The Woman Who Had Sex With Ghosts
Summary
Hosts Anthony and Kate discuss Ida Craddock, a 19th-century sex educator who claimed to be married to a ghost. They explore her controversial writings on female pleasure and her bitter feud with censor Anthony Comstock, who prosecuted her under obscenity laws. The episode details her 1902 trial, the suppression of her work, and her tragic suicide, which ultimately sparked public outrage against Comstock’s censorship efforts.
Topics discussed
Intro: Home repair ads and historical walking tours
Welcome to After Dark: Kate and her new book Flick
Who is Ida? The forgotten sex educator of the 19th century
Ida's background: Quaker roots, science, and the occult
The Spirit Husband: Ida's marriage to Soph in the astral plane
Heavenly Bridegrooms: Religious context for spiritual sex
Enter Anthony Comstock: The crusader against vice
First clash: The Chicago World's Fair and belly dancing
The Trial: Ida's arrest, conviction, and suicide
Ida's final letter: Martyrdom and attacking Comstock
Legacy: How Ida weakened Comstock and paved the way for sex ed
Outro: VoiceMap app promotion
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