99 episodes

Welcome to History Lessons for Misanthropes, with Dr. Mildred Strange and her buddy Lou. We talk about uncomfortable, weird, and tragic history, dispelling myths and unpacking truths.

History Lessons for Misanthropes Dr. Mildred Strange

    • History
    • 4.4 • 30 Ratings

Welcome to History Lessons for Misanthropes, with Dr. Mildred Strange and her buddy Lou. We talk about uncomfortable, weird, and tragic history, dispelling myths and unpacking truths.

    97 - Hedy Lamarr

    97 - Hedy Lamarr

    In this episode we discuss the 1940s Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr. Born in Austria, she got her start in Germany cinema before fleeing ro the US during the war to escape her marriage. As well as an extensive filmography, Hedy was an inventor who designed military grade weapons solutions. 

    • 1 hr 9 min
    96 - Mary Anne Shadd

    96 - Mary Anne Shadd

    In this episode we discuss the life of Mary Ann Shadd, a teacher, activist, and journalist in the mid-1800s. She was a freeborn black woman who was exposed to the abolitionist movement from a young age, which inspired her to spend her life fighting for the rights of black people in Canada and the United States. While one would think the abolitionist community would welcome any support, Mary Ann's tenacity and drive rubbed many abolitionst leaders the wrong way. She was a woman who never let the circumstance of race or gender stop her from establishing schools, a newspaper, and touring lecture circuits to earn support for the movement. 
     
    music by V►LH►LL
    vlhll.bandcamp.com

    • 1 hr 5 min
    95 - Joseph Pujol (le Petomane)

    95 - Joseph Pujol (le Petomane)

    The last episode of 2022! In this bawdy and often silly episode, we discuss the life of 19th century entertainer, Joseph Pujol, better known as le Petomane. Joseph's skill was that he had a masterful contron of his GI system, and could pass gas in myriad and entertaining ways. We're ending the year with an absurd and happy story.
    music by V►LH►LL
    vlhll.bandcamp.com

    • 48 min
    94 - Maila Nurmi aka: Vampira

    94 - Maila Nurmi aka: Vampira

    In this episode, we look at the life and troubled career of Maila Nurmi, who created the Vampira character in 1954. Before creating her iconic glamour ghoul, Maila had a hard time breaking into show business both in Hollywood and Broadway. She struggled with a strict upbringing while not fitting into the expected life for young women. We discuss the relationships she had with elite members of Hollywood, and the later exploitation by the system she so desperatly wanted approval from. 
    music by V►LH►LL
    vlhll.bandcamp.com

    • 1 hr
    93 - Possession in New France

    93 - Possession in New France

    In this episode we discuss a possession in New France, when a young women named Barbe Hallay was tormented by demons. This is a story of colonization in the 17th century, a land that is trying to keep it's colonial population Catholic in the face of hardships, and a nun who desperately wants sainthood. Was Barbe really possessed? Was it her way of maintining bodily autonomy in a way that was fixable by the church? Are any of these questions actually answered? You'll have to listen to find out!
    Check out "The Possession of Barbe Hally" by Mairi Cowan.
    Music by Valhall. 

    • 56 min
    92 - Kenneth Anger Part two

    92 - Kenneth Anger Part two

    This is the second part of the story of Kenneth Anger. 
    The episode begins after Kenneth parts ways with Bobby Beausoleil, and decided to leave San Francisco. His time in England was spent wooing rock stars and socialites, and establishing himself as a man of mystery, magick, and LSD. All the while he was making films and chasing the fame he refused to bend for.
    We also think this is the first episode we've done about someone still living- if we're wrong let us know!
     
    music by V►LH►LL
    vlhll.bandcamp.com

    • 54 min

Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
30 Ratings

30 Ratings

Missg...Meee ,

Can Lou chill with all the interrupting?

I’m really digging the topics and the fact Dr. Strange is so knowledgeable about soooo much. But it’s really difficult to listen to the other person constantly interrupt her with bad jokes or tangents. To me it comes across as almost disrespectful since Dr. Strange obviously does super deep and thorough research, then has Lou blurt out lame white dude bro jokes. Please for sake of us history nerds, let her tell the story.

Curlycarls17029274745848 ,

Irritating delivery of information

I’ve tried listening to two episodes of this podcast. The topics do interest me, but the repeated gulping/swallowing/smacking sounds from Mildred nearly drove me to madness. I see another reviewer has already mentioned how bothersome the mouth noises are.

SpongeBobbyHil589 ,

Sigh woke white guilt

Step away from the mic. No one wants to hear you lips smack.

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