Fear, Stories, and the Power of Perspective

Legacy Lore isn’t my only podcast. A few years ago, in the thick of lockdowns and social distancing, I launched another show, Auntie Jo Jo’s Library. Like many of us, I needed something creative to keep going during COVID. I wanted to stay connected with my nieces and nephews, and the idea of recording myself reading stories turned into something bigger than I ever imagined.

Now, Auntie Jo Jo’s Library is listened to by families all over, not just my own. I share a mix of children’s stories and short history lessons in a way that is fun, engaging, and easy to follow for both kids and adults. I try to make history feel alive - not dry, not stuffy, and definitely not boring. That same goal carries into Legacy Lore too.

Because here’s the thing: history isn’t boring. It’s layered. It repeats itself. And when you really look at the past, through the lens of those who lived it ,you begin to understand how society shaped their experience, and how fear played a powerful role in their lives. That’s what this season explores.

Let’s think about 2020 for a second. Remember the fear? The uncertainty? The masks, the mandates, the way the world shut down? We were told when to go out, how to interact, what to fear. Fear was a tool. It shaped decisions, responses, and relationships.

Now imagine living in 17th-century Colonial Virginia. Eleanor Neale, the woman at the center of this season’s story, didn’t have science to explain crop failures or medical knowledge to understand disease. She lived in a world ruled by superstition, strict gender roles, and a church that defined right and wrong. And like 2020, fear shaped everything. But in Eleanor’s case, it wasn’t fear of a virus — it was fear of a woman who wouldn’t stay silent.

When women dared to speak up, to act independently, to understand the world around them , they were seen as dangerous. Eleanor was accused of witchcraft not because she practiced magic, but because she refused to be silenced. And much like we saw fear used to control people in modern times, it was used back then to control women like Eleanor.

What I love about podcasting is that it gives me space to tell these stories. One podcast lets me connect with kids and families, encouraging curiosity and joy. The other lets me explore the complexity of history, giving voice those who’ve been forgotten or misunderstood.

And if you’ve made it this far in the blog post, I hope you’ll check out both shows. Especially Legacy Lore, because the story of Eleanor Neale is one we all need to hear — not just to understand the past, but to see how far we’ve come…and how far we still have to go.

P.S. There are still spots on the Early Access List — but only for a limited time. Sign up and be the first to hear the story unfold. Early Access is currently Free and will give you the first two episodes early and ad-free as well as plenty of bonus content that will not be released to anyone else!

Episodes One and Two drop October 14 2025.

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