Right Answers Mostly

Claire Donald & Tess Bellomo

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!

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20 episodes
Updated Today
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Episodes20

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Today · 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 began experiencing around eighth grade, her first crush, and the moments that marked the beginning of her transformation into Marilyn Monroe. Created and produced by Tess Bellomo and Claire Donald For more on RAM, go here If you're interested in joining our subscription for THREE bonus episodes a month, please support the show and sign up here! Thank you for dressing us, Nuuly! Use code RAM for $28 off your first order! TW: This episode contains multiple mentions of SA Sources: Marilyn Monroe, The Biography by Donald Soto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 3 · 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
July 27 · 38 min
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 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! Try ⁠Nuuly ⁠and get $28 off your first month with code RAM Sources: Jackie Robinson documentary , Wikipedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 20 · 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 stardom wouldn't exist without Madonna. Created and produced by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald For our socials, merch and more about us, check out our website! TRY NUULY HERE! Code RAM for $28 dollars your first month! To join our premium channel with THREE bonus episodes a month, go here! It is just $7.99 and you get to support our show, get access to close friends and be the first to purchase highly requested merch! Link to Truth or Dare documentary Listen to Tess's best of Madonna playlist here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 13 · 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 SURPRISE: Enjoy two 90s quizzes to take at home! Created and produced by Claire Donald & Tess Bellomo Follow us here for more information about Right Answers Mostly including social media, merch, and announcements. Join our premium channel HERE where you get three bonus episodes a month (celeb gossip and personal catch up plus ONE more history lesson). You'll get added to our close friends on instagram and also get first access to merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 6 · 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 didn't learn about until after Sally's death. We explore why she chose privacy, what it meant to be a gay woman navigating fame in the 1980s and '90s, and how her legacy extends far beyond her historic spaceflight. From NASA missions and media scrutiny to quiet courage and lasting impact, this is the story of an American icon whose influence is still reaching for the stars. Created and produced by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald Merch, shop our outfits and check out our socials here Want three bonus eps a month for just $7.99?? We talk personal lives, pop culture and more! ⁠TRY NUULY HERE! ⁠ Code RAM for $28 dollars your first month! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 29 · 31 min
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 of one of the most influential cultural figures of our time. Sources: The House of Hidden Meanings, NPR, Vanity Fair, Vulture, A&E Biography, Wikipedia 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 22 · 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, encouraging LGBTQ+ people everywhere to step into the light and be seen. In this episode, we explore Milk's rise to political office, his role in defeating California's anti-gay Briggs Initiative, his famous call for people to come out, and the tragic assassinations of both Milk and Mayor George Moscone. We also unpack the "Twinkie Defense," the White Night Riots, and why Harvey Milk's message that "hope will never be silent"continues to resonate today. Thank you to our guest, Chris DeRosa, for joining us! Check him out here and make sure to listen to our episode of Fixing Famous People Created and produced by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald If you want to follow us on socials, buy merch, and shop our outfits, go here If you're interested in our Premium Channel where you get THREE bonus episodes a month for $7.99, or you can save 13% if you buy annually, please support our show! Sources include: History.com, Wikipedia, Milk (The Movie) The Times Of Harvey Milk Documentary (1984) If you are an LGBTQIA+ listener and are struggling, please know that you are not alone and support is available. The Trevor Project provides free, confidential crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people 24/7: Call: 1-866-488-7386 Text: START to 678-678 Chat online: thetrevorproject.org/get-help 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available for anyone experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis: Call or Text: 988 LGBT National Help Center offers confidential peer support and local resources: National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564 Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-7743 Visit: lgbthotline.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 15 · 1 hr 17 min
How André Leon Talley Changed Fashion Forever
<p>We're kicking off fashion month with 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 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_director">creative director</a>. 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
June 8 · 1 hr 18 min
Frida Kahlo & The Art of Suffering
<p>On our 3rd week of Influential Women's 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
June 1 · 1 hr 4 min
Andy Cohen And The Real History of Bravo
<p>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
May 25 · 42 min
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 villain? Maybe all four. Grab a cigarette and your tweed blazer, because this one is messy. Created and produced by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald If you want the full episode, and to get THREE bonus episodes a month, go here. Follow us on socials, buy merch, and stay updated here! Sources: Chanel Unbuttoned BBC, Wikipedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 18 · 1 hr 7 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 became CHRISTIAN DIOR. 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! SOURCES: Vogue , Vogue on Christian Dior , The New Look, Wikipedia , Glam Observer , Time, The Independent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 11 · 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 Bellomo & Claire Donald For more RAM and to learn about us, go here! If you are interested in THREE bonus episodes a month (pop culture, our own personal lives, and the full history episode at the end of the month) go here! only $7.99/month or save 13% when you buy annually! Thanks to Bellesa for sponsoring today's episode!EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE WhisperVibe™ OR a FREE Rose toy with any Whisper™ order! https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/rightanswersmostly-podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 4 · 1 hr
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, across fashion and pop culture.Whether you watch for the fashion, the history, or the chaos…this is your ultimate guide to the Met Gala! 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! Sources: Vogue, The First Monday in May , Time, NYTimes, Wikipedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 27 · 37 min
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 & Claire Donald For more RAM, go here This is a premium full episode. If you want to hear the full version, sign up here for $7.99/month for THREE bonus episodes, one that is the full history every month. You won't regret it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 20 · 1 hr 24 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 Instagram and Listen to her podcast, Not Apsirational! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 13 · 1 hr 23 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 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! Sources: Buzzfeed , Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me, New York Magazine, Vanity Fair, Interview Magazine, People Magazine, You're Wrong About Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 6 · 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 contains many conversations around eating disorders. Created and produced by Tess Bellomo & Claire Donald For more RAM, go here! If you want to join our premium subscription where you get THREE bonus episodes a month, sign up here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 30 · 45 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% when you buy annually! Sources: New Yorker, https://glreview.org/article/article-959/, PBS , CIA.gov, Vogue, Ebony, Biography.com, Harpers Bazaar , Wikipedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices