The History of Breast Cancer: From Ancient Curses to Modern Hope
In this powerful episode of For the Love of History, we travel through time to uncover the history of breast cancer — from ancient Egyptian surgery manuals and Hippocrates’ wild “humor” theories to the modern breakthroughs that save lives today.
Host TK shares the deeply personal story of her best friend’s diagnosis and remission, explores how breast cancer appeared in Renaissance art, and highlights women who changed how we see the disease — from Audre Lorde’s The Cancer Journals to trailblazing researchers like Dr. Jane Wright.
With humor, empathy, and the occasional swear, this episode reminds us that while the past was often brutal, the present is full of hope — and the future even brighter.
✨ You’ll learn:
How the ancient Egyptians documented breast cancer 3,000 years ago.
Why Renaissance paintings might be hiding medical secrets.
How Audre Lorde fought stigma and redefined survivorship.
The amazing modern advancements changing breast cancer treatment today.
💗 Support breast cancer research: All proceeds from Bad Bitches Cry merch go to MetaViva and metastatic breast cancer nonprofits.
metavivor.org
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The Purr-fect History of Cats: From Neolithic Pests to Maneki Neko and Egypt
Ever wonder how cats went from desert hunters to divine house gods? In this episode of For the Love of History, host TK digs her claws into the fascinating history of cats — from their mysterious beginnings in the Fertile Crescent to their worship in ancient Egypt and beyond.
Meet Bastet, the Egyptian goddess of cats who went from lioness warrior to goddess of home, music, and pleasure. Sail down the Nile to the ancient city of Bubastis, where people once threw wild festivals in her honor (think: ancient Coachella with more fur and fewer rules).
Then, follow the whiskers east to Japan to meet Maneki Neko, the lucky cat statue that isn’t Chinese at all, but a beloved Japanese symbol of prosperity with a legend that began during the Edo period.
You’ll also meet Crimean Tom, a war hero tabby who saved lives during the Crimean War, and Tomiu, the first-named cat in recorded history — a fur baby so loved that she received her own limestone sarcophagus.
Whether you’re a lifelong cat devotee or just tolerate your feline overlord’s 3 a.m. zoomies, this episode will convince you that cats have always been — quite literally — divine.
You’ll Learn:
When and where cats were first domesticated (hint: not Egypt!)
Why Bastet ruled ancient Egypt as both warrior and nurturer
The real history behind Japan’s beckoning Maneki Neko
The heroic and heartwarming tales of real-life historical cats
As Carl Van Vechten wrote in The Tiger in the House, “I do not wonder that some people love cats. I am only surprised that all people do not love cats.”
After this episode, you might just agree.
🐾 Love what you heard?
Rate and review For the Love of History on your favorite platform — it helps more history nerds (and cat parents) find the show.
💌 Support the “Bad Bitches Cry” fundraiser or join Patreon for exclusive content like the Thai Cat Poem Collection bonus episode
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God’s Favorite Girlboss: Hildegard von Bingen’s Music, Medicine & Medieval Visions
Step aside, Gregorian chants—there’s a new nun in town. In this episode of For the Love of History, we uncover the wild, visionary life of Hildegard von Bingen, the 12th-century nun who defied expectations to become a composer, mystic, healer, and all-around medieval rock star.
You’ll hear how Hildegard went from being entombed in a convent as a child to dropping musical bangers that shook up church music, writing radical medical texts on women’s health (yes, she even touched on abortion in the 1100s!), and preaching across Europe well into her 60s.
From her dazzling visions to her groundbreaking music to her bold writings on medicine and women’s health, Hildegard wasn’t just holy—she was revolutionary. And she proves that sometimes the most unexpected women in history leave the loudest echoes.
✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Who was Hildegard von Bingen and why she still matters
How her visions transformed medieval mysticism
Why her music broke rules and made her one of the first recognized female composers in history
Her surprising work in medicine and women’s health
How Hildegard became a symbol of women in medieval history who refused to stay silent
If Hildegard could go on tour in her 60s, you can definitely hit that subscribe button! Don’t miss more stories of women in history who bent the rules, rewrote the script, and changed the world.
📚 Resources here! 📚
https://www.fortheloveofhistorypod.com/episodes
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Key words: Hildegard von Bingen, Hildegard von Bingen music, Hildegard von Bingen visions, medieval women in history, first female composer, Hildegard von Bingen medicine, history of women in medicine, women in church history.
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God’s Favorite Girlboss: Hildegard von Bingen’s Music, Medicine & Medieval Visions
Step aside, Gregorian chants—there’s a new nun in town. In this episode of For the Love of History, we uncover the wild, visionary life of Hildegard von Bingen, the 12th-century nun who defied expectations to become a composer, mystic, healer, and all-around medieval rock star.
You’ll hear how Hildegard went from being entombed in a convent as a child to dropping musical bangers that shook up church music, writing radical medical texts on women’s health (yes, she even touched on abortion in the 1100s!), and preaching across Europe well into her 60s.
From her dazzling visions to her groundbreaking music to her bold writings on medicine and women’s health, Hildegard wasn’t just holy—she was revolutionary. And she proves that sometimes the most unexpected women in history leave the loudest echoes.
✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Who was Hildegard von Bingen and why she still matters
How her visions transformed medieval mysticism
Why her music broke rules and made her one of the first recognized female composers in history
Her surprising work in medicine and women’s health
How Hildegard became a symbol of women in medieval history who refused to stay silent
If Hildegard could go on tour in her 60s, you can definitely hit that subscribe button! Don’t miss more stories of women in history who bent the rules, rewrote the script, and changed the world.
📚 Resources here! 📚
https://www.fortheloveofhistorypod.com/episodes
🌟 Want to Support the Podcast?! Join us over on Patreon 🌟
Patreon
Instagram
Website
TikTok
Merch Store
YouTube
Key words: Hildegard von Bingen, Hildegard von Bingen music, Hildegard von Bingen visions, medieval women in history, first female composer, Hildegard von Bingen medicine, history of women in medicine, women in church history.
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The Messy, Magical, and Sometimes Gross History of Pharmacy
Pharmacy didn’t start with white coats and sterile counters—it began with beer, clay tablets, and a lot of very questionable ingredients.
In this episode of For the Love of History, we dive into the weird, messy, and fascinating history of pharmacy. From Neanderthals using flowers as medicine to the Egyptians prescribing crocodile dung in the Ebers Papyrus, the path to your neighborhood drugstore is packed with strange detours.
We’ll explore how our ancient ancestors shaped pharmacology with herbs and magic, why the gods were involved in medicine, and how Hippocrates sparked a medical revolution. Finally, we'll explore some of the oddest remedies you'll find in history's medicine cabinet!
Pharmacy history is full of odd cures, magic, and surprising innovations. By the end of this episode, you’ll never look at a prescription the same way again.
👉 Support For the Love of History on Patreon to keep the weirdest corners of history alive!
🌟 Calm History 🌟
Try the new podcast, Calm History: www.calmhistory.com
Want to support the Podcast!?! Here's how you can!!
Patreon
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📚 Find Resources Here 📚
www.fortheloveofhistorypod.com
Keywords (SEO): history of pharmacy, weird history of medicine, Mesopotamian pharmacy, Ebers Papyrus, Dioscorides pharmacology, Galen medicine, Islamic Golden Age pharmacy, apothecary history, history of alchemy, pharmacy history podcast
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Acerca de For the Love of History - world history, women’s history, weird history
I'm TK, your guide to the past as we uncover the people, events, and little-known facts hidden in the shadows of your old history textbooks. From empress baddies like Hatshepsut and Wu Zetianto, activist profiles, Egyptian and Japanese gods and goddesses, and the history of the toothbrush, tattoos, Pompeii peepees, and everything in between, you can find it all here. No event is too small and no topic too big, because this is For The Love of History. ----------------------- For over 100 archived episodes and bonus content you can head over to Patreon!
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