Ep. 26 Sacrificing Orphans for Science & How to Thank Your Bear Trainer

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This episode best friends Megan and Milena cover three pioneers of 20th century vaccinations & sex worker, ruler, and art patron – Empress Theodora of the Byzantine Empire

Dr. Leila Denmark | Pearl Kendrick Grace | Eldering Loney Gordon

Whoop cough bacteria

This episode Milena goes heavy on the science of bacteria that can kill us. Thankfully for those of us not science inclined (me) she doesn’t go too heavy, just heavy enough for us to have a very healthy appreciation for vaccinations. This episode Milena covers not one, not two, but three amazing women who all contributed to the first vaccine for pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough.

Empress Theodora

19th Century painting of Theodora by French painter Jean Joseph Benjamin Constant

Theodora is a bad bitch. Sometimes in a good way, like freeing child sex slaves, and sometimes in a ‘let’s slaughter thousands of my political opponents’ way. Moral ethics aside, Theodora was a commanding force within the 6th century Byzantine Empire.
Today we break from format and cover Theodora as our first art patron. Yeah, she was Empress of a god damn empire, but that shouldn’t discourage us common folks from supporting the arts as well. So be like Theodora – buy art, have a daily bath and serve swift vengeance to your enemies that will leave them begging for mercy. And then buy some more art.

Detail of a mosaic portrait of Theodora
Theodora pictured among her court in the Basilica of San Vitale
The Hagia Sofia – one of the ancient seven wonders of the world, it was commissioned by Theodora and her husband Justinian

As always, music by EeL