Podcast
The Thing About Austen
Hosted by The Thing About Austen · EN
The Thing About Austen is a podcast about Jane Austen's world — the people, objects, and culture that shape Austen's fiction. Come for the historical context and stay for the literary shenanigans. Think of us as your somewhat cheeky tour guides to the life and times of Jane Austen.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 116: The Thing About Mrs. Bates's Knitting with guest Eleanor Gilchrist
Mar 2300:31:46Tap to summarizeMrs. 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.
Transcribe →Episode 115: The Thing About Harriet as a Natural Daughter
Feb 2700:39:25Tap to summarizeEmma 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. 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.
Transcribe →Episode 114: The Thing About Miss Lambe with guest Damianne Scott
Jan 3000:37:26Tap to summarizeThis 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. 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.
Transcribe →Episode 113: The Thing About Grosvenor Street
Dec 1500:24:38Tap to summarizeThe 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 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.
Transcribe →Episode 112: The Thing About Lovers' Vows
Nov 2400:30:10Tap to summarizeMansfield Park has been hit by the theatrical bug, and shenanigans and intrigue are afoot. Please take your seat and silence all devices, because this episode we're peeking behind the green baize curtain of Lovers' Vows. 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.
Transcribe →Episode 111: The Thing About Catherine and the Mysterious Apartments with guest Kate Emery
Oct 2700:33:55Tap to summarizeDetective Catherine is on the case. The crime? Murder most foul. If only she can find some evidence. This episode we're joined by Kate Emery of Austen Therapy to discuss Catherine's investigation, why we like to scare ourselves, and why Henry Tilney is her ultimate Austen hero. If your boyfriend has ever caught you snooping around his mom's bedroom, this episode is for you. Thank you so much to Kate for joining us for this episode! You can find the Austen Therapy podcast wherever you get your podcasts and follow them on Instagram @austentherapypodcast. You can follow Kate on Instagram @austentherapy. 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.
Transcribe →Episode 110: The Thing About Lady Catherine's Windows with guest Dr. Emily Davis-Hale
Sep 2100:22:15Tap to summarizeHave you heard of this really, really, REALLY amazing house called Rosings? No seriously, it's basically the greatest house that has ever been built. And the windows! Don't even get me started. I mean, honestly, look at that gorgeous glazing. This episode we're joined by Dr. Emily Davis-Hale of Reclaiming Jane to discuss Lady Catherine, her windows, and why Mr. Collins is obsessed with both. Thank you so much to Emily for joining us for this episode! You can find Reclaiming Jane online at https://www.reclaimingjanepod.com and follow them on Instagram @ReclaimingJane and on Facebook @ReclaimingJanePod. You can follow Emily on Instagram @emmakyzar and on Bluesky @crawfits. 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.
Transcribe →Episode 109: The Thing About the Assizes
Aug 2000:30:20Tap to summarizeAdmiral Croft went away to sea, and Mr. Musgrove went away to Taunton. And Mrs. Musgrove seems to think that's the same thing. Grab your fanciest and most judicial red robe because this episode, we're covering the assizes. 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.
Transcribe →Episode 108: The Thing About the Barouche-landau
Jul 2100:29:50Tap to summarizeThe weather is fine, and Mrs. Elton would like to go for a drive with the top down. This episode we're covering barouches, landaus, and Mrs. Elton's favorite, the barouche-landau. Let's hope it doesn't rain. Thank you to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, presenting Jane Austen Wrecked My Life for sponsoring this episode. You can learn more and watch at home here: https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/janeaustenwreckedmylife 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.
Transcribe →Episode 107: The Thing About Manydown Park with guests Prerna Ramachandra and Sarah Rose Kearns
Jul 700:32:59Tap to summarizeIn December 1802, while visiting family friends at Manydown Park, Jane Austen received and accepted a proposal of marriage from Harris Bigg-Wither. The next day, she withdrew her acceptance. This episode we are joined by guests Prerna Ramachandra and Sarah Rose Kearns to discuss this crossroads moment in Austen's personal and professional life. Thank you so much to Prerna and Rose for joining us for this episode! Their Kickstarter campaign for Manydown is now live: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theholytheatre/manydown-a-jane-austen-story. Please check it out and consider supporting their work. You can also follow along with their progress by subscribing to their Substack: https://manydown.substack.com. You can learn more about Prerna and Rose's other work at https://www.prernaramachandra.me and https://www.theholytheatre.org. 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. Thank you to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, presenting Jane Austen Wrecked My Life for sponsoring this episode. You can learn more and watch at home here: https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/janeaustenwreckedmylife
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