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The Thing About Austen

The Thing About Austen
Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice
Northanger Abbey
Persuasion
Emma
Sense and Sensibility
Mansfield Park
Captain Wentworth's Letter
Lake District
Shoe Roses
Gender Roles
Romantic Relationships
Regency Era
Netherfield Ball
Harriet
Watercolor Painting
Bell Systems
Estate Stewardship
Annuities
Social Class

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.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes123Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsHistory

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Latest Episodes

Spooky season has arrived, and we're celebrating by diving into a classic gothic novel. This episode we pore over the pages of Ann Radcliffe's The Romance of the Forest, one of the books that Harriet Smith recommends to Robert Martin (Emma has though... more

YouTube

Catherine Morland is thrilled to be visiting Henry Tilney's home. Bonus: she gets to meet his very cute dogs. Pet historian Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith is back to analyze Henry's canine companions in the context of Regency dog ownership.

Thank you ... more

YouTube

Mr. Bingley has brought a friend to the Meryton assembly, and everyone is abuzz with excitement. This episode we take a look at Mr. Darcy's bank balance and get into exactly what Austen is signaling with Darcy's ten thousand pounds a year.

We have... more

YouTube

Everyone loves a good trip to the seaside. Everyone, that is, except Mr. Woodhouse. This episode we take a deep dive into the practice of sea-bathing in Jane Austen's time.

If you have ever used your favorite apothecary as your anti-seaside scapeg... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith
Official canine correspondent for The Thing About Austen; dog lover and animal historian with a PhD on the cultural history of lap dogs in the 18th century
Episode: Episode 121: The Thing About Henry Tilney's Dogs with guest Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith
Eleanor Gilchrist
Postgraduate researcher at Newcastle University; PhD on The Development of Crochet in Britain's Industrial Century
Newcastle University
Episode: Episode 116: The Thing About Mrs. Bates's Knitting with guest Eleanor Gilchrist
Damianne Scott
Writer, teacher, and advocate for diversity in literature.
Black Girl Loves Jane
Episode: Episode 114: The Thing About Miss Lambe with guest Damianne Scott
Kate Emery
Registered psychologist and lifelong Jane Austen fan.
Austen Therapy
Episode: Episode 111: The Thing About Catherine and the Mysterious Apartments with guest Kate Emery
Dr. Emily Davis-Hale
A linguistic anthropologist with a PhD from Tulane University
Reclaiming Jane
Episode: Episode 110: The Thing About Lady Catherine's Windows with guest Dr. Emily Davis-Hale
Sarah Rose Kearns
Playwright, performer, and lifelong Austen enthusiast who adapted "Persuasion" off-Broadway and is working on a screen adaptation of "Manydown".
Episode: Episode 107: The Thing About Manydown Park with guests Prerna Ramachandra and Sarah Rose Kearns
Prerna Ramachandra
Award-winning writer and filmmaker based in New York City, exploring mental health and identity in her films, currently adapting "Manydown" for the screen.
Episode: Episode 107: The Thing About Manydown Park with guests Prerna Ramachandra and Sarah Rose Kearns
Dr. Elizabeth Elly Weybright
Lecturer in the English department at Barnard College
Barnard College
Episode: Episode 105: The Thing About Marianne's Music with guest Dr. Elizabeth Weybright
Laboni Islam
Poet and arts educator, member of the League of Canadian Poets
Bengal Muslin Project
Episode: Episode 102: The Thing About Lady Bertram's Shawl with guest Laboni Islam

Hosts

Zan
Host of The Thing About Austen; frequent presenter with co-host; affiliation: The Thing About Austen
Diane
Co-host of The Thing About Austen; frequent presenter with Zan; affiliation: The Thing About Austen

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • A good listen

    I have been very much enjoying this informative and well-presented podcast. It’s great for adding a bit of healthy escapism to your day.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CJ. sunflower
    Australiaa month ago
  • The perfect combination

    This podcast is perfection. The combination of expertise, humor, and genuine enthusiasm for all things Austen is so satisfying! There is no topic too niche (and that’s a compliment!) for these knowledgeable and amiable show hosts and I enjoy every second of it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JSparkles11
    United States2 months ago
  • Jane Austen Content and Context

    I love Jane Austen, and The Thing About Austen gives fans like me the historical context to appreciate her writing even more. Best of all, for people who reread the books constantly, it’s more JA discourse and content to enjoy! Intelligent and well-researched, TTAA helps readers understand and feel even more connected to our favorite author’s world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RunningCarrie
    United States4 months ago
  • Fabulous, smart, informative

    Absolutely love this podcast! I always learn something new and so appreciate the research and thoughtfulness that the hosts put into their deep dives. They’ve really improved my understanding and enjoyment of Austen’s work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amazing Grace Kelli
    United States4 months ago
  • Hands down the best Austen podcast

    I’m in Jane Austen bookclub going through all of Austen’s work (for the 2nd time…years after first reading her novels). Looking for extra insights, I’ve listened to quite a few Austen podcasts, and there are many to choose from, and this one is hands down the best.

    Zan and Dianne have great chemistry and are an absolute pleasure to listen to. They are clearly smart academics, but they balance their insights with plenty of fun and laughter. My partner and I often listen together in the car, and w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    438W
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Quality of content and chemistry between hosts are frequently highlighted in reviews.
Some listeners note occasional humor can briefly distract from content, depending on episode format.
Guests and experts are described as knowledgeable and the conversations highly informative.
Listeners praise the show's deep research and witty, engaging hosts.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#61
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#152
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#20
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#51
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#84
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#203
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 121: The Thing About Henry Tilney's Dogs with guest Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith
Q: Why does Austen contrast Tilney's and Thorpe's dogs in Bath with the terrier exchange?
The contrast shows Tilney valuing dogs as friends and family, while Thorpe uses dogs as a status symbol or bargaining tool, highlighting their different social values and power dynamics in conversations with Catherine.
Episode 121: The Thing About Henry Tilney's Dogs with guest Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith
Q: Are Tilney's terriers more likely to be companions or working dogs, and what does that say about his character?
Terriers in the period were used for hunting as well as companionship; Tilney's are presented as friends of his solitude, signaling a playful, sociable, and humane side rather than a purely utilitarian or aggressive profile.
Episode 121: The Thing About Henry Tilney's Dogs with guest Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith
Q: What is a Newfoundland, and how would Austen's readers have recognized it then versus today?
Stephanie explains a Newfoundland is a very large, typically white and black, bear-like dog famous for swimming and life-saving rescues; in Austen's time the breed was less standardized, with broader size and color variation, and readers would recognize a big, affectionate, capable dog linked to moral virtue.
Episode 114: The Thing About Miss Lambe with guest Damianne Scott
Q: Dami, can you help us unpack this a bit more? What's going on with Miss Lambe here?
Miss Lambe is from the West Indies, and while not mentioned in detail, her character represents a complex intertwining of race, wealth, and society.
Episode 105: The Thing About Marianne's Music with guest Dr. Elizabeth Weybright
Q: So why do you think Austen sets up these different interactions between Colonel Brandon and Willoughby regarding Marianne's music?
Colonel Brandon's quiet listening suggests emotional depth, while Willoughby's engaging with Marianne through music demonstrates a potentially manipulative romantic interest.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Thing About Austen

What is The Thing About Austen about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lively, scholarly podcast that explores Jane Austen's world through history, material culture, and literary analysis. Episodes hinge on deep-dives into objects, places, and social practices of the Regency era, weaving archival context with close readings of Austen's novels. The hosts often invite guests to broaden the discussion with research-based insights, balancing rigorous scholarship with approachable banter and humor. The show stands out for turning seemingly mundane details—windows, cottages, sea-bathing, or social contracts—into rich, context-driven storytelling that broadens understanding of Austen's world without sacrificing accessibility for devoted readers and history buffs alike.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Thing About Austen?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Thing About Austen:

1. A Jane Austen Year
2. Austen Chat
3. Hot and Bothered
4. What the Austen? Podcast
5. Pod and Prejudice

How many episodes of The Thing About Austen are there?

The Thing About Austen launched 5 years ago and published 123 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 The Thing About Austen?

Recent guests on The Thing About Austen include:

1. Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith
2. Eleanor Gilchrist
3. Damianne Scott
4. Kate Emery
5. Dr. Emily Davis-Hale
6. Sarah Rose Kearns
7. Prerna Ramachandra
8. Dr. Elizabeth Elly Weybright

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