Historical marriages took many forms, from monogamous arranged marriages to marriages involving multiple wives and concubines. But when did romantic love enter the picture? This week, Sonya and Devin discuss how marriage went from a financial and political transaction, to the romantic, love based partnerships of today.

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Why do we watch a groundhog on February 2nd to see if he sees his shadow? The answer has to do with ancient divination through animal omens, fortune telling, and solar cycles. This week, Sonya and Devin discuss the ancient art of divination! From good and bad omens to astrology to casting lots, we’re discussing how people have sought to understand the world and see the future.

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How did people in the past survive the winter? Was there any fresh food in the cold months? And can you really use juniper berries as contraception? This week, Sonya and Devin discuss all this and more as we talk about the foods that can be foraged in the wintertime. From juniper berry contraception to maple syrup harvesting, we explore the ways people used winter’s plants to their advantage.

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What really happened at the Salem witch trials? How far into the 1800s did witch trials continue? And how did European witch beliefs combine with Native American beliefs to create a whole new idea of witches? Join us this week as Devin and Sonya discuss the witch trials of the USA!

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Every new year, people resolve to lose weight and get thin - but when, and why, did we become obsessed with being thin? And how is it linked to race and racism? We discuss centuries of changing beauty standards, the invention of race “science”, and how thinness became linked to eugenics.

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What did the New Year mean to people in the past? And what, exactly, is the feast of Epiphany all about? Join us this week as Devin and our guest Esther discuss the history and ritual surrounding these two January traditions!

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As the daylight gets shorter and shorter, and the nights grow longer and darker, we in the modern world have the luxury of well heated homes and electric lights. But how did people historically deal with the growing darkness? And how did they celebrate and mark the longest night of the year? In this week’s episode, Devin discusses the history of the winter solstice!

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As the long, dark nights of winter wear on, our ancestors turned to feasting and celebrations to bring some joy to their lives. How did these traditions get started, and what kinds of food would have been served? On this week’s episode, Sonya and Devin discuss the foods and feasts of Hanukkah, Saturnalia, Yule, and Christmas! Find out what people cooked, how they cooked it, and why people used to rent out pineapples!

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The holiday season typically involves giving of gifts both big and small, and this week Sonya and Devin discuss the history and culture of gift-giving across cultures. What did giving and receiving gifts mean in Indigenous societies in America? What did people give as gifts in the Middle Ages? And why did the king of England receive an elephant as a present? All this and more as we discuss gifts and giving!

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