Austen Chat

Reading Between the Lines of Mansfield Park: A Visit with Patricia Matthew

In this episode, Dr. Patricia Matthew sits down with guest host Dr. Anne Fertig to discuss Mansfield Park, in all its beauties and complexities, as well as Matthew’s expe

Rereading Jane Austen: A Visit with Elaine Bander

Rereading Jane Austen’s novels with an understanding of the literary conventions of her time can reveal new layers of meaning that modern audiences may miss. In this epis

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life: A Visit with Laura Piani

“The first one, the very first one, is like opening a door to another portal somehow.”  —Laura Piani on reading her first Jane Austen novel. Join us for a conversation w

From Emma to Clueless: A Visit with Amy Heckerling

As if we'd pass up the chance to talk with Clueless writer and director Amy Heckerling! We're delighted to share this conversation about the making of her total

Jane Austen: Material Girl — Paula Byrne and Hilary Davidson in Conversation

It's Austen Chat's third anniversary! To mark the milestone, we're delighted to share "Jane Austen: Material Girl"—a conversation between authors Paula Byr

Jane Austen & Crime: A Visit with Susannah Fullerton

"Here I am once more in this scene of dissipation & vice, and I begin already to find my morals corrupted." —Jane Austen, 1796, letter to Cassandra on arriving in London

Jane Austen & Hypochondriacs: A Visit with Sarah Marsh

Jane Austen's novels feature a number of characters we might describe as "hypochondriacs" today: Mr. Woodhouse, Mary Musgrove, and Mrs. Churchill, to name a few. Alt

Jane Austen & Needlework: A Visit with Jennie Batchelor

"Elizabeth took up some needlework, and was sufficiently amused in attending to what passed between Darcy and his companion." —Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen often wove

Jane Austen & Her Letters: A Visit with Ingrid Tieken-Boon van Ostade

"My dearest Cassandra, The letter which I have this moment received from you has diverted me beyond moderation. I could die of laughter at it, as they used to say at sch

Miss Lambe and Beyond: A Visit with Vanessa Riley

Happy 2026, listeners! To kick off the new year, we’re sharing something special: Austen Chat’s first episode recorded in front of a live audience.  Jane Austen lived du

Jane Austen & Jane Bennet: A Visit with Susannah Harker

“Jane was so admired, nothing could be like it. Everybody said how well she looked; and Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful . . . .” —Mrs. Bennet, Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen & Her Manuscripts: A Visit with Kathryn Sutherland

Join us for a chat with noted Austen scholar Kathryn Sutherland about Jane Austen’s surviving manuscripts and what they reveal about her writing process and creative conf

Jane Austen & the Oxford English Dictionary: A Visit with Charlotte Brewer

Bath bun. Bobbinet. Poor basket. Vanity-bait. These are just a few of the words the Oxford English Dictionary credits Jane Austen with using for the first time in print—a

Jane Austen & Her Teenage Writings: A Visit with Lesley Peterson

"She has many rare & charming qualities, but Sobriety is not one of them."—Jane Austen, Jack and Alice Drunken brawls. Cannibalism. Heroines behaving very badly. Such ma

Jane Austen & Her Wild Side: A Visit with Devoney Looser

Think you know Jane Austen? In this episode, we explore the wild side of Austen’s writings, life, and legacy with noted scholar Devoney Looser, who makes the case for Aus

Jane Austen & Gentlemen: A Visit with Brett McKay

“There is one thing, Emma, which a man can always do, if he chooses, and that is his duty." —Mr. Knightley We believe Jane Austen is for everyone, but it’s no secret tha

Jane Austen & Shakespeare: A Visit with Mary Floyd-Wilson

"'The course of true love never did run smooth'—A Hartfield edition of Shakespeare would have a long note on that passage.” —Emma Shakespeare's influence

Jane Austen in America: A Visit with Juliette Wells

Jane Austen has had devoted American admirers since her works were first published. In fact, several Americans played a crucial role in preserving and promoting her legac

The Women Writers Who Inspired Austen: A Visit with Rebecca Romney

"I have made up my mind to like no novels really but Miss Edgeworth's, yours, and my own."  —Jane Austen to her niece, Anna Lefroy, 1814 Jane Austen’s novels and le

Jane Austen & Her Playlist: A Visit with Laura Klein

"I do not think I can live without something of a musical society. . . . without music, life would be a blank to me."  —Emma Though these words are spoken by the shallow