Truths Universally Acknowledged

Molly Keran and Emma Soberano
  • 5.0 (11)
  • TV & Film
  • Updated Weekly

Want to know more about the history behind Bridgerton, Jane Austen adaptations, and the very modern fantasy of nineteenth century love and romance? Emma and Molly, two graduate students of English literature, discuss the rich intersections of history, romance, literature, and popular culture that appear on our TVs and in our books all the time. We bring our love of these topics to bear on bi-weekly conversations that touch on our ongoing cultural fascination with Regency England. Updates every other Thursday.

  1. 07/08/2022

    The ABCs (and DEFGHs) of Bridgerton

    (TW: In this episode, we discuss rape and racist violence, specifically in reference to a scene from season 1 of Bridgerton.) Molly, Emma, and special guest Becky talk Bridgerton. In this episode, we’re considering the adaptation process, and what was lost and gained when the story went from the bookshelf to the Netflix watchlist. Also of interest: more on the advantages and pitfalls of colorblind casting, the romcomification of Taming of the Shrew, the meaning of race in pre-20th century Britain, why Mr. Darcy isn’t a Duke, and thinking about who is and isn’t allowed certain forms of pleasure. Follow us on Twitter @truthsunipod @mjkeran @chingonacademic @hixonbecky. The novelists Molly mentions are Beverly Jenkins, Piper Huguley, and Courtney Milan. If you want to hear more romance novel talk, check out Molly’s new podcast Let the Bodice Hit the Floor—the first episode is out now!

  2. 06/10/2022

    An epilogue

    Emma and Molly get you up to speed on what happened between Nicole and her final suitor after the show stopped filming. We talk breakups, lemon cake, friendship via gifs, UnREAL, the Bachelorverse, and the future of this podcast. Find us on Twitter at @truthsunipod @chingonacademic @mjkeran. Also consider checking out Molly's new podcast, Let the Bodice Hit the Floor, @bodicehitsfloor.

  3. 06/03/2022

    Keeping it Regency

    The end has come, and Molly and Emma are here to discuss the final episode of The Courtship and Nicole's choice of suitor. Also of interest: confusing bartending, sidewalk PDA, our favorite suitor plans a superior date, what it means when you describe someone as the missing piece to your puzzle, tandem horse riding, the scavenger hunt that should've been, and one woman's valiant quest to get her little sister engaged. Plus: the future of this podcast, now that the first (and perhaps only?) season of The Courtship has ended. Find us on Twitter @truthsunipod @chingonacademic @mjkeran

  4. 05/25/2022

    A sticky situation

    Molly and Emma discuss episode 11 of The Courtship and make their final predictions for the suitor who will ultimately win Nicole's heart. In this episode, one suitor proves himself a true Wickham while another pulls a Mr. Darcy move for the ages. Also of interest: 19th century estate management and the romanticization thereof, the dying gasps of the feudal system, more references to Downton Abbey, rising tensions between handsome men, Molly's healthy fear of and respect for bees, thoughts on goat milking techniques, more praise for the incredible Mrs. Danie Baker, and what happens in the gentleman's parlor does not in fact stay in the gentleman's parlor. Find us on Twitter @truthsunipod @chingonacademic @mjkeran. ****** Romance novels that deal with estate management, agricultural work, and/or tenant relations (a list made with generous help from Molly's friend and fellow book club member Adelaide--thanks!): The Rake by Mary Jo Putney; A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant; The Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas (in fact, many of the books in Kleypas's Ravenels series deal with estate management, the decline of the landowner class, and rise of the industrialist class); Band Sinister by KJ Charles; The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan. A few more not mentioned on the show: In for a Penny by Rose Lerner; The Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell; The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt; Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas. (Fun fact: Estate management is also a central subject/conflict of the romance novel that Molly is currently writing!)

  5. 05/17/2022

    Cheeky chaps and noncommittal cads

    In this episode of Truths Universally Acknowledged, Molly admits she was wrong about one of the suitors, and Emma discusses the history of pleasure gardens, fortunetelling, and the criminalization of the Romani people and cultural practices in 19th century England. Also of interest: British agricultural law, the Mr. Wickham hiding in plain sight, the problem with "not seeing race," handsome men getting increasingly intoxicated, familial love, what even is the socialite lifestyle, the merits of choosing comfort, and a potential Mr. Darcy on the horizon. FYI: The show's costume designer is Tom Rogers, on Instagram @tomrogersdeisgn. Find us on Twitter @truthsunipod @chingonacademic @mjkeran.

  6. 05/12/2022

    #vanlife

    Emma and Molly discuss episode 9 of The Courtship. In this episode, we investigate who is the show’s Wickham and who is the Mr. Darcy—but our conclusions may surprise you! Also of interest: Austen’s five other novels, male body image, weightlifting safety concerns, the curative properties (and disgusting taste) of the water in Bath, facing your fears, the blue-eyed wanderer, learning to be vulnerable, and our own love lives. Find us on Twitter @truthsunipod @mjkeran @chingonacademic. ****************************************The Austen alignments: Mr. Chapman as Willoughby (Sense & Sensibility); Danny B as Captain Wentworth (Persuasion) and John Thorpe (Northanger Abbey); Mr. Nazaire as Henry Crawford (Mansfield Park); Mr. Cones as Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey) and Edmund Bertram (Mansfield Park); Mr. Hunter as Mr. Knightley (Emma); and Mr. Judge as Edward Ferrars (Sense & Sensibility) and Robert Martin (Emma).

    #vanlife

  7. 05/03/2022

    Poor kitty

    Emma and Molly talk ... and talk ... and talk about last week's episode of The Courtship. In this episode, two favorites go home, one favorite comes out, and a grown man pretends to be a cat, so you know things are starting to get serious. Also of interest: current rankings, reality vs. fiction, the etiquette of toasts, a defense of commitment issues, socially-sanctioned groping (AKA Blind Man's Bluff), men's sportswear through the ages, sexual fluidity and masculine ideals, queer romance recs, chemistry vs. compatibility, and several tearstained tissues. Find us on Twitter @truthsunipod @mjkeran @chingonacademic **** Author recs for queer and/or trans romance: Cat Sebastian, K.J. Charles, EE Ottoman, Alyssa Cole (all mentioned on the show). Also: Alexis Hall, Jude Lucens, Jack Harbon, Adriana Herrera, Olivia Waite, Courtney Milan, Austin Chant, Rebekah Weatherspoon, and many more... It's a robust field, and there are some fantastic writers out there doing incredible work.

  8. 04/26/2022

    Let them eat cake

    This week, Emma and Molly don't really give the newest suitor on The Courtship a chance. In this episode, we discuss masquerades (both historical and fictional), wonder how many men are too many men, and talk about how much we love lemon cake. Also of interest: 18th century racism, questionable Shakespeare, romance novel recommendations, the Great British Bake Off, Disney princes, eating the rich, and the fact that, contrary to what Joe Jonas might tell you, gin used to be known as the scourge of the British working class.  Follow us on Twitter @truthsunipod @mjkeran @chingonacademic. ************************************************* Romance novels mentioned in this episode: An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn; A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin by Sophie Jordan; Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean; Maiden Lane (series) by Elizabeth Hoyt; Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade  Some other romances featuring masquerade/masking (as suggested on Twitter and by Molly's book club): Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas; Falling into the Bed with a Duke by Lorraine Heath; The Runaway Duchess by Joanna Lowell; Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian; My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverly; The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne; Monsieur X by Adriana Herrera

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About

Want to know more about the history behind Bridgerton, Jane Austen adaptations, and the very modern fantasy of nineteenth century love and romance? Emma and Molly, two graduate students of English literature, discuss the rich intersections of history, romance, literature, and popular culture that appear on our TVs and in our books all the time. We bring our love of these topics to bear on bi-weekly conversations that touch on our ongoing cultural fascination with Regency England. Updates every other Thursday.

Information

  • Creator
    Molly Keran and Emma Soberano
  • Years Active
    2022
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Molly Keran and Emma Soberano
  • Show Website
    Truths Universally Acknowledged