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Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 22 – Where Did Anglotopia Come From and the New Friends of Anglotopia Club

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Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 22 – Where Did Anglotopia Come From and the New Friends of Anglotopia Club
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Ever wonder how Anglotopia came into being? We tell the story and more as we talk about how Anglotopia has launched a Friends of Anglotopia club, which is a paid membership that aims to remove Google ads from the website. The main feature of the club is the Sunday Post, an exclusive article released every Sunday on the Friends of Anglotopia member site and in members’ email inboxes. The club also offers other membership perks, such as discounts on British products and access to a private chat room. The goal is to reach 300 paid members to remove the ads for everyone. The launch of the club has received positive feedback and has already gained around 50 members. Jonathan and Jackie discuss their journey from starting Anglotopia in a closet in Chicago to launching the Friends of Anglotopia Club. They talk about the challenges they faced, the growth of their website, and the importance of their partnerships. They also explain the benefits of joining the club and address common questions about it.

Links

Takeaways

  • Anglotopia has launched a paid membership called Friends of Anglotopia club. The club aims to remove Google ads from the website and provide exclusive content to members.
  • Membership perks include discounts on British products and access to a private chat room.
  • The goal is to reach 300 paid members to remove the ads for everyone.
  • The launch of the club has received positive feedback and has gained around 50 members so far. Starting a blog and monetizing it can be a challenging process, but with persistence and learning about internet marketing, it is possible to make money from it.
  • Partnerships with organizations like Visit Britain, British Airways, and the BBC have been instrumental in the growth of Anglotopia.
  • The Friends of Anglotopia Club offers exclusive content, early access to the podcast, discounts, and the opportunity to provide feedback and shape the future of Anglotopia.
  • The club is not a paywall for the website, but rather a way to support the operations and growth of Anglotopia.
  • Members of the club can enjoy ad-free reading, access to exclusive excerpts from upcoming books, and a private RSS feed with full read access to the website.

Video Version

Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 21 – British Elections 101 (Without the Politics) and Favorite British Political TV Shows

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Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 21 - British Elections 101 (Without the Politics) and Favorite British Political TV Shows
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The UK is having an election! In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan and Jackie discuss the British election system and how it works from a non-party political perspective. They provide an overview of the parties involved, the role of the monarch, the campaign season, election day, and the counting and results process. They also touch on the concept of party manifestos and the importance of constituency-level vote counting. The conversation explores various British political TV shows and their relevance to the British political system. The hosts discuss shows like Yes Minister, The Thick of It, House of Cards, and more. They also mention books that provide a crash course in British politics. The conversation concludes with recommendations for viewers who want to learn more about British politics or enjoy political dramas.

Links

Books:

British TV Shows Discussed:

Relevant Clips to Watch:

Keywords

British election system, parties, monarch, campaign season, election day, party manifestos, constituency-level vote counting, British politics, TV shows, Yes Minister, The Thick of It, House of Cards, political dramas

Takeaways

  • The British election system operates on five-year terms, with the Prime Minister having the power to call an election within that timeframe.
  • The main parties in the UK are the Conservative and Union Party (right-wing), the Labour Party (left-wing), and the Liberal Democrats (middle of the road).
  • The Scottish National Party and Northern Irish parties also play significant roles in elections.
  • Manifestos are a major part of the election process, with each party outlining their policies and commitments if they come into power.
  • Election day in the UK is not a national holiday, and media coverage is limited until the polls close at 10 p.m.
  • Vote counting takes place at the constituency level, with a race to see which constituency can count the votes first.
  • British political TV shows like Yes Minister, The Thick of It, and House of Cards provide an entertaining and insightful look into the British political system.
  • These shows often highlight the power struggles, backroom deals, and comedic elements of British politics.
  • Books like ‘Britain Explained’ and ‘The British Polity’ offer a crash course in British politics and provide a deeper understanding of the political system.
  • Viewers interested in British politics or political dramas can find these shows on platforms like Britbox and Netflix.
  • The shows mentioned in the conversation are Yes Minister, The Thick of It, House of Cards, A Very British Coup, The Diplomat, A Very English Scandal, Stonehouse, The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard, The Politician’s Husband, Anatomy of a Scandal, and Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years, and The Gathering Storm.

Sound Bites

  • “A party manifesto is like a contract with the voters”
  • “This usually leads to some very wonderful political clips for later on of candidates being embarrassed that they lost in ‘Portillo Moments’ or like people surprised that they won an outburst.”
  • “So Michael Portillo is now known for his colorful pants and doing train tours around Britain on like your favorite show.”
  • “He lost his seat. He was a government minister and he didn’t even win like, he’s just standing there. Like he could see the soul drain from his body as he lost.”

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to the British Election System
  • 02:20 The Role of the Monarch in British Politics
  • 05:37 Party Manifestos: A Contract with Voters
  • 16:54 The British Election Season: A Six-Week Affair
  • 26:38 Insights into the British Election Process and Election Night Traditions
  • 54:13 Exploring British Political TV Shows and Dramas

Video Version

Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 20 – Exploring British Children’s Literature and Its Generational Influences

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Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 20 - Exploring British Children's Literature and Its Generational Influences
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In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan and Jackie discuss British children’s literature that influenced them and their own children. They talk about their favorite books, including The Velveteen Rabbit, Roald Dahl’s works, Beatrix Potter’s stories, Peter Pan, and Harry Potter. They also mention the impact of Disney adaptations and the cultural significance of British literature worldwide. In this conversation, Jonathan and Jackie discuss their experiences with British children’s literature and the impact it had on their lives. They talk about their love for Harry Potter and the different ways they engaged with the series. They also discuss C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia, as well as their experiences with other British children’s books and shows like Mog the Cat, Peppa Pig, and Bluey. They reflect on the influence of British culture in their childhoods and the enduring popularity of British children’s literature.

Show Links:

Takeaways

  • British children’s literature has had a significant impact worldwide and is beloved by people of all ages.
  • Books like The Velveteen Rabbit, Roald Dahl’s works, and Beatrix Potter’s stories have influenced generations of readers.
  • Disney adaptations have introduced many children to British literature, although they often differ from the original stories.
  • Peter Pan and Harry Potter are iconic British stories that have captivated audiences around the world.
  • British literature reflects a rich cultural heritage and continues to inspire imagination and creativity. British children’s literature, such as Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia, had a significant impact on Jonathan and Jackie’s childhoods.
  • They engaged with these books and shows in different ways, with Jonathan being a big fan of Harry Potter and Jackie enjoying other British children’s media like Peppa Pig and Bluey.
  • The influence of British culture in their childhoods led to their love for all things British, including literature.
  • Children’s literature often tackles complex themes and can have a lasting impact on both children and adults.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Podcast 02:43 Tea Time and Favorite Childhood Stories 06:43 Roald Dahl’s Impact on British Childhood Media 09:34 Beatrix Potter: Whimsical Tales and Global Recognition 12:45 The Beloved Characters of Paddington Bear and Winnie the Pooh 14:38 Exploring the Vastness of British Literature 20:28 The Disney Influence on Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan 23:48 The Beloved Film ‘Hook’ and its British-American Fusion 26:35 The Phenomenon of Harry Potter 29:24 Engaging with Harry Potter and Other British Children’s Media 37:43 The Importance of Lord of the Rings 41:33 The Popularity of Peppa Pig 43:19 Children’s Media: Bluey and Mog the Cat 45:10 Mixed Feelings About Thomas the Tank Engine 47:02 The Appeal of Narnia 51:34 The Dark and Delightful World of Roald Dahl

Video Version

Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 19 – The Return, What’s New With Anglotopia Plus a Discussion on Recent British TV

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Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 19 - The Return, What's New With Anglotopia Plus a Discussion on Recent British TV
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Summary

In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan and Jackie Thomas discuss new updates to Anglotopia, including website changes, contests, and new books. They also talk about their new email newsletter design and the release of the Anglotopia book ‘Great British Houses.’ They mention the release of the ‘Londontopia Dictionary of Cockney Slang’ and the upcoming book ‘The Anglotopia Guide to Bridgerton.’ They also mention the announcement of a third Downton Abbey film. The episode concludes with a discussion on British television shows. In this conversation, Jonathan and Jackie discuss various British TV shows and movies, including the upcoming Downton Abbey film, Masters of the Air, The Three-Body Problem, The Gentlemen, Clarkson’s Farm, and more. They also mention the plans for the Inglotopia podcast, including bringing in guest speakers and covering a range of topics related to British travel, history, and culture.

Links

Takeaways

  • Anglotopia has made changes to their website and released a new design to optimize the reading experience on mobile devices.
  • They have also launched a new email newsletter with a new design and added features, including a weekly post and a free desktop wallpaper.
  • Anglotopia has released the book ‘Great British Houses,’ which is a compilation of articles on Britain’s stately homes.
  • They have also released the ‘London Topia Dictionary of Cockney Slang’ and are working on a book called ‘The Anglotopia Guide to Bridgerton.’
  • A third Downton Abbey film has been announced and is currently in production.
  • Jonathan and Jackie discuss their love for British television shows and the abundance of great British movies and TV series. The upcoming Downton Abbey film will likely feature a mix of settings in the U.S. and England, potentially exploring 1920s America.
  • Masters of the Air is a new TV show on Apple TV that focuses on the air war during World War II, with a majority of the scenes set in England.
  • The Three-Body Problem is a hard science fiction show on Netflix that takes place in a parallel world, with a significant portion of the story set in the UK.
  • Clarkson’s Farm is a popular Amazon Prime show that follows Jeremy Clarkson’s journey as a farmer in the Cotswolds, showcasing the challenges and beauty of British farming.
  • The Inglotopia podcast is being rebooted with plans to bring in guest speakers and cover a range of topics related to British travel, history, and culture.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 00:30 Updates to Anglotopia: Website Changes and Contests 07:26 The New Anglotopia Email Newsletter 10:42 Introducing ‘Great British Houses’ 12:51 The ‘Londontopia Dictionary of Cockney Slang’ 23:15 Exciting News: A Third Downton Abbey Film 25:35 The Abundance of Great British Movies and TV Series 26:33 The Upcoming Downton Abbey Film 30:23 Masters of the Air 35:12 The Three-Body Problem 39:26 Clarkson’s Farm 49:19 Rebooting the Anglotopia Podcast

Video Version

Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 18 – Blenheim Palace, Portsmouth Dockyard, and Rousham Park

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Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 18 - Blenheim Palace, Portsmouth Dockyard, and Rousham Park
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In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, I talk about three great experiences from my trip last July that I haven’t had the chance to talk about yet. After we give some big operational updates about Anglotopia, I talk about my visit to Blenheim Palace. There are a ton of new exhibitions and things to see at Britain’s only non-royal, non-ecclesiastical palace. Thinking of visiting HMS Victory in Portsmouth? Listen to this first, as it’s in a major state of restoration right now. And I finish with a visit to Rousham Park (pictured in the thumbnail), a small private stately home and gardens not normally open to the public. Bonus, we also have new music because we didn’t realize we were using the same music as another British-themed podcast (sorry!). 

Show Notes:

Royaltopia sign-up

Anglotopia Store

Queen Commemorative Timelines

Christmas Cards and Advent Calendars

Queen Salt & Pepper Shakers

Blenheim Palace Website

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Website

Rousham Park Website

Rousham Park Image Library

Oxford, Dyrham Park, Steam Trains, and more!

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Oxford, Dyrham Park, Steam Trains, and more!
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In the next installment of podcasts about my trip to Britain this past July, I talk about my final days in Oxford and what I did after. I rented a car and visited Dyrham Park and the next day went on an incredible steam train journey. I give some insight into the special place I stayed in the Cotswolds. I also talk about the state of renting cars in Britain, which is a challenge post-COVID. 

Producer’s Note: This podcast was recorded in August, but we delayed the release due to the death of the Queen. 

Show Notes:

Oxford Experience Information

Dyrham Park

The Angel Sherston

Railway Touring Company

Anglotopia Podcast Special: The Death of a Queen and Why Some Americans Loved The Queen

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Anglotopia Podcast Special: The Death of a Queen and Why Some Americans Loved The Queen
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In this special memorial podcast, we discuss the death of the Queen, how the week played out, the first days of the reign of Charles III, we explore why some Americans love the Royal Family so much, where we go from here, and what to expect in the coming days and months. 

Producer’s Note: We still have more podcasts coming about my trip in July, but they’ve been delayed for a few weeks until the mourning period has passed.

Show Notes:

Crown & Glory Commemorative

DEATH OF A QUEEN: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? DAY BY DAY AFTER THE QUEEN’S DEATH

KATHERINE JENKINS SINGS GOD SAVE THE KING FOR BBC RADIO 4

KING CHARLES III ADDRESSES THE WORLD – WILLIAM NOW PRINCE OF WALES, KATE PRINCESS OF WALES – FULL SPEECH

HOW THE ROYAL FAMILY’S TITLES HAVE NOW CHANGED AFTER THE DEATH OF THE QUEEN

A THOUSAND MINOR BUT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES – ALL CHANGE FOR NEW KING’S COINS, STAMPS AND POSTBOXES

Anglotopia Podcast: Return to Britain – How to get the Oxford Experience Yourself

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Anglotopia Podcast: Return to Britain - How to get the Oxford Experience Yourself
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In this second special podcast recorded while I was in England last month, I try to answer all the questions I received about my Oxford course. How can you have the Oxford Experience yourself? How much does it cost? What does it include? What is the accommodation and meal time like? What kind of classmates can you expect? What kind of tours and excursions are on offer? This is a great overall review of the entire Oxford Experience offered by Christ Church through the Oxford Department of Continuing Education. 

Show Notes:

English Speak Union Oxford Courses

The official ‘Oxford Experience’ website (this is what I did)

Oxford College Bed and Breakfast

Christ Church

Rousham House

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Anglotopia Podcast: Return to Britain – Current State of Travel to the UK

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Anglotopia Podcast: Return to Britain - Current State of Travel to the UK
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In this special podcast recorded while I was in England last month, I talk about my travel experiences, traveling in the post-COVID age, dealing with the chaos of Heathrow, what it’s like to be in England after four years, and some first impressions of my time in Oxford. FYI: This podcast was recorded in late July, but I was not able to release it until now.

Show Notes:

Gold Hill Explained

Oxford Experience

Horatio Nelson Course

Christ Church

Gold Hill Cottage on Airbnb

Country Cars Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury Fringe Festival

Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 13 – Catching Up On All Things British and British Travel in 2022

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Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 13 - Catching Up On All Things British and British Travel in 2022
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After a long, unexpected hiatus, the Anglotopia Podcast has returned! In this episode we catch up on what’s going on with Anglotopia, we talk about our exciting new Union Jack Lightbox product and how it came about, then we talk about the resumption of ‘normal’ travel to Britain in 2022 – and talk about our own travel plans. Plus we lift the lid on the exciting new books we have planned to come out over the next few months. We hope to begin regularly recording new podcasts going forward.

Please note: the camera turned off halfway through recording us on video, so we have decided to just publish this as audio-only (and may only do audio-only going forward as it makes it easier to record).

Show Notes

Union Jack Lightbox

Peep Show

London Tube Lightbox

Lost in the Pond Video

Oxford Continuing Education Courses

Official School Holidays Schedule

Crown & Glory Commemorative

Great Britons Book

101 London Travel Tips

Adventures in Anglotopia