Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most Questionable Figures podcast

#True Crime #Comedy #History #Jamie & Erin Poljanac #Erin Poljanac #Villains #Storytelling #Historical Interpretation

33:58

In this episode, we delve into the concept of being "qualified" in the workplace, examining who gets labeled as such, who doesn't, and the underlying reasons. We explore "competency checking"—the practice of scrutinizing individuals' abilities—and how it disproportionately affects underrepresented groups, often going unnoticed or unchallenged. Our discussion aims to redefine qualifications in a fair, equitable, and actionable manner. Our guest, Shari Dunn , is an accomplished journalist, former attorney, news anchor, CEO, university professor, and sought-after speaker. She has been recognized as Executive of the Year and a Woman of Influence, with her work appearing in Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Ad Age, and more. Her new book, Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work , unpacks what it truly means to be deserving and capable—and why systemic barriers, not personal deficits, are often the real problem. Her insights challenge the narratives that hold so many of us back and offer practical solutions for building a more equitable future. Together, we can build workplaces and communities that don’t just reflect the world we live in, but the one we want to create. A world where being qualified is about recognizing the talent and potential that’s been overlooked for far too long. It’s not just about getting a seat at the table—it’s about building an entirely new table, one designed with space for all of us. Connect with Our Guest Shari Dunn Website& Book - Qualified: https://thesharidunn.com LI: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/sharidunn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesharidunn Related Podcast Episodes: How To Build Emotionally Mature Leaders with Dr. Christie Smith | 272 Holding It Together: Women As America's Safety Net with Jessica Calarco | 215 How To Defy Expectations with Dr. Sunita Sah | 271 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! 🔗 Subscribe & Review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music…

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most Questionable Figures explicit

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Serier hjem•Feed

Just like much of the past can’t be seen in black & white, neither can many of the people who lived there. So who are these people in the grey?

They've been called many things-- villains, notorious, infamous, questionable moral character, offenders of many crimes or horrific incidents. But like most people, the truth lies in the grey--and our podcast sheds light on the historical facts and stories behind each person in a conversational, approachable style and then finally lets us (& you) decide...Where do we think they fall in history’s judgment? Have they been fairly or unfairly vilified in the historical discourse?
Let us just boil it down to judging the hell out of some pretty interesting dead people.

37 episoder

Ambivalent Offenders: Re-Examining History’s Most Questionable Figures explicit

updated for en dag siden

Del

Serier hjem•Feed

Just like much of the past can’t be seen in black & white, neither can many of the people who lived there. So who are these people in the grey?

37 episoder

#True Crime #Comedy #History #Jamie & Erin Poljanac #Erin Poljanac #Villains #Storytelling #Historical Interpretation

כל הפרקים

1
Mark Antony: Part 2 1:38:47

for 1 day siden1:38:47

1:38:47

Join Erin and guest co-host, Matt, as we continue on in the life of Mark Antony, as he navigates life as Julius Caesar's faithful deputy, the horrific aftermath of the Ides of March, and feuding with a teen. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

1
Mark Antony: Part 1 1:27:19

for 8 dage siden1:27:19

1:27:19

Mark Antony--Shakespearean hero, Roman bad boy, lieutenant to Julius Caesar, and a man whose death often overshadows his life. With guest co-host, Matt, we begin our series with discussions of the very egalitarian Roman Senate (just kidding!), the Roman Republic, Antony's debauched early life (man loved a short tunic), and his time at Caesar's side. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

1
Dueling Villains Judgement Episode 40:16

for 20 dage siden40:16

40:16

We conclude our first Dueling Villains series with the judgement on John Brown and Aaron Burr. Matt fills in for Jamie and helps us break down the flaws and the greatness of two of history's most enigmatic (and frustrating!) figures. Brown or Burr, who is the greater villain in our history? Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

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Alice Perrers (20 minute Preview from Patreon Episode!) 24:33

for 30 dage siden24:33

24:33

NOTE: We always have a 7 day free trial for our Patreon memberships so this could be the perfect time to check that out! Hello listeners! We've been dealing with illness, job changes, issues with our editing program, and the usual chaos of life that has pushed us behind schedule. We just wrapped a full episode for our Patrons on Patreon to make up for January's mini-episodes there and thought we'd give you a little preview in case you want to join us! This is about Alice Perrers, King Edward III's infamous mistress. Many rumors have plagued her and her reputation in history and Erin is here to give us the run down of what we actually know! We will be back with a new episode here in the next few days! Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

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Aaron Burr: Dueling Villains (Part 2) 1:32:21

for 8 weeks siden1:32:21

1:32:21

Follow the rest of Aaron Burr's story, as he vies for the presidency in the Election of 1800, enters that infamous duel with longtime rival/future musical star Alexander Hamilton, and finds himself dabbling in some *light* treason. Emperor Aaron I has a nice ring to it, does it not? Sources: The Great American Rascal: the Turbulent Life of Aaron Burr by Noel Gerson Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

1
Aaron Burr: Dueling Villains (Part 1) 1:18:18

for 11 weeks siden1:18:18

1:18:18

We are covering Aaron Burr (SIR!) as the second half of our "Dueling Villains" series. In this episode, we cover Burr's early life, the American Revolution and his role in it, as well as his political life up until the election of 1800. There's babies attending college, cougars, and absolutely insane attempts at staying neutral in between! We also pitch Timothee Chalamet the role of a lifetime. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

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BONUS: Bleeding Kansas (with Erin & Matt!) 47:56

for 12 weeks siden47:56

47:56

We spoke about Bleeding Kansas briefly in the previous episode on John Brown, but we have invited back Husband of the Pod, Erin's husband, Matt, to explain more of what was happening in Kansas during the lead up to the Civil War. St. Louis baseball supremacy and Chicago Deep Dish references abound! Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

1
John Brown: Dueling Villains 1:10:29

for 12 weeks siden1:10:29

1:10:29

Listen to our first installment of our new Dueling Villains series! We will be covering John Brown, an American enigma. Terrorist, martyr, mad man--or a little bit of each? We will talk about Brown's early life, his move to Bleeding Kansas, and the raid at Harper's Ferry that would lead to his demise. Next time, in our second part of the series, we will cover Aaron Burr (of "Hamilton" fame!) and judge the two against each other. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

1
Wolf Hall Episode 1 Discussion 1:07:02

for 15 weeks siden1:07:02

1:07:02

With the new season of Wolf Hall airing in the U.K. now and coming to the United States in March, we have begun our own rewatch series of the first season. Follow along with us as we continue through the first season and sharing our comments/historical analysis/eternal love for Mark Rylance. You can join our Patreon for free to join the chats that we will have after each episode! Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

1
Female Villains v.s. Male Villains 1:02:20

for 15 weeks siden1:02:20

1:02:20

FYI I (Jamie) had to re-record a few lines so apologies if they stand out too much! Before we jump into our dueling offenders series, we wanted to do something a little different and discuss how questionable female historical figures are viewed and treated versus their male counterparts. Listen as we have an informal conversation on this very important topic about historical discourse and why we should even care today. As always, feel free to share your opinions as well! Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

1
Caterina Sforza: Part 3 1:23:05

for 17 weeks siden1:23:05

1:23:05

In our final episode on the Tigress of Forli, Caterina Sforza, we will conclude the rest of Caterina's exciting life--more assassinations, more himbos, the first appearance of syphilis, and plenty of female rage follows! Oh, and Cesare Borgia makes his long awaited appearance like a horror movie villain. Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

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Caterina Sforza: Part 2 1:06:06

for 18 weeks siden1:06:06

1:06:06

We pick up Caterina Sforza's story as she finally launches into action, taking castles and fortresses, outwitting cardinals and bishops, and earning that nickname of the Tigress of Forli. Expect assasinations, daring deeds, more pregnancies than we care to think about, and pulp (unfortunately, not orange juice pulp)...it is a wild ride! Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

1
Caterina Sforza: Part 1 1:01:53

for 20 weeks siden1:01:53

1:01:53

Caterina Sforza is often overshadowed by the men who she came into contact with as they comprised some of the Italy's most infamous dynasties: the Medicis and the Borgias. While there is much to commend her on being a real warrior female leader in the Italian renaissance, a female powerhouse -- after all her nickname is the Tigress of Forli -- Caterina's legacy is marred by instances of violence that shocked even her contemporaries. Listen to the first part of Caterina's story as we explore her early life and first marriage, and stay tuned for part 2, which will finish up her fascinating and bloody life. Listen to the end for a trailer for the history podcast, Doorkey! Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

1
John Lennon 1:38:17

for 21 weeks siden1:38:17

1:38:17

Another week and another ambivalent offender...this time Jamie tackles another one from the music world (thanks to our Patreon fans & their votes!) and from one of the most recognizable bands of all time--John Lennon. From his traumatic childhood to his battles with mental health to his tumultuous relationships with romantic partners (as well as his son Julian), follow along to hear our examination of John's life---from early losses, to Beatlemania, domestic abuse (trigger warning is mentioned there), demands for peace, and so much more. And yes, of course a Yoko episode will be forthcoming :) Stay tuned at the end to hear a trailer for another awesome history podcast, "Beheaded!" Main sources noted: https://www.biography.com/musicians/john-lennon https://udiscovermusic.com/stories/jealous-guy-john-lennon-song/ https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/act300232005en.pdf https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/21/lennon-a-jerk-5-most-incredible-discoveries-of-the-week/23794389/ https://www.newser.com/story/202740/housekeepers-letter-reveals-lennons-dark-side.html https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/john-lennon-stay-home-dad-inside-his-final-years-n1248445 https://www.vice.com/en/article/you-dont-have-to-imagine-john-lennon-beat-women-and-childrenits-just-a-fact/ https://allthatsinteresting.com/cynthia-lennon#:~:text=When%20John's%20career%20was%20first,and%20their%20young%20son%2C%20Julian . Tell us your thoughts! Do you agree with our take? Share your take! Support the show Instagram Patreon Buy Me a Coffee (one time support) TikTok Show website If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at ambivalent.offenders.podcast@gmail.com!…

1
Emperor Claudius 1:30:01

for 22 weeks siden1:30:01