Herstory
History
About
Join comics Shelby Stockton and Amy Claire as they sift through archives to bring you stories of badass women throughout history. Because this is HERstory.
Episodes
- Party of One: Divorce Ranches
This episode of Party of One, a segment of Herstory, explains the phenomenon of divorce ranches, primarily in Nevada. These ranches allowed women to establish residency and obtain quick divorces between the 1920s and 1950s.
- Girl Animals
This episode of Herstory explores animals born female that exhibit distinct characteristics. Topics include anglerfish, meerkats, dolphins, hyenas, jacanas, and seahorses.
- Rivalries
This episode of Herstory discusses rivalries, focusing on the professional contention between fashion designers Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli, and the media-fueled feud between opera singers Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi.
- Women Who Won
This Herstory episode explores the complex lives of women who achieved success, featuring discussions on Jane Richards, Mary Elizabeth Bowser, a Union spy, and Ada Blackjack, an Iñupiaq woman who survived alone on Wrangel Island.
- Killer Jobs
This Herstory episode discusses jobs that can be deadly, focusing on Grace Fryer, a dial painter who suffered radium poisoning, and Audrey Mestre, a world-record-setting freediver.
- The Other Woman
Relationships are complicated, and extramarital affairs are a tale as old as time. Welcome to our episode on The Other Woman. Amy talks about Alice Keppel, an aristocrat and British society hostess, who was a long-time mistress of King Edw…
- Vanished Without a Trace
Welcome to the unsolved mysteries segment of Herstory. Today, we tackle stories about women who disappeared, never to be seen again. Was it of their own volition? Did something nefarious happen? We don't know! Amy discusses Dorothy Arnold,…
- Wrongfully Institutionalized
When women inconvenience society, they're called crazy. Today, we look at some ladies who were actually institutionalized for speaking their minds. First, Amy tells us about the Irish writer Rosina Bulwer Lytton, who forgot to divorce her…
- Making Herstory: Nicki Krawczyk & Kate Sitarz
In this special Making Herstory segment, Shelby sits down with Nicki Krawczyk and Kate Sitarz, the women behind Filthy Rich Writer, to talk about building a career and a business in copywriting. With over 25 years of combined experience, N…
- Repost: Librarians
For this repost, we're celebrating Women's History Month and the best women in the world - LIBRARIANS! This episode was originally Ep 34 on March 1, 2020. *** Welcome to Women's History Month! It was a happy accident that we recorded our L…
- Revenge
They say it's a dish best served cold, and who doesn't love a tale of REVENGE? Shelby talks about the Olga of Kiev, a woman who tortured a tribe of people for killing her husband, and then later was granted sainthood. Amy discusses Giulia…
- Italy
Sorry for last week's unexpected no-show. We had some major technical difficulties, but this is the episode that was supposed to air. To celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympics, we look at the women of Italy. Amy covers Veronica Franco, an Ital…
- Get Outta Here: Exiled Women
These poor women were just trying to do good things, but bullies told them to "Get Outta Here!" We're covering women who were exhiled. Amy discusses Ranavalona III, the last sovereign of the Kingdom of Madagascar. (We have an episode about…
- Women Who Built It
They say, if you build it, they will come, and these ladies did just that! Shelby talks about Fatima al-Fihri, the Arab woman who is credited with founding the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, and eventually a university, in Fez, Morocco. Amy tells u…
- Wrongfully Accused
Every woman in the history of the world has been accused of something that she didn't do, but these women served time for doing nothing wrong at all. Shelby talks about Katharina Kepler, an herbalist who was accused of witchcraft in 1615 a…
- Ice Queens
Grab a sweater, because today we're covering Ice Queens. Shelby covers Empress of Russia, Anna Ioannovna, aka Anna of Russia. Amy informs us of Empress Dowager Cixi, who had de facto but periodical control of the Chinese government in the…
- Proof of Life
Life has been life-ing for your hosts, so here's an episode to assure you we're alive and working through it.
- Repost: Women of the North Pole
Repost and Vacation Alert We'll see you with a new Herstory on Jan 8th. Happy Holidays! Welcome to Women of the North Pole! Amy covers Ann Bancroft, the first woman to reach the North Pole. Shelby talks about the first all-women relay expe…
- Party of One: Solo Female Traveling
In this Party of One, Shelby discusses one of her loves - solo travel. She was inspired by a YouTuber, Noraly Schoenmaker, who goes by the handle Itchy Boots. (Check her out!) Shelby then discusses the feminist origin story behind LA's Hot…
- Party of One: Architectural Misogyny
Amy is out, so you get one-on-one time with Shelby as she discusses how public spaces are not built for women's bodies and needs.
- Repost: Native Americans
Herstorians - It's a blast from the past! Please enjoy this episode from 2019 (Ep 21) on Native Americans. Gobble, gobble Herstorians. It's our Thanksgiving episode, and we're dedicating it to lady Native Americans. Shelby discusses Dr Sus…
- Shelbys
this episode comes out on Shelby's birthday, so we're covering women named Shelby! Shelby (your co-host) discusses Shelby Knox, a teenage activist from Texas who challenged abstinence-only education and became a national voice for comprehe…
- Better Than the Boys
This week, we do a compilation of women who beat men at something. We cover six extraordinary ladies who were some of the greatest at their craft. Shelby discusses Jackie Mitchell (baseball pitcher), Masako Katsura (billiards player), and…
- Mythical Monsters and Dark Gddesses
It's our third installment of our Spooky Season episodes, and today, we cover Mythical Monsters and Dark Goddesses. Shelby gives a thorough explanation of Siguanaba, a shapeshifting spirit from Central American folklore. Amy covers Tlazolt…
- Vampires
As we continue through the spooky season, we take a "stab" at Vampires. Amy educates us on the Casket Girls, women brought from France to the French colonies of Louisiana to marry. But there's a spooky twist. Shelby discusses Countess Doli…
- Possessed
It's spooky season, so we're kicking it off with women who were either legitimately possessed or claimed to be. What do we know? We've never been possessed, so we don't judge. Amy covers Clara Germana Cele, a South African Christian girl,…
- Jane Goodall
It's our 200th episode, and what's better than dedicating it to the late and great Jane Goodall? Amy and Shelby put their heads and research together to give you a thorough account of this amazing woman's life.
- Colombia
Herstorians - First, an apology. For whatever reason, our recording equipment decided to act up again, and the sound on this episode is not our best. You can hear us, but we sound far away. Regardless, please enjoy this episode on Colombia…
- Mabon
It's officially fall. The days are getting shorter, everything tastes like pumpkin, and discount stores have their Halloween decor out for consumption. We decided to take a different route and discuss Mabon, a Pagan and Wiccan festival cel…
- Party of One: The Herricanes
Shelby talks about the documentary The Herricanes, which covers a women's full-tackle football team from the 1970s.
- They Named a Building After Her!
There are so many buildings named after people whom we have no idea ever existed, and that's why we're focusing this week's episode on women who have a building named after them. Amy tells us about Juana Briones, a Californio ranchera, med…
- Professors II
We did not realize we had already covered professors before we recorded, so welcome to Professors II! It's a Herstroy first. Amy educates us on Maria Mitchell, an American astronomer, librarian, naturalist, and educator. Shelby discusses A…
- Party of One: Bro Code and Monogamy
On this Party of One, Shelby discusses her thoughts on "bro code" and questions if monogamy is the natural state for women. It's a brief episode, but such an interesting topic to discuss.
- A Brief Herstory of Accessories
Welcome to another Party of One. Amy tells us about some fascinating accessories made for women. Some you may be familiar with. Others may be news to you. Enjoy!
- Geniuses
Today, we're celebrating the smarty pants - lady geniuses! Shelby covers American geneticist, Nettie Stevens. Amy tells us about U.S. Navy officer and a pioneer in computer programming, Grace Hopper.
- Espionage
We love a lady who can keep a secret and fight the bad guys, all at the same time. Today, we talk about women involved in espionage. Shelby covers Virginia Hall, an American who worked with the United Kingdom's clandestine Special Operatio…
- Made for Her
Today, we tackle some awful and wonderful things that were made especially for women. There are some highs and lows, so buckle up.
- Party of One: A Brief Herstory of High Heels
On this week's Party of One, Amy takes on a little tour of the Herstory of high heels. From Kings to Ladies of the 80s, heels have been around forever.
- Cowgirls
Yeehaw! Time to honor those women who felt at home on the range. Amy educates us about Sally Skull, one of the first settlers in Stephen F. Austin's colony in the early 1820s. Shelby tells us about trick rider, sharpshooter, and rodeo quee…
- Alchemists
This episode is gold, if we do say so ourselves, and that's why it's so apropos to cover lady alchemists. Amy tells us about the scandalous Anna Maria Zieglerin, an "alchemist" and a con artist. Shelby gives the juicy details about Italian…
- Party of One: A Brief Herstory of Women and Pants
This week, Amy makes her Part of One debut. She takes us on a journey of pants, trousers, pantaloons, and bloomers, and how they've been tied (and not) to women throughout history. Rebellion, shame, and fashion!
- Serial Wives
Here's to the ladies who can't stop saying "I do." That's right, serial wives - the gals who love the institution of marriage. Amy covers American debutante, socialite, heiress, and philanthropist Barbara Hutton. Shelby talks about America…
- Mystics and Psychics
Even if you're not a believer, you'll enjoy this supernatural episode on Mystics and Psychics. Amy gives us the scoop on Margery Kempe, an English Catholic mystic who believed she was married to Jesus. It is believed that she wrote the fir…
- Party of One: AI and Tarot and Goddesses - Oh My!
- 50s Icons
We're covering the Fabulous Fifties with 50s icons! Amy tells us about Japanese actress, Machiko Kyo. Shelby discusses American actress, singer, recording artist, and transgender activist, Christine Jorgensen.
- Ladies in Waiting
We're getting royal over here and covering Ladies in Waiting. Shelby discusses the scandal behind the British aristocrat and lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria's mother, Lacy Flora Hastings. Amy tells the salacious story of Catherine Dolgor…
- Dueling Women
Take 10 steps, turn around, and press play on this episode about women who settled disputes with a duel! Amy covers two exciting stories: a pistol duel between Marquise de Nesle and Comtesse de Polignac and an old fashioned sword duel betw…
- Homesteaders
Do you ever fantasize about owning a plot of land and growing your own food? Well, these women did it! This week, we cover homesteaders. Amy eductaes us on Annie Morgan, who was born enslaved but fled and headed west to make it on her own.…
- Lighthouse Keepers
They're the sanctuary during a storm, and they save lives! Today, we talk about female lighthouse keepers, and these women do not disappoint. Amy covers the brave lady with an adorable name, Grace Darling. Shelby discusses Ida Lewis, who s…
- Ireland
Happy St. Patrick's Day! This episode, we decided to shake things up. Instead of covering two cool ladies, we covered five! Ireland deserves it! Sit back and take a listen while Shelby and Amy give the abbreviated 411 on Peg Plunkett, Sara…