Hidden Heroines of History

Have we been picturing Jane Austen all wrong? 😲 In this fascinating clip from Hidden Heroines of History, host Gayvin Powers and Clare Draycott discuss the discovery of a controversial new sketch that might just rewrite literary history! Dive into the mystery of the "Austen nose" and discover why the world's most famous female author may look completely different than the accepted portraits. Watch now!EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

Struggling with literacy or a learning difference isn't a weakness—it's a hidden strength! Especially if you have learning differences. In this powerful clip from the Hidden Heroines of History podcast, Gayvin Powers and Clare Draycott reveal why asking for help and fiercely advocating for yourself is the ultimate superpower. Stop hiding your struggles and start claiming your voice. Watch to see how true self-advocacy transforms educational challenges into incredible success! 🎧✨ For the complete episode, check out Year of Literacy - Part 2 - Learning Differences and Superpowers.EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

What if the very thing society labels as a struggle is actually your greatest strength? 🌟 In this special bonus episode of the Hidden Heroines of History podcast, host Gayvin Powers sits down with Clare Draycott for a powerful conversation about Literacy in the US and UK, diving into learning differences. Together, they dive deep into the inspiring reality of how learning differences—like dyslexia, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence—can actually become incredible superpowers when properly understood and people advocate.If you've ever felt misunderstood in the classroom, or if you're a parent or educator looking to unlock a child's true potential, this episode will shift your perspective on traditional education. We explore the vital importance of literacy advocacy, breaking stigmas, and celebrating the unique ways our brains process the world. Tune in to discover how changing the narrative around learning challenges can empower the next generation! 🎧✨ EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.#NationalYearofReading #LearningDifferences #Neurodivergent #BookTok #PodcastClips

Want to help your child increase their vocabulary? Read out loud to them and watch their literacy expand. In this clip from the Hidden Heroines of History podcast, host Gayvin Powers sits down with Clare Draycott to explore a game-changing reality: how early literacy transforms a child's future. They dive deep in the full episode (A Year of Literacy) about the profound effects of reading aloud, revealing the massive vocabulary gap it closes. It is a powerful reminder that sharing stories isn't just a cozy routine—it is a vital tool for lifelong cognitive growth.EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

Who keeps the women's stories alive? Many time the answer is family. Welcome to Hidden Heroines of History. Today, we have a truly special moment revisiting an interview with Caroline J. Knight, Jane Austen’s fifth great-niece, as she dropped incredible news, the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation is officially expanded its life-changing mission to the United States. EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. #Jane Austen #Literacy #shorts

Grab a cup of tea with host Gayvin Powers, Caroline Knight, Jane Austen’s Niece, and Clare Draycott on S:1 E:2, A Year of Literacy. Discover how a child’s ability to read unlocks a mother’s deepest dream for their future. They delve into reading history, and US and UK education,. Let this timeless wisdom inspire your own journey today. Catch the full episode now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and iHeartRadio!EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

Celebrate Season 1 with an exclusive video from The Hidden Heroines of History podcast! Host Gayvin Powers sits down with extraordinary guest, Caroline J. Knight, the fifth-great-niece of Jane Austen to grow up at Chawton House.In this standout Season 1 highlight, Caroline opens up about the emotional pressures and ultimate triumph of writing her own book while navigating the monumental literary legacy of her aunt. It’s an inspiring, intimate conversation about identity, history, and finding your own voice when living in the shadow of genius.

EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Grab a fresh cup of tea and get ready for the spectacular Season One finale of Hidden Heroines of History! In this captivating episode, writer and host Gayvin Powers sits down with the brilliant writer Clare Draycott to explore the fierce spirit of America’s first published poet, Anne Bradstreet.Navigating the hardships of the harsh New World, Anne was remarkably courageous and ahead of her time. As a devout Puritan woman living under strict colonial expectations, she navigated conviction, permission, and survival. Gayvin and Clare get the tea on why is she succeeded when a contemporary failed and her bravery to write while having eight children.  Subscribe and join the conversation Tuesday to reclaim this legendary heroine from history's shadows.

Tuesday, the Season One finale of Hidden Heroines of History! reveals that not everyone shared Anne Bradstreet's writing success. Writer and host Gayvin Powers sits down with the brilliant writer Clare Draycott to explore writing during the 1600s American colonies.

Grab a fresh cup of tea Tuesday and get ready for the spectacular Season One finale of Hidden Heroines of History! In this captivating episode, writer and host Gayvin Powers sits down with the brilliant writer Clare Draycott to explore the fierce spirit of America’s first published poet, Anne Bradstreet.

FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Gayvin welcomes Jim Dodson, who explores the spiritual and ancestral heart of the Great Wagon Road. While the road is famous for trade and war, Jim introduces us to the heroines within its history—specifically his ancestor, Emma Tate. Emma was a woman with a foot in two worlds: a Native American infant rescued and adopted into a settler family, she grew into a renowned natural healer along Buckhorn Road. Gayvin and Jim discuss Emma’s intuitive gifts and how she represents the complex, multicultural tapestry of the American frontier. Healers like Emma were the lifeblood of their communities, bridging the gap between colonial life and the deep, natural wisdom of the land. It’s a soulful exploration of identity, faith-driven healing, and the indigenous roots often hidden in our family trees. Join the conversation. If you enjoyed this, like, share, and subscribe, we have more amazing stories for you.

Why is it so challenging to find the women of our past? Host Gayvin Powers sits down with acclaimed author Jim Dodson to discuss the archival silence that often masks female history. In this clip, Gayvin and Jim bond over painstakingly digging for historical truth. In the full episode, Jim opens up about his five-year journey to write The Road That Made America, admitting that even when researching his own lineage, women’s stories were frequently buried beneath the surface. For Gayvin, who has dedicated her work to uncovering ancestors like Jacquetta, Countess Rivers, this struggle is a familiar one. Join the conversation as they discuss the detective work required to find the hidden heroines of historical fiction and the personal stakes of reclaiming a family’s lost female legacy. Join the conversation on Tuesday! The Road That Made America with Jim Dodson Episode released May 12 on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, and Apple.

The Great Wagon Road often features dusty men with rifles and surveyors’ tools. In the Hidden Heroines of History Podcast, guest Jim Dodson reveals a far more nuanced reality. Jim shares the striking historical truth that women weren't just passengers on the 800-mile journey from Philadelphia to Georgia; they were often the primary drivers, steering heavy wagons through treacherous terrain and managing the survival of their families in the wilderness. His research for his new book, The Road That Made America, challenges the silent passenger myth, showing us women who were literal and metaphorical drivers of our nation’s expansion. Step onto the road with us as we recover the grit and grace of the women who navigated the literal path to the American future. The Road That Made America with Jim Dodson Episode released Tuesday, May 12 on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, and Apple.

Discover Margaret Mattson, a healer from the 17th century American colonies, whose life was nearly destroyed by a wrongful charge of witchcraft 10 years before the Salem witch trials.Host Gayvin Powers and actress and writer Gina Dodson dive into why Margaret's story sparks a personal chord as Gina bravely shares a harrowing experience of being charged with a crime she did not commit. Join us for a powerful exploration of justice and resilience. From Margaret’s colonial trial to Gina’s personal battle, this episode is a testament to the enduring strength required to reclaim one’s truth from the shadows of false accusation.

A teaser for an evocative episode about Margaret Mattson on Hidden Heroines of History. Journey back to the 17th century with Host Gayvin Powers and actress and writer Gina Dodson, to honor Margaret, a Swedish-Finnish healer whose life was nearly destroyed by a wrongful charge of witchcraft in the American colonies.The conversation strikes a personal chord as Gina bravely shares her own modern-day parallel: the harrowing experience of being charged with a crime she did not commit. Through our dialogue, we bridge three hundred years of history, revealing how society’s fear of the "other" continues to weaponize the law against women.Join us for a powerful exploration of justice and resilience on Tuesday, April 21. From Margaret’s colonial trial to Gina’s personal battle, this episode is a testament to the enduring strength required to reclaim one’s truth from the shadows of false accusation.

The perfect life was a gilded cage.In this week's episode of Hidden Heroines of History, host Gayvin Powers sits down with Meagan Church, the brilliant mind behind the unnerving book, The Mad Wife, an instant New York Times and USA Today Bestseller. Together, they peel back the linoleum floors of the 1950s to reveal a chilling reality: for many women, "sanity" was a performance, and "hysteria" was a weapon used to silence those who dared to want more.Church dives deep into the suffocating expectations of mid-century motherhood, where a woman’s worth was measured in S&H Green Stamps and the height of her gelatin salads. We explore the terrifying medical gaslighting of the era—where postpartum struggles and valid anxieties were cured with mind-numbing pills and labels of madness. It’s a raw, necessary conversation about the "mad wife" in the mirror and the strength it took to survive a world that refused to see her.

Listen to Meagan Church, award-winning author of The Mad Wife, talk about the traveling lobotomobile in the 1950s. Hear upcoming episode on the Hidden Heroines of History Podcast releases Tuesday, April 7 at 12 am.

Get ready for a fascinating deep dive into the mid-century living room! In this exclusive clip from the Hidden Heroines of History podcast, host Gayvin Powers chats with Meagan Church, author of The Mad Wife, to uncover the real stories behind the 1950s "perfect housewife."We’re swapping the aprons for some serious truth-telling as we tackle the wild myth of the "wandering womb" and how "hysteria" was used to keep women in their place. It’s an engaging, eye-opening look at how our history shaped the modern woman. Grab a tea and join the conversation!

Get ready to step into the gilded—and often blood-stained—halls of history’s most powerful dynasties. In this week’s episode of Hidden Heroines of History, host Gayvin Powers sits down with a master of historical intrigue, Sherry Jones, to deconstruct her popular book, Four Sisters: All Queens.While history books often focus on the crowns, Jones peels back the velvet curtain to reveal the raw, jagged edges of sibling rivalry on a royal scale. Imagine growing up in a world where your sister isn’t just your playmate—she’s your future political rival, and her marriage could mean your demise. We’re diving deep into the Provencal sisters, four women who climbed the ranks of 13th-century Europe to each wear a crown, but at what cost to their shared bloodline?Powers and Jones explore the psychological warfare, the desperate grab for parental favor, and the high-stakes jealousy that simmers when "family dinner" involves the fate of nations. Was it sisterly solidarity that saw them through, or a calculated race to the top? Watch the conversation that reveals the power and intrigue each queen brought to the throne.

What would you do if you had a second chance at love? Jane Austen explores regret, sacrifice, and true love in Persuasion, following Anne Elliot. Clare Draycott, author, joins me as we chat about Jane's most resilent character and how closely tied Jane is to Anne. Join our conversation today.

Quick clip from Jane Austen & Anne Elliot: Truth & Second Chances at Love and Life.

A father’s death was a lie. A daughter’s courage is the only thing that can bring him home.When Louisa discovers a hidden cache of letters, the truth shatters her world: the father she spent years mourning is alive, trapped behind the concrete and barbed wire of East Berlin. To get him back, she must step into a landscape of shadows, deciphering family codes and risking everything to outsmart the Stasi.On this episode of the Hidden Heroines of History Podcast, host Gayvin Powers sits down with author Katherine Reay to dive into the high-stakes world of The Berlin Letters. This gripping narrative finds its inspiration in the Venona Project set during the monumental historical shift of 1989 as the Berlin Wall crumbled.This is more than a Cold War thriller; it is a celebration of the strength of women. Gayvin and Katherine discuss this fascinating time in history, Katherine's behind-the-scenes stories, and the lengths a daughter will go to reclaim her family.Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify to uncover the secrets hidden between the lines.

Join Gayvin Powers, writer, editor, and host of Hidden Heroines of History with Clare Draycott, writer, as they discuss literacy in the US and UK, it being a superpower, and a special interview with Caroline Knight, founder of the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation and Jane Austen's Niece.

Launching January 6, 2026: Our Premiere Month – Joan of ArcWe kick off our inaugural season on the 614th birthday of the Maid of Orleans. Join writer, editor, and host, Gayvin Powers and writer, editor, and historian Christine Guidy Law as we examine the legendary Joan of Arc. In our debut episode, we go beyond the stake and the sword to uncover Joan’s secretive influence in modern times and World War II.New episodes drop every other Tuesday (1st and 3rd).If you believe that the history you know is only half the story, subscribe now and meet the heroines you were never told about.

Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th Birthday with Caroline Knight, Jane Austen's Niece, and Gayvin Powers, host of the Hidden Heroines of History Podcast. Listen until the end when Caroline announces what's coming up for Jane's beloved Chawton House and the Austen/Knight Family legacy.

Enjoy a snippet of the upcoming EXCLUSIVE Jane Austen Interview with Jane Austen's Niece to commemorate Jane's 250th Birthday. Don't miss the special announcement!