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The Thing About Austen

The Thing About Austen

By: The Thing About Austen
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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.© The Thing About Austen Podcast. Music "Studio per Il Pianoforte, Op. 30, No. 21 in G Major" by Johann Baptist Cramer. Performed and recorded by Karali Hunter. Used with permission of artist. Art Literary History & Criticism World
Episodes
  • Episode 117: The Thing About Barton Cottage

    Episode 117: The Thing About Barton Cottage
    May 26 2026

    The Dashwood ladies have moved to Devon, and everyone seems to have an opinion on their new digs. This episode we discuss cottages, in all their many permutations.

    If you have ever had to listen to someone brag about the house party they organized, this episode is for you.

    We have a launched a Patreon! To sign up and support the work we do, please head to https://www.patreon.com/TheThingAboutAusten. Thank you SO much!

    • Website/newsletter: https://www.thethingaboutausten.com
    • Email: TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com

    • Instagram: @TheThingAboutAusten

    • Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop
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    33 mins
  • Episode 116: The Thing About Mrs. Bates's Knitting with guest Eleanor Gilchrist

    Episode 116: The Thing About Mrs. Bates's Knitting with guest Eleanor Gilchrist
    Mar 23 2026

    Mrs. Bates may be sitting quietly in the corner, but her hands are always busy. This episode we are joined by knitting and crochet historian Eleanor Gilchrist to discuss the details of Mrs. Bates's knitting. We also take a look at Mrs. Smith's relationship to knitting in Persuasion.

    If you have ever needed tips on how to best show off your elegant hands and neck, this episode is for you.

    Thank you so much to Eleanor for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Instagram @stitchesandseeds.

    You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten. You can email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com and head over to https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to check out our podcast related merch.
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    32 mins
  • Episode 115: The Thing About Harriet as a Natural Daughter

    Episode 115: The Thing About Harriet as a Natural Daughter
    Feb 27 2026

    Emma has big plans for Harriet, and these plans require a backstory, which Emma is more than happy to concoct. This episode we unpack the meaning of the expression "natural daughter" and discuss the social context of illegitimacy in Austen's time.

    You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten. You can email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com and head over to https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to check out our podcast related merch.
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    39 mins
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Loved JA since I was young and its superb ’slice of life’ shows me something new as life progresses. These ladies bring a modern, but respectful of the 18C world, joie de vivre to her writing.

Understanding of Austen + her times

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I love to learn weird and wonderfully nerdy things about Jane Austens books and world. I also love to dump them on my wife whenever we watch the series and movies based on her works. Thanks for all the fun!

All the nerdy details!

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I really enjoy how much the hosts love their subject and learning from guests. Even though I know a lot about what they discuss, it still feels fresh and engaging.

Enjoyable podcast

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