French history is wacky, wonderful - and seriously weird. If the only thing you know about French history is that you hated reading A Tale of Two Cities in high school, pour yourself a glass of pinot noir and get ready for a wild ride. Learn about the time France ran out of cows - and figured out how to eat zebras. Learn about the eccentric national hero keeping bees on top of the Louvre. Learn about the revolution which fought for brotherhood, equality, and a national holiday for marshmallows! New episodes every few weeks! /// Featured on iTunes Buzzed About, CBC/Radio-Canada, Bello Collective, and The Audit.
71. Marie Bonaparte, Part I
Welcome back! After a long break to buy new soundproofing equipment – which may or may not have been successful – we’re back with a new miniseries. I’m excited, as I think we’re covering one of the most interesting subjects this show has ever covered: the heiress, philanthropist and pioneering psychoanalyst Marie Bonaparte. Naturally,
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10/28/2021 • 40 minutes, 2 seconds
70. Fifth Anniversary! Listener Q&A
Aloha from Hawaii! Your host is celebrating a lot of things right now: Bastille Day, the ability to travel responsibly, the birthday of a certain overworked and abused producer-intern, and oh yeah, the fifth anniversary of The Land of Desire!!! I’m celebrating by answering some excellent questions from you, dear listeners. Merci beaucoup. Episode 70:
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7/15/2021 • 15 minutes, 25 seconds
69. The Boy Who Solved Vanilla
We’re back! After a big move, which required the dismantling and relocation of the trusty recording studio (a.k.a. Diana’s closet), I’m excited to record in my new space! Next month is the show’s sixth anniversary – I know, right?!! – and I’m asking YOU to submit questions for a special listener Q&A episode. You can
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6/24/2021 • 35 minutes
68. Antoine Parmentier & The History of the Potato
April showers bring May flowers – unless they bring floods, famine, and fear. This month, I’m looking at the moment in French history when farmers turned their nose up at the foods of the New World – until they realized what the potato had to offer. Antoine Parmentier, one of the great hype men of
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4/29/2021 • 49 minutes, 12 seconds
67. Marcel & Celeste, Part II
What better way to “celebrate” a year of sheltering in place than a closer look at France’s most famous social distancer? This week, I’m looking at the curious relationship between the eccentric, reclusive writer, Marcel Proust, and his beloved housekeeper-confidant, Céleste Albaret. Together, the two hunkered down into a mostly nocturnal life of writing, collaborating,
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3/25/2021 • 25 minutes, 22 seconds
66. Marcel & Celeste, Part I
What better way to “celebrate” a year of sheltering in place than a closer look at France’s most famous social distancer? This week, I’m looking at the curious relationship between the eccentric, reclusive writer, Marcel Proust, and his beloved housekeeper-confidant, Céleste Albaret. Together, the two hunkered down into a mostly nocturnal life of writing, collaborating,
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3/25/2021 • 32 minutes, 46 seconds
65. A Trip to the Spa
The darkest days of winter are here, and I think it’s time we all indulged in a little self-care, non? My own quarantine hobby, skincare, set me down a particular path. Why was I spraying my face with thermal spa water from France? What is thermal spa water? Why do we drink thermal spa water? Does any
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2/25/2021 • 45 minutes, 11 seconds
64. Louis Pasteur and The History of the Vaccine
Happy New Year! The Land of Desire is BACK with an exciting – and hopeful – story to set us off on the right track in 2021. Your happy host gets to indulge her love of epidemiology a little bit without leaving you depressed in the middle of a pandemic (she swears). This week, we’re
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1/21/2021 • 43 minutes, 49 seconds
63. Jeanne de Clisson and the Black Fleet
BOO! It’s spooky season, so I’m bringing you a chilling tale of piracy, treachery, and blood-soaked revenge. This week, we’re digging into the very beginning of the Hundred Years’ War, when a bunch of scheming men had their plans ruined by scheming women. We’ll learn about the War of Breton Succession, a.k.a. a teensy conflict
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10/29/2020 • 42 minutes, 9 seconds
62. Surya Bonaly
At long last, I get to combine two of my great passions: French history and 1990s women’s figure skating! Let’s face it, France hasn’t produced that many great female skaters over the decades. Male skaters like Alain Calmat and Pierre Péra made their way to the champion’s podium, but as the end of the 20th
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9/24/2020 • 50 minutes, 40 seconds
61. Euro Disney
It’s that time of year – les vacances! Oh, wait, you’re stuck at home? No big international trips? Global pandemic got you grounded? Yeah, me too. My favorite summer destination, Disneyland, is closed for COVID, and it’ll be a long time until it reopens. When it does, it won’t be the same. It’ll be an
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8/27/2020 • 41 minutes, 54 seconds
60. The History of Madeleines
It’s our birthday!! Today, The Land of Desire kicks off its fifth year and what better way to celebrate than with a little cake? This week, I’m focusing on the history of one of my favorite French treats: the humble, beloved madeleine! “One could almost call the madeleine France’s national cookie” wrote Patricia Wells in the New
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7/30/2020 • 34 minutes, 32 seconds
59. Women At War BONUS: The Witness (Rose Valland)
Surprise! I know I said I was done with Women At War, but then I immediately sat up in bed one night and smacked myself in the forehead. This series is the perfect opportunity to tell the story of my favorite unlikely heroine of all time: Rose Valland. What better way to wrap up the
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7/14/2020 • 44 minutes, 22 seconds
58. Women At War 5: The Survivor II (Marie-José Wilborts)
It’s the two-part conclusion of the miniseries: Women In War. This episode was a long time coming. I struggled to read the stories of Ravensbruck concentration camp. How can I pay tribute to these brave women? But I knew the story of French women during World War II would be incomplete without confronting the truth
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6/25/2020 • 40 minutes, 38 seconds
57. Women At War 5: The Survivor I (Marie-José Wilborts)
It’s the two-part conclusion of the miniseries: Women In War. This episode was a long time coming. I struggled to read the stories of Ravensbruck concentration camp. How can I pay tribute to these brave women? But I knew the story of French women during World War II would be incomplete without confronting the truth
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6/25/2020 • 54 minutes, 5 seconds
56. Women At War 4: The Résistante (Jacqueline Marié)
We are going underground. ― Jacqueline Marié It’s the continuation of my new miniseries on a subject extremely near and dear to my heart: Women In War! For the next few weeks I’ll be focusing on the experiences of women in France during World War II: fighting the resistance, collaborating with the Nazis, keeping children
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2/27/2020 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 56 seconds
55. Women At War 3: The Collaborator (Coco Chanel)
If one took seriously the disclosures that Mademoiselle Chanel allowed herself to make about those black years of the Occupation, one’s teeth would be set on edge. ― Marcel Haedrich, friend and biographer It’s the continuation of my new miniseries on a subject extremely near and dear to my heart: Women In War! For the
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1/16/2020 • 53 minutes, 58 seconds
54. Women At War 2: The Schoolteacher (Berthe Auroy)
Why is it that knowing how to remain alone in Paris for a year in a miserable room teaches a man more than a hundred literary salons and forty years’ experience of ‘Parisian life’? ― Albert Camus, diary entry, 1940 It’s the continuation of my new miniseries on a subject extremely near and dear to
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10/31/2019 • 57 minutes, 9 seconds
53. Women At War 1: The Exile (Elisabeth Kaufmann)
“We decided to take only precious items. But what did we have that was precious?” ― Jackie DeCol, Parisian refugee I’m excited to announce the launch of a new miniseries on a subject extremely near and dear to my heart: Women In War! For the next few weeks I’ll be focusing on the experiences of women
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9/26/2019 • 40 minutes, 41 seconds
52. Luncheon of the Boating Party
“It is fresh, and free.” ― Paul de Charry, art critic This week, we’re kicking off the fourth year of the podcast with some hot fun in the summertime! It’s hot in Paris – too hot – and a listener question got me thinking about historical ways to beat the heat. This question led me
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8/8/2019 • 48 minutes, 34 seconds
51. Our Third Anniversary! Listener Q&A
“Plaisir partagé, plaisir doublé.” (“Joy shared, joy doubled.”) ― French proverb It’s our THIRD ANNIVERSARY! I’m celebrating with a listener Q&A! What an amazing ride it’s been. I’ll Thank you again for all your support over the past three years! Episode 51: “3 Year Party! Listener Q&A” Anniversary Reading List Here are the books I
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7/18/2019 • 30 minutes, 12 seconds
Reminder: Listener Q&A
The Land of Desire is turning 3! To celebrate, I’m taking questions from listeners, so please submit your questions before the end of the week (July 12). You can submit via the show’s Facebook page, as a comment on this blog post, through Twitter, or through this form. I can’t wait to hear from you
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7/10/2019 • 2 minutes, 12 seconds
50. Notre Dame, Part 3: The Black Death
“Charity is dead.” ― Guy de Chauliac Welcome back to our FIFTIETH EPISODE! Next episode will be our THIRD BIRTHDAY and I’m celebrating with a listener Q&A! Over the next few weeks, please ask me any questions you like: questions about the show, about me, about France, about whatever, and I’ll share my favorites in
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6/27/2019 • 37 minutes, 30 seconds
49. Notre Dame, Part 2
“Great edifices, like great mountains, are the work of the ages.” ― Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame This week we’re continuing our tribute to Notre Dame Cathedral – posted straight from Paris! Your host is currently leading a tour for this show’s #1 fan. (Hi Maman!) Keep an eye out on the show’s Facebook
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5/16/2019 • 26 minutes, 47 seconds
48. Notre Dame, Part 1
“Great edifices, like great mountains, are the work of the ages.” ― Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame This week we’re paying tribute to Notre Dame Cathedral. I’ll be skipping around to the most important interactions between Notre Dame and her hometown. At each point, I’ll try to paint a picture of Paris as she
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5/9/2019 • 35 minutes, 14 seconds
47. The History of the Bánh Mì
“A symphony of a sandwich” Anthony Bourdain Important News: The Land of Desire is now streaming on Spotify! Get hungry, y’all. This week we’re taking a look at the darker side of French history by exploring the history of one of the world’s best sandwiches, the banh mi! Episode 47: “The History of the Bánh
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3/28/2019 • 37 minutes, 10 seconds
46. Choupette, The Most Glamorous Cat In The World
“Choupette is a rich girl.” Karl Lagerfeld Important News: The Land of Desire is now streaming on Spotify! Dear listeners, I had an entirely different episode lined up for this week, notes prepared, outline finished, ready to be transformed into a script. Then I woke up on Tuesday morning to the news that Karl Lagerfeld,
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2/21/2019 • 21 minutes, 30 seconds
45. The Mysterious Life of Jeanne Calment
“I had to wait 110 years to become famous… I intend to enjoy it as long as possible.” – Jeanne Calment Happy New Year, everyone! Thanks so much for your patience while this podcast host enjoyed a trip to Japan, a 30th birthday, and a very necessary break. I’m super energized to be back, with
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1/17/2019 • 44 minutes, 19 seconds
44. Napoleon’s Tiniest Campaign, Part 2
“From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.” – Napoleon Bonaparte Before we all gorge ourselves on turkey and stuffing, it’s time for the conclusion of Napoleon Bonaparte’s tiniest war. Now, if you’re like me and hate military history, don’t tune out just yet – the battlefield is small, and the only casualty
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11/22/2018 • 28 minutes, 51 seconds
43. Napoleon’s Tiniest Campaign
“From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.” – Napoleon Bonaparte This week we’re going to explore a little-known footnote of history: Napoleon Bonaparte’s tiniest war. Now, if you’re like me and hate military history, don’t tune out just yet – the battlefield is small, and the only casualty is – well, I
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10/4/2018 • 32 minutes, 35 seconds
42. The History of Champagne
“I only drink Champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad.” – Lily Bollinger The Land of Desire turns 2 years old! We’re celebrating with – what else? – champagne! Pop, fizz, salut: we’re going deep into the history of the world’s favorite party drink to find out what makes bubbly so special, what makes
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8/16/2018 • 44 minutes, 50 seconds
41. Julia Child, Part 3
“With enough butter, anything is good.” – Julia Child, The French Chef Yes, you’re seeing things correctly: not one, but TWO new episodes in a single day. Consider this my je suis desolee for the three months’ absence. Picking up right where we left off in episode 2, Julia Child is halfway through her grand cookbook project
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7/12/2018 • 32 minutes, 9 seconds
40. Julia Child, Part 2
“The big job now rests on your shoulders.” – book editor to Julia Child Hello again, everyone! I know it’s been awhile, and in this episode I’ll discuss the reason for my long absence. Thank you to everyone who reached out with questions, concerns and care over the past few months. It’s meant so much
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7/12/2018 • 40 minutes, 7 seconds
39. Julia Child, Part 1
“In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport.” – Julia Child Hello everyone! Welcome back to The Land of Desire. The first episode of 2018 is finally here! his year, we’re kicking things off with a salute to one of France’s most curious cultural ambassadors – a woman who has helped generations of
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3/1/2018 • 37 minutes, 20 seconds
38. A Tour de France – Brittany
“Where are you, best of the salt sea?” – Middle French poem, 14th century Hello everyone! Welcome back to The Land of Desire. Thanks for your patience while I spent some quality time with family at Thanksgiving and celebrating my birthday in NYC. This week we’ll continue our miniseries: “A Tour de France”: What kind
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1/1/2018 • 13 minutes, 46 seconds
37. A Tour de France – Bordeaux
“Good wine is a necessity of life for me.” – Thomas Jefferson Hello everyone! Welcome back to The Land of Desire. Thanks for your patience while I spent some quality time with family at Thanksgiving and celebrating my birthday in NYC. This week we’ll continue our miniseries: “A Tour de France”: What kind of France
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12/21/2017 • 23 minutes, 17 seconds
36. A Tour de France – Toulouse
“Cassoulet is not a recipe; it’s an argument among villages.” – Andre Daguin Hello everyone! Welcome back to The Land of Desire. Thanks for your patience while I spent some quality time with family at Thanksgiving and celebrating my birthday in NYC. This week we’ll continue our miniseries: “A Tour de France”: What kind of
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12/14/2017 • 40 minutes, 2 seconds
35. A Tour de France – Marseille
“It is always an event at Marseilles for a ship to come into port.” – Alexandre Dumas Hello everyone! This week we’ll continue our new miniseries: our very own Tour de France. What kind of France exists outside the boundaries of Paris? What kind of France exists in the middle of the countryside? What does
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11/9/2017 • 24 minutes, 51 seconds
34. A Tour de France – Lyon
“You never see anyone in the countryside.” – Jacquou le Croquant Hello everyone! This week we’ll continue our new miniseries: our very own Tour de France. What kind of France exists outside the boundaries of Paris? What kind of France exists in the middle of the countryside? What does someone in Paris have in common
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10/26/2017 • 25 minutes, 37 seconds
33. A Tour de France – Montgeron
“We shall see much, but learn very little.” – Jean Ognier Hello everyone! After a much needed vacation, I’m excited to return with a brand new miniseries: our very own Tour de France. What kind of France exists outside the boundaries of Paris? What kind of France exists in the middle of the countryside? What
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10/12/2017 • 27 minutes, 43 seconds
32. Le Code du Travail
“We have never retreated from anything, ever.” – Stéphane Sirot, labor historian Hello everyone! This week’s episode is a bit timelier than usual – I thought it would be an interesting experiment to dive deeper into some of France’s biggest headlines today. As the French return from their holidays and I prepare to leave for
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9/14/2017 • 22 minutes, 36 seconds
31. Le Train Bleu
“A line of railway tracks, like a zipper, speeding open to the south, to Marseille, to Nice and the Côte d’Azur” – Sylvia Plath, 1956 Hello everyone! This week’s episode is a bit late, as a certain podcast host’s bathtub stopped working, flooded her entire apartment, and delayed things a wee bit. Thanks for your
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8/31/2017 • 30 minutes, 20 seconds
30. The History Of The Picnic
“A Moveable Feast.” – Ernest Hemingway We have a new milestone! This week, The Land of Desire will reach a quarter of a million downloads – absolutely incroyable. Thank you to everyone who participated in The Land of Desire’s anniversary celebrations, and to those of you who shared my series on how to start a podcast, and
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8/10/2017 • 17 minutes, 3 seconds
29. The Caves of Lascaux
“We are locked in history and they were not.” – Werner Herzog We’re back! Thank you to everyone who participated in The Land of Desire’s anniversary celebrations. Extra thanks to those of you who shared my series on how to start a podcast, and those of you who contributed to the show’s Patreon page. This
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7/27/2017 • 21 minutes, 31 seconds
28. Bon Anniversaire!
“Bienvenue and welcome to The Land of Desire.” – me, 7/14/2016 WE DID IT! This Friday, The Land of Desire officially turns one year old! I’m completely blown away by everything that’s happened in the last year – getting featured on the iTunes Store, getting played on the CBC (twice!), getting to hear from fans all
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7/13/2017 • 21 minutes, 35 seconds
27. We’ll Always Have Paris – Paris Syndrome
“Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” – Yogi Berra This week, we’ll wrap up our series “We’ll Always Have Paris” focusing on the history of tourism in France. Paris is in many ways a city constructed by and for tourism: tourism shapes which landmarks are preserved, which civic resources are available, and whose needs are prioritized.
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6/29/2017 • 23 minutes, 53 seconds
26. We’ll Always Have Paris – A Visit from Hitler
“Everyone in Paris once.” – German military catchphrase This week, we’ll continue our series “We’ll Always Have Paris” focusing on the history of tourism in France. Tuesday was D-Day, so let’s take a look at an understudied element of the hospitality industry: occupation tourism. What happens when an entire army comes to town? What happens when your conquerors
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6/8/2017 • 33 minutes, 13 seconds
25. We’ll Always Have Paris – The Ritz Paris Bar
“I have come to liberate the Ritz.” – Ernest Hemingway This week, we’ll continue our series “We’ll Always Have Paris” focusing on the history of tourism in France. I don’t know about you, but after all this history, I could use a drink! Luckily, I know just the place. This week, we sneak behind the bar
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5/25/2017 • 24 minutes, 25 seconds
24. We’ll Always Have Paris – Love Locks
“A public monument is not there just for lovers.” – city official, Paris (2014) Now that summer’s around the corner, Paris is bracing itself for the annual influx of tourists. With 36 million tourists passing through Paris every year, tourism has a profound influence on the capital and the country at large. Tiny trends morph into
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5/11/2017 • 23 minutes, 10 seconds
23. Four’s Company – The Scandalous House of Claude Monet
“No one but myself knows…the trouble I give myself.” – Claude Monet What are you doing April 26th? If you’re in San Francisco, the answer could be seeing ME, your friendly neighborhood podcast host, helping to launch the Legion of Honor’s newest book club, Page Views. In honor of their newest exhibition, Monet: The Early Years,
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4/25/2017 • 34 minutes, 13 seconds
22. The Sweet Life of French Bees
“Life is the flower for which love is the honey.” – Victor Hugo Spring is in the air! After such a spooky, scary episode last month, I’m keeping the newest episode short and, dare I say it, sweet! This week, we take a detour into the life of French bees to learn more about their surprising history,
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4/6/2017 • 21 minutes, 45 seconds
21. The Road To Hell – Entering the Catacombs
“Où est-elle la mort ? Toujours future ou passée. A peine est-elle présente, que déjà elle n’est plus.” – inscription, Paris catacombs This week we’re drilling deeeeeeep into the history of Paris, all the way through the layers of modern construction, past the detritus of two thousand years of civilization, all the way into the
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3/23/2017 • 22 minutes, 20 seconds
20. The Three Alexandres, Part 4 – The Playwright
“One has always had a childhood, whatever one becomes.” – Alexandre Dumas fils This week, we’ll conclude my mini-series about the three men named Alexandre Dumas: Alexandre Dumas the war hero; his son, Alexandre Dumas the author; and his grand-son, Alexandre Dumas the playwright. Together, all three men rose to the top of their professions, garnering tremendous fame
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3/9/2017 • 27 minutes, 30 seconds
19. The Three Alexandres, Part 3 – The Author
“Why do you mention my father?” screamed he; “Why do you mingle a recollection of him with the affairs of today?” – Edmond Dantes, The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas) This week, I’m continuing my mini-series about the three men named Alexandre Dumas: Alexandre Dumas the war hero; his son, Alexandre Dumas the author; and his
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2/23/2017 • 30 minutes, 53 seconds
18. The Three Alexandres, Part 2 – The General, continued.
“Oh my god! My god! What have I done?” – General Dumas, 1806 This week, I’m continuing my mini-series about the three men named Alexandre Dumas: Alexandre Dumas the war hero; his son, Alexandre Dumas the author; and his grand-son, Alexandre Dumas the playwright. Together, all three men rose to the top of their professions, garnering tremendous
The post 18. The Three Alexandres, Part 2 – The General, continued. appeared first on The Land of Desire.
2/2/2017 • 43 minutes, 9 seconds
17. The Three Alexandres, Part 1 – The General
“Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” – Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, 1789 This week, I’m kicking off a new mini-series about the three men named Alexandre Dumas: Alexandre Dumas the war hero; his son, Alexandre Dumas the author; and his grand-son, Alexandre Dumas the playwright.
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1/19/2017 • 33 minutes, 15 seconds
16. The Noblemen Who Dressed In Rags
“Secrecy is the soul of the Compagnie.” – La Compagnie statutes Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. Happy New Year! I can’t wait to share another year of stories with all of you. To kick things off,
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1/5/2017 • 22 minutes, 34 seconds
15. Bûche de Noël (The Yule Log)
“The yule-log sparkled keen with frost, No wing of wind the region swept, But over all things brooding slept The quiet sense of something lost.” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons.
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12/22/2016 • 16 minutes, 9 seconds
14. 100,000!
“omg.” – me, December 2016 Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. After coming back from a long holiday, I checked my download stats and realized I’d just passed an amazing milestone: 100,000 downloads!! I’m blown away, considering this show
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12/8/2016 • 12 minutes, 33 seconds
13. The Dreyfus Affair, Part 6
“Long live the Republic! Long live the truth!” – Alfred Dreyfus, 1899 Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. This week we conclude our series on The Dreyfus Affair: one of the most definitive moments in
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11/17/2016 • 31 minutes, 30 seconds
12. The Dreyfus Affair, Part 5
“The dawn of justice was rising for me.” – Alfred Dreyfus, 1899 Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. This week we continue our series on The Dreyfus Affair: one of the most definitive moments in
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11/17/2016 • 31 minutes, 55 seconds
11. The Dreyfus Affair, Part 4
“All men interested – that is, all lovers of truth and justice throughout the world – held their breath, and waited.” – George Barlow, 1898 Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. This week we continue
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11/8/2016 • 38 minutes, 59 seconds
10. The Dreyfus Affair, Part 3
“My duty is to speak out!” – Emile Zola, J’Accuse!, 1898 Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. This week we continue our series on The Dreyfus Affair: one of the most definitive moments in French history.
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11/3/2016 • 29 minutes, 40 seconds
9. The Dreyfus Affair, Part 2
“Fear! That is their political means. They engender it, they inoculate it, and, once they’ve frightened a certain class of citizens, they present themselves as saviors” – Leon Gambetta Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. This
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10/20/2016 • 37 minutes, 8 seconds
8. The Dreyfus Affair, Part 1
“Lord, we are a guilty, woeful country.” – National Assembly Prayer, May 1871 Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. This week we examine the climax of the Belle Époque, the moment when all the cultural
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10/20/2016 • 29 minutes, 58 seconds
7. A Long Way To Escargot
“Gourmet /n./ Anyone whom, when you fail to finish something strange or revolting, remarks that it’s an acquired taste and that you’re leaving the best part.” – Anonymous Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. This
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10/6/2016 • 21 minutes, 10 seconds
6. Manet & Morisot & Manet
“Her name is Berthe Morisot, and she is a curiosity.” – Le Figaro, 1880 Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. This week’s episode continues my new series which I’m really excited about: La Belle Époque, the
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9/22/2016 • 27 minutes, 50 seconds
BONUS – 10,000!
“Nobody is ever gonna listen to this.” – me, July 2016 Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. This week, I’m offering a BONUS episode to celebrate…10,000 DOWNLOADS! Considering I only launched this podcast 8 weeks ago, I’m
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9/15/2016 • 7 minutes, 52 seconds
5. Belles of the Belle Epoque
“No social being is less protected than the young Parisian girl – by laws, regulations, and social customs. – Le Figaro, 1880 Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. This week’s episode continues my new series which
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9/8/2016 • 21 minutes, 43 seconds
4. A Tale of Two Cities (No, Not That One)
“The old Paris is passing.” Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. This week’s episode marks the beginning of a series I’m really excited about: La Belle Époque, the Golden Age of Paris. In the years
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8/25/2016 • 29 minutes, 56 seconds
3. The Olympics
Faster, higher, stronger. Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. I originally intended to follow up my episode on the Siege of Paris with the beginning of a series on the Commune. Instead, I found myself glued
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8/11/2016 • 28 minutes, 28 seconds
2. We Ate A Zoo
Dinner is served. Welcome back to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. For the next two episodes, we’re going to focus on war, food, and how much a country’s food culture is the result of military conflict. If that sounds boring, how
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7/28/2016 • 23 minutes, 50 seconds
1. Bastille Day
Joyeux Quatorze Juillet! Welcome to The Land of Desire, a French history podcast dedicated to exploring all the weird adventures, mysteries and surprising backstories behind French cultural icons. We’re kicking things off with a bang! Today, France celebrates itself with parades, picnics, and of course, the traditional fireworks. July 14th – “Bastille Day” to Americans – is
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7/12/2016 • 29 minutes, 57 seconds
0. The Land of Desire Teaser
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