History Girls

Hosted by Joanna Reed and Ellen Brown
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Just two girls who love talking history (not historians, just obsessed 🏰✨) Hi, we’re Joanna and Ellen, two friends nattering about scandals, surprises, and the forgotten corners of the past, with a few famous figures you might recognise. We’ll bring the tea (sometimes literally), you just bring your curiosity.

Episodes

  1. FEB 6

    A Brief History of Courtship

    Before dating apps and unread messages, there was courtship. A world of rules, rituals, longing, and very little privacy. In this episode, we wander through the history of romance, from arranged marriages and dramatic courtly love to Regency ballrooms, secret fan signals, Victorian valentines, and love letters written during wartime. We explore how people expressed affection when emotions had to be hidden in flowers, dances, and carefully chosen words. From handwritten notes to modern dating confusion, this episode is a reminder that while the rituals have changed, the hope behind them has not. Sources: https://www.postalmuseum.org/blog/love-letters-from-the-second-world-war/ https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Vinegar-Valentines/

    40 min

  2. JAN 10

    Who was Billy the Kid?

    Billy the Kid is one of the most famous names in Wild West history. Outlaw. Gunslinger. Folk hero. But how much of what we think we know about him is actually true? In this episode of History Girls, Joanna and Ellen dig into the real life of Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty, to separate fact from legend. From his childhood shaped by poverty and loss, to his first arrest as a teenager, and the single violent moment that changed everything, we trace how Billy became an outlaw in a world defined by corruption, frontier justice, and survival. Sources: Michael Wallis, Billy the Kid: The Endless RideHistoryExtra: https://www.historyextra.com/period/victorian/billy-the-kid-outlaw-gunslinger/ PBS: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/billy-life-and-legend-billy-kid/

    41 min

  3. 12/13/2025

    All Roads Lead to Rome

    All Roads Lead to Rome From underfloor heating and road systems to public baths, superstition and gladiator games, the Romans shaped far more of modern life than we often realise. In this episode, we head straight to the heart of the Roman Empire to uncover what everyday life was really like beyond the togas and Hollywood myths. We explore Roman homes and social hierarchy, daily routines from sunrise to sunset, childhood and education, marriage and gender roles, and the stark contrasts between rich and poor. Along the way, we bust common Roman myths, uncover bizarre and brilliant inventions, dive into food, hygiene and superstition, and take a closer look at the harsh realities of gladiator life inside the arena. Expect surprising facts, lively discussion and myth-busting moments that reveal just how complex, clever and strange Roman society really was, because once you start looking at Rome, you realise how much of the modern world still traces back to it.

    36 min
  4. Words of War: A Remembrance Day Special

    11/09/2025

    Words of War: A Remembrance Day Special

    For Remembrance Day, we read real letters written during the First World War. Real voices. Real words. Letters written in the middle of a war that still speak to us today. References: The National Archives – Letters from the First World War (1915): “Trenches: mostly ‘mere boys’” https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/letters-first-world-war-1915/trenches-mostly-mere-boys/ Imperial War Museums – Letter concerning the burning of a Zeppelin at Cuffley, Hertfordshire (September 1916) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1030005513 National Army Museum – Rifleman William Eve: Winter on the Western Front (January 1915) https://ww1.nam.ac.uk/stories/rifleman-william-eve/

    37 min
  5. History Gets Haunted: The Halloween Special

    10/24/2025

    History Gets Haunted: The Halloween Special

    Our Halloween Special is here! We talk about where Halloween really came from, how trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving started, and share ghost stories from listeners (plus a few famous hauntings like Anne Boleyn). Then we explore the history of witches and finish with a myth-busting game to separate real history from spooky folklore.

    40 min

  6. 09/28/2025

    Inside Viking Life

    Step into the smoky longhouses, feast halls and stormy seas of the Viking Age with us. In this episode, we uncover the real Viking world, from twelve-day feasts and fiery weddings to rune sticks with cheeky messages, and the surprising independence of Viking women. Forget the horned helmet clichés. This is Viking life in all its colour: fierce, funny and deeply human. Featuring original music by Solfyr, whose haunting vocals bring the Norse world to life. Follow her on Instagram: @solfyr_official

    39 min

  7. 09/07/2025

    Talking Jane: Our Love Letter to Austen

    It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of the most beloved authors in the world and in this episode, we’re diving into her wit, wisdom, and wonderful legacy. From her razor-sharp drawing room banter to her quietly radical takes on love, class, and marriage, we explore why Austen’s novels remain timeless. We chat about her life in Regency England, the myths (and gossip!) surrounding her, her bond with her sister Cassandra, and how her characters might fare on modern dating apps. Along the way, we share our favourite Austen books, film adaptations, and why her heroines still inspire us today. So fluff up your empire waist gown, pour yourself a cup of tea, and join us for a celebration of Jane...the woman who never married, but taught us all about love.

    43 min

  8. 08/15/2025

    Anne Boleyn: Loved, Crowned, Beheaded

    We’re heading straight into the Tudor court to talk about one of our favourite queens, and not the “scheming seductress” you’ve seen in certain films. In this episode we’re busting the myths, digging into the politics, the fashion, and the reformist streak that made Anne unforgettable. From the seven-year courtship to the downfall that was planned long before her trial, we’re separating Tudor truth from royal rubbish.

    54 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

Just two girls who love talking history (not historians, just obsessed 🏰✨) Hi, we’re Joanna and Ellen, two friends nattering about scandals, surprises, and the forgotten corners of the past, with a few famous figures you might recognise. We’ll bring the tea (sometimes literally), you just bring your curiosity.

Information

  • Creator
    Hosted by Joanna Reed and Ellen Brown
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hosted by Joanna Reed and Ellen Brown
  • Show Website
    History Girls

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