Hot History

Epizode

• Evelyn Romadka: The Vampire Queen 28.05.2026 40min

  Hello you! Happy Friday!Today we're talking about Evelyn Romadka, the Wisconsin housewife whose obsession with crime novels and dual personality disorder post a botched medical procedure led her to form her own all female criminal network! If you love crime AND history, then this is a story you don't want to miss!If you also want more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• The most expensive party in history 21.05.2026 59min

  Hello Divas! Today we're back looking at the most expensive party in history, both in the literal dollar bills sense AND the fact this single event led a dynasty to lose everything. This is the 1971 Iranian celebration for 2,500 years of Persian rule, and if you think your wedding or even a Great Gatsby level event is worthy of the name 'party', then think again! From new highways to purpose built cities, on demand forests and over 12,000 bottles of Whiskey, this invitation packed a serious punch, and the guest list ... well let's just say not even that first Tarte brand trip could compete! But what did the guests and the Iranians themselves actually think of this three day extravaganza? Well, you'll have to listen to find out!Shout out to our incredible researcher Grace McCamish and producer Jamie Rose for their work pulling this together, and if you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• HOT TAKE: Should we destroy history? (Part 2) 17.05.2026 47min

  Hi guys! Today we're back with part 2 of our HOT TAKE episode on whether we have the right to destroy history.In this episode we're going to look at our last 2 historical sources: Exhibits, including Hitlers Entartete Kunst & the President's House Exhibition, as well as Art/Sculpture, ranging from Mao's cultural reforms to the Bamiyan Buddhas AND the most written about example, statues of slavers/colonisers. Thanks so much for following along and contributing to this deep dive, it means the world!If you also want more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• HOT TAKE: Should we destroy history? (Part 1) 14.05.2026 56min

  Hi guys! Today we're back with a HOT TAKE episode to unpack the big question we've been asking the last couple of weeks: Do we have a right to destroy history?In this first part of the series we're going to look at 2 kinds of historical sources: Buildings, including the Berghof & Winter Palace, and Documents, including Mein Kampf & Queen Victoria's diaries! Make sure to head on over and watch part 2 where we will cover exhibits and art/sculpture very soon!If you also want more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• ATLANTIS: Fact or Fiction? 07.05.2026 53min

  Hello Divas! Today we're back to unpack the myth, the legend and the facts about the Lost City of Atlantis! According to the Greek philosopher Plato, Atlantis was said to have been blessed by Poseidon, god of the sea, becoming home to his demi god offspring, who turned the 'fertile plain' into the greatest civilisation that ever lived. With expertise in metallurgy, craftsmanship, commerce, agriculture and maritime trade, at a time where the rest of the world lived in small nomadic communities, the story of Atlantis has been met with great scepticism. BUT what if Plato was talking about another island entirely? A real place where the history, archeology and geology all line up - Bronze Age Crete. I can't wait to unpack this one with you all! If you'd like to read the Timaeus and Critias yourself, then the translations I used are linked.If you also want more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• Kiki Preston: The Girl with the Silver Syringe 30.04.2026 35min

  Hello Divas! Today we're back with the story of Kiki Preston, the gilded age nepo baby whose life spanned from the streets of Paris to the plains of Africa and the sidewalks of New York City to the drawing room at Buckingham Palace, with her infamous moniker surmising a life that was steeped in equal parts drama, deceit, dukes and drugs! But what does this nickname do to her historical legacy? Is it the full picture? And just how much of her history is shaped by the monarchical powers at be? Let's find out together!If you also want more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie xPlease take care while listening with the sensitive themes mentioned at the top and should you require assistance please use the below:In Australia, support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 0477 131 114 (lifeline) or 1300 22 4636 (Beyond Blue).In the USA,  support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 (⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠) or texting HOME to 741741 for the ⁠Crisis Text Line⁠.In the UK, support is available 24/7 by calling NHS 111  (NHS) or  ⁠116 123⁠  (Samaritans)
• The Gilded Age mansion that sank with Titanic 23.04.2026 54min

  Hello you! Today we're chatting about Lynnewood Hall, the 110 room gilded age mansion with double the footprint of the White House! Built for the Widener family, it was meant to be a haven for art and culture, but its hopes sank to the depths with the RMS Titanic when both the Widener heirs died on board. Sold to the church for a seminary, the homes contents full of french art, italian mantles, chinese urns and persian rugs, were auctioned until nothing remained. Year by year, it fell further into disrepair until it was totally abandoned. Now saved by the Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation this great dame gets a second chance, and I can't wait to tell you all about it!You can follow LHPF on Instagram, and watch some of the walk throughs here and here . If you also want more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• Ching Shih: The Pirate Queen 16.04.2026 40min

  Happy Friday! Today we are talking about the most successful pirate in history, and I don’t mean Jack Sparrow or Blackbeard - I’m talking about Ching Shih, the former sex worker turned pirate queen who controlled the South China Sea to such an extent the Qing dynasty paid her to retire! As an Asian woman she defies all the pirate stereotypes toted by historians and western sources alike, and had one hell of a career both on the sea and land!If you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• Rasputin: Dynasty ending BDE 09.04.2026 1h 12min

  You guys have been asking for him, so today we are spending a full hour (and a bit) on Ra Ra Rasputin! From a Siberian village to the centre of imperial Russia, how did the ‘mad monk’ bring the 300 year old house of Romanov crumbling down? We cover it all from horse whispering to sex sects, pesky rumours to miraculous events and of course, assassinations and 12 inch penises! If you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• The 1903 Romanov Ball 02.04.2026 33min

  Hello you! Today we are chatting about the 1903 Romanov Ball aka, the last great royal ball in Europe! Thrown in celebration of 290 years of Romanov rule, the entire Russian court was sent back to the 17th century, dripped in gold and gems, posing for photos with their friends and most of all, blissfully ignoring the rumbling discontent outside the palace gates! Listen now to find out all the deets on the evening(s) and how the ball helped bring about the Romanovs final days!If you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• REVIEW: Love Story 30.03.2026 38min

  The finale of Ryan Murphy's cult historical fiction 'Love Story' was divisive and jam packed from the explosive scenes between Caroline & Ann Bessette to that plane scene! In this episode, we unpack the finale plus my thoughts on the series as a whole, while looking at the ethics of fictionalised historical dramas like 'Love Story' to try and answer the question on everyone's lips: how long after someone's dead is it okay to profit from the tragedy?If you're wanting more Hot History content you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Ainslie x
• Jfk Jr & CBK 26.03.2026 56min

  Hello and welcome back to Hot History! I am so thrilled to FINALLY be covering the real history behind JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in the wake of Love Story's final episode. From their careers, dealings with the media, inner circles and tragic passing, we're getting to know each of these 90's icons outside the silver screen.Make sure to tune in on Monday for my full review of Love Story too!If you're wanting more Hot History content you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• The (real) Peaky Blinders 19.03.2026 40min

  Alrightttt … this episode of Hot History is by order of the Peaky Fooking Blinders! Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is on Netflix tonight, so we’re covering exactly who the real Peaky Blinders were! We start by looking at the Industrial Revolutions impact on Birmingham and the origins of the Victorian street gangs, before covering some of the real figures and events in the TV series. From Billy Kimber to Diana Mitford and of course, Alfie Solomon’s, we get down and dirty with the big wigs of Steven Knights story!We’re also doing some light myth busting (sorry) about some of the series key Shelbyisms and so much more!If you're wanting more Hot History content you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• Where’d the money go? 12.03.2026 1h

  Hello guys! Today we're talking about what exactly happened to the 'stuff' of queens, emperors, dictators and criminals after it all comes crushing down!From Marie Antoinette's jewels to the Romanov family's Faberge Eggs and the Kaiser's palaces and art post exile, we look at what happened to the collections of these royal dynasty's when it all comes crashing down! PLUS we're looking at Hitlers personal will and the royalties from his book, before ending with the fate of Jeffrey Epstein's million dollar property portfolio! If you're wanting more Hot History content you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• The Diamond Necklace Affair 05.03.2026 51min

  Hi guys! Today we're locking in for a chat on the diamond necklace affair, the event which according to Napoleon Bonaparte is the event "the Queen's death must be dated from". It's a tale of blackmarket dealers, forged signatures, parading prostitutes, and it ended with Marie Antoinette being blamed for it all!We cover how Marie developed her reputation as 'Madame Deficit,' the scheme behind the diamond necklace affair, the fallout, the role of propaganda in verifying myths and the disastrous effects of the affair for Marie and the Bourbon dynasty.If you're wanting more Hot History content you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• The knights who guard the crown of thorns! 26.02.2026 56min

  Hello you, welcome back to Hot History! Today's ep looks at the secret Parisian order of monastic knights who guard what some believe to be Jesus's crown of thorns!We will look at:1. Origin of this order2. Origin of this crown from Jerusalem to Paris3. Role of the order today & the Notre Dame fire4. Authenticating the crownPLUS we look at the difference between normal archaeological artifacts and religious relics, and how to authenticate them in the modern day (or not)!If you like this episode, feel free to share it with your friends or leave us a review. Make sure to tune in next week for our episode on the scandalous diamond necklace which lost Marie Antoinette her head!If you're wanting more Hot History content you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Til next week, Ainslie x
• Why are we obsessed with the Nazis? 19.02.2026 1h 29min

  Hello you, welcome back to Hot History! I’m so excited for our 1st HOT TAKE episode and today, we're looking at WHY we're obsessed with the Nazis. So many of you sent in your take and I've loved deeping this big Q with you guys.Here are the 4 key reasons WHY based on what you sent in:1. Morbid Curiosity2. Nazi Showmanship3. Awful sense of awe4. Time & Scope5. Rise in right wing authoritarianismPLUS we look at when our obsession goes from curiosity (safe) to glorification (danger) and how to be aware of what motivates your consumption.Next week we're looking at the mysterious order of Parisian knights dating back to the crusades who guard Jesus' crown of thorns - or do they??If you're wanting more Hot History content you can follow along on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and of course, right here!Please take care while listening with the sensitive themes mentioned at the top and should you require assistance please use the below:In Australia, support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 0477 131 114 (lifeline) or 1300 22 4636 (Beyond Blue).In the USA,  support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or texting HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line.In the UK, support is available 24/7 by calling NHS 111  (NHS) or  116 123  (Samaritans)
• Moors & Manuscripts: The Brontë sisters 12.02.2026 1h 24min

  Hello you, welcome back to Hot History! I’m so excited to chat about the Brontë sisters today and my god we’re DEEPING it! From their education, family dynamic, life on the moors, time in Brussels, publications and untimely deaths, we’re looking at each sister and their works in total. PLUS to my greatest shock and surprise, the fact that Haworth is also home to the iconic op shop in Wild Child!! Next week will also be our first ‘hot take’ episode and the question is: Why are we so obsessed with the Nazis. If you have a hot take on this, I want to hear it so please email me at hello@hothistory.com!If you're wanting more Hot History content you can follow along on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ and ⁠YouTube⁠ and of course, right here!Till next week, Ainslie x
• We're BACK Baby! 05.02.2026 1h 1min

  Hello you! Welcome back to the new and improved Hot History Podcast! I am so excited for all things hot AND all things history in 2026!Today I'm giving you some of my top recommendations across TV, Film, Books, Podcasts, Substacks, Creators and YouTube so you can start Feb filled to the brim with content. Plus, of course, if you're wanting more Hot History content you can follow along on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube and of course, right here!If you'd like to submit a hot take or ask us a question you can do so at hello@hothistory.com!See you next Friday x
• (the not so) Wonderful Wizard of Oz 05.09.2025 46min

  Today I'm joined by Cass of Hollywoodland Photos to deep dive into the life of Judy Garland. Child prodigy, star of the Wizard of Oz and victim to the Hollywood studio system, her life is a mish mash of terrific highs and terrifying lows which ultimately took her life.