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 shares insights into the history of Bath and as a local, she offers personal reflections on Bath's historical tapestry and Aust ..read more

Ever caught yourself daydreaming about twirling around like a character in a Jane Austen novel, decked out in those fancy Regency-era outfits? Well, I am joined by Shannyn Schack Dadvar from Wisteria and Lace in this episode, and we are diving head-first into that dreamy world. We chat about the enchanting costume designs in Jane Austen adaptations and get down to the nitty-gritty details of period costumes! We are breaking down "Emma" and "Pride and Prejudice," discussing the costume choices that reveal way more about the characters than you might think. Shannyn is ready to bust myths about c ..read more

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 records, and navigate the complexities of rare book collecting, sharing personal anecdotes and valuable advice for aspiring collec ..read more

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 light on love, duty, and character development, resonating across Austen's novels. Join the conversation on Instagram and share yo ..read more

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 ???️✨ Support the show Where can you find your host (Izzy)? Website: www.whattheausten.com Podcast Instagram: @whattheausten Personal ..read more

As a fun AwkAustenAug episode this year we thought we would do another Jane Austen unpopular opinions ep, specificlly on topics myself and Caily may find triggering.   Is Mr Knightley out of line?  Is Lizzy Bennet Patronising?  Is Elinor Dashwood annoying?  Was Maria Bertram justified in cheating on Mr Rushworth?   We are pulling hot takes from Reddit and also Instagram as a few of you shared your thoughts over there.  So grab a warm drink and a blanket and join me and Caily for a fun discussion on some of your hot takes!  Where can you find Caily? Instagram ..read more

We are celebrating 2 years of the What the Austen? Podcast! Thank you so much for all your support the past 2 years, it’s been so wonderful sharing my love of Jane Austen with you all.  Is Mr Darcy really all that?  Pride and Prejudice adaptions - 2005 v 1995?  Is Mr Bennet the real villain of the novel?  This is a chilled episode covering some Pride & Prejudice unpopular opinions, so grab a warm drink and a blanket and join me and Caily for a fun discussion on some of your hot takes!  Here's to another 2 years and beyond Janeites ? Thanks again to our sponsor Hau ..read more

Who's ready to take a closer look at one of literature's most iconic friendships? Get ready as we unravel the dynamic bond between Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice! For this captivating conversation about camaraderie, I'm joined by best-selling author Ben Mercer.  In this episode, we will shine a spotlight on the representation of male friendships within Pride and Prejudice and draw parallels to modern friendships. Bingley and Darcy showcase a delightful dance of mutual dependence and respect, essentially the OG bromance, and we will delve into how sincerity and respect fo ..read more

"Emma"  has never felt more vivid and imaginative, thanks to Georgie's artistic prowess from Duniath Comics.  It was wonderful to hear about Georgie's Jane Austen journey from finding solace within the pages of "Sense and Sensibility" to creating his own Jane Austen-themed comics, serving as both a sanctuary and a spark for creative endeavours. Georgie explains how he creates both graphic novels and comics and how he uses this medium to retell much-loved classics with a fresh perspective. This episode is a celebration of Jane Austen's work, the Janeite community and the work creator ..read more

Have you ever envisioned Jane Austen entangled in a murder investigation? I am joined by novelist Jessica Bull, who brings this fascinating concept to life in ‘Miss Austen Investigates’. It was amazing to discuss how Jessica’s teenage love of Jane Austen led her down the rabbit hole that would eventually inspire her to write a story where our favourite literary icon takes on a whole new role. Her dedication to research and authenticity breathes life into a narrative that balances historical accuracy with the creative flair that only a true Janeite could master ?   Where can you find Jess ..read more