- 56 minutes 42 secondsAlexandra Feodorovna, Part 1 (2026 Redo)
We’re back with a completely reworked and expanded 2026 version of one of our most requested redo episodes: Alexandra Feodorovna, the last empress of Russia.
Originally covered way back in 2018, we realized there was so much more to unpack about the woman who would become the tragic final tsarina of Imperial Russia. So this time, we’re slowing down, diving deeper, and fully embracing the gaudy, dramatic chaos of the Romanov court.
In part one, we explore Alexandra’s early life as Princess Alix of Hesse, Queen Victoria’s favorite granddaughter, whose happy childhood was shattered by tragedy, illness, and loss. We talk about the spread of hemophilia through Europe’s royal families, Alexandra’s intense religious beliefs, and the deeply romantic (and deeply codependent) love story between Alix and the future Tsar Nicholas II.
From doomed romance to catastrophic public relations disasters, this is the beginning of the end for the Romanovs.
Timestamps:
00:00 Return to Imperial Russia & Alexandra Feodorovna Redo
02:39 The Revised “Rasputin” Cocktail Recipe
03:40 Alexandra Feodorovna’s Birth, Family & Triple Gemini Chaos
05:24 Queen Victoria, Royal Upbringing & Life in Hesse
10:12 Hemophilia in Europe’s Royal Families Explained
16:22 Alexandra’s Religion & the Divine Right of Kings
21:42 Alexandra Feodorovna’s First Trip to Russia
22:22 Young Nicholas II Meets Alexandra for the First Time
27:14 Nicholas and Alexandra’s Romantic Letters & Courtship
34:26 Nicholas II Proposes & Alexandra’s Religion Crisis
38:03 Alexandra Arrives in Russia as the Tsar Dies
45:40 Alexandra Feodorovna’s First Impressions at Court
47:35 Nicholas II’s Coronation & the Khodynka Field Disaster
53:06 “She Came to Russia Behind a Coffin” — Bad Omens BeginSources:
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20 May 2026, 10:00 am - 48 minutes 40 secondsCaroline of Brunswick 2
We’re back for part 2 in our Caroline of Brunswick series—and the drama only escalates.
After her disastrous marriage to George IV, Caroline becomes Britain’s ultimate “people’s princess” while her husband doubles down on being the worst.
In this episode, we cover the birth of Princess Charlotte, George IV’s infamous will, and how Regency-era tabloids fueled Caroline’s rise in public support. From palace spying and a toxic court to her separation and new independent life, Caroline refuses to stay quiet.
It’s messy, dramatic, and completely unfair—and somehow, the public never stops rooting for her.
Time stamps:
00:00 Cold Open Banter
01:21 Caroline of Brunswick & George IV Marriage Recap
02:11 Birth of Princess Charlotte of Wales
03:37 George IV’s Infamous Will & Treatment of Caroline
10:03 Caroline & George IV Separation Explained
11:29 Caroline’s Independent Life & Affair Rumors
14:22 Who Was William Austin? Royal Baby Scandal
14:57 Lady Douglas Feud & Royal Gossip Escalates
20:26 The Delicate Investigation Explained
23:27 Regency Era Begins: George IV Takes Power
27:18 Death of Princess Charlotte (1817 Tragedy)
28:22 Adultery Trial Fallout
31:55 George IV Coronation Drama & Caroline Snub
38:47 Caroline of Brunswick Death & Final Days
41:50 Funeral Riots Legacy
44:08 George IV Reputation
Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, and follow us on Instagram
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6 May 2026, 10:00 am - 48 minutes 36 secondsCaroline of Brunswick part 1
In this episode of Queens Podcast, we dive into the chaotic early life of Caroline of Brunswick, the future Princess of Wales and one of the most controversial royal figures of the Regency era.
Raised in isolation in the Duchy of Brunswick, Caroline’s childhood was anything but typical—marked by family dysfunction, social restriction, and a deep craving for attention that would follow her into adulthood. But everything changes when she’s chosen to marry her cousin, George IV, the scandal-prone Prince of Wales.
From a disastrous first meeting to a wedding day filled with drunken chaos, this royal marriage starts off on the worst possible foot.
If you love royal history, scandals, and messy marriages, this is just the beginning.
Time stamps:
Sources:
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For this one, I'm taking stories and research from Ann Foster's book Rebel of the Regency
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I also really enjoyed Even The Royals 2 episodes on Caroline
Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, and follow us on Instagram! Never miss a Queens Podcast happening! Sign up for our newsletter: https://eepurl.com/gZ-nYf
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22 April 2026, 10:00 am -
- 1 hour 11 minutesThe Fritzl Case: The Most Disturbing True Crime Story
Note: This episode was previously released in our Patreon vault and is now available on the main feed for the first time. TRIGGER WARNING: EVERYTHING.
If you thought you’d heard every shocking true crime story… you haven’t.
In 2008, a case out of Austria stunned the world: a woman held captive for 24 years in a hidden basement by her own father, Josef Fritzl.
In this episode, we break down the full story of the Fritzl case — how it started, how it went undetected for decades, and how it finally came to light. We also unpack the psychological manipulation, systemic failures, and the aftermath of one of the most disturbing crimes in modern history.
Time stamps:
Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, and follow us on Instagram! Never miss a Queens Podcast happening! Sign up for our newsletter: https://eepurl.com/gZ-nYf
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1 April 2026, 10:00 am - 56 minutes 44 secondsQueen Nzinga
Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba is one of the most formidable rulers in African history, and in this episode of Queens Podcast, Katy and Nathan dive into her extraordinary life.
In this episode, we explore Nzinga’s early life, her tense relationship with her brother, and the political chaos that followed his rule. We also get into her legendary 1622 meeting with the Portuguese governor, where she turned a calculated insult into one of the most iconic power moves in royal history. From there, Nzinga built alliances, commanded armies, and spent decades resisting Portuguese control.
We also discuss the more complicated parts of her legacy, including religion, diplomacy, warfare, and the ways European writers tried to shape her story for their own purposes.
If you love stories about powerful queens, African history, women rulers, and anti-colonial resistance, this episode is for you.
Time stamps:
00:00 Intro
00:53 Meet Queen Nzinga
01:29 Cocktail and Shoutouts
02:32 Tarot Vibe Check
03:51 Nzinga Early Life
10:20 Brother Takes Throne
15:09 Luanda Power Move
23:46 Civil War Begins
25:10 Mercenaries Introduced
31:18 Taking Matamba Power
33:38 Dutch Alliance
39:52 Catholicism as Strategy
46:28 Peace Deal and Dark Compromises
49:35 Prosperity and Final Years
52:04 After Death Legacy
Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, and follow us on Instagram! Never miss a Queens Podcast happening! Sign up for our newsletter: https://eepurl.com/gZ-nYf
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18 March 2026, 10:00 am - 45 minutes 31 secondsIsabella of Angoulême
Isabella of Angoulême: The Scandalous Queen of England Who Helped Spark a War
In this episode of Queens Podcast, Katy and Nathan unpack the chaotic life of Isabella of Angoulême, the controversial Queen of England and wife of King John.
Married at just twelve to the 33-year-old king, Isabella’s union helped ignite political turmoil between England and France, contributing to the loss of Normandy and the instability that led to the Magna Carta. Chroniclers painted her as a “Jezebel,” blaming her for wars, rebellion, and even witchcraft.
After King John’s dramatic death in 1216, Isabella returned to France, remarried in scandalous fashion, and continued making waves well into her fifties.
Troublemaker or survivor? From child queen to dowager rebel, this is one of medieval England’s most misunderstood women.
Time stamps:
00:00 Language Warning Intro
01:43 Cocktail of the Week Jezebel
03:50 Isabella Origins and Aquitaine Explained
09:06 King John Enters the Chat
11:56 War Fallout and Blaming Isabella
15:02 A Queen Packed Away and Controlled
19:15 Tumultuous Marriage and Heirs
20:43 Heir and Haters
22:59 Magna Carta Chaos
28:04 Exile and Motherhood Myths
29:58 Hot Second Marriage Scandal
33:38 Loyalty Wars and Queen Feud
35:34 Rebellion and Poison Rumors
40:17 Abbey Retirement and Legacy
Sources
- Queens Of England podcast
- Tudor Dynasty podcast
- History: The Interesting Bits
- Katy's Corner Isabella of Gloucester
Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, and follow us on Instagram! Never miss a Queens Podcast happening! Sign up for our newsletter: https://eepurl.com/gZ-nYf
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4 March 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 3 minutesGeorge IV and the Rebel of the Regency (with Ann Foster)
This week’s episode is a crossover we’ve been manifesting forever: Katy welcomes Ann Foster of the Vulgar History podcast for a messy, delightful deep dive into the Regency era—and one of its biggest villains: George IV.
Ann brings the tea from her new book, Rebel of the Regency, as we unpack Regency vibes vs. reality, the absolute chaos of royal relationships, and why Caroline of Brunswick became such a lightning rod for public sympathy.
If you love historical mess, flawed royals, and women who refuse to behave, this one’s for you.
Make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon for a giveaway of her book!
📚 Check out Ann’s book: Rebel of the Regency 🎙️ Follow Ann: @VulgarHistory 📖 Listen to Vulgar History wherever you get your podcasts
Time stamps:
00:00 Welcome + Surprise Guest Anne Foster (Vulgar History)
01:47 Patreon Giveaway & Introducing the Book: Rebel of the Regency
02:13 Regency Era 101: Bridgerton, Jane Austen, and the Real Timeline
07:15 Meet the ‘Rebel’: Caroline of Brunswick & Why She Matters
08:40 Enter ‘This F-ing Guy’: Prince George (Prinny) Backstory
20:34 Secret (Not-Legal) Marriage: Maria Fitzherbert
30:37 Marriage for Money: How Caroline of Brunswick was chosen
33:30 A Royal Arrival… and a Disaster First Meeting
40:40 1810: Regency Begins—Parties, Jealousy, and Power Plays
49:59 $56M Coronation Spectacle & Caroline Locked Out of Westminster
51:51 Aftermath: Caroline’s Death, George’s Decline, and Laudanum Breakfasts
55:48 Legacy & Wrap-Up: Regency Aesthetics, Branding, and Where to Find the Book
Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, and follow us on Instagram! Never miss a Queens Podcast happening! Sign up for our newsletter: https://eepurl.com/gZ-nYf
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25 February 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 1 minuteCharlotte of Belgium, part 2
In Part Two of our series on Charlotte of Belgium (Empress Carlota of Mexico)… we wish we had better news.
When we last left our neglected princess, she and her husband, Archduke Maximilian of Austria, had been approached by Napoleon III and offered the crown of Mexico. Charlotte—starved for purpose and convinced this is her destiny—is all in. Max is less sure, but with the blessing of Pope Pius IX, the new Emperor and Empress set sail for Mexico.
Where the dream immediately implodes.
What follows is one of the most tragic and debated breakdowns in royal history—and the fall of the Second Mexican Empire.
We also draw parallels to one of our classic Queens Podcast episodes on Juana of Castile, another queen labeled “mad” and locked away. If this story leaves you thinking about power, politics, and madness, you can revisit Juana’s story here.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome + Content Warning (History Tea Time Crossover Intro)
00:51 Previously On: Maximilian’s Mess & The Crown of Mexico
06:47 Sailing to Empire: Papal Blessings, Big Dreams & Bigger Delusions
10:46 Veracruz Reality Check: a Lukewarm Welcome
13:59 Mexico City & the Illusion of Support
18:22 "Hey— Did we just kidnap these kids?" And other bad ideas.
27:19 Empress on a Mission: Charlotte Travels to Europe to Save the Mexican Empire
33:53 Vatican Rejection: The Pope Won’t Intervene—and Charlotte Snaps
44:14 Vienna & Victorian Psychiatry: Diagnosed ‘Madness’ by an ‘Alienist’
47:01 Meanwhile in Mexico: Maximilian Captured, Tried, and Executed
49:54 A Life After the Break: 60 Years in Belgium, Good Days and Ghosts
54:52 What Caused the Collapse? Theories, Bad Medicine, and a Tragic Farewell
Sources
Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, and follow us on Instagram!
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18 February 2026, 11:00 am - 26 minutes 44 secondsWuthering Heights, Part 1 (Katy Reads the Classics)
With a new Wuthering Heights movie on the way (directed by Emerald Fennell), I’m dropping Part One of my Patreon Katy Reads the Classics So You Don’t Have To series on the main feed.
This episode kicks off a six-part recap of Wuthering Heights.
If you’ve always meant to read Wuthering Heights but don’t have time before the movie comes out, I’ve got you. Normally this full six-part series is available for $10, but this week only, you can grab the entire series for $5.
👉 Get the full Wuthering Heights series here (sale runs until Feb 16th) : https://www.patreon.com/collection/1960670
Time stamps:
00:00 Intro
01:28 Katy's Corner: Literature Edition
03:19 Emily Bronte's Life and Inspirations
07:15 Diving into Wuthering Heights
Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, and follow us on Instagram! Never miss a Queens Podcast happening! Sign up for our newsletter: https://eepurl.com/gZ-nYf
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9 February 2026, 11:00 am - 54 minutes 34 secondsCharlotte of Belgium part 1
This week, we’re kicking off a two-part series on Charlotte of Belgium (sometimes known as Carlota of Mexico) while sipping on a Ranch Water. In Part One, we meet Charlotte as a beloved child turned purpose-driven young woman, then follow her whirlwind courtship with Archduke Maximilian of Austria and her arrival at the rigid Habsburg court.
If that court sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve been here before — this is the same world that made life miserable for Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi), married to Emperor Franz Joseph. Charlotte, however, seems to understand the assignment, quickly becoming everything a Habsburg princess is supposed to be… even as her marriage quietly begins to unravel.
From whispered affairs in Italy to a voyage that breaks her marriage beyond repair, Charlotte’s story takes a sharp, devastating turn. And just when it seems like things couldn’t get worse, a knock at the door offers an unexpected — and dangerous — new role: Empress of Mexico.
Cheers 🥂
Time stamps:
00:00 – Disclaimer from Vulgar History
01:26 – Meet Charlotte of Belgium
04:25 – A Very Well-Connected Childhood
14:17 – From Happy Kid to Purpose-Driven Princess
17:08 – Marriage Season Has Entered the Chat
18:50 – Enter: Archduke Maximilian
24:59 – Love at First Sight (For Charlotte, Anyway)
29:15 – Thrown Into the Austrian Court
34:28 – Italy: The Honeymoon That Wasn’t
41:27 – The Voyage That Broke the Marriage
45:53 – Separate Bedrooms Forever
47:46 – So… Want to Be Emperor of Mexico?Sources
Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, and follow us on Instagram! Never miss a Queens Podcast happening! Sign up for our newsletter: https://eepurl.com/gZ-nYf
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4 February 2026, 11:00 am - 52 minutes 42 secondsSor Juana Inés de la Cruz
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was a 17th-century Mexican nun, poet, playwright, composer, and all-around intellectual menace to the patriarchy.
In this episode of Queens Podcast, we trace Sor Juana’s rise from hacienda library goblin to celebrated court intellectual and how she used wit, logic, and theology to argue that women deserved education because women are people. Radical stuff.
Paired with a twist on the Paloma cocktail, we explore her poems like You Foolish Men and essays such as Respuesta a Sor Filotea, works that helped shape modern feminist thought centuries before feminism had a name.
Sor Juana did not just challenge misogyny. She out-argued it, and history is still taking notes.
Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction and Content Warning
00:36 Meet the Hosts: Katy & Nathan
01:36 Introducing Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz
02:56 Patreon Shoutouts and Mocktail Recipe
05:31 Sor Juana's Early Life and Education
14:43 Juana's Move to Mexico City
16:45 Life with the viceroy's court
18:28 Juana's Intellectual Challenge
20:55 Becoming a nun
24:59 Juana's Writing Career Begins
26:08 A Close Relationship with Maria Louisa
30:23 You Foolish Men: A Poem of Hypocrisy
37:57 Juana's Feminist Manifesto
43:59 Juana's Downfall and Final Years
47:00 Legacy of a Feminist Icon
Sources:
Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, and follow us on Instagram! Never miss a Queens Podcast happening! Sign up for our newsletter: https://eepurl.com/gZ-nYf
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21 January 2026, 11:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App