From the Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 13

After nearly two years of radio silence, we’re back with the Anglotopia Podcast! We know—two years is a long time, and we owe you an explanation and, more importantly, an update on everything that’s been happening in the world of Anglotopia and our British adventures.

The short answer for our absence? Life happened. The pandemic, kids doing e-learning at home for a year, both of us working full-time jobs outside of Anglotopia while also running the business—it all added up to finding it nearly impossible to carve out time for podcast recording, especially with the need for a quiet house and good audio quality. But we’re committed to getting back on track, aiming for episodes every few weeks going forward. Some may be audio-only to make production easier, while others will include video, so expect a mix going forward.

Now, let’s dive into everything that’s been happening in our little corner of the Anglophile universe.

The World’s Only Union Jack LED Light Box: A Year in the Making

If you’re watching the video version of this podcast, you’ve already seen it—our pride and joy, the world’s only Union Jack LED light box. If you’re listening on audio, picture this: a gorgeous, glowing Union Jack in a substantial wooden frame, lit by bright LEDs, that can sit on a shelf or hang on a wall. It’s striking, it’s British, and it’s been over a year in the making.

The genesis of this product came from an unlikely source: our annual rewatch of Peep Show, one of our favorite British comedies. For the uninitiated, Peep Show is brilliantly funny, features absolutely detestable characters who are terrible human beings, and is vulgar in the best possible way. It’s also a perfect encapsulation of early 2000s Britain and the experience of being in your mid-to-late twenties, figuring out life. We highly recommend it—you can find it on most streaming services, often for free.

During one episode, we noticed a Union Jack lamp sitting on the table in Mark and Jez’s living room. That lamp sparked an idea: Anglotopia followers would love that. We would love that. The problem? The show was made 15 years ago, and nobody makes that lamp anymore. We searched everywhere—and we’re very good at finding obscure things on the internet—but it simply didn’t exist.

Then inspiration struck while looking at our London Underground tube light box, one of our most popular products ever. These light boxes, made by a British company that we import to the US, actually funded our entire Lands End to John O’Groats drive in 2018. They’re that popular. Combine that success with those changeable-letter cinema signs everyone has now, and the concept clicked: why not create a Union Jack rectangle LED light box?

From Concept to Reality: The Manufacturing Journey

The concept was simple. The execution? Not so much. Creating a custom product from scratch meant learning an entirely new aspect of business—manufacturing to specification. It’s the most fun way to grow a business (you learn by doing) and also the most expensive way, but there’s no substitute for hands-on experience.

We found a factory specializing in LED light products and, working through some language barriers, communicated our vision: take their off-the-shelf light box and customize it with a Union Jack design. The first prototype arrived, and while it was okay, it didn’t quite work. Back to the drawing board we went.

The second iteration involved major improvements: making it bigger, constructing it from wood for substance and quality, dramatically increasing the number of LEDs for brightness, and adding thoughtful details like placing the plug on the side so it could hang on a wall without the cord being awkwardly behind it. It’s also battery-operated for versatility.

When we flicked on that second prototype for the first time, we knew we had something special. This was the product we needed to sell.

Bringing It to Market

Manufacturing anything requires significant investment. We had to contract with the factory and order a substantial minimum quantity—a lot of money upfront. The production timeline meant launching pre-orders last fall for delivery months later, as they physically had to manufacture each unit and ship them across the ocean on boats. Seeing the behind-the-scenes photos of the manufacturing process was fascinating.

The units arrived early—late January instead of the expected February—and we’ve been selling them since. While the pre-order numbers didn’t meet our initial hopes (it’s an expensive product), we learned from that experience and have now lowered the price to $49.99, making it more accessible to more people.

We honestly believe this is the only Union Jack LED light box in the world. If you find another one, please let us know, but we’ve searched extensively and haven’t found any competition. It’s a unique product that captures the essence of British style in a modern, eye-catching format. You can find it in our store—check the show notes for the link.

Oxford Calling: A Dream Summer Program

This summer, one of us (Jonathan) is heading to Oxford University for an incredible opportunity: a six-week summer program studying English local history at the Department for Continuing Education. This isn’t the typical undergraduate experience—it’s a specialized program for adults passionate about British history.

The program runs from early July through mid-August, offering an immersive experience in one of the world’s most prestigious academic settings. It’s a dream come true for someone who’s been passionate about British history and culture for over 25 years.

An American at Oxford

Being an American attending Oxford presents unique challenges and opportunities. The program provides lectures from Oxford faculty, access to the university’s resources, and the chance to study alongside other history enthusiasts from around the world. It’s not just about the academics—it’s about experiencing life in Oxford, exploring the city’s hidden corners, and immersing ourselves in centuries of history that permeate every stone and street.

The financial investment is significant—around $7,000 for tuition alone, not including travel, accommodation, and living expenses for six weeks. It’s a substantial commitment, which is why much of our current publishing push is aimed at funding this adventure. Every book sale, every product purchase helps make this dream a reality.

We’ll be documenting the entire experience, of course. Expect articles, videos, photos, and stories from Oxford that we’ll share with the Anglotopia community. This is the kind of content that makes our work meaningful—bringing our readers along on genuine British experiences.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: Our Commemorative Publication

2022 marks an extraordinary milestone: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, celebrating 70 years on the throne. It’s a historic achievement—no British monarch has ever reigned this long. To mark this momentous occasion, we’ve created something special: a comprehensive commemorative publication celebrating Her Majesty’s remarkable reign.

A Tribute to an Extraordinary Reign

This isn’t just another magazine—it’s our tribute to the Queen and a celebration of Britain during her reign. The country has transformed dramatically from the austere post-war years when her reign began (they were still in rationing) to the modern Britain of today. This publication captures that journey.

The core consists of 12 in-depth articles originally published in the Anglotopia Magazine (which is sunsetting this year). These articles cover every aspect of her life and reign:

• Her childhood and early years
• Her relationship with Princess Margaret
• The abdication crisis and how she came to be queen (she was never supposed to inherit the throne)
• Her role as a mother
• Modernizing the monarchy
• Her marriage to Prince Philip
• The coronation
• Key events throughout her seven-decade reign

Beyond the articles, we’ve curated hundreds of licensed historical photographs and images capturing key moments, important people, and significant events. Each image was chosen carefully to tell the visual story of her reign and create a narrative that honors her service.

A Limited Collector’s Edition

We’re producing only 250 copies, making this a true collector’s item. As of this recording, we’ve already sold 150 copies, so if you want one, we strongly urge you to reserve yours soon. We’re going to press next week, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. We may release a few copies on Amazon afterward, but that depends on how many remain after direct sales.

The publication will ship next month, arriving in time for the Jubilee celebrations in early June. It includes a comprehensive guide by Laura Porter, our London correspondent, summarizing all the Jubilee events happening throughout the UK, so you can plan your TV viewing or, if you’re lucky enough to be in Britain, your in-person attendance.

Check the show notes for the link to reserve your copy of this commemorative tribute.

The Publishing Pipeline: Four Books on the Way

Beyond the Jubilee publication, we have an ambitious lineup of books coming out this year, each designed to serve our Anglophile readers in different ways.

Great Events in British History (Releasing This Week!)

Our first major release is Great Events in British History: The Top 50 Most Important Events That Anglophiles Must Know. We literally finished laying this out yesterday, and it’s releasing this Friday.

Think of it as the Anglophile’s guidebook to British history. Following the format of our successful Great Britons book (which covered the 50 greatest Britons who ever lived), this volume focuses on events rather than people.

The goal is simple: when you’re watching British television and they reference a historical event, or you’re reading about British history, you’ll have the context you need. This book provides that foundation. Each entry includes:

• A comprehensive summary of the event
• Its historical legacy
• Its importance to modern Britain
• Context for understanding its place in the broader sweep of British history

At 450 pages, this is a substantial reference work. About three-quarters of the articles have appeared on the Anglotopia website previously, but they’ve all been updated and revised. The remaining quarter is entirely new content. Whether you’re a casual Anglophile or a serious student of British history, this book will enhance your understanding and appreciation of Britain’s past.

We’re releasing both ebook and print versions. Watch for the link in the show notes, and we’ll be sending email announcements on release day.

101 Oxford Travel Tips (Coming Soon)

Given that one of us is spending six weeks in Oxford this summer, it made perfect sense to create a comprehensive guidebook for the city. 101 Oxford Travel Tips follows the format of our popular 101 London Travel Tips, which has become a core product for Anglotopia.

We’re halfway done writing it, and it’s shaping up wonderfully. The research is giving us ideas for future guidebooks in this series—we’re planning editions for the Cotswolds, Dorset, and other heavily traveled areas around Britain that we know well.

Oxford deserves this treatment. It’s a city with layers of history, stunning architecture, literary connections, hidden gardens, excellent pubs, and countless secrets that take insider knowledge to discover. This guidebook will help readers experience Oxford like locals, finding the hidden gems beyond the obvious tourist sites.

The book should be available in the coming weeks—perfect timing for summer travel planning.

Great British Icons (June Release)

Following the success of Great Britons and Great Events in British History, we’re completing the trilogy with Great British Icons, covering the things rather than the people or events that define Britain.

This book celebrates Great British brands, objects, and cultural touchstones: the red telephone box, the iconic red pillar box, the TARDIS, British brands that have defined the culture, and other symbols that make Britain unmistakably British. Each entry provides the background, history, cultural significance, and why these icons matter.

It’s a celebration of the visual and cultural vocabulary of Britain—all those instantly recognizable elements that make British culture unique. Expected release is June 2022.

A Trip Too Far: Our Lands End to John O’Groats Memoir (Coming Later This Year)

This one is personal. A Trip Too Far is our travelogue of the drive from Lands End to John O’Groats that we completed in 2018—the journey from the southwestern tip of England to the northeastern tip of Scotland, traversing the entire length of Britain.

This book has been extraordinarily difficult to write, especially during the pandemic and as time has passed since the journey itself. The further we get from the experience, the harder it becomes to capture those moments authentically. But we’re almost done, and what’s emerged is something we’re genuinely proud of: a travel memoir that captures not just the places we visited but the experience of the journey itself.

Beyond the travelogue, the book includes appendices with practical travel tips for anyone wanting to make this drive themselves. It’s been completed by many travelers, but it requires planning, stamina, and insider knowledge to do it right.

We’re hoping to open pre-orders this summer once the manuscript is finalized. This has been a labor of love and frustration in equal measure, but we believe it will be a worthy addition to any Anglophile’s library.

Why All These Books? Building Something Lasting

You might wonder why we’re pushing out so many publications in such a compressed timeframe. Beyond funding the Oxford experience, there’s a bigger strategy at play.

Books create lasting value. They’re products that people cherish, reference repeatedly, and share with fellow Anglophiles. They’re also a way to compile and preserve the best content we’ve created over the years, updating and improving it while making it available in formats people want.

Digital content is ephemeral—it can disappear, get buried in archives, or become hard to find. Books endure. They sit on shelves, get passed down, and become trusted references. That’s the legacy we’re building: a library of resources that serve the Anglophile community for years to come.

Each book also serves a specific need:

• Great Events in British History provides historical context
• 101 Oxford Travel Tips offers practical travel guidance
• Great British Icons celebrates cultural touchstones
• A Trip Too Far inspires and guides epic journeys
• The Jubilee publication commemorates a historic moment

Together, they form a comprehensive resource library for anyone passionate about Britain.

Looking Ahead: More Regular Content

We’re committed to being more consistent with the podcast going forward. No promises on exact schedules—life has taught us the danger of over-committing—but expect episodes every few weeks covering everything from British culture and history to travel tips, interviews, and the behind-the-scenes reality of running a British culture media business.

We may experiment with formats, including audio-only episodes that are easier to produce and require less setup. The goal is consistency and quality, bringing you content that enriches your understanding and appreciation of Britain.

Stay Connected

We love hearing from our community. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or just want to share your own British experiences, reach out:

• Leave comments on YouTube
• Post on our Facebook page
• Comment on the website
• Email us directly at editor@anglotopia.net

Your feedback, stories, and questions help shape what we create. This isn’t a one-way conversation—it’s a community of people who share a passion for Britain, its history, culture, and traditions.

The Bottom Line

It’s been a challenging two years for everyone. The pandemic changed how we work, travel, and plan for the future. But through it all, our passion for Britain and serving the Anglophile community never wavered. If anything, it intensified.

These projects—the Union Jack light box, the Jubilee publication, the books, the Oxford experience—they all represent our commitment to creating meaningful content and products for people who love Britain as much as we do.

We’re excited about what’s ahead: more travel, more writing, more products, and more ways to celebrate British culture together. The journey continues, and we’re grateful you’re along for the ride.

Thanks for sticking with us through the silence, and thanks for being part of the Anglotopia community. Here’s to more regular episodes, more British adventures, and more reasons to celebrate everything we love about Britain.

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Check the show notes for links to all the products and books mentioned in this episode, including the Union Jack LED light box, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee commemorative publication, and pre-order information for upcoming books. Subscribe to the Anglotopia Podcast for more episodes about British culture, travel, and history.