Jane Austen Culture Night

Jane Austen Culture Night

By Laurel Nakai and Akina CoxArtsBooks
Download on the App Store

Jane Austen Culture Night episodes

  • Ep. 16 - Viva Gretna Green (Pride and Prejudice)

    CONTENT WARNING and CORRECTIONS: In this episode we talk about child marriage in the United States. We mention that it is only banned in 4 states. However, it is actually banned in SIX states (meaning the minimum age is 18 with no exceptions): New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Delaware, New York, and Rhode Island. Seriously, go call your local representatives... Elizabeth gets some distressing news and Darcy offers her a glass of wine. Lydia has run off with Wickham, but maybe they are headed to Gretna Green? And we’re supposed to pretend that would be better? While everyone in the Bennet household deals with this shocking development, we talk about child marriages in the United States and how it reminds us of the marriage practices of the cult we were raised in.   

    What we're reading: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See  

    We have a twitter! https://twitter.com/janecultpod 

    Email us: [email protected] 

    Hosted by Laurel Nakai and Akina Cox 

    Music and Production by Laurel Nakai Artwork by Akina Cox

    1 hr 25 min
  • Ep. 15 - Love Triangles and Fruit Pyramids (Pride and Prejudice)

    Darcy brings Georgiana to meet Elizabeth and Bingley soon follows. Bingley tries to slyly ask if Jane has a boyfriend. The Gardiners are the Michael Jackson with popcorn meme. Mr. Gardiner goes fishing with Darcy and the ladies meet up with Caroline, Mrs. Hurst, and Georgiana. The house is full of pyramids of fruit. Tangent stories include Moonie weddings and matching workshops. Noises in the background are thanks to Akina’s pup. 

    Email us: [email protected] 

    Hosted by Laurel Nakai and Akina Cox 

    Music and Production by Laurel Nakai 

    Artwork by Akina Cox

    1 hr 3 min
  • Ep. 14 - MTV Cribs Pemberley Edition (Pride and Prejudice)

    The Gardiners and Elizabeth visit Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds gives a tour and extols the many virtues of her employer. Mr. Darcy surprises everyone by coming home a day early and being extremely polite and agreeable.

    We talk about the beauty of landscape and well appointed rooms, how to be a “nice guy”, the reverence of nature in art and literature, and a tangent about cult coverage in the media. Let us know if you’d be interested in a bonus episode just on cult media and content. We have thoughts!

    Drinking Game! -  take a shot anytime Akina or I say any version of: “it’s great!”, “so good!” or how much we love Elizabeth Bennet or Jane Austen.

    Hosted by Laurel Nakai and Akina Cox
    Music and Production by Laurel Nakai
    Artwork by Akina Cox

    1 hr 24 min
  • Ep. 13 - Lydia Goes Down the Shore (Pride and Prejudice)
    Heads up: Content warning for sexual assult and predators…blame Wicham for all of these very serious discussions. Ugh, we hate him. As always feel free to skip this part if you’re not up for it. The discussion happens at the 35 minute mark and ends around minute 48. It’s not overly graphic or explicit but be aware and take care of yourself if you need to.
    Back at home, Elizabeth confides in Jane about what happened at Rosings. Mrs. Bennet, Kitty, and Lydia are distraught that the regiment is leaving and want to follow them to Brighton. Lydia’s dreams come true when she gets an invite from the Colonel's wife Mrs. Forester to accompany her to Brighton. Elizabeth gives Wickham the cold shoulder. Elizabeth reflects on her parents' marriage and how it affects the family. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner take Elizabeth on vacation to Derbyshire and contemplate visiting Pemberley.
    We talk about loveless marriages and consult a law article on the patterns of sexual predators. Small tangent on the Jersey Shore (the beaches, not the show). Also how do you pronounce Derbyshire??
    Next time: It’s a one chapter episode because  we’re going to Pemberley! Chapter 43
    Link to Michigan Law Review article: Pride and Predators by Heidi S. Bond
    Hosted by Laurel Nakai and Akina Cox
    Music and Production by Laurel Nakai
    Artwork by Akina Cox
    1 hr 18 min
  • Ep. 12 - Rev. Jane Austen, True Author of Heaven and Earth (Pride and Prejudice)

    CONTENT WARNING: Heads up, especially for any UC and ex-moonie listeners: This episode is pretty heavy on the cult content. We have a discussion about Sanctuary Church, a splinter cult of the main Unification Church. The discussion includes guns, violence against LGBTQ+, and alt-right ideology and conspiracy theories. If you’re not up for it, feel free to skip this episode or come back to it when you are fully resourced.


    Here’s what happens on the Jane Austen end: Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam have left the building. Elizabeth is still processing the aftermath of Darcy’s letter. Lady Catherine is still “wakadoodle”, Mr. Collins is still annoying. Elizabeth and Maria head back home and meet Lydia and Kitty at an inn on the way. Lydia does some shopping and fills us in on important gossip. Elizabeth is conflicted about how to relay what she’s learned about Wickham without revealing too much. We learn we’re all a little bit of a “Mary”

    Resources mentioned in this episode: 

    ICSA- International Cultic Studies Association  https://www.icsahome.com (ICSA), founded in 1979, provides information, education, and help to those adversely affected by or interested in cultic and other high-control groups and relationships.  ICSA is unique in how it brings together former group members, families, helping professionals and researchers

    I Got Out- https://www.igotout.org The sole mission of #iGotOut is to inspire survivors of cultic abuse to tell and share their stories, creating an online community dedicated to unflinching honesty.

    Find Laurel on Instagram and Twitter @laurelnakai
    Hosted by Laurel Nakai and Akina Cox
    Music and Production by Laurel Nakai
    Artwork by Akina Cox



    1 hr 16 min
  • Ep. 11 - I Love You, I Hate You (Pride and Prejudice)

    It’s happening! It’s here! The moment you’ve been waiting for. Darcy finally declares his love for Elizabeth and it does NOT GO WELL. Darcy writes a long letter which reveals the scandalous truth about George Wickham. Laurel and Akina talk about their favorite Mr. Darcy.

    What else can we say? If you’ve made it this far, we ardently love and admire you.

    Hosted by Laurel Nakai and Akina Cox
    Music and Production by Laurel Nakai
    Artwork by Akina Cox 

    59 min
  • Ep. 10 - Lady Catherine School of Music (Pride and Prejudice)
    Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam join the party at Rosings Park. Lizzy plays piano, Fitzwilliam reveals some devastating news, and Elizabeth gets a headache. We have an interesting conversation about “Bounded Choices” and the dynamics of abusive relationships. Tangents include: boys dropping hints, progressive Christians, English feminists, and misinterpreting history.
    Hosted by Laurel Nakai and Akina Cox
    Music and Production by Laurel Nakai
    Artwork by Akina Cox
    1 hr 25 min
  • Ep. 9 - Darcy Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)

    Lizzy goes to visit Charlotte and Mr. Collins. We finally meet Lady Catherine De Bourgh and have some awkward dinners. Charlotte shows off her ingenious home design. Mr. Darcy makes a surprise visit with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Laurel records in the middle of a thunderstorm which makes for some dramatic sound effects. Akina gets us off track by telling us a story about seeing a celebrity in LA. Other tangents include: inappropriate questions, wearing traditional Korean gowns, and the fallacy of “living for the sake of others.”

    Hosted by Laurel Nakai and Akina Cox
    Music and Production by Laurel Nakai
    Artwork by Akina Cox

    1 hr 2 min
  • The Lizzy Bennet Diaries w/ Cathlene Bell
    Laurel talks with guest Cathlene Bell about The Lizzy Bennet Diaries, a 2012 web series adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. In this episode we talk about shared upbringings in the Unification church, personal connections to the material, gush about the amazing cast, and count down our top five episodes. Come fan-girl/boy/person with us!
    Check out Cathlene’s podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6HSf0LooyICrIvmc6tf76G
    On Instagram: @cathlene_sublimates Email us: [email protected]
    Hosted by Laurel Nakai and Akina Cox
    Music and Production by Laurel Nakai
    Artwork by Akina Cox
    1 hr 43 min

About Jane Austen Culture Night

From the publisher's feed

Laurel Nakai and Akina Cox grew up in the Unification Church, otherwise known as the Moonies, and are reflecting on that experience while reading their favorite author: Jane Austen!