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The History Chicks

 

Jump in a time machine with me. You’re back in highschool – at which point some of us were at our peak, some of us were at a low we hope to never reach again, and most of us were floating somewhere around mediocrity – and you are sitting, or dozing, through history class. Who are you learning about? For most of us, this scenario will bring to mind a mostly male cast. Of course, we are given the friendly reminder that “behind every great man is a great woman,” or something, but those women tend to stay there: behind men.

Susan Vollenweider and Beckett Graham are determined to change the face of history, or at least add a few more female faces, through their podcast, The History Chicks.

Each episode is a longform dive into the birth-to-death life, times, challenges, successes, lessons and legacy of a historical woman.

From the Statue of Liberty to Coco Chanel, Agatha Christie to Amelia Earhart, and dozens of women much less well known, the duo examine the world as that woman would have seen it throughout her lifetime.

Born out of the realization that there were figures, specifically female figures, that weren’t being commonly covered, the two women – who had only ever messaged each other online before deciding to start podcasting – found an audience quickly.

What we both learned not long after is that women and girls were starving for the stories and lessons from historical women that are often left out of, or relegated to side notes, in history books.

The History Chicks, however, refuses to sound like a history class or a textbook (even though each woman separately writes a “20-30 page research paper of points that [they] think are important” and then discuss all of that research when recording). Susan and Beckett discuss history “like two women having a conversation over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine…because that’s what we’re doing.”

The hosts’ laid-back attitudes and love for history has bred an entire community of listeners and fellow nerds. From History Chicks field trips to the History Chicks Podcast Lounge (a facebook community that allows listeners to connect, share extra information, and discuss possible topics for future episodes), Susan and Beckett’s favorite moments are those involving their listeners.

We’ve always called our listeners ‘friends’ because that’s how we think of them but actually seeing friendships develop are really great moments.

If you’re looking to brush up on one historical woman, or you’re just curious about what the other half of the population has been up to for the past few centuries, The History Chicks is the podcast for you.

Creators’ Choice

Susan and Beckett suggest starting with the most recent episode or with a woman you know a bit about. However, these are the entry points their fans suggest as the best place to start: Lucille Ball, Ida B. Wells, Sojourner Truth, Zelda Fitzgerald, and Wallis Simpson. Go here to see the list on Podchaser!

Do you love or make a cool podcast? Do you want to be featured on our blog? Email Morgan ([email protected]) to tell her why your favorite show should be featured next.

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