And we're back to finish up the story of the nearly legendary Rani of Jhansi, aka Rani Lakshmibai. (You can listen to part 1 here) When we last left her, she was a new widow in an uncertain time while the rebellion was spreading through India as the 1857 Indian rebellion grew more widespread. But our girl did not start out a revolutionary. In fact, if things had gone just slightly differently she would have never rebelled at all. She led her army into battle and fought fiercely, earning the respect of both her allies and enemies. Despite facing numerous challenges, she never wavered in her commitment to her people and her country. Today, she is remembered as a symbol of resistance and female empowerment in Indian history. What a wonderful way to finish up our season 6. Some sources https://www.copsey-family.org/~allenc/lakshmibai/timeline.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Rebellion_of_1857#Jhansi https://www.history.co.uk/article/lakshmi-bai-and-the-indian-rebellion-of-1857?fbclid=IwAR30t4nR0dDyE5rWT2fkE-KGT3SPu7VgPFgIHiSV92Hg7QM_vuo1Brzd8dg https://www.copsey-family.org/~allenc/lakshmibai/june-12-1857.htmll The Other Half podcast Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/baddest16 and use code baddest16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever heard of Rani of Jhansi? She's sometimes referred to as India's Joan of Arc, so you know we're discussing a Warrior Queen Rani of Jhansi, also known as Rani Lakshmibai, was one of the most prominent figures in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. But today, we're learning about how she got there. She was born in 1828 in Varanasi, India (probably?). Manu (as her family called her) was a Scorpio and it shows. Hard headed to the core with an independent streak, the future Rani of Jhansi did not have a conventional childhood. Manu was married at a young age to the Maharaja (king) of Jhansi and from there her story gets pretty wild. Rani of Jhansi was a remarkable figure in Indian history, who fought against the British Empire and became an icon of resistance and freedom. Her story is a testament to the power of courage, determination, and leadership in the face of adversity. So, join us as we learn what lead to her life taking this crazy turn. Some sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSzNUqA0Fc0 The Other Half Podcast Making Queer History: Gangadhar Rao Open Magazine History.net NY Times Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/baddest16 and use code baddest16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we are here to give a little Respect to a queen we think you’re really going to love. No, not our usual kind of queen, but just as fascinating. She may not have had a coronation, but she is regal through and through. Of course, we’re talking about the one and only Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Her story is one of ups and downs and lots… and LOTS of Katy and Nathan singing off-key (since we are far too poor to afford the rights to the actual music) (guys, we’re really sorry). And what’s a good sing-along without a fancy cocktail? Nathan serves up some diva realness with a drink called The Soul Kiss Cocktail. This episode is a rerun from 2021. but is such an amazing story, we thought it stood the test of time. Some sources we used are: This Rolling Stone article was instrumental in writing this episode. This Pitchfork review gave us a lot of insight into some of Aretha’s lesser-known work. Wikipedia because we’re only humans with day-time jobs. Aretha singing at MLK’s funeral. Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/baddest16 and use code baddest16for 16 free meals plus free shipping! Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back as we, sadly, wrap up the story of the icon that is Selena Quintanilla. The Queen of Tejano. In this episode Selena wins a grammy, gets married and opens two boutiques. Literally everything she had worked towards her entire life was working out and she was on the brink of super stardom. Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/baddest60 and use code baddest60 for 60% off plus free shipping! Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Selena Quintanilla, Queen of Tejano music, makes our little Texan hearts sing. Born in Lake Jackson, Texas in the early 1970's, little Selena became the singer of her family's band at just six years old. And once she started singing, she never stopped. She was told that she'd never make it big because Tejano fans didn't like girl singers. And boy oh boy did she prove the boys club wrong. We pair this episode with a delicious take on a margarita. Drink responsibly, y'all! Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/baddest60 and use code baddest60 for 60% off plus free shipping! Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we last left Grace O'Malley (aka Grainne) she was out there running the seas of Western Ireland. And in part 2... yeah not a lot has changed. Grainne has gone down in history as a formidable woman, but one that was very much nearly lost to history. So, what is it about the Pirate Queen of Ireland? What did she do that made people want to erase her from the record? Besides.... ya know. Be a pirate? Some sources: https://www.worldhistory.org/Grace_O'Malley/ http://thehistorychicks.com/episode-109-grace-omalley/ https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/grace-o-malley-pirate-queen-ireland-irish-history-biography-facts-grainne-ni-mhaille/ Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/baddest60 and use code baddest60 for 60% off plus free shipping! Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gráinne O'Malley (often known as Grace O'Malley) has gone down in history as The Pirate Queen. Born into the powerful, seafaring O'Malley clan in western Ireland, she took to the pirate's life at a young age. Basically, everything a woman wasn't supposed to do at the time, Gráinne was doing it. Cutting off your hair and going sailing with your dad? ✅ Telling troops of sailors what to do and getting respect from the men? ✅ Seeking revenge in a super dramatic way? ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ Seriously, y'all are going to love her. This is part one in a 2 part story, so stay tuned. Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mathilde Kschessinska was an iconic prima ballerina of the Russian Imperial Ballet. She was also the scandal of St. Petersburg. Let's spill the tea. Born into a connected dance family, Little K first met the tsarevich (the future Nicholas II of Russia) when she was 18 and oh boy she was smitten kitten. The relationship ended before she would have liked when he married the future empress, Alexandra Feodrovna. But don't feel too bad for her. Mathilde wasn't lonely long. In her life she saw Russia go through a tumultuous time and witnessed first hand the craziness that was the Russian Revolution in 1917. She was one of the lucky ones that got out, but what was life like after leaving her home? Some sources: Matihilde's memoir online Unofficial royalty More on Mathilde's dad Felix Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we last left Margaret of Austria, she was grieving the loss of her husband, Juan the prince of Spain. At only age 20, Maggie is now back on the market as a widow. As the daughter of the Holy Roman Empire, she can't stay single long and before you know it is a wife... again. As ruler of the Low Countries, Margaret was a formidable negotiator and diplomat, and her actions helped to shape the course of European politics for decades. She successfully maintained the peace between the Habsburgs and the French, and was instrumental in the peace negotiations between England and France in 1518. A moment in history called The Ladies Peace (because who run the world? Girls.) Margaret's story is one of ups, downs, heartbreaks, joys, power and like so much money. She's really rich y'all. Margaret has gone down in history as one of the most influential people of the 16th century, and for really good cause. Sources: Tudor Times https://www.monstrousregimentofwomen.com/2015/01/margaret-of-austria-formidable.html Freelance history writer Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret of Austria. In her life Margaret was the duchess of Savoy, regent for the Holy Roman Emperor, princess of Spain, *kinda* queen of France. So, yeah. She's kind of a big deal. Join us as we drink our Habsburg margaritas and get into this fascinating life. Story starts around 7:30 Doing dry January? So is Katy! So, make a mocktail with us with this mocktail-friendly tequila. Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Some fun sources: https://thefreelancehistorywriter.com/2013/06/28/margaret-of-austria-duchess-of-savoy-and-regent-of-the-netherlands/ https://thefreelancehistorywriter.com/2015/04/10/juan-prince-of-asturias/ https://www.creativehistorian.co.uk/blog/read_185134/unlucky-princesses-margaret-of-austria.html https://hekint.org/2019/02/25/the-king-who-bumped-his-head/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back, as we wrap up the life of the one and only, Josephine Baker. Josey was one of the biggest stars in the world, but when she saw injustice during the lead-up to World War II, she knew she couldn't sit by and do nothing. So, she became a spy. Josephine Baker, the spy. We like the sound of that! After World War II, Josephine Baker continued to perform and speak out against injustice. She was an important figure in the civil rights movement of the United States, In 1963, she was one of the few women to speak at the March on Washington. Personally invited by Marting Luther King Jr. Josey's personal life also took just as many dramatic twists and turns. While she suffered personal tragedy, she also became the mother to twelve children. Josephine would later go on to be one of only six women interred in the Pantheon. Kind of a big deal. We hope you enjoyed this episode about the later life of Josephine Baker. Here are some great sources for continued reading! https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/09/josephine-baker-biography-paris https://www.graceinfluential.com/post/famous-friendships-josephine-baker-and-grace-kelly https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/speeches-african-american-history/1963-josephine-baker-speech-march-washington/ https://www.history.com/news/josephine-baker-world-war-ii-spy https://www.vallartasounds.com/lets-talk-about-josephine-baker-and-robert-brady-an-unlikely-couple.html Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything Josephine Baker did was iconic. Whether it was entertaining the entire world with her captivating stage performances or sneaking intelligence across enemy lines to defeat the Nazis, she was doing it in style. In this episode we'll be exploring her early years, from her childhood in St. Louis, Missouri up to her rise to fame as a world-renowned entertainer. So, put on your dancing shoes, pour a drink and join us as we explore the iconic life of Josephine Baker. Jump to about 3:55 if you want to get straight into her biography. Some cool sources: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/08/15/josephine-baker-was-the-star-france-wanted-and-the-spy-it-needed-damien-lewis-agent-josephine http://thehistorychicks.com/shownotes-episode-34-josephine-bakerpart-one/ https://npg.si.edu/exh/noir/broch3.htm http://operetta-research-center.org/fritz-alfred-rotter-life-theatre-glamour-death-exile/ Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with part 2 in our Margaret Beaufort series. If you missed part one, you can catch it here. So, it's the 15th century and the Plantagenants are all slowly doing away with themselves. It was time for the fighting to end Margaret had a huge role to play in finally ending the Wars of the Roses and this story takes so many exciting twists and turns. Murder, deceit, mystery, war... this story has everything. So grab a drink and settle in! If you, like us, love the Wars of the Roses, you might like some of our classic episodes: Elizabeth Woodville Katherine Swynford Jacquetta of Luxembourg Some fun sources: https://www.thoughtco.com/margaret-beaufort-facts-timeline-3530615 https://tudortimes.co.uk/people/margaret-beaufort-life-story/the-reign-of-richard-iii https://tudortimes.co.uk/people/jasper-tudor-life-story/exile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_AtBdK3sq8 Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret Beaufort the countess of Richmond and mother to the first Tudor king came into this world set up for success. However, family secrets, child marriage and civil war made her life anything but easy. In this episode we see Margaret married three times by the ripe old age of 16. Story starts at about 4:44 If you like this episode, you may like some of our other Wars of the Roses women like... Elizabeth Woodville Katherine Swynford Jacquetta of Luxembourg Some sources: https://rebeccastarrbrown.com/2017/05/31/did-john-beaufort-1st-duke-of-somerset-commit-suicide/ https://tudortimes.co.uk/people/margaret-beaufort-life-story/marriage-childbirth https://tudortimes.co.uk/people/margaret-beaufort-life-story/remarriage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you a lover of long fiction novels? Well, did you know that you have Lady Murasaki to thank for starting the trend? Often known as Murasaki Shikibu, the lady of the chronicles was born in a time and place in Medieval Japan when the lady's court was so secluded. If it wasn't for her novel (Tale of Genji) and collections of poetry, we might have never known the intricate ins and outs of the Japanese court! We pair this girl with a sake-flavored mimosa and a whole lot of laughs. The story really starts at 4:30 Some sources https://libraryguides.bennington.edu/courtly/shikibu https://www.nippon.com/en/views/b09002/ https://www.nancyduong.com/portfolio/junihitoe/ Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to part 3 of our Empress Matilda saga. And this episode is where the action happens. Get ready for lots of Game of Thrones references, given that Empress Matilda and the Anarchy (the 18-year civil war that goes down in this episode) are the inspiration for George RR Martin's "Fire and Blood" aka, House of the Dragon. And if you just found us, you may want to check out part 1 and part 2 before jumping in! Here are some fun sources for this episode: https://www.thoughtco.com/empress-matilda-biography-3528825 https://www.medievalists.net/2013/04/empress-matilda-lady-of-the-english/ https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/empress-matilda/empress-matildas-coronation-as-queen-of-the-romans/ https://www.historytoday.com/archive/wedding-princess-matilda Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back for episode 2 of Empress Matilda's story. (You can find episode 1 here). In this one we see even more parallels to where George RR Martin likely got his inspiration for House of the Dragon and the story leading up to the Dance of the Dragon (spoiler alert). When we last left Matilda she was a newly grieving widow. So, what's a young widow to do besides moving back in with the parents and hope to be named heir of an empire? Here are some fun sources for this episode: https://www.thoughtco.com/empress-matilda-biography-3528825 https://www.medievalists.net/2013/04/empress-matilda-lady-of-the-english/ https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/empress-matilda/empress-matildas-coronation-as-queen-of-the-romans/ https://www.historytoday.com/archive/wedding-princess-matilda Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back for season 6 and boy do we have a story for you. Empress Matilda was supposed to be the first Queen Regnant of England, but things took... a different turn. In fact, the time of her would-be reign (known as The Anarchy) is actually the inspiration for HBO's newest Game of Thrones spin off, House of the Dragon. So, without our girl Matilda, you wouldn't have our girl Rhaenyra. But before we can get to the epic historical drama, we're going to learn about the early years of Empress Matilda and set the stage for the madness to come. Story starts at 4:34 Here are some fun sources for this episode: https://www.thoughtco.com/empress-matilda-biography-3528825 https://www.medievalists.net/2013/04/empress-matilda-lady-of-the-english/ https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/empress-matilda/empress-matildas-coronation-as-queen-of-the-romans/ https://www.historytoday.com/archive/wedding-princess-matilda Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We last left Christina as she was finally coming into her role as queen of Sweden. Join us as we get into the wild ride that is the rest of her life. And y'all. There is never a dull moment in this life. Here are some sources we used to research this episode: https://www.kungligaslotten.se/english/articles-movies-360/ulriksdal-palace/2018-04-13-historys-grandest-coronation-procession.html https://headstuff.org/culture/history/queen-christina-of-sweden-lesbian-troublemaker/ https://www.jta.org/2020/03/06/global/europes-modern-anti-semitic-carnivals-are-carrying-on-a-centuries-old-tradition https://www.romeing.it/women-saint-peters-basilica-vatican/ Want more Queens and/or ad-free episodes? Head to our Patreon. Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christina of Sweden, aka the Girl King, is one of the most famous monarchs of Sweden. Her memory lives in both fame and infamy. She was... complicated. Is it a boy or a girl? Initially, Christina was mistaken for a male at birth, causing her Mom (Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg) to take some really drastic steps to communicate her frustration with her. But it wasn't all trauma. Dad (King Gustavus II Adolphus), on the other hand, loved and adored her and eventually had her educated and trained as a male heir would be, setting Christina up for success as the Queen of Sweden. Christina of Sweden was a progressive woman of the people who fought for equality among her subjects, as best one could in the 1600s. She ended the 30-Year War with Poland that killed her father while having a romantic relationship with her female Bedfellow, a relationship still debated to this day.  Pairs best with the Christina of Sweden Cocktail (we invented this one ourselves, and we love it! [00:02:00] for the recipe). Queen Christina’s story includes: Jekyll and Hyde parental figures Romantic female relationship Impressively tactile politics Must listen Moments: [00:23:00] He finally was like, look, you have a daughter. Apparently, what he said is, she's tricked us all. She's gonna be really clever. I love this about him. I love that. That is so cool. That is so refreshing that he was just like, this, this is my daughter. [00:24:00] Yeah. Her mother, again, like her mother just resents her and it's just this bad look, so her mother may have. Tried to kill her once or twice.  [00:55:30] I think they were definitely lovers. That's a Queen's podcast official statement - that we think they were lovers. A lot of people have speculation one way or the other, letters between the two survive, that feel like love letters. A fun source we used: https://headstuff.org/culture/history/queen-christina-of-sweden-lesbian-troublemaker/ Want more Christina of Sweden? Listen to part 2. Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices