ann foster, rebel of the regent, author, portfolioyvr, helen siwak, vancouver, bc, yvr

Ann Foster & Vulgar History: From Podcaster to Published Author — A Historian’s Entrepreneurial Journey

Ann Foster is an author, podcaster, and librarian living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Her research interest lies in the intersection of women, history, and pop culture, especially the lives and stories of figures both well-known and half-forgotten.

Ann has appeared as a historical expert on BBC radio, and her writing has been published on JStor, Longreads, Shondaland, in Bitch Magazine, and elsewhere. Ann has hosted the Vulgar History podcast since 2019, building a dedicated global audience through her engaging storytelling approach.

Her debut nonfiction book, Rebel of the Regency, was published in February 2026 by Hanover Square Press and was recently launched in Vancouver, BC. The book has received significant attention and acclaim, establishing Ann as a respected voice in women’s history.

Ann’s unique approach combines rigorous historical research with accessible, engaging storytelling that resonates with modern audiences. Her work highlights overlooked figures from history and brings their stories to new generations of readers and listeners around the world.

ann foster, rebel of the regent, author, portfolioyvr, helen siwak, vancouver, bc, yvr

THE BUSINESS.

Ann Foster is an author, freelance writer, historian, and podcaster.

Her Vulgar History podcast began with a Yeti microphone and a dream, and she created episodes entirely on her own for the first two years of production.

Since then, her team has expanded considerably and the show was acquired by the Realm network.

Vulgar History has been downloaded over four million times and has attracted listeners from around the world who appreciate Ann’s distinctive approach to historical storytelling and her engaging presentation style.

The remarkable success of Vulgar History has led to Ann’s first book deal for the nonfiction book Rebel of the Regency, published by Hanover Square Press in February 2026.

This book has been released in British Columbia, is a local bestseller in her hometown of Saskatoon, and was a top new release on Amazon.

Ann continues to grow her platform by connecting with audiences through multiple channels, combining her podcast work with writing projects and public appearances that expand her reach as a historian.

ann foster, rebel of the regent, author, portfolioyvr, helen siwak, vancouver, bc, yvr

IN HER WORDS.

“I have always been a writer and performer, going back to my early childhood. It was never a question for me that I would be a storyteller in some format; it just took a while to manifest in a way that I could turn into a profession. I spent a long time working in theatre, as a writer, director, and performer, which is inherently an independent career.

There are not many ways to pursue a theatrical career without being entrepreneurial. So my entrepreneurial spirit was evident from high school onwards, when I realized I was as capable as anyone else of putting on and promoting shows. I have always carried that spirit with me, so when I transitioned into first radio broadcasting and then podcasting, I knew I had the ability to make this work.

When reflecting on what inspired my first big idea and how I brought it to life, I recall being in Grade 4 and deciding I wanted to be in a play.

My school was not offering that opportunity, so I wrote a show, brought it to my teacher, and she agreed that my class could put on the show for younger grades.

From that formative Grade 4 experience onwards, I had faith that I could make things happen on my own without waiting for others to present me with opportunities. I think this first experience producing content also showed me the value of active collaboration with people who match my energy.

While podcasting and writing are often solitary tasks, I have worked hard to build a community, both of other freelancers who work with me as well as of listeners who help promote the show and my book through word of mouth.

Teamwork is crucial, and I have learned not to be shy in asking for help. When it comes to memorable early business experiences, before I found my niche as a history writer and podcaster, I ran a successful personal finance blog. This was during the era when Blogspot was big and lots of bloggers were getting book deals, which was my goal at the time.

As my blog became more popular, I was approached by advertisers interested in collaborating with me, and I enthusiastically agreed to everyone who approached me. I started making a modest amount of money from these sponsored posts.”

“However, those early sponsored posts began to alienate my readership who were drawn to me for my voice. I also did not have a business plan at this time, and I cannot remember what I spent that first bit of income on.

Since then, I have worked to remain more authentic in my brand deals, and also to be more careful and mindful with the money I earn from my work.

ann foster, rebel of the regent, author, portfolioyvr, helen siwak, vancouver, bc, yvr

Regarding how my entrepreneurial journey has evolved, my path to success as a writer and podcaster is only visible looking back, because it was not a straight route. I can see how my childhood in theatre school led to my work in community radio, which led to my comfort at a podcasting microphone.

My love of storytelling led me to enrol in a History BA program, which led to me writing history blogs and articles.

It took until I was in my mid-30s that these two tracks began to coalesce, and that is entirely due to the writers and other creatives I had in my life offering mentorship and advice as I went along through each transition.

When asked about the role mentorship has played in my success, people sometimes come to me for advice on starting a podcast or writing a book, and I see myself in them because I was also starving for how-to lessons from my role models. I have made up my career as I went along, so it is not a path that would work for anyone in any circumstance.

For instance, my podcast started a few months before the pandemic, which was crucial to its initial success as so many people were suddenly turning to podcasts for comfort and distraction. The strategies I used in 2019 and 2020 would not work in 2026 or 2027 because it is such a crowded landscape now.

So my main advice would be to find people doing what you would like to do, observe how they operate, and find aspects you can replicate for yourself without directly copying them.

Staying true to yourself is such a cliche, but it is the secret to success in most aspects of life, including business. This authenticity has been central to everything I have built.”

“The heart of my business today is my passion to connect with people. I love researching and working on books and podcast episodes, but the real joy comes when I am able to share my work with others.

ann foster, rebel of the regent, author, portfolioyvr, helen siwak, vancouver, bc, yvr

My business model is similar in some ways to an influencer: it all comes back to what feels most authentic to me, because that is where I can shine and stand out from others doing similar work.

I also prioritize creative partnerships and finding ways to elevate and promote others working in a similar space. A high tide rises us all, and for female historians in the podcasting space, this support is crucial to help us all thrive.

When I began writing history articles, and then the podcast, I was working very much from the content that was most accessible to me as an English-speaking person in Canada. This meant relying on figures others had already written about, which in women’s history means largely Western European Christian royalty. I had not realized this limitation with my work until it was pointed out to me by podcast listeners.

Listeners from other backgrounds suggested I look into figures from other parts of the world. Telling stories so far outside of my knowledge base has been a new, rewarding challenge and also a responsibility to present the stories in a respectful manner.

Looking ahead, my plan is to continue growing my brand identity as a historian and content creator to build on the momentum of my book publication.

I have been moved by the personal stories my readers and listeners have shared with me about how my approach to history has inspired them.

In 2026, I am seeking to continue building upon in-person appearances, keynotes, and live events to further engage with my existing fans and connect with new audiences.”

ANN FOSTER, VULGAR HISTORY PODCAST

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Collaborator: This story is created in collaboration between Helen Siwak and the featured subject. As the founder and publisher of Portfolio.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, Helen works closely with entrepreneurs to share their paths of innovation, resilience, and growth. Each story in this series is co-developed through interviews and first-person insights, blending authentic voices with Helen’s editorial expertise to highlight the remarkable individuals shaping British Columbia’s business landscape.