Right Answers Mostly

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 podcastchoices

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 Mos

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 inves

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 conflictin

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 the

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

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

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

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

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

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 Cla

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 p

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.  ALS

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

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

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, encou

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

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

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 industry

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 vi

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 bec

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 B

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, a

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 Be

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 a

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 Clai

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 con

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 sa

For most of human history, childbirth belonged to women. Midwives guided mothers through labor, cared for newborns, and held generations of medical knowledge within their communities. But over time, birth moved from homes to hospitals, and from the hands of women to the authority of male physicians. In this episode, we explore the hidden history of childbirth, the rise of modern gynecology, and the women whose bodies shaped the field but whose names were nearly erased from it. At the center of this story are three enslaved women in the 1840s American South: Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy. Sufferi

This week we’re diving into the story of Shonda Rhimes, the woman who completely changed television. Before Rhimes, network TV rarely centered complicated women, diverse casts, or stories about power, ambition, sexuality, and work told from a female perspective. From Grey’s Anatomy to Scandal to Bridgerton, Rhimes built an empire by telling the kinds of stories about women that television had long ignored. We talk about her early life, how she broke into Hollywood, the rise of Shondaland, and how she reshaped what television looks like, and who gets to be the main character. This is Shonda Rhi

Before she was a pop girl, a tabloid headline, or the blueprint for millennial style, Hilary Duff was just a kid from Texas with a big dream and a head voice that would become weirdly controversial. This week on Right Answers Mostly, we’re diving into the full Hilary Duff story: from early auditions to becoming Disney Channel’s most relatable star on Lizzie McGuire. We talk about the cultural earthquake of Metamorphosis, the chaos of early 2000s tabloid culture, public breakups, and why she was constantly compared to women she was never trying to be. But more than that, we explore why Hilary

We are kicking off Women's History Month with the one and only, Joan Didion. Before she became one of the most iconic writers of the 20th century, Joan Didion was just a quiet, observant girl from Sacramento who would go on to capture the myth and emotional reality of American life. From her early days at Vogue to her life in Hollywood and her marriage to fellow writer John Gregory Dunne, Joan Didion wasn’t just participating in the culture. She was observing and documenting it. In this episode, we explore how Joan Didion became a literary icon, how she cultivated the persona of the ulti

John and Jackie Kennedy weren’t just a couple, they were a brand. In this episode, we break down their upbringings, the expectations that shaped their marriage, and why Jackie Kennedy became the emotional and public backbone of Camelot. From JFK’s affairs to the carefully curated image America consumed, we explore how Jackie wasn’t living a fairytale, she was performing one. TW: Birthing trauma and child loss Produced and created by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald For more RAM, go here! Main feed gets a preview but our premium subscribers get a full 90 minute episode which goes mo

“I’ve come to believe that it’s not what has happened to our family that has been cursed—it’s the fact that we’ve never been able to deal with it privately.” — Eunice Kennedy Shriver The idea of the “Kennedy Curse” has followed this family for generations, often explained away as bad luck or fate. But the truth is more complicated. In this episode, we explore how constant public scrutiny, enormous expectations, and a deep resistance to vulnerability shaped the Kennedy family’s most painful moments, especially in the case of Rosemary Kennedy, whose lobotomy reflects how fear, misunderstanding,

Before they were a symbol of 90s perfection, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were shaped by very different kinds of pressure. John grew up inside America’s most mythologized family, raised in public grief and constant expectation. Carolyn came from outside the dynasty, building her life on privacy, control, and impeccable restraint. When they fell in love, it looked like fate. What followed was something far messier. In this episode, we trace how fame became a third partner, how obsession was mistaken for romance, and how one of the most aestheticized couples in modern history quiet

Welcome to Kennedys Month at Right Answers Mostly. We’re kicking things off at the very beginning: the building of the Kennedy dynasty and the man behind it all, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.. The Kennedy story begins with famine in Ireland, and a risky escape to Boston, Massachusetts. We unpack how Juicy Joe built his fortune, pulled the strings behind the scenes, and paved the way for his sons, most famously John F. Kennedy, to enter politics. Was it clean? Not exactly. Was it effective? Absolutely. From backroom deals to carefully crafted public images, this is the origin story of how the Kenned

Before Lilly Pulitzer was splashed across sorority houses, bachelorette parties, and every preppy closet in America, she was just a Palm Beach socialite trying not to ruin her clothes while running a juice stand. What happened next accidentally created one of the most recognizable fashion empires of all time. In this episode, Tess and Claire dive into how Lilly turned bright, stain-hiding shift dresses into a symbol of wealth, freedom, and rich girl rebellion and why her hot-pink prints quietly blew up the buttoned-up fashion rules of the 1950s and ’60s. We’re talking Jackie Kennedy (HINT H

This week, we’re joined by Katy from Queens Podcast, whose deep knowledge of royal history helps us unpack how Eleanor quietly (and sometimes not-so-quietly) shaped empires, fueled crusades, and influenced generations of rulers, all while being married to two very mediocre kings who consistently failed upward. From Louis VII to Henry II, we break down how Eleanor’s intelligence, wealth, and strategy built power structures that men happily claimed as their own. We explore Eleanor’s marriages, her imprisonment, her political savvy, and why history punished her for the same ambition it rewarded

It’s our first episode of 2026, and we’re kicking off the year by spilling the most famous tea in American history... literally. You learned about the Boston Tea Party in school, but probably not like this. We’re breaking down what actually led a group of colonists to dress up, break into ships, and dump thousands of pounds of tea into Boston Harbor. From corporate monopolies and bad political decisions to unhinged protests and unintended consequences, this episode proves once again that history is just gossip. Oh and we're sorry that we said we wanted to beef with our British Rammes, you k

This week, we’re joined by Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky , presidential historian and Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon , to talk all things George Washington Dr. Chervinsky breaks down a George Washington you’ve probably never met: a little petty, a little theater-kid coded, low-key hot, surprisingly funny, occasionally temperamental, and undeniably courageous. We get into the myths, the mess, the leadership, and why George’s particular brand of integrity (and humor!) is something we desperately wish we saw more of today. Created and produced by

In this week’s episode, we dive into the life of Hollywood’s original “I’ll do it my way” girl: Katharine Hepburn. From growing up in a fiercely progressive household (her mom was literally fighting for birth control while her dad was lecturing on public health) to reinventing herself as the pants wearing, ice-bath-taking, golf obsessed wellness influencer of 1930, Hepburn was never going to fit the studio mold. We unpack her rise from east coast tomboy to four time Oscar winner, the rumors, the reinventions, the romances (real and speculated), and the unapologetic independence that made her

Rammies, we are battling a hangover but the pop culture wheel never stops turning. From celeb couples insisting they’ve never had an argument (sure, Jan), to Momtok’s Whitney stepping into the role of Roxy in Chicago, to the confirmed political leanings of Craig from Southern Charm (le heavy sigh)… we cover it all. Join us in the haze. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo For more RAM, go ⁠here.⁠ Join our premium channel for 3 bonus eps a month ⁠here⁠ and save 15% when you buy annually! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we dive into the Clarence Thomas hearings and the woman who changed the conversation forever: Anita Hill. Anita Hill made history in 1991 when she testified about the sexual harassment she had experienced while she was an aide to Clarence Thomas, a Supreme Court nominee who had been her supervisor at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. We unpack her testimony, the senators who voted to confirm, and the legacy of a moment that still echoes today. TW: This episode contains discussions of sexual harassment Created and produced by: Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo For

This week, we’re back recapping MomTok Season 3 because it’s genuinely all we can think about. We get into everything: Miranda holding strong as our liberal queen (can we get her on RAM?!), which husbands we detest the least, and of course…the big Jessi affair. Then we wrap things up with our final BravoCon thoughts. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo For more RAM, go ⁠here.⁠ Join our premium channel for 3 bonus eps a month ⁠here⁠ and save 15% when you buy annually! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we’re diving into the story of Rosalind Franklin, the brilliant chemist whose work literally shaped our understanding of life itself… and who history almost forgot. Before “girlboss” was even a word, Rosalind was out here breaking barriers at Cambridge, fighting for lab space, and producing the famous “Photo 51” that helped unlock the double helix, only to have her male colleagues take the glory. We talk about what it meant to be a woman in science in the 1950s, how her confidence and precision were often mistaken for “difficult,” and why her legacy feels so hauntingly familiar in

In this week's episode of Pop Culture we talk about.....well, how Hollywood is deeply scaring us. From the ostentatious Baby2Baby Gala, to Kris Jenner's 70th birthday party hosted at Jeff Bezos' mansion, everything is feeling MAGA and weird. We also talk about how much we adore Jennifer Lawrence, Leo's 51st birthday party and dive into what is really happening with Kylie Cook and Amanda Batula. We wish we were at BravoCon so badly it is painful. Created and hosted by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald For more RAM, go here To join our premium subscription we mention for $7.99/month, go here

In the mid-2000s, Jude Law and Sienna Miller were the it-couple —hot, British, and impossibly cool. But when the tabloids uncovered Jude’s affair with the nanny, it became one of the most defining scandals of the decade. In this episode, we revisit the chaos, the heartbreak, and the cultural obsession that turned a private betrayal into front-page news. Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo For more RAM, go ⁠here.⁠ Join our premium channel for 3 bonus eps a month ⁠here⁠ and save 15% when you buy annually! Sources: HelloTefi TikTok, The Guardian , Buzzfeed, The Guardian

Grab your Lip Smackers and your flat iron, because this week on RAM Pop Culture, we’re cracking open our Teen Vogue archives and heading straight back to 2007. It’s a full on glossy magazine sleepover as we rediscover the quizzes, cover girls, and chaos that defined an era. We take you through the “What Kind of Best Friend Are You?” quiz (are you a Selena, Blake, Zendaya, or Lindsay?), and of course play “Would You Rather: Teen Edition” We talk about the power of teen magazines in shaping our identities, political stances, and the performative perfection of the “It Girl,” and how every friend

In this episode we honor the iconic, Diane Keaton. From her power suits, To Godfather legacy, to dating some of Hollywood's most eligible Bachelors and every single person falling in love with her on set, to becoming a single mom in her 50s, this woman is such an inspiration and Hollywood will forever miss her kookiness, style, wit, and heart. We love you, Diane! Created and produced by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald For more RAM, go here! To join our PREMIUM channel for $7.99/month, go here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode of RAM Pop Culture Edition, we're diving into VOGUE Honey. Vogue World: the looks, the celebrities, the RAM coded throw backs (Hello Marie Antionette!) and of course discussing the controversial article that has swept the world, author Chante Jones "Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?" which has really shook single and partnered women and started a discussion: Why do boyfriends feel Republican? Then we talk about the industry's struggles in LA, Halie and Justin of course, and some celebrity couple updates! Tangents include: The Jonas Brothers, The Male Loneliness