The Folly Chronicles

Valerie, Gwendolyn, William

A mother-daughter podcast exploring historical figures who clash with the societal norms of their time.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Ching Shih: The Baddest Pirate You Never Knew.

    Chances are you've never heard of Ching Shih, "The Terror of the South Seas" in the 1800s, whose command of 1,200 pirate ships and 80,000 pirates puts the famous pirates to shame. Be prepared to be amazed! Sources: ·      Pirate Women: The Princesses, Prostitutes, and Pirates Who Ruled the Seven Seas, by Laura Sook Duncombe ·      Atlas Obscura: Ching Shih: The Chinese Female Pirate Who Commanded 80,000 Outlaws ·      History Hit/10 Facts About Ching Shih, China’s Pirate Queen ·      Pirates and Privateers; The History of Maritime Policy by Cindy Vallar ·      Zheng Yi Sao: Pirate Empress of Canton, by Hilmarj Torgrim

  2. Aug 2

    Dr. James Miranda Barry: Erased from history? Part 2

    A conclusion to the tale of Dr. James Miranda Barry. Check out part 1 first if you haven't already! Sources: Book: The Secret Life of Dr. James Barry by Rachel Holmes Online article: How History Keeps Ignoring James Barry/History.com by Brynn Holland Online article: The Extraordinary Secret Life of Dr. James Barry/History.com Online article: Hektoen International: A Surgeon and a Gentleman: The Life of James Barry, by Mariel Tishma Victorian Web Book Review by Joan Grant Children’s book: Were I Not a Girl, by Lisa Robinson and Lauren Simkin Berke

  3. Jul 4

    Dr. James Miranda Barry: Erased from history? Part 1

    In the 1800s, this brilliant medical surgeon of the British Army traveled the empire from South Africa to Canada, setting standards of care still used today. He even performed one of the first C-sections -- and both baby and mother survived! So after his death, why did the British Army seal his records for 100 years? Sources: Book: The Secret Life of Dr. James Barry by Rachel Holmes Online article: How History Keeps Ignoring James Barry/History.com by Brynn Holland Online article: The Extraordinary Secret Life of Dr. James Barry/History.com Online article: Hektoen International: A Surgeon and a Gentleman: The Life of James Barry, by Mariel Tishma Victorian Web Book Review by Joan Grant Children’s book: Were I Not a Girl, by Lisa Robinson and Lauren Simkin Berke

  4. Jun 3

    Georgia Theresa Gilmore: Cooking for justice

    In Georgia Gilmore's pursuit of Black equality, she fought first with her fists and then with lawsuits – but always with a side of sweet potato pie! Jo Ann Robinson, a Civil Rights activist, president of the Women’s Political Council  (WPC) and a professor at Alabama State College, organized a one-day bus boycott after Rosa Parks’ arrest — which preceded and was crucial to the year-plus 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. To learn more about the boycotts and Robinson’s remarkable achievement of creating and distributing 35,000 flyers with the help of students and WPC members, read this article (Robinson is mentioned on page 6). https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1105&context=thetean Sources used: Pies From Nowhere, a children’s book by Dee Romito The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South, by John T. Edge Article: Food History & Culture: Meet the Fearless Cook Who Secretly Fed and Funded the Civil Rights Movement, by Maria Godoy Article: Montgomery Advertising: Plenty With Little and Most Without a Lot, by Safiya Charles    Article: The Clerk’s Black History Series, by Debra DeBerry  Encyclopedia Alabama Household Workers Unite: The Untold Story of African American Women Who Built a Movement, by Premilla Nadasen Kids Encyclopedia Facts NPR: Morning Edition/Hidden Kitchen series, 2005 and NPR: Code Switch, 2023  The cookbook Gwen mentioned  that Georgia Gilbert’s 7-Up cake would fit right in! 50+1 Weird Recipes cookbook by Val Dutton. https://www.amazon.com/50-WEIRD-RECIPES-DARE-THEM/dp/B0BP4N1P2G/ref=books_amazonstores_mobile_mfs_author_smart_catalog_0?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=v5Nns&content-id=amzn1.sym.aec507cb-142c-4f68-9ae5-803b8e7b33f1&pf_rd_p=aec507cb-142c-4f68-9ae5-803b8e7b33f1&pf_rd_r=146-2385056-1674941&pd_rd_wg=HzvtQ&pd_rd_r=8fd53ae5-8669-466b-b5fa-f9874913f3a0

  5. May 4

    Elizabeth Packard: Incurably Insane? Part 2

    In part 2 of our Elizabeth Packard tale, Gwen and Val continue to discuss the remarkable story of Elizabeth Packard. If you haven't listened to part 1, please do so! Packard, who is largely forgotten to history,  was a pioneer in women and mental health advocacy and a true testament of resilience in the face of oppression. Thanks for listening! Thanks to Wendy Berry of Wendy Berry Arts for our original logo, and to Danielle of D’Lordes and their partner Siah for our theme song.  Sources used: The Woman They Could Not Silence, by Kate Moore A Noble Fight, by Linda Carlisle Mrs. Packard, by Emily Mann

  6. Apr 5

    Elizabeth Packard: Incurably Insane? Part 1

    In this episode, Gwen and Val discuss the remarkable story of Elizabeth Packard. Labeled as “incurably insane” by not fitting into the rigid standards of the mid-1800s of America, she was condemned to an asylum by her husband. Against all odds, Packard fought for and won her freedom.  Packard, who is largely forgotten to history,  was a pioneer in women and mental health advocacy and a true testament of resilience in the face of oppression. Thanks for listening! Thanks to Wendy Berry of Wendy Berry Arts for our original logo, and to Danielle of D’Lordes and their partner Siah for our theme song.  Sources used: The Woman They Could Not Silence, by Kate Moore A Noble Fight, by Linda Carlisle Mrs. Packard, by Emily Mann

  7. Mar 2

    Alan Turing: Hero or Criminal?

    Val and Gwen take a look back on the life of Alan Turing.  Anne Diamond interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Wxpt2aFi4 Thanks for listening!

  • 7 Episodes

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

A mother-daughter podcast exploring historical figures who clash with the societal norms of their time.

Information

  • Creator
    Valerie, Gwendolyn, William
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Folly Chronicles
  • Show Website
    The Folly Chronicles

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