back to Mostly Unsung your weekly comedy history podcast serving up not one but two bite-size biographies of the forgotten figures, lost heroes, and notorious troublemakers history prefers not to mention. Every week, hosts Andrea and Annie uncover overlooked lives from the past, with humour, curiosity, and a healthy dose of side-eye.

This episode takes us across 17th century England and Spain, with two unforgettable characters who refused to live quietly.

First, Annie dives into the chaos of the English Civil War, the brutal conflict between Royalists and Parliamentarians, Cavaliers and Roundheads. taking to exile after her home is destroyed and her family gone, one extraordinary woman turns to writing. What follows is a remarkable output of poetry, plays, philosophy, scientific writing, and even some of the earliest examples of science fiction. Along the way, she designs her own outrageous outfits and scandalises the  Society largely by daring to be herself in their space. A story of intellect, rebellion, and unapologetic self-expression.

Then Andrea heads to 17th century Spain, where a young novice decides convent life isn’t for her. With a change of clothes, a haircut, and a new name, Antonio is born, ready for travel, exploration, and adventure. But what begins as freedom quickly spirals into violence, chaos, and blood soaked rampages that shock even the Spanish Army. A tale of identity, rebellion, and a life that goes spectacularly off the rails.

If you enjoy funny history podcasts, forgotten people in history, early science fiction, English Civil War history, and wild true stories from the past, this episode of Mostly Unsung is perfect for curious minds who like their history entertaining.

In this episode Andrea used these sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_de_Erauso

https://queergoldfields.au/international-collection/f/sp-antonio-de-erauso-spains-soldier-nun?blogcategory=International+Collection

https://www.monstrousregimentofwomen.com/2018/03/catalina-de-erauso-lieutenant-nun.html

In this episode Annie used these sources:

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history/margaret-cavendish/

https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/collections/cavendish/

Where you can find us:

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/

https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung

[email protected]

See you next Friday!

Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the weekly comedy history podcast hosted by women, sharing the forgotten stories, overlooked lives, and surprising characters history quietly brushed aside. Every week, we bring you two bite-sized historical biographies, perfect for curious minds, history lovers, and anyone who enjoys their learning with a laugh.

This episode takes us across the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, with two remarkable people who refused to let circumstance decide their story.

First, Andrea heads to Yorkshire with the extraordinary true story of Blind Jack Metcalf, one of the most unlikely adventurers in British history. Struck blind as a child after illness, Jack refuses to stay put. He learns his way around his street, then his town, then the surrounding countryside, before going on to live a life packed with daring journeys, ingenious money-making schemes, and a healthy disregard for what society thought someone with a disability should or shouldn’t do. It’s a warm, funny, and quietly inspiring story about independence and resilience.

Then Annie takes us to Australia (via the United States) with the fascinating life of Violet Hopson. Raised on her mother’s philosophy that reinvention is always an option, Violet simply changes her name, rewrites her story, and starts again. The result? A career as a silent film actress, followed by an influential role as a studio executive behind the scenes. Along the way, we uncover the mysterious delights of something called a “Turf Drama.”

If you love funny history podcasts, forgotten women in history, British history, film history, and stories of people who made life work on their own terms, this episode of Mostly Unsung is for you.

Where you can find us:

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/

https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung

[email protected]

See you next Friday!

Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the comedy history podcast uncovering the lesser known people, overlooked figures, and forgotten stories your history lessons never covered. Join us every Wednesday for two bite-sized historical biographies, told with humour, curiosity, and plenty of side quests.

This week, we’re diving into English history, with two wildly different characters who knew exactly how to play the system.

First, Annie takes us into the chaos of the Wars of the Roses, the brutal medieval struggle for the English throne between the Houses of York and Lancaster. Amidst the bloodshed, shifting alliances, and ruthless politics, one ambitious man repeatedly lands on his feet. It’s a story of power, propaganda, dangerous self-promotion, and refusing to ever go quietly.

Then Andrea jumps forward to interwar London, where fashion is booming and one bold young man is determined to conquer it. A brief interruption by the Second World War doesn’t stop his rise. Armed with sharp business instincts, impeccable style, and an even sharper tongue, he helps shape modern British fashion- leaving behind capri pants, Teddy Boys, and quotable one-liners that wouldn’t feel out of place on Drag Race.

If you love funny history podcasts, British history, fashion history, and forgotten historical figures, Mostly Unsung is the podcast for you.

For this episode Andrea used these sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunny_Roger

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-bunny-roger-5569824.html

https://therake.com/default/stories/a-dandy-life

https://strangeflowers.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/birthday-bunny/

For this episode Annie used these sources:

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Warwick-The-Kingmaker/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Richard-Neville-16th-earl-of-Warwick

Where you can find us:

https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/

https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung

[email protected]

See you next Friday!