Welcome to the Hidden Gin, a production of I Heart Radio and Grim and Mild from Aaron

Minky.

A brief morning before we get into this episode. This episode includes language

and refers to sexuality and sexual practices that may be triggering or too mature for young audiences.

I'll be honest, I often get a bit uneasy with stories about female gin and other kinds

of malevolent female entities because there's no escaping the reality that historically,

women have often worn the blame for things that go wrong in a family or a community. If

a couple can't have children, it's because the wife is barren. If a husband goes astray,

it's because the wife couldn't keep them happy. Even if a region is experiencing drought,

somehow women managed to get blamed. And if you don't believe me, just a few years ago,

a Texas Assemblywoman tweeted, the Texas was in a long period of drought until the governor

signed an anti-abortion law. Yes, that was only one person, but she was just reflecting

the kinds of sentiments that have existed for centuries. And that's why when I read about

the kinds of terrible things that female monsters are said to do, I can't help but wonder

maybe these stories just to mirror deeply misogynistic attitudes about women in general.

But then there's also this possibility that maybe stories of powerful supernatural female entities

are actually projections of the power and ability women wish they had. The power to control

their lives and bodies, the power to exact revenge on those who hurt them, the power to strike terror,

into societies that really help no fear of them or respect for them.

Maybe these stories are a warning of what could be unleashed if and when there's finally a reckoning.

My name is Robbie H. Othry and I'll be your guide into the world of the hidden gin. Welcome.

You could say that vampires have come a long way.

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