What the Austen? Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 85: What did Jane Austen's Xmas celebrations look like? with Jessica Bull Dec 07, 2025

Show notes

I thought a fun Christmas episode would be to discuss Regency Christmas traditions. From mistletoe to ghost stories, we get into the festive Regency spirit on the podcast.

Author Jessica Bull is joining me to share her insights and to talk about her new Christmas novella, which falls into her Jane Austen Investigates series, The Austen Christmas Murders.

I hope you enjoy this episode, and as Jane Austen herself wrote, “Merry Christmas, but no compliments of the season.”

Wishing you a wonderful festive period full of love and light!

Jessica Bull:
@jessicabullnovelist
https://jessicabullauthor.com/

Episode 84: Villain off 2025: Elizabeth Elliot v Fanny Dashwood (Persuasion and Sense & Sensibility) AUDIO ONLY EP Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

In this year’s showdown, we’re pitting two of Austen’s most calculating women against each other Elizabeth Elliot from Persuasion and Fanny Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility. Both are masters of manipulation and self-interest, but in very different ways.

Elizabeth Elliot, ever-conscious of appearances, rules her social circle with icy elegance, dismissing anyone she deems beneath her while clinging to the illusion of superiority. Fanny Dashwood, meanwhile, is ruthless in her pursuit of wealth and comfort, quickly convincing her husband to cheat his half-sisters out of their inheritance and doing so with a smile.

As we dig into their stories, we’ll explore what drives these women: is it greed, pride, or pure vanity? And when it comes to cruelty cloaked in civility, who truly reigns supreme?

Join us as we compare their motives, methods, and misdeeds and help decide who will claim this year’s crown as the Ultimate Jane Austen Villain.

Where can you find Ellis?
Instagram: @historian_ellis

Where can you find Caily?
Instagram: @half_agony_half_hope

Where can you find your host, Izzy?
🌐 Website: www.whattheausten.com
🎧 Podcast Instagram: @whattheausten
📸 Personal Instagram: @izzy_meakin
📺 YouTube: What the Austen? Podcast

Episode 83: Clermont By Regina Maria Roche | Unpacking the Horrid Novels from Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey Oct 12, 2025

Show notes

It’s that time of year again, spooky season! 🎃 Join Martha and me as we dive into our fourth Horrid Novel, Regina Maria Roche’s Clermont. In this episode, we unravel the twists and turns of this wonderfully Gothic tale, from mysterious family secrets to dramatic reunions. We chat about the novel’s influence on Jane Austen, share plenty of laughs, and get lost in all the gloriously over-the-top moments that make these stories so much fun to revisit. Perfect for fellow Gothic literature lovers and Austen fans alike! I always love doing these Eps! Me and Martha have also read, and have episodes for: The Castle of Wolfenbach by Eliza ParsonsThe Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann RadcliffeThe Monk by Matthew Lewis#GothicNovels #JaneAusten #Clermont

Episode 82: The Worlds of Jane Austen: Chaos, Revolution, Empire & War with Helena Kelly Sep 28, 2025

Show notes

What was Jane Austen’s world really like? 🤔 Far from the serene ballrooms and genteel romances we often imagine, Austen lived through decades of chaos, revolution, war, and empire. In this episode of What the Austen? I’m joined by historian and author Helena Kelly to uncover how these turbulent times shaped Austen’s life, her family, and her novels 📖We explore how Britain was at war for most of Austen’s adult life, and how the ever-present shadow of revolution, empire, and fear of invasion formed the backdrop to her writing. Helena explains how Austen’s own family connections tied her directly to politics and the military, and how her fiction reflects and sometimes conceals the radical realities of her era. Together, we also look at Austen’s sharp psychological insight into her characters, which makes her novels so enduringly relevant 👒The Worlds of Jane Austen Helena's new book which peels back the layers of myth to reveal the real Regency world behind the novels is OUT NOW! What surprised you most about the real world of Jane Austen? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🤍

Episode 81: Paula Byrne On The Real Love Story Behind Jane Austen’s Novels | Six Weeks by the Sea Sep 07, 2025

Show notes

“How could Jane Austen write so convincingly about love and heartbreak if she never fell in love?”In this episode, I’m joined by author and literary critic Paula Byrne to explore Jane Austen’s love life, beyond the well-known stories.You might already know about the dashing Tom Lefroy, made famous in Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy. Or perhaps you’ve giggled at the tale of Harris Bigg-Wither, whose proposal Jane accepted only to change her mind and flee less than 24 hours later.But what if there was another man in her life... one whose story is filled with passion, longing, and heartbreak?Paula and I dive into the mysterious seaside romance Jane is believed to have experienced in the summer of 1801. Could this be the man who truly captured her heart? Paula's new novel Six Weeks by the Sea is her fictional reimagining of this emotional and enigmatic chapter of Austen's life.📖 Where can you find Paula? Six Weeks by the Sea – Out 28th August (UK) / 5th August (US)Author of Jane Austen: The Genius of Jane Austen (featured in the BBC documentary)Belle: The True Story of Dido BelleAnd many more acclaimed biographies and novels.@paulajaynebyrne on Instagram and XFollow me on Instagram: @whattheaustenWhat the Austen? is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode 80: Susannah Harker on becoming Jane Bennet: Midlife, New Projects & 1995 Pride & Prejudice. Aug 24, 2025

Show notes

This week, I’m thrilled to be joined by actress and writer Susannah Harker forever beloved to many of us as Jane Bennet in the iconic 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice. Nearly thirty years on, Susannah is stepping back into Jane’s world, but this time, she’s reimagining the character’s life (and her own) in a brand-new comedy-drama, Jane Bennet’s Second Spring.In this episode, we trace her journey from becoming Jane Bennet during the height of Austenmania, to exploring the complexities of midlife, resilience, and reinvention. We talk about the quiet strength of Jane Bennet, the stereotypes women face as they age, and why telling multifaceted, authentic women’s stories matters more than ever.Susannah also shares the inspiration behind her new film, a witty, moving, and deeply relatable story of a woman whose golden age is just beginning. This conversation is part nostalgia, part creative deep-dive, and part rallying cry for women to own all their stories. Not just the ones others expect us to tell.Where can you find Susannah? Support the Kickstart and get involved with the film: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/susannahharker/jane-bennets-second-spring@jbssfilm@susannah.harkerFind me on Instagram: @whattheausten Support my other channel @Izzymeakin

Episode 79: Surviving (and Thriving) Your First Regency Ball Jul 20, 2025

Show notes

Join me, Sophie, and Abbie for a post-ball debrief as we spill all the tea from my very first Regency ball experience—hosted at one of their fabulous seasonal events! From dance floor dos and don’ts to must-have accessories, we’re sharing our top tips, tricks, and lessons learned to help you feel confident and have the time of your life at your next historical ball. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a first-time attendee, this episode is packed with laughs, helpful advice, and behind-the-scenes stories.

🎉 GIVEAWAY: 18th–25th July
Win a ticket to a 2026 Regency Ball in Reading! Sophie and Abbie are kindly giving away one ticket exclusively to one of my listeners. See my instagram post @whattheausten for the info on how to enter!

Where to Find Sophie & Abbie:
📸 @laughingwithlizzie
🎨 @abigailrosecreative
🛍️ Lizzie & Rose – Reasonably Priced Regency Accessories

✨ Sign up for Laughing with Lizzie’s newsletter via the link in her Instagram bio to stay up to date on future events and releases.

Want the full first-time ball experience? Watch my vlog from their Springtide Ball on YouTube! @IzzyMeakin

Episode 78: Emma Woodhouse: The Original “That Girl” Jul 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m joined by Neha and Shruti from The Novel Tea podcast to talk all things Emma, the most Marmite of Jane Austen’s heroines. From her unshakable confidence to her curated little world in Highbury, is Emma Woodhouse the blueprint for today’s “That Girl” trend? We explore how shifting attitudes around singledom, self-assurance, and main character energy might just mean that Emma’s time has finally come.Where can you find Neha and Shruti? The Novel Tea on all podcasting platforms @thenoveltea.podSubstack - https://thenovelteapod.substack.com/

Episode 78: My Charlotte Lucas Birthday Q&A – Jane Austen, Books & Babbling Jun 22, 2025

Show notes

It’s my 27th birthday or as we Janeites like to say, my Charlotte Lucas birthday! To mark the occasion, I opened up the floor to your questions about all things Austen, books, podcasting and life. In this episode, I’m answering all the questions I was sent e.g. which Austen character would I interview? What books did I read growing up? etc. Thank you to everyone who sent in a question 🤍 it was such a lovely way to reflect and connect. I hope you enjoy this slightly more personal episode of What the Austen? 📖

@abigailrosecreative @laughingwithlizzie6038

Episode 77: The Darcy Effect: Romantic Ideal or Byronic Brooder? Jun 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode I'm joined by Caily to unpack the enduring allure of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Together, we explore The Darcy Effect—why this seemingly aloof gentleman continues to captivate readers over two centuries later. Is Mr. Darcy truly the archetype of the Romantic hero, or does he lean closer to the brooding complexities of a Byronic figure? We take a deep dive into his character. Join us for a rich discussion full of nuance and theory 🤍I've done loads of episodes with Caily over the years including unpopular opinions and Villain off's so be sure to check those out too! Please also subscribe and if you want to support the podcast further leaving a review on one of the podcasting platforms like Apple and Spotify makes such a huge difference! Thanks Janeites 🤍

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