100 episodes

Join us as we time travel back through history, exploring the lives and stories of ladies of the past, from the everyday to the extraordinary, imagining what it might have been like to be them.

The Exploress Kate J. Armstrong

    • History
    • 5.0 • 32 Ratings

Join us as we time travel back through history, exploring the lives and stories of ladies of the past, from the everyday to the extraordinary, imagining what it might have been like to be them.

    Crusader Queens: The Royal Women of Medieval Outremer, Part I

    Crusader Queens: The Royal Women of Medieval Outremer, Part I

    Once upon a time, back in the Middle Ages, four sisters would come to shape the Crusader States called Outremer. One would rebel (several times) against their father; another would come to rule more or less in her own right. All would see a healthy heaping of conflict while living in a chaotic time and place. In Part 1, we'll explore the many roles women played in the Crusades, and we will meet our leading ladies - Alice, Yvette, Hodierna, and Melisende - the daughters of the second Crusader King of Jerusalem. 
    For show notes for this episode, go to The Exploress website. (If you're dying for a full transcript of the episode, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) To learn about Katherine Pangonis and her book, Queens of Jeruasalem, check out her website.
    Ways to support The Exploress:
    Buy Kate's novel, NIGHTBIRDS, and pre-order its sequel, FYREBIRDS, out Aug. 27, 2024 Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes (and more!) Check out the merch and art at the Exploress shop

    • 36 min
    Crusader Queens: The Royal Women of Medieval Outremer, Part II

    Crusader Queens: The Royal Women of Medieval Outremer, Part II

    Once upon a time, back in the Middle Ages, four sisters would come to shape the Crusader States called Outremer. One would rebel (several times) against their father; another would come to rule more or less in her own right. All would see a healthy heaping of conflict while living in a chaotic time and place. In Part 2, we'll rejoin our royal sisters as they weather scandal, trial by combat, suspicious deaths, and rebellious sons. 
    For show notes for this episode, go to The Exploress website. (If you're dying for a full transcript of the episode, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) To learn about Katherine Pangonis and her book, Queens of Jeruasalem, check out her website.
    Ways to support The Exploress:
    Buy Kate's novel, NIGHTBIRDS, and pre-order its sequel, FYREBIRDS, out Aug. 27, 2024 Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes, including one about the daughters and granddaughters of the stars of this episode Check out the merch and art at the Exploress shop

    • 29 min
    A Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part I: Welcome to the Edo Era

    A Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part I: Welcome to the Edo Era

    In this four-part series, we're time traveling back to Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) to find out what life was like there for the ladies. If you've been binging Shogun lately, then this one's for you!
    For show notes, including a list of sources and some cool images, go to The Exploress website (If you're dying for a full transcript, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) 
    In June, I'm doing a NIGHTBIRDS readalong on my other podcast, Pub Dates. Whether you're looking for a recap before FYREBIRDS comes out or are keen to read along with me for the very first time, it's going to be a lot of fun! And listeners have a chance to win a prize.
    Ways to support The Exploress:
    Buy Kate's novel, NIGHTBIRDS, which is already out in hardback, and coming out in paperback on June 4, 2024. You can also pre-order the sequel,  FYREBIRDS, out Aug. 27. Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes, including one about Tomoe Gozen, an infamous Japanese warrior, and an upcoming bonus about Japanese goddess Amaterasu. Buy some merch and art available at the Exploress shop  

    • 34 min
    A Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part II: Home, Duty, Marriage, and Tea

    A Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part II: Home, Duty, Marriage, and Tea

    In this four-part series, we're time traveling back to Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) to find out what life was like there for the ladies. If you've been binging Shogun lately, then this one's for you!
    For show notes, including a list of sources and some cool images, go to The Exploress website (If you're dying for a full transcript, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) 
    In June, I'm doing a NIGHTBIRDS readalong on my other podcast, Pub Dates. Whether you're looking for a recap before FYREBIRDS comes out or are keen to read along with me for the very first time, it's going to be a lot of fun! And listeners have a chance to win a prize.
    Ways to support The Exploress:
    Buy Kate's novel, NIGHTBIRDS, which is already out in hardback, and coming out in paperback on June 4, 2024. You can also pre-order the sequel,  FYREBIRDS, out Aug. 27. Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes, including one about Tomoe Gozen, an infamous Japanese warrior, and an upcoming bonus about Japanese goddess Amaterasu. Buy some merch and art available at the Exploress shop

    • 50 min
    A Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part III: Fashion & Fun with the Glamorous Geisha

    A Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part III: Fashion & Fun with the Glamorous Geisha

    In this four-part series, we're time traveling back to Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) to find out what life was like there for the ladies. If you've been binging Shogun lately, then this one's for you! For show notes, including a list of sources and some cool images, go to The Exploress website (If you're dying for a full transcript, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) 
    In June, I'm doing a NIGHTBIRDS readalong on my other podcast, Pub Dates. Whether you're looking for a recap before FYREBIRDS comes out or are keen to read along with me for the very first time, it's going to be a lot of fun! And listeners have a chance to win a prize.
    Ways to support The Exploress:
    Buy Kate's novel, NIGHTBIRDS, which is already out in hardback, and coming out in paperback on June 4, 2024. You can also pre-order the sequel,  FYREBIRDS, out Aug. 27. Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes, including one about Tomoe Gozen, an infamous Japanese warrior, and an upcoming bonus about Japanese goddess Amaterasu. Buy some merch and art available at the Exploress shop

    • 55 min
    A Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part IV: Off to Battle with Samurai Warrior Women

    A Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part IV: Off to Battle with Samurai Warrior Women

    In this four-part series, we're time traveling back to Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) to find out what life was like there for the ladies. If you've been binging Shogun lately, then this one's for you! For show notes, including a list of sources and some cool images, go to The Exploress website (If you're dying for a full transcript, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) 
    In June, I'm doing a NIGHTBIRDS readalong on my other podcast, Pub Dates. Whether you're looking for a recap before FYREBIRDS comes out or are keen to read along with me for the very first time, it's going to be a lot of fun! 
    Ways to support The Exploress:
    Buy Kate's novel, NIGHTBIRDS. You can also pre-order the sequel,  FYREBIRDS, out Aug. 27. Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes, including one about Tomoe Gozen, an infamous Japanese warrior, and a bonus about Japanese goddess Amaterasu. Buy some merch and art available at the Exploress shop

    • 40 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
32 Ratings

32 Ratings

CookieDaux ,

so unique and well made

The Exploress is one of a kind! What an interesting conceit for a show, and so well made. The production values are incredible. Kate you do a wonderful job I can't wait to hear all about my sisters lives through history!

Musofreak ,

Really interesting!

Very interesting, thank you for this!

Yoxzen ,

Fascinating and Well Researched

I am thoroughly enjoying this podcast. So we’ll researched, well put together and polished. If you want to learn a little bit more about women in history and their day to day lives, this is the podcast for you.

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