Best The Thing About Austen Podcasts (2025)

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From War Zones to Wards: The Many Chapters of Dr. Rachel Clarke’s Life 1:10:55

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12d ago1:10:55

1:10:55

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by someone whose career defies convention and whose work has touched lives across war zones, hospital wards and the written page. Dr Rachel Clarke began as a broadcast journalist, reporting from some of the world’s most dangerous places — covering Al Qaeda, the Gulf War and the civil war in the DRC. Then, at 29,…

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Episode 110: The Thing About Lady Catherine's Windows with guest Dr. Emily Davis-Hale 22:15

1M ago22:15

22:15

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't even get me started. I mean, honestly, look at that gorgeous glazing. This episode we're joined by Dr. Emily Davis-Hale of Reclaiming Jane to discuss Lady Catherine, her windows…

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The Movie Music Maker: A Conversation with Paul Broucek, President of Warner Bros Pictures Music. 1:26:40

1M ago1:26:40

1:26:40

Paul Broucek, President of Warner Bros Pictures Music is the man behind the soundtracks of some of the most iconic films of our time: The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit Trilogy, Harry Potter, Inception, Dunkirk, Gravity, American History X, The Notebook and Austin Powers to name but a few. Paul has collaborated with legendary composers, visionary di…

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Why Are We Here? Who Are We? Dr. Iain McGilchrist on Consciousness, the Divided Brain, and the Matter with Things 1:25:46

2M ago1:25:46

1:25:46

In this unmissable episode, I talk to renowned psychiatrist, philosopher and author Dr. Iain McGilchrist to explore the profound questions that shape our existence: Why are we here? Who are we? Drawing from his groundbreaking books — including The Master and His Emissary and The Matter with Things — Dr. McGilchrist shares insights from his life and…

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Episode 109: The Thing About the Assizes 30:20

2M ago30:20

30:20

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 robe because this episode, we're covering the assizes. You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten. You can email us…

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Horse with No Name and Sister Golden Hair: Gerry Beckley talks about his 53 years in the band AMERICA. 1:29:36

3M ago1:29:36

1:29:36

In this episode, Gerry Beckley; singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the iconic band America takes us on a remarkable journey through five decades of music, fame and friendship. Gerry talks about their timeless hits including “A Horse with No Name” and “Sister Golden Hair” and what it felt like to top the charts with both a No. 1 single and album …

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Episode 108: The Thing About the Barouche-landau 29:50

3M ago29:50

29:50

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 barouche-landau. Let's hope it doesn't rain. Thank you to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, presenting Jane Austen Wrecked My Life for sponsoring this episode. You can learn more and watc…

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Saving the Planet One Species at a Time: Edward Whitley OBE on Conservation, Philanthropy & Jane Austen 1:09:40

4M ago1:09:40

1:09:40

Edward Whitley OBE is a financier, philanthropist, author and conservationist whose work has helped protect some of the planet’s rarest species. He’s raised over £24 million for more than 220 conservation projects in 80+ countries, encountering everything from golden-headed tamarins to monkey-eating eagles. He’s also written on subjects ranging fro…

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Episode 107: The Thing About Manydown Park with guests Prerna Ramachandra and Sarah Rose Kearns 32:59

4M ago32:59

32:59

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 withdrew her acceptance. This episode we are joined by guests Prerna Ramachandra and Sarah Rose Kearns to discuss this crossroads moment in Austen's personal and professional life. Tha…

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Episode 106: The Thing About Special Licenses 28:50

4M ago28:50

28:50

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. This episode we cover the banns, common licenses, and special licenses, and we dig into whether Mrs. Bennet's wedding dreams are likely to come true. You can find us online at https:/…

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Walking to the Ends of the Earth: Erling Kagge - Life Lessons from the First Man to Complete the 3 Poles Challenge. 1:03:35

5M ago1:03:35

1:03:35

Erling Kagge is a man of firsts: In 1990, together with Børge Ousland, he was the first to reach the North Pole unsupported. In 1992/3 he was the first man to walk solo to the South Pole. In 1994 he summitted Everest making him the first man on the planet to have completed the journey to the North Pole, the South Pole and to have climbed Everest – …

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Talking to the Animals: Lucy Cooke – Zoologist, Scientist and Defender of Some of the Most Misunderstood Species in the Animal Kingdom. 53:27

5M ago53:27

53:27

Lucy Cooke is a zoologist, an explorer, a passionate conservationist and a champion of animal species that are often misunderstood. She has shared her knowledge through books, blogs and television shows that have appeared on many channels from National Geographic through to the BBC, ITV and Radio 4, along with writing in all the major newspapers on…

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Episode 105: The Thing About Marianne's Music with guest Dr. Elizabeth Weybright 54:49

5M ago54:49

54:49

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 Marianne as a musician and the ways in which Marianne's musicianship is central to her character. We also get into a bit of Austen's own history of piano ownership and music playing. If y…

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Clare Mackintosh – on Grief, Working in the Police and Writing Blockbuster Crime Novels. 1:12:01

6M ago1:12:01

1:12:01

I can’t quite believe the amount of ground that is covered in the very special conversation I had with multi-award-winning, best-selling author Clare Mackintosh. It really is a podcast of two halves; in the first Clare talks with unflinching candour about losing her son Alex when he was five weeks old. The second is a detailed account of how she cr…

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Episode 104: The Thing About The Crescent 22:59

6M ago22:59

22:59

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 and architecture of this notable landmark. If you have ever been desperately hoping to casually bump into someone, this episode is for you. Thank you to PBS for sponsoring this episo…

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From Foyle's War to Downton Abbey: Julian Ovenden - A Life on Stage, Screen and in Song. 1:16:35

6M ago1:16:35

1:16:35

I had been really looking forward to talking to Julian Ovenden but the conversation I ended up having with him was extraordinary and unexpected. Not only is he a talented actor appearing in some of our best loved TV shows and theatre productions: Downton Abbey, Bridgerton, Foyle’s War, My Night with Reg, All About Eve to name but a handful, he is a…

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Episode 103: The Thing About Elegant Extracts 21:45

7M ago21:45

21:45

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 returns, she would obviously like to know about his reading tastes and preferences. This episode, we're flipping through the pages of Elegant Extracts. You can find us online at http…

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Måns Mårlind: The King of Swedish Noir - Creator, Writer and Director of The Bridge, Midnight Sun, Shadowplay and Underworld Awakening 1:02:45

7M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Måns Mårlind is a visionary director and screenwriter whose work has captivated audiences worldwide. From his early days crafting compelling narratives for Swedish television to his acclaimed collaborations on international hits like The Bridge and Underworld: Awakening, Måns has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled ability to blend suspense, …

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Mike Reed: Musical Director for Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, Aspects of Love, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Barnum and many more 56:28

8M ago56:28

56:28

Mike Reed has been described by those he works with as “a humble genius”. He is a composer, conductor, musical director and pianist. He was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s right hand man for over a decade. In this podcast, Mike talks about his extraordinary career, the musicals he has worked on and the stars he has worked with. At times hilarious, an insight…

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Episode 102: The Thing About Lady Bertram's Shawl with guest Laboni Islam 30:20

8M ago30:20

30:20

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 Bertram and her requested shawl(s). In addition to delving into the history and context surrounding these shawls, Laboni also shares details of her related project from her time as …

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Sally Phillips: talks about life, comedy, acting and being Bridget Jones’ best friend [REPLAY] 1:11:07

8M ago1:11:07

1:11:07

Sally co-created, wrote and acted in Smack the Pony, a double Emmy Award-winning comedy show, for which she was nominated for best female newcomer at the 1999 British Comedy Awards. She has starred in countless films, television series, comedy shows and radio programmes such as the Bridget Jones films, Miranda, Green Wing, I am Alan Partridge, Resc…

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Creating Masterpieces: Amor Towles on Writing Timeless Novels 54:19

9M ago54:19

54:19

Amor Towles, the award-winning and bestselling author of Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway shares the journey from his childhood fascination with storytelling to his transition from investment banking to the literary stage. Discover the meticulous process behind his richly imaginative novels, the secrets to creating u…

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Episode 101: The Thing About Lizzy's Pin-money 27:56

9M ago27:56

27:56

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 into the history and purpose of pin-money. You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things.…

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John Lloyd: The only man to be fired from Footlights for being too funny! 1:24:42

9M ago1:24:42

1:24:42

If you grew up loving Not the 9 O’Clock News, Blackadder and Spitting Image, you will love this podcast! John Lloyd takes us behind the scenes of Blackadder, Not The 9 O’Clock News, Spitting Image, QI and many more award-winning comedy shows. Known as ‘The God of Comedy Producers’ he is also a writer, director and presenter and he is every bit as h…

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Episode 100: The Thing About Jane Austen's House with guest Lizzie Dunford 46:47

10M ago46:47

46:47

Happy 100! To celebrate this auspicious occasion, we are thrilled to share our conversation with Lizzie Dunford, Director of Jane Austen’s House. We chat about Austen's time living in Chawton, as well as the incredible work that Jane Austen's House is doing to promote and preserve Austen’s legacy as an author and storyteller. Thank you so much to L…

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The Meteoric Rise of Henry Rowley: Comedian, Writer, Actor, TikTok King, Total Rock Star of Life! 50:03

10M ago50:03

50:03

OUR 50TH EPISODE! How lucky was I to be in the passport queue in Nice airport and spot my guest Henry Rowley? Even luckier that he was so lovely and agreed to have this conversation with me. Henry Rowley is a writer, actor and comedian who has amassed 1.3 million followers on TikTok and rising doing the most hilarious point of view sketches from po…

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Episode 99: The Thing About White Soup 13:08

11M ago13:08

13:08

Mr. Bingley is planning to hold a ball at Netherfield Park, and white soup is obviously on the menu. This episode we're cooking up something special in the kitchen as we explain exactly what goes into this delicious dish. You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Au…

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Toby Spence: Award-Winning Tenor talks about his Career, his Battle with Thyroid Cancer and Rediscovering his Voice 56:10

11M ago56:10

56:10

Toby Spence is an award-winning tenor, who has played the lead roles across the world in every major opera theatre from The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden to The Met in New York to La Scala in Milan. A frequent performer at The Proms and on acclaimed recordings, he has also brought classical music to popular audiences through shows like The Rob…

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From Senior Advisor to David Cameron to Fox News: Steve Hilton discusses Trump and his vision for California. 1:08:01

12M ago1:08:01

1:08:01

Steve Hilton is a British and American political commentator. He was David Cameron’s Senior Advisor when he was Prime Minister. He is an entrepreneur, a best-selling author, a podcaster and he hosts his own television show on Fox News. With all his political experience he is considering the role of Republican candidate for governor of the state of …

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Episode 98: The Thing About Northanger Abbey's Bell System 28:24

1y ago28:24

28:24

THE CALL IS COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE. And the person calling is General Tilney. For this year's spooky season episode, we're talking about the bell system at Northanger Abbey. If you have ever wondered for whom the bell pulls, this episode is for you. You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheT…

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Episode 97: The Thing About Molland's 19:27

1y ago19:27

19:27

Anne is in Bath, and surprise, surprise, so is Captain Wentworth. Everyone has fortuitously converged at Molland's, and we're here to break down the momentous occasion. If you have ever run into your ex at the confectionery shop, this episode is for you. You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheTh…

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Inside the Mind of a Serial Entrepreneur: How Brent Hoberman built Lastminute.com and the blueprint for startup success 56:37

1y ago56:37

56:37

Brent Hoberman, the visionary co-founder of Lastminute.com and Made.com, is a true force in the world of entrepreneurship. From building multi-million- dollar businesses to founding the renowned Founders Forum, Brent is now a key player in supporting the next wave of innovators. He’s an advisor to governments on tech, a board member tackling issues…