Texas Steampunk Connection

recorded September 3, 2025 This week we celebrate the American laborer that keeps the wheels of industry turning. But what was it like at a time when labor drove the actual industrial revolution? TLDR, it was a horror show of course! We go from the Poor Law of 1834 to workhouses, to manufacturing fire in a locked building, to labor safety laws and the value of unions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_Law_Amendment_Act_1834 https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Victorian-Workhouse/ https://www.osha.gov/aboutosha/40-years/trianglefactoryfire https://workerorganizing.org/premajority-unionism/unions/history/

recorded August 20, 2025 Tonight we begin an exploration of the tawdry underbelly of repressed Victorian society, venturing into what is not discussed in polite society. We approach Victorian drug use, medical and recreational, of opium, cocaine, and cannabis. The Steampunk Doctor: Practicing Medicine in a Victorian Mechanical Age Drugs in Victorian Britain Opium in Victorian Britain Opium Use in the 19th Century Busted: How Cocaine went from Friend to Fiend in the 19th Century How Marijuana Was Used In Victorian England Cannabis Britannica: The Rise and Demise of a Victorian England Wonder-Drug

recorded August 6, 2025 This week we are joined by Bekah June, host of cosmic horror series "Voicemails of the Unexplained." She is also a veteran steampunk, and into weird paranormal conspiracies so this should be a fun chat. Bekah's web page, Default Theory Productions Voicemails of the Unexplained Bekah's TikTok Bekah's previous project, Tales of a Broken Reality Turning the Table: A Look at The Victorian Supernatural Obsession

recorded July 23, 2025 Musician and steampunk presenter, Addisyn Madd joins us this week as we discuss the passing of an idol and the steampunk track at Delta H Con this last weekend. Delta H Con is a diverse fandom convention catering to Anime fans and cosplayers, tabletop and online gamers, and general geek love. This year Delta H committed a full panel room to steampunk for the whole weekend! Apologies for the sound quality. It was out of our control. That's showbiz. Addisyn Madd Mr. Madd at Delta H Con

recorded July 9, 2025 Ready to add beautiful accessories to glow up your kit? Steampunk options in jewelry are vast, but some draw the eye for being so over the top ridiculous it turns you into a steampunk influencer! Let's talk about jewelry and steampunks and stuff! I could not find the etsy listing for the Cheez Whiz Steampunk pendant, and that's a real shame. But I do have this: https://www.clippingworld.com/ugly-jewelry/ Jack is really into raccoons, so... Raccoon Ring Handcrafted by Doctor Gus 

recorded June 25, 2025 What do you think of when you hear steampunk and animals? Is it animals in cute costumes? What about autonomous robotic creatures? Mad experiments in genetic science? We've got a lot of fun ground to cover tonight!   8 Animals That Think They're Steampunk (Plus Tips for Steampunking Your Own Pet) Automata - The Mechanical Art & Design Museum Make Cardboard Automata | STEM Activity Strandbeest  Save a Horse, Ride a Kawi: The Kawasaki Corleo Concept  MechWest: action adventure set in a steampunk Wild West

recorded June 11, 2025 What's the latest happenings around Steampunk as the temperatures keep climbing? Join us and Kitty of Faire Treasures as she tells us about the last days of Joann Fabrics, and adventure with the Ghost Airship Allegory, exploring the British Emporium and recovering at Gillespie's Irish Tavern.

recorded May 28, 2025 Laura Meyer joins us with the release of her latest book, The Halloween Collection. It's a great book to prep for a new crafting hobby, or ten. Get half-rats and chew the fat with us!   a link to the book  warning: site is adult oriented

recorded May 14, 2025 The Met Gala just happened and it's theme was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." This has started a conversation about dandyism and black history. We discuss the roots of black dandyism, how it has differed from general dandyism, how it differs across cultures, and see what it offers us from a Steampunk point of view. Articles on Black Dandyism History of Black Dandyism and Its Celebration at The Met Gala biography.com  Black Dandyism wikipedia.org Flâneur wikipedia.org La Sape wikipedia.org The Dandies of Congo Youtube.com Gentleman Jack 

recorded April 30, 2025 Thax is missing and the inmates are running the asylum! Jack and Dr. B hit on the color of the season, Apocalype Red! All the steampunks are going with red highlights for 2025. Weird new film directed by Jamin Winans, "Myth of Man" looks visually amazing! And there's a new Dune video game that Jack is about to play. Steampunk by Ottavio Nuccio  Myth of Man 

recorded April 16, 2025 Galveston Steampunk Festival was last weekend and we have lots to talk about after event! A hell-ride across the state! Best restaurant in town! A new venue at the Moody Gardens, the Galveston pyramids. Improvements from last year, adjustments and growing pains. Grab a pint or a tipple and lets talk!

recorded April 2, 2025 On Saturday afternoon April 29, just over a week ago, Wild Wild West Con, a long running steampunk convention in Arizona, was summarily shut down by the hotel under questionable circumstances. We discuss the available facts and try to understand why WWWC was taken down. Steampunk Explorer reports on the shutdown Last chance to get passes for Galveston Steampunk Festival! 

recorded March 19, 2025 Steampunk is fiction informed by history, so it's good to know a thing or two about actually happened, especially when it makes such wild stories. This week we welcome hobby historian and author, Krystal Stargazer, to talk about her favorite character, her historical crush, Davey Crockett. We also discuss her book detailing her research into Austin's own Victorian cereal killer, the Servant Girl Annihilator. The Annihilation of Austin  Austin Moon Towers 

recorded March 5, 2025 Texas Steampunk Connection is joined by Kitty of Faire Treasures to talk about the trends we have seen at conventions. What's changed in the 35 years of attending cons? Is bigger better, or do we miss small college con vibe? Do we like it or how do we want it to change? Also Dr. Bluestocking bought a house! Also start building your teapot racer for Galveston Steampunk Festival! 

recorded February 19, 2025 Festival Season is a great time for Steampunk! Joining us is event host Johnny Steverson of Galveston Steampunk Festival fame! We chat with him about upcoming events, Mardi Gras Galveston style, a little men's facial grooming, and how to be ready for a good time! Galveston Steampunk Festival 

recorded Febuary 5, 2025 Love or hate, the big V day is coming! Join the Steampunks to chat about Victorian Valentine's tradition of love letters, modern romance, and probably smut. 5 Minute History: Valentine's Day in the Vcitorian Era  5 romantic Victorian Valentine's Day traditions

recorded January 22, 2025 Costumer, game designer, teacher, author, Laura Meyer returns to the show after more than a year! She's been working on her upcoming book, The Halloween Collection: Costume and Cosplay Techniques, due out any day here, and Cogs Aplenty! A Steampunk Murder Mystery Game, for release later this year! www.TwilightAttire.com The Victorian Collection: Advanced costuming Techniques

recorded January 8, 2025 This year we want more adventures, and that means making some sort of plan, so I'm told. We're looking for cool Texas events, trips, and things to look forward to. Planners don't post events so early in the year, so I like to keep a list of known organizers, and themes I hope to find. Circuses, balloon festivals, conventions. Fredericksburg Hot Air Balloon Festival Plano Balloon Festival Kerville RenFest World Oddities Expo Oddities & Curiosities Expo

recorded December 26, 2024 That special time, a mysterious time between Christmas and New Years where Santa is not looking. We call this time "the Binge." Tonight we review the year and make resolutions for 2025!  More guests! More comic and book reviews! More travel! Teapot racing! Radio drama! Merch! Let's see if we can make this happen.

recorded December 11, 2024 Robert Heinlein wrote "A poet who reads his verse in public may have other nasty habits." This week we talk to KL Forslund, winner of the Steampunk November poetry slam. He'll introduce us to some new bad habits and update us on the Texas Teapot Racing League. What fun!