Episode 118: The Thing About Mrs. Clay Under Mr. Elliot's Protection
23.06.2026 | 1 godz.
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 mistresses in 18th-century society.
We have a launched a Patreon! To sign up and support the work we do, please head to https://www.patreon.com/TheThingAboutAusten. Thank you SO much!
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 you have ever had to listen to someone brag about the house party they organized, this episode is for you.
We have a launched a Patreon! To sign up and support the work we do, please head to https://www.patreon.com/TheThingAboutAusten. Thank you SO much!
Episode 116: The Thing About Mrs. Bates's Knitting with guest Eleanor Gilchrist
23.03.2026 | 31 min.
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 the details of Mrs. Bates's knitting. We also take a look at Mrs. Smith's relationship to knitting in Persuasion.
If you have ever needed tips on how to best show off your elegant hands and neck, this episode is for you.
Thank you so much to Eleanor for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Instagram @stitchesandseeds.
You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten. You can email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com and head over to https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to check out our podcast related merch.
Episode 115: The Thing About Harriet as a Natural Daughter
27.02.2026 | 39 min.
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 "natural daughter" and discuss the social context of illegitimacy in Austen's time.
You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten. You can email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com and head over to https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to check out our podcast related merch.
Episode 114: The Thing About Miss Lambe with guest Damianne Scott
30.01.2026 | 37 min.
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 character in Austen's canon, as well as delving into the portrayal of Miss Lambe in the recent television miniseries (consider this your spoiler warning for the show!).
Thank you so much to Dami for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Instagram @BlackGirlLoves76, on X @BlackGirlLoves3, and on the Black Girl Loves Jane Facebook page.
You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten. You can email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com and head over to https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to check out our podcast related merch.
The Thing About Austen is a podcast about Jane Austen's world — the people, objects, and culture that shape Austen's fiction. Come for the historical context and stay for the literary shenanigans. Think of us as your somewhat cheeky tour guides to the life and times of Jane Austen.