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
    • 4.9 • 36 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
    Silent No More: American Women Win the Vote (The 2023 Edition)

    Silent No More: American Women Win the Vote (The 2023 Edition)

    Let's time travel back to the 1920s! But first, we're going to revisit a vintage Exploress episode that explores something momentous that happened in the year 1920, when American women finally won the right to vote.
    You can pre-order my novel, NIGHTBIRDS, wherever print, ebook, or audiobooks are sold! If you do, make sure to claim the exclusive Nightbirds pin by February 27th. If you order from One More Page Books, you'll get your copy signed and personalized AND get some special character cards as well. To find out more about it, have a listen to my other podcast, Pub Dates, where NYT best-selling author Amie Kaufman and I take you behind the scenes on our books' paths to publication.
    Come see me on tour in the USA and Australia in February and March! You'll find the full schedule on my author website.

    • 1 hr

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
36 Ratings

36 Ratings

To Read is Brilliant ,

A high quality history of women podcast, with a huge dose of humour

This Podcast is full of historical details on the topic at hand, and so full of humour it pulls you in every episode. Kate, as well as having an excellent voice for audio, is witty, descriptive, and makes such insightful comments that it’s a joy to listen to The Exploress. The show notes include visuals and a transcription, allowing you to go back and review details. When I am asked for recommendations on podcasts, this one is right up there.

Miss_Mo ,

An engaging history podcast

The Exploress is one of my top 3 to recommend to others for best podcast listening.
I love history but find other podcasts can make it monotonous and dreary. Enter The Exploress, ensuring engaging content and making it relatable. I am very grateful for this podcast and can’t wait to see where she goes next!

ellejaybarlow ,

Fascinating history & engaging storytelling

If you’re looking for something that brings history to life and showcases the too-often-forgotten women of history, this is it! Each episode focuses on something specific — like American Civil War nursing or a specific badass historical lady — and then brings you along on a captivating tale by weaving historical facts, mini re-enactments, and a healthy dash of sass into a tapestry rich enough to make it all come alive. Put on your best time-travelling gear and dive in — you won’t regret it!

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