I talk with historian and author Dr. Rebecca Simon about the fascinating world of pirate leadership! We explore some of the surprising leadership practices of pirate captains, like democratic decision-making and written codes of conduct, while also delving into the darker side of their leadership tactics.

Dr. Simon is a Professor of History at Santa Monica College and a Faculty Lecturer at California State University. She’s written three books, including “The Pirates’ Code: Laws and Life Aboard Ship,” “Pirate Queens: The Lives of Anne Bonny & Mary Read,” and “Why We Love Pirates: The Hunt for Captain Kidd and How He Changed Piracy Forever.”