What the Austen? Podcast

By Izzy Meakin

Welcome, Janeites, to the What the Austen? podcast! I’m your host, Izzy Meakin, a lifelong Janeite with a deep love for Austen. Each month, I team up with fellow enthusiasts to explore the wit, charm,... more

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FAQs about What the Austen? Podcast:

How many episodes does What the Austen? Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 70 episodes available.

What the Austen? Podcast episodes:

October 27, 2024 Episode 69: Villain off 2024 - General Tilney vs. Sir Walter Elliot
General Tilney vs. Sir Walter Elliot: Who Will Wear This Year's Crown of the Ultimate Jane Austen Villain?
In this episode, we dive into the complex characters of General Tilney from Northanger Abbey and Sir Walter Elliot from Persuasion.
General Tilney, with his cold obsession with wealth and status, manipulates those around him, as seen in his harsh treatment of Catherine Morland when he discovers she’s not as wealthy as he thought. Sir Walter, on the other hand, is consumed by vanity and social rank, caring more about appearances than his daughters’ well-being. Both men are driven by their selfish desires and social ambitions.
As we wrap up, we bring these two characters head-to-head, comparing their motivations and actions. General Tilney ruthlessly controls others, while Sir Walter is driven by his obsession with status and appearance. But which one is the ultimate Austen villain? Join us as we dissect their villainous traits, and with your votes, we'll decide who deserves the crown!
Where can you find Ellis?
Instagram: @historian_ellis
Where can you find Caily?
Instagram: @half_agony_half_hope
Where can you find your host (Izzy)?
Website: www.whattheausten.com
Podcast Instagram: @whattheausten
Personal Instagram: @izzy_meakin
Youtube: What the Austen? Podcast
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1h 27min
October 06, 2024 Episode 68: The Castle of Wolfenbach explained | Northanger Abbey's Horrid Novels ~ Spooky Season
In this special Spooky Season episode, we're diving into one of the infamous Horrid Novels mentioned in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey: The Castle of Wolfenbach by Eliza Parsons 🏰. Often considered a classic of Gothic fiction, this chilling tale of mystery, family secrets, and haunted castles captivated readers in the late 18th century – and inspired Austen's playful parody of Gothic tropes.
Join us as we explore: The thrilling plot of The Castle of Wolfenbach 🏰
📚 Why it was considered a "horrid novel" and its role in Northanger Abbey
🪞 How it links and mirrors Northanger Abbey
👻 Austen's clear support of women authors at the time
Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more deep dives into classic literature and the works that influenced Austen! 📚✨
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1h 24min
September 08, 2024 Episode 67: Jane Austen Unpopular Opinions #4 (Sense & Sensibility)
We’re back with another episode of Unpopular Opinions, and this time we’re diving into Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. I’m joined once again by Caily, and we have plenty to discuss!
We explore the often-overlooked neglect of Mrs. Dashwood—was she truly as supportive as she seemed, or did she fail her daughters?

We also dive into Colonel Brandon’s mental state—does his brooding nature hint at something more than just romantic melancholy? Is Marrianne a projection of his fantasy, the classic candid girlfriend!

Lastly, we dissect Elinor Dashwood’s choices: What could she have done differently for a happier outcome? Tune in for a lively discussion full of hot takes, deep insights, and Austen-era tea!

Join the Patreon book club: ⁠Support the Show⁠

Where can you find Caily?
On loads of episodes!

Where can you find your host (Izzy)?
Website: www.whattheausten.com
Podcast Instagram: @whattheausten
Personal Instagram: @izzy_meakin
Youtube: What the Austen? Podcast

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1h 6min
August 04, 2024 Episode 66: Sense & Self Sacrifice an Elinor Dashwood analysis with Olivia @OliviasCatastrophe
Send us a Text Message.What happens when emotional repression and self-sacrifice shape your life? Join me and booktuber Olivia-Savannah from Olivia's Catastrophe as we explore Elinor Dashwood's character from Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." Together, we delve into key scenes that reveal Elinor's emotional burdens and how she often adopts a more masculine energy by becoming the mediator and strength for everyone else in the book.We compare Elinor's stoicism with Marianne's emotional exp...
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52min
July 07, 2024 Episode 65: The Trouble With Mrs Montgomery Hurst & #JaneAustenJuly with Katie Lumsden from Books and Things
Send us a Text Message.The Trouble with Mrs. Montgomery Hurst out 18 July!Katie brings to life her new novel, The Trouble with Mrs. Montgomery Hurst, set in a small Victorian town driven by the gossip and secrets of its inhabitants. We explore how classic literature influenced her narrative and how the early Victorian period and the impact of industrialisation provide a vivid backdrop to the story of this small town.Katie passionately discusses the importance of authentic representation, both...
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46min
May 19, 2024 Episode 64: My Jane Austen Heritage with Caroline Knight, Jane Austen's Great niece
Send us a Text Message.Imagine growing up in a home where every corner whispers stories of Jane Austen. In this episode, I will be chatting with Caroline Jane Knight, Jane Austen’s 5th great-niece and founder of the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation.Caroline shares her experience growing up in, and eventually leaving, Chawton House, the Knight family home. Through childhood anecdotes, she paints a vivid picture of living amid literary heritage, balancing tradition with the realities of daily li...
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1h 7min
May 05, 2024 Episode 63: Bringing Jane Austen's Bath to life with Ellis Naylor @historian_ellis
Send us a Text Message.Join me and Ellis as we assemble a Jane Austen guide to Bath. Together, we'll explore Austen's complex bond with this iconic city, from its social allure to its challenges.We'll dive into Austen's portrayal of Bath in "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion," examining how she depicted its social intricacies and landscapes. As we stroll through Bath's streets and assembly rooms, I'll reveal the places Austen frequented, from Lansdowne Crescent to Westgate Buildings.Ellis sha...
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1h 15min
April 21, 2024 Episode 62: Jane Austen's Legacy & Rare Book Collecting with Tom Ayling
Send us a Text Message.In this episode, I have the pleasure of being joined by Tom Ayling, an antiquarian bookseller and content creator. Together, we'll dive into Jane Austen's literary craftsmanship and the timeless allure of collecting her works. We'll embark on a journey through Austen's manuscripts, unraveling the mysteries behind her genius and the profound legacy she left with her pen. Furthermore, we'll delve into the significance of hard copies in an author's fame amidst digital reco...
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1h 9min
April 07, 2024 Episode 61: Life lessons from Jane Austen's leading men with Sophie Andrews @laughingwithlizzie
Send us a Text Message.We are diving deep into the captivating world of Jane Austen's male characters! Joining me is Sophie Andrews, also known as Laughing With Lizzie. Together, we embark on a journey of introspection, exploring the virtues and complexities of Austen's gentlemen. From Mr. Knightley's steadfast evolution to Mr. Darcy's lessons in social finesse, we compare Captain Wentworth's resilience to Colonel Brandon's patience and put Henry Crawford on trial. Our conversation sheds ligh...
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1h 46min
March 17, 2024 Episode 60: Mr Darcy's first (failed) proposal: A scene study
Send us a Text Message.Let's discuss Mr. Darcy's misguided first proposal in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"! Caily is back and we are decoding Regency-era emojis, dissecting Darcy's cringe-worthy moves, and exploring how each adaptation puts a fresh spin on his character.From breaking all the etiquette rules to the aftermath of his ego-check moment, we're serving up a quick, laugh-packed discussion on love, pride, and the occasional proposal blunder. Tune in for all the details 🤍📖🎙️✨PURE...
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1h 16min

FAQs about What the Austen? Podcast:

How many episodes does What the Austen? Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 70 episodes available.

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