The Other Marthas Podcast

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, sit back, relax, and join us as we banter our way through the ancient, medieval and surprisingly modern instances of animals being tried and sentenced for criminal activity around the world. Stay tuned for murderous pigs, trespassing moles, and one very inappropriate donkey...  

Please note: this episode contains explicit and persistent descriptions of animal cruelty, as well as accounts of violent animal attacks on humans, including babies. As always, listen with care!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, we find out all about Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. Featuring triumphs, disasters, records and excerpts from Amelia's own writings, this is one to listen to if you have a thirst for adventure and need a little Monday morning inspiration.  

Please note: the section from 27:32 deals with the tragic disappearance of Amelia Earhart, along with her flying companion, Fred Noonan. As such, this features speculation regarding the pair's probable fate, involving discussion of distress and death - as ever, listen with caution!

Welcome to The Other Marthas Podcast: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, we delve into the amazing story of Mary Bowser: the sensational revolutionary spy who survived being born and raised in slavery in Virginia, infiltrated the Confederate White House as a Unionist agent, and escaped capture on a dung-filled horse-cart to become a teacher in the South. Stay tuned for espionage, revolution, and a cracking good tale of two deceptively powerful women.  

Please note: this episode deals with issues of slavery and anti-Black racism, as well as touching on some more diplomatic elements of the American War of Independence. As always, we do our best to discuss these topics sensitively and appropriately, but please be aware that we cannot speak for the many communities who suffer these issues every day - our aim is to learn and honour their stories along with you.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. This episode dives into the life and trials of Cleopatra, as immortalised by playwrights and scholars long after her death. But whose story are we really following when we consume these accounts, and why is her beauty more legendary than her political achievements? Tune in for murder, scandal, incest, and most importantly, a whole lot of badass politics.  

Please note: this episode includes lengthy discussions on sexism and misogyny through the ages, as well as touching on racist issues (particularly around 52:13) and lookism. The tale of Cleopatra is steeped in sexualisation, and also features murder, incest, capital punishment and double suicide (though these latter topics are not heavily discussed). One to avoid if the brutality of the ancient world isn't your cup of tea... 

TIMESTAMPS: 01:57 - Cleopatra and modern feminism 26:15 - Biography of Cleopatra 49:19 - Race, beauty and alternative readings

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, we discuss the unfortunate second mission of Sir Ernest Shackleton to the Antarctic, encountering icy obstacles, doggy disasters and a rather grisly Christmas dinner along the way. If you enjoy our perilous, snowy and survival-based content, this is one for you!   

Please note: while this episode is fairly safe by our morbid standards, it does involve discussion of peril and physical hardship, as well as brief references to animal death/cruelty. Nonetheless - enjoy!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. Today's episode examines the tragic but incredible life of Mary Shelley, famed author of Frankenstein - tune in for a very complicated love story, a hilarious (and very productive) holiday, and a whole lot of strength in the face of adversity.  

Please note: Mary Shelley's life is fraught with death and disaster, so this is one to avoid if you don't appreciate the tragic side of things! As such, there are references to accidents, suicides and infant deaths throughout, as well as a slightly grisly anatomic detail at 41:15, and a discussion on cremation from 42:18.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, we chat through the mystery and theories surrounding the disappearance of three lighthouse keepers on Eilean Mor, in December of 1900. Stay tuned for rage, romance and an eerie scene of abandonment, with a little supernatural speculation thrown in for good measure...

Please note, this episode deals with the true disappearance and presumed death of three men, including speculation of accidental death, murder, suicide and supernatural involvement. As always, listen at your discretion!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In this episode, we discuss the life and escapades of Julie D'Aubigny: renowned opera singer, master swordswoman and bisexual icon. Tune in for some hair-raisingly narrow brushes with death, bizarre duels, and a LOT of love affairs...  

Please note, this episode includes discussion of homophobic practices (particularly from 05:08-07:24) and the desecration of religious institutions (primarily 07:29-08:20), and contains references to threat and violence throughout.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with an emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In this episode, we discuss Blackbeard: fabled terror of the seven seas, wielder of cutlasses, and sporter of iconic facial hair. Tune in for facial fireworks, dramatic betrayals and a terribly romantic case of polygamy...   

Please note: this episode discusses piracy at length, including instances of nautical terrorism, brief reference to slave trading, and a fun chat about syphilis and urethral syringes from 34:05-37:25 (this also references the damaging effects of chemotherapy). We also discuss Blackbeard's death, and capital punishment in general, from 53:03 - as usual, listen at your discretion!

Welcome to the THIRTEENTH EPISODE of The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In this spoooky thirteenth episode, we talk about the origins of the paranoia surrounding Friday the 13th and the number 13 in general, as well as the gristly mystery of the Lake Bodom murders, which supposedly inspired the cult movie 'Friday the 13th'.  

Please note, the second part of this video focuses on a true murder case, with details of injury and distressing events. Avoid listening from 26:33 if that's not your bag! We also discuss the plight of the Knights Templar between 13:48 and 23:41, so be aware that this section contains details of religious persecution.  

TIMESTAMPS: 

01:47 - 13 Trivia 

13:48 - The Knights Templar 

26:33 - Lake Bodom Murders

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with emphasis on history, mystery and all things morbid. In today's episode, we explore perhaps the greatest feat of espionage of World War II: Operation Mincemeat. Tune in for Ian Fleming's lesser known spying creation, the ingenious birth of Major William Martin, and the very grisly appropriation of a human body...  

Please note, this episode is set within the context of World War II, and as such contains references to casualties and devastation throughout, as well as allusions to the Nazi regime. The operation in question makes use of a human body for spying purposes, so one to avoid if you're not a fan of grisly details! Between 15:00 and 16:35 we also discuss the life and suicide of Glyndwr Michael, whose death is referenced throughout the episode.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with emphasis on history, mystery, and all things morbid. In today's episode, we delve into the many theories behind the true story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, including dancing plagues, religious crusades and more. Tune in to discover the weird wealth of evidence behind the mysterious event, from medieval church windows to foreboding historical accounts and street names - which theory do you think is most likely?  

Please note, this episode deals with the alleged disappearance and possible deaths of multiple children, with speculation as to possible hardships throughout.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead, with emphasis on history, mystery, and all things morbid. In today's episode, we educate one another on a few of Britain's most intriguing and infamous phantoms, including Mol, the vengeful butter-monger whose spirit is restful only so long as it remains trapped in the dam of Warwick Castle; and Bluidy McKenzie: the world's most renowned poltergeist. Tune in for freaky history, grisly goings-on and post-mortem appearances, from shapeshifting to strangling and more!  

Please note: this episode delves into the supernatural, with heavy speculation around life after death, unfinished business and paranormal activity. We also detail the circumstances of death of several of our featured ghosts, so best avoided for the easily squeamish or scared!  

TIMESTAMPS: 

0:01:35 - Warwick Castle 

0:37:44 - Bluidy McKenzie

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. This week's episode caps off our Everest Blockbuster series, with our own personal thoughts and reflections on Everest, its unique pull for the climbing community, and the life-or-death ethics it brings into question. Tune in to hear our views, discover the miraculous survival of Lincoln Hall, and spawn your own theories on the age-old question: WHO THE HECK IS CHARLOTTE?  

Please note: even more so than the previous two episodes in our Everest series, this episode deals extensively with issues of extreme physical and mental hardship, death, and controversial culpability, so listen at your own risk! We also speculate at length about the implications of climbing Everest while suicidal,  so avoid the section from 16:33 to 25:31 if you'd prefer to skip that.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we continue with our Everest Blockbuster series, this time investigating the 2006 climbing season. Tune in for the incredible feats of physically disabled mountaineers climbing with Russel Bryce, including Mark Inglis' controversial experience and encounters with David Sharp; as well as legendary sherpa Phurba Tashi's heroic attempts to save a fellow mountaineer.  

Please note, this episode centres around the extreme dangers of climbing Everest, including altitude-related illnesses, hypothermia, frostbite, and deadly falls. There is description throughout of extreme mental and physical hardship, high risk, and death (sometimes involving controversial culpability) - not for the easily disturbed!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we embark on the first part of a trilogy on the perils of Earth's highest peak: Mount Everest. Today, we focus on the deadly blizzard of May 10th-11th 1996, one of the mountain's greatest recorded disasters to this day. Tune in to follow the heroic and too often tragic stories of 1996 climbers including Rob Hall and Scott Fisher, as well as one man's miraculous return from the dead... THREE TIMES.  

Please note, this episode (and its two subsequent parts) centre around the extreme dangers of climbing Everest, including altitude-related illnesses, hypothermia, frostbite, and deadly falls. There is description throughout of extreme mental and physical hardship, high risk, and death (sometimes involving controversial culpability) - not for the easily disturbed!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we delve into one of America's most enduring unsolved mysteries: the impossible murder of Isidor Fink. Tune in for theories, reenactments, and a speculated vendetta between the laundry and circus industries...  

Please note, this episode revolves around a true murder case, and as such involves violent/bloody descriptions and speculation around real life events. One to skip for those with sensitive stomachs!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we investigate the eerie unsolved case of the Dyatlov Pass, and discuss theories from government sabotage to alien involvement. Not for the faint of heart!   

Please note, this episode deals with a true case in which nine people lost their lives, and involves description and speculation around death and bodily harm throughout.

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane and delve into our childhood writings, which reveal a little more of our respective psyches than perhaps we strictly intended. Tune in for the saga of Polly the chocolate thief, a 10-year-old's appeal to the government to stop global warming, and why no Martha should  be left alone around tea, sprinklers, or naked flames.  

Please note, while this episode generally centres around childhood memories and cringe-worthy accounts, some of our written anecdotes may not be for you - if vomit-based stories make you feel queasy, avoid the section from 30:03-37:40, and if you'd prefer to bypass the unfortunate plight of an injured insect, we wouldn't recommend 38:09-38:48!

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we address perhaps our most contentious issue yet: the animal that Cannot Be Arsed. Also, the animal that breaks all the rules by existing. And the animal that will one day rule us all. They're a varied bunch, animals. Tune in for the slightly disturbing intimacy of the zoo, the octopus that uses another marine dweller as a weapon, and why dental hygiene is more important to the koala population than you might think...   

Please note that this episode focuses on a number of endangered animals, so topics such as death and threat are present throughout. We also discuss some truly bizarre mating rituals, including human intervention in zoos, so be warned! There's also the minor alien invasion-style threat of octopuses just being terrifyingly intelligent - we would advise getting on their good side...  

TIMESTAMPS: 

01:46 - Pandas 

14:08 - Platypuses 

22:19 - Koalas 

45:42 - Octopuses

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we introduce Random Ramblings: the chattier, more casual format we'll be using for every third upload. Today we discover a bizarre shared nightmare, debate the pros and cons of looking increasingly like a donkey, and dive into the weird world of empathy.  

Please note, while this episode does not come with consistent or thematic content warnings, it is worth checking out the timestamps below for any topics that may distress you!  

TIMESTAMPS: 

01:12 - Goblin Cats 

03:01 - Poldark 

05:21 - Car-spotting 

06:48 - The Madness of George III 

08:51 - Birth (and Death) 

11:05 - Dreams (and Accidental Unconscious Connection) 

15:57 - The Curse of the Empath 

17:55 - Panic Responses 

20:21 - Dreams VS Reality Confusion (And a Dog Tangent) 

24:06 - Clown and Drag Funerals 

25:10 - Would You Rather: The Poo Dilemma 

29:03 - WYR: Horrifying Animals 

30:18 - WYR: The Donkey Transition

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try and make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we talk about two of our favourite mythological characters: Athena and Loki! Tune in for on-the-spot feminist theorising on Ovid's drag-in-a-mag technique, questionable pronunciations, and why when you're down on your luck, you should always get a massive horse.  

Please note that this episode centres around ancient mythologies, which unfortunately come with some less than exemplary sexual conduct, particularly on the parts of Zeus and Poseidon (specifically, rape is mentioned twice, with verbal content warnings beforehand). Thanks to further godly ruthlessness, there is also a brief reference to suicidal intent at 15:55. Other than that, if you don't mind a bit of a laugh at the expense of a classic pantheon, sit back and enjoy!  

TIMESTAMPS: 

1:21 - Athena 

22:13 - Loki  

Black Lives Matter Resources:  

BLM resource list:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-0KC83vYfVQ-2freQveH43PWxuab2uWDEGolzrNoIks/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR3r4_JtIvQpdxEnJbumRqVZqkNGitjpgDcjIILbbT7K_Dye2qQttX62ggA  

Mental health resources for black folks: https://www.blackgirlssmile.org/resources https://www.beam.community/bvtn  

Let's get educated:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZgkjEdMbSw&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR30LSQG_MtfrqAPCCVDEwDZbrtlwLkV1Xl9nHtX7eT4eAqKrWf84Z0-hl4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4amCfVbA_c&fbclid=IwAR1p2q5BUfOSj-yg7EDqHqnBmcy1EX5swG5sRpBwUGFda5XT7f8mW-9dNjE https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/n7wbyw/george-floyd-uk-state-racism?utm_campaign=sharebutton&fbclid=IwAR2u8xkK_6lJQ7RLDny4U4b0lX1gSHc_JJjfzOPmAMd3TpgU3Ns74sXxVfM  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Longer-Talking-White-People-About-ebook/dp/B06WWPX2YF/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/06/two-black-trans-women-killed-nation-protested-blacklivesmatter/?fbclid=IwAR1uL-Map6Ewf2_S64f2CJqhBcCYmkiBo8o6ueGkUPY2_X9DWLekyD_8u4U https://www.netflix.com/watch/80200643?trackId=13752289&tctx=0%2C0%2Cb8f1fbccc9c4fb4458e662617dd8f214a3caac37%3Af02152b84ca79fb5eba8b9e512b82fbd5902ad95%2C%2C%2C https://www.netflix.com/watch/80091741?trackId=13752289&tctx=0%2C0%2C4ead0931bb5cd2dd641fce56f3b500c20aee21b6%3Ad3850be323bdf82ef92bf353bd235208e7c9ed55%2C%2C%2C https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-colonialism-africa-british-empire-slavery-a9564541.html?fbclid=IwAR2aLyP0d4C87VqnkZ5hAb17ZraHrS1VxH7f80uqZUmb36Ldz2hMIlbSGXQ https://inews.co.uk/news/winston-churchill-racist-pm-racism-accusations-london-statue-protest-explained-440668?fbclid=IwAR0gVv2sSv837nVwv7zXj730OnEqo0BUep9jUcHS1UYPD1CLw8gcLGJ744U https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-52939694?fbclid=IwAR33nMEM58JcXzsss-Te1TeMysNQek6lZibderG_mJUdojbQrcoKrXXyCa0 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-52939694?fbclid=IwAR33nMEM58JcXzsss-Te1TeMysNQek6lZibderG_mJUdojbQrcoKrXXyCa0  

Let's sign:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHz8NJph6laVBFnuzhIzAzFTqjjfFt4-ucEt9EO6_Fw/edit?fbclid=IwAR2f-  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/323863?fbclid=IwAR0vciX1QlOk2O7jad-PHyh1BsT4HUUM4eaMpXm6LLsP_KqVKoyZ3IkZNwo7gpw86ZQlHieGvB7DOGaep0JguP5IYX0hTOZRRD4ptdldL7ILjRQNo  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/301079?fbclid=IwAR0XNtZI0i1SPiwlk9IWe4eQVdkC71MmlsEzTdyt7l1Qly-XJNSRa8N72Lw https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/324092?fbclid=IwAR1luP-Kzwdy43veyF_1imJFL64gd7t4YZsAz40X7HaKF0s_wixP7ycv6Kk  

Let's donate: https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/ https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-bail-project https://blacklivesmatter.com/? https://www.gofundme.com/f/homeless-black-trans-women-fund?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheetfbclid=IwAR1VuJEvNuMFZyBa8arbDokSI6Kd26uW3VjuEfrf8ych3VRvPqkV8ZFCBhE

Welcome to The Other Marthas: the show where a drama student and a film graduate try to make sense of things we wish we were qualified in instead. In this episode, we talk about the ill-fated plots of two of history's weirdest courtiers: Robert Devereux and Grigori Rasputin! Tune in for intrigue, murder, alleged rumpy-pumpy, and the antics of most dramatic Tudor ever to draw breath.  

Please note, this episode contains discussion of some less than savoury sexual encounters, as well as a fair bit of gore - avoid the section from 33:35 if you're not a fan of stabbing!  

TIMESTAMPS: 

01:13 - Essex 

26:25 - Rasputin