Once upon a time in the Maya Yucatan, a kind, beautiful lady was murdered and left at the base of a tree. But that was just the beginning! Join Katie on-location in Valladolid, Mexico, as her guest Jesus Cetzal recounts the age-old story of Xtabay, who has been exacting her revenge in the Yucatan for centuries. Late at night, she lures drunken men to her ceiba tree, then drags them down into the Underworld!
Guest Jesus Antonio Cupul Cetzal is native Maya from the little town of Yalcoba, Mexico. He studies in Valladolid, Yucatan, but everything he knows about his proud Mayan heritage, he learned from his parents and grandparents. Everyday, he aims to learn something new.
Music featured in this episode by Esther Abrami, Musica Maya, Kevin MacLeod, Dan Bodan and Ricardo Tlalli Lozano. 
The illustration of Xtabay was created for us by Michelle Franzoni Thorley. No other use allowed without the artist's permission.
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THE SPIRIT Xtabay

What’sHerName puts the women back into world history. Hosts (and sisters!) Olivia Meikle and Dr. Katie Nelson are professors by day, podcasters by night. Weaving interviews with experts into vivid, nuanced biographies, What'sHerName tells the stories of fascinating women you’ve never heard of (but should have). Fascinating and funny, thought-provoking and insightful. New episodes biweekly Wednesdays.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Documentary

When Jewish mathematician Pepi Mehlberg was offered a new identity as Countess Janina Suchodolska in Nazi-occupied Poland, she took that chance and used it - to join the underground resistance, feed thousands of Nazi prisoners every week, and eventually rescue over 10,000 Poles from Majdanek concentration camp. And she was just getting started.
Our guests are Elizabeth White and Joanna Sliwa, authors of the new book The Counterfeit Countess: The Jewish Woman Who Rescued Thousands of Poles During the Holocaust.
Music featured in this episode provided by: Trialogo, Amanda Setlik Wilson, Kevin MacLeod, Esther Abrami, Myuu, Nico deNapoli, E's Jammy Jams, Adam Aston and Michael Levy.
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THE COUNTERFEIT COUNTESS Janina Mehlberg

In 1867, a ship bound for California with 400 Chinese passengers signaled distress as it drifted in the Pacific Ocean. The ship's captain was a woman, and her mutinous crew had refused to sail the ship even though they were running out of water. How did Captain Hannah Masury Howe come to be in such a predicament, and how could she possibly save herself and the ship? 
Our guest is NYT bestselling author Katherine Howe, in this real-life high seas adventure.
Music featured in this episode by provided by: Violeta del Carmen Parra Sandoval, Jeff Cuno, Elphnt, Emmit Fenn, Jesse Gallagher, Chris Haugen, Kevin MacLeod and Doug Maxwell.
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THE VOYAGER Hannah Masury Howe

Frances Perkins, first female cabinet secretary in US history, was the mind (and the will) behind nearly every landmark policy of the Roosevelt administration's New Deal - so why doesn't anyone know her name? Bestselling author Stephanie Dray introduces us to this remarkable woman whose vision and relentless hard work would touch the life of every American for nearly a century. 
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THE SOLID CITIZEN Frances Perkins

"This was one woman with a very little life, who made the most enormous difference." Celia Brayfield shares with Katie the story of Anna Sewell who, on her death bed, wrote a story and changed the world. 
Black Beauty was no mere "horse book." It catapulted the cause of animal rights and became one of the bestselling books of all time. But Anna Sewell -a quiet, humble Quaker- didn't change the world by preaching: she changed the world by listening. 
You can find Celia Brayfield's new book, Writing Black Beauty, in our bookshop and support local indie sellers. 
Excerpts from Black Beauty were read by Cori Samuel and the whole book is free to download at Librivox.org. 
Music for this episode was composed and performed by: The Mini Vandals, Asher Fulero, Aakash Gandhi, Kevin MacLeod, Josef Suk, and Esther Abrami. 
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THE EQUESTRIAN Anna Sewell

In 1931, a young American aspiring writer set off for what she thought would be a one-year adventure in China. Hoping to gain life experience so she could eventually write the Great American Novel - she would instead become famous as the "Voice of China" to the west, and improve the lives of millions of people in the process. Olivia talks with Helen Foster Snow's great-nephew Adam Foster and her friend and translator Professor An Wei in this unexpected and inspiring episode.
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THE SPIRIT Xtabay

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