Best Publichistory Podcasts (2025)

1
Fragments and Falsehoods: The Papyrus Trade with Roberta Mazza 42:05

2d ago42:05

42:05

Forged provenance, forensic investigations, and placing ancient papyri in dish soap! In this episode, scholar Dr. Roberta Mazza shares tales from the black market papyrus trade, taking us from Egypt to Oxford to Waco, Texas. Listen in as we learn how wealthy collectors have influenced the antiquities trade and forced us to rethink our approach to a…

1
Trafficking through the Metaverse: The Antiquities Trade in the Internet Age with Katie Paul 33:18

9d ago33:18

33:18

For the first episode of our season on cultural heritage and legacies of colonialism, we look at the role of messaging apps and social media in the black market antiquities trade. Katie Paul joins Chelsea and Melissa to discuss the 'digital underworld' that supports looting and trafficking and her work with ATHAR (Antiquities Trafficking and Herita…

1
Season 4 Promo Episode! 17:37

4M ago17:37

17:37

Peopling the Past Podcast is BACK for a fourth season on a very exciting topic: Cultural Heritage and Legacies of Colonialism. Join your hosts Dr. Chelsea Gardner and Dr. Melissa Funke with special guest Dr. Christine Johnston for an introduction to SEASON FOUR of the Peopling the Past podcast! This season is slightly different from our previous th…

1
Special Episode - Let's Talk About Podcasts, Baby! with Liv Albert 39:53

7M ago39:53

39:53

On this special episode of the Peopling the Past Podcast, we are joined by Liv Albert, creator and host of Let's Talk About Myths, Baby!, the long running podcast about Greek mythology and the ancient Mediterranean. She's also the author of a couple of myth-centric books and soon to be the author of more. Learn more at mythsbaby.com. Listen in, as …

1
How do you Solve a Problem like Cleopatra? : Shelley Haley and the last Egyptian Pharoah 46:10

1y ago46:10

46:10

For the final episode of our season on women in the ancient Mediterranean, we feature the most famous woman in antiquity: Cleopatra! Dr. Shelley Haley joins Chelsea and Melissa to untangle the image of Cleopatra as a seductive manipulator and to challenge assumptions, misconceptions, and preconceived notions about her persona and reign. Listen in a…

1
These Boots were Made for Walking: Women's Mobility and Migration in the Roman Empire with Marie-Adeline Le Guennec 28:08

2y ago28:08

28:08

Travel, displacement, religious pilgrimage - these are just some of the motivations for ancient migration, but how and why did people move from one place to another in antiquity? This week, Chelsea and Melissa are joined by Dr. Marie-Adeline Le Guennec, a historian of Roman mobility and migration. Listen in as Dr. Le Guennec talks about the ways in…

1
(Not so) Risky Business: the Potential Perils of Childbirth in ancient Rome with Anna Bonnell Freidin 35:24

2y ago35:24

35:24

In today's episode, Dr. Anna Bonnell Freidin joins Melissa and Chelsea to talk about risk, pregnancy, and childbirth in the ancient Roman empire. Listen in as we discuss the definitions of risk in various contexts, how women's lives were affected by risks associated with pregnancy, childbearing, and delivery, and how the concept of communities of c…

1
Not a Puella, Not Yet a Femina: Roman Girlhood with Lauren Caldwell 34:59

2y ago34:59

34:59

Ah, youth! We are all familiar with that mysterious and formative period of life between childhood and adulthood, but how did the ancient Romans describe this time of transition? In this episode, social historian Dr. Lauren Caldwell joins Chelsea and Melissa to talk about aspects of Roman "girlhood" and the difficult transition to "womanhood". List…

1
Do Not Afflict the Widow: the Women of Ancient Nubia with Jacke Phillips 26:08

2y ago26:08

26:08

We're celebrating Black History and African Heritage month with a very special episode on the women of ancient Nubia! Join Chelsea and Melissa as they welcome Dr. Jacke Phillips, an expert in Nubian history and archaeology, to the show. In this episode, we discuss women in ancient Nubia, from rulers and royals to the lives of everyday women. Listen…

1
Beyond the Bare Bones: Women in the Osteological Record with Efthymia Nikita 32:44

2+ y ago32:44

32:44

What better way to understand the real lives of everyday folk in the ancient Mediterranean than to look at the bones of the people themselves? On this episode, Chelsea and Melissa welcome Dr. Efthymia Nikita, a bioarchaeologist who studies the surviving skeletal remains of ancient humans. Dr. Nikita shares her research and explains how bones can pr…

1
EP 88: More School and Saying No 4:44

3y ago4:44

4:44

In this episode of the Historical Reminiscents Podcast I’m talking about my decision to return to school and how saying no has played a part in this decision.By Krista McCracken

1
Portrait of a Lady: Discovering Seianti with Judith Swaddling 30:55

3y ago30:55

30:55

Countless faces of real people survive in ancient portraiture, but how often do we know their names, or anything about their lives? In this episode, Dr. Judith Swaddling joins Melissa and Chelsea to talk about Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa, an Etruscan woman who lived over 2000 years ago in Italy. Seianti is an incredible person to get to know, since we…

1
Nevertheless, She Persisted: Boudicca and Imperial Resistance with Caitlin Gillespie 32:02

3y ago32:02

32:02

What can we say about Boudicca, one of the most famous women from the ancient world? Who was she, and was she even real? Why is she still so important to us today? Listen in as Dr. Caitlin Gillespie joins Chelsea and Melissa to discuss what we (think we) know about this powerful resistance fighter and how her actions against the imperial Roman army…

1
Sisters are Doing it for Themselves: Mesopotamian Free Women with Stephanie Budin 35:59

3y ago35:59

35:59

What does it mean to be a "free woman" in the ancient Mediterranean world? Listen in as our guest, Dr. Stephanie Budin, joins Chelsea and Melissa to discuss women who lived outside of the traditional confines of the patriarchy and who were not under the direct control of a man. Dr. Budin, a historian and expert in ancient religion and sexuality, te…

1
Call the (Roman) Midwife: Ancient Delivery and Childbirth with Tara Mulder 30:26

3y ago30:26

30:26

In today's episode, our featured guest Dr. Tara Mulder tells us all about the oldest profession in the world: midwifery! Listen in on a discussion between Dr. Mulder and hosts Dr. Chelsea Gardner and Dr. Melissa Funke that covers the sights, sounds, smells, and experiences of childbirth in ancient Rome, from the perspective of professional midwives…

1
So Long as There is Hope: Wonder Women in Classics and Comics with Natalie Swain 33:22

3y ago33:22

33:22

Welcome to the first ever LIVE episode of Peopling the Past! Join our featured expert, Dr. Natalie Swain, and hosts Drs. Chelsea Gardner and Melissa Funke, for the premiere of our season on Women in the Ancient Mediterranean. Dr. Swain is an expert on the reception of Classics in modern comics and during this episode we discuss how ancient women, b…

1
EP 87: Gender Identity Inclusion and Training 5:08

3y ago5:08

5:08

In this episode of the Historical Reminiscents Podcast I'm veering away from historical content and chatting about my experiences advocating for trans and gender diverse inclusion, with a focus on gender identity trainingBy Krista McCracken

1
Season Three Trailer! 7:21

3y ago7:21

7:21

Peopling the Past Podcast is BACK for a third season on a very exciting topic: Women in the Ancient Mediterranean! Join your hosts Dr. Chelsea Gardner and Dr. Melissa Funke for an introduction to SEASON THREE of the Peopling the Past podcast! This season, listeners will hear about real women from all over the ancient Mediterranean world, from Brita…

1
EP 86: Omeka Exhibition Development 4:58

3y ago4:58

4:58

In this episode of the Historical Reminiscents Podcast I'm chatting about my recent experience using Omeka to develop online exhibitions to be used as educational outreach tools.By Krista McCracken

1
EP 85: Transcription Reflections 5:09

3y ago5:09

5:09

In this episode of the Historical Reminiscents Podcast I'm chatting about the transcription of archival videos and archival handwritten documents. I touch on some process for transcription and challenges associated with transcription.By Krista McCracken

1
EP 84: Online Space Building 6:02

3y ago6:02

6:02

In this episode of the Historical Reminiscents Podcast I'm talking about generative and caring online spaces. I reflect on some of my favourite parts of online communities and share space facilitation techniques I like. Mentioned in this episode: -Thinking Rock Community ArtsBy Krista McCracken

1
EP 83: Admin Reflections 4:44

3y ago4:44

4:44

I'm back! It's a short one, but I have more podcast episodes planned for 2022. In today's episode I'm reflecting on my administrative secondment and lessons learned.By Krista McCracken

1
Breaking the Bond: Forced Marriage and Cursed Freedom in Ancient Rome with Katharine Huemoeller 34:34

3+ y ago34:34

34:34

What does it mean to be free? In our Season 2 finale episode, archaeologist and historian Dr. Katharine Huemoeller joins the podcast to tell us all about her research on the female, forced, and reproductive aspects of ancient Roman slavery and how manumission and marriage can become intertwined. Join us as we dive into the story of woman named Acte…

1
Seize the Clay: Pottery Workshops in Sagalassos with Elizabeth Murphy 32:29

3+ y ago32:29

32:29

You might call ceramics the "plastics" of the ancient world...ubiquitous, indestructible, and incredibly useful! But how do we identify the spaces where ancient potters once made these everyday objects? Dr. Elizabeth Murphy joins the podcast to tell us all about the discovery and excavation of ancient tableware workshops at the site of Sagalassos i…

1
There's Something about Mary: Early Cult and Veneration of the Virgin with Sabrina Higgins 33:32

3+ y ago33:32

33:32

It's all about Mary this week on the podcast! We are joined by archaeologist and PtP webmaster Dr. Sabrina Higgins, who takes us through catacombs, churches, and monasteries in Egypt, Syria, and Rome to trace the emergence of the cult of the Virgin Mary in the Mediterranean. Dr. Higgins discusses how Mariologists uncover signs of early worship of t…

1
Rolling in the Dough: Bread-Making and Roman Bakeries with Jared Benton 31:10

4y ago31:10

31:10

The sights, smells, and sounds of an ancient Roman bakery might surprise you...in this episode, historian and archaeologist Dr. Jared Benton joins the show to tell us all about the economics of ancient Roman bread-baking, from the household level to industrial-scale production. Come break bread with us as we talk about capitalism, social classes, O…

1
Breaking the Mold: Quasi-Official Coinage in Roman Egypt with Irene Soto Marín 27:32

4y ago27:32

27:32

Money makes the ancient Mediterranean world go round...but what happens when there's not enough metal to make official coinage? In this episode, archaeologist Dr. Irene Soto Marín shares her research on quasi-official (not counterfeit!) coinage in Roman Egypt during the 4th century CE, a period of instability and uncertainty. Join us as we learn ho…

1
Practical Magic: Ancient Roman Smells and Spells with Britta Ager 33:17

4y ago33:17

33:17

Today's episode is simply magical! Join us as we welcome Dr. Britta Ager - an expert in ancient Mediterranean magic, spells, and curses - to the show and hear about her experimental work re-creating some sweet and smelly spells based on surviving recipes from the Egyptian Greek Magical Papyri. Listen in to learn about evidence for how and why peopl…

1
Using Olive It: Sustainable Fuel Production in the Ancient Mediterranean with Erica Rowan 28:10

4y ago28:10

28:10

Waste not, want not! In this episode, learn all about ancient Mediterranean olive oil production and how real people producing this delicious food used the manufacturing byproducts to create a closed-loop, sustainable system. Dr. Erica Rowan, an expert on archaeobotanical (plant!) remains, joins us to explain how the ancient Romans in North Africa,…

1
In Living Colour: Painting and Pigments with Hilary Becker 28:58

4y ago28:58

28:58

Ever wonder how ancient artists created the vividly-coloured frescoes that adorned the houses of Pompeii and Herculaneum? Dr. Hilary Becker joins Chelsea and Melissa to tell us all about nature's palette and the raw materials that were used to create the reds, yellows, blues, whites, blacks, greens, and purples of the Roman world. Focusing on the a…

1
Going with the Flow: Water Systems in North Africa with Mark Locicero 33:51

4y ago33:51

33:51

Water, water, everywhere...but how much of it can we drink? In this episode, Chelsea and Melissa chat with Dr. Mark Locicero about Roman drainage systems in the ancient North African town of Volubilis (modern Morocco) and the Italian port city of Ostia. Find out how ancient Mediterranean people controlled and accessed clean drinking water and how t…

1
Portrait of a Palmyran Man: Ancient Syrian Identity with Blair Fowlkes Childs 32:02

4y ago32:02

32:02

What do our choices say about who we are? In this episode, Dr. Blair Fowlkes Childs joins Chelsea and Melissa to talk about clothing, status, dress, identity, preservation, commemoration, and cultural heritage! Focusing on art historical analyses of ancient funerary portraits from Palmyra (modern Syria), we explore memory and permanence, and dive i…

1
Grave Matters: Resting Places for Regular People with Liana Brent 35:23

4y ago35:23

35:23

In this episode, Dr. Liana Brent joins Chelsea and Melissa to talk about the archaeological remains of burials in Roman Italy at the ancient cemetery of Vagnari. Find out how archaeologists and anthropologists discover information about the real lives of ancient people through their commemorative practices, funerary rituals, and graves.…

1
If the (Roman) Shoe Fits: Elizabeth Greene and Footwear from Vindolanda 32:16

4y ago32:16

32:16

In the Season 2 premiere episode, Dr. Elizabeth Greene joins Chelsea and Melissa to talk about the archaeological remains of Roman shoes from the site of Vindolanda on Hadrian's Wall in present-day England. Why do shoes survive here, and what can they tell us about the men, women, and children who lived at this military fort hundreds of years ago? …

1
Season Two Trailer! 9:57

4y ago9:57

9:57

Join your Season 1 host, Dr. Chelsea Gardner, as she welcomes new co-host Dr. Melissa Funke for an introduction to the second season of the Peopling the Past podcast! This season, we'll take listeners on a journey through under-explored aspects of archaeology, history, material culture and everyday life in the ancient Roman world, from Egypt to Ita…

1
EP 82: Archival Challenges During Covid-19 7:20

4y ago7:20

7:20

In today's episode I'm talking about archival pandemic backlogs and pressure points that COVID-19 have created in archival settings. Mentioned in this episode: -Samantha Thompson, "Why don't archivists digitize everything?"By Krista McCracken

1
EP 81: UFOs - Unfinished Objects 6:06

4y ago6:06

6:06

In today's episode I'm talking about unfinished objects and that pile of unfinished writing projects so many of us have on our computers. Mentioned in this episode: -Thinking Rock Community ArtsBy Krista McCracken

1
EP 80: No Meeting Days 4:53

4y ago4:53

4:53

In today’s episode I talk about the practice of having no meeting days and how that has helped with managing my workload. I also share some of my meeting pet peeves.By Krista McCracken

1
EP 79: When Technology Goes Sideways 5:46

4+ y ago5:46

5:46

In today’s episode I talk about technology blips, technology fails, and recovering from these unexpected challenges. I draw on a couple of epic fail experiences recently and talk about getting through them.By Krista McCracken

1
EP 78: Resting for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Work 6:37

4+ y ago6:37

6:37

In today’s episode I’m talking about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work, also known as EDI work, and protecting yourself from burning out while engaged in this work. This episode is based on my experience engaged in EDI work connected to gender and sexuality inclusion. Mentioned in this episode: -The Nap Ministry -EP 72: Passion Project Space…

1
EP 77: Chronic Pain and Working From Home 6:01

4+ y ago6:01

6:01

In today's episode I'm talking about managing chronic pain, archival labour, and working from home. This episode is based on my experiences working from home since March 2020 and rooted in my pain realities, so your mileage with it may vary. Also, part way through the episode one of my cats decided to chow down near where I was recording. If you he…

1
EP 76: Writing Book Proposals 6:53

4+ y ago6:53

6:53

In today's episode I'm talking all about book proposals. I reflect on the two book proposals I had accepted in 2020 and share some general tips I learned from that process. Mentioned in this episode: -Katie Linder, YGT Podcast "Writing and Pitching Book Proposals" -Trans and Gender Diverse Voices in LIS…

1
EP 75: Burnout and Winter Kindness 7:12

4+ y ago7:12

7:12

In today's episode I'm talking about making it through the dark days of winter, practicing kindness in my professional life, and that ever illusive work/life balance. Mentioned in this episode: -Feminist Ethics of CareBy Krista McCracken

1
Thrown Together: Potters, Painters, and Ceramic Production with Sanchita Balachandran 35:38

4+ y ago35:38

35:38

In this episode, Sanchita Balachandran joins us to speak about the sensory experience of ancient potters and painters, her experimental archaeology project at Johns Hopkins, and the underdrawings on Greek painted pottery.By Carolyn M. Laferrière and Chelsea A.M. Gardner

1
Making Waves in the Aegean: Lana Radloff and the Milesian Seascape 30:43

4+ y ago30:43

30:43

In this episode, Dr. Lana Radloff speaks about seascapes, the ancient sensory experience of the Mediterranean, and the ancient city of Miletus.By Carolyn M. Laferriere and Chelsea A.M. Gardner

1
EP 74: Participating in Virtual Conferences 10:19

4+ y ago10:19

10:19

In today's episode I'm discussing my experiences attending three different virtual conference in October. I talk about online conference formats, recording and giving presentations, and interaction in online conference spaces. Mentioned in this episode: -Canadian Research Knowledge Network 2020 Conference -TESS Online 2020: Humanizing Learning -Ont…

1
Golden Years and Silver Hair: The Greek Art of Aging with Susan Matheson 33:33

4+ y ago33:33

33:33

In this episode, Susan Matheson joins us to speak about representations of old age and the elderly in Greek art.By Carolyn M. Laferriere and Chelsea A.M. Gardner

1
Living in a Material World: Jennifer Stager and Technicolour Statues 33:21

4+ y ago33:21

33:21

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Stager discusses her work on Greek art, polychromy, and materiality.By Dr. Carolyn M. Laferriere and Dr. Chelsea A.M. Gardner

1
EP 73: Article Feedback and Revisions 7:13

4+ y ago7:13

7:13

In today's episode I'm talking about peer review feedback and article revisions. I chat about some of the recent articles I have revised, handling negative feedback, and my process for doing revisions. Mentioned in this episode: -Jo VanEvery, Revision following peer review is a normal part of the scholarly writing process - Melissa Dalgleish, Learn…

1
Extreme Home Makeover, Ancient Greece Edition: Bronze Age Houses with Rebecca Worsham 24:52

4+ y ago24:52

24:52

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Worsham discusses her work on Bronze age houses, deliberate destruction, and home renovation.By Carolyn M. Laferrière and Chelsea A.M. Gardner

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