The Thing About Austen

Copyright: © The Thing About Austen Podcast. Music "Studio per Il Pianoforte, Op. 30, No. 21 in G Major" by Johann Baptist Cramer. Performed and recorded by Karali Hunter. Used with permission of artist.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 122: The Thing About The Romance of the Forest Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Spooky season has arrived, and we're celebrating by diving into a classic gothic novel. This episode we pore over the pages of Ann Radcliffe's The Romance of the Forest, one of the books that Harriet Smith recommends to Robert Martin (Emma has thoughts).

To join our Patreon community, please head to https://www.patreon.com/TheThingAboutAusten. Thank you so much for supporting the work we do!

Website/newsletter: https://www.thethingaboutausten.com
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Episode 121: The Thing About Henry Tilney's Dogs with guest Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Catherine Morland is thrilled to be visiting Henry Tilney's home. Bonus: she gets to meet his very cute dogs. Pet historian Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith is back to analyze Henry's canine companions in the context of Regency dog ownership.

Thank you so much to Stephanie for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Instagram @DogHistorian. Her book Yap! is out in October and is currently available for pre-order.

We have launched a Patreon! To join, please head to https://www.patreon.com/TheThingAboutAusten. Thank you so much for supporting the work we do!

Website/newsletter: https://www.thethingaboutausten.com
Email: TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com
Instagram: @TheThingAboutAusten
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop

Episode 120: The Thing About Mr. Darcy's Ten Thousand a Year Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Mr. Bingley has brought a friend to the Meryton assembly, and everyone is abuzz with excitement. This episode we take a look at Mr. Darcy's bank balance and get into exactly what Austen is signaling with Darcy's ten thousand pounds a year.

We have launched a Patreon! To join, please head to https://www.patreon.com/TheThingAboutAusten. Thank you so much for supporting the work we do!

Website/newsletter: https://www.thethingaboutausten.com
Email: TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com
Instagram: @TheThingAboutAusten
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop

Episode 119: The Thing About Sea-bathing Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Everyone loves a good trip to the seaside. Everyone, that is, except Mr. Woodhouse. This episode we take a deep dive into the practice of sea-bathing in Jane Austen's time.

If you have ever used your favorite apothecary as your anti-seaside scapegoat, this episode is for you.

We have launched a Patreon! To sign up and support the work we do, please head to https://www.patreon.com/TheThingAboutAusten. Thank you SO much!

Website/newsletter: https://www.thethingaboutausten.com
Email: TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com
Instagram: @TheThingAboutAusten
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop

Episode 118: The Thing About Mrs. Clay Under Mr. Elliot's Protection Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

What exactly does Austen mean when she describes Mrs. Clay as being "under his protection"? And what's in it for everyone involved? This episode we examine the role of mistresses in 18th-century society.

We have launched a Patreon! To sign up and support the work we do, please head to https://www.patreon.com/TheThingAboutAusten. Thank you SO much!

Website/newsletter: https://www.thethingaboutausten.com
Email: TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com
Instagram: @TheThingAboutAusten
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop

Episode 117: The Thing About Barton Cottage May 26, 2026

Show notes

The Dashwood ladies have moved to Devon, and everyone seems to have an opinion on their new digs. This episode we discuss cottages, in all their many permutations.

If you have ever had to listen to someone brag about the house party they organized, this episode is for you.

We have launched a Patreon! To sign up and support the work we do, please head to https://www.patreon.com/TheThingAboutAusten. Thank you SO much!

Website/newsletter: https://www.thethingaboutausten.com
Email: TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com
Instagram: @TheThingAboutAusten
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop

Episode 116: The Thing About Mrs. Bates's Knitting with guest Eleanor Gilchrist Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

Mrs. Bates may be sitting quietly in the corner, but her hands are always busy. This episode we are joined by knitting and crochet historian Eleanor Gilchrist to discuss the details of Mrs. Bates's knitting. We also take a look at Mrs. Smith's relationship to knitting in Persuasion.

If you have ever needed tips on how to best show off your elegant hands and neck, this episode is for you.

Thank you so much to Eleanor for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Instagram @stitchesandseeds.

You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten. You can email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com and head over to https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to check out our podcast related merch.

Episode 115: The Thing About Harriet as a Natural Daughter Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Emma has big plans for Harriet, and these plans require a backstory, which Emma is more than happy to concoct. This episode we unpack the meaning of the expression "natural daughter" and discuss the social context of illegitimacy in Austen's time.

Episode 114: The Thing About Miss Lambe with guest Damianne Scott Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

This episode we welcome back guest Damianne Scott to discuss Miss Lambe from Austen's unfinished work, Sanditon. Dami covers exactly why Miss Lambe is such an important character in Austen's canon, as well as delving into the portrayal of Miss Lambe in the recent television miniseries (consider this your spoiler warning for the show!).

Thank you so much to Dami for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Instagram @BlackGirlLoves76, on X @BlackGirlLoves3, and on the Black Girl Loves Jane Facebook page.

Episode 113: The Thing About Grosvenor Street Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

The Netherfield crew have all decamped for London, and Caroline wants to make sure that Jane knows all about it. This episode we're checking out Grosvenor Street and its surrounding environs before paying a visit to the Bingley sisters.

We hope to see you at our Jane-uary Meet-up! Head over to our website to learn more and register: https://www.thethingaboutausten.com/p/2026-jane-uary-meet-up

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