Uneasy Lies the Crown

Dec 30 2024 26 ep. 61 mins

Uneasy Lies the Crown Podcast artwork

Two sisters combine their expertise in history and neuroscience to examine famous royals from historical and biological perspectives. They hope to understand how mental and neurological illness shaped some of the world’s most important leaders, and the course of history in turn.

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Making a Murderer: Prince Albert Victor

Dec 30 2024 42 mins

The notorious Jack the Ripper murders in 19th century London have generated plenty of high-profile suspects, but none more salacious than Prince Albert Victor, the heir to the British throne. True crime meets ULTC in this episode exploring the theory that syphilis turned the prince into a killer. Plus: Why Riley is leaving true crime in 2024. British tabloids never stop. He's a 10

Chief Among Us: Opechancanough

Nov 29 2024 62 mins

The only thing more amazing than Chief Opechancanough singlehandedly preventing Spanish colonization and staving off the British for over five decades? He did it while suffering from a fascinating neurological disease. Plus: What Disney got wrong about Pocahontas. Riley regales us with a song she learned in the fourth grade. Should we be cancelled for our Mayflower connection?

Chemobrain: Duchess Catherine

Oct 25 2024 32 mins

Kate Middleton has had to navigate her cancer diagnosis as both head of a household and future head of a country. We discuss how the confusion and controversy surrounding her health may impact the royal family in the longterm, and how cancer treatment affects the mind and brain. Plus: Can MomTok survive this? Donna Kelce keeps it real. Relaunching our apology tour.

Forget Me Not: Taisho

Sep 30 2024 55 mins

Japan's Emperor Taisho suffered from cerebral meningitis as an infant, and the longterm effects allegedly left him unable to rule. But was that the truth or a convenient way for his enemies to keep him out of power? Plus: Riley edited a podcast episode in labor. Stefanie can't spell Riley's name and Riley can't remember her name. Our space discourse continues.

Scandalnavia: Christian of Denmark

Feb 29 2024 61 mins

Christian of Denmark's reign began with a lot of promise, but eventually crumbled in the wake of a scandalous love triangle. Christian's physician believed that his increasing signs of insanity were a result of his incessant urge to masturbate, but modern neuroscience suggests that was a side effect of bipolar disorder, and his story reveals the gaps in modern healthcare

The Swede Life: Nobel Prize Week

Dec 14 2023 41 mins

For one week every year, the world's most influential scientists are whisked away to Sweden where they rub elbows with literal royalty. Get to know this year's winners and the Swedish royal family! Plus: Is Lily Pulitzer a nepo baby? Riley is scared of physics. Everything you've heard about Sweden is true. Princess Sofia's controversial beginnings.

The Big Short: Napoleon Bonaparte

Dec 01 2023 75 mins

Napoleon Bonaparte is the most famous military figure in history, a man who started from nothing and gained an empire. On this episode, we break down Napoleon's reign and the science surrounding his eponymous "Napoleon Complex" to understand how a personality could be pathological but lead to heights of achievement never to be seen again. Plus: A brief history of Nap

Mercury in Retrograde: Ivan the Terrible

Oct 30 2023 54 mins

Kings have killed throughout history for the chance at an heir, but Ivan the Terrible took another route; he killed his own son, forever changing the trajectory of Russia. We explore whether his behavior can be traced back to a mysterious childhood illness and his favorite skincare products. Plus: Riley shares some exciting personal news. Fall is a state of mind. What is your Roma

Livin' on a Prayer: Maria of Portugal

Aug 09 2023 74 mins

How do you solve a problem like Maria of Portugal (a series of losses, a mental decline, an escape to the New World)? With modern science of the neurobiology of religion and obsessive compulsive disorder. Plus: An exciting announcement (get ready to see a lot more of us)! Does Riley look like Jenna Lyons? Riley thinks the Barbie movie was actually pro-man and Stefanie thought the

Heir Jordan: Talal bin Abdullah

Apr 30 2023 65 mins

Hundreds of years of politics and family tension preceded Talal bin Abdullah’s ascent to the Jordanian throne in 1951. After only a year, he was forced to abdicate. Was it because he was sick or were there ulterior motives at play? Our search for answers takes us from post-Word War Britain to 1950s Switzerland to the modern coronavirus pandemic. Plus: Prince Harry is a Maxinist