What the Austen? Podcast

Izzy Meakin
  • 4.9 (47)
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What the Austen? is a cosy podcast hosted by Izzy Meakin, exploring the wit, charm, and quirks of Jane Austen’s novels through lively conversations with fellow enthusiasts. We embrace the full spectrum of the Austen fandom and hope this podcast will help deepen your love for her timeless tales. On YouTube and all podcasting platforms. @whattheausten

  1. Oct 31

    Episode 96: Villain off! Frank Churchill v Henry Crawford

    Frank Churchill and Henry Crawford are charming, entertaining, and just questionable enough to get Austen readers arguing! But are they actually villains, or does their charm make us more willing to forgive them? 👀 In this episode, I’m joined by Ellis and Caily for our sixth annual Villainoff, as we put Frank from Emma and Henry from Mansfield Park under the microscope. We discuss their flirtations, secret schemes, and treatment of the women around them, and why both characters inspire such mixed reactions from readers. We also explore how Austen plays with charm, reputation, and male privilege, and why behaviour that seems amusing in one novel can have much more serious consequences in another. So, are Frank and Henry villains, or are they simply too charming for their own good? 💛 Current Substack project is myself and Caily working through Sense & Sensibility 5 chapters at a time, do join us @Imeakin on Substack.  Follow Ellis, Historian Ellis: @historian_ellis You can also revisit our previous annual Villainoffs! ⚔️ Episode 7 (2021): Wickham vs WilloughbyEpisode 22 (2022): Caroline Bingley vs Isabella ThorpeEpisode 50 (2023): Lady Catherine de Bourgh vs Mrs NorrisEpisode 69 (2024): General Tilney vs Sir Walter ElliotEpisode 84 (2025): Elizabeth Elliot vs Fanny Dashwood Previous episodes with Caily 💛 Episode 2: A Defence of Colonel Brandon from Sense and SensibilityEpisode 5: Jane Austen’s Most Awkward CharactersEpisode 9: The Power of the Letter in Jane Austen’s WorkEpisodes 12 & 13: Sorting Jane Austen’s Heroines into Harry Potter Houses, Parts 1 & 2Episode 55: Jane Austen Unpopular Opinions #3Episode 70: Wrapping Up 2024!Episode 77: The Darcy Effect: Romantic Ideal or Byronic Brooder?Bonus episode: Our Sense & Sensibility Trailer Reaction! Previous episodes with Ellis, Historian Ellis 📚 Episode 1: Jane Austen’s Persuasion and Lasting LoveEpisode 14: Sense and Sensibility’s Edward Ferrars and What Makes a HeroEpisode 43: The Covert Lovers of Highbury: Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill’s EngagementEpisode 63: Bringing Jane Austen’s Bath to Life Follow @whattheausten for everything about me....😂 Supporting the podcast and the world of Jane Austen 💛

  2. Oct 24

    Episode 95: Horrid Mysteries by Carl Grosse: A Horrid Novel from Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey Reading List

    It's time for our annual trip into the more questionable corners of Catherine Morland's reading list! This year, Martha and I tackle Horrid Mysteries by Carl Grosse, a 1790s Gothic novel featuring secret societies, sinister conspiracies, a wandering marquis, complicated romantic entanglements, and enough sudden deaths and unexpected reappearances to leave us thoroughly confused. Character List download: https://imeakin.substack.com/p/horrid-mysteries-by-carl-gross-supporting?r=43x8cd&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web What begins as a genuinely creepy tale of a powerful secret society pulling strings behind the scenes soon spirals into a bewildering parade of plots, subplots, and characters who seem to have wandered in from entirely different novels. But amid all the chaos, there are moments of real interest, including a hermit's reflections on community and service, the novel's fascination with power and privilege, and some surprisingly intriguing parallels with Austen's male friendships. Martha and I explore the book's extraordinary plot, its baffling cast of characters, its possible autobiographical echoes, and the question of why this particular Gothic extravaganza found its way onto the reading list in Northanger Abbey. Is there something genuinely profound lurking beneath all the melodrama, or are we simply watching a novel attempt to do seventeen things at once? Join us for conspiracies, philosophical hermits, romantic confusion, and another reminder that the Gothic novels recommended by Northanger Abbey are not always quite what you might expect. Perfect for fans of Jane Austen, Gothic fiction, literary oddities, and books that leave you wondering whether you've discovered a neglected masterpiece or witnessed a spectacular narrative collapse. Follow Martha: @marthabethanreads You can also check out my previous episodes with Martha, as part of the Horrid novel series: The Castle of Wolfenbach - Eliza Parsons The Mysteries of Udolpho - Ann Radcliffe The Monk - Matthew Lewis Clermont - Regina Maria Roche Follow @whattheausten for everything about me....😂

  3. Oct 11

    Episode 94: Did They Get Sense and Sensibility Right? A Jane Austen fans Review of the New Adaptation

    In this spoiler-filled review, I share my thoughts after seeing the new Sense and Sensibility adaptation in the cinema. I discuss what I loved, what worked less well, and why this might just be my favourite S&S adaptation yet! From the autumnal atmosphere and character portrayals to the hair, pacing, and rather unusual dance scenes, I explore the film's creative choices and how they compare with Jane Austen's novel. At the heart of it all is the relationship between Elinor and Marianne, and whether the film captures the wit, subtext, and narrative voice that make Austen so special. I also consider whether this adaptation is really for the book-first Janeites, or whether it's hoping to capture the audience who fell in love with the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. A detailed, spoiler-filled review from one Janeite to another! Substack: @IMeakin

  4. Oct 4

    Episode 93: The Perfect Pride & Prejudice retelling for Autumn | Pride, Prejudice and Peril, Author Jessica Bull

    In this episode, I’m joined by author Jessica Bull to dive into the fascinating true-crime world behind her new book Pride, Prejudice and Peril 💛We go back to Jane Austen’s own family history and the extraordinary story of her aunt, Mrs Leigh-Perrot, who was arrested and put on trial for stealing a piece of lace. From accusations of theft and courtroom drama to highwaymen, Regency crime and the sensational pamphlets that people were rushing out to read, we explore the real-life stories that fascinated Austen’s world.We also talk about Mrs Austen herself and the creative life she led, including the poems she wrote, and what these glimpses into Austen’s family can tell us about the world that surrounded Jane. It’s a brilliant foundation for talking about Jessica’s Miss Austen Investigates series and the way she transforms these fascinating historical details into irresistible mystery stories 🔎📚We get into how much of the Regency’s obsession with crime and scandal makes its way into the books, what it might have been like to live through a very public trial, and why the people and events surrounding Jane Austen can be just as fascinating as the fictional worlds she created.And, of course, we talk all about Pride, Prejudice and Peril, the latest adventure in the Miss Austen Investigates series. Jess has joined me for so many amazing episodes discussing this series: As mentioned in the episode, you can pick up Jessica Bull’s Pride, Prejudice and Peril here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/471852/pride-prejudice-and-peril-by-bull-jessica/9780241773628 Other Books & podcasts mentioned in this episode:Jane Austen and Crime* by Susannah FullertonJane Austen's Book Shelf* by Rebecca RomneyThe Women’s Print History* podcastFollow Jessica Bull:@jessicabullnovelistYou can also check out my previous episodes with Jess, featuring the other books in the Miss Austen Investigates series:Book 1: https://youtu.be/W1IThdNYfMs?si=at4FVB4Q3dqKRATz Book 2: https://youtu.be/Rq4rdYdLHY8?si=ogFpPJp9U3KuncFj Book 3 (Xmas Novella): https://youtu.be/qLZrKTMcjOE?si=a9yYQKa9ha5om_kiFollow @whattheausten for everything about me....😂

  5. Sep 5

    Episode 92: Kitty & Mary by Julia Gray and Imogen Russell Williams 🤍📖

    What happens to the Bennet sisters who are left behind? 🤍📖 Kitty & Mary by Julia Gray and Imogen Russell Williams is OUT 10th Sept 2026.  https://www.andersenpress.co.uk/books/kitty-and-mary/ In this episode, I sit down with Julia and Imogen to discuss Mary & Kitty, their brilliant new reimagining of Pride and Prejudice, set six months after the events of Austen's novel and finally putting these two often-overlooked Bennet sisters centre stage. We talk about the women who are “left behind” once everyone around them starts getting married, and the surprisingly modern pressures that come with feeling as though you’re not following the traditional path. What happens when you can build a perfectly happy life for yourself, but still feel that you’re missing the milestones everyone else seems to be celebrating? We also get into Kitty’s wonderfully relatable self-improvement lists, the pressure women put on themselves to become more attractive, accomplished and desirable, and how acting gives Kitty a way to explore who she might become. And, of course, we talk about the very different relationship between Mary and Kitty and the special bond between sisters and female friends. Along the way, Julia and Imogen share how their long friendship led to their first collaboration, what it’s like to write a novel together, and why they chose the epistolary form. We talk about Austen’s own experiments with letters in Lady Susan and the original version of Sense and Sensibility, as well as the literary world surrounding Mary and Kitty, from The Mysteries of Udolpho and Evelina to the Romantic poets. And then there’s the wider world beyond Austen’s drawing rooms: travel, India, life aboard ships, French attacks on passenger vessels, and even one particularly memorable death involving a pork chop. 😂 It was such a pleasure chatting to Julia and Imogen, and I really hope you enjoy this one. Sophie’s article on Jane Austen and the Navy: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/maritime-history/library-archive/jane-austen-royal-navy  Follow @juliagraywrites Follow @imogenrw Follow @whattheausten for everything about me....😂 Supporting the podcast: London Nootropics - Adaptogenic mushroom coffee  Use code IzzyMeakin to get 20% off at checkout.  https://londonnootropics.com/IZZYMEAKIN  The blend I’m drinking in this episode is from MushLove. It combines the benefits of coffee and adaptogens in a perfectly balanced dose, designed to help you feel like the most elevated version of yourself. ____________________ Wilsons Pet Food  Wonderful fresh dog food, that your dog will love and is full of protein and nutrients. Use code WHATTHEAUSTEN for 20% off. AD Disclaimer: What the Austen? is a true passion project that I produce alongside my full-time job. Brand partnerships and sponsorships help cover the costs of keeping the podcast running, from recording software and equipment to editing and hosting. If you choose to use one of my affiliate codes, thank you! Every purchase helps support the podcast and allows me to keep creating free Jane Austen content.

  6. Aug 8

    Episode 91: Miss Bates | Poverty, Fearing 'old maids' and neurodivergence wit author Catherine Cliff

    What happens when one of Jane Austen's most overlooked characters takes centre stage? 🤍📖As I mentioned in the episode, I loved Catherine's book Miss Bates, and I highly recommend people pick it up: BOOK🇺🇸 United States: 7 July 2026 OUT 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: 27 August 2026In this episode, I sit down with Catherine Cliff to discuss Miss Bates, her debut novel and brilliant reimagining of Emma through the eyes of one of Austen's most misunderstood women. We explore the realities of women's lives in the Regency period, including poverty, illness, violence, dependence on men, and the limited choices available to women.We also talk about the idea of women in midlife becoming invisible or even feared, how Miss Bates offers a compelling neurodivergent reading, and what it means to navigate a world that isn't built for those who are perceived as different. Along the way, we discuss seeing Highbury from a very different perspective, Emma Woodhouse through Miss Bates' eyes, and how revisiting a beloved classic can reveal the stories that were there all along.It was such a pleasure chatting to Catherine; I really hope you enjoy this one. PS. I'm still working my set-up, and clearly this camera option, although clear, is not great for angle, and also it's a bit glitchy. Noted for next time. Follow @catherinecliffwritesFollow @whattheausten for everything about me....😂____________Supporting the podcast: London Nootropics - Adaptageic mushroom coffee Use code IzzyMeakin to get 20% off at checkout. LINKThe blend I’m drinking in this episode is from MushLove.It combines the benefits of coffee and adaptogens in a perfectly balanced dose, designed to help you feel like the most elevated version of yourself.____________________Wilsons Pet Food Wonderful fresh dog food, that your dog will love and is full of protein and nutrients. Use code WHATTHEAUSTEN for 20% off. AD Disclaimer: What the Austen? is a true passion project that I produce alongside my full-time job. Brand partnerships and sponsorships help cover the costs of keeping the podcast running, from recording software and equipment to editing and hosting. If you choose to use one of my affiliate codes, thank you! Every purchase helps support the podcast and allows me to keep creating free Jane Austen content.

  7. Jul 12 ·  Bonus

    Bonus Episode: Our Sense & Sensibility Trailer Reaction!

    The *Sense & Sensibility* trailer has arrived, and we had thoughts! 🎬In this bonus episode, Caily and I share our reactions to the first look at Focus Features’ new film, from the trailer itself to the posters and the wider promotional campaign. We chat about what’s caught our attention, what has us intrigued, and what we’re hoping to see as the film’s release gets closer.Please note: there are **book/story spoilers** in this episode. Everything shared is just our own personal opinions and thoughts, and we’d love to hear yours too!Apologies for the reduced video quality in this one. I had to use a backup file because the original recording became corrupted. Thank you for bearing with us!

  8. Jul 4

    Episode 90: Pistols at Dawn? Col Brandon and Willoughby's Duel in Sense & Sensibility

    Did Regency gentlemen really fight duels to defend a woman's honour? Was Colonel Brandon the gallant hero we often imagine, or was his challenge to Willoughby driven by anger, revenge, and a deeply ingrained code of masculine honour?In this episode of What the Austen? I'm joined by Paul Bavill from History Rage to separate fact from fiction as we explore the fascinating world of Regency duelling. Together, we unpack why gentlemen really challenged one another, the strict rituals that governed these deadly encounters, and why many duels weren't intended to end in bloodshed.Using Colonel Brandon's notorious, yet only briefly mentioned, duel with Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility as our case study, we ask whether Austen presents Brandon as a romantic hero or subtly critiques the culture of honour that drove men to risk their lives over reputation.Expect plenty of myth-busting, surprising historical facts, and a fresh perspective on one of Austen's most admired gentlemen.Whether you're an Austen fan, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the real Regency era, this episode is sure to challenge what you thought you knew about pistols at dawn.As I mentioned in the episode, be sure to check out Paul's podcast and hop aboard the Rage Train! History Rage is a weekly podcast where historians of every flavour and period come together to answer one simple question: "What's the one historical 'fact' you wish everyone would just stop believing?" From there, the sparks really do fly!Follow @historyrage for more historical myth-busting, and @whattheausten for all things Jane Austen... and, occasionally, me. 😂London NootropicsIf you'd like to try adaptogenic mushroom coffee, you can use my code IZZYMEAKIN for 20% off at checkout:https://londonnootropics.com/IZZYMEAKINThe blend I'm drinking in this episode is Flow, which combines speciality coffee with adaptogenic mushrooms to help support focus and calm.Wilsons Pet Food: Delicious, fresh dog food designed by nutritionists to give your dog everything they need to thrive. Packed with wholefoods, prime cuts of meat and vibrant veg. https://www.wilsonspetfood.co.uk/discount/whattheausten Code: whattheausten for 20% off AD Disclaimer: What the Austen? is a true passion project that I produce alongside my full-time job. Brand partnerships and sponsorships help cover the costs of keeping the podcast running, from recording software and equipment to editing and hosting. If you choose to use one of my affiliate codes, thank you! Every purchase helps support the podcast and allows me to keep creating free Jane Austen content.

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4.9
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About

What the Austen? is a cosy podcast hosted by Izzy Meakin, exploring the wit, charm, and quirks of Jane Austen’s novels through lively conversations with fellow enthusiasts. We embrace the full spectrum of the Austen fandom and hope this podcast will help deepen your love for her timeless tales. On YouTube and all podcasting platforms. @whattheausten

Information

  • Creator
    Izzy Meakin
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Izzy Meakin
  • Show Website
    What the Austen? Podcast

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