Beatrice Sparks (1917-2012) was an American writer known for “Go Ask Alice,” “Jay’s Journal,” and “It Happened to Nancy.” The books were positioned as cautionary tales of “real” teens, but were almost entirely fictional. Her books stoked fears about drug use and the “Satanic Panic” of the 1980s.

For Further Reading: 
The New Yorker: How a Mormon Housewife Turned a Fake Diary Into an Enormous Best-Seller
The Salt Lake Tribune: Here’s how a teen’s death took a reporter on a tour of a small town’s dark history
BYU Archives: Beatrice Sparks

This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Lauren Willams, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates Grau, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

Follow Wonder Media Network:
Website
Instagram
Twitter

Beatrice Sparks (1917-2012) was an American writer known for “Go Ask Alice,” “Jay’s Journal,” and “It Happened to Nancy.” The books were positioned as cautionary tales of “real” teens, but were almost entirely fictional. Her books stoked fears about drug use and the “Satanic Panic” of the 1980s.
For Further Reading: 
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/08/01/how-a-mormon-housewife-turned-a-fake-diary-into-an-enormous-best-seller">The New Yorker: How a Mormon Housewife Turned a Fake Diary Into an Enormous Best-Seller</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2022/09/21/heres-how-teens-death-took/">The Salt Lake Tribune: Here’s how a teen’s death took a reporter on a tour of a small town’s dark history</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://archives.lib.byu.edu/agents/people/561">BYU Archives: Beatrice Sparks</a></li>
</ul>
This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Lauren Willams, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates Grau, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
Follow Wonder Media Network:
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</ul>

Thinking back to our history classes growing up, we had one question: Where the ladies at? Enter, Womanica. In just 5 minutes a day, learn about different incredible women from throughout history. On Wonder Media Network’s award-winning podcast, we’re telling the stories of women you may or may not know — but definitely should. 

Thinking back to our history classes growing up, we had one question: Where the ladies at? Enter, Womanica. In just 5 minutes a day, learn about different incredible women from throughout history. On Wonder Media Network’s award-winning podcast, we’re telling the stories of women you may or may not know — but definitely should.

Womanica

Thinking back to our history classes growing up, we had one question: Where the ladies at? Enter, Womanica. In just 5 minutes a day, learn about different incredible women from throughout history who you may or may not know — but definitely should.

Thinking back to our history classes growing up, we had one question: Where the ladies at? Enter, Womanica. In just 5 minutes a day, learn about different incredible women from throughout history who you may or may not know — but definitely should.

Beatrice Sparks (1917-2012) was an American writer known for “Go Ask Alice,” “Jay’s Journal,” and “It Happened to Nancy.” The books were positioned as cautionary tales of “real” teens, but were almost entirely fictional. Her books stoked fears about drug use and the “Satanic Panic” of the 1980s.

Women of Controversy: Beatrice Sparks

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/84184fee-b780-40bc-bfa6-b21f0029c9b8/transcript

Ann Trow Lohman, known as Madame Restell (1812-1878), was a 19th-century abortionist and birth control provider in New York City. She gained notoriety for her practice, which included abortions and selling contraceptives. Despite numerous legal battles and public outcry, she continued her work for decades.

For Further Reading:
Life Story: Ann Trow Lohman, a.k.a. Madame Restell (1812 - 1878)
How Notorious Abortionist Madame Restell Built a Drug Empire
The story of a 19th-century firebrand who stood up to abortion foes

This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Lauren Willams, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates Grau, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

Follow Wonder Media Network:
Website
Instagram
Twitter

Ann Trow Lohman, known as Madame Restell (1812-1878), was a 19th-century abortionist and birth control provider in New York City. She gained notoriety for her practice, which included abortions and selling contraceptives. Despite numerous legal battles and public outcry, she continued her work for decades.
For Further Reading:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://wams.nyhistory.org/expansions-and-inequalities/politics-and-society/madame-restell/">Life Story: Ann Trow Lohman, a.k.a. Madame Restell (1812 - 1878)</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/how-notorious-abortionist-madame-restell-built-a-drug-empire/">How Notorious Abortionist Madame Restell Built a Drug Empire</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/12/11/abortion-madame-restell-book-review/">The story of a 19th-century firebrand who stood up to abortion foes</a></li>
</ul>
This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Lauren Willams, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates Grau, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
Follow Wonder Media Network:
<ul data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-stringify-link="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Website</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-stringify-link="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Instagram</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-stringify-link="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Twitter</a></li>
</ul>

Ann Trow Lohman, known as Madame Restell (1812-1878), was a 19th-century abortionist and birth control provider in New York City. She gained notoriety for her practice, which included abortions and selling contraceptives. Despite numerous legal battles and public outcry, she continued her work for decades.

Women of Controversy: Madame Restell

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1faee056-362b-4488-ab73-b21e00251399/transcript

Anaïs Nin (1903-1977) was a French-American writer best known for her diaries, which span several decades and offer a intimate insight into her personal life, relationships, and artistic community. In the seven installments of her diaries and her works of fiction, she explores sexuality, femininity, and psychoanalysis.

For Further Reading:
An Introduction to the World of Anaïs Nin
Anais Nin, Author Whose Diaries Depicted Intellectual Life, Dead
Before Lena Dunham, there was Anaïs Nin – now patron saint of social media
Conversations with Anaïs Nin

This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Lauren Willams, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates Grau, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.

Follow Wonder Media Network:
Website
Instagram
Twitter

Anaïs Nin (1903-1977) was a French-American writer best known for her diaries, which span several decades and offer a intimate insight into her personal life, relationships, and artistic community. In the seven installments of her diaries and her works of fiction, she explores sexuality, femininity, and psychoanalysis.
For Further Reading:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://theanaisninfoundation.org/bio">An Introduction to the World of Anaïs Nin</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1977/01/16/archives/anais-nin-author-whose-diaries-depicted-intellectual-life-dead.html">Anais Nin, Author Whose Diaries Depicted Intellectual Life, Dead</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/apr/07/anais-nin-author-social-media">Before Lena Dunham, there was Anaïs Nin – now patron saint of social media</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://archive.org/details/conversationswit00nina">Conversations with Anaïs Nin</a></li>
</ul>
This month we're talking about women who found themselves at the center of controversy -- whether deserved or not.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Lauren Willams, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates Grau, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music composed by Miles Moran.
Follow Wonder Media Network:
<ul data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-stringify-link="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Website</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-stringify-link="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Instagram</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-stringify-link="https://twitter.com/wmnmedia" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Twitter</a></li>
</ul>

Anaïs Nin (1903-1977) was a French-American writer best known for her diaries, which span several decades and offer a intimate insight into her personal life, relationships, and artistic community. In the seven installments of her diaries and her works of fiction, she explores sexuality, femininity, and psychoanalysis.

Women of Controversy: Anaïs Nin

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ac0decd8-461e-4e29-bc6e-b21b004b6425/transcript

Carmilla (1872) is a vampire novella written by Irish author Sheridan Le Fanu. It tells the story of a lesbian romance between Carmilla, a 150 year old vampire, and Laura, a 19-year-old girl living with her widowed father in a castle in Austria. Through the concept of vampirism, Sheridan uses the character of Carmilla to explore queer relationships and female sexual expression in a time of strict patriarchy. 

For Further Reading: 
Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Unveiling Carmilla: Subverting Gender Roles and Exploring Queer Desire in Le Fanu’s Novella: 
"Carmilla": The Arts of Repression: Pgs.197–223. 

October is the perfect time to delve into all things spooky. So this month, we're talking about the women who give us goosebumps. Some are real-life creators of spine-chilling works of fiction. Others are the subjects of frightening folklore. Either way, these Scream Queens are sure to give you a scare.

History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.

Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.

Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Lauren Willams, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates Grau, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.

Original theme music composed by Brittany Martinez.

Follow Wonder Media Network:
Website
Instagram
Twitter

Carmilla (1872) is a vampire novella written by Irish author Sheridan Le Fanu. It tells the story of a lesbian romance between Carmilla, a 150 year old vampire, and Laura, a 19-year-old girl living with her widowed father in a castle in Austria. Through the concept of vampirism, Sheridan uses the character of Carmilla to explore queer relationships and female sexual expression in a time of strict patriarchy. 
For Further Reading: 
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://gutenberg.org/files/10007/10007-h/10007-h.htm">Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://medium.com/@lexi.drumonde/unveiling-carmilla-subverting-gender-roles-and-exploring-queer-desire-in-le-fanus-novella-4f0f5e3d6358">Unveiling Carmilla: Subverting Gender Roles and Exploring Queer Desire in Le Fanu’s Novella</a>: </li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/40754606">"Carmilla": The Arts of Repression</a>: Pgs.197–223. </li>
</ul>
October is the perfect time to delve into all things spooky. So this month, we're talking about the women who give us goosebumps. Some are real-life creators of spine-chilling works of fiction. Others are the subjects of frightening folklore. Either way, these Scream Queens are sure to give you a scare.
History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Hannah Bottum, Lauren Willams, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates Grau, and Vanessa Handy. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
Original theme music composed by Brittany Martinez.
Follow Wonder Media Network:
<ul data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-stringify-link="https://wondermedianetwork.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Website</a></li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><a href="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-stringify-link="https://instagram.com/wmn.media" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Instagram</a></li>
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</ul>

Carmilla (1872) is a vampire novella written by Irish author Sheridan Le Fanu. It tells the story of a lesbian romance between Carmilla, a 150 year old vampire, and Laura, a 19-year-old girl living with her widowed father in a castle in Austria. Through the concept of vampirism, Sheridan uses the character of Carmilla to explore queer relationships and female sexual expression in a time of strict patriarchy.

Scream Queens: Carmilla

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ebb8764e-d648-44e7-8f11-b21a000a91ed/transcript

Women of Controversy: Beatrice Sparks

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