Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

Welcome to Advanced TV Herstory, the podcast that connects the dots of TV & feminism and American politics & culture. We tell the stories of women in TV who have had a profound impact on the confidence and aspirations of generations of girls and women.

We highlight the pioneering journalists, talented actresses, and gutsy writers who challenged societal norms and provide historical context for their achievements within the cultural and political trends of the time. By exploring the past, we ensure that the struggles, triumphs, and milestones of these women are not lost to history.

Hosted and produced by television scholar Cynthia Bemis Abrams, Advanced TV Herstory is more than just a podcast. It is a research-based examination of the evolution of television and women in our society. Each episode is an opportunity to inspire listeners to believe in themselves, challenge norms, break barriers, and shape the future of television and our world.

Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at www.tvherstory.com/.

  1. All Episodes
  2. 2026

Minnesota’s TV Legacy: Women, News & Cultural Power

Feb 6, 2026

Lifelong Minnesotan and veteran podcaster Cynthia Bemis Abrams reflects on Minnesota’s outsized influence on American television, journalism, and culture in this timely solo episode of Advanced TV Herstory.

Prompted by recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis beginning in December 2025, Cynthia...

Read More

Cable TV Profiles Regina Jones, Iconic "Soul" Founder

Jan 20, 2026

TV herstorian Cynthia Bemis Abrams spotlights Regina Jones, a pioneering media entrepreneur who made history as the first Black woman to publish nationally with a focus on soul music. In this episode, Cynthia is joined by Alissa Shapiro, executive producer of Who in the Hell is Regina Jones?, a documentary that explores...

Read More

The Donna Reed Show: Feminism, Legacy & Innovation

Jan 2, 2026

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams welcomes Mary Owen, daughter of Golden Age film and TV icon Donna Reed, to explore how The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966) pushed boundaries, challenged norms, and influenced portrayals of motherhood and feminism in sitcoms. Reed’s character, Donna Stone, was the first TV mom to lead a show...

Read More