
Advertise on podcast: Women of War
Rating
4.2from
This podcast has
35 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Women of War PodcastExplicit
No
Date created
2020/10/29
Latest episode
2026/08/10
Average duration
54 min.
Release period
129 days
Description
A podcast by two almost historians on the women who lived, fought, loved, and died during wars throughout history, Women of War is slightly irreverent, mostly factual, and thoroughly interesting. Join PhD student Hannah Viney and Masters of Teaching student Nicola Ritchie each fortnight as they explore how women navigated the complexities of living during wartime.
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Check latest episodes from Women of War podcast
S4E2: More than Mulan - Women of the Taiping Rebellion
2026/08/10
RECORDED SOMETIME IN 2025. WHO KNOWS WHAT WE SAID IN THIS ONE.
Did you know that misinterpretations of Christianity aren’t limited to politicians? This episode looks at one of the biggest, hottest takes on the Bible, Hong Xiuquan’s Taiping Rebellion/Uprising/Revolution in mid-1800s China, which in turn changed the lives of women all over the nation. Kind of. Maybe. A bit.
Women of War is written and recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and any First Nations listeners today. Sovereignty was never ceded.
This episode contains mentions of gendered violence, rape, mutilation, violence against children, crimes against humanity, religious trauma and perversion, and starvation. It may not be suitable for all listeners. Statements made within this podcast are ours alone and do not reflect the views of our employers.
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes (when we have the time to make them) plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com; sound effects by ZapSplat.
S4E1: The Woman in Hitler’s Bathtub – Lee Miller and Documenting the Holocaust for Vogue
2026/05/10
Before she was Kate Winslet, Lee Miller was a groundbreaking surrealist photography artist and photojournalist. You probably know the famous photograph of her in Hitler's abandoned bathtub, washing the mud from Dachau off, hours after she had witnessed (and photographed) the liberation of the concentration camp.
Join Hannah and Nicola for Season 4 (we're back, baby!) as they discuss how a model from Poughkeepsie became a war correspondent for fashion magazine Vogue and ended up taking some of the most important photos of the Holocaust.
Women of War is written and recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and any First Nations listeners today. Sovereignty was never ceded.
This episode contains mentions of sexual abuse and rape, suicide, atrocities committed by the Nazis in WWII, the Holocaust, and surrealist art. Listener discretion is advised. It may not be suitable for all listeners.
Statements made within this podcast are ours alone and do not reflect the views of our employers.
Season 4 Trailer
2026/04/14
We're back babyyyyy! It's been three centuries but Women of War is back soon. From photographers in WWII to the Taiping Rebellion (no photojournalists there), we discuss the women across history and how they navigated life during war.
(Please ignore this trailer was clearly recorded in Australian summer and it is now nearly winter, time is meaningless in 2026).
We're excited to be back!
S3E8: The Brawling, Boisterous, Scottish Wench — Agnes Randolph and the Siege of Dunbar
2022/08/30
Poor William Montague. He thought he'd have an easy time taking control of Dunbar Castle in 1338. Sucks for him that Agnes Randolph was in charge and about to find new ways to humiliate his attempts. Join Hannah and Nicola for the Season 3 Finale as they head to Scotland to find out what one woman was doing in the Second War of Scottish Independence.
Women of War is written and recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and any First Nations listeners today. Sovereignty was never ceded.
This episode contains references to the crimes of English colonisation.
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com; sound effects by ZapSplat.
S3E7: 12 Nuns, 68.3 metres and 93 penises-The women of the Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings
2022/08/16
Like a river flows surely to the sea, as a tapestry is actually an embroidery, we’re having a format change. This week Hannah and Nicola look at the women who created the most famous fabric art in world history, the women on the most famous fabric art in world history and the story in it. There will be Williams who conquer, Edwards who confess, and Harolds who get hit in the eye with an arrow….or was he?
To follow along with the panels of the tapestry we reference, click this link: https://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/en/the-bayeux-tapestry/discover-the-bayeux-tapestry/explore-online/
The song “1066” can be found at the link below by the YouTube channel historyteachers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TETr5xkgTz4
Women of War is written and recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and any First Nations listeners today. Sovereignty was never ceded.
This episode contains references to war crimes including rape, stroke, nudity, cruelty and death of animals.
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com; sound effects by ZapSplat.
S3E6: Get Up, Stand Up, and Deliver — Truganini, the NOT last Indigenous Tasmanian
2022/08/02
Everything you learnt about Truganini in school is wrong. This week, join Nicola and Hannah as they look between the lines of Australian colonialism to trace the story of Nuenonne woman Truganini, a woman who lived through the unimaginable. And became a bushranger. Which was a valid life choice.
Women of War is written and recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and any First Nations listeners today. Sovereignty was never ceded.
This podcast contains references to violence and atrocities committed against Indigenous men, women and children in Australia over the course of the last two hundred years. It also contains references to disease, sexual coercion and sexual slavery, pedophilia, murder, execution, robbery and desecration of the dead. It also contains the names of Indigenous people who have passed away. It also contains some coarse language. It may not be suitable for all listeners.
All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies. The views presented herein are also not reflective of our employers.
For a far more thorough exploration of Truganini's life, read Cassandra Pybus' Truganini: Journey Through the Apocalypse (2020). Hannah relied heavily on this thoughtful work to bring Truganini to the front in this episode.
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com; sound effects by ZapSplat.
S3E5: She’d Probably Hate Her Great-Great Nephew–Dame Mary Gilmore, the Pinko on the Blue Note.
2022/06/28
Ten bucks to anyone who can name an Australian war poet (who hasn't got a literature degree). This fortnight's episode looks at the venerated poet, committed communist and radical racist, Dame Mary Gilmore, who wrote some of Australia's best known (?) poems (?) throughout World Wars I and II, and did a lot of shouting about socialism during the Cold War years. Also contains sledging of various Australian politicians, ruminations on the Australian Communist Party and talk about crocodiles. Enjoy!
(Nicola never did check if Mary Gilmore's siblings served in World War II).
This episode of Women of War was written and recorded on the stolen lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.
This episode contains references to genocide, racism especially in the context of the White Australia policy, domestic violence, alcoholism, discussion of suicide, and people being eaten by crocodiles. It may not be suitable for all listeners. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies. The views presented herein are also not reflective of our employers.
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com; sound effects by ZapSplat.
S3E4: The Amiable Madwoman - Doña Manuela Sáenz + the Fight for Spanish American Independence
2022/06/07
Finally, an episode where we know some things about a woman! Maybe too much. Join Hannah and Nicola as they learn about Doña Manuela Sáenz de Vergara y Aizpuru, the Ecuadorian woman who worked to free South America from Spanish colonisation. Put on your best colonel's uniform and jump astride your horse to find out how the Libertadora del Libertador not only helped South American countries gain independence from Spain but worked alongside Simón Bolívar to build the short-lived state of Gran Colombia, saving his life twice in the process.
This episode of Women of War was written and recorded on the stolen lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.
This episode contains references to to or discussion of assassination, attempted suicide, infidelity and exile. It also contains naughty language and so may not be suitable for all listeners. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies.
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.
Read the biography of Manuela: Pamela S. Murray, For Glory and Bolívar: The Remarkable Life of Manuela Sáenz, (Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008).
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
S3E3: The Woman in the High Castle–Veleda, Seeress of the Bructeri
2022/05/24
This week we go back to find a decent German woman, and some historical sources on her.
We find neither. Though we are in Germany. But we're not actually, we're in Germania, looking at a woman who inspired an anti-Roman rebellion, and her sisters-in-arms, the prophet-women of the Cimbri, the Bructeri and other tribes. We also look at a lot of dead bodies, but alas, the Dutch did something disgusting to a lot of them so there's less than there should be.
This episode of Women of War was created on the lands of the Gadigal people, and the lands of the Wurundjeri nation. We pay respects to all of their Elders, past and present, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.
This episode contains references to disembowelment, murder, human sacrifice, rape, genocide and imprisonment. It also contains some rude language and may not be suitable for all listeners.
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Sound Effects by ZapSplat.com
S3E2: Daughters of Artemis? - The Naval Queens Artemisia I & II of Caria
2022/05/10
What do you do when you're in the middle of a naval battle against the Persian fleet in 480BCE and your ally blocks your escape? Sink the f**k out of your ally, of course. What do you do when your brother/husband dies and leaves you with a politically unstable kingdom? Build one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, duh.
This week, join Hannah and Nicola as they dive into the Aegean Sea to learn about two naval queens who held their own in Ancient Greece and built legacies that have lasted two and a half millenniums: Artemisia I and Artemisia II of Caria, the women who shared a name and a naval command but probably not an ancestor.
Women of War is written and recorded on Wurundjeri land. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and any First Nations listeners. Sovereignty was never ceded.
This episode contains references to suicide and incest. It also contains some rude language, and may not be suitable for all listeners.
The views put forth in this podcast are not representative of our employers. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however, with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies.
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe.
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
S3 E1: The Mother in Exile–Alexandra Sokolovskaya, the Creator of the Soviet Union
2022/04/26
Welcome back (or welcome for the first time) to Women of War, and an episode with all the horrors of the Russian Revolution, the cruelties of the Tsarist regime, the horrors of the Russian Civil War, the cruelties of the Bolshevik regime AND the absence of women from the historical narrative! Yay! Let's put this woman back in the narrative, stop wasting time on tears, she (did not) live another fifty years...
This episode - meet one of the most influential women in modern history, who you’ve probably never heard of. Hear about Alexandra Sokolovskaya, the wife of some mildly interesting dude originally known as Lev Bronstein, and her struggle to bring an equal and socialist state to the Russian Empire. Spoilers: It did not work.
Thanks to Dorian (here’s his twitter) for voicework on this episode as the voices of Lev Bronstein and Varlam Shalamov. Dorian is a queer-, disability- and trans- rights activist and artist based in Melbourne. He also has a kofi: https://ko-fi.com/sindesiecle
This episode contains references to or discussion of torture, war crimes and atrocities committed by the Bolsheviks, the Red Army, and Stalin, mass executions, starvation, anti-Semitism, frostbite, suicide, imprisonment, exile, mental illness, and murder.
It also contains naughty language and so may not be suitable for all listeners. We put this warning in for the Americans, really. And Nicola’s parents.
The views put forth in this podcast are not representative of our employers. This episode was recorded before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies.
The quotes by Leon Trotsky were taken and slightly adapted from his autobiography, “My Life: An Attempt at an Autobiography.” The Gulag quotes were lifted and edited from the Varlam Shalamov website https://shalamov.ru/en/library/34/ , which is funded in part by the Russian government (ew).
If you’re here because you’re studying Revs in VCE, nice work on looking for extra resources! Send this to three friends to gain luck from the Gods of VCAA.
Wanna learn some more stuff? Check out these fun videos for primers on the Russian Revolution.
Mark Steele’s Revolution series, which kicked off Nicola’s interest in Alexandra many moons ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP8pUEmm1RI
The Complete History of the Soviet Union…to the tune of Tetris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWTFG3J1CP8
And the classic, the award-winning…the now slightly dated....Epic Rap Battle between Rasputin and Stalin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT2z0nrsQ8o
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Sound Effects by ZapSplat.com
Bonus: Irish Pirate Queen Chieftain Rebel - Grainne O’Malley and Her Fight for Freedom [Re-Recorded]
2022/02/16
What do you do with a female sailor, what do you do with a female sailor, what do you do with a female sailor, in the sixteenth century? Give her some castles, a fleet of ships, the blessing of the Queen and let her take to the seas as a fearless pirate. Join Hannah and Nicola this week as we fall in love with Gráinne O’Malley, the Irish Pirate Queen who spent decades pissing off the British in the Elizabethan Wars. There’s piracy, murder, treason, sex, court politics, English colonial wankers, and an Irish chieftain who did whatever it took to get what she wanted.
This episode was re-recorded after audio issues with the first version. If you listened to the first, congratulations and don't worry, there's plenty more new discussion here!
This episode contains references to vomiting, murder, piracy and religious persecution. It also contains some rude language. It may not be suitable for all listeners.
Women of War is written and recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nations. We pay our respect to Elders past and present, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners. Sovereignty was never ceded.
All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies.
For more information on Gráinne (yes, there’s more, we were shocked too), read Anne Chambers’ biography, Granuaile: Grace O’Malley-Ireland’s Pirate Queen, C. 1530-1603.
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.
Season Three Trailer
2022/02/13
Sorry to get your hopes up! Enjoy the trailer for our upcoming season, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
S2E9: The War-Wrecked Generation & Anna Coleman Ladd: Copper Masks and Newspaper Dating after The First World War
2021/09/21
This week - our last episode of the season brings all the horrors of World War I with the additional terror of an unexplained pandemic! In this episode Nicola and Hannah discuss the gendered expectations of soldiers returning from WWI with disabilities, especially facial injuries, and the expectations of women in their lives. There’s a brief Robin Williams-diversion, and then a discussion of the work of American artist Anna Coleman-Ladd in restoring confidence to some soldiers with her delicately crafted copper masks that served to mimic the men’s pre-war faces.
Thanks to everyone who listened through this season of our podcast, we appreciate every single one of you. We will be back sometime in 2022, hopefully recording together and not being hit by things falling off the desks we’re recording under. Anything for slightly better audio quality.
Thanks to Dorian (here’s his twitter) for his reading of “We Are the Maimed” and “In Flanders Fields.” Dorian is a queer-, disability- and trans- rights activist and artist based in Melbourne. He also has a kofi: https://ko-fi.com/sindesiecle
This episode contains descriptions of war injuries and disability, mental illness, suicide and suicidal ideation, murder, facial injuries, pandemics and illnesses, comas, domestic violence and murder by intimate partners, and swearing. Why do we warn people about the swearing? We just don’t know.
This episode also contains discussion of medical issues. It is not intended as advice. Do not take medical advice from two historians who live with their parents, or any strangers online. Please speak to a doctor or other medical professional if you have questions about Covid-19 or vaccination.
All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies. Nicola does give the wrong name for one of the writers of the 100 Stories - it’s Laura, not whatever the hell she said. She knows too many people with the surname James. Sorry Laura.
For more information on disabled and mentally ill returned servicemen after WWI, check out Shattered Anzacs by Marina Larsson, The 100 Stories by Bruce Scates, Rebecca Wheatley and Laura James, The Last Battle by Bruce Scates and Melanie Oppenheimer, or The Cost of War by Stephen Garton. For more info on Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance check out A Place to Remember by Bruce Scates.
For the whole political issue of Anzac in Australia, check out What’s Wrong With Anzac, or Anzac’s Long Shadow.
Penny Marshall’s film Awakenings does not appear to be streaming in Australia. Piracy is wrong, but the film is 30 years old so good luck finding it regardless.
Footage of Anna Coleman Ladd working in her mask clinic is available in this article:
https://allthatsinteresting.com/anna-coleman-ladd.
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Sound Effects by ZapSplat.com
S2E8 Part 2: No Thought of Glory - Clara Barton and the end of the American Civil War
2021/08/31
Clara Barton had finally made her way to the battlefront of the American Civil War, but now what? How about operating on a soldier without training, changing the very way the War Department organised medical aid, some typhus, an extramarital affair, and setting up an office to find missing and wounded soldiers. That might be a good place to start.
Women of War is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.
This episode contains references to war casualties, amputation, nineteenth century medical procedures, illness, corporal punishment, depression, and suicidal thoughts. It may not be suitable for all listeners. This episode was recorded over Zoom. We apologise for any audio issues.
Our immense gratitude again to our excellent actor, Vanessa, for her voicing of Clara for this episode.
All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this podcast however with the nature of historical research, there may be mistakes or inconsistencies.
To learn more about the American Civil War, check out Uncivil, which brings you stories that were left out of the official history of the Civil War, ransacks America's past, and takes on the history you grew up with: https://bit.ly/2W2blXa
For more information on the podcast, go to womenofwarpod.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @womenofwarpod for updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Sign up to our newsletter at womenofwarpod.com/subscribe to get notified of the newest episodes plus all the cool things we couldn’t fit into the episode.
Intro and Outro Music: Frosty Forest by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
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