The 1920s, But Make It Magic: Historically Inspired Fiction with Lyssa Mia Smith
Release Date: 03/15/2023
A Lady's Life in Tokugawa Japan, Part I: Welcome to the Edo Era
The Exploress
In this four-part series, we're time traveling back to Tokugawa Japan (1603-1868) to find out what life was like there for the ladies. If you've been binging Shogun lately, then this one's for you! For show notes, including a list of sources and some cool images, go to (If you're dying for a full transcript, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) Don't forget: In June, I'm doing a NIGHTBIRDS recap and readalong over on my other podcast, . Listeners have a chance to win a prize! Ways to support The Exploress: Buy Kate's novel, , which is coming out in paperback on June 4, 2024....
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Crusader Queens: The Royal Women of Medieval Outremer, Part II
The Exploress
Once upon a time, back in the Middle Ages, four sisters would come to shape the Crusader States called Outremer. One would rebel (several times) against their father; another would come to rule more or less in her own right. All would see a healthy heaping of conflict while living in a chaotic time and place. In Part 2, we'll rejoin our royal sisters as they weather scandal, trial by combat, suspicious deaths, and rebellious sons. For show notes for this episode, go to . (If you're dying for a full transcript of the episode, you'll find it over on my Patreon.) To learn about Katherine...
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Crusader Queens: The Royal Women of Medieval Outremer, Part I
The Exploress
Once upon a time, back in the Middle Ages, four sisters would come to shape the Crusader States called Outremer. One would rebel (several times) against their father; another would come to rule more or less in her own right. All would see a healthy heaping of conflict while living in a chaotic time and place. In Part 1, we'll explore the many roles women played in the Crusades, and we will meet our leading ladies - Alice, Yvette, Hodierna, and Melisende - the daughters of the second Crusader King of Jerusalem. For show notes for this episode, go to . (If you're dying for a full...
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Queens with Swords: Teuta, Amanirenas, and Mavia (Mawiyya)
The Exploress
There’s something stirring about a warrior woman: one who refuses to bow down to the forces against her, no matter how vast they may be. And when they win out? Even better. Let’s talk about three sword-wielding females who went up against the Romans, terrifying all who looked on: Teuta, Amanirenas, and Mavia (Mawiyya). Want more Exploress bonus episodes? I post them regularly . You'll find show notes for this episode at my . You can now buy my ladycentric timelines, maps, and art prints
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Ladies Sing the Blues: The Black Entertainers Who Dazzled the 1920s
The Exploress
In this last episode of Season 4, we're going to find out more about the Black female entertainers who lit up the stages of 1920s America: who they were, the (many) struggles they faced, and all the ways they absolutely slayed. We'll meet blues singers like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, and Mamie Smith, as well as dancers like Josephine Baker. (Content warning: brief discussion of lynching). Want more Exploress while the main feed takes a brief hiatus? I'll be regularly posting bonus episodes . You'll find show notes for this episode at my . You can now buy my ladycentric...
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Screen Queens: Movies in the 1920s and the Women Who Made Them Sparkle
The Exploress
Today, we’re going to the film industry of the 1920s and the ladies who came to define them. We’ll find out more about the movies of the era, their young female stars, and just how they influenced so many. Grab your girlfriends, your favorite fan mag, and your ticket…It's movie night. You can buy my ladycentric timelines, maps, and art prints Also, did you know: I! NIGHTBIRDS is a 1920s-tinted fantasy about girls who will gift their magic with a kiss...for a price. I think you might just like it. You'll find show notes for this episode at my . If you want to support the show,...
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The Good Fight: America's Fight for Women's Rights with Elizabeth Cobbs
The Exploress
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A Lady's Life in 1920s America, Part 4: A Friday Night
The Exploress
Last time, we found out what stay-at-home wife life was like in the 1920s. Now we're going to go out on the town. Let's explore all the fun we were getting up to: dancing, nightclubs, amusement parks, swimming, and girls in automobiles. We'll even dive into the world on 1920s dating. You can now buy my ladycentric timelines, maps, and art prints Also, did you know: I! NIGHTBIRDS is a 1920s-tinted fantasy about girls who will gift their magic with a kiss...for a price. I think you might be into it. You'll find show notes for this episode at my . If you want to support the show, you...
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Lady Killers: The Women of Chicago's Murderess Row
The Exploress
Settle in for a tale of passion, jealousy, corruption, and the lady killers who entranced 1920s America. Grab your gun, your best fur coat, and a flask of bootleg gin. Let’s go traveling. You can now buy my ladycentric timelines, maps, and art prints Also, did you know I NIGHTBIRDS is a 1920s-tinted fantasy about girls who will gift their magic with a kiss...for a price. I think you might like it. You'll find show notes for this episode at my . If you want to support the show, you can do so .
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She-Wolves: Writing the Women of Pompeii with Elodie Harper (Part 2)
The Exploress
Remember back in 2021 when the amazing Elodie Harper , and also her novel The Wolf Den? She's back to talk to us about The Temple of Fortuna, the epic conclusion to her immersive trilogy about a woman just trying to survive in ancient Pompeii. Join us as we talk about courtesans, an ancient queen, female gladiators, and what it might have been like to survive the eruption of Vesuvius. Warning: we WILL be spoiling some aspects of the first two books in the series, so make sure you've read them before you listen. is out now! Go forth and grab yourself a copy. You can now buy my ladycentric...
info_outlineJoin me for a fun-filled interview with my friend and fellow debut author, Lyssa Mia Smith, whose novel, REVELLE, came out last month. Described as MOULIN ROUGE meets THE GREAT GATSBY, it’s one the fantasy-romance fans amongst you don’t want to miss. Much like my novel, NIGHTBIRDS, it takes a lot of inspiration from history, and I loved this chat about magic, courtesans, and all the ways we used elements of Prohibition and the 1920s to craft our fantastical stories.
NIGHTBIRDS and REVELLE are both available now, wherever good books (or audiobooks) are sold! You can find out more about Lyssa at her website and more about NIGHTBIRDS at my author website.