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Jan 7, 2026 1 hr 3 min

Mary Shelley

from Queens Podcast Hosted by Queens Podcast

Today we’re diving into the wildly dramatic life of Mary Shelley, the mother of science fiction and the ultimate OG Goth Girl. From radical feminist and revolutionary parents, to graveyard hookups, to the stormy summer that gave us Frankenstein, Mary’s life was just as haunting as her work. In this episode, we unpack how Mary Shelley’s grief, genius, and chaotic social circle shaped one of the most influential novels of all time and how she remained quietly radical long after the world tried to tame her. In this episode, we cover: Mary Shelley’s radical upbringing and goth childhood Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and the messiest friend group imaginable The true origins of Frankenstein Grief, motherhood, and loss Mary Shelley’s underrated radical legacy Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings 03:26 Mary Shelley's Early Life and Family 04:37 Mary Wollstonecraft & William Godwin: Radical Parents 16:53 Teenage Years in Scotland (Emotional Glow-Up) 19:43 Percy Shelley has entered the chat 24:09 The Graveyard Scene & Running Away 31:53 Return to England and Family Rejection 36:58 The Birth of Frankenstein 47:26 Loss, Grief & Moving to Italy 54:14 Mary Shelley's Later Life and Legacy Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, check out our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ merch store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Never miss a Queens Podcast happening! Sign up for our newsletter: https://eepurl.com/gZ-nYf

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Mary Shelley

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This episode was published on January 7, 2026.

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