Available in VIDEO format on Spotify and YouTube!

After the last Myths & Misconceptions episode on Anne Boleyn, the response was overwhelming—so many of you asked for more! And you know I aim to please. So, I invited Sylvia back for round two. This time, she drops a bombshell about the real meaning behind Anne’s famous “Moost Happi” medal—and I did not see it coming.

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Sylvia's Books on Amazon

Link to watch/listen to Sylvia's previous episodes on the show!

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--Credits:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sylvia Barbara Soberton

Crowned as a child and trained like a prince, Queen Christina of Sweden defied every expectation placed upon her. From her glittering court of scholars to a shocking abdication, a secret conversion, and a dramatic reinvention in Rome, Christina’s life was anything but conventional. This episode explores the story of a queen who refused to be defined—by her crown, her country, or her time.

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Tuesday and Thursday episodes are available in video on #spotify and #youtube

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SUPPORT THE SHOW!

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Narrated by: Rebecca Larson

Researched by: Emily Airey

*Episodes are available in video format on ⁠Spotify ⁠and ⁠YouTube⁠

In this episode of Dr. Emma & Me: Parallel Lives, we explore the intertwined legacies of two powerful women who shaped early modern Europe in very different courts—Isabel Clara Eugenia of Spain and Anna of Denmark. Both daughters of dynasties and cultural patrons with sharp political instincts, they carved out influence within their respective spheres. Join Rebecca and Dr. Emma as they trace the lives, challenges, and impact of these remarkable women navigating monarchy, motherhood, and power on the world stage.

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Show your support of the show by becoming a patron on ⁠Patreon ⁠- your generosity helps to keep this show alive. As an indy podcaster I need your help to continue offering new content.

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Book suggestions:

⁠https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526142498/⁠

⁠https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/spectacular_rubens/⁠

⁠https://tiendaprado.com/en/books/7937-rubens-s-workshop-9788484806226.html⁠

⁠https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Jonathan-Brown/dp/0300097611⁠

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Credits:

Hosts:

Rebecca Larson & Dr Emma Cahill Marron

In this episode, we explore the remarkable life of Marguerite d’Angoulême—Renaissance writer, queen, and sister to King François I of France. Discover how Marguerite’s bold literary works, like the Heptameron, challenged gender norms, and how her passion for religious reform placed her at the heart of early evangelical movements. We’ll trace her journey from the French court to the throne of Navarre, revealing a woman who shaped politics, faith, and the role of women in 16th-century Europe.

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Credits:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Emily Lalande

Step into the shadows of Renaissance Italy to uncover the real Lucrezia Borgia. Branded a poisoner and seductress, she has long been the center of scandal—but was there more to her story? Join us as we explore Lucrezia’s rise from political pawn to powerful duchess, and how she carved out a legacy beyond the infamy of the Borgia name.

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Narrated by: Rebecca Larson

Researched by: Emily Airey

**This episode is available in video format on Spotify and YouTube!

In this episode of Dr. Emma & Me, we dive into the lives of two extraordinary women of the 16th century: Mary of Hungary, the powerful queen and regent who shaped European politics, and Margaret Roper, the brilliant daughter of Sir Thomas More who defied expectations with her intellect and loyalty. Discover how their stories reveal the challenges and triumphs of women navigating a world ruled by men.

Dr. Emma's book suggestion on Mary of Hungary by N Garcia Perez: Mary of Hungary, Renaissance Patron and Collector: Gender, Art and Culture

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Co-Hosts:

Rebecca Larson & Dr. Emma Cahill Marron

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Joanne Paul, acclaimed author of a sweeping new biography on Thomas More, to peel back the layers of one of Tudor England’s most fascinating figures. Together, we explore More’s sharp wit, his complicated relationship with ambition inherited from his father, and his distaste for court life—even as he found himself a witness to some of the most pivotal moments of the Tudor dynasty. We’ll also discuss his surprisingly cutting opinions about members of Katherine of Aragon’s household upon her arrival in England, and why the man behind Utopia was far more than the saint—or villain—history often remembers. Join us as we uncover the human side of Thomas More: the reluctant courtier, the keen observer, and the man who made kings uneasy.

Get a copy of the book - Thomas More: A Life

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Joanne Paul

She defied convention, sailed under a black flag, and vanished from the records just as quickly as she rose. In this episode, we follow the trail of Anne Bonny—pirate, outlaw, and mystery—and ask: how does a woman who made history simply disappear?

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Looking for a commercial-free experience, early access or exclusive content? Head over to my Patreon!

You can also become a FREE member and join the conversation!

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Narrated by: Rebecca Larson

Researched by: Emily Airey