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1001 Stories From The Gilded Age

1001 Stories From The Gilded Age

Jon Hagadorn Podcast Host · Jon Hagadorn

291 episodesEN

Show overview

1001 Stories From The Gilded Age has been publishing since 2019, and across the 7 years since has built a catalogue of 291 episodes. That works out to roughly 160 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.

Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 25 min and 38 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Fiction show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 days ago, with 20 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 65 episodes published. Published by Jon Hagadorn.

Episodes
291
Running
2019–2026 · 7y
Median length
31 min
Cadence
Weekly

From the publisher

1001 Stories From The Gilded Age (Formerly 1001 Greatest Love & Life Stories) brings you a wide mix of classic short stories and long-form family-friendly novels, a perfect mix of timeless classics from another age - when life was slower, men and women dressed well in public, , and courtesy, manners, and morals were practiced. From this age comes great stories from woman authors as well as popular stories such as The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables and Black Beauty. Our "Gilded Age' collection spans mostly from 1875-1929. Please share with a friend! Now narrating Anne of The Island (3rd in Anne series) every Sun and Wed at noon Eastern, and new short stories every Fri at noon ET.

Latest Episodes

View all 291 episodes

VICTORIAN GHOST STORY: THE LOST GHOST by MARY E. WILKINS FREEMAN

Jun 28, 202644 min

A PAIR OF SILK STOCKINGS KATE CHOPIN

May 31, 202615 min

HER FATHER'S DAUGHTER by LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY

May 24, 202643 min

GREATER LOVE by BRAM STOKER

May 22, 202632 min

FOR THE LOVE OF THE HILLS by SUSAN GLASPELL

May 20, 202627 min

HER LETTERS by KATE CHOPIN

May 17, 202625 min

WHITE MAGIC by LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY

Mar 8, 202635 min

A HAWAIIAN LOVE STORY

The love story of Lolo and Kahikilani from the ancient annals of Hawaii. Get all of our shows at one website: www.BESTOF1001STORIES.COM CALLING ALL FANS.. REVIEWS NEEDED SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! www.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT APPLE/ITUNES AND ALL ANDROID HOSTS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! LINKS BELOW... /adchoices

Mar 4, 202632 min

CHAMPAGNE by ANTON CHEKHOV

Chekhov's story 'Champagne' follows a young railway stationmaster who begins New Year's Eve in a festive, carefree mood. He and his wife open a bottle of champagne—an indulgence that feels like a small rebellion against the monotony of their isolated post. The drink loosens his tongue, and he jokes about omens, fate, and the superstitions tied to the holiday. But as the night unfolds, the celebratory mood gives way to unease. A seemingly harmless toast becomes the hinge on which the entire evening turns, and the stationmaster finds himself confronting a sudden, life‑altering event that shatters the lightness of the celebration. Chekhov uses the contrast between merriment and misfortune to explore how quickly joy can curdle into regret, and how fate sometimes answers our careless words with cruel precision. Browsw hundreds of great stories at www.bestof1001stories.com and sign up for our newsletter! Thanks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 1, 202615 min

AT TWILIGHT by SUSAN GLASPELL

We are now bringing three stories a week to 1001 Stories From The Gilded Age! You will find a mix of new and old narrations as Jon comes back to narrate some of the greatest women writers in literary history. Sun Noon ET, Wed 4pm ET, Fri 4pm ET at your favoriteb podcast host. In Susan Glaspell's short story "At Twilight," an aging professor finds himself in the "twilight" of his life, questioning whether his decades of teaching have left any meaningful mark on the world. Plot Summary The story follows a professor who has spent his entire career at the same school, never marrying or having children. After a long day of lecturing on the immortality of the soul, he feels a profound sense of weariness and regret, fearing he has wasted his life. His outlook shifts during a quiet conversation with his favorite student, Gretta Loring. Gretta, the daughter of his former students, offers him a "rescuing sense" of purpose by explaining that he has "deepened the consciousness of life" for those he taught. This realization allows him to finally find serenity, understanding that his influence on others is a form of immortality. Enjoy stories from all of our 1001 podcasts at www.bestof1001stories.com CALLING ALL FANS.. REVIEWS NEEDED FOR NEW SHOWS! REVIEWS NEEDED FOR NEW SHOWS! SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! www.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT APPLE/ITUNES AND ALL ANDROID HOSTS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! LINKS BELOW... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 27, 202629 min

A BUSH LEAGUE HERO by EDNA FERBER

Attention: We will now be offering three Gilded Age short stories every week- Sun 12 Noon ET, Wed 4pm ET, Fri 4pm ET, with complete show notes, all narrated by Jon, some new, some old. I have a huge respect for the woman writers of this period and enjoy sharing their stories. If you like this change let others know with your review! Answer to "Who coined the term 'Gilded Age?"below.... The Story: "A Bush League Hero" Published in Ferber's 1912 collection Buttered Side Down, this story is a classic example of her "working-class" fiction. The Summary: Despite the title, this is not a baseball story. It focuses on Ivy Keller, a young woman who returns to her small hometown after attending a "select school for young ladies" and finds herself intensely bored by the lack of excitement. The "hero" of the title is not a literal athlete but a local man, Jo Hertz, who manages a small-town clothing store. The story explores the contrast between Ivy's sophisticated pretensions and the quiet, unglamorous "heroism" of everyday work and small-town life. The Hook: Ferber uses a bait-and-switch with the title to critique the era's obsession with celebrity and "big league" glamour, instead finding dignity in the "bush league" (minor league) characters of rural America. About Edna Ferber (1885–1968)Edna Ferber was one of the most successful American writers of the early 20th century. A member of the famed Algonquin Round Table, she was known for her wit and her ability to capture the distinctly American spirit. Literary Impact: She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1925 for So Big and wrote the novel Show Boat, which became a landmark musical. Themes: Her work often featured strong, independent women navigating a changing society, reflecting her own experiences as a Jewish woman and a former journalist. Who Coined the Phrase "Gilded Age"?The term was coined by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner in the title of their 1873 satirical novel, The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today. The Meaning: The authors chose the word "gilded" (covered in a thin layer of gold) to suggest that the era's outward prosperity and "golden" expansion masked a core of corruption, greed, and social inequality. The Source: They were inspired by a line in Shakespeare's King John: "To gild refined gold... is wasteful and ridiculous excess." SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! www.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated). YOUR REVIEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT APPLE/ITUNES AND ALL ANDROID HOSTS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! LINKS BELOW... Browse all 12 1001 Podcasts at www.bestof1001stories.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 25, 202627 min

THAT HOMETOWN FEELING by EDNA FERBER

Jon is back narrating 3 episodes per week, some old,some new- all great stories! Check out the answer to the question "Who coined the term "Gilded Age" below.... THAT HOMETOWN FEELING (FROM THE COLLECTION "BUTTERED SIDE DOWN" Published in the 1912 collection Buttered Side Down, this story captures the tension between the allure of the big city and the persistent pull of one's roots. The Summary: The story centers on characters who have moved away from their small towns to find success in the city, only to discover that the "hometown feeling" is something they can never quite outrun. It focuses on the humorous and sometimes bittersweet interactions of people trying to reconcile their new, sophisticated identities with their humbler beginnings. The Hook: Ferber masterfully explores the idea of nostalgia as a double-edged sword. For your listeners, you might frame it as: Is the "hometown feeling" a warm embrace or a trap that keeps us from moving forward? About Edna Ferber (1885–1968) Edna Ferber was a powerhouse of early 20th-century literature. Though she is often associated with the later "Roaring Twenties," her early career and upbringing were deeply rooted in the end of the Gilded Age. A Voice for the Worker: Ferber was a beloved chronicler of American working people. Her writing often highlighted strong, business-minded women and the grit required to survive in a rapidly industrializing America. Overcoming Adversity: Her perspective was shaped by her childhood in the Midwest, where she faced significant antisemitism. This fueled her lifelong passion for social justice, which is visible even in her lighter short stories. Literary Legacy: She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1925 for So Big and wrote Show Boat, which transformed American musical theater by tackling serious themes of race and poverty. Who Coined the Phrase "Gilded Age"? The term was coined by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner in the title of their 1873 satirical novel, The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today. The Metaphor: The authors used "gilded" to describe a period that looked glittering and golden on the surface but was corrupt and "cheap" underneath. Unlike a "Golden Age," a "Gilded Age" is merely a thin layer of gold leaf masking social problems and inequality. Adoption: While Twain coined it to satirize his own time, historians in the

Feb 22, 202629 min

ANNE OF THE ISLAND: Final Chapters 39, 40 & 41

The Revelations of the Heart In this final installment of the Redmond years, the dust of graduation settles only to reveal the true landscape of Anne's future. Chapter 39: Deals with Weddings The season of change continues as Anne attends the wedding of her dear friend Phil Gordon to the poor minister, Jo Blake. Seeing Phil's radiant happiness in a life of simplicity forces Anne to re-evaluate her own ideas of success and romance. Back at home, life in Avonlea moves forward as Diana Wright welcomes a new addition to her family, further signaling the end of their girlhood. Chapter 40: A Book of Revelation A dark shadow falls over Avonlea when news arrives that Gilbert Blythe is deathly ill with typhoid fever. In a night of agonizing soul-searching, Anne experiences a book of revelation of her own. Stripped of her pride and her ideal fancies, she finally realizes that the love she's been searching for hasn't been in a storybook, it's been standing right beside her all along. Chapter 41: Love Takes Up the Glass of Time The air clears as Gilbert begins the slow road to recovery. In the quiet, sun-drenched beauty of Hester Gray's garden, the two old friends, now much wiser, finally find the words that have been left unsaid for years. The island years conclude not with a goodbye, but with a beautiful, long-awaited beginning. Credits Host and Producer by Gizelle Erickson Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn Music: Thanks to Luis_Humanoide "Victorian Violin Waltz" Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay (Gilded Theme) LibriVox recording read by Betsie Bush Follow us on Social Media for extra content! Instagram: 1001stories_from_the_gildedage Facebook: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age Podcast Reddit: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age LinkedIn: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age

Feb 22, 202638 min

ANNE OF THE ISLAND: (Chap 37) Full-fledged B.A.'s and (Chap 38) False Dawn

Degrees and Disappointments In this episode, we reach the bittersweet milestone of graduation and the long-awaited resolution of a years-long courtship. Anne Shirley finally steps out into the world as a Full-fledged B.A., but she quickly finds that academic success doesn't necessarily make the heart any easier to navigate. Chapter 37: Full-fledged B.A.'s The graduation season at Redmond College is a whirlwind of flowers, diplomas, and the heavy realization that the Patty's Place era is over. Anne achieves her academic goals, winning the prestigious Avery Scholarship, but the joy is tempered by the painful process of dismantling the home she shared with her intermingled friends. As the trunks are packed, we see the shift from girlhood dreams to the daunting reality of adulthood. Chapter 38: False Dawn Anne returns to the familiar beauty of the Island, expecting to find the happily ever after she always imagined with the dashing Roy Gardner. In a beautifully atmospheric scene at Crystal Brook, the moment of truth finally arrives. However, Roy's long-anticipated proposal brings Anne not ecstasy, but a cold, jarring realization. She is forced to confront the difference between a storybook romance and the truth of her own heart, leading to a rejection that leaves both of them reeling. Credits Narration and Production by Gizelle Erickson Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn Music: Thanks to Luis_Humanoide "Victorian Violin Waltz" Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay (Gilded Theme) LibriVox recording: Chapter 37 read by Christiane Levesque Chapter 38 read by Betsie Bush Follow us on Social Media for extra content! Instagram: 1001stories_from_the_gildedage Facebook: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age Podcast Reddit: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age LinkedIn: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age

Feb 15, 202624 min

ANNE OF THE ISLAND (Chapt 35) The Last Redmond Year Opens & (Chapt 36) The Gardners' Call

Episode Summary: The Beginning of the End In these pivotal chapters of Anne of the Island, the Senior Year energy hits Redmond College. Anne Shirley and her friends return for their final year, but the atmosphere has shifted from the carefree days of freshmen to the bittersweet reality of impending departures. Chapter 35: The Last Redmond Year Opens The bloom is off the rye as Anne returns to Kingsport. The chapter captures the melancholy of the last time for everything. While her academic career is reaching its zenith, her social life feels strained. The once-easy friendship with Gilbert Blythe has cooled into a polite, distant formality that haunts the periphery of her busy schedule. Chapter 36: The Gardners' Call The stakes of Anne's relationship with Roy Gardner reach a fever pitch when his mother and sister, Dorothy, come to call. Anne finds herself navigating the rigid social expectations of the wealthy Gardner family. While she passes the test and finds a surprisingly kindred spirit in Dorothy, the encounter leaves Anne wondering if a life of perfect propriety is truly what she desires. Credits Narration and Production by Gizelle Erickson Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn Music: Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay (Gilded Theme) LibriVox recording: Chapter 35 read by rachelellen Chapter 36 read by Christiane Levesque Follow us on Social Media for extra content! Instagram: 1001stories_from_the_gildedage Facebook: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age Podcast Reddit: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age LinkedIn: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age

Feb 8, 202623 min

ANNE OF THE ISLAND Chapters 33 (He Just Kept Coming and Coming) & 34 (John Douglas Speaks at Last)

In today's episode of Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery, we follow Anne Shirley as her journey is marked by change and growth during her transition toward adulthood. While substitute teaching at Valley Road, Anne has been a silent observer of a placid courtship that seemed to have no end. In "He Just Kept Coming and Coming," the mystery of John Douglas's two-decade-long silence is explored, illustrating the complexities of evolving friendship and the poignant nostalgia of a life spent in waiting. Finally, as we reach "John Douglas Speaks at Last," the narrative beautifully captures the intertwining of love, friendship, and the challenges of newfound independence that define Anne's continuing journey. Credits Host and Producer by Gizelle Erickson Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn Music: Thanks to Luis_Humanoide "Victorian Violin Waltz" Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay LibriVox Recording by Rachel Ellen

Feb 1, 202617 min

ANNE OF THE ISLAND (CHAP 31) Anne to Philippa & (CHAP 32) Tea with Mrs. Douglas

In today's episode of L. M. Montgomery's Anne of the Island, we rejoin Anne Shirley as she returns to the life of a country 'schoolma'am' at Valley Road. Boarding at Wayside with the thrifty soul Janet Sweet, Anne enjoys a world of feather-beds and lavish feasts, though she is slightly haunted by a parlor decorated with five preserved coffin plates. While the local social scene is quiet, save for a youth offering peppermints, Anne becomes a passive spectator to the courtship of Janet and John Douglas, a man whose face reveals a patient, humorous endurance. However, during a tea with John's mother, an angelic woman who claims to have been dying by inches for twenty years, Anne catches a glimpse of John looking like a tortured man, hinting at a hidden weight behind their long-standing placid courtship. Credits Host and Producer Gizelle Erickson Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn Music Thanks to Luis_Humanoide "Victorian Violin Waltz" Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay LibriVox Recording by Rachel Ellen

Jan 25, 202614 min

'THE SHADOW' VINTAGE RADIO MYSTERY NOW PLAYIING M-W-F AT 1001 GHOST, CHILLER & LOVECRAFT

Join host Gizelle Erickson every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4pm ET at 1001 Ghost, Chiller & Lovecraft Podcast as she introduces the nuances of every episode of America's favorite vigilante radio serial 'The Shadow' as Lamont Cranston and his sexy sidekick Margot Lane bring all the lowlifes and sleazeballs who never thought they would be punished to justice. Take the Shadow challenge and listen to the first five episodes like I did to really get an understanding of the show and you'll be a fan! Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-ghost-chiller-lovecraft-stories/id1516332327 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/5P4hV28LgpG89dRNMfSDKJ

Jan 23, 20263 min

ANNE OF THE ISLAND (CHAP 29) DIANA'S WEDDING & (CHAP 30) MRS. SKINNER'S ROMANCE

In today's episode, we bring you two chapters. Join Anne Shirley during a season of profound transitions, beginning with the long-awaited wedding of her "bosom friend," Diana Barry. As Anne ties the pink roses—the "flowers of love and faith"—into the bridal bouquet, she must confront the bittersweet reality that while their bond remains, the world of their youth is irrevocably changed by the responsibilities of adulthood. Amidst the "white-woven enchantment of moonlight" in Lovers' Lane, a familiar camaraderie returns with Gilbert Blythe, yet Anne finds herself feeling like a "stranger in Avonlea," mourning the "glory and the dream" of a childhood that has passed away forever. Seeking a fresh perspective, Anne journeys to Valley Road to substitute teach, where she encounters the delightfully robust Mrs. Amelia Skinner. Mrs. Skinner's own "real romantic" tale of choosing the poor but beloved Thomas over a wealthy suitor offers a poignant reminder that "folks can't get along together in this world without a little bit of love" to smooth the way. Credits Narration and Production by Gizelle Erickson Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn Music: Thanks to Luis_Humanoide "Victorian Violin Waltz" Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay

Jan 18, 202615 min

ANNE OF THE ISLAND (CHAP 27) MUTUAL CONFIDENCES AND (CHAP 28) A JUNE EVENING

In this installment of Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery, covering "Mutual Confidences" and "A June Evening," the girls at Patty's Place share deeply held secrets just as the shadow of April examinations falls. Phil announces she is the happiest girl in the world after accepting Jonas Blake. Anne, however, struggles with her own bewildering heart, questioning if life with Royal Gardner, the hero of her dreams, might be somewhat uninteresting. As Diana's wedding approaches, Anne, sitting under the spice and bloom of a June evening, realizes that it is a most dreadful thing to go out of the world without being missed, and sighs over the fact that people have to grow up, and marry, and change. Follow us on Social Media Instagram: 1001stories_from_the_gildedage Facebook: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age Podcast Reddit: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age LinkedIn: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age Credits Narration and Production by Gizelle Erickson Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn Music: Thanks to Luis_Humanoide "Victorian Violin Waltz" Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay Thanks to Music_For_Videos "Romance" Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

Jan 4, 202621 min
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