Lithium Jubilee

67. Err of the Madding Crowd

Episode 67 of Lithium Jubilee takes a look at the questionable decision-making skills of large crowds. Jon considers the consequences of banning a group’s only form of amusement in his discussion of the Lager Beer Riots. Erin ponders if the sky was, in fact, the limit due to the sheer number of riots caused by disappointing hot air balloon demonstrations. You know what they say: Big dresses, big emotions!

66. Consumption Junction (with special guest Kavita)

Today’s episode, Jon and Erin are lucky enough to be joined by tuberculosis expert, Kavita! She answers our most pressing questions: How does tuberculosis work? Is it the sexiest way to die? If so, how long are you DTF before you die? What treatments work? Will caves fix it? How about eating the heart of the family member who gave it to you? Take a couple of deep breaths, keep that sputum to yourself, and enjoy!

Minisode 17: A Li'l Dab'll Boo Ya!

Minisode 17: Happy Halloween Jubilants! We know Halloween isn’t as fun this this year, so we carved a mini for you to enjoy! Jon’s got a couple of ideas for how to spend a more intimate holiday evening, while Erin’s costumes ideas are going straight from your ears to your vision board. Make sure you’ve got a surplus of salt and dead leaves so you can truly celebrate Halloween the Lithium Jubilee way!

65. Deaf: The High Cost of Hearing

The last full week of September is celebrated by the World Federation of the Deaf as International Week of the Deaf. We, belatedly, offer the stories of two aggressively Victorian gentlemen who didn’t need to hear to fight. Erin sets the stage for a biopic about badass, bare-knuckle pugilist James "Deaf" Burke. Jon explains why John Flournoy’s blows, delivered via academic journals and letters to the editor, never seemed to land. There’s nothing a mouth can say that these hands (or fists) ca...

64. The September Issue

We made it to September! Lithium Jubilee celebrates this incredibly low bar by finding some fun September Victorian era events. (Spoiler Alert: The events are not fun.) Jon coaxes us to join him in the Mountain Meadows, all to lay hundreds of bodies at our feet. Erin introduces you to Emma Nutt and the cruel, sadistic practices related to her job as a...telephone operator? We’ve got surprises in store! Not good surprises, but surprises.

63. "Not-So-Current" Events II

As Jon and Erin hole up in their respective shelters, perusing their Encyclopedia Victoriana, they couldn’t shake the feeling of deja vu. Then they realized, it was the news! Erin tries to make sense of America’s secular government holidays. Really, WTF Virginia? Jon shares his pandemic preferences, up to and including the hottest bacteriologist of the Victorian era (possibly of all time). Hunker down and remember, if the Victorians got through it, you can too!

62. Election: Impossible

Every so often, a political candidate comes in and dazzles the electorate. Then...they lose. Today’s episode shines a light on two of history’s lesser known Also-Rans. Jon elects Belva Lockwood, one of the first female candidates for president of the United States. Erin writes in Feargus O’Connor, an Irish Chartist whose party only lasted one election cycle. Special guest Dr. Pete tries to explain how the parliament works.

61. Fighting, Feasting, F**cking & Foxtrotting

It’s St. Patrick’s day! Jon and Erin explore two of the least depressing facets of Victorian Ireland: Folklore and American celebrations! Erin breaks down some of the sillier myths documented in W.B. Yeats’ “Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry.” Jon fills us in on how some of the States paid tribute to the Emerald Isle. Don’t piss off any of the good people and remember, death is no escape from Lithium Jubilee!

Minisode 16: A Spinster for All Seasons

60. Old Maids & Other Miscellaneous Debris

Card Carrying Spinster Erin and “All the confirmed, none of the bachelor” Jon sift deeper into the shipwreck of singledom in their ongoing coverage of LEAP YEAR: hunting season. Erin relates to us some uncomfortably specific spinster lore, while Jon manages to find a couple of gents who let love guide them to shore. Jump in your diving suit, grab a couple pairs of gloves (mermaids have hands too), and come explore with us!

Minisode 15: Bosom Brawlers

Minisode 15: 2020’s first mini is a doozy! Jon shares with us some of his favorite articles from Lithium Jubilee’s tabloid of choice: the Illustrated Police News.

59. We Made a Podcast About Victorian Clickbait. What happened next...WOW

In case you haven’t noticed, we are back and aiming to WIN! Win what? NO IDEA! What we do know, just like what the Victorians knew, is sensation sells! We’re covering two of the most scandalous rags around. Jon takes an octopus-infested dive into the depths of the Illustrated Police News while Erin dips her toe into the vast swamp of Penny Dreadfuls. A warning to libraries and archivists everywhere: You’re about to get a stampede of Jubilants chasing down these popular publications!

58. Hagiography

Today’s episode is not entirely saint-based as the title suggests, but it celebrates two of the most devastating natural events the world has known: volcanic eruptions and unmarried women.

57. Arsenic Party with Eric and Jane

We’re back! Or are we? Today’s episode delves into the seen, the unseen and the could’ve been. Join us as we shrug off this dimension and then giggle and place the dimension right back where it was because it’s not that kind of show.

Minisode 14: The Return

Minisode 14: A minisode to get back in the groove.

A Missive from Jon

Well hey, what's all this then?

Alva's Antics (Edison Part I)

56. Edison vs. Tesla III

Alva's antics!

56. Alva's Antics

Inventor Inspiration ("Minisode" 13)

Did you think we forgot about you Jubilants??? Never! We’ve crawled out of our respective hovels with just enough energy to review some quotes from our inventors you most likely haven’t seen on an inspirational poster. Yet. We’re back babies!

Minisode 13: Inventor Inspiration

Minisode 13: Did you think we forgot about you Jubilants??? Never! We’ve crawled out of our respective hovels with just enough energy to review some quotes from our inventors you most likely haven’t seen on an inspirational poster. Yet. We’re back babies!

The Elephant in the Room (Minisode 12)

Minisode 12: The Elephant in the Room

Minisode 12: Let's talk about Topsy.

Edison vs. Tesla II (Nikola Tesla)

Our battle of the ages really kicks off as we do our first deep dive into the main contenders.  This week, the The Serbian Shocker, Nikola Tesla.  Jon guides us through the swamp of legend, to the man as he truly was: vehemently opposed to peaches. Was the death ray real? What's the true tea on him and Edison? What was the deal with him and those pigeons? Join us and find out!

55. Edison vs. Tesla II

Our battle of the ages really kicks off as we do our first deep dive into the main contenders. This week, the The Serbian Shocker, Nikola Tesla. Jon guides us through the swamp of legend, to the man as he truly was: vehemently opposed to peaches. Was the death ray real? What's the true tea on him and Edison? What was the deal with him and those pigeons? Join us and find out!

Minisode 11: Echoes of Yesterday

Minisode 11: Is this thing still on? Anyway we're back! Just a quick little minisode to assure you all that we aren't dead. Next week, Tesla!

Echoes of Yesterday (Minisode 11)

54. Edison vs. Tesla I

In a way, it's all been leading up to this. Edison. Tesla. Erin. Jon. Our fight* over the iconic feud** begins now. *Fun discussion **They actually had a great deal of respect for each other

Edison vs. Tesla I (The Preface)

In a way, it's all been leading up to this. Edison. Tesla. Erin. Jon. Our fight* over the iconic feud** begins now. *Fun discussion **They actually had a great deal of respect for each other

53. Feud III

Like the Halloween film franchise, the third entry in our Feud series features none of the characters from the first two. This week we discuss the jewel encrusted drama of Les Grandes Horizontales and a Confederate rivalry that may have cost the South the war.

Feud III (Jefferson Davis vs. Joseph Johnston / Liane de Pougy vs. Carolina “La Belle” Otero)

Like the Halloween film franchise, the third entry in our Feud series features none of the characters from the first two. This week we discuss the jewel encrusted drama of Les Grandes Horizontales and a Confederate rivalry that may have cost the South the war.

Feud II (Bernhardt vs. Duse, pt. 2 / A Hatfield & McCoy "Love Story")

Part two of our feud extravaganza has arrived! In which Sarah Bernhardt and Eleanora Duse really get into it and we take a look at the feminine side of the Hatfield & McCoy feud.

52. Feud II

Part two of our feud extravaganza has arrived! In which Sarah Bernhardt and Eleanora Duse really get into it and we take a look at the feminine side of the Hatfield & McCoy feud.

To All the Tom Tilers and Trats (Minisode 10)

Minisode 10: To All the Tom Tilers and Trats

Minisode 10: To keep you in suspense (and to conform to our inability to efficiently use time), we’ve dropped a minisode smack dab in the middle of our Feud! Lithium Jubilee wants you to walk the walk (no wag feathers here!) and talk the talk (if you haven’t been smothering the parrot all day) with a primer on Victorian slang! Don’t be a sweet lips and get ready to use that big old organ tucked under your fly rink!

Feud (Hatfields vs. McCoys / Sarah Bernhardt vs. Eleonora Duse, pt. 1)

51. Feud

Our latest episode is a return to form for a couple of reasons. A) We’re back to our “classic” format, and B) Ryan Murphy is dictating our lives. This time we’re drawing inspiration from Feud! We get into the iconic Southern rivalry between the Hatfields & McCoys and lay the groundwork for the acting rivalry between Sarah Bernhardt and Eleanora Duse!

50.5: The Golden Jubilee (Part Two)

Did you forget how cool Sarah Remond was? Erin did, though she might be the baddest of asses we’ve ever covered. Was Charlotte Cushman’s commune the REAL Utopia of 19th century perfection? Jon’s carrying that torch as high as his tree branch arms can. Let’s gather round the end of our 50th, get lost in its botanical garden and by the time you look up again, we’ll all be using hot air balloons and blue whales for travel!

The Golden Jubilee (Part Two)

The second half our re-cap 50th Celebration? Did you forget how fucking cool Sarah Remond was??? Erin did and now she feels like shit because she might be the baddest of asses we’ve ever covered. If you don’t think so, send us a telegram from retirement while thoroughly enjoying your Italian villa. Are you still considering Charlotte Cushman’s commune the REAL Utopia of perfection the 19th century? Jon’s carrying that torch as high as his tree branch arms can! Let’s gather round the end of o...

50. The Golden Jubilee (Part One)

We here at Lithium Jubilee have decided to push off new (well, “new” Victorian content) yet again! This time, to take a long, hard, gaze at ourselves. Did it just get 10 degrees sexier in here? Celsius, I mean, Celsius. Jon and Erin recap their first 25 ALL. EPISODE. LONG. NSFW? You decide!

The Golden Jubilee (Part One)

We here at Lithium Jubilee have decided to push off new (well, “new” Victorian content) yet again! This time, to take a long, hard, gaze at ourselves. Did it just get 10 degrees sexier in here? Celsius, I mean, Celsius. Jon and Erin recap their first 25 ALL. EPISODE. LONG. NSFW? You decide!

Minisode 9.5: Even Further Eras of Future Past

Minisode 9.5: In part two of our latest minisode, we go to the darker side of astrology and analyze H. H. Holmes' birth chart. We also discuss whether or not the stars have an effect on one's personal appearance, as some seemed to think. Up next, Episode 50! For real! We swear!

Even Further Eras of Future Past (Minisode 9.5)

Eras of Future Past (Minisode 9)

Listen. Life happens. Our schedule doesn't always work out the way we want it to. If only there were a celestial guidebook we could use to figure out our lives. Oh wait! There is! It's an astrological minisode for your aural pleasure.

Minisode 9: Eras of Future Past

Minisode 9: Listen. Life happens. Our schedule doesn't always work out the way we want it to. If only there were a celestial guidebook we could use to figure out our lives. Oh wait, there is! It's an astrological minisode for your aural pleasure.

49. Tarot with Tara

Just like the Victorians, Jon and Erin (and even Producer Pete [redacted]) look to the supernatural for direction. This episode’s guide is our beloved Tara with her absolutely stunning Queen Victoria Tarot cards. Join Lithium Jubilee as we gaze hesitantly into the future in preparation for our 50th episode AND BEYOND (we hope)!

Tarot with Tara

Just like the Victorians, Jon and Erin (and even Producer Pete [redacted]) look to the supernatural for direction. This episode’s guide is our beloved Tara with her absolutely stunning Queen Victoria Tarot cards. Join Lithium Jubilee as we gaze hesitantly into the future in preparation for our 50th episode AND BEYOND (we hope)!

48. Victorian Horror Story: Asylum

Lithium Jubilee continues to show our love to Ryan Murphy sans rubber suit with our second American Horror Show themed episode. Instead we’ll be discussing another iconic article of clothing: the straitjacket! Erin gives us the lowdown on treatments deemed “therapeutic” in 19th century psychiatric hospitals while Jon reports on the Victorian era’s ultimate undercover journalist, Nellie Bly. You want us to calm down about American Horror Story? You need to CALM UP!

Victorian Horror Story: Asylum (History / Nellie Bly)

Lithium Jubilee continues to show our love to Ryan Murphy sans rubber suit with our second American Horror Show themed episode. Instead we’ll be discussing another iconic article of clothing: the straitjacket! Erin gives us the lowdown on treatments deemed “therapeutic” in 19th century psychiatric hospitals while Jon reports on the Victorian era’s ultimate undercover journalist, Nellie Bly. You want us to calm down about American Horror Story? You need to CALM UP!

47. Victorian Horror Story

In honor of the new season of American Horror Story, Lithium Jubilee is taking a deep dive into a few of the characters who have appeared in the series. Jon gives you the who’s who of Marie Delphine LaLaurie and Erin gives you the what’s what of Edward Mordrake. Wah-Whee-Wah!