Spectrophilia: The Ghost Fetish

Perhaps without you realising it, history is marked by iconic body parts.From Frida Khalo’s monobrow, to Queen Victoria's swollen armpit, and let's not forget Napoleon's penis. That one alone has had quite a posthumous life.What amazing stories do they tell us of the people they belonged to? What trends did they spark? And is there any truth to the rumours about Hitler’s ball? We're joined by friend of the show Suzie Edge, who's the author of Vital Organs, to find out more. This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts.Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 Jan 202438min

Haiti was under French colonial rule in 1791 when the revolution began, resulting in the largest and most successful slave revolt in modern history.It's a compelling story that deserves to be heard, and one with some incredible women at the heart of it.Who were they? How did the island's vodou ceremonies help galvanise the cause? And what is their legacy today?Joining Kate is Marlene Daut, author of Awakening The Ashes: An Intellectual History of the Haitian Revolution, to tell us more.This episode was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts.Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Dec 202345min

There had been sex manuals for hundreds of years, but by the 20th century they were quite underground. That is, until the Joy of Sex was released in 1972.It was a revolutionary book about sex, and sold over 12 million copies.Who was the man behind it? His name, aptly, was Dr. Alex Comfort, and he was a poet, novelist, anarchist and philosopher, amongst other things.Joining Kate today to explore his work and the impact the Joy of Sex had, is Eric Laursen, author of Polymath: The Life and Professions of Dr Alex Comfort, Author of The Joy of Sex.This episode was edited by Teän Stewart-Murray and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts.Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Dec 202336min

They say he comes once a year... ahem.Santa is back! To a lot of people that's no bad thing at all, and we're not just talking about the present giving - he's got the whole package, when you think about it.In the build up to Christmas, we're exploring why some people are big on Santaphilia - the Santa fetish.What is it about him that lead some to such mischievous thoughts? What's the origins of this guy?Today we're revisiting an episode of Betwixt with NHS Junior Doctor, Psychosexual Therapist in Training and Sexual Wellness Consultant Elesha Vooght, to find out more.This episode was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts.Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Dec 202322min

The words "the man, the myth, the legend" can easily apply to King Arthur.Today we're looking past the round table, the sword in the stone, and his magician mate Merlin to explore what his love life can tell us about this man.Did his love Guinevere really do the dirty on him with his mate Lancelot? What does his own love life say about him as a man?Today, dear friend of the show Eleanor Janega, host of sister podcast Gone Medieval and author of The Once And Future Sex, is joining Kate to separate the man from the myth and legend.This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts.Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Dec 202347min

Margaret Cavendish was extraordinary for any time, let alone the 17th century.She was a trailblazer in fiction, writing and publishing what many believe to be the first science fiction book - her 1666 work 'Blazing World' imagined a planet led by an Empress.The story also featured a lesbian affair between the Empress and herself, Margaret Cavendish. Truly, fantastic.She played a provocative and starring role amongst London's elite, and Samuel Pepys was obsessed with meeting her.How did he describe her? Why was she the talk of the town in 17th century London? Joining Kate today is Francesca Peacock, author of Pure Wit: The Revolutionary Life of Margaret Cavendish. This episode was edited by Teän Stewart-Murray, the producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts.Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Dec 202342min

What was it about the Kennedy's that attracted so much tragedy, that many believed them to be cursed?From plane disasters in World War 2, to drug overdoses and of course, assassinations - it has to be said, they had their fair share.Is there something sinister going on, or is this tragedy the by-product of such a go-getter risk-taking attitude?Joining Kate today to explore the so-called Kennedy curse is Barbara Perry, Professor in Presidential Studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center, where she co-directs the Presidential Oral History Program.This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and the producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts.Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Dec 202344min

Sexuality is a funny thing. It's a social construct just as much as, say, virginity is.We use words like heterosexuality and homosexuality because they are convenient, more than because they're wholly accurate.What roots do these words have in 19th century Germany? How did the word 'straight' come from the gay community? And what is the future of sexuality and its terms?Joining Kate today is the fantastic Hanne Blank, author of Straight: The Surprisingly Short History of Heterosexuality.This episode was edited by Teän Stewart-Murray. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts.Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Dec 202340min