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Send us Fan Mail What happens when one forgotten diary, a trunk full of artifacts, and decades of research bring an erased woman’s story back into view? In this episode of Armchair Historians, I’m joined by writer, teacher, and my former multimedia writing mentor, Sonja Mongar, to talk about her powerful work on Cora Paul — a real woman whose life unfolded between Victorian expectations and modern independence in the early American West. Sonja shares how Cora’s 1907 diary, family photographs, postcards, and inherited objects helped her reconstruct a life that had long been reduced to family judgment and silence. We talk about erased history, women of the West, family archives, intergenerational trauma, creative nonfiction, and why telling these stories matters. We also discuss multimedia storytelling, the power of preserving history outside traditional gatekeeping institutions, and how personal artifacts can open a window into the past. If you love hidden women’s history, family stories, historical research, and the messy, human truth behind the archive, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: Cora Paul and the idea of the “New Woman of the West”Erased and marginalized historiesDiaries, postcards, photographs, and family archivesWomen’s lives in Montana in the early 20th centuryMultimedia storytelling as a form of historical preservationThe tension between academic history and lived historyHow personal history can become public historyLinks & Resources: Sonja Mongar’s website: sonjamongar.com Sonja Mongar on Facebook: facebook.com/sonja.mongar.96 Missoula Public Library Family History Writing Contest: missoulapubliclibrary.org/family-history-writing-contest Sonja mentions that her Cora Paul piece is slated to appear through this program; the library says qualifying submissions are published online and uploaded to the Montana History Portal. StoryCorps: storycorps.org Books Mentioned / Related Reading: Bone Deep in Landscape: Writing, Reading, and Place by Mary Clearman Blew — University of Oklahoma Press About Cora Paul: Cora Josephine Paul was born in 1893 and her life story, as reconstructed by Sonja, traces a path from Chicago to Montana ranch country and later to an independent life back East. Sonja’s essay presents Cora as a woman shaped by both frontier hardship and the changing possibilities available to women in the early 20th century.  Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail Armchair Historians Show Notes Marcus James — Queer History of London / Molly Houses Episode Summary In this episode of Armchair Historians, Anne Marie Cannon talks with Marcus James, founder of Queer London Tours, about the hidden and deeply human history of queer London. Their conversation focuses especially on the world of Molly Houses in Georgian London—clandestine spaces where queer men found community, joy, ritual, performance, and belonging in a time of danger and repression. Marcus shares how he came to this work, from acting and LGBTQ+ media to building a walking tour that brings London’s queer past to life through both research and personal storytelling. Along the way, Anne Marie and Marcus discuss Princess Seraphina, Mother Clap’s Molly House, Tyburn, Oscar Wilde, and why emotional truth matters just as much as dates and facts when we talk about history. This is a conversation about hidden histories, resistance, identity, and the enduring truth that even in the darkest times, people still found ways to love, laugh, gather, and be themselves. About Marcus James Marcus James is the founder and guide behind Queer London Tours, a London walking tour experience dedicated to exploring the city’s rich LGBTQ+ history. Find Marcus James Website: https://queerlondontours.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queerlondontours/ Book a tour (OutSavvy): https://www.outsavvy.com/event/30385/queer-history-of-london-walking-tour Places and History Mentioned Old Bailey Proceedings Online: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/ Tyburn Tree: https://www.tyburnconvent.org.uk/tyburn-tree History of Tyburn Tree / Marble Arch: https://marble-arch.london/culture-blog/history-of-tyburn-tree/ Vauxhall Gardens — brief history: https://www.vauxhallgardens.com/vauxhall_gardens_briefhistory_page.html Queer Britain: https://queerbritain.org.uk/ Queer Britain visitor info: https://queerbritain.org.uk/visit Books Discussed Mother Clap’s Molly House: The Gay Subculture in England 1700–1830 — Rictor Norton Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Claps-Molly-House-Subculture/dp/0854491880 Mother Clap’s Molly House — Mark Ravenhill Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Claps-Molly-House-Modern/dp/0413769305 The Betrayal of Thomas True — A.J. West Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Betrayal-Thomas-True-J-West/dp/1916788599 Queer Georgians — Anthony Delaney Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Queer-Georgians/dp/1529927684 Closing Line If you are heading to London and want to experience the city through a richer, more human, and often hidden historical lens, Marcus James’s Queer London Tours is well worth adding to Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail Author Gigi Berardi joins Anne Marie Cannon to discuss Bianca’s Cure, a historical novel inspired by Bianca Capello, Renaissance Florence, women’s hidden knowledge, and the search for a cure for malaria. Together, they explore alchemy, medicine, power, and the ways women carved out influence in a world designed to constrain them. Learn more about Gigi Berardi: https://gigiberardi.com/ Bianca’s Cure: https://gigiberardi.com/biancas-cure/ https://shewritespress.com/product/biancas-cure/ https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Biancas-Cure/Gigi-Berardi/9798896360704 Other book mentioned: FoodWISE https://www.northatlanticbooks.com/shop/foodwise/ https://wp.wwu.edu/gigiberardi/foodwise/ Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Armchair Historians, Anne-Marie Cannon talks with award-winning historical fiction author Janis Robinson Daly about her inspiring #31titleswomeninhistory initiative, a Women’s History Month project that spotlights historical fiction by women authors centered on women whose stories deserve more room in the historical record. Janis shares how the project began as an act of literary citizenship: authors supporting authors while also helping readers discover powerful, under-told stories of women from across time, place, and culture. The conversation also touches on Janis’s own novels, The Unlocked Path and The Path Beneath Her Feet, both inspired by pioneering women in medicine and her genealogical discoveries. If you love women’s history, historical fiction, and discovering new books for your TBR, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: How #31titleswomeninhistory beganWhy historical fiction can bring overlooked women’s stories to lifeJanis’s selection criteria for the annual listLiterary citizenship and supporting fellow authorsWomen in medicine, women in literature, and women whose contributions have been pushed to the marginsHow readers can follow along during Women’s History MonthAbout Janis Robinson Daly: Janis Robinson Daly is a historical fiction author whose novels center on pioneering women in medicine and other overlooked stories from history. Her work is rooted in genealogy, research, and a passion for bringing hidden women’s stories into the light. Links and Resources: Janis Robinson Daly official website: https://janisrdaly.com Janis’s Women in History page: https://janisrdaly.com/women-in-history/ Janis’s books: https://janisrdaly.com/books/ Janis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janisrdaly_writer/ Janis on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanisRobinsonDalyAuthor/ Janis events page: https://janisrdaly.com/events/ Follow the project on social media: Search the hashtag #31titleswomeninhistory Books mentioned or referenced: The Unlocked Path by Janis Robinson Daly The Path Beneath Her Feet by Janis Robinson Daly The Red Tent by Anita Diamant Madam President by Nicolle Evelina The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail Author Laurie Marr Wasmund returns to Armchair Historians to talk about her new historical novel Catching It Lovely, inspired by her great-great-grandmother Jane Morton Scott—a Scottish immigrant whose journey carried her from the textile towns of Scotland to Chicago, and finally to a homestead in Colorado Territory.  We explore how Laurie blends archival research with historical fiction, why the era surrounding World War I still shapes her worldview, and what she discovered about her family that changed everything. In This Episode, We Discuss Laurie’s “favorite history”: 1900–1925, and why WWI-era America still echoes todayWriting historical fiction from family records—without turning it into a lectureImmigration realities: Scotland → New York (Castle Garden era) → Chicago → ColoradoThe Great Chicago Fire as a turning point (and what didn’t burn)Homesteading in 1875 and how many settlers arrived by rail, not wagon trainResearch rabbit holes: newspapers, photographs, public archives, and local history collectionsThe surprising mix of “Wild West” and sophistication in early Colorado (theaters, restaurants, society life)The “keeper of family history” role—and why some of us become the storytellersAbout the Guest Laurie Marr Wasmund is a Colorado author, presenter, and publisher (Lost Ranch Books). Her work often explores Colorado history, civic courage, and the lives of communities under pressure—now including her own ancestors’ story in Catching It Lovely.  Book Mentioned Catching It Lovely by Laurie Marr Wasmund  Links & Resources Laurie Marr Wasmund / Lost Ranch Books (author site) https://lauriemarrwasmund.com/Official author site and book pages.  Lost Ranch Books (imprint site) https://lostranchbooks.com/Browse Laurie’s backlist and imprint info.  Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection (CHNC) https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/Free, searchable primary sources for Colorado history.  Isabella Bird, A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains (Project Gutenberg) https://www.gutenberg.org/files/755/755-h/755-h.htmA vivid period account that helps capture the texture of early Colorado travel and frontier life.  Laurie’s earlier Armchair Historians episode (2020) https://armchairhistorians.buzzsprout.com/1020073/episodes/4952684-episode-15-author-laurie-marr-wasmund-talks-about-the-american-west-wwi-and-colorado-hero-philip-van-ciseListener Engagement If you’re listening on Buzzsprout, tap “Send us a text” and tell me: Where you’re listening fromWhat history you can’t stop thinking aboutOr what family story you wish you could time-travel to witnessSupport the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Armchair Historians, Anne-Marie Cannon sits down with Dr. Khama Ennis, emergency physician and creator of Faces of Medicine, a documentary and podcast that shares the powerful, candid stories of Black women physicians in the United States. The conversation begins with Dr. Ennis’s favorite history: Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S., graduating in 1864 at the end of the Civil War. From there, we explore how that legacy echoes into the present—especially when only 2.8% of U.S. physicians are Black women. Together, Anne-Marie and Dr. Ennis discuss: Why representation in medicine is directly connected to health equityThe hidden labor of navigating bias in professional spaces“Baked-in” systemic gaps in healthcare algorithmsThe importance of storytelling in improving outcomesWhat it means to “always reach back and pull forward”This episode is not about blame—it’s about humanity, curiosity, and expanding the stories we carry. Learn More & Watch 🎥 Faces of Medicine (Official Website): https://www.facesofmedicine.org/ 🎙️ Faces of Medicine Podcast: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms (search “Faces of Medicine”). 🎬 Host a Screening (via Kinema): Information about hosting a community, school, or organizational screening can be found here: https://kinema.com/films/faces-of-medicine 💛 Support the Project (Fiscal Sponsor – Fractured Atlas): Donation information is available through the official website above. If this episode resonated, consider watching the documentary, sharing the podcast, or bringing a screening to your community. Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail Black History Month Rewind: Buffalo Soldiers (Fighting on Two Fronts) — with Nick Brooks EPISODE SUMMARY In honor of Black History Month, we’re rewinding some of Armchair Historians’ strongest episodes that spotlight Black history, Black voices, and stories that deserve more room in the public memory. Today’s rewind revisits my conversation with Air Force veteran and Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle member Nick Brooks—an episode I think about often. Nick helps us move beyond the simplified version of the story and into the lived reality: Black soldiers who served with extraordinary skill and grit, even while fighting for a country that denied them full citizenship and dignity. We also talk about the documentary Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts, the complicated legacy of westward expansion, and why telling the full story still matters. CONTENT NOTE This episode includes discussion of U.S. westward expansion and the displacement/violence experienced by Native communities, alongside racism faced by Black soldiers within U.S. institutions. IN THIS EPISODE • Who the Buffalo Soldiers were (9th & 10th Cavalry; 24th & 25th Infantry) and why the regiments were formed after the Civil War • The “two fronts” they fought on: military conflict and the fight for recognition/civil rights • The complicated legacy of serving the U.S. government during westward expansion • Buffalo Soldiers as early protectors of what would become U.S. National Parks • How living history work helps preserve legacy—and why it matters for community and veterans GUEST Nick Brooks — Air Force veteran and member of Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle (living historians preserving and teaching Buffalo Soldiers history). LINKS & RESOURCES (as mentioned / helpful follow-up) Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle: • https://www.buffalosoldiersofseattle.org/ Documentary: Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts (Dru Holley) • Official film site: https://buffalosoldiersmovie.com/ • See the film / screenings page: https://buffalosoldiersmovie.com/seethefilm • Host a screening (includes contact email + toolkit info): https://buffalosoldiersmovie.com/hostascreening • Stream via PBS (Local, USA): https://www.pbs.org/video/buffalo-soldiers-fighting-on-two-fronts-e3yici/ Film & community partners mentioned: • Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF): https://www.siff.net/ • Path with Art: https://www.pathwithart.org/ Museums mentioned: • Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (Houston): https://buffalosoldiersmuseum.org/ • Buffalo Soldiers Museum (Tacoma): https://buffalosoldierstacoma.org/ National Parks connection (Buffalo Soldiers as early park protectors): • NPS — Buffalo Soldiers in Yosemite: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/historyculture/buffalo-soldiers.htm • NPS video — Yosemite’s Buffalo Soldiers: https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=E716F219-C864-EBCC-6A4A60D9DEF0C715 Pop-culture thread mentioned (Bass Reeves / “Lone Ranger” legend): • NPS — Bass Reeves (Fort Smith NHS): https://www.nps.gov/fosm/learn/historyculture/bass_reeves.htm • History.com overview of the claim + uncertainty:  Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Anne-Marie Cannon is joined by author Barbara Stark-Nemon, whose novels span centuries and borders. They dive into Barbara’s newest historical novel, Isabela’s Way, set in Inquisition-era Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany, and explore how history lives on through family memory, travel, and storytelling. Topics we cover Isabela’s Way and the history behind itThe Inquisition and why it’s still misunderstoodEmbroidery as coded communication and safe passageRefugee histories and inherited resilience“Unexpected allies” and resisting black-and-white narrativesEmotional truth vs. historical accuracyHow genealogy and DNA uncover hidden pastsWriting as an encore career and the path to publicationAbout Barbara Stark-Nemon Barbara Stark-Nemon is the author of Isabela’s Way, Even in Darkness, and Hard Cider. A self-taught historian and traveler, her work explores resilience, identity, and survival across turbulent historical moments. Connect with Barbara Website: https://www.barbarastarknemon.com Substack: https://barbarastarknemon.substack.com Barbara is also available for book clubs (via Zoom or in person when local).More from Armchair Historians Show notes include links to everything discussed, ways to support the show, and a free short story downloadintroducing Bedlam, from Anne-Marie Cannon’s forthcoming historical fiction series.Website: https://www.amcannon.com Support the show Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. Ratings, reviews, and shares help more listeners discover Armchair Historians. Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail Puppy Chronicles and Early Germanic Tribes: A Heartwarming Historical Journey In this episode of Armchair Historians, host Anne-Marie Cannon introduces her new puppy, Rocco, and explores the early Germanic tribes through his eyes. Drawing parallels between Rocco's adaptation to his new home and historical tribal life, Anne-Marie delves into kinship, warrior bands, and cultural practices from the 1st century BCE to the early medieval period. The episode emphasizes the importance of focusing on small joys amid challenging times and offers resources for further exploration of Germanic history. Listeners are invited to follow Rocco's adventures on social media for a dose of positivity. 00:00 Welcome to Armchair Historians 00:53 Meet Rocco, the History-Loving Puppy 01:19 Puppy Energy in Tough Times 02:19 Rocco's Journey to the North Country 02:31 Understanding Early Germanic Tribes 03:51 Rocco's Tribal Life Lessons 05:11 The Importance of Belonging and Community 06:48 Rocco's Adventures and Training 07:02 Connecting Past and Present 07:43 Final Thoughts and Positivity 08:48 Stay Connected and Support the Show 09:20 Closing Remarks Rocco on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocccothemorkiehistorydog/ Rocco on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14MzvxCJo3d/?mibextid=wwXIfr Documentary (Get.history – “The Germanic Tribes: Warriors Who Shaped Europe”): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCJAmn-sJxAiMfhzCZ04J0CHUG3qpVn_w  Learn more (Germanic tribes / peoples): Encyclopaedia Britannica – Germanic peoples: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Germanic-peoples World History Encyclopedia – Migration Age: https://www.worldhistory.org/Migration_Age/ World History Encyclopedia – The Goths (example of a Germanic people): https://www.worldhistory.org/Goths/ Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Armchair Historians, host Anne Marie Cannon interviews historical fiction author Janis Robinson Daly, whose work unearths the forgotten stories of early women doctors and the generations who paved the way for them. Janis shares how genealogy research led her to discover that her great-great-grandfather was both an abolitionist lawyer and a founder of the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania—sparking her fascination with women’s medical history. Her novels, The Unlocked Path and The Path Beneath Her Feet, follow fictional doctor Eliza Edwards, a character inspired by real women who fought for their place in medicine between the 1890s and World War II.  Anne and Janis discuss balancing fact and fiction, the impact of the Depression and two world wars on women’s lives, and how major historical events shape character development. They also dive into Janis’s literary-citizenship project, #31TitlesWomenInHistory, a curated annual list celebrating women-centered historical fiction and amplifying voices of women authors. Topics include: – Early women physicians and the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania – How genealogy research can uncover hidden stories – Writing historical fiction responsibly – The role of author’s notes in clarifying fact vs. imagination – The Great Depression’s impact on women in medicine – Janis’s #31TitlesWomenInHistory project and how she chooses the books – Her upcoming 2026 novel Books Mentioned: – The Unlocked Path (2022) – The Path Beneath Her Feet (2024) Where to Find Janis: janisrdaly.com | @janisrdaly_author Related Armchair Historians Episodes: • Wendy Rouse — Public Faces, Secret Lives: A Queer History of the Suffrage Movement https://armchairhistorians.buzzsprout.com/1020073/episodes/10116683 • Dr. Tara Green — See Me Naked + Alice Dunbar-Nelson https://armchairhistorians.buzzsprout.com/1020073/episodes/10100721 • A Haunted History of Invisible Women (Part 1) — Leanna Renee Hieber & Andrea Janes https://armchairhistorians.buzzsprout.com/1020073/episodes/11438457 • A Haunted History of Invisible Women (Part 2) — Leanna Renee Hieber & Andrea Janes https://armchairhistorians.buzzsprout.com/1020073/episodes/11475292 • Dr. Teri Finneman — 1872 Presidential Campaign of Victoria Woodhull (2021 Inauguration Special) https://armchairhistorians.buzzsprout.com/1020073/episodes/7375942 • Joe McGill — The Slave Dwelling Project https://armchairhistorians.buzzsprout.com/1020073/episodes/8870078 • Dr. Rod Tanchanco — First Patients https://armchairhistorians.buzzsprout.com/1020073/episodes/5446376 Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail Episode summary: This is a personal, behind-the-scenes episode on why Tudor England became the setting for The Bedlam Series: the whiplash of religious change, the evolving Tudor monarchs, and how “madness” was understood, feared, and controlled—especially around Bethlehem Hospital (“Bedlam”). Along the way, Anne Marie threads careful parallels to current U.S. events and the emotional toll of living through political instability. Content note: This episode references political violence, immigration enforcement, protest, and a personal medical experience. In this episode Why Tudor England feels like a pressure cooker (faith, law, identity, survival)Religion as “weather”: shifting doctrine, shifting dangerTudor power and insecurity: Henry VIII → Edward VI → Mary I → Elizabeth IBedlam as symbol and setting: who gets labeled, who gets confined, who gets believedModern parallels: competing “official narratives,” public meaning, labels that flatten human lives“We must cultivate our garden” (Voltaire) as a grounding practice in hard timesRough timecode outline (edit once you have final audio) 00:00 Show open + what the podcast is00:35 Personal note: this week, mental health, “cultivating our garden”03:10 Bedlam Series orientation + how to get the prequel04:30 Tudor religion as a changing tide08:00 Tudor royals + insecurity-driven power11:30 “Madness” as label + Bedlam’s role15:20 Borders, sovereignty, Greenland parallels18:00 Closing reflection + how to get the prequel + May release reminderGet the prequel (free) + follow the series Get The Sum of Broken Rooms free when you join the email list (official download page): link at top of page https://www.amcannon.com/Explore The Bedlam Series hub. Armchair Historians on A.M. Cannon’s site. Main site / signup landing page. Mentioned in the episode (current-events context) Reporting and video updates around Renée Good’s fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, protests, and disputes over official framing vs. public footage. Greenland rejecting U.S. takeover talk; NATO / sovereignty concerns. Reuters coverage on Nicolás Maduro saying he was “kidnapped” amid U.S. charges (referenced as a “foreign president kidnapped”). Tudor + Bedlam background (learn-more links) English Reformation (1527–1590) overview (The National Archives). Reformation Parliament overview (UK Parliament). From Bethlehem to Bedlam (Historic England). Bethlem Royal Hospital background (Museum of the Mind). Bedlam and “theatre of madness” (Folger). Support the show (quick ways) Share this episode with a friend who loves Tudor historyLeave a rating/review wherever you listenVisit the show page for episode links and updates. A.M. Cannon (main site): https://www.amcannon.com/ Free prequel, email sign up at top of page: https://www.amcannon.com/ Bedlam Series hub: https://www.amcannon.com/items Bedlam Series: Sum of Broken Rooms page: https://www.amcannon.com/items/this-is-a-title-01 Armchair Historians (site page): https://www.amcannon.com/general-9 Armchair Historians (official site): https://www.armchairhistorians.c Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail ARMCHAIR HISTORIANS — Season 5, Episode 1 “Under One Roof: A New Season, A New Chapter” Hello, fellow Armchair Historians. Welcome back. In this Season 5 premiere, I’m officially bringing everything I create—podcasting, historical fiction, research rabbit holes, vintage fashion history, and documentary work—under one roof. You can now find the whole universe (and all the links) at my home base: https://www.amcannon.com/ We’re also living through a moment that can feel disorienting and heavy—when truth feels slippery, the rules feel optional, and basic decency can seem in short supply. That’s exactly why history matters. Not as escapism, but as a compass: a way to remember what happened, how people resisted, how communities survived, and what it costs when power goes unchecked. This season, I’m leaning into the kinds of history I’m always drawn to: • stories that amplify diverse voices • lives lived at the edges of power • the overlooked, the underestimated, the nearly-forgotten • and the tangible traces of the past you can hold in your hand NEW THIS SEASON: FIRST GUESTS Our first two guests of Season 5: • Janis Robinson Daly (historical fiction + women’s stories)   https://janisrdaly.com/ • Barbara Stark-Nemon (award-winning author of women’s & Jewish historical fiction)   https://www.barbarastarknemon.com/ A.M. CANNON + THE BEDLAM SERIES My debut novel (Book 1 of The Bedlam Series), The Case of Lord Simon, arrives in May 2026. Moving forward, I’ll be sharing updates, behind-the-scenes research, and historical context connected to the world of Bedlam—because the history behind the fiction is half the obsession. Explore The Bedlam Series (and related goodies): https://www.amcannon.com/items Want a doorway into the series first? (The Sum of Broken Rooms): https://www.amcannon.com/items/this-is-a-title-01 LAST TRAIN LEAVING BELGIUM (DOCUMENTARY) I’ll also share occasional updates on my documentary project, Last Train Leaving Belgium. It’s currently on the back burner while The Bedlam Series gains momentum—but the story is still close to my heart. Listen here: Part 1: https://armchairhistorians.buzzsprout.com/1020073/episodes/16070462-last-train-leaving-belgium-part-1 Part 2: https://armchairhistorians.buzzsprout.com/1020073/episodes/16105753-last-train-leaving-belgium-part-2-jeff-lipkes HISTORY I KEEP COMING BACK TO (DIVERSE VOICES + “WHY HISTORY”) Victoria Woodhull — the first woman to run for U.S. President (1872): https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/513d5cce-9b92-4a3c-97df-616373905240/episodes/64626776-4f67-451e-b6fe-7a16a92e6335/armchair-historians-episode-37-dr-teri-finneman-1872-presidential-campaign-of-victoria-woodhull-2021-inauguration-special Two-Spirit histories — gender, identity, community, and “walking between worlds”: https://armchairhistorians.buzzsprout.com/1020073/episodes/12857505-gregory-smithers-two-spirit-series MUDLARKS: THE PEOPLE SIFTING FOR LONDON’S MEMORY If you’re new here: yes, I am obsessed with mudlarking—the act of searching the Thames foreshore for artifacts that tell everyday stories across centuries. Featured mudlark episodes: • Jason Sandy:   Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail This week’s Rewind episode brings back one of our most memorable conversations—perfect for anyone who’s ever felt that jolt of wonder holding a fragment of the past. Anne Marie sits down with noted mudlark Jason Sandy—member of the Society of Thames Mudlarks, trustee of the Thames Museum Trust, and co-author of Thames Mudlarking: Searching for London’s Lost Treasures—to explore the River Thames as the longest open-air archaeological site in London. Jason shares how a National Geographic segment sent him down to the foreshore, the thrill of finding a Roman bone hairpin now on display at the Museum of London, the camaraderie (and ethics) of the mudlarking community, and what it was like to metal-detect in the Tower of London’s moat. We also talk permits, recording finds, Totally Thames exhibitions, and why ordinary objects—buttons, pipe stems, combs—tell extraordinary stories. Highlights What makes London’s tidal Thames uniquely rich for findsFrom Native American arrowheads to Roman London: Jason’s path to mudlarkingThe Roman hairpin “holy grail” and donating to the Museum of LondonHow the Society of Thames Mudlarks works (and why there’s a waitlist)Recording artifacts with the Portable Antiquities SchemeCommunity spotlights: fellow mudlarks, favorite finds, and a life-changing Victoria Cross discoveryBehind the scenes: searching the Tower of London moat and what those regimental buttons revealedThe vision for a hands-on Thames Museum where visitors can learn on the foreshoreAbout Our Guest Jason Sandy is an American-born architect/developer who moved to London in 2007 and discovered mudlarking in 2012. He’s a Society of Thames Mudlarks member, a Thames Museum Trust trustee, and co-author of Thames Mudlarking: Searching for London’s Lost Treasures. He lectures widely, appears on television, and shares finds on Instagram @jasonmudlark. Links & Resources Jason on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonmudlark Thames Mudlarking: Searching for London’s Lost Treasures (book)Thames Museum Trust: https://thamesmuseum.org Portable Antiquities Scheme (UK): https://finds.org.uk Museum of London: https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk If you enjoyed this Rewind, please follow, leave a 5-star review, and share the episode with a fellow history-lover. Want to support the show? Join us on Patreon/Ko-fi and keep the stories flowing. Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail In this special Halloween edition minisode, host Anne Marie Cannon continues her conversation with documentary filmmaker Eric Walter, diving into the making of his award-winning film My Amityville Horror. In the documentary, Daniel Lutz recounts his own chilling version of the infamous Amityville haunting that terrified his family in 1975—an experience that would inspire a best-selling novel and a long-running series of films. Together, Anne Marie and Eric discuss the blurred lines between truth, trauma, and the paranormal, and what it means to live inside a story that the world refuses to let die. My Amityville Horror combines years of Walter’s independent research with eyewitness accounts and investigative reporting, revealing the most intimate and psychological portrait of the case to date. This episode follows Part 1, Episode 23, Dark Side of the Mountain, in our Halloween series—two eerie tales that remind us history can be every bit as haunting as fiction. Eric Walter Website My Amityville Horror Website To Support Armchair Historians: Patreon Ko-fi Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail Every town has its ghosts. For the quiet Colorado mining town of Silver Plume, those ghosts are real people who vanished without a trace. In this two-part Halloween special of Armchair Historians, host Anne Marie Cannon talks with award-winning filmmaker Eric Walter, whose documentaries explore the unsettling corners of human experience. Walter’s film Dark Side of the Mountain investigates the mysterious disappearance of journalist Keith Reinhard, whose story eerily mirrors that of another missing man, Tom Young—both from the same street, a year apart. Together, Anne Marie and Eric delve into obsession, synchronicity, and the strange overlap between fact and folklore. Eric Walter’s previous work includes My Amityville Horror (IFC Films), one of the top festival genre films of 2012. His editing and producing credits span Netflix, Amazon Prime, FX, AMC, and Disney+. This episode remains one of Armchair Historians’ most-listened stories—perfect for those who like their history with a chill down the spine. 🎧 Today we talk to Eric Walter about the mysterious disappearance of Keith Reinhard in Silver Plume, Colorado. Eric Walter is an award-winning director, editor, and documentary filmmaker in Los Angeles, known for producing investigative nonfiction films that explore bizarre cold cases, unexplained phenomena, and the dark side of human psychology. His directorial debut, My Amityville Horror, was named one of the top 10 festival genre films of 2012. The film was distributed theatrically by IFC Films and is currently available on streaming services.  As a lead editor for feature films, docuseries, and commercial advertising campaigns, Eric’s work has spanned across a variety of platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, FX, AMC, Disney+ and many others. He also frequently serves as an expert on the Amityville Horror case, having recently been profiled by networks such as ABC, A&E, and Travel Channel. Eric’s second documentary feature, Dark Side of the Mountain, is slated for release in 2021. Support the show Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @armchairhistorians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armchairhistorians Support Armchair Historians: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/armchairhistorians Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/belgiumrabbitproductions Check out Anne Marie's historical fiction and download free short story: A.M. Cannon website: www.amcannon.com  Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!  Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.