Sip and Saga Society

After a year of our series on American History, we have reached the beginning of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. In this episode we talk about influence of John Locke's ideas on the Declaration of Independence, finish the story of Lexington and Concord, and the British response to needing more manpower. Along the way we discuss the draft, discuss cults, and define what the Minute Men were. 

Sources: 

Black AF History: The Unwhitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot

The People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn

Out of Our Past by...

it is OFFICIALLY SPOOKY SEASON!

We chose Cults to go with our book club book Aum Shinrikyo

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

This episode has everything: Fester Look A Like, Levitation, bad judgment, and Flavor Aid.

Sources: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35975069

https://www.buzzfeed.com...

In our fifth and last part (for now) on our Deep Dive on Haiti, we cover history from the 1980's to current day. Randi starts with a recap of the history of Haiti and the changes that came after 9/11. 

Karina and Randi keep it chill with water, Christina has a coke (confusing), and Greg drinks a Beer Boulevard Brewing's Six Glass Quadruple Ale. Some tangents for this episode include: beer percentage expectations, Rikki Tikki Tavi, the Matrix, and Boats. 

Books Used for this Episode:

The Uses of Haiti by Paul Farmer 

The...

In our first episode on the year 1775, Randi tells us the story of the Kumayaay Revolt and the destruction of Mission San Diego. Greg wins the award for coolest drink with a Hazy IPA from Martin House Brewing with the name Chaos Island. We talk Swig, board games, and the impact of the devil in 1775. 

Sources: 

Let us know what you're sippin' :

This month our lil sips theme is ANIMALS! The book of the month is Women Who Run With Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés Ph. D. 

Christina covers wombat facts (Stout, sturdy, powerful). Greg covers Andrew Jackson's bird Pole. Karina brings an array of fun facts including some about fish. Randi covers WHEN ANIMALS ATTACK. Along the way we also talk about naps, our phenomenal drinks, and Randi's cat. 

Sources: 

In the second part of our lil sips for the months, we cover women who snapped...AGAIN! In this one, Christina and Karina share their fun stories for the month and we give a little recap of the story of Carrie Nation and the Gulabi Gang. We discuss our book club book: Wuthering Heights as well. 

Christina's story comes from Reddit user: RemoteControl-Cat and the story of Mary snapping in the workplace. 

Karina finally tells the story of Leonarda Cianciulli using the book The Deadly Soap Maker of Correggio By Genoveva Ortiz.

Trigger Wa...

In the second episode on 1775, Karina gives us a short introduction to the conditions right before the beginning of the Revolutionary War. We do a little recap of the 7 Years War and the Boston Tea Party. We also discuss the importance of looking back at history. 

Karina's sources for this episode:

Out of our Past by Carl N Degler

Black AF History by 

https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculator

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zyh9ycw/revision/2

https://historyofmassachusetts.org/british-react-boston-tea-party/

In the fourth installment on The History of Haiti, we focus on two leaders in Haiti: Baby Doc and Father Aristide. Randi makes sure to include American involvement, sneakers, and pattern recognition. Part Five, where we continue our story of Father Aristide will be out in September. 

Randi's main source for this series is the book, The Uses of Haiti by Paul Farmer. 

Let us know what you're sippin' :

Thank you to those who support the Society including :

Trey Boles for ou...

It's our first full week of August and we have OUR MONTHLY LIL SIPS! This month the theme is Women who Snapped. We paired this with our Book Club Book of the month, Wuthering Heights. This month our episodes were way too detailed and we will actually be putting out the second part to our lil sips towards the end of the month. 

In Part One of Women Who Snapped: 

Greg educates us on Carrie Nation, the woman with a hatchet and an even bigger vocabulary.  

Randi breaks down the situation of women in...

This week we are releasing our first part of the year 1775. Randi covers the story of Jeanne Baret, the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. Randi also makes sure to cover the drama of Jeanne’s love life. Christina comes back from maternity leave with a guest. Greg sips on a Dreaming in Tangerine IPA, and Karina suffers with pronouncing names.

Sources: 

https://guides.loc.gov/feminism-french-women-history/famous/famous/jeanne-baret

https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/maritime-history/jeanne-baret-first-woman-sail-around-world

https://www.npr.org/2010/12/26/132265308/a-female-explorer-discovered-on-the-high-seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Ie...

We are back with another Deep Dive  of Haitian History. Randi gives us a recap of the first two episodes and we dive into the beginning of the Duvalier Family, specifically François “Papa Doc” Rule. Greg keeps it classic with a Voodoo Ranger, Christina and Randi bring along Doctor Pepper, and Karina sips on a moscato. 

Sources: 

The Uses of Haiti by Paul Farmer

Let us know what you're sippin' :

Thank you to those who support the Society including :

Tre...

It is FINALLY time for the release of our full Medical History Lil Sips. 

We announce our book club book of the month: The Icepick Surgeon by Sam Kean. Everyone brings something special to drink with Karina sipping on a Four Loko (0/10), Randi had a Red, White, and Blue Smirnoff (a classic), and Greg delivers on the theme with his Patient Zero Barrel Aged Sour by Martin House Brewing Company. The trio discuss crickets, mummies, and the history of smallpox vaccinations.  Karina surprises even herself with the history of medical cadavers and clarifies the definition between body sn...

It is time for PART TWO of Randi’s Deep Dive on Haitian History. Part Two begins right at the end of the Haitian Revolution. We discuss the Haitian Civil War, Thomas Jefferson, King Charles the 10th and the beginnings of American Involvement.  The third part of our coverage on Haitian History will be out next month! Thank you for listening!

Sources: 

The Uses of Haiti by Paul Farmer

Let us know what you're sippin' :

Thank you to those who s...

It is time for another Deep Dive and this month it’s Randi’s turn. This deep dive will cover the History of Haiti from being a French colony until the modern day. Part One discusses the story of Haiti from Columbus to Colonization and ultimately  Revolution. Randi and Karina keep it consistent with Dr. Pepper and watered down lemonade. Greg brings a local Scarlet Letter Seltzer and shares a teaser about his book.

 Part Two on our story of Haiti will be out next week! 

Episodes Mentioned: 

Episode 20: The Horrors of Exploration

So...

It is SUMMER TIME and for the month of June we decided to pick the theme of music. We chose music to go with our Book Club Book for the Month : The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. 

Karina brings some facts about Mozart and Gold records while sipping on #snoopdog 19 Crimes Cali Gold White wine. 

Randi covers the wonders of the natural world by discussing the music of bugs (and brings along an interesting beverage choice).

Greg discusses some colonial drama around singing in church and brings along a truly st...

This is it! The Final Showdown between Anthony Comstock and Ida Craddock in his hometown: New York City.  Karina and Randi keep it pretty basic this week with water. Greg brings along a Cloud Drop Double IPA. 

This episode finishes the story of Ida Craddock while also covering various topics such as : ghost marriage, public domain media, women in asylums,  Elizabeth Packard (Episodes 14-17) and the Berbice Rebellion ( Episode 29).

Books Mentioned: 

Finally! The Second installment of Ida Craddock! 

In this episode we talk about all the details of Ida's love life as well as her literary work. We let Ida speak for herself by quoting directly from her memoirs and Karina shares some of Ida's most controversial opinions. Along the we way we discuss things like "What does foreplay with a ghost look like?" "Are the middle ages real?" , and chocolate. 

Books Mentioned: 

In this first installment of our story of Ida Craddock, we cover Ida's Childhood, Education, and her nemesis: Anthony Comstock. Along the way we discuss books and learn how to pronounce the word lascivious. Karina decided to tell this story full of Menage a tois, Sweet Red Blend.  Randi comes back with another Black Cherry Hard Cider (and a Mr. Pibb ). Greg decided to pull all the stops this episode with an icee, a snake themed beer, and whiskey. 

These are the humble beginnings of Ida Craddock: the Woman We All Wish We Knew About Sooner.

...

The year: 1767

This episode is full of drama and scandal amongst the colonies when someone finally reads a contract. Randi covers the context including beavers as well as  the audacity of William Penn.  Why did  Jeremiah Dixon and Charles Mason have to come physically mark the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland ? Find out in this episode! 

Sources: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrmFnuoG4N0
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iaopt5b_6ko

https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/feature-articles/our-most-famous-border-mason-dixon-line

https://www.mdhistory.org/when-m...

The year for the week 1767! 

Greg gives us fun facts about events that happened throughout the year while Karina covers the history and legacy of El Colegio de San Ignacio Vizaines in Mexico City, Mexico. We sip on some fruity beverages during this episode including a Steigl Radler along the way while embracing the history, culture, and art of one of the oldest functioning schools in Mexico. 

Part 2 for 1767 will come out on Sunday! Randi gives us the story of the Mason Dixon Line Survey. 

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Youtube

S...

We start the month of May with out monthly Lil Sips! The theme of the month: Sex History.

 We chose this theme to fit the book club book of the month: Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy by Jessica Fern. 

This audio episode contains both Part One and Part Two as one complete episode. 

PART ONE of our Sex History Series has some fun facts about female and male sexual anatomy as well as some stories of cultures and traditions around the world. Words are Hard, but we make it through with some tru...

This is part two of our coverage on events of the year 1763. Randi sips on water, while Greg gets a refill of his Master Blaster beer. Karina covers the pre- American Revolution era and main events (The Seven Years' War, Stamp Act, and Common Sense by Thomas Paine).The trio discuss the importance of context to any story, what a full scale war could be, and once again George Washington. 

Books Mentioned: 

Sources: 

This week we cover the year: 1763!

Randi tells the first story of the week and covers the Berbice Rebellion. The Emotional Support beverages of the week are Dr Pepper (Randi), a cocktail in a can (Greg), and Water (Karina).

Randi  educates us once again on how maps work, specifically the location of Guyana. The trio offend every state and country mentioned in today's episode and wonder about the abundance of plastics. 

Books Mentioned: 

Sources: 

Episode 28 is out now! We focus on the New York Colony in 1779. Karina introduces us to the Cowboys of the Rampanos while sipping on a Steigl Radler. Randi stays consistent with a Doctor Pepper while telling us  the horrors of the Sullivan Expedition. Greg finishes his pack of Voodoo Rangers while helping us understand the climate in which all this was happening. 

Books Mentioned: 

This episode is something else. We deep dive into the year 1741 with some fun wine and our safety beverages (Dr. Pepper) along the way. Randi covers the first half with story  of THE DISCOVERY OF ALASKA by the Russians. Karina tells us a tale of the Cannibal Cruise : the SeaFlower then leads into the realities of colonization for the poor white man. Pocket meat is discussed at length. 

Sources: 

 This is the audio version of our Lil Sips Episode on Space! It is the same as our video episode on youtube, but contains more banter and less pictures. 

 Karina discusses the history of animals as test subjects during the Space Race and beyond. Randi inspires us with the story of the Mercury 13, women who paved the way for women to go to space. Christina shares some weird things found in Space while Greg gives us the details on the Fermi Paradox. 

 Sources:

 https://www.nasa.gov/history/a-brief-history-of-animals-in-space/ https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/dog...

Our first, but definetly not last, PIRATE SPECIAL!! We have a little bit of everything this episode, including a new friend! We discuss whether our drinks would protect us from scurvy (Maybe), cults, the most successful pirate (Zheng Yi Sao) and the orginal source for all things pirates.  

Notes: Karina mentions Ghost of Christmas Present, but the creepy ghost is the Ghost of Christmas Past. 

Books Mentioned: 

A General History of The Pyrates by Daniel Defoe

Other Sources:   

https://www.worldhistory.org/Zheng_Yi_Sao/

https://thechinaproject.com/2...

This episode covers two huge rebellions in American HIstory: Bacon's Rebellion of 1676 and the Stono Rebellion of 1739. These two rebellions were instrumental in spurring the changes that created division between white people and people of color.  Randi comes in with some levity with some fun facts about Nadir Shah and his many elephants. 

Thank you for our new subscribers  for supporting our show and our historical endevors! 

Books Used in this Episode: 

Let us know what you're sippin...

In this episode we cover history from the year 1680! Karina chose to cross the Atlantic this week with the story of La Voisin from France. Randi covers the Pueblo Revolt focusing on the colonization efforts of the Spanish and the Pueblo People who fought against them. Randi brings the story full circle and discusses how this story is resonating  to this day.  We sip, we laugh, and we contemplate the wild histories of the world around us. 

Sources: 

https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/la-voisin-frances-murderous-fortune-teller

Kindle book: Catherine Montvoisin: A Royal Scandal

Le...

The theme for our March Lil Sips episode is Boats! Inspired by our Book Club Book (The World in a Grain by Vince Beiser), we picked something that went well with sand. We talk old boats, small boats, Laos boat culture, and frozen boats.

Video episode available on Youtube. 

 Books discussed in Episode: Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition by Owen Beattie and John Geiger 

Sources: 
https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/mystery/unsolved-maritime-mysteries

https://today.usc.edu/was-henry-hudson-murdered-by-his-crew/

https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2019/02/40-years-later-mystery-still-surrounds-the-sarah-joe-and-its-five-hana-fishermen-who-didnt-return/

The theme for our March Lil Sips episode is Boats!

 Inspired by our Book Club Book (The World in a Grain by Vince Beiser), we picked something that went well with sand. We talk old boats, small boats, Laos boat culture, and frozen boats. Video Episode available on Youtube. 

Books discussed in Episode: Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition by Owen Beattie and John Geiger

Other Sources:

https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/mystery/unsolved-maritime-mysteries

https://today.usc.edu/was-henry-hudson-murdered-by-his-crew/

https://www.mauinews.com/news/lo...

For 1639 we covered big events in British North America: the first execution of a native person, the first post office, and the first bible printed in the colonies. We sip, laugh, cry, and just try to hold on to the ride that is American history.  

Sources:  

https://postalmuseum.si.edu/richard-fairbanks%E2%80%99-tavern-and-post-office

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/brief-history-united-states-postal-service-180975627/  

https://facts.usps.com/

Works Cited

Ammerman, D., & Howard, R. (2022). Great Puritan Migration. Retrieved from EBSCO:

https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/great-puritan-migration

Br...

We are back on our American History train! This year we start out discussing The Royal African Company as well as the foundations of the Carolinas and Georgia. Randi and Christina stick with the classics, Karina sips on a Carolina Bulldog, and Greg drinks an Equillibrum Mc2 Double IPA and bourbon for the trauma. Sources: White Trash by Nancy Isenberg https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p269.html https://www.onthisday.com/events/date/1663 Black AF History by Michael Harriot Adam, K. (2023, September). A crown branded onto bodies links British monarchy to Slave Trade. Retrieved from The Washington Post: ...

This month for our Lil Sips episode we were inspired by the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics as well as our Book Club book for February: The Hunger Games. We cover stories from sports including hockey, skeleton, and baseball while also discussing other forms of recreation. Our video episode is available on youtube! If you’re interested in more Olympics history, please listen to our Episode 6: Olympics Mini History. Sources: https://www.firstnations.org/news/natives-and-sports/ https://www.laloyolan.com/sports/popular-sports-with-indigenous-american-roots/article_83025b20-93c2-5e07-bf6a-8453a969b4d6.html https://www.hockeyindigenous.com/origin-of-hockey-history#:~:text=Th...

Happy New Year! In the first episode of the year we sip on some delicious drinks while discussing womena and World War II. Karina sips on frose, Randi stays with water, and Greg sips on a Martin House Brewing Cherry Thunderstorm Chocolate Stout. Books Referenced in Episode: Blitzed by Norman Ohler Three Ordinary Girls by Tim Brady The Women with Silver Wings: The Inspiring True Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II By Katherine Sharp Landdeck other resources: https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0808hpm/the-teenage-dutch-girls-who-seduced-and-killed-nazis Let us know what you're sippin' : - Instagram.com...

In this fun and fact filled episode, Randi discusses Native Mysticism including Native Spirit Drumming  and Greg covers Witchcraft beliefs throughout the ages. This episode has everything: Non Alcoholic Wine, Cats, Orgy Etiquette, Beautiful imagery, and patriachy. 

Randi's Sources on Native Mysticism: 

Alpay, F. (2025, April 27). The Universe as Vibration: A New Symphony of Existence. Retrieved from Medium: https://lightcapai.medium.com/the-universe-as-vibration-a-new-symphony-of-existence-d10e3f0eead2

Authentic Drums. (2023, October 2). The Healing Power of Ancient Drumming in Native American Cultures. Retrieved from Authentic Drums: https://authenticdrums.com/the-healing-power-of-ancient-drumming-in-native-american-cultures/

Dell'Orto, G. (2024, July 23). Safeguarding the Hea...

Our newest episode comes just in time for spooky season! Randi brings us back to basics and reminds of the dangers of sex especially during American Colonial times. Karina covers what happened when John White returned to Roanoke, what he found, and what theories we have on what may have happened. We were so grateful to have a crew of new and old friends as we discussed the challenges of European colonization in this strange new world. 

Randi's Corner Sources:  

Acevedo Z. (1979). Abortion in early America. Women & health, 4(2), 159–167. https://doi.org/10.1300/J013v04n02_0...

In this fun and fact filled episode we introduce *drum roll* Randi's Corner where Randi covers some of the horrors of Christopher Columbus. Karina discusses initial colonization endevours by Elizabeth I including the Colony of Roanoke while sipping an ice cold protein soda. Evan sips on a Stress Relief and highlights the influence of Elizabeth in colonization and the harsh realities of colonial life . Christina sips a strawberry Nutrl and provides the emotional support to help us get through the traumas of history. This episode really highlights what history can show us when it comes to understanding each other and...

Our Sources for this Episode :  

White Trash by Nancy Isenberg: It is a dryer book, but with the most consecutive information and follows 400 years of American History. It primarily focuses on class disparity and relation throughout American history

Caste by Isabel : Discusses the American Caste system through research as well as stories of real people and every day experiences.  

Black AF History  by Michael Harriot: Tells the history of America in a funny, informative, woke, and enlightening way

Let us know what you're sippin' :

This week we cover some of the Myths that make America and how those come into play today. We have some big talks about what is going on in the world. We cover how most people see class, pilgrims, the truths of the colonies, and John Smith. We drink American beverages with Christina having Dr. Pepper, Evan having Bing energy drink, and Karina drinking a patriotic wine. Episode mentioned about the History of Smoking and a bunch of other terrible things: Things that Keep Me Up At Night Episode 7: How Do You Sell Death https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...