Catherine the Great: An enlightened despot?

Albert Camus was a literary giant of the 20th century, known for his philosophy of absurdity in the human quest for the meaning of life. His personal life and North African roots helped shape his writing. In philosophy circles, many called him a prominent voice of existentialism, ...  Show more

Asmahan was a rebel in a world of expectations. From a Druze Princess to exalted singer in 1930s and 40s Egypt – she lived in extremes and did exactly what she wanted. Asmahan also moonlighted as a messenger during the Second World War and when she was killed under mysterious cir ...  Show more

Catherine the Great stands out from the rulers of Imperial Russia – a 'philosopher empress' whose wit, political savvy, and unyielding ambition transformed her empire into a European powerhouse. Seizing the throne through an audacious coup against her own husband, Catherine wield ...  Show more

📖 Episode Transcripts in Link Below ⬇️ Today, we’ll delve into the fascinating life of one of Russia’s most powerful and influential rulers—Catherine the Great. Her reign not only marked a significant period in Russian history but also left an indelible impact on European politi ...  Show more

Not a drop of Russian blood. A woman in a world ruled by men. A loveless marriage to a man who lacked even a shred of empathy. The odds were always stacked against Catherine the Great when she arrived from Prussia. But this German Princess and child of the Enlightenment was a pol ...  Show more

She seized power from her weak husband and would go down in history as a strong and powerful Empress. 

In this episode, we look at how Catherine The Great managed it, and how she was a victim of terrible double standards against women.