STRONGWOMAN - Charmion
AV & Rita address criticism from a listener at the top of the show. Then AV discusses the complexities of body politics through the story of Charmion, a strongwoman who defied social norms through her body and her art.
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I Don't Know Her
Avery and Rita are on a mission to share the stories your history books left out. Every episode they tackle the brave, complicated, courageous, and important stories of women you've probably never heard of, but you should have. Many of our episodes specifically highlight women of color and LGBTQ+ folks. Join us. Find your new heroes.
enAvery V. Mead136 Episodes
Episodes (136)
REBROADCAST - Interview w/ Mary Cronk Farrell
In honor of Mary Cronk Farrell’s book release next week, we are re-releasing AV’s interview with her. Mary is the author of 8 books about women you’ve probably never heard of, but you should have. The two talk about why they’re drawn to telling these stories, revisit Irena Sendler (S1:E17), and discuss Mary’s new book, Close-Up on War: The Story of Pioneering Photojournalist Catherine Leroy in Vietnam. The book is available in stores on March 22.
Visit https://www.marycronkfarrell.net/ for more.
DRUMMER - Viola Smith
AV shares about some upsetting events that took place over the weekend. Then Rita introduces us to Viola Smith, one of the first professional female drummers and known as the “Fastest Girl Drummer in the World.” Viola made her mark in the Big Band and Swing era, but continued to be a successful professional drummer well into the 1960s and 70s.
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LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/idkher_podcast
ADVENTURER - Barbara Hillary
The hosts have a mini therapy session that begs the question: how much of yourself should you give to others? Then AV talks about Barbara Hillary, the first Black woman to reach the North AND South Poles. She was an inspirational, but complicated, person and some of her spicy comments got the hosts talking about some of the exclusivity in feminism.
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LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/idkher_podcast
ASTRONOMER - Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
The hosts discuss the bystander effect at the top of the show, then Rita tells the short, but impressive story of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin. Cecilia was a scientist and astronomer whose work is the foundation of what we know about the composition of stars today. She was also the first woman to become a full professor at Harvard University.
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LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/idkher_podcast
DAREDEVIL - Tiny Broadwick
AV is fired up over a local media outlet giving a platform to a man accused of domestic violence by multiple women. Then they tell the story of the adventurous and feisty Georgia “Tiny” Broadwick, the first woman to jump from a plane and the accidental inventor of the ripcord.
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MEDIUM - Helen Duncan
We update all of you on what’s been holding us up the past few weeks. Then Rita tells the hilarious, weird & sometimes really gross story of Helen Duncan, known for being the last person imprisoned for witchcraft in Scotland. Her story begs the question, what do you believe?
SURVIVOR - Kim Hak-Sun
Kim Hak-Sun was the first Korean comfort woman to break her silence about the atrocities committed by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. Her story is difficult but important. Content warning for sexual violence, physical violence, war, suicide and substance abuse. Take care of yourself.
https://linktr.ee/idkher_podcast
TYCOON - Rebecca Lukens
The hosts pontificate on the importance of clothing & finding joy in your appearance. Then Rita tells the story of Rebecca Lukens, an American businesswoman & the first woman industrialist. She took over & reinvented her father’s steel business, steering it to become a leader in the new science of boilerplate steel.
LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/idkher_podcast
DEATH METAL GRANDMA - Inge Ginsberg
Calling all readers & TV watchers! The hosts start off the show with their favorite books & shows from this year. Then AV tells the story of Inge Ginsberg, a Holocaust survivor, spy & journalist turned Death Metal Grandma. Thank you, again, for your support this year.
Find us online: https://linktr.ee/idkher_podcast
PARK RANGER - Betty Reid Soskin
AV and Rita are back! Catch up with our intrepid hosts as they talk about the extended production break and tell the story of Betty Reid Soskin - the oldest living Park Ranger. There is way more to her story than wearing Park Service green though.
SURFER - Margo Godfrey Oberg
The hosts start the episode with a discussion on the double standards applied to female bosses. Then Amanda digs into the story of the first woman to become a professional surfer--Margo Godfrey Oberg. Margo paved the way for women to become big wave surfers.
Please support us on Patreon: https://linktr.ee/idkher_podcast
MOUNTAINEER - Annie Smith Peck
Do you believe in ghosts? Spirits? Psychics? The hosts discuss the supernatural and the spiritual world at the top. Then Rita tells the adventurous tale of Annie Smith Peck, a professor and mountaineer who proves that it’s never too late to make your dreams come true.
ACTIVIST: Madalyn Murray O'Hair
Rita ushers in the new season with some insights into apologies and why they’re so damn hard. Then Amanda tells the story of the infamous Madalyn Murray O’Hair, the Most Hated Woman in America. You think you know her story, but you have no idea.
Please support us on Patreon & consider purchasing our merch. https://linktr.ee/idkher_podcast
UPDATE - What we did on our summer vacation
Rita and Amanda update folks on all the goings-on in their lives since the last season and there is A LOT to say. Amanda had top surgery, Rita’s son started junior high, and there were some unexpected twists and turns, including the loss of two important people. Catch up with them in this first episode of the fourth season of IDKHer!
ARTIST - Inji Efflatoun
The hosts talk about the disappointment of a respected local business owner and ally dropping a bad hot take. Then Rita tells the story of Inji Efflatoun, and Egyptian artist and political activist in this season-ending episode.
Support us on Patreon and get sweet merch at TeePublic:
https://linktr.ee/idkher_podcast
ACTIVIST - Kitty Cone
Rita shares her love for makeup YouTuber Jaime French. Then Amanda dives into the complex story of Kitty Cone. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at 15, Kitty eschewed her conservative upbringing to become a political organizer and disability rights activist best known for her work on the 504 Sit In.
MATHEMATICIAN - Hypatia
Rita & Amanda discuss the #metoo moment in the beer industry. Then Rita tells the tale of Hypatia, a philosopher, mathematician and astronomer who taught a generation of prominent thinkers, but whose life was tragically cut short.
AUTHOR - Mary Cronk Farrell
We’re switching things up this week! Amanda interviews Mary Cronk Farrell, author of 8 books about women you’ve probably never heard of, but you should have. The two talk about why they’re drawn to telling these stories, revisit Irena Sendler (S1:E17), and discuss Mary’s new book, Close-Up on War: The Story of Pioneering Photojournalist Catherine Leroy in Vietnam. You can pre-order the book now!
Visit https://www.marycronkfarrell.net/ for more.
DANCER - Tempest Storm
The hosts lambast the current fashion trends at Target & bemoan the fashion mistakes of their youth (that are currently being repeated!). Then Amanda tells the tragic & inspirational tale of Tempest Storm, the Queen of Burlesque, who was born into poverty in rural Georgia & rose to the height of burlesque, crossing paths with Elvis, JFK, and Marilyn Monroe along the way.
Support us on Patreon and TeePublic!
https://linktr.ee/idkher_podcast