This episode is available in video format (highly recommended) on Spotify or YouTube!!

In this episode of Dr. Emma & Me: Parallel Lives, we step into the Baroque brilliance of two of the era’s greatest painters—Peter Paul Rubens and Diego Velázquez with Dr. Alejandro Vergara Sharp. Though born worlds apart, their lives intersected through diplomacy, royal courts, and their unparalleled ability to capture power on canvas.

Rubens, the polished Flemish diplomat-artist, and Velázquez, the introspective Spanish court painter, each navigated the treacherous politics of 17th-century Europe with a brush in hand. How did their work reflect—and shape—their positions in court? What set them apart, and where did their paths cross?

Want to get straight to the episode and skip the banter? Fast Foward to 13:12!

JOIN THE CONVERSATION OVER IN OUR COMMUNITY!!

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Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr Emma Cahill Marron

Guest: Dr. Alejandro Vergara Sharp

Whether you're an Anne Boleyn enthusiast or rolled your eyes at yet another episode about her—trust me, you’ll want to listen to this one. Anne was my first love in Tudor history, and I’ll admit I worried this might be a retread of familiar ground. I was wrong. In this conversation with historian Sylvia Barbara Soberton, I discovered fresh perspectives and surprising details I’d never heard before.

Find Sylvia's books everywhere, including Amazon!

Sylvia's Substack

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Join us over on Patreon! (There is also an app for Patreon!)

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sylvia Barbara Soberton

In this episode, we take a brief look at the life of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York—mother of two kings and a key figure in the Wars of the Roses. Born into power and surrounded by turmoil, Cecily’s story is one of loyalty, loss, and quiet strength during one of England’s most chaotic eras.

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Join the conversation with other fans of history over on my Patreon page! It's free to chat!

Read more about history at https://tudorsdynasty.com

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Narrated by: Rebecca Larson

Researched by: Emily Airey

In this episode of Dr. Emma & Me, we continue our Parallel Lives series by examining two powerful women who shaped the politics of Habsburg Europe (and beyond): Margaret of Austria and her great-niece Margaret of Parma.

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Have you missed out on the first two episodes in this series? Don't worry, here they are:

Episode 1: Isabel I of Castile & Katherine of Aragon

Episode 2: Juana of Castile & Anne Boleyn

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Join the conversation over on PATREON!

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Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr Emma Cahill Marron

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Image Credits:

Margaret of Parma:

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Margaret of Austria:

© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust

Mary (Rose) Tudor:

The National Gallery (London)

Mary of Hungary:

Rijks Museum

Christina of Denmark:

The National Gallery (London)

Margaret Roper:

Metropolitan Museum of Art

🎙️ The brilliant Amy McElroy is back—and this time, we’re cracking open the schoolbooks of Tudor England! What did education look like in the 16th century? Who got to learn—and who was left behind? From noble tutors to village schoolmasters, we uncover how class, gender, and opportunity shaped the minds of the Tudor world. Curious what kind of education Henry VIII's sister, Mary Tudor received versus her brothers? This is the episode for you. Don’t miss it!

Amy's Podcast visits:

#1 - Educating the Tudors (January 2025)

#2 - Through Her Eyes: Women's Lives in the Tudor Era (January 2025)

#3 - Mary Tudor: The Forgotten Rose of the Tudor Court (February 2025)

#4 - Erasmus: Humanist, Critic, Legend (May 2025)

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Find Amy's books on Amazon, or wherever you get your books!

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Want to get commercial-free episodes, early access and exclusive content? Head over to my Patreon!

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DO YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN PODCAST BUT NEED HELP? Check out my new website rebeccalarson.com for more info!

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Amy McElroy

Opening music by: Music by Marco Maier from Pixabay

In this episode, we explore the extraordinary life of Margaret Cavendish—17th-century duchess, writer, philosopher, and fearless trailblazer. From royal courts and civil war exile to scientific debate and science fiction, Margaret defied the norms of her time to leave a legacy still felt today. Join me as we uncover how “Mad Madge” challenged gender roles, questioned the foundations of science, and imagined a world where women ruled—not just in fiction, but in thought.

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Credits:

Narrator: Rebecca Larson

Researched by: Emily Airey

Music by Marco Maier from Pixabay

We're back with the second episode in our Parallel Lives series, and this time we're exploring the unexpected connections between Juana of Castile and Anne Boleyn. They had far more in common than I ever imagined. Since it's the follow-up to our first episode, we begin with a quick recap, share some great listener feedback, and wander down a few fun historical side roads—before diving into the fascinating parallels between Juana and Anne. If you'd rather skip straight to the comparison, jump ahead to 12:45.

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Watch: Parallel Lives - Isabel I of Castile and Katherine of Aragon

Episode with Sylvia where she discusses the phoenix

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Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr. Emma Cahill Marron

King John’s legacy is often overshadowed by failure, but his daughters left a far more fascinating mark. In this episode, we explore the lives of his legitimate daughters, Joan, Isabella, and Eleanor, as well as his illegitimate daughter, Joan of Wales. Their stories reveal the unexpected power and influence royal women could wield in the 13th century.

Sharon's books on Amazon

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Show your support for the show and become a patron! As a patron, you'll receive commercial-free episodes, early access, and exclusive content.

Read more about history on the website: https://tudorsdynasty.com

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sharon Bennett Connolly

What do Voltaire, smallpox, and royal scandal have in common? Queen Caroline of Ansbach. In this episode, we uncover the story of the brilliant, bold, and often overlooked consort of George II—an Enlightenment queen who pulled political strings, promoted science, and navigated the drama of court life with razor-sharp intellect. Tune in to meet the queen history forgot to spotlight.

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Narrated by: Rebecca Larson

Researched and written by: Emily Airey

Welcome to the very first official episode of Dr. Emma and Me! Today, we're exploring the fascinating parallel lives of Katherine of Aragon and her formidable mother, Isabel of Castile—two queens shaped by power, faith, and destiny.

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Want to support the show, get commercial-free episodes, early access, and exclusive content? https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Love to read about history? https://tudorsdynasty.com

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Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr Emma

Image Credits:

Isabel of Castile: Museo del Prado

Katherine of Aragon: Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid