Betsy Golden Kellem
Scholar of the unusual and the author of Jumping Through Hoops: Performing Gender in the 19th Century Circus. Also hosts and writes a video series called Showman Shorts for the Barnum Museum.
Best podcasts with Betsy Golden Kellem
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Sep 9, 2025 • 35min
Jumping Through Hoops: Performing Gender in the 19th Century Circus
Betsy Golden Kellem, an expert on the unusual and author of 'Jumping Through Hoops,' dives deep into the hidden world of 19th-century female circus performers. She discusses how these boundary-breaking women, like Lavinia Warren and Millie-Christine McKoy, challenged societal norms through daring acts. Kellem reveals the circus as a cultural space that transformed gender roles, examining the balance of empowerment and exploitation. Her insights shed light on the captivating lives of these performers and their lasting impact on femininity in American culture.
Sep 9, 2025 • 35min
Jumping Through Hoops: Performing Gender in the 19th Century Circus
Join Betsy Golden Kellem, a scholar of the unusual and Emmy-winning host, as she unveils the hidden history of daring female circus performers in the 19th century. Discover the boundary-breaking feats of women like Lavinia Warren and Annie Edson Taylor, who defied societal norms and redefined femininity in a male-dominated world. Kellem delves into the evolution of the circus as a major business and the cultural significance of these performances, highlighting the intersection between gender, history, and art in a captivating way.
