reading shirley jackson: the podcast

welcome back! we're kicking off season 2 with the first 24 pages of hangsaman, in which the waite family enjoys an awkward breakfast, followed by a totally normal father-daughter conversation.

our intro music is "the maid freed from the gallows," performed by john jacob niles

discover more at readingshirleyjackson.com

Announcing Season 2 of the Reading Shirley Jackson Podcast: Not in Her Own House! This season, Kelly and Mckenzie will reverse roles as they dive into one of Jackson's lesser-known, earlier novels.

Season 2, along with a brand new website, drops October 6. Stay updated at twitter.com/readshirleypod!

Well, folks, we made it. Welcome to the final episode of our series on The Haunting of Hill House! In this episode, Kelly and Mckenzie discuss the end of Eleanor's journey, their final thoughts on the characters, and their differing opinions on the entity that stalks Hill House. Show notes available at theheartofthehouse.blog. Content warning: suicide.

This podcast has been a labor of love for us (and also a lot of labor) and we really appreciate each and every listener, whether you've stuck with us from the beginning or just popped in for an episode or two. We're taking the summer off. See you in Season 2!!

Welcome back to The Heart of the House! In this, our penultimate episode, we explore Eleanor's decision to "give herself" over to the house, with all the risks and benefits that entails. We also discuss the novel's most crushing scene, followed by its most perplexing. Detours include Kelly's fraught history with the city of Boston, Mckenzie's childhood nightmares, and Ernest Hemingway's collapsing outhouse.

CW: suicide

Shownotes and more at theheartofthehouse.blog.

Welcome back to The Heart of the House! This week, Kelly and Mckenzie discuss the much-derided Mrs. Montague and why she might not be as fatuous as she seems. Detours include Mckenzie's misadventures in texting, Hill House's Shakespearean roots, and the history of Victorian spanking erotica. Also there's a guy with a gun. Come along.

As always, show notes are available at theheartofthehouse.blog.

Welcome back to The Heart of the House! We've been on hiatus, but we're back with Chapter 6. Topics covered include Eleanor's bizarre conversation with Luke, the group's inspection of Hugh Crain's guide to life, and a long-awaited picnic on the grounds of Hill House.

CW: child abuse

Next time we'll cover Chapter 7 and the arrival of Mrs Montague.

Shownotes at theheartofthehouse.blog! As always, you can email questions, hate mail, or comments to [email protected].

Welcome back to The Heart of the House! This week, Kelly and Mckenzie discuss some of Hill House's most infamous manifestations, including Eleanor's mysterious nighttime companion. And we want to hear from you! Whose hand do you think Eleanor was holding? Write to us at [email protected], and we'll read your response in next week's episode.

Shows notes at theheartofthehouse.blog.

CW for this week: suicide, child abuse

Welcome back to The Heart of the House! This episode marks the halfway point of our series, as the restless spirits of Hill House begin to make themselves known. Digressions in this episode include Turkish corners, Shirley Jackson's taste in literature, Victorian serial killers, Foucault, Owen Wilson, the late, great, Olivia DeHavilland, and the Dutch. Join us!

Show notes at theheartofthehouse.blog.

Welcome back to The Heart of the House! In this episode, Kelly and McKenzie follow Eleanor and friends through a tour of Hill House, including an encounter with Hugh Crain himself. Or maybe not. Digressions include a debates about kippers, leash kids, and the emotional scars left by various Spongebob episodes.

CW: suicide, child abuse, incest

Find shownotes at theheartofthehouse.blog.

Took a while, but we're back! Today's episode is one for the Dr Montague fans, as he tells the story of Hill House. Detours include Shirley's husband Stanley, ritual cleansing in the Judaic tradition, Victorian companionship, conduct literature, pubescent poltergeist activity, and Theo's first temper tantrum.

Content warning: suicide and child abuse