We're back from our (extended) winter break with a new set of Missing History episodes. First up, Katie and Michael catch up after the holidays and - oh boy - was there a lot of catch up about. We talk Inauguration, Impeachment, and Insurrection and that doesn't even get us out of January.  A note from the team: While we're working hard to get back to our regular release schedule, life continues to be...well, you know. For the next few months we might be releasing episodes in short bursts - mini-seasons if you will - with a few weeks off between releases. We appreciate you sticking with us and hope to have more Missing History content in your ears soon!

Just in time for Christmas, we have our last Missing History episode of 2020. Katie discusses a turn of the century celebrity, Alice Roosevelt, and Michael shares Brenda Lee, who's Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree has been playing in his head non-stop all month. We're wishing you and yours a safe and healthy end to the year and we'll see you all in 2021! Alice Roosevelt NYTimes Article Princess Alice American First Daughters  Alice Roosevelt Biography Roosevelt Family Tree Nixon Tapes Brenda Lee Rolling Stone Interview  Brenda Lee Bio Country Music Documentary Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

For the second part of our hygiene series, we manage to cover the full range of human bodily needs. Michael walks through the history of toilets and waste removal and Katie talks about all things teeth.  * Apologies about the audio quality - we're still working through some mic issues.  Toilets History of Poop   NASA Space Waste Guidelines   Poop Researchers   Invention of Toilet Paper  Best Way to Wipe   Queer Toilet History  Toothbrushes History of Dentistry  Oral Hygiene Timeline Chewing Stick Research

Michael and Katie finally get to scratch a longstanding itch - not an actual itch, but a historical one! In this first episode of a two-part series, we dive into the history of self-care and discuss how people in the past dealt with some of the most fundamental human needs. Katie discusses the history of feminine hygiene products, specifically tampons and pads, and Michael traces the history of shampoo. Feminine Hygiene History of the Tampon   The AIDS Fighting Tampon   There Has to be a Better Way  Don't Let Them See Your Tampons  Tampons Haven't Always Been for Periods  Ending the Tampon Tax  Shampoo Origin of Shampoo Smithsonian Hair Care History What is the No Poo Method Smithsonian Bathing History

We have a Thanksgiving episode! (Well...not really. But Katie does talk about Puritan naming conventions, so maybe that counts?) Instead, Michael talks about Emily Balch, a turn of the century peace activist and Nobel Prize winner. Katie discusses Molly Brant, a Haudenosaunee leader before and during the American revolution. We also reflect on the passing of Alex Trebek. Emily Balch Emily Balch, Economist  Emily Balch Biography  Nobel Prize Information  Nobel Acceptance Speech  Molly Brant Molly Brant Biography  New York’s Mohawk tribe works to restore their culture  Iroquois or Haudenosaunee? 

We take a slightly different journey this week and discuss two of the institutions that have been on everyone's mind: the Electoral College and the Supreme Court. Katie and Michael discuss their history, lay out some of the arguments for and against each, and try to figure out how to fix them. **Audio Note: We had some technical issues with this recording, so Katie's audio will sound weird at some point. Sorry!! The Electoral College National Popular Vote  Electoral College Reform History of the Electoral College Five Misconceptions about the Electoral College The Supreme Court Supreme Court Reform  How to Fix the Court  The Court & Healthcare Expand the Court Don't Pack the Court Alternate Court Reforms

We're taking the week off so we have enough time to reload the NY Times elections page every three seconds. As an antidote for election related stress, we'll just leave this video of the Desert Rain Frog here.

In a valiant attempt to process...well, everything, this week we're discussing women who fought for the survival of their communities. Literally. Katie discusses Mai Bhago, a 17th-century Sikh warrior, and Michael introduces Charwe Nyakasikana, a medium and political leader from southern Africa. We also talk about the passing of RBG, ghosts, zombies, and Community (the show). Mai Bhago Wikipedia Savior of the Sikhs Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Live India History Charwe Nyakasikana Charwe Biography   Central Shona Rising Shona Tribe   The Hanging Tree 

This week we discuss two women fighting for change in their communities - albeit in very different ways. Michael discusses Diane Nash, a leader of the Civil Rights movement committed to non-violence, and Katie introduces us to Queen Nanny, a leader of the Jamaican maroon community who waged a guerilla war against the British. We also talk about Q Anon, voting, and the importance of political engagement.   Note: Because 2020 has been *gestures wildly at everything going on* we will be releasing our next few episodes out of order. This episode was originally intended to be the third in a series examining women from Kamala Harris' DNC acceptance speech. We hope to release parts one and two of that series soon. (Also, Michael references previous conversations about the show Black Sails - which are on episodes we recorded this summer but haven't been able to release yet. You're not missing any crucial context, but he would recommend you go watch the show. You can skip most of the first season.) Diane Nash Guardian Interview with Nash  SNCC History Stanford Biography of Nash Nash Biography Queen Nanny Stylist Profile  BBC Profile Matrilineal Social Structures Queen Nanny Monument Queen Nanny Wikipedia

It's back-to-back Mary's this week. Katie discusses Mary Elizabeth Lease, a Populist speaker and activist, while Michael introduces Mary Sherman Morgan, a literal rocket scientist. We also discuss The Wizard of Oz, time travel, and the importance of getting your flu shot.  Mary Elizabeth Lease  The Wizard of Oz and Populism  Mary E. Lease & The Gilded Age  What is populism?  Mary Elizabeth Lease - Queen of the Populists Mary Sherman Morgan Mary Sherman Morgan Biography  BBC Interview  First Woman Rocket Scientist