In this episode, Jenn takes us on a high flying journey through the stories of five extraordinary women who didn’t just break barriers in aviation—they redefined the industry itself.

From the fearless female pilots who flew before they even had the right to vote, to the groundbreaking engineers who reshaped the way we fly today, these women battled discrimination, defied expectations, and risked everything to claim their place in the skies.

Jenn unpacks the thrilling and sometimes dangerous missions of these aviation pioneers, sharing the near-misses, record-breaking achievements, and behind-the-scenes struggles they faced. Tune in to hear about the Fly Girls, namely Ruth Nichols, Louise Thaden, Ruth Nichols, Florence Klingensmith, and Amelia Earhart.

Sources:

O'Brien, Keith. Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History. 2020.

Earhart, Amelia. The Fun of It. Harper & Brothers, 1932.

In this episode, Lauren takes us on a thrilling ride through the life of the infamous bank robber, John Dillinger. Known as the "Jackrabbit" of the Depression-era criminal world, Dillinger's daring heists, flashy personality, and audacious escapes made him one of the most notorious criminals of the 1930s.

Lauren chats about his early years, his criminal rise, and his run-ins with the law—while uncovering the real stories behind his legendary robberies. From prison breaks to his ultimate showdown with the FBI, Dillinger's life was nothing short of wild. But was he a hardened criminal or a man out of place in desperate times? Join us for a closer look at the outlaw who became a symbol of rebellion—and who ultimately met a tragic end on the streets of Chicago.

Sources:

Burrough, Bryan. Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34. Penguin Books, 2004.

Gorn, Elliott J. Dillinger's Wild Ride: The Year That Made America's Public Enemy Number One. Oxford University Press, 2009.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. "John Dillinger: FBI Case Records." https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/john-dillinger

Helmer, William J., and Rick Mattix. Dillinger: The Untold Story. Indiana University Press, 1994.

Toland, John. The Dillinger Days. Random House, 1963. Chicago Tribune archives, various articles on Dillinger’s life and crimes.

In this episode, Jenn dives into the toxic mess—literally—that was the Love Canal disaster. What started as an abandoned canal in Niagara Falls, New York, became a dumping ground for thousands of tons of hazardous waste, poisoning an entire community. But here’s where it gets really wild—the ones who fought back weren’t politicians or corporate bigwigs. It was the badass moms, housewives, and everyday residents who refused to let their families suffer in silence.

From organizing protests to demanding action from the U.S. government, these women sparked an environmental movement that changed history. How did an entire neighborhood become a toxic time bomb? And how did a group of determined mothers take on powerful corporations and win? Jenn breaks down the shocking story of Love Canal, the fight for justice, and how these fierce women set the stage for environmental activism as we know it today.

Sources:

• Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal – A documentary that explores the environmental disaster, corporate negligence, and the community’s fight for justice.
• Paradise Falls: The True Story of an Environmental Catastrophe by Keith O'Brien – A deeply researched book detailing the full history of Love Canal, the families affected, and the activists who fought to expose the truth.