Mythsogyny

Mythsogyny

Join story nerds C Alexandra and John Cordial in their often meandering and illuminating conversations about the stories humans tell themselves, historical, mythological, and legendary, and how no one—not even gods or heroes—can escape misogyny.

  1. Jul 2

    A Truth Universal? (Jane Austen's Political Legacy)

    It's actually a truth universal that everyone knows that quote. But what of the writer? And what of her politics? Chesnaye takes us on a proper journey through Jane Austen's subversive political undertones. Everyone knows she's one of the greats but did you ever think about how her very existence as a novelist was a political statement? A legend of the literary, her political legacy was softened, but in the pages of her novels, and with a sharpness that could cut the very paper she's printed on, Austen said more about the injustices of our world than we give her credit for. References: We've got all six novels of Jane Austen, plus Lady Susan from her juvenilia. A Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen-Leigh Jane Austen's Letters ed by Deirdre Le Faye Jane Austen, the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly Wild for Austen: A Rebellious, Subversive, and Untamed Jane by Devoney Looser The Life and Works of Jane Austen from The Great Courses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV-UfN7sEB8

  2. Jan 26

    Eleanor Roosevelt pt 4: "Then remaining silent is cowardly."

    "If silence seems to give approval then remaining silent is cowardly." - Eleanor Roosevelt, My Day September 1944. And now, dear listeners, C takes us on a voyage through the final years of Eleanor's life. From being a delegate at the first ever UN, to becoming the strongest champion for human right's we have ever witnessed. Eleanor took on huge challenges, built bridges, and never, ever stopped speaking out for what was right. She wrote more, politicked more, and in the end left a legacy of activism that would be a fine example for us all to follow. It only seems fitting to include one more quote from her: "Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down." - Eleanor Roosevelt. Resources: Eleanor and Hick: the Love Affair that Shaped a First Lady by Susan Quinn https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/11/22/the-first-kitchen https://erpapers.columbian.gwu.edu/browse-my-day-columns (for the My Day column specifically) If You Ask Me: Essential Advice from Eleanor Roosevelt, ed by Mary Jo Binker Dinner with the President by Alex Prud’Homme Eleanor in the Village: Eleanor Roosevelt’s Search for Freedom and Identity in New York’s Greenwich Village. By Jan Jarboe Russell Eleanor Roosevelt, vols 1-3, Blanche Wiesen Cook The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt https://www2.gwu.edu/~erpapers/timeline/ Ken Burns’ documentary, The Roosevelts https://considerthesourceny.org/document/your-hands-guide-community-action https://www.fdrlibrary.org/documents/356632/390886/sears.pdf

  3. 10/21/2025

    Eleanor Roosevelt pt 3: "But For The Honor Of Our Country."

    Continuing the epic journey into the life of the finest first lady we've ever had, C takes us through Eleanor's White House years. Detailing her tumultuous relationship with Lorena "Hick" Hickok, Mrs. Nesbitt's terrible food, hot dogs with royalty, and the hard years of the depression. Throughout it all, Eleanor shined as a tireless beacon of hope for an exhausted nation that often did not know where our next meal was coming from. A steady voice helping embolden hearts as her hand helped to guide this nation right into WW2. She spoke reasonably about some of our most shameful hours. She said for the honor of our country, we must ignore racial differences and now as in her day, Eleanor's words ring true with the clarity and empathy sorely missed in leadership. It is a real honor to present part 3 of her story.  Resources: Eleanor and Hick: the Love Affair that Shaped a First Lady by Susan Quinn https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/11/22/the-first-kitchen https://erpapers.columbian.gwu.edu/browse-my-day-columns (for the My Day column specifically) If You Ask Me: Essential Advice from Eleanor Roosevelt, ed by Mary Jo Binker Dinner with the President by Alex Prud’Homme Eleanor in the Village: Eleanor Roosevelt’s Search for Freedom and Identity in New York’s Greenwich Village. By Jan Jarboe Russell Eleanor Roosevelt, vols 1-3, Blanche Wiesen Cook The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt https://www2.gwu.edu/~erpapers/timeline/ Ken Burns’ documentary, The Roosevelts

  4. 08/31/2025

    Eleanor Roosevelt pt. 2: "You Gain Strength, Courage, and Confidence..."

    “...by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” - Eleanor Roosevelt. In episode 2 of our Ken Burn's style odyssey about Eleanor, Chesnaye covers the roaring 20s. Flappers, teapot dome, tariffs, and of course the lesbians arrive! We got hundred year old political smackdowns coming your way along with some woodworking because what are lesbians without woodworking, right? So sit back, grab a nice hot dog, and get ready to dig into the next phase of Eleanor Roosevelt's life and find out how she helped shape yours today! Resources & Reading: Eleanor in the Village: Eleanor Roosevelt’s Search for Freedom and Identity in New York’s Greenwich Village. By Jan Jarboe Russell Eleanor Roosevelt, vols 1-3, Blanche Wiesen Cook The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt https://www2.gwu.edu/~erpapers/timeline/ Ken Burns’ documentary, The Roosevelts The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert Caro (F**k Robert Moses.)

  5. 07/28/2025

    Eleanor Roosevelt pt. 1: "You Must Do..."

    "...the thing you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt. This episode is part one of a series on the life and legacy of a first lady who rose so far above the office that it was never really the same. She is one of C's favorite historical figures and for good reason. Part of the Roosevelt Dynasty, Eleanor grew from oddly humble beginnings to become one of the family's brightest stars, which in a family that includes Teddy "Life of the Party and if not he'll create his own party" Roosevelt and her husband, our longest serving US president, that's really saying something.  Resources: Eleanor Roosevelt, vols 1-3, Blanche Wiesen Cook The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt It’s Up to the Women, Eleanor Roosevelt https://erpapers.columbian.gwu.edu/ The Roosevelts, documentary by Ken Burns Eleanor, David Michaelis https://www.history.com/articles/gilded-age-end-reason

  6. 05/27/2025

    The Power of Morgan le Fay

    Diving back into Arthuriana, C and John explore the power of sorceress supreme Morgan le Fay. She is a figure of stunning and unmatched female agency in the tales of King Arthur. Mother of Yvain, Master of the Green Knight, Guinevere's number 1 hater-in-chief, staunch admirer of Rube Goldberg, and eventually queen of Avalon. Also she should be the patron saint of sibling rivalry. So kick back, grab an apple fritter, and heal with us as we learn no one does it quite like Morgan le Fay. References “From The Lady to The Tramp: The Decline of Morgan le Fay in Medieval Romance.” Arthuriana, volume 4, issue 1, 1994, pp 1-18. Maureen Fries https://theconversation.com/morgan-le-fay-how-arthurian-legend-turned-a-powerful-woman-from-healer-to-villain-109928 Armstrong, Dorsey. Gender and the Chivalric Community in Malory’s Morte d’Arthur. University Press of Florida, 2003. Folklore Rules: A Fun, Quick, and Useful Introduction to the Field of Academic Folklore Studies, Lynne McNeill Scott, Cynthia A. "Creating Her Own Power: "Morte Darthur's" Morgan Le Fay." https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8777&context=etd https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1885&context=leg_etd Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Mallory  Erec and Enid; Yvain, the Knight of the Lion; and Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart by Chrétien de Troyes The Vulgate Cycle, Anonymous Vita Merlini; Historia regum Britanniae by Geoffrey of Monmouth

  7. 04/30/2025

    No Sex In The City: The Goddess Athena

    Athena, goddess of wisdom, war, handicraft, strategy, and the patron of Athens. Join C and John on a journey through her complicated origins and lore. From her clouded origins, through the myths of Arachne and Medusa to helping Odysseus on his epic journey, Athena is one of the most storied and iconic goddesses. A patron to heroes and even the sort of mother to one, she guided many Greek heroes on their journeys into myth and legend but that's only one aspect of the goddess. And of course, we've gotta talk about Ovid.  (Apologies for the poor sound quality this episode. There were some minor recording issues.) Sources Hesiod, Theogany Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca Ovid, Metamorphoses Homer, Iliad and Odyssey Martin Nilsson, Die Geschichte der griechischen Religion Jane Ellen Harrison, Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion Walter Burkert, Greek Religion

  8. 03/31/2025

    What A Woman Can Do: The Illustrious Artemisia Gentileschi

    This episode for Women's History Month C takes us on a journey to Baroque era Italy and introduces us to one of the greats: Artemisia Gentileschi. A woman is more than just the stories they tell about her, more than her deeds, but Artemisia certainly lived a life with many great stories. One of the most famous artists of her era but shortly forgotten by history, her amazing tale and incredible artworks have been revived by women dedicated to bringing her epic life and artworks back into the p...

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Join story nerds C Alexandra and John Cordial in their often meandering and illuminating conversations about the stories humans tell themselves, historical, mythological, and legendary, and how no one—not even gods or heroes—can escape misogyny.

Information

  • Creator
    Mythsogyny
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mythsogyny
  • Show Website
    Mythsogyny