HAVE YOU HEARD?

Queens Podcast: Spilling the tea on women in history

Published on July 15, 2021

Have You Heard? is where the Pod Bible team meet the people behind the podcasts you may not have heard of yet. While the Oh. My. Pod. section in the magazine gives a quick shout out to shows of that ilk, Have You Heard? aims to go deeper in an effort to spread awareness for shows that deserve more exposure! We recently heard from Katy and Nathan, hosts of the humorous history podcast, Queens Podcast…

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

Katy Hearne-Church: I’m Katy, and along with my best friend Nathan we host Queens Podcast.

Nathan Foster: We’re two friends who get together to “spill the tea” on famous and powerful women in history. We combine our historical research with our own unique sense of humour to give our listeners a more conversational and fun way to learn about women in history. And we drink delicious cocktails while we do it!

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

KHC: The History Chicks Podcast. What absolute legends. Before them, no one in podcasting, that I’m aware of, was really telling the stories of women in history through the female lens like that. I’m sure I wouldn’t be the only woman in podcasting to say they really inspired me.

NF: Wine and Crime. I’m a sucker for true crime, and there’s nothing like the banter between three childhood friends. It’s such a great feeling when you’re able to share childhood memories and your listeners find them just as funny as you do.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

KHC: When I first started listening to podcasts, I fell in love with this format of storytelling that you could just take with you wherever you go. The gym, road trips, walking your dog- you’ve got a friend to tell you a fun story wherever. However, I felt like there was a huge gap in the history category. History is interesting, fun, exciting. And half of those people in history were women and when they were discussed (if at all), they were usually footnotes to what their sons or husbands did. The story of the damsel in distress is so tired, but that’s how history paints women and it’s bullshit (“just not true”, if no cursing!) and I figured there was a space to talk about how women have been running the world from antiquity to today. So, I called up the funniest friend I had

NF: Yeah, one day I got a text from Katy saying “Hey, do you wanna co-host a podcast with me?”. The rest is….well, history.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

KHC: I think the secret sauce of our podcast is a mixture of the storytelling and our chemistry. So, I love shows with a similar vibe. You’re Wrong About is a great example for me that I’m inspired by every time I listen.

NF: Stuff You Missed in History Class. Attitudes mixed with knowledge. What’s not to love?

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

NF: Anne Boleyn

KHC: But she’s dead.

NF: So, there’s that. But in the land of the living, I’d love to chat with the historical author, Alison Weir.

KHC: I really love the podcast Noble Blood, which kind of mixes royal history with crime. So, I’d love to pick Dana Schwartz’s brain. Plus, we’ve covered a lot of the same topics, so I think our audience would love to hear from her.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

KHC: If you can resist the temptation… don’t read your reviews. You can’t respond to them or defend yourself if they say something hurtful. Like, if they just say “the girl is annoying” … what are you supposed to do with that? Actual supporters will message you directly if they have constructive feedback, and when that happens be gracious. And if you do feel compelled to read reviews, try to find the helpful feedback in them...or at least some humor!

NF: Be yourself! Only you have your unique point of view and you need to tap into that! Don’t worry about what other people think about you. I’m a loud, vulgar, gay man. Those things could be considered bad, but people love that about me! Sometimes your “flaws” turn out to be your biggest strengths.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

KHC: We just finished a four-part series on Catherine the Great, who was Empress of Russia in the 18th century. Wow. We knew she was impressive before we researched her, but her story was wild without a dull moment. If you like rags to riches stories that include sex, kidnapping, military coups and strong women… you’ll fall in love. I know I kind of did! So, I’d say start with part one, and if it’s your thing then hold on because her story is so, so good.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

KHC: we are all over the place. We are on Instagram, Twitter and if you decide you’d like to join the conversation we have a really active Facebook Discussion Group full of seriously the most interesting and funny people I’ve ever come in contact with.