In 1775, a baby girl entered the world with an unbelievable career ahead of her: ruling the high seas and terrorizing an entire empire.

In this episode of Never Heard of Her, we set sail with Zheng Yi (also known as Cheng Shih), the legendary mastermind who took a modest maritime gang and weaponized them into the unstoppable Red Flag Fleet. We explore how she turned a chaotic band of cutthroats into a tightly run corporate empire complete with strict codes of conduct, surprising rules on plunder-sharing and HR policies. Discover how this formidable commander brought the Chinese Empire to its knees, negotiated her own retirement package, and wrote her own rules from start to finish.

And what the heck could this Pirate Queen have in common with Jane Austen?!?

Tune in to find out about that and much more!

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro & guesswork

0:03:50 Zheng Yi - where her story begins

0:09:24 Forging of the Red Flag Fleet Alliance

0:10:40 New Alliances instead of losing power

0:13:30 Zheng’s background & family

0:16:26 Consolidating power & the professionalisation of piracy

0:23:10 Accounting for pirates (pirates with rules!)

0:30:28 Two years later: there’s a Pirate Empire!

0:35:40 The reaction of the Chinese Empire

0:42:10 The orderly end of an unruly life

0:51:31 Badass Scale & Wrap

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

✨ Our Mission Moment: We believe that therapy shouldn't be a luxury! 💜

Women + Health is a London charity that does fantastic work for people who can't afford therapy.

If you want to support them or care about women’s health, you can book a massage with Women + Health and help fund a woman's therapy.

Or organise a Team Event with them! Or just make a donation! ✨

💜 Look them up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: #ZhengYi #ChengShih #PirateHistory #BadassWomen #Herstory #WomenInHistory #HistoryPodcast #FunHistory #TrueStories #NeverHeardOfHerPod

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Before 1983, American space travel was an all-boys club where astrophysics made total sense, but basic female biology was rocket science. Enter Sally Ride: physicist, tennis champ, and the woman NASA sent into orbit alongside a baffling packing list of 100 tampons for a six-day mission. (was there maybe an actual thinking behind it?)

Join us as we explore how Sally handled sexist press questions, operated the shuttle arm, helped investigate the Challenger disaster, and lived history on her own terms—with a quick pitstop to ask: Is Neil Armstrong’s lunar poo still out there?

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro & overview (all moonwalkers great and small)

0:05:00 Who was Sally Ride?

0:07:36 Setting the scene: NASA & women in space

0:19:42 Sally joining NASA

0:24:52 A little tangent: Is Neil Armstrong’s poo still on the moon?

0:28:27 Sally’s tasks in space & the press

0:30:42 Sally’s private life & relationships

0:33:45 A tennis tangent: Billy Jean King in 1981

0:37:24 1983: Sally goes to space (with lipstick and 100 tampons)

0:42:12 The 100 tampon story & some myth busting

0:49:00 Sally in space again, meets Tam & the Challenger disaster

0:58:23 Sally on the Challenger investigation & her later life

1:02:26 Sally’s last months & posthumous honours

1:10:12 Badass Scale & Outlook

A big Thank You to Stephen Slater for bringing us this fantastic story!

If you want to find out more about the documentary “Sally”, check out their imdb site and click here for more on the film “Apollo 11” Stephen Slater has worked on.

And credits to the fabulous Marcia Belsky for performing the “100 Tampons” song at Comedy Central Stand-up. You can watch her full video and the full song here.

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

✨ Our Mission Moment: We believe that therapy shouldn't be a luxury! 💜

Women + Health is a London charity that does fantastic work for people who can't afford therapy.

If you want to support them or care about women’s health, you can book a massage with Women + Health and help fund a woman's therapy.

Or organise a Team Event with them! Or just make a donation! ✨

💜 Look them up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: #SallyRide #WomenInSTEM #SpaceHistory #NASA #Herstory #WomenInSpace #HistoryPodcast #QueerHistory #TrueStories #NeverHeardOfHerPod

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Born in a prison cell and destined to lead a revolution, Laskarina Bouboulina wasn't your average historical icon.

In this episode of Never Heard of Her, we sail headfirst into the wild life of the ultimate maritime commander who funded her own warships, outsmarted Ottoman officials, and gave patriarchal history a proper run for its money. From her cellblock arrival to commanding an entire naval force, we uncover the hidden history of a true legend. Tune in for the epic battle tales, stay for the chaotic family feuds, and find out how Laskarina Bouboulina dominates our official Badass Scale!

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro & overview: Yassas! (Γεια σου / Gia sou)

0:03:54 Setting the scene: Greece under the Ottomans

0:10:44 Enter Laskaria: A girl born in jail

0:17:44 The Siege of Nafplio & the start of the revolution

0:24:07 The true cost of a revolution

0:33:55 Greek Independence - the far away dream

0:40:30 More surprise facts about Laskarina

0:48:36 Bouboulina on the Badass Scale

0:56:00 How Trish came across Bouboulina

0:59:56 Wrap

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

✨ Our Mission Moment: We believe that therapy shouldn't be a luxury! 💜

Women + Health is a London charity that does fantastic work for people who can't afford therapy.

If you want to support them or care about women’s health, you can book a massage with Women + Health and help fund a woman's therapy.

Or organise a Team Event with them! Or just make a donation! ✨

💜 Look them up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: #FunHistory #WomenInHistory #PopHistory #Herstory #BadassWomen #HistoricalBiographies #GlobalHistory #TrueStories #NeverHeardOfHerPod #BadassWomenInHistory

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When a room full of post-war male politicians tried to sneak "women are equal but…" into West Germany’s constitution, one woman decided that simply wouldn't fly.

In today’s episode, meet the brilliant jurist Dr. Elisabeth Selbert. From navigating the dark years of fascism to standing up against patronizing delegates, she pulled off an epic grassroots mobilization to get a simple, yet revolutionary wording into modern law: men and women are equal. No fine print, no compromises.

Tune in for the legal masterclass, stay for the stubborn brilliance, and hear why the constitution matters!

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro & overview: equal rights

0:05:18 Elisabeth’s lifetime - from feudal system to equal rights

0:10:09 Adam Selbert sparks her political interest

0:19:16 Elisabeth gets her legal education & PhD

0:29:02 1933: Adam is put in a camp & Elisabeth becomes a lawyer

0:37:39 The misery caused by the low legal status of women

0:41:35 The Selberts staying low during WWII

0:45:57 Elisabeth’s part in the Hesse Constitution

0:49:27 West against East: How you get a “Constitution”

0:55:56 The Fathers & Mothers of the “Constitution”

1:03:30 Equal rights “in principle” & “as a citizen” ☹️

1:12:57 Elisabeth’s moment of glory: Equal Rights Period.

1:15:59 8 May 1949: West Germany has a new constitution & equality

1:24:49 Elisabeth’s life after the constitution & German reunification

1:33:42 Badass Scale & Outlook (commanding a naval fleet…)

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

✨ Our Mission Moment: We believe that therapy shouldn't be a luxury! 💜

Women + Health is a London charity that does fantastic work for people who can't afford therapy.

If you want to support them or care about women’s health, you can book a massage with Women + Health and help fund a woman's therapy.

Or organise a Team Event with them! Or just make a donation! ✨

💜 Look them up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: #Democracy #Equality #WomenInHistory #EqualRights #ElisabethSelbert #Grundgesetz #TrueStories #NeverHeardOfHerPod #BadassWomenInHistory

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Pop the cork and raise a glass to the woman who turned French fizz into a global phenomenon. In our debut episode of Never Heard of Her, we dive into the high-stakes life of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin—better known today as the visionary widow behind Veuve Clicquot.

Left widowed at just 27, Barbe-Nicole took over a struggling, male-dominated wine business during the absolute chaos of the Napoleonic Wars. Facing naval blockades and economic ruin, she didn't just survive—she staged an incredible coup. Armed with sheer audacity, brilliant innovations that revolutionized winemaking forever, and a bold midnight smuggling run across war-torn Europe, she built one of the most iconic luxury brands in history.

🥂Grab a bottle, settle in, and find out where the "Grande Dame of Champagne" ranks on our Badass Scale.🍾

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro & Overview of NHOH

0:02:52 Have we ever heard of Barbe-Nicole?

0:08:22 Introducing our badass woman: Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin

0:10:51 The Campagne region (fun facts about THE booze!)

0:17:07 Barbe-Nicole marries François Clicquot

0:24:39 The widow taking risks & Napoleon going to war

0:32:13 When you hit rock bottom, make vintage wine!

0:37:03 What is champagne? (more fun facts coming your way!!)

0:41:36 Barbe Nicole needs a MIRACLE (trade embargoes in 1814 Europe)

0:49:27 Her BIGGEST gamble (a long ride with bumps & bribes)

0:57:18 Barbe Nicole’s three revolutionary inventions

1:08:13 How to establish a world-leading empire

1:13:23 Barbe Nicole’s legacy & a final surprise

1:19:22 Wrap & our NHOH Badass Scale

1:22:36 Outlook (a story about women, equality, & democracy)

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

✨ Our Mission Moment: We believe that therapy shouldn't be a luxury! 💜

Women + Health is a London charity that does fantastic work for people who can't afford therapy.

If you want to support them or care about women’s health, you can book a massage with Women + Health and help fund a woman's therapy.

Or organise a Team Event with them! Or just make a donation! ✨

💜 Look them up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: #Champagne #VeuveClicquot #WomenInHistory #Napoleon #FrenchRevolution #Businesswomen #TrueStories #NeverHeardOfHerPod #BadassWomenInHistory

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Something NEW is coming your way: Never Heard Of Her - Badass Women of World History!

We're definitely done with the Mitfords and we're off to new shores - outside of Oxfordshire 😉 There's so many other stories to tell of wonderful women and of wicked women; and everything in between.

It'll still be outrageous true stories, don't you worry! And we hope you'll join us on these new adventures as well ☺️

See you from September 2026, every other Wednesday, on Never Heard Of Her.

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We survived Nazis, prison, secret weddings, McCarthy, and at least six nervous breakdowns (ours, not theirs). After a full year in the archive, it's time to close the file — but not before we rank all six Mitford sisters on the ultimate scale that matters: Badassery. Who takes the crown? Who's shockingly underrated? And who still manages to out-outrage everyone, even in the finale? (#DianaMosley)

We also revisit Muv & Farve one last time (yes, there's a twist), review the Mitford TV drama "Outrageous," and give you a Grande Finale of Outragery. Grab a cuppa — this one's a love letter to a year of scandal, sisters, and spectacularly bad (and a few good) decisions.

🎬👑 That's a Wrap, Fellow Mitford-Fanatics! 🥂📚

Chapters:

0:00:00 Episode Teaser

0:00:32 Intro: we’ve talked about EVERYTHING

0:05:10 Recap on the Mitford show “Outrageous”

0:12:49 It takes a LOT to make a GREAT show

0:19:03 Recap on Muv & Farve (and a last surprise)

0:33:49 Badass Ranking 1: Nancy

0:37:58 Badass Ranking 2: Pam

0:41:13 Badass Ranking 3: Diana

0:49:48 Badass Ranking 4: Unity

0:56:10 Badass Ranking 5: Decca

1:01:24 Badass Ranking 6: Debo

1:08:29 The most outrageous thing?

1:14:26 Not one outrageous thing!

1:18:44 The Final Curtain - we did it! (a year with the Mitfords)

For everyone who wants to take a look at the brand new book about Muv:

"Muv: The Story of the Mitford Girls' Mother" by Rachel Trethewey.

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

✨ Our Mission Moment: We believe that therapy shouldn't be a luxury! 💜

Women + Health is a London charity that does fantastic work for people who can't afford therapy.

If you want to support them or care about women’s health, you can book a massage with Women + Health and help fund a woman's therapy.

Or organise a Team Event with them! Or just make a donation! ✨

💜 Look them up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: #TheMitfords #Antifascists #WomenInHistory #WWIIHistory #BritishAristocracy #AmericanHistory #MitfordSisters #Outrageous #BritishAristocracy #TrueStories

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How does a high-society British aristocrat run away to fight fascists, join the American Communist Party, and become the undisputed "Queen of the Muckrakers"? In this special bonus episode, we sit down with biographer Carla Kaplan to unpack the rebellious, unapologetic universe of Jessica "Decca" Mitford—the subject of her acclaimed biography Troublemaker!

Carla gives us the ultimate insider look at surviving 500 archival boxes to uncover the woman behind the legend. Packed with sharp insights, deep-digging historical nerdery, and plenty of outrageous Mitford mischief, this is a masterclass on the most formidable rebel of them all. 💩🪏

Chapters:

0:00:00 Episode Teaser

0:00:40 Intro & Welcome Carla!

0:02:17 How did Carla come across Decca & the Mitfords?

0:08:29 500 boxes, a dogged nerd & life in the archive

0:14:28 Decca was Decca!

0:23:35 Decca’s life-changing decision at crisis point

0:29:35 The wild energy of the Mitford Sisters

0:33:00 Decca’s losses & grief and channeling it

0:38:12 Decca, Diana & Unity - choices and contradictions

0:47:23 Decca the Outlier (her sense of social justice)

0:53:32 The composure & love of a Duchess

1:00:55 The love & bond between the Mitford Sisters

1:03:08 Wrap & Outlook (Troublemaker!)

For everyone who wants to take a look at Carla’s fantastic book on Decca:

"Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford" by Carla Kaplan

And you can get all the news and updates on what Carla is up to on her website: https://carlakaplan.com/

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

✨ Our Mission Moment: We believe that therapy shouldn't be a luxury! 💜

Women + Health is a London charity that does fantastic work for people who can't afford therapy.

If you want to support them or care about women’s health, you can book a massage with Women + Health and help fund a woman's therapy.

Or organise a Team Event with them! Or just make a donation! ✨

💜 Look them up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: #TheMitfords #JessicaMitford #Antifascists #WWIIHistory #BritishAristocracy #AmericanHistory #CivilRights #Muckraker #WomenInHistory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.