Mostly Unsung: A Comedy History Podcast

Mostly Unsung

The weekly comedy history podcast that brings you bitesize biographies of the extraordinary, eccentric, outrageous and occasionally ordinary lives that until now have gone mostly unsung... mostly. Join your hosts Annie and Andrea as they bring you stories that your history teacher never taught you! If you like stuffy lectures then you're not going to be a fan, sorry! But if you are looking to hang out with two old friends who love story telling, a good laugh and forgotten figures from history then welcome! Covering everything from scientists to Grandmothers, survivors of wars to eccentric millionaires, all via ghost stories, anecdotes and terrible impressions of Hollywood legend Tim Curry. Come and hang out, have a giggle and join us every Friday.

  1. 5D AGO

    #55 A Book Written In Eyeliner & Britain's Greatest Actor! (Nawal El Saadawi & Robert "Romeo" Coates)

    Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the weekly comedy history podcast hosted by women, where Annie and Andrea bring you two bite-sized biographies of the forgotten people, overlooked icons, and wonderfully odd characters history didn’t quite know what to do with. If you love funny history podcasts, women in history, literary history, and true stories that make you laugh and think, you’re in exactly the right place. This week, we’re diving into two unforgettable figures from the worlds of literature, feminism, and sheer confidence. First, Andrea introduces Nawal El Saadawi, the groundbreaking Egyptian writer, doctor, and feminist who spent her life challenging injustice. Through her work in women’s rights, medicine, and literature, she tackled issues like gender inequality, social oppression, and freedom of expression often at great personal risk. It’s a powerful story of feminism, activism, and one woman refusing to be silenced. Then Annie brings us the truly baffling tale of Robert Coates, better known as “Romeo” Coates, a man often described as one of the worst actors in British history… who somehow became wildly popular anyway. His dramatic readings, love of diamonds, and absolute belief in his own genius made him a theatrical sensation. It’s a hilarious and slightly chaotic look at confidence, creativity, and how not all success makes sense. Expect feminism, literature, social history, and plenty of laughs as we explore two lives that prove history is as strange as it is inspiring. If you enjoy history podcasts, forgotten women in history, literary history, feminist history, and unusual true stories, Mostly Unsung is your new favourite weekly listen. For this episode Andrea used these sources: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-55048245 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/22/nawal-el-saadawi-obituary https://africasacountry.com/2021/04/the-many-lives-of-nawal-el-saadawi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawal_El_Saadawi For this episode Annie used these sources: https://www.folger.edu/blogs/collation/robert-romeo-coates/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Coates_(actor) Where you can find us: https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/ https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung mostlyunsungpodcast@gmail.com See you next Wednesday!

    45 min

  2. APR 29

    #54 The Queen of the PE Teachers & A Chef On The Run (Martina Bergman Osterberg & Hercules Posey)

    Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the weekly comedy history podcast hosted by women, where Annie and Andrea bring you two bite-sized biographies of the forgotten people, overlooked pioneers, and surprising true stories history didn’t quite hang onto. If you enjoy funny history podcasts, women in history, social history, and fascinating stories from the past, you’re in exactly the right place. This week, we’re uncovering two brilliant and very different lives: First, Annie introduces Martina Bergman-Österberg, a trailblazer in women’s physical education and fitness. At a time when women were expected to sit still and look delicate she helped train generations of PE teachers and played a key role in the development of modern physical education and women’s sport. (And yes, she also had a hand in popularising the gym kit, groooan I guess you’re welcome.) Then Andrea brings us the story of Hercules Posey, an enslaved man who became one of the most skilled chefs in early American history. Cooking for George Washington, Hercules was known for his talent, style, and commanding presence in the kitchen until Washington's 65th birthday, when Hercules decided it was time to take a chance on freedom. Expect women’s history, food history, social change, and plenty of surprising moments as we dive into two lives that shaped culture in ways you might not expect. If you love history podcasts, forgotten women in history, African American history, fitness history, and true stories that are equal parts inspiring and eye-opening, Mostly Unsung is your new favourite listen. For this episode Andrea used these sources: https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/hercules https://www.bbc.co.uk/travel/article/20220201-hercules-posey-george-washingtons-unsung-enslaved-chef https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/hercules-b-ca-1754/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_Posey For this episode Annie used these sources: https://www.ournetballhistory.org.uk/content/topics/history-of-netball/martina-bergman-osterberg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martina_Bergman_%C3%96sterberg Where you can find us: https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/ https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung mostlyunsungpodcast@gmail.com See you next Wednesday!

    46 min

  3. APR 22

    #53 A Samurai Willing To Sacrifice Themselves & A Woman Who Petitioned For Divorce ( Nakano Takeko & Caroline Norton)

    It's that time of the week again! Mostly Unsung, the weekly comedy history podcast is back with two more bite size biographies, historical stories lost in the mist of time, forgotten heroes and long lost villains. This is the very last of our re-records of our earliest episodes so enjoy the new and improved sound! If you love funny history podcasts, women in history, global history, and stories packed with drama, resilience, and a bit of outrage, you’re in exactly the right place. This week, we’re travelling from feudal Japan to Victorian Britain, with two women who refused to stay quiet. First, Andrea introduces the incredible story of Nakano Takeko, a real-life female samurai warrior who fought during the Boshin War in 19th-century Japan. Trained in martial arts and leading a unit of women. It’s a gripping story of samurai history, Japanese history, and women in combat. Then Annie takes us to Victorian England with the scandalous and ultimately world-changing life of Caroline Norton. After a disastrous marriage and a very public legal battle, Norton found herself with no rights to her children or her own earnings. Instead of accepting it, she fought back and helped to change British law around marriage, custody, and women’s rights. It’s a powerful story of social reform, legal history, and one woman taking on the system. Expect samurai battles, Victorian scandal, legal drama, and plenty of sharp observations as we dive into two lives that made a lasting impact, even if they’re not always remembered. If you enjoy history podcasts, forgotten women in history, Japanese history, British history, and true stories of courage and change, Mostly Unsung is your new weekly listen. For Language Lessons with our friend Kenia: https://languageswithkenia.wixsite.com/my-site-1?fbclid=IwY2xjawRE3jtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBhNTZ2aGVzd2o1bUxBREhwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmHGbJc8UvHC7G3fGJMAiW2rU3Y5M4UcugjyEDx3oflAD9MQ5NTR17eJ53gh_aem_Eja0JtdZ_S1ytGmtW-wm1A Where you can find us: https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/ https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung mostlyunsungpodcast@gmail.com See you next Wednesday!

    43 min

  4. APR 15

    #52 A Woman With Science In Her DNA & An Hysterical Wife (Rosalind Franklin & Elizabeth Packard)

    Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the weekly comedy history podcast hosted by women, where Annie and Andrea share two bite-sized biographies of the forgotten women, overlooked pioneers, and extraordinary lives history didn’t give enough credit to. If you enjoy funny history podcasts, women in science, social history, and true stories that make you gasp and laugh, you’re in exactly the right place. First, Annie is in the UK exploring the life of Rosalind Franklin, the brilliant scientist whose work was crucial to the discovery of the structure of DNA. Working in a male-dominated field, Franklin’s research helped unlock one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century but she had to put up with a ton of male colleagues determined to make her life miserable and keep her from her lunch break. Then Andrea buckles up for some angry ranting over the story of Elizabeth Packard, a woman living in Victorian America who was wrongfully committed to an asylum by her own horrible husband.  What follows is a powerful story of mental health history, women’s rights, and one woman taking on the establishment. Expect science, scandal, social reform, and plenty of eye-opening moments as we uncover two lives that changed the world...even if history didn’t quite give them all the credit they deserved. If you love history podcasts, forgotten women in history, science history, women’s rights, and compelling true stories, Mostly Unsung is your new favourite listen. For this episode Andrea used these sources: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/elizabeth-packard https://strongwomeninhistory.com/2024/12/02/elizabeth-ware-packard-silent-no-more/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Packard https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/women-s-studies-and-feminism/elizabeth-parsons-ware-packard For this episode Annie used these sources: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rosalind-Franklin https://www.kcl.ac.uk/rosalind-franklin-in-life-in-legacy-in-opera https://www.rfi.ac.uk/discover-learn/rosalind-franklins-life/ Where you can find us: https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/ https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung mostlyunsungpodcast@gmail.com See you next Wednesday!

    45 min

  5. APR 11

    It's An Anniversary Special!

    Can you believe it's been a whole year since Mostly Unsung started? We are both so very grateful to each and every one of you for tuning in every single week to listen to our nonsense, and two mini bite size biographies of the people history lessons never mention! To celebrate, we're posting this chunk of stupid for your listening pleasure. Annie and I have known each other forever, and when we get chatting there isn't much stopping us, so we present to you our very first outtakes reel! Ever wondered which is the best vegetable? What do Andrea's eyebrows actually look like? Should you ever mention the washing up to Annie? All this and more!! We'll be back on Wednesday with your usual stories. Where you can find us: https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/ https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung mostlyunsungpodcast@gmail.com See you next Wednesday!

    15 min

  6. APR 8

    #51 A Man Condemned To Misfortune & A Duelling Opera Singer (Adolphe Sax & Julie d'Aubigny)

    Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the weekly comedy history podcast hosted by two women, where Annie and Andrea bring you two bite-sized biographies of the forgotten people, overlooked icons, and outrageous characters history didn’t quite know what to do with. If you love funny history podcasts, music history, women in history, and wild true stories, you’re in exactly the right place. This week, we’re heading to France for two lives that are anything but ordinary. First, Andrea tells the story of Adolphe Sax, the brilliant and slightly unlucky inventor. A child with a knack for surviving truly alarming accidents, Sax grew up to revolutionise music history with an instrument that would go on to define jazz, classical and popular music. But success doesn’t come easily, and lawsuits escalate into more drama than you’d expect from a man just trying to improve a wind instrument. Then Annie introduces the utterly unforgettable Julie d'Aubigny, also known as La Maupin, a 17th-century opera singer, duellist, and all-round chaos icon. She sang on the biggest stages in French opera, fought duels (often) and scandalised polite society. Honestly, if you’re looking for a badass woman in history, this might be your new favourite story. Expect music, mayhem, French history, and plenty of laughs as we dive into two lives that prove reality is far stranger, and far more entertaining, than fiction. Annie used these sources for this episode: https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/blogs/lapl/julie-daubigny-la-maupin-and-early-french-opera https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/julie-daubigny-opera-singer-gay-lover/ Where you can find us: https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/ https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung mostlyunsungpodcast@gmail.com See you next Wednesday!

    37 min

  7. APR 1

    #50 A Walking Community of Bacteria & The Public Universal Friend (Lynn Margulis & The Public Universal Friend)

    Welcome back to Mostly Unsung  the weekly comedy history podcast hosted by women, bringing you two bite-sized biographies of the forgotten people, overlooked pioneers, and extraordinary lives history didn’t quite know what to do with. If you enjoy funny history podcasts, women in history, science history, and unusual true stories, you’re in exactly the right place. This week, we’re diving into two fascinating figures who challenged the world around them in very different ways. First, Annie explores the life and work of Lynn Margulis, the ground breaking American evolutionary biologist who helped revolutionise our understanding of life on Earth, even if it took the scientific establishment a while to catch up. Then Andrea introduces the remarkable and mysterious figure known as Public Universal Friend.  An 18th-century preacher from early American history who, after a near-death experience, declared themselves no longer the person they once were, but a new, genderless being sent to deliver a message from Angels. Expect science, spirituality, social history, and plenty of surprising moments as we uncover two lives that pushed boundaries and challenged expectations. If you love history podcasts, forgotten women in science, early American history, gender history, and stories that make you think (and laugh), this episode of Mostly Unsung is the perfect place to start. For this episode Andrea used these sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Universal_Friend https://www.nypl.org/blog/2023/02/16/who-was-public-universal-friend-living-outside-gender-binary-revolutionary-times https://nonbinary.wiki/wiki/Public_Universal_Friend https://blue-stocking.org.uk/2019/06/14/an-agender-american-evangelist-the-public-universal-friend/ For this episode Annie used these sources: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2011/dec/11/lynn-margulis-obtiuary https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lynn-Margulis Where you can find us: https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/ https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung mostlyunsungpodcast@gmail.com See you next Wednesday!

    45 min

  8. MAR 25

    #49 A Woman Cursed With An Infamous Surname & An Englishwoman in America (Maria Rasputin & Isabella Bird)

    Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the weekly comedy history podcast hosted by women, bringing you two bite-sized biographies of the forgotten people, overlooked lives, and surprising stories history didn’t quite hang onto. If you enjoy funny history podcasts, women’s history, Victorian travel, and fascinating true stories, you’re in exactly the right place. This week we are revisiting two earlier stories from our very first episode! Now no longer available due to the very dodgy sound recording.....we’re travelling from Imperial Russia to the far corners of the globe with two extraordinary women who lived lives that sound almost too dramatic to be true. First, Andrea introduces us to Maria Rasputin, daughter of the infamous Grigori Rasputin, yes, that Rasputin. After her father’s shocking murder during the final days of the Russian Empire, Maria’s life takes a series of unexpected turns. From aristocratic circles to exile, from cabaret to the shipyards of the Second World War. Her story is a fascinating glimpse into Russian history, revolution, and survival in a rapidly changing world. Then Annie brings us the incredible story of Isabella Bird, one of the most famous yet often overlooked Victorian explorers and travel writers. At a time when women were expected to stay firmly at home, Isabella set off alone across North America, Asia, and beyond, documenting her journeys in bestselling books. Fearless, curious, and determined to see the world on her own terms, she became a true pioneer of women’s travel writing and exploration history despite a physical disability. Expect adventure, reinvention, royal scandal, and a few laughs along the way as we dive into two lives that prove history is far stranger (and more entertaining) than fiction. If you love history podcasts, forgotten women in history, Russian history, Victorian exploration, and real-life stories of resilience and adventure, Mostly Unsung is your new favourite listen. Andrea used the following sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Rasputin https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-many-lives-of-maria-rasputin-daughter-of-the-mad-monk https://allthatsinteresting.com/maria-rasputin Annie used the following sources: https://www.victorianweb.org/history/explorers/bird.html https://www.rsgs.org/blog/isabella-bird-bishop https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/23/isabella-bird-explorer-history-heroine-tv-ruby-wax https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-63735816 Where you can find us: https://www.instagram.com/mostlyunsung/ https://www.facebook.com/share/16J4vuMy1h/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mostlyunsung mostlyunsungpodcast@gmail.com See you next Wednesday!

    41 min
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About

The weekly comedy history podcast that brings you bitesize biographies of the extraordinary, eccentric, outrageous and occasionally ordinary lives that until now have gone mostly unsung... mostly. Join your hosts Annie and Andrea as they bring you stories that your history teacher never taught you! If you like stuffy lectures then you're not going to be a fan, sorry! But if you are looking to hang out with two old friends who love story telling, a good laugh and forgotten figures from history then welcome! Covering everything from scientists to Grandmothers, survivors of wars to eccentric millionaires, all via ghost stories, anecdotes and terrible impressions of Hollywood legend Tim Curry. Come and hang out, have a giggle and join us every Friday.

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