"Ra-Ra-Rasputin, love of the of the Russian Queen!" Except he probably wasn't.

In this episode, we really get to know Rasputin. From what he preached, to his alleged healing abilities, to a trip to his apartment for tea... we give you the nitty gritty of all of the gossip surrounding the man who helped bring an end to the House of Romanov.

We also look at an alternate theory to what happened on the night of this murder.

The book used for this Episode is called "Rasputin, The Last Word" by Edvard Radzinsky

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Ok, yes, it's a football episode BUT DISCLAIMER: you do NOT have to be familiar with or like football for this episode! As long as you like a WIDE range of historical figures, people fighting for their lives to make a case over an imaginary scenario, and Nicholas Cage... you're in the right place.

Madi & Chris choose their historical dream team with potential "legends of the line" like Julius Caesar, Elizabeth I, Genghis Khan, and an absolute legendary woman with a cooking pot on her head (cheers to you if you know based off of just that!)

Buckle up, the Historical 2026 Draft is NOW OPEN!

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Welcome to our brand-new segment: Movies & Mead

In this series, Madi & Gabby watch a listener-chosen historical film and break down the real historical context, the key players, the cast, the gossip, and of course all the behind-the-scenes drama. We wrap it up by handing out our very official AcadeMEAD awards and rating the movie.

For our first episode, we’re diving into The VVitch — a spooky tale set in 1630s New England. We hope you also like to live deliciously HoneyBees, because we give this one 5/5!

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Imagine growing up surrounded by the harsh beauty of wild moorlands. A gothic, windswept, haunting landscape right outside - and a few steps from your front door is a church graveyard that you watch slowly fill up with members of your own family. Welcome to growing up Bronte!

Let Coco take you on a journey through the Bronte childhood experience, where hardship and loss were in no short supply and fierce sibling bonds formed through imagination and a love for literature.

Coco and Madi chat about formative experiences that translate right into the books these women wrote, and discuss the part that the moors play in the books - almost a character themselves.

Follow that up with a summary of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Yes Honeybees - spoiler alerts for both, but we think you’ll agree the spoilers are so worth it.

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Part two of our season opener finds us in the middle of France during the Hundred Years War, where we meet a young but capable man with knighthood in his blood.

Boucicaut’s name struck fear into the hearts of men - a legend from a young age. His determination and dedication to training made him fast, fearless and impossibly strong. Losing a duel to this man was a mark of prestige.

Though not known as “the Greatest Knight” as Marshall was, Boucicaut was certainly one of the greatest knights in history. Let Coco tell you why this man, who literally wrote the book on knightly chivalry and also the ultimate hardcore training manual for knights, could absolutely square up with Marshall.

Then settle in for a little story time as Madi and Coco set the scene for a grand duel between these two legendary knights. Take notes, keep score and be ready to place your bets on the knight you think would win!

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Welcome to a new season! And our new annual series, where we research 2 historic knights and give you all the information you need to decide who would win in a duel today!

First up is William Marshal, they one who they call "the world's greatest knight".

Madi goes over all of details you need to know to make your decision: the armor, the sword, the fighting style of William Marshal. We also hear about several highlights of his knightly career, and give you a peak into levels of loyalty we have yet to see on this podcast.

We also give you a peak into the world of Buhurt, the sport of modern-day armored combat.

This man is a KNIGHT! But how will he hold up to his hypothetical opponent?

Listen to Part 2 to find out! And stay tuned for an expert analysis from our very own in-house-knight soon!

GOD FOR THE MARSHAL!

Please leave us a 5 star review! It helps us expand our reach!

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

This week on Uncorked, Dr. Erica Canela joins us to dive into the wild, weird, and unexpectedly chaotic world of Quaker history. Yes, the Quakers were unhinged, and yes, they’ve had a major glow up.

We break down the evolution from radical early Quaker antics to the modern-day Friends, some of whom are kind of attractive. Naturally, this leads to a very serious scholarly exercise we call “Quaker Hot or Not.”

And don’t miss the story of the MOST unhinged Quaker woman of them all... a legend of pure, unfiltered “mad whimsy.”

If you thought you knew the Quakers, think again.

Make sure you catch the visual of this episode on our YouTube channel!

For more from Dr. Erica Canela, check out her website for more on her upcoming classes and events, as well as how to access her book!

Visit her site here: Dr Erica Canela | Public Historian, Copywriter & Editor

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Be sure you check this episode out on YouTube!

Welcome to our first ever episode of Uncorked with the legendary Dr. Owen Emmerson.

Watch Madi live out her dream, and finally be able to ask him all the questions she's been dying to know:

1.) Where/what at Hever Castle would Anne still be able to recognize today?

2.) Was the tragic (and suspicious in our opinion) death of Purkoy Boleyn-Tudor an accident or conspiracy?

3.) Did Anne wear yellow on "the day"?

4.) How different did the tower look in the 1530's?

5.) Who is your favorite on-screen Anne?

We also get a first-hand look at the EXCITING new exhibit coming to Hever Castle in February 2026!

More to come from Dr. Emmerson & Madi in the future! Until then, be sure to check out drowenemmerson.com for more on Anne!

Follow his instagram @drowenemmerson for even more Tudor content, and to keep up with exciting future research.

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com