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. 1D AGO

    #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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. MAR 18

    #48 A Man Obsessed With Canals & The Rescued Victorian Slave Turned Explorer (Duke Francis Egerton & Florence Baker)

    Welcome back to Mostly Unsung, the comedy history podcast where hosts Annie and Andrea uncover the forgotten people, surprising stories, and historical characters that somehow never made it into the textbooks. Every Wednesday we bring you two bite-size historical biographies packed with fascinating facts, social history, and a healthy dose of humour. If you enjoy funny history podcasts, British history, Victorian history, and stories about remarkable people who changed the world, you’re absolutely in the right place. First up, Annie dives into the life of Francis Egerton, the man often credited with kick-starting Britain’s canal revolution. In the middle of the Industrial Revolution, this ambitious aristocrat helped transform transport, trade, and industry with the creation of the famous Bridgewater Canal. Coal, engineering innovation, and some seriously bold thinking helped reshape the economy. Think less peaceful narrowboat holiday and more industrial history drama. Then Andrea heads much further afield with the incredible story of Florence Baker, one of the most fascinating and often overlooked women in the history of Victorian exploration. Her life reads like an adventure novel beginning with a dramatic childhood, before travelling across continents and becoming the partner of famed explorer Samuel Baker on expeditions through Africa in search of the sources of the Nile. Courageous, resilient, and far more capable than society expected. Expect Victorian adventure, industrial innovation, British social history, and a few laughs along the way as we bring these two extraordinary lives back into the spotlight. If you love history podcasts, forgotten women in history, exploration stories, and the strange characters who shaped the modern world, join us every Wednesday for another episode of Mostly Unsung. For this episode Andrea used these sources: https://explorersweb.com/great-explorers-florence-baker/ https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Florence-Lady-Baker/ https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/may/31/florence-baker-polyglot-slave-girl-turned-explorer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Baker For this episode Annie used these sources: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Egerton-3rd-Duke-of-Bridgewater https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Egerton,_3rd_Duke_of_Bridgewater 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!

    40 min

  5. MAR 11

    #47 A Self Proclaimed Hellraiser & A Woman With A Victorian Beauty Empire (Mary "Mother" Jones & Sarah "Madam Rachel" Russell)

    Mary “Mother” Jones & Sarah “Madam Rachel” Russell: Forgotten Women of Irish, American & Victorian History Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the light-hearted comedy history podcast hosted by women, where Annie and Andrea share the remarkable stories of the forgotten people history left behind. Every Wednesday we bring you two bite-sized historical biographies, packed with fascinating facts, social history, and plenty of laughs along the way. This week we’re uncovering the lives of two extraordinary women who refused to accept the limits placed on them. First, Andrea follows the remarkable journey of Mary “Mother” Jones, one of the most outspoken labour activists in American history. Born in Ireland during the Great Famine, her life takes her across the Atlantic to Canada and eventually Chicago. After devastating personal tragedy, she reinvents herself as a fierce campaigner for workers’ rights and child labour reform. Her most famous protest? Leading a march of hundreds of children to confront the President of the United States all with a dash of reinvention and character building! Then Annie heads to the filthy streets of Victorian London, where Sarah “Madam Rachel” Russell decides she’s had quite enough of scraping by on pennies. Instead, she launches one of the most audacious beauty and business schemes of the 19th century: a money-making venture that promised youth, glamour, and transformation to wealthy women. It’s part Victorian beauty empire, part scandal, and honestly the kind of hustle that would probably go viral on TikTok today. If you love funny history podcasts, forgotten women in history, Victorian London stories, and surprising tales of activism, entrepreneurship, and social history, this episode of Mostly Unsung is the perfect place to start. This week Andrea used these sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Jones https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-harris-jones https://blog.epicchq.com/herstory-irelands-epic-women-mother-jones https://www.iup.edu/library/departments/archives/coal/people-lives-stories/mary-harris-jones.html This week Annie used these sources: https://helenrappaport.com/womens-history/the-true-story-of-madame-rachel/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Rachel_Russell 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!

    44 min

  6. MAR 4

    #46 A Woman Who Knew Exactly Where She Was & A Notorious Eunuch (Gladys West & Wei Zhongxian)

    Welcome back to Mostly Unsung, the comedy history podcast that every week brings you two bite-size biographies of obscure historical figures, the forgotten heroes, the overlooked geniuses, and the truly lost villains. This week, Annie tells the extraordinary story of Gladys West, the mathematician whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern GPS. A gifted Black mathematician working during the era of segregation, West faced systemic racism, constant scrutiny, and repeated barriers to promotion. Yet her complex mathematical modeling of the Earth’s shape made satellite navigation possible, meaning your Google Maps and sat nav directions all trace back to her calculations. If you’ve ever found the nearest coffee shop using GPS, you’ve benefited from her brilliance. Then Andrea takes us inside the intrigue of the Forbidden City during the Ming Dynasty. Enter Wei Zhongxian, one of the most notorious and powerful figures in imperial Chinese history. Rising from obscurity to dominate court politics, Wei’s story is packed with corruption, manipulation, spies, power-grabbing… and yes, a rather extreme DIY career move required to gain entry into the palace system. It’s a tale of ambition, influence, and spectacular downfall. If you love hidden history, unsung heroes, political scandal, powerful women and men history tried to forget, and comedy podcasts with a dash of education this episode is for you. Subscribe to Mostly Unsung for weekly light-hearted deep dives into obscure history, forgotten figures, and the strange corners of the past you won’t hear about in school. In this episode Andrea used these sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wei_Zhongxian https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianqi_Emperor http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Ming/personsweizhongxian.html https://www.usrf.org/news/010308-hiddenpower.html In this episode Annie used these sources: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gladys-West https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/pioneers-and-innovators/gladys-west-a-global-legacy-built-on-precision/ 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!

    39 min

  7. FEB 25

    #45 A Warrior Who Switched Sides & The Green Man (Jandamarra & Henry Cope)

    Welcome to Mostly Unsung, the weekly, comedy history podcast that brings you not one but TWO bitesize biographies every week! Join Annie and Andrea, two old friend huddled in a blanket fort somewhere in England, as they unravel the stories your history teacher never taught you. This week on Mostly Unsung Andrea is in Australia.Tensions are running high between British settlers and the local Bunuba tribe, lands are getting destroyed, sacred places defiled and the police present an ever going threat. Until one young man named Jandamarra is forced to choose a side. A fascinating and bloody period of Australian history ensues. Then Annie is back with the English History books. Brighton in the Georgian Era was the place to see and be seen. Strolling Dandies walked the Steine and one young man went to new and eccentric lengths to express himself. Henry Cope gained the nickname The Green Man for his eccentric way of life. But rigorous study of the law combined with heartbreak led to a tragic end. For this episode Andrea used these sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jandamarra https://ia.anu.edu.au/biography/jandamarra-8822 https://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/story-of-jandamarra.html https://bunuba.com/ For this episode Annie used these sources: https://georgianera.wordpress.com/2017/01/10/the-green-man-of-brighton-henry-cope/ https://www.joannemajor.com/post/the-green-man-of-brighton-or-the-bath-bugabo 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

  8. FEB 18

    #44 A Cornish Bard & The Man Who Bought Us The Bermuda Triangle (Margaret Pollard & Charles Berlitz)

    Margaret Pollard & Charles Berlitz The Cornish Bard & The Bermuda Triangle Welcome back to Mostly Unsung the weekly comedy history podcast hosted by women, bringing you two bite-sized biographies of the overlooked, the underestimated, and the wildly unexpected figures history left behind. Every Wednesday, Annie and Andrea dive into forgotten history, surprising lives, and true stories you probably didn’t learn at school, all with humour, curiosity, and a strong cup of tea. This week we’re covering two very different but equally fascinating characters.  First, we meet Margaret Pollard, the Cornish Bard. A passionate advocate for Cornish culture, language, and identity. At a time when regional traditions were at risk of being lost, she devoted herself to celebrating Cornwall’s heritage through writing and cultural revival. Plus she did some pretty outrageous things to fund the National Trust and undertook, a quite frankly, epic craft project. Then we turn to Charles Berlitz, the language teacher turned global publishing phenomenon. Yes, that Berlitz, the name synonymous with language learning. But his story doesn’t stop with phrasebooks. He became one of the biggest popularisers of mysteries like the Bermuda Triangle, blending history, speculation, and storytelling into international bestsellers. Visionary marketer? Master of mystery? Bit of both? We’ll let you decide. If you love funny history podcasts, forgotten women in history, educational history, language learning history, and deep dives into cultural phenomena like the Bermuda Triangle, this episode of Mostly Unsung is for you. For this episode Andrea used these sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Berlitz https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-01-me-berlitz1-story.html https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Charles-Berlitz-Bermuda-Triangle-author-2832395.php https://biblio.co.uk/authors/charles-berlitz/12526 For this episode Annie used these sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Steuart_Pollard https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-margaret-pollard-1313345.html 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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