The Other Marthas Podcast

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, sit back, relax, and join us as we banter our way through the ancient, medieval and surprisingly modern instances of animals being tried and sentenced for criminal activity around the world. Stay tuned for murderous pigs, trespassing moles, and one very inappropriate donkey...  

Please note: this episode contains explicit and persistent descriptions of animal cruelty, as well as accounts of violent animal attacks on humans, including babies. As always, listen with care!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, we find out all about Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. Featuring triumphs, disasters, records and excerpts from Amelia's own writings, this is one to listen to if you have a thirst for adventure and need a little Monday morning inspiration.  

Please note: the section from 27:32 deals with the tragic disappearance of Amelia Earhart, along with her flying companion, Fred Noonan. As such, this features speculation regarding the pair's probable fate, involving discussion of distress and death - as ever, listen with caution!

Welcome to The Other Marthas Podcast: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, we delve into the amazing story of Mary Bowser: the sensational revolutionary spy who survived being born and raised in slavery in Virginia, infiltrated the Confederate White House as a Unionist agent, and escaped capture on a dung-filled horse-cart to become a teacher in the South. Stay tuned for espionage, revolution, and a cracking good tale of two deceptively powerful women.  

Please note: this episode deals with issues of slavery and anti-Black racism, as well as touching on some more diplomatic elements of the American War of Independence. As always, we do our best to discuss these topics sensitively and appropriately, but please be aware that we cannot speak for the many communities who suffer these issues every day - our aim is to learn and honour their stories along with you.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. This episode dives into the life and trials of Cleopatra, as immortalised by playwrights and scholars long after her death. But whose story are we really following when we consume these accounts, and why is her beauty more legendary than her political achievements? Tune in for murder, scandal, incest, and most importantly, a whole lot of badass politics.  

Please note: this episode includes lengthy discussions on sexism and misogyny through the ages, as well as touching on racist issues (particularly around 52:13) and lookism. The tale of Cleopatra is steeped in sexualisation, and also features murder, incest, capital punishment and double suicide (though these latter topics are not heavily discussed). One to avoid if the brutality of the ancient world isn't your cup of tea... 

TIMESTAMPS: 01:57 - Cleopatra and modern feminism 26:15 - Biography of Cleopatra 49:19 - Race, beauty and alternative readings

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, we discuss the unfortunate second mission of Sir Ernest Shackleton to the Antarctic, encountering icy obstacles, doggy disasters and a rather grisly Christmas dinner along the way. If you enjoy our perilous, snowy and survival-based content, this is one for you!   

Please note: while this episode is fairly safe by our morbid standards, it does involve discussion of peril and physical hardship, as well as brief references to animal death/cruelty. Nonetheless - enjoy!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. Today's episode examines the tragic but incredible life of Mary Shelley, famed author of Frankenstein - tune in for a very complicated love story, a hilarious (and very productive) holiday, and a whole lot of strength in the face of adversity.  

Please note: Mary Shelley's life is fraught with death and disaster, so this is one to avoid if you don't appreciate the tragic side of things! As such, there are references to accidents, suicides and infant deaths throughout, as well as a slightly grisly anatomic detail at 41:15, and a discussion on cremation from 42:18.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, we chat through the mystery and theories surrounding the disappearance of three lighthouse keepers on Eilean Mor, in December of 1900. Stay tuned for rage, romance and an eerie scene of abandonment, with a little supernatural speculation thrown in for good measure...

Please note, this episode deals with the true disappearance and presumed death of three men, including speculation of accidental death, murder, suicide and supernatural involvement. As always, listen at your discretion!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In this episode, we discuss the life and escapades of Julie D'Aubigny: renowned opera singer, master swordswoman and bisexual icon. Tune in for some hair-raisingly narrow brushes with death, bizarre duels, and a LOT of love affairs...  

Please note, this episode includes discussion of homophobic practices (particularly from 05:08-07:24) and the desecration of religious institutions (primarily 07:29-08:20), and contains references to threat and violence throughout.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In this episode, we discuss Blackbeard: fabled terror of the seven seas, wielder of cutlasses, and sporter of iconic facial hair. Tune in for facial fireworks, dramatic betrayals and a terribly romantic case of polygamy...   

Please note: this episode discusses piracy at length, including instances of nautical terrorism, brief reference to slave trading, and a fun chat about syphilis and urethral syringes from 34:05-37:25 (this also references the damaging effects of chemotherapy). We also discuss Blackbeard's death, and capital punishment in general, from 53:03 - as usual, listen at your discretion!

Welcome to the THIRTEENTH EPISODE of The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In this spoooky thirteenth episode, we talk about the origins of the paranoia surrounding Friday the 13th and the number 13 in general, as well as the gristly mystery of the Lake Bodom murders, which supposedly inspired the cult movie 'Friday the 13th'.  

Please note, the second part of this video focuses on a true murder case, with details of injury and distressing events. Avoid listening from 26:33 if that's not your bag! We also discuss the plight of the Knights Templar between 13:48 and 23:41, so be aware that this section contains details of religious persecution.  

TIMESTAMPS: 

01:47 - 13 Trivia 

13:48 - The Knights Templar 

26:33 - Lake Bodom Murders