Not Strictly History

Season 2, Episode 14: Season Finale - May Your Days Be Merry & Bright

Welcome to the finale of Season 2! I know it is a little abrupt, but I am so grateful for this season we have had together. Join me today as I talk about some of the experiences I have had podcasting and some of the things I've learned about creativity. Then, we will round off Season 2 by discussing the holidays. I'm going to share what they mean to me and some of the most precious teachings that I have been given by my mother. Thank you for a wonderful season. We'll see you for Season 3! Merry Christmas!!! Important Links: The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado [https://www.amazon.com/Crippled-Lamb-Max-Lucado/dp/1400318076/ref=sr_1_1?crid=G1TDSCQNQ4KC&keywords=the+crippled+lamb&qid=1699413255&sprefix=the+crippled+lamb%2Caps%2C1159&sr=8-1]

Season 2, Episode 13: Jane Eyre - ft. My Resident Spooky Friend Quinn!

Happy Halloween, Friends!! Welcome to our Spooky Holiday edition of Not Strictly History! And an extra special welcome to our second guest on the podcast - one of my dearest friends in the world: Quinn! We met 7 years ago on a study-abroad tour of England, Ireland, and Wales and have been fast friends ever since. She is hysterical, creative, and my very own resident Spooky Girl. Today we are sitting down to discuss Charlotte Bronte's classic novel, "Jane Eyre." It may not be your first thought when it comes to topics for a Halloween episode, but don't let its status as a classic novel fool you - this novel is full of the dark, the gothic, the supernatural, and downright spooky! While you wend your way through the gray halls and haunting laughter, a gentle love story unfolds. Join us for our very first Halloween episode as we dive into this classic gothic novel! Happy Halloween!

Season 2, Episode 12: The Irish Potato Famine - "Remember Your Soul And Your Liberty"

Welcome to the longest-ever episode of Not Strictly History and a story from history that absolutely deserves to be told again and again. This is the episode that I have been hinting at for several weeks now: I started researching this and things got heavy very quickly. Not only that, there are so MANY layers here. I wanted to do the story justice. So, after a lot of extra research and weeks of writing, here is the episode for you. It is a story of death, disease, and hardship, of millions of people that are now perhaps lost to history. But it is also a story of resilient people with a rich culture and vibrant hearts. I cannot wait for you to hear it! Important Links: The National Famine Museum [https://strokestownpark.ie/]- Strokestown Park Ireland's Great Hunger Museum [www.ighm.org] The Jeanie Johnston - Visit a Coffin Ship [www.jeaniejohnston.ie] EPIC- Irish Emigration Museum [www.epicchq.com] located in the heart of Dublin The National Famine Way [https://nationalfamineway.ie/] - follow the path of the 1,490 More to look into: - Studies show that modern-day Irish descended from those who suffered during the Famine are more susceptible to mental illness and alcoholism due to changes in their DNA that result from the Famine - There was a very significant amount of charitable donations given to Ireland from countries all over the world - One of the most potent charitable actions was from the Cherokee Native Americans of Oklahoma, USA. Only a few years previously, they had been driven from their ancestral lands in the southern United States and forced to walk what is now known as the Trail of Tears. Many of them died. Upon hearing about the suffering in Ireland, this tribe donated $170 for relief aid. This is the equivalent of $6,380.99 today - a massive amount for people still starving and struggling themselves. A beautiful statue exists in Ireland to commemorate this wonderful gesture, and to this day the Cherokee Nation has strong ties with the government of Ireland. Here are some links: Choctaw - Irish Connection [https://www.choctawnation.com/about/history/irish-connection/] "Kindred Spirits" Statue [https://mymodernmet.com/kindred-spirits-sculpture/]

Season 2, Episode 11: Joan of Arc - The Savior of France Part 2

We've done it! We are here for Part 2 of the story of Joan of Arc. Last week we discussed Joan's incredible journey from her small village to eventually being instrumental in the coronation of her king. This week we talk about her trial, execution, eventual retrial and declaration of innocence, and what Joan's legacy means today. We'll dive into court proceedings and even read some of the transcripts from Joan's interrogations - she never, ever gave up! I cannot wait to share this episode with you and guide you through the inspiring finality of Joan's story as well as the enduring beauty of her legacy.

Season 2, Episode 10: Joan of Arc - The Savior of France Part 1

It would truly surprise me if you had gotten this far in your life without at least hearing the name Joan of Arc. But what do you know about the woman herself? Perhaps more than most, or maybe just her name, but this week, we're hopping in the Wayback to go to medieval France. In the first of a two-part story, we're going to learn about Joan of Arc the girl - her childhood, her family, her home village, the world she was born into, and the visions that came to her inspiring her to save her country and crown her king. This story has been a long time coming! It is truly inspiring and I cannot wait for you to hear it.