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Artwork for Austen Chat
Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice
Emma
Mansfield Park
Northanger Abbey
Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen July
Literary Techniques
Character Development
Free Indirect Discourse
Historical Research
Regency-Era Music
Musicology
Pianist
Fordyce's Sermons
Elizabeth Bennett
Fanny Price
Anne Elliot
Sanditon
The Watsons

Welcome to Austen Chat, the podcast of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA). Join us each month as we interview scholars, authors, and subject experts on a wide range of topics related to Austen’s writings, her life and times, and more. There is always more to learn and enjoy about Jane!

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Latest Episodes

"Elizabeth took up some needlework, and was sufficiently amused in attending to what passed between Darcy and his companion." —Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen often wove needlework and other domestic crafts into her novels in thoughtful and meaningf... more

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"My dearest Cassandra,

The letter which I have this moment received from you has diverted me beyond moderation. I could die of laughter at it, as they used to say at school."

—Jane Austen, September 1, 1796

It's been speculated that Jane Austen may... more

YouTube

Happy 2026, listeners! To kick off the new year, we’re sharing something special: Austen Chat’s first episode recorded in front of a live audience. 

Jane Austen lived during a remarkably dynamic period of British history and was well aware of the fo... more

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“Jane was so admired, nothing could be like it. Everybody said how well she looked; and Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful . . . .” —Mrs. Bennet, Pride and Prejudice

Jane Bennet, the eldest of the five Bennet sisters, is an undisputed beauty, b... more

YouTube

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jennie Batchelor
Professor of 18th century and Romantic Studies; head of English and Related Literature at the University of York; expert on women writers, dress and craft
University of York; Chawton House Library
Episode: Jane Austen & Needlework: A Visit with Jennie Batchelor
Ingrid Tieken-Boon van Ostade
Professor Emeritus of English Sociohistorical Linguistics at Leiden University Centre for Linguistics
Leiden University
Episode: Jane Austen & Her Letters: A Visit with Ingrid Tieken-Boon van Ostade
Vanessa Riley
Historical fiction author and speaker at the Jane Austen Society event.
Episode: Miss Lambe and Beyond: A Visit with Vanessa Riley
Susannah Harker
Actress known for playing Jane Bennet in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Episode: Jane Austen & Jane Bennet: A Visit with Susannah Harker
Kathryn Sutherland
Professor Emerita and Senior Research Fellow at St Anne's College, Oxford
St Anne's College, Oxford
Episode: Jane Austen & Her Manuscripts: A Visit with Kathryn Sutherland
Charlotte Brewer
Professor of English language and literature, specializing in the history of the English language and its record in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Hertford College, Oxford
Episode: Jane Austen & the Oxford English Dictionary: A Visit with Charlotte Brewer
Lesley Peterson
Editor of the Journal of Juvenilia Studies and former Professor of English at the University of North Alabama
Episode: Jane Austen & Her Teenage Writings: A Visit with Lesley Peterson
Devoney Looser
Regents Professor of English at Arizona State University and author of multiple books on Jane Austen and literature by women
Arizona State University
Episode: Jane Austen & Her Wild Side: A Visit with Devoney Looser
Mary Floyd-Wilson
Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature specializing in Shakespeare
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Episode: Jane Austen & Shakespeare: A Visit with Mary Floyd-Wilson

Host

Breckin Wood
Host of Austen Chat; involved in scholarly discussions about Austen and related topics

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 316 ratings
  • Absolute Gem

    Austen Chat

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Enthusiastic Observer 2026
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best Austen podcast around

    Love hearing Breckyn Wood nerd out with her guests on their specialised topics. Breckyn allows her guest speakers to shine with great questions. If you need to dive into an Austen topic, this is the podcast to go to!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A Reader from Bath, UK
    United Statesa month ago
  • Oh Joy!

    Austen Chat

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I c thelight
    United States2 months ago
  • Top notch program

    Fantastic program - engaging, lively, and always something new to learn! The guests also provide additional references where I can go and learn more. Thank you Breck!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Linden10
    United States2 months ago
  • Love this

    I always learn something interesting on this show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DAS - CO
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some criticisms exist around guest diversity and topical breadth across episodes.
Listeners praise the host's depth of knowledge and ability to pull out insights from guests.
Episodes are engaging, fun, and informative with strong scholarly grounding.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#99
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#217
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#177
Ireland/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jane Austen & Her Letters: A Visit with Ingrid Tieken-Boon van Ostade
Q: Can you tell us about your background with Austen?
Ingrid recounts first hearing of Jane Austen at age 18 and her journey to writing on Austen's language.
Jane Austen & Jane Bennet: A Visit with Susannah Harker
Q: What made the 1995 Pride and Prejudice adaptation resonate so strongly?
Harker attributes its success to its dynamic portrayal of nature and deeper character exploration, which contrasts greatly with earlier adaptations.
Jane Austen & Jane Bennet: A Visit with Susannah Harker
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your Austen origin story?
Susannah Harker shares that her first encounter with Austen was a dry reading of 'Northanger Abbey' at her convent boarding school, which didn't ignite her passion for Austen until she was reintroduced to her works later in life.
Jane Austen & Her Manuscripts: A Visit with Kathryn Sutherland
Q: If you have a pick, what are a few of your favorite objects from the book?
Sutherland names a fragment of wallpaper found in Jane Austen's house, illustrating the connection between domestic life and her writing, among other significant objects.
Jane Austen & Her Manuscripts: A Visit with Kathryn Sutherland
Q: Can you tell us a bit about the digitization project?
Sutherland describes the project as a monumental task to unify Austen's manuscripts scattered in various institutions, emphasizing its importance for scholarship and conservation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Austen Chat

What is Austen Chat about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on Jane Austen studies through conversations with scholars, authors, and subject experts. Episodes span a wide range of Austen-related topics—from historical context, manuscript work, and linguistic quirks to adaptations, female labor and craft, and race and representation in the Regency era. Guests bring deep scholarly insight, practical expertise, and lively first-hand experiences with Austen's world, often linking texts to broader cultural and literary themes. The format tends to balance rigorous analysis with accessible storytelling, making complex topics engaging for both dedicated fans and curious newcomers. A notable strength is the willingness to explore interdisciplinary angles—from linguistics and editing practic... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Austen Chat?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Austen Chat:

1. The Thing About Austen
2. Jane Austen's Paper Trail
3. What the Austen? Podcast
4. Historic Royal Palaces Podcast
5. Secret Life of Books

How many episodes of Austen Chat are there?

Austen Chat launched 3 years ago and published 34 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Austen Chat?

Recent guests on Austen Chat include:

1. Jennie Batchelor
2. Ingrid Tieken-Boon van Ostade
3. Vanessa Riley
4. Susannah Harker
5. Kathryn Sutherland
6. Charlotte Brewer
7. Lesley Peterson
8. Devoney Looser

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