Best Maria Clara Podcasts (2025)

1
Martha Gellhorn 2:18:37

Play Pause

3d ago2:18:37

2:18:37

Martha Gellhorn was one of the most influential war correspondents of the 20th century. Over the course of a 60-year career, she reported from nearly every major global conflict - the Spanish Civil War, World War II, Vietnam, and more. in her work, she focused a compassionate eye on the lives of ordinary people caught up in turmoil beyond their con…

1
Martha Washington, 2025 2:36:12

16d ago2:36:12

2:36:12

As a tie-in to our coverage of Betsy Ambler and Ken Burns' American Revolution documentary we decided to revisit Martha. Some called her The Mother of the Country, some curtseyed and called her "Lady Washington," but no one could doubt that she was uniquely capable to shoulder the responsibilities and rigors of both war and diplomacy. Martha Washin…

1
Sarah Rector 1:02:48

1M ago1:02:48

1:02:48

Once upon a time, an eleven-year-old girl named Sarah Rector struck it rich with a discovery that was perfectly timed for the rise of the automobile and the expansion of American manufacturing. After hitting the jackpot, she had to escape the minefields of greed, racism, politics, and public opinion in order to build a satisfying life for herself a…

1
ITALY TRAVELOGUE - 2025 1:44:26

1M ago1:44:26

1:44:26

Viva l'Italia! We took 50 listeners on an epic journey filled with history, architecture, camaraderie and SO MUCH delicious food! From the ancient layers of Rome through the castles and hilltop villages of Tuscany, the art and influence of the Medici in Florence, to the romance of Venice, this trip was unforgettable! The travelers join us, in their…

1
BONUS - The American Revolution on PBS - Our interview with co-director Sarah Botstein 23:59

2M ago23:59

23:59

The American Revolution changed the way the world worked; the principles of governance in the new country laid the foundation for movements all over the world. On November 16th, Ken Burns and his team premiere their 6-part documentary series on PBS called, as you might have guessed, "The American Revolution" We had the opportunity to sit down with …

1
Betsy Ambler - and an interview with Sarah Botstein from the PBS documentary The American Revolution 2:04:22

2M ago2:04:22

2:04:22

Life during the Revolutionary War was more than military strategy; there were plenty of battles to be fought at home. Betsy Ambler was a young teenager during the turbulent years, and through her records and letters, we can see the conflict though a perspective that has been little examined. We also interview Sarah Botstein, the co-director (with K…

1
Elizabeth Packard 1:58:38

3M ago1:58:38

1:58:38

In 1860, Elizabeth Packard was committed to a mental institution by her husband - for YEARS - for the crime of speaking her mind . This practice was completely legal at the time, and she had no mechanism by which to free herself from confinement - despite the fact that she was completely sane. Her three-year ordeal would turn her into a powerful ac…

1
Frida Kahlo, 2025 1:30:50

3M ago1:30:50

1:30:50

We're going back to our 2013 coverage of this iconic artist who turned her pain, passion, fear, and unique outlook on life into remarkable and memorable art. Her bold subject and color choices (as well as her bold life choices) defied convention and sent her to the heights of international acclaim. Our 2026 Field Trip to London sold out in record t…

1
Catherine De Medici Part 2 2:20:23

4M ago2:20:23

2:20:23

Catherine de Medici lived in a century defined by the the contributions of remarkable women, and she distinguished herself as one of the most remarkable of them all. No longer an apprentice in the art of intrigue, she was sharp and strategic and brave in ways that defied cultural expectations Whatever her reputation became, her capacity for calcula…

1
049. Carolyn Davidson and Sarah Williams: The Woman Behind the Swoosh 47:50

4M ago47:50

47:50

When it comes to recognizable icons, few rival Nike’s Swoosh, designed by student designer Carolyn Davidson for $35. We unpack her quiet career, late recognition, and lasting influence with guest Sarah Williams, Co-CEO of Beardwood & Co. and President of AIGA NY. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is power…

1
Catherine de Medici, Part 1 1:25:15

4M ago1:25:15

1:25:15

As the last legitimate heir to a powerful family, Catherine de Medici was married at only 14 into one of the most powerful royal houses in Europe. The two halves of her story are VASTLY different, and here in Part 1, we are going to tell you about how she had no resources but INNER resources - and the character that developed from the circumstances…

1
048. Lorraine Wild: Redefining Design Education (w/ Louise Sandhaus) 59:23

4M ago59:23

59:23

In this dual feature episode we take a celebratory look at Lorraine Wild’s influence as a writer, educator, and designer who helped shift graphic design from a formal practice to a cultural one, with personal insight from friend and fellow designer, Louise Sandhaus. Lorraine Wild resources: Green Dragon Office “More Than a Few Questions About Graph…

1
Philadelphia 2025 Travelogue 1:23:24

5M ago1:23:24

1:23:24

It's field trip time again! We took 50 listeners with us to the cradle of our country - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over the course of a long weekend, we absorbed the sites and stories we'd learned about in school, and learned about those figures whose vital contributions have faded over time. Through our exposure to the artifacts, places and peopl…

1
047. Claire McCardell: Inventor of Casual Fashion (w/ Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson) 56:29

5M ago56:29

56:29

Discover the untold story of Claire McCardell, the woman who invented casual wear, defied Dior, and changed the way American women dress (with insight from author Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson, who finally put her name back on the label). Buy the Book: Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free _______ Support this podcast with a small donation…

1
Suzanne Valadon 1:33:03

5M ago1:33:03

1:33:03

Suzanne Valadon was born on the wrong side of the tracks, and the wrong side of the blanket, but grew up to be one of the It Girls of the Impressionist era. She traveled a unique journey to stardom by parlaying her career as an artist's model into an artistic career of her own. This episode brought to you in part by: Honeylove Blueland OSEA Hungryr…

1
046: Sharon Werner: Imposter Syndrome 45:53

5M ago45:53

45:53

This episode explores the remarkable career of Sharon Werner, founder of Werner Design Werks, and her candid reflections on misogyny, imposter syndrome, and staying small by choice. From childhood paper dolls to running a studio for nearly 35 years, Sharon’s story is filled with wit, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom. _______ Support this podcast wit…

1
Alice Paul Part 2 1:57:11

6M ago1:57:11

1:57:11

The road to equality has never run smooth - in part 2, Alice Paul and the suffragists finally achieve their goal of a constitutional amendment giving women the vote - but not until a great deal of lobbying, schisms, sacrifice, and sheer willingness to go against the grain at every occasion. Never one to rest for long, Alice then had a greater aspir…

1
045. Clara Porset and Lindsey Colhoun: Frida Kahlo’s Favorite Chair 47:11

6M ago47:11

47:11

This designer-on-designer episode explores Clara Porset’s legacy of cultural modernism and political courage, with insights from interior designer Lindsey Colhoun, whose own work echoes Clara’s timeless use of natural materials and storytelling. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by branding and…

1
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Early Suffragists, 2025 1:25:13

6M ago1:25:13

1:25:13

Years before Alice Paul was even born, the women's suffrage movement began with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, and others at the first women's rights convention in the US in 1848. The efforts of these early suffragists laid the groundwork for Alice Paul and her peers, and their stories will give you a better understanding …

1
044. Rachel Saunders: From Burnout to Alignment 35:11

6M ago35:11

35:11

Ceramicist Rachel Saunders shares her self-taught creative journey—from leaving LA burnout behind to launching a soul-led business, shifting into retreats, and redefining success on her own terms. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by branding and design studio Nice People Join this podcast and …

1
Alice Paul, Part 1 2:00:08

7M ago2:00:08

2:00:08

Alice Paul was one of the most prominent activists of the 20th-century women's rights movement, who believed that moral authority always trumps the letter of the law; injustices must be called out and resisted as a matter of principle. By hook or by crook; with personal sacrifice, determination, and a talent for spectacle, she moved the needle of p…

1
043. Edith Head: Hollywood Costumes & Controversies 53:33

7M ago53:33

53:33

This deep-dive episode explores the jaw-dropping career of costume designer Edith Head—Hollywood’s most awarded woman—whose designs for stars like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly came with a trail of secrets, rivalries, and reinvention, with fashion enthusiast Darrian Wright joining for the ride. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: B…

1
Paris Field Trip Travelogue, 2025 1:33:30

7M ago1:33:30

1:33:30

We lived the dream... and traveled to Paris in the springtime! Fifty of our friends joined us in the City Of Light for forays into history, art, wine, architecture, shopping, camaraderie, and SO MUCH FROMAGE! Some of our friends join us here on the show to tell you the tale of our adventures. (And the friendships we made along the way) Learn more a…

1
042. Justina Blakeney: Creative Evolution 44:56

7M ago44:56

44:56

This episode features designer and Jungalow founder Justina Blakeney as she opens up about work-life balance, her art show California Poppy, the impact of the LA fires, and the quiet courage it takes to keep evolving creatively. Checkout her art show: California Poppy at The Art Wolf Checkout her latest book: Jungalow: Decorate Wild _______ Support…

1
Anne Frank 2025 2:22:30

8M ago2:22:30

2:22:30

During our coverage of Miep Gies, we presented the story of the events that were happening in the world at large during WW2, closer in within the city of Amsterdam, and then to a smaller scale within the lives, offices and homes of the helpers. Susan has in fact taken a pilgrimage to Amsterdam to visit the attic where Anne lived and Miep worked so …

1
041. Maria Giudice: Design Superpowers & Big Tech 49:13

8M ago49:13

49:13

This episode features legendary designer and leader Maria Giudice, who shares her journey from Staten Island art kid to founding Hot Studio, navigating Facebook’s acquisition, and using design to shift culture, leadership, and the C-suite. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by branding and desig…

1
040. Tomoko Miho and Jessica Strelioff: Designing Space with Soul 56:41

8M ago56:41

56:41

This dual feature episode explores the legacy of Tomoko Miho’s masterful use of space and quiet modernism, alongside Jessica Strelioff’s thoughtful approach to building timeless, soulful brands through her studio, Goodside. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by branding and design studio Nice Pe…

1
Miep Gies Part 2 2:03:45

8M ago2:03:45

2:03:45

Miep Gies risked her life in order to help her Jewish friends hide from the Nazis during World War 2. In Part 2 of her story, we'll take you through the years of struggle and subterfuge, the dark day when the Secret Annex was raided, and how Miep saved Anne Frank's writings from destruction. Anne's diary is one of the most significant historical do…

1
039. Alex Proba on Persistence: From Pools to Posters and More 40:46

9M ago40:46

40:46

In this episode, multidisciplinary designer Alex Proba shares how persistence, daily creative rituals, and an unwavering belief in color have shaped her global design career—from posters and murals to pools and product lines. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by branding and design studio Nice …

1
Miep Gies Part 1 1:15:15

9M ago1:15:15

1:15:15

In a land fraught with turbulence and oppression, Miep Gies helped to shelter and supply Anne Frank's family (and others) while they were in hiding from the Nazis; an act of civil disobedience that was, though illegal, the most moral of human endeavors. This episode is sponsored in part by: Show off your excellent taste in podcasts by grabbing your…

1
038. Tamara Mellon: The Woman Behind Jimmy Choo (w/ Rachelle Bergstein) 38:02

9M ago38:02

38:02

This episode we talk about the high-heeled rise, fall, and fierce reinvention of designer Tamara Mellon, co-founder of Jimmy Choo, whose resilience redefined what it means to be a woman in luxury fashion—with cultural insight from author Rachelle Bergstein. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by …

1
A Conversation with Anne Sebba: The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz 1:07:00

9M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

To leave you with a bit of lagniappe for Women's History Month, we broke our usual format to sit down for a talk with Anne Sebba, author of the new book The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival. Anne tells us about some of the women in the only entirely female orchestra in any Nazi prison camp. She talks about her process of learning…

1
Wallis Simpson, 2025 3:16:44

9M ago3:16:44

3:16:44

Puppet? Manipulating social climber? Misunderstood? Deeply in love? However you see her, the fact remains that a king abdicated his throne, defied his family, and lived in exile to marry the twice divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson. It sounds like a fairytale, but how does their happily ever after work out? This mega-episode combines both p…

1
Wangari Maathai Part 2 1:38:51

9M ago1:38:51

1:38:51

We continue the story of Nobel Prize winning environmentalist Dr Wangari Maathai, who defied convention, financial hurdles, and the violent opposition of her own government to make her Green Belt Movement into an enduring worldwide force for societal good. She and her colleagues planted almost 40 million trees and empowered tens of thousands of wom…

1
037. Susan Kare and Amy & Jennifer Hood: Pixel Pushing and Powerful Branding 1:19:24

9M ago1:19:24

1:19:24

This dual feature episode explores the legacy of Susan Kare, the designer behind the original Mac icons, with guests Amy and Jennifer Hood, the twin creatives behind Hoodzpah, known for their bold branding and empowering creative business strategies. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by Nice Pe…

1
Wangari Maathai Part 1 1:10:24

10M ago1:10:24

1:10:24

Wangari Maathai understood the vital connections between living things and the Earth; of local communities and the wider world. It is true that many trees make a mighty forest, and Maathai's Green Belt Movement made it clear to us all that the most important change for the greater good is one that each individual makes in their own backyard... a ph…

1
036. Gee's Bend Quilters and Francine Thompson: Threads of Resistance 48:44

10M ago48:44

48:44

This dual feature episode highlights the artistry of the Gee’s Bend Quilters, whose improvisational designs and cultural resilience transformed necessity into celebrated textile art, alongside Francine Thompson, Design Director at Hims & Hers, who shares insights on visual storytelling and building compelling brand narratives. _______ Support this …

1
Marie Laveau, 2025 1:23:28

10M ago1:23:28

1:23:28

How much of the New Orleans Voodoo Queen's legend is myth? (Hint: A lot) Happy Mardi Gras and, more importantly, Happy Women's History Month! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy The History Chicks | QCODE

1
Sojourner Truth 2025 2:09:11

10M ago2:09:11

2:09:11

Sojourner Truth was an enslaved woman, a freewoman, a preacher, a speaker, an abolitionist, and a women's rights advocate in the Civil War-era United States. Like a lot of women's history, Sojourner's truth may have been edited long ago, but we can help to set it right. This episode is brought to you in part by: Blissy: Get better sleep, hair, and …

1
035. Jeanetta Gonzales on Mentorship 25:45

10M ago25:45

25:45

Mentorship isn’t just about giving advice—it can be a full-circle moment that shapes both the mentor and the mentee. In this episode, Jeanetta Gonzales, a celebrated surface designer, illustrator, and creative coach, shares how mentorship has impacted her career, why representation in design matters, and how guiding others can be just as transforma…

1
Georgia Gilmore 1:11:32

11M ago1:11:32

1:11:32

Georgia Gilmore was one of the unsung heroes of history during the Civil Rights movement in America; a prime example of how one person's contributions can change the course of a country. Her tireless fundraising efforts were critical to the success of the Montgomery bus boycott, and Presidents met with activists under her roof, comforted by Georgia…

1
034: Ti Chang on Designing for Human Connection 33:06

11M ago33:06

33:06

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, join us as Ti Chang, cofounder of CRAVE, shares how she’s revolutionizing the way we connect through design, pioneering the category of pleasure jewelry with elegant, empowering products that redefine intimacy and human connection. Ti Chang is a designer and cofounder of CRAVE, a brand known for pioneering pleasure…

1
033. Nanna Ditzel and Kate Arends: Furniture That Sparks Conversation 49:14

11M ago49:14

49:14

This dual feature episode explores the visionary work of Nanna Ditzel—who designed furniture for movement, conversation, and mental well-being—alongside Kate Arends, founder of Wit & Delight, as we discuss how design shapes our emotions, interactions, and everyday lives. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show …

1
032. Elsa Schiaparelli: Where Fashion and Surrealism Began (w/ Darrian Wright) 48:34

11M ago48:34

48:34

Hear the extraordinary life of Elsa Schiaparelli. From her rebellious youth and surrealist collaborations to her iconic designs like the lobster dress and shocking pink, discover how Schiaparelli redefined fashion as art and left a legacy of daring innovation, with guest and fashion enthusiast, Darrian Wright. _______ Support this podcast with a sm…

1
Josephine Bonaparte and Eugénie Bonaparte 2:14:06

11M ago2:14:06

2:14:06

Josephine and Eugénie, related by marriage, and separated by only a generation, both rose from relative obscurity to become the Empress of France during tumultuous times. The paths of these very different women never crossed, but they both were stars in their own time and left their unique marks on history. Please join us on our Field Trip to Italy…

1
031. Mary E. J. Colter: Fred Harvey’s Architect and the Fate of Altadena’s Past 35:28

11M ago35:28

35:28

Explore the life and legacy of Mary Colter, a groundbreaking architect and interior designer who crafted iconic buildings at the Grand Canyon and beyond, blending Native American traditions with innovative architectural design, who also lost a home in a 1968 Eaton Canyon fire, which felt oddly topical. _______ Support this podcast with a small dona…

1
Fannie Lou Hamer, 2025 2:00:51

11M ago2:00:51

2:00:51

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, we are again shining the spotlight on the remarkable life of Fannie Lou Hamer. As a small child, her hard labor was key to her family’s survival. She grew up to become a fiery civil rights activist who would not be silenced by intimidation, violence, or the personal wishes of the President of the United States hi…

1
RERUN 006. Gail Anderson: On Racism, Resilience, and the Power of Mentorship 33:53

12M ago33:53

33:53

This episode didn't get nearly as many listens as it should, probably being that it was only episode 6, so now is a good time to push this rerun out into the world. Especially since LA is on fire, and I've been temporarily displaced by the fires. Enjoy! Renowned graphic designer Gail Anderson shares her journey from creating magazines in her youth …

1
Charity Adams Earley 2:07:03

12M ago2:07:03

2:07:03

Charity Adams Earley was the first, and highest ranking, African-American officer in the Women's Army Corps. During WW2, she led the 6888th - The Central Postal Directory Battalion, which was sent to Europe to make sure that years of backlogged letters and packages were delivered at last to the waiting soldiers. Her work showed the importance of di…

1
030. Mary Blair: Designing Disney’s Worlds (w/ Mike Asay) 37:46

12M ago37:46

37:46

Explore the extraordinary life and career of Mary Blair, the visionary artist behind Disney classics like Cinderella and It’s a Small World, whose bold use of color and modernist style transformed animation and design history, with special guest, Mike Asay. _______ Support this podcast with a small donation: Buy Me A Coffee This show is powered by …