Podcast · History

Right Answers Mostly

by Claire Donald & Tess Bellomo · English · History

History is just gossip! Join hosts Tess Bellomo and Claire Donald every Monday as they break down the juiciest stories from history and pop culture over a cocktail!

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 8 min
Latest: 5 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026 · 51 minNew

The Dancing Plague of 1518: Dance Till You Die!

The dancing plague of 1518, was a case of dancing mania that occurred in the Holy Roman Empire from July 1518 to September 1518. Somewhere between 50 and 400 people started dancing for weeks. Though it's not the only to occur, few were as large...and deadly. So what could have led people to dance themselves to death?! Let's gossip about it. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us on social media, buy merch, and find out more about our show HERE! Join our premium channel for bonus episodes HERE Sources: History.com , The Forgotten Doc , Euppublishing Learn more about…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

28 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 7 min

(SNEAK PEEK) Yoko Ono: Give Her a Chance

PREMIUM EPISODE: The last 45 minutes will be left for our premium subscribers. We currently have a sale if you're interested for $4.99/month for THREE months. Support our show here! We are an entirely independently produced podcast. We host, research, edit, do our socials, etc, just us, this premium is the way this continue can continue to exist and thrive AND give you free content. And with that, our final episode of Back to School Month... Did Yoko Ono really break up The Beatles? Or did the world just need a woman to blame? This week, we’re diving into the fascinating, complicated, and…
21 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

The Habsburg Dynasty: The Most Inbred Family in History

We’re diving into one of history’s most powerful and dysfunctional dynasties, The Habsburgs. From strategic marriages and massive empires to generations of inbreeding that eventually caught up with them. Get ready for royal drama, a truly insane family tree, and a reminder that history is just gossip. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us on social media, buy merch, and more⁠⁠ HERE! ⁠⁠ Join our ⁠PREMIUM CHANNEL HERE ⁠ Sources: History Found , History Profiles , History Mapped Out , Ann Foster , Wikipedia, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
14 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 10 min

Lizzie Borden: The Girl with the Axe

This week we cover the Lizzie Borden murder case, one of the most famous in American criminal history. Accused of brutally killing her father and stepmother with an axe in 1892, Lizzie's trial became a media frenzy. But here’s the twist: she was found not guilty. So was she a cold-blooded killer, or just a single woman in her 30s in the 1800s?! In this episode we break down the crime, the evidence, and bring it back to Bravo more than ever! Let us know your thoughts, Rammies! Created and produced by Claire Donald & Tess Bellomo Follow us here for more information about Right Answers Mostly…
7 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 18 min

Girls Who Sleuth: The Nellie Bly Story

Welcome to Back to School Month all month long! Today we cover Nellie Bly: the original girl who sleuthed. After forcing her way into the male dominated world of journalism, Nellie became famous for going undercover inside a notorious New York insane asylum, where she exposed the horrific treatment of its female patients. But she didn’t stop there. She interviewed a serial killer, traveled through Mexico, reported from the front lines of World War I, and raced around the entire world in just 72 days. This is the story of the fearless, complicated and wildly ambitious woman who changed…
31 Aug 2026 · 59 min

(SNEAK PEEK) Marilyn Monroe: The Final Chapter, The Kennedys & The Conspiracies

In the final chapter of Marilyn Month, we’re covering the last years of Marilyn Monroe’s life and the mystery that still surrounds her death more than 60 years later. From her divorce from Arthur Miller and buying a home of her own, to her rumored relationships with the Kennedys and the infamous “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” performance at Madison Square Garden. We’re also getting into Marilyn’s final photo shoots, her last days, and what we know about the night she died. Then, we’re breaking down the conspiracy theories that have followed her death for decades: the Kennedys, the…
S3 · E9 · 25 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

Dolly Parton is An Angel on Earth

Today we're taking a deep dive into the life of the one and only Dolly Parton - the queen of rhinestones, wigs, and big hair. We start in the Great Smokey Mountains of East Tennessee where Dolly grew up, singing and playing music from an early age. We find out how Dolly got her big break in Nashville, and how she met her very secretive husband of 57 years, Carl Dean. We break down Dolly's classic looks and phrases and her extensive philanthropy work including the Imagination Library and donating $1 million to COVID19 research. And because we can't help ourselves, we do a line reading from…
24 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 28 min

Marilyn Monroe: The Men, the Movies & the Myth

In episode three of our Marilyn Monroe Month, we’re getting into the height of Marilyn’s fame: the iconic movies, the scandals, and her marriages to two of the most famous men in America, Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller. While Hollywood wanted Marilyn Monroe the sex symbol, Marilyn wanted something more. We’re talking about her fight with the studio system, her determination to become a serious actress, and how she eventually took on Hollywood itself. TW: This episodes contains discussions of physical abuse Created by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us on social media, buy merch, and…
19 Aug 2026 · 1 min

Marilyn Month on Right Answers Mostly: The Woman, The Myths, The Conspiracies

If you love history and gossip, this one's for you! All August long we're covering all things Marilyn Monroe- her childhood, rise to stardom, marriages, conspiracy theories and more- because history is just gossip! Subscribe anywhere you listen to podcasts and share with your friends so we can gab together! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
17 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 27 min

The Making of Marilyn Monroe

Welcome to our second episode of our Marilyn Monroe Month! Norma Jeane is gone... Marilyn Monroe is about to be born. This week, we follow Marilyn's extraordinary transformation from a lonely aircraft factory worker into one of the most photographed women in America. After being discovered on a wartime assembly line, she throws herself into modeling, bleaches her hair, signs with the Blue Book Modeling Agency, and quickly realizes that beauty alone isn't enough. Hollywood is a game, and she's determined to learn how to play it. We dive into the complicated, often exploitative relationships…
10 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

Norma Jeane And The Women Who Raised Her

WELCOME TO MARILYN MONTH! All month long, we're doing deep dives into Marilyn Monroe's life because she deserves so much more than just one episode. To kick things off, we're taking it all the way back to the beginning: Norma Jeane's childhood. In this episode, we cover everything from her toddler years through high school, ending on quite the cliffhanger for next week's episode. We dive into the foster parents who raised her, the women who abandoned her, protected her, and shaped her, and how those early relationships influenced the woman she would become. We also talk about the changes she…
3 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 11 min

Trojan War: Before Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey

Release in honor of The Odyssey: This week we re-visit one of history’s juiciest conflicts: The Trojan War. It all starts with a beauty contest judged by a lil shepherd, and spirals into a decade-long war fought over the world’s most shtunning woman. We're talking forbidden love, bro betrayals, hunky men and intense battles. Turns out the gods have a lot of drama. Created and produced by Tess Bellomo and Claire Donald For more on RAM, go here For our SUBSCRIPTION, 3 bonus eps a month, sign up for $7.99/month! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
27 Jul 2026 · 39 min

(SNEAK PEEK) Jackie Robinson Was So Much More Than Baseball

Jackie Robinson didn't just change baseball, he changed America. This week, we're rounding out American Icons month with the incredible story of the man who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier and the impossible pressure that came with it. We talk about how Branch Rickey chose Jackie to integrate the sport, why he was expected to endure racism without fighting back, and how Rachel Robinson became one of the most important partners in his legacy. This is the story of an athlete, activist, husband, and leader who changed far more than the game of baseball. Created and produced by…
20 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 18 min

How Madonna Changed Pop Music Forever

Long before pop stars built entire careers around reinvention, Madonna was changing the rules in real time. In this episode, we trace her journey from a broke dancer arriving in New York City with a lot of religious trauma and just a few dollars to becoming the best selling female recording artist of all time. Along the way, we unpack the controversies that made headlines, the reinventions that reshaped pop culture, her groundbreaking advocacy during the AIDS crisis, and the ambition that inspired generations of artists, from Britney Spears to Taylor Swift. Love her or hate her, modern pop…
13 Jul 2026 · 57 min

American Girl Dolls were BRAT

RE-RELEASE: Join us in this MUCH requested nostalgic episode as we delve into the enchanting world of American Girl Dolls, exploring their rich history and the cultural impact they've had since their inception in 1986 by founder Pleasant Howard . We’ll trace the journey from the original dolls—each representing a different era in American history (THEY ARE RAMMIES)—to the diverse characters that reflect contemporary society. Discover how these beloved dolls not only sparked a passion for history in young girls but also fostered conversations about identity, diversity, and empowerment. ALSO…
6 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space

In honor of America's 250th birthday and American Icons month (in a cool, liberal way), we're celebrating the trailblazers who helped shape the country, and few reached greater heights than Sally Ride. This week, we're telling the story of the physicist who became the first American woman in space, broke through one of the world's most exclusive boys' clubs, and inspired generations of girls to dream bigger. But behind the headlines was a woman who fiercely guarded her private life. For nearly three decades, Sally shared her life with her partner, Tam O'Shaughnessy, a relationship the public…
29 Jun 2026 · 32 min

(SNEAK PEEK) RuPaul: The Queen of Drag

Everybody knows RuPaul. But the story of how he became RuPaul? It's even better than you think. This week, we're following his journey from a kid in San Diego to discovering drag in Atlanta, creating his unforgettable glamazon persona in New York, overcoming addiction, and building the empire that is RuPaul's Drag Race. We also unpack the lessons that have defined his life: identity, resilience, chosen family, and the radical act of believing in yourself before the world does. Whether you're a Drag Race superfan or simply curious about the man behind the icon, this episode is a celebration…
22 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

Harvey Milk And The Politics Of Hope

We're BACK! This Pride Month, we're diving into the extraordinary life and legacy of Harvey Milk, the camera shop owner turned activist who became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. Long before rainbow logos and corporate Pride campaigns, Harvey Milk was fighting for visibility, representation, and equality at a time when being openly gay could cost you your job, your family, and your safety. From his childhood on Long Island to becoming the unofficial "Mayor of Castro Street" in San Francisco, Milk transformed personal authenticity into political power,…
S3 · E17 · 15 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 17 min

How André Leon Talley Changed Fashion Forever

RE-RELEASE FOR PRIDE: This week's episode is on a fashion industry icon and trailblazer, André Leon Talley. From his early years growing up in the Jim Crow-era South to his rise to prominence as a fashion journalist and Vogue's first African-American male creative director. Join us as we dish on everything from his infamous caftans and his time at Vogue magazine to his juicy stories of Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld...we spill it all. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault and eating disorders Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Go here to…
S3 · E11 · 8 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 18 min

Frida Kahlo & The Art of Suffering

RE-RELEASE for Pride Month! We dive deep into the life and work of Frida Kahlo, the fearless woman who endured pain, tragedy, and even a tumultuous love life. We'll explore how her self-portraits captured both her physical and emotional pain, and how her work challenged the dominant artistic traditions of her time. From her early struggles as a young artist to her rise as a feminist icon, Claire and Tess cover all the juicy details of Frida's life. This is Frida Kahlo, a queer, feminist icon!. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us here to learn more about us, get…
S3 · E18 · 1 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

Andy Cohen And The Real History of Bravo

RE-RELEASE EPISODE: We're kicking off pride month with the king of Bravo and the king of our hearts, Andy Cohen. We know Andy as the father of the Real Housewives but in this episode we find out about his idyllic childhood in St. Louis, MO and how his love of soap operas were unknowingly prepping him for all things Housewives. We talk about Andy's extensive career as a producer/journalist at CBS before rising the ranks at Bravo and we delve into the personal life of Andy Cohen and the challenges he has faced along the way. From navigating his identity as an openly gay man in the media…
25 May 2026 · 43 min

(SNEAK PEEK) The Dark Side of Coco Chanel

This week, we unravel the myth of Coco Chanel, the woman who revolutionized women’s fashion, built one of the most powerful luxury empires in history, and carefully crafted herself into a feminist icon. But behind the pearls, perfume, and little black dresses was a much darker story. From poverty and ambition to affairs with powerful men, antisemitism, Nazi collaboration allegations, and the reinvention of her own legacy, we explore how Coco Chanel became both a symbol of female freedom and one of fashion’s most controversial figures. Was she a visionary? A social climber? A survivor? A…
18 May 2026 · 1 hr 8 min

Christian Dior: Couture, Scandal & The New Look

This week, we’re discussing the extraordinary history of Christian Dior and the designer who reshaped fashion forever. From the devastation of post WW2 Paris to the revolutionary debut of the “New Look” in 1947, Christian Dior created a vision of glamour, femininity, and fantasy that transformed the fashion industry forver. We explore Dior’s early life, World War II, couture during occupation, the rise of the House of Dior, the evolution of luxury branding, and the legacy that still defines fashion today. From couture salons to celebrity campaigns, this is the story of how Christian Dior…
11 May 2026 · 54 min

Calvin Klein: Underwear, Supermodels, and Scandal

Before Calvin Klein, underwear was something your mom bought in a three pack. After him? It was a personality. This week, we’re getting into the story of Calvin Klein, how a kid from the Bronx turned “clean and simple” into one of the most powerful fashion brands in the world. We’re talking jeans that made millions in a week, ads that changed culture, and the women who defined the look (and the vibe). Plus: the Kelly Rector influence, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s quiet takeover of the aesthetic, and the business missteps that almost took the whole empire down. Created and produced by Tess…
4 May 2026 · 1 hr 1 min

Inside the Met Gala: How Anna Wintour Runs Fashion’s Biggest Night

This week, we’re diving into the history of the Met Gala, from its origins as a high-society fundraiser to the global spectacle it is today. We break down how the event transformed under icons like Diana Vreeland and Anna Wintour, and how it became fashion’s biggest (and most chaotic) night.Of course, we had to get into the drama. From the infamous Solange–Jay-Z elevator incident to celebs getting caught breaking the rules, we’re unpacking the night's biggest scandalsWe also share our favorite looks of all time, plus why this year’s Met Gala is sparking so much conversation, and controversy,…
27 Apr 2026 · 38 min

(SNEAK PEEK) Jean Harlow: Dye Hard Blonde

Before Marilyn, there was Jean. In this episode, we dive into the dazzling, and devastating, life of Jean Harlow, Hollywood’s original platinum blonde bombshell. (Wait until you hear how she achieved this look and you'll say thank you to your hair dresser next time..) From her meteoric rise to stardom to the image that redefined beauty, Harlow was truly to “dye” for. But behind the peroxide glow was a story of pressure, scandal, and a life cut far too short. Glamour, grit, and a legacy that still shines, this is Jean Harlow like you’ve never heard before. Created and produced by Tess Bellomo…
20 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 25 min

River Phoenix: Hollywood’s Lost Star

River Phoenix was everything Hollywood wanted: talented, magnetic, and deeply beloved. So how did it all go so wrong? Joined by friend of the pod Hannah Aaron Brown, we unpack the life and tragic death of River Phoenix, from his unconventional upbringing and rapid rise to fame, to the pressures, people, and environment that surrounded him in his final years. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us on social media, buy merch, and more⁠ HERE! ⁠ Join our premium channel for 3 bonus eps a month ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and save 15% when you buy annually! Follow Hannah on TikTok and…
13 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 24 min

Anna Nicole Smith: The Blonde Bombshell Hollywood Broke

Anna Nicole Smith: A woman who went from small-town Texas to Playboy Playmate, Guess model, and reality TV star , becoming one of the most famous women in the world along the way. But behind the blonde bombshell image was a more complicated story: a whirlwind marriage to an 89-year-old oil tycoon, a never-ending legal battle over his fortune, and a media frenzy that turned her life into spectacle. This week, we’re diving into the rise, the chaos, and the tragedy of Anna Nicole Smith- a woman that was built up by Hollywood only to relish in watching her fall. Created and produced by Claire…
6 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 2 min

Brittany Murphy: What Really Happened?

Brittany Murphy was one of the most beloved stars of the 2000s: funny, talented, and endlessly watchable. So when she died suddenly at just 32, the story shocked Hollywood. But the more you look into it… the more questions there are. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down Brittany Murphy’s rise to fame, the intense scrutiny she faced, and the details surrounding her death, from official reports to the rumors that followed. What was really going on behind the scenes? Did her husband, Simon really have something to do with it? And why does her story still feel unresolved? TW: this story…
30 Mar 2026 · 46 min

Josephine Baker: Spy, It Girl, and Revolutionary

Josephine Baker: a woman who escaped poverty, danced her way to fame, became the most famous woman in Paris, and then, plot twist, served as a spy for the French Resistance during World War II. And when the war ended, she didn’t slow down, she took that same power into the fight for civil rights, refusing to play by America’s rules. A story that sounds like fiction, but Josephine Baker did all of that, and more. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo Follow us on social media, buy merch, and more⁠ HERE! ⁠ Join our premium channel for 3 bonus eps a month ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and save 15%…

About Right Answers Mostly

History is just gossip! Join hosts Tess Bellomo and Claire Donald every Monday as they break down the juiciest stories from history and pop culture over a cocktail!

Right Answers Mostly is a English history podcast from Claire Donald & Tess Bellomo. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Claire Donald & Tess Bellomo
Language: English
Category: History
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 8 min
Latest episode: 5 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580439220
Rights: Claire Donald & Tess Bellomo

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