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 12: The Thing About Mary Crawford's Harp with guest Dr. Lidia Chang Sep 23, 2021

Show notes

Mary Crawford is playing the harp over at the Mansfield Parsonage, and we've got front row seats to the hottest performance in town. If you have ever wondered about all those mornings Edmund spent listening to his "prime favourite," this episode is for you.

Thank you so much to Dr. Lidia Chang for joining us for this discussion! You can find her online at www.lidiachang.com or follow her on Instagram @lidiaac.

You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

Episode 11: The Thing About Steventon Rectory Sep 16, 2021

Show notes

Although it no longer exists, Steventon Rectory was the birthplace of Jane Austen and where she lived for the first 25 years of her life. This week we travel back to Steventon Rectory and learn more about this place that was so formative to Austen's development. And most importantly, we dig up some excellent Austen potato content.

This biographical episode was the result of multiple listener requests — we love hearing from you! You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

Episode 10: The Thing About Box Hill Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

This episode we're all about Emma as we head out to Box Hill to take in the view. There's nothing like sublime landscape and awkward social tension to get your day off to a great start! If you have ever made it seem like you had a great time when the reality was a dumpster fire, this episode is for you.

You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

Episode 9: The Thing About the Rushworths' Divorce with guest Dr. Ellen Campbell Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

Sex! Scandal! This week we're headed to Mansfield Park where a matrimonial fracas is brewing. Actually, it happened in Twickenham, and it's already fully steeped. If you ever thought Jane Austen was just about polite tea parties, this episode is for you.

A huge thanks to Dr. Ellen Campbell for joining us for this discussion, despite suffering from new semester laryngitis — thank you, Ellen! You can find her on Twitter @EllenCampbell.

You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

Episode content warning: discussion of adultery and partner violence

Episode 8: The Thing About Sir Walter's Favorite Book Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

We're deep in the nerdery weeds this week as we unpack the beginning of Persuasion and discuss Sir Walter's obsession with status and prestige and how that manifests in his love for his favorite book. If you've ever trawled LinkedIn looking for potential dates, this episode is for you.

You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

Trigger warning for this episode: Discussion of child loss around 11:30 in the context of inheritance and heirs, lasting for approximately two minutes.

Episode 7: The Thing About Spinsters Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

While the word "spinster" never comes up in Austen's novels, the role of spinster or "old maid" is a frequent occurrence. This episode we're having a bit of etymological fun with the word spinster, in addition to digging into just why a woman might choose marrying Collins over remaining blissfully single.

If you have ever been the lone singleton at the annual turkey curry buffet, this episode is for you.

(Spinster does come up in the hilarious authorial demand prefacing Lesley Castle, but that's a story best saved for another episode.)

Trigger warning for this episode: Brief mention of sexual assault around 13:50

You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

Episode 6: The Thing About Darcy's Pen Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

This week we come to you live from Caroline Bingley's Pen Mending Emporium, where all your pens will be mended with utmost care and attention to detail. At least if your name is Fitzwilliam Darcy, that is. If you ever attempted to flirt over office supplies, this episode is for you.

And for the extra observant listener — we had a bit of a technical difficulty, so The Thing About Rushworth's Divorce had to be postponed. Coming soon!

You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

Episode 5: The Thing About General Tilney's Pamphlets Jul 29, 2021

Show notes

This week we're all about the mysterious (or are they stupid?) pamphlets that General Tilney reads late at night. We talk about the political tumult of the 1790s and pamphlets as a form of blogging, and even make a nod to Bridgerton and scandal sheets. If you ever accidentally thought your boyfriend's dad was a murderer, this episode is for you.

You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com

Episode 4: The Thing About Marianne's Dead Leaves Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

This episode we're all about the connection between Romanticism and Marianne's passion for dead leaves. We also discuss the ways in which the recent film adaptations have amped up the Romanticism factor. If you were ever a teen with a lot of BIG FEELINGS, this episode is for you.

Content warning for this episode: Grief and parental loss are briefly mentioned at a few points throughout the episode

You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com

Episode 3: The Thing About Regency Scrabble Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

We could have just as easily called this episode The Thing About Frank's Blunder, as that is the moment in question. On this episode we provide some context for what we are calling Regency Scrabble before unpacking Frank's blunder with the help of Detective Knightley.

Grab your deerstalker hat and join us as we attempt to solve the mystery of why Frank thinks any of this is a good idea.

You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com

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