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Artwork for Hot and Bothered

Hot and Bothered

Not Sorry Productions
Romantic Comedy
Jane Austen
How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days
Love
Persuasion
Feminism
Brokeback Mountain
Dirty Dancing
Romantic Relationships
When Harry Met Sally
Meg Ryan
Pretty In Pink
Kissing Jessica Stein
10 Things I Hate About You
She's the Man
The Devil Wears Prada
Twilight
27 Dresses
Bisexuality
French Kiss

Hot and Bothered is all about the power of romance culture. We analyze romance novels and movies to better imagine our own happy endings. Episodes release weekly on Tuesdays.

CURRENT SEASON: Jane Austen’s Persuasion

For Season 6, Hot and Bothered is returning to its roots with a classic romance: Jane Austen's Persuasion. Many readers consider Persuasion Austen's most romantic novel. As a podcast o... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes328Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsRelationshipsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Hot and Bothered

Latest Episodes

It's Christmas in Chapter 14 of Persuasion and Anne and Lady Russell do their last round of visits to Uppercross before heading to Bath.

This week, Dr. Jane Gregory joins us at the end of the episode to discuss misophonia.

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Hot and Bothered is ... more

In Chapter 13 of Persuasion, Anne must leave Uppercross and its concerns in order to stay with Lady Russell.

This week, Dr. Jon Stobart joins us at the end of the episode to discuss nursemaids and the life of domestic servants in a country house.

-... more

In Chapter 12 of Persuasion, tragedy strikes our characters in Lyme! Louisa falls on her head and Anne must jump into action to face the emergency.

As a special treat this week our favorite Austen scholars, Dr. Roxanne Eberle, joins us to dissect th... more

In Chapter 11 of Persuasion, Wentworth leads an expedition from Uppercross to Lyme. There Anne and company take in the sea and meet some charming Navy officers.

This week, Dr. Robert Morrison of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, joins us at t... more

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Recent Guests

Natalie Hanley-Smith
Historian, Oxford Brooks University faculty
Oxford Brooks University
Episode: Persuasion, Chapter 13: Anne Was to Leave Them
Amy Hollywood
Dr. Amy Hollywood, Elizabeth H. Monrad Professor of Christian Studies at Harvard
Harvard Divinity School
Episode: Persuasion, Chapter 12: The Horror of The Moment
Briallen Hopper
Writer and critic focused on spinsterhood and feminist literary analysis
Queens College, Yale (previously) / Briallen Hopper
Episode: Persuasion, Chapter 11: All Wild to See Lyme
Jenny Davidson
Professor of English
Columbia University
Episode: Persuasion, Chapter 11: All Wild to See Lyme
Susan Zlotnik
Professor of English
Vassar College
Episode: Persuasion, Chapter 11: All Wild to See Lyme
Claudia Johnson
Emeritus Murray Professor of English Literature, Princeton University
Princeton University
Episode: Persuasion, Chapter 10: A Beautiful Glossy Nut
Paula Lafferty
Author and writer, Harvard Divinity School Professor
Paula Lafferty (author)
Episode: Special Interview: Persuasion and Jane Eyre
Judd Cramer
Economist and expert guest
Department of Economics, Harvard University
Episode: Persuasion, Chapter 9: Most Disordered Feelings
Dr. Sam Cavell
Associate Professor of Military History
Southeastern Louisiana University
Episode: Persuasion, Chapter 8: A Perpetual Estrangement

Hosts

Vanessa Zoltan
Host of the show and co-host; long-time collaborator focused on romance literature and cultural analysis.
Stephanie Paulsell
Co-host and scholar; mentor to Vanessa and Harvard Divinity School professor contributing close-reading and scholarly perspective.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • Wonderful podcast

    I never was able to read P & P before this show deconstructed it and showed the feminism behind it and I could peer into what life was like in regency England. Their discussions of Jane Eyre were just as enlightening. I also liked their movie discussions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pinkbikecolorado
    United States5 months ago
  • Super Helpful! 😊

    On Eyre helped SOOOO much with my English class! Thanks for making it fun and interesting!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EllaBelle;)
    United States6 months ago
  • So original!

    Smart, funny, and insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sometime Listener
    United States8 months ago
  • A must listen

    Hot and Bothered has been one of those podcasts that’s just always been part of my life. From the early days talking romance novels and Jane Eyre, to Twilight in Quarantine, rom-coms, LGBTQ+ love stories, and even the deep dives into the American wedding complex — every version of it has been a treat. The hosts are so sharp and funny and thoughtful, and Vanessa Zoltan is just the best. I would, and do, happily listen to anything she’s involved in. There’s something so comforting about hearing sm... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EmmyGal22
    United States8 months ago
  • Love

    I love love love this podcast.

    It is so fun and I feel like I learn so much about things that bring me so much joy, without having to defend liking them.

    I love the whimsy, I love the depth, I love that it doesn’t ever take things too seriously while also taking them very seriously.

    You have no idea how important this has been to me personally over the past period.

    Love.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sophie Mer
    Netherlands9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests and hosts are described as sharp, thoughtful, and engaging, with strong scholarly backgrounds.
Some listeners note the show's rigorous approach as both a strength and occasionally a critique of modern academic buzzwords.
Listeners praise the show's blend of smart, accessible analysis with warmth and humor.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#103
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#104
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#136
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#126
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#179
Germany/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#209
France/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Persuasion, Chapter 13: Anne Was to Leave Them
Q: Can you share a cautionary tale from heiress marriages in this period?
The guest recounts scandal stories like the Countess of Strathmore and Andrew Stoney, illustrating how fortune hunting and coercive control could lead to long-term hardship, underscoring why marriage was often as much about protecting wealth as it was about affection.
Persuasion, Chapter 13: Anne Was to Leave Them
Q: Did men marry for money in the age of Austen?
The guest confirms that money-driven marriage did occur and became increasingly scrutinized as society moved toward companionate ideals, with some suitors pursuing heiresses while social norms persisted that women needed marriage for financial security.
Persuasion, Chapter 12: The Horror of The Moment
Q: Is there a historical basis for diagnosing Mrs. Bennet's behavior as anxiety or a related condition?
Amy Hollywood explains the historical evolution of diagnosing female emotion, noting Greek humoral theory and later medical traditions, and discusses how modern readers might reinterpret these manifestations without applying a modern label too rigidly to a fictional character.
Persuasion, Chapter 12: The Horror of The Moment
Q: How do you perceive the way Austen is drawing out Mrs. Bennet's nerves and emotions in this section?
Amy Hollywood discusses how nerves and affect are gendered in the period, with Mrs. Bennet as an exaggerated example of balancing affect with reason, and how Austen satirizes this while still acknowledging societal pressures on women.
Persuasion, Chapter 10: A Beautiful Glossy Nut
Q: What does the hazelnut speech reveal about Wentworth and the chapter's view of love?
The hazelnut speech exposes Wentworth's need to test and stage his stance, while also indicating that true affection may require endurance and resilience rather than display, and that Anne's quiet strength is what ultimately shapes the relationship.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hot and Bothered

What is Hot and Bothered about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show blends literary analysis of romance with cultural context, pairing close readings of beloved romance texts with scholarly commentary and pop-culture film discussions. Episodes mix intimate conversations about love, aging, grief, and social expectations with interdisciplinary guests—from literary scholars to historians and film experts—often expanding the discussion into historical eras, class, gender, and media studies. A notable strength is the panel format that brings diverse expert perspectives, plus a host dynamic that balances warmth, rigor, and accessibility. Listeners can expect thoughtful takes on romance across books and films, with episodes that model how to read romance critically without losing its emotional heart.

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Which podcasts are similar to Hot and Bothered?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Hot and Bothered:

1. Material Girls
2. The Thing About Austen
3. The Real Question
4. Culture Study Podcast
5. Maintenance Phase

How many episodes of Hot and Bothered are there?

Hot and Bothered launched 9 years ago and published 328 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Hot and Bothered?

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What guests have appeared on Hot and Bothered?

Recent guests on Hot and Bothered include:

1. Natalie Hanley-Smith
2. Amy Hollywood
3. Briallen Hopper
4. Jenny Davidson
5. Susan Zlotnik
6. Claudia Johnson
7. Paula Lafferty
8. Judd Cramer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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