The Thing About Austen

Chart trend

Position in the Books chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#101#200JunJulAugSep

all-time peak

days in the top 10 since Nov 2024

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Episode 120: The Thing About Mr. Darcy's Ten Thousand a Year

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 exac

Aug 20
38 min

Episode 119: The Thing About Sea-bathing

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 tim

Jul 22
47 min

Episode 118: The Thing About Mrs. Clay Under Mr. Elliot's Protection

What exactly does Austen mean when she describes Mrs. Clay as being "under his protection"? And what's in it for everyone involved? This episode we examine the role of mi

Jun 23
1 h 00 min

Episode 117: The Thing About Barton Cottage

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 yo

May 26
33 min

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

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

Mar 23
31 min

Episode 115: The Thing About Harriet as a Natural Daughter

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 "natur

Feb 27
39 min

Episode 114: The Thing About Miss Lambe with guest Damianne Scott

This episode we welcome back guest Damianne Scott to discuss Miss Lambe from Austen's unfinished work, Sanditon. Dami covers exactly why Miss Lambe is such an important c

Jan 30
37 min

Episode 113: The Thing About Grosvenor Street

The Netherfield crew have all decamped for London, and Caroline wants to make sure that Jane knows all about it. This episode we're checking out Grosvenor Street and its

Dec 15 2025
24 min

Episode 112: The Thing About Lovers' Vows

Mansfield Park has been hit by the theatrical bug, and shenanigans and intrigue are afoot. Please take your seat and silence all devices, because this episode we're peeki

Nov 24 2025
30 min

Episode 111: The Thing About Catherine and the Mysterious Apartments with guest Kate Emery

Detective Catherine is on the case. The crime? Murder most foul. If only she can find some evidence. This episode we're joined by Kate Emery of Austen Therapy to discuss

Oct 27 2025
33 min

Episode 110: The Thing About Lady Catherine's Windows with guest Dr. Emily Davis-Hale

Have you heard of this really, really, REALLY amazing house called Rosings? No seriously, it's basically the greatest house that has ever been built. And the windows! Don

Sep 21 2025
22 min

Episode 109: The Thing About the Assizes

Admiral Croft went away to sea, and Mr. Musgrove went away to Taunton. And Mrs. Musgrove seems to think that's the same thing. Grab your fanciest and most judicial red ro

Aug 20 2025
30 min

Episode 108: The Thing About the Barouche-landau

The weather is fine, and Mrs. Elton would like to go for a drive with the top down. This episode we're covering barouches, landaus, and Mrs. Elton's favorite, the barouch

Jul 21 2025
29 min

Episode 107: The Thing About Manydown Park with guests Prerna Ramachandra and Sarah Rose Kearns

In December 1802, while visiting family friends at Manydown Park, Jane Austen received and accepted a proposal of marriage from Harris Bigg-Wither. The next day, she with

Jul 7 2025
32 min

Episode 106: The Thing About Special Licenses

Mrs. Bennet would like to ensure that Lizzy's special day is the MOST special. And what better way to do that than by having Darcy and Lizzy marry by special license. Thi

Jun 23 2025
28 min

Episode 105: The Thing About Marianne's Music with guest Dr. Elizabeth Weybright

Marianne has a lot of feelings, and what better way of expressing them than through her music? Dr. Elizabeth "Elly" Weybright joins us for this episode to discuss Mariann

May 21 2025
54 min

Episode 104: The Thing About The Crescent

Henry Tilney has mysteriously disappeared, and Catherine will not rest until she finds him. Next up in her investigation? The Crescent. Join us as we cover the history an

Apr 22 2025
22 min

Episode 103: The Thing About Elegant Extracts

Harriet has been talking a lot about this nice guy she met, which means that Emma has questions. In addition to Robert Martin's blood type, school transcripts, and tax re

Mar 26 2025
21 min

Episode 102: The Thing About Lady Bertram's Shawl with guest Laboni Islam

Fanny's brother is headed back to sea, and Lady Bertram has a request (or two) for him. Poet and arts educator Laboni Islam joins us for this episode as we discuss Lady B

Feb 28 2025
30 min

Episode 101: The Thing About Lizzy's Pin-money

Lizzy is officially engaged, and Mrs. Bennet has pound signs for eyes. Grab your marriage settlement and your preferred negotiator, because this episode we're getting int

Jan 27 2025
27 min

Chart positions

Where The Thing About Austen ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 13, 2026).

#23 ▲ 4 Arts US

#6 ▲ 1 Books US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

Bless you for making my rainy weekend so fulfilling. These conversations are exactly the ones I want to be having basically all the time. What a delight.

Ms. Mussels · Sep 2025

A podcast doing a deep dive on Austen minutia- how could I say no? I flatter myself that I’m a pretty experienced Austen fan, so I didn’t expect to learn much new stuff, but was I ever wrong! Just a few episodes in, I learn that Box Hill is a real place! Mind blown! So now I have both a new favorite podcast and a new bucket list item. I really need to visit Box Hill is person and find an old lady to be rude to! Thank you, ladies and keep up the great work!

TamJamB · Aug 2025

If you are hungry to know more about the material culture of Jane Austen’s novels, this podcast is for you. At its best, The Thing About Austen makes objects like the Indian shawls in Mansfield Park speak to us about the deep roots of the book in English imperialism by explaining the ancient hand production of Indian muslins and their rise as Regency status symbols. The hosts often bring on scholarly guests who speak, clearly and without jargon, about their research on everything from the meanings of Marianne’s Romantic music and the colonial implications of geographic puzzles to Regency tourism and the picturesque, divorce laws, pug breeding, and much more. Using such scholarship is important, as much of it is remains inaccessible to the lay reader behind digital and monetary pay walls. While at times the hosts dissolve into giggly fan-girling, The Thing About Austen is always informative, thoughtful and fun.

waldinky · Aug 2025

I am unable to add an original thought to the recent rave reviews so I will reiterate that this podcast is essential listening for Austen fans. Each episode focuses on a topic that Austen’s contemporaries would have easily understood but no longer applies in our time. The context provided in these podcasts will enrich your understanding of Austen’s works and thus make them even more enjoyable.

Golda G · Jun 2025

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.