Hot and Bothered

Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Professor Matt Potts meet at a mansion in Singapore to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Crazy Rich Asians.This week we discuss the tension at the heart of Asian American identities, how family pressures preserve class divides, and the allure of opulence. We finish the episode by calling journalist Jiayang Fan to talk to us about the important cultural impact of the film.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Matt and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Racquel Gates is back to dissect the ending of Coming to America with Hannah. They discuss what Lisa gives up in moving to Zamunda, the Disney princess evocations, and the many roles played by Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall.Don't forget to check-out Racquel's book, Double Negative: The Black Image and Popular Media!---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hannah McGregor and special guest Professor Racquel Gates meet in the fictional country of Zamunda to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Coming to America.This week we discuss the tensions between Eddie Murphy and John Landis, what makes a 'black' film, and Racquel's concept of formal negativity. We finish the episode checking in with Vanessa for her thoughts on the movie. Don't forget to check out Racquel's book, Double Negative: The Black Image and Popular Imagination!---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Hannah and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you missed Hannah these past two weeks? Never fear! They recorded a whole episode of their podcast, Material Girls, all about Dirty Dancing. We're sharing it this week before we move onto our next movie, Coming to America. Here's the Material Girls episode summary: In this episode, Marcelle and Hannah are joined by Andrea Warner (she/her), the author of The Time of My Life, an exploration of Dirty Dancing as a deeply feminist film. We begin with a conversation about sexy films that made our younger selves all hot and bothered before heading into the segment "Why This? Why Now?" Hannah guides us through the difficulty that writer and producer Eleanor Bergstein faced in getting this movie made and distributed. We talk Reagan, Roe v. Wade, and nostalgia for the 1960s. Hannah then introduces us to American literary critic Fredric Jameson, cultural historian Bill Osgerby, and Russian-American cultural critic Svetlana Boym. Together, Hannah, Marcelle and Andrea parse through their respective work about postmodernism, nostalgia, late capitalism and the construction of history to get a better understanding of why Dirty Dancing is such a compelling film. We end the episode with a discussion of the appropriation of Black music in the movie, the power dynamics within Baby and Johnny's romance and the unique representations of mutual aid.If you love Dirty Dancing, join the club (with Hannah and Andrea)! If you haven't seen it, you get to be in a club with Marcelle. FOR NOW (we will get her to watch it!). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Lauren Sandler try not to cry their way through the ending of of Dirty Dancing. They discuss the music choices, the class politics, and the side characters they wish they heard more from.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Lauren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Lauren Sandler meet in the Catskills to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Dirty Dancing – one of our favorite movies of all time. This week we discuss the abortion plot line, Baby’s relationship with her father, and the difference between desire and love. We finish the episode with an interview sociologist Phil Brown on the history of Jews in the Catskills. Phil is the founder and president of The Catskills Institute which is a robust online resource for this history.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Lauren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Hannah and Vanessa break down the many endings of Titanic. They explore the meaning of the Heart of the Ocean diamond necklace and this movie's theology of heaven.As we mention in the episode, Hannah has a new book out! You can buy Hannah's new book, Clever Girl: Jurassic Park, here.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Titanic – our first movie in our cross-class romance series. This week we explore hubris, whether it's possible to divorce James Cameron from the film, and what we consider a ‘shipwreck.’ We finish the episode with an interview with musicologist Julie Hubbert on the mega-hit My Heart Will Go On. Next week, we look at the final scene of Titanic. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah examine the last scene of Kate & Leopold. They discuss what it would mean to time travel to the past for love and what they would bring with them to 1876. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet traveling through time to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Kate & Leopold. It's our final Meg Ryan movie!This week we explore what it meant for Meg Ryan to be a rom-com star at 40 years old and the American fantasy of British history. We finish the episode with an interview with the chief historian of The Center for Brooklyn History, Dominique Jean-Louis, about the Brooklyn Bridge. Next week, we look at the final scene of Kate & Leopold.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Casper take a close look at the last two scenes of French Kiss. They discuss Kate's financial sacrifice for Luc and what it means that she's willing to up and move to France.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Casper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa Zoltan meets Casper ter Kuile on a beach in Cannes to record this week’s episode, all about the 1995 movie French Kiss directed by Lawrence Kasdan.This week we discuss the 'criminal with a heart of gold' trope and the power of kissing. We finish the episode with an interview with anxiety coach Dave Carbonell, all about aerophobia (a fear of flying). Next week, Casper is back to look at the final scene of French Kiss.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Casper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah dissect (and relentlessly mock) the last scene of You've Got Mail. They discuss the lack of actual communication in this scene and the supposed charm of Joe Fox.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about You’ve Got Mail. We’re onto our final Meg Ryan/Nora Ephron collaboration. This week we explore how politics intersect with attraction and interview the former Editorial Director of Publisher’s Weekly, Jim Milliot, about the history of big box bookstores. Next week, we look at the final scene of You’ve Got Mail.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah tackle the last scene of When Harry Met Sally. They discuss the interstitial ‘couch scenes’ which recur throughout the movie and the few details we learn about Harry and Sally’s life after reconciliation. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about When Harry Met Sally. We’re continuing our deep-dive into Meg Ryan with the movie that put her on the map as leading-lady material.This week we explore whether 'opposites attract' is really a romantic principle we believe in and interview Professor Claude S. Fischer about the social history of telephones. Next week, we look at the final scene of When Harry Met Sally.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After our wide-lens analysis of a movie, we're going to spend a week closely studying its final scene. These scenes, which are often Happily Ever Afters, tell us a lot about what's important to the movie and its idea about love and coupledom. In this week's scene, the characters Annie, Sam, and Jonah finally get to meet each other on the top of the Empire State Building.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet at the top of The Empire State Building to record their first episode of Hot and Bothered together, all about the 1993 classic Sleepless in Seattle. It’s got Meg Ryan, it’s got Tom Hanks, it’s directed by Nora Ephron. What more could you want? For the next nine weeks, we’re thinking about the influence and impact of Meg Ryan as a rom-com super star. Next week, we look at the final scene of Sleepless in Seattle. In two weeks, join us for When Harry Met Sally.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well folks – we've arrived! Our tenth and final episode of our How To series about How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days. We've puzzled over its messaging, marveled at its efficiency, and learned a lot about the mechanics of film-making. On today's episode, Vanessa shares her concluding thoughts on the movie and brings her lingering questions to the brilliant cultural critic Anne Helen Petersen. We end the episode looking at the HEA with our new co-host, Hannah McGregor.In two weeks, we're starting the next chapter of Hot and Bothered with Sleepless in Seattle! We'll see you on the top of The Empire State Building.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a close scene analysis inspired by this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We can't wrap-up a deep-dive into How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days without talking about the most memorable part of the movie – the yellow dress Kate Hudson wears in the climax of the film. And while we're at it, it's worth obsessing over all the costumes in this film because this is a movie steeped in fashion. To help us unpack the craft of costume design, we're welcoming Colin Wilkes on the show. Colin Wilkes is a costume designer who has designed theater, opera, puppetry, TV and film in many genres. She has her BFA in Costume Design from CalArts and her design work on rom-coms includes the 2020 Hulu movie Palm Springs and the 2022 Netflix movie Look Both Ways. She’s currently the designer for the Apple+ show Big Door Prize. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a close scene analysis inspired by this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The music of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days runs the gamut from country-pop songs to whimsical orchestrations. To the modern ear, it all sounds very specific to an early 2000s rom-com moment. This week, to help us understand that moment and the history of movie music more broadly, we have Julie Hubbert on the show.Julie Hubbert is the LaDare Robinson Memorial Professor of Music at the University of South Carolina. She's the writer of Technology, Listening, and Labor: Music in New Hollywood Film (1967-1980) and Celluloid Symphonies: Texts and Contexts in Film Music History among other works.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a close scene analysis inspired by this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When watching at rom-com, have you ever noticed that the stars just kind of glow? That their skin looks silky smooth and their apartments are always sun-drenched? Lighting design and camera movement play a huge role in giving rom-coms their particular aesthetic, and those things (we're pretty sure) are part of the art of cinematography. This week, to help us understand the history of cinematography and the particular look of How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days, we have Chris Cagle on the show.Chris Cagle is an associate professor of film history and theory in the Film and Media Arts department at Temple University. His book, Sociology on Film: Postwar Hollywood's Prestige Commodity, examines the 1940s social problem film as both a form of popular sociology and a strain of middlebrow "prestige" cinema. Additionally, he has published essays in Cinema Journal, Screen, and Quarterly Review of Film and Video, and in a number of edited volumes, including most recently Cinematography and Middlebrow Cinema. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a close scene analysis with Chris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The success of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is built around the chemistry and star-power of its two leading actors: Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. To truly understand this film, we have to understand the way movie stars operate in Hollywood, what casting these two actors meant in 2003, and what it means today.Helping us in that task is Russell Meeuf, a professor in the school of Journalism and Mass Media at the University of Idaho. His work focuses on celebrity culture, popular cinema, masculinity studies and disability studies. He is the author of several books on media culture, including White Terror: The Horror Film from Obama to Trump, Rebellious Bodies: Stardom Citizenship, and the New Body Politics as well as John Wayne's World: Transnational Masculinity in the Fifties.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a close scene analysis with Russ. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After talking about setting last episode, we wanted to dig even deeper into the physical space inhabited by Ben and Andie. How does the design of their workplaces, apartments, and date-nights affect how we perceive each of their characters? To help us tackle this topic, we're joined by Production Designer Stuart Blatt. Stuart walks us through the role of Production Designer, how he works with other crew members, and what he noticed specifically when watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days?---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a close scene analysis with Eric. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, like many Rom-Coms, is set in New York City. It’s got fire escapes, taxi cabs, and a dramatic Manhattan Bridge scene. In order to understand this film, we have to understand: What is it about New York that is so ripe for romance? And what parts of the city are highlighted in this movie and why?To help us answer those questions, we’re joined by Eric Hynes, the Curator of Film at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a close scene analysis with Eric. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our annual fundraiser at Not Sorry, we are again supporting the wonderful organization On The Rise. On The Rise’s work begins with individuals experiencing homelessness in Cambridge, Massachusetts and continues if and when they secure housing. From their origin as a women’s organization, their programs have evolved toward inclusion of those historically and structurally oppressed on the basis of gender.In today's episode, Vanessa sits down with On The Rise’s Director of Clinical Services, Charyti Reiter to talk about misconceptions around homeless. We hear also from one of On The Rise's participants, JS. You can help us reach our goal of $10k by donating here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our next deep-dive into How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, we wanted to better understand the story structure of a Rom-Com. We called up the delightful Hannah Giorgis, a film critic for The Atlantic, to help us break down the three-act structure and how it operates in this film.Hannah brought some great citations and resources to the show:“You’re So Vain”: An Oral History of How to Lose a Guy in 10 DaysThe Big Sleepover:The fatal flaw of How To Lose a Guy in 10 DaysThis tweet about romcom women being as annoying as possible---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a close scene analysis with Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our first deep-dive into How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, we wanted to look at the history of the rom-com genre. To help us dig into it, we called up the incredible Kathleen Karlyn, the founding director of the Cinema Studies program at University of Oregon and author of The Unruly Woman: Gender and the Genres of Laughter.We wanted to know: Where does the history of the rom-com start? What do people mean when they say something is a ‘battle of the sexes’ movie? and how do gender norms and ideals inform this particular movie? ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a close scene analysis with Kathleen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We make Hot & Bothered because we are interested in the way that love stories have impacted our lives and culture. For our fifth season of the show, we’re turning our attention to romantic films.We're starting this season with 10 episodes on How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, an iconic film of the early 2000s rom-com oeuvre. It has a perfect yellow dress. It has a karaoke battle. It has Matthew McConaughey on a motorcycle. It’s basically the epitome of everything people consider ‘silly’ about the genre. In the next ten episodes, Vanessa Zoltan will revisit How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days in conversation with media experts and scholars to better understand the language of romance on film.---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a close scene analysis with Hannah McGregor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hot and Bothered is back for Season 5 with a brand new host! We're thrilled to be joined by Hannah McGregor to help us analyze all our favorite Romance movies. New episodes bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In August Vanessa and Margaret are taking a trip to Bath to go on long walks, read Northanger Abbey, and talk about questions like: how do I learn when to trust my gut and when to doubt it? Once someone has lost our trust, can confidence ever be restored, and how? In celebration of our trip, we're sharing a conversation from our Patreon archive with Professor Lesley Goodman all about Northanger Abbey. We hope you enjoy, and consider signing up for our pilgrimage! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In September of next year, Sanne Vliegenthart is leading our Wuthering Heights pilgrimage to West Yorkshire. In this bonus, hear Vanessa and Sanne talk about Wuthering Heights and the incredible village of Haworth, where the Brontës lived. If you're interested in joining the pilgrimage, you can sign-up at: https://www.readingandwalkingwith.com/wuthering-heights-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're sharing another special episode from our Patreon-only Austen mini series! Vanessa and Margaret H. Willison discuss disability representation in the text and why Persuasion is the most mature Austen novel. Check out our patreon to hear more episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're joined by Nichole Perkins for a special conversation about her first romance novel experience and A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole. Nichole and Vanessa are co-leading an A Duke By Default pilgrimage in Edinburgh, Scotland in May 2024. Learn more (and sign-up) here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're sharing a special episode of one of our favorite podcasts, Material Girls. Vanessa joins as a guest to discuss Bridgerton the book series and its move into the mainstream through the Shondaland adaptation on Netflix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While you're waiting for our new season, have you considered revisitingTwilight in Quarantine? It's the perfect time of year for vampires, werewolves, and angsty teen romance! This week we're re-publishing one of our favorite episodes from book one: Nightmare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While we're working away on the next season of Hot and Bothered, over on our patreon we're going to be exploring the other Austen books and adaptations! This is our first episode of the patreon exclusive mini-season: a conversation about Emma with one of our favorite Austen scholars, Professor Roxanne Eberle. Next week we'll be discussing the 2020 movie adaption – tune in on Patreon to listen along! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our final episode of the season, Vanessa and Lauren return to some of their central questions about Pride and Prejudice, its popularity and its politics. We'll be back in a few months with our next season, but in the meantime we'll be releasing regular bonus episodes on our Patreon. We'd love to have you join the community supporting our work! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our final adaptation conversation of this season, we're talking to critic and writer Bedatri Choudhury about the film Bride and Prejudice. We explore how the class and gender dynamics of Georgian England transpose into 21st century India and discuss this question: is this a true Bollywood film? Next episode, Vanessa and Lauren are back together to wrap-up the season. ---Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your support on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Curtis Sittenfeld is one of Vanessa's favorite authors and in 2016 she published her own take on Pride and Prejudice, Eligible. Eligible transposes Lizzy and company from 19th century England to modern-day Cincinnati, Ohio. In today's episode, we talk to Curtis about Eligible and the inspiration behind her new book, Romantic Comedy. Join us in two weeks for our discussion of Bride and Prejudice with Bedatri Choudhury!---Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your support on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While we've been making Live from Pemberley, we've been blessed with a brand new Pride and Prejudice adaptation! We originally covered Fire Island when it was first released with guest Tobin Low. But this week, in honor of its recent Emmy nominations, we're revisiting the film with its writer and star Joel Kim Booster. From Joel, we learn about how Austen maps onto gay culture and hear about some of the behind-the-scenes decisions of the movie.Join us in two weeks for our discussion of Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld!---Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your support on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Though we've finished our reading of Pride and Prejudice, a true understanding of the text and its cultural impacts wouldn't be complete without a look at its many adaptations. Over the next few months, we'll be looking a few examples and asking the question 'what do these teach us about the original text?'The first episode of this short series is all about Longbourn by Jo Baker, and we were lucky enough to get Jo Baker herself to speak with us about the book.---Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your support on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All ends well in Chapter 61 of Pride and Prejudice. Vanessa and Lauren discuss where we leave each character and the true importance of Pemberley.Dr. Claudia Johnson joins us at the end of the episode to discuss comedy and our takeaways from the whole book. Our next episode is June 30th, where we'll be interviewing Jo Baker about her book Longbourn. ---Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your support on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elizabeth and Darcy spread the news of their engagement in Chapters 59 and 60 of Pride and Prejudice. Vanessa and Lauren discuss Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's different reactions and the delicious flirting between Lizzy and Darcy. Dr. Sharon Marcus joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the model of sisterly love. Our next episode is June 16th, covering the final chapter – Chapter 61. ---Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your support on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mr. Darcy returns to Longbourn to propose (again) in chapters 57 and 58 of Pride and Prejudice. Vanessa and Lauren discuss the romance that Austen leaves off the page and the deep self-reflection of these two characters.Dr. Stephanie Paulsell joins us at the end of the episode to discuss her thoughts on the proposal. Our next episode is June 2nd, covering chapters 59 + 60. ---Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your support on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lady Catherine makes a visit to Longbourn in Chapter 56 of Pride and Prejudice. Vanessa and Lauren discuss how Lizzy wins the argument and whether Lady Catherine is the true villain of the book.Dr. Susan Fraiman joins us at the end of the episode to discuss Lizzy's obstinacy in this chapter. Our next episode is May 19th, covering chapters 57 + 58. ---Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your support on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mr. Bingley finally proposes to Jane in Chapters 53 through 55 of Pride and Prejudice. Vanessa and Lauren discuss the cyclical nature of the book, Jane and Bingley's love match, and whether Mr. Bennet has changed at all. Dr. Laura White joins us at the end of the episode to discuss Jane Austen's Anglicanism. Our next episode is May 5th, covering chapter 56. ---Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your support on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a special bonus episode, we're talking to our former host, Julia Argy, about the allure of reality dating shows and her new book The One. Just as many people dismiss romance novels as ‘trashy books’, there are a lot of TV shows geared at women that get dismissed as ‘trashy television.’ You know what we're talking about, shows like The Bachelor, Married at First Sight, Love is Blind. Shows that embrace and reproduce a fantasy about falling in love. In this episode, Vanessa and Julia discuss what reality dating shows reflect about our own culture of love and surveillance. Julia's book is out today, be sure to check it out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lydia and Wickham are married and returned to Longbourn in Chapters 51 and 52 of Pride and Prejudice. With new information about how the wedding went down, Vanessa and Lauren re-evaluate Lydia’s power in the situation and discuss Pride and Prejudice as the ultimate fantasy. Dr. Amy Harris joins us at the end of the episode to discuss sibling hierarchy and rivalry in Georgian England. Our next episode is April 21st, covering chapters 53 – 55. ---Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your support on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa is joined for a small bonus conversation by Nathalie Folkerts, the director of our upcoming summer camp: Calling All Magnificent People. They explore how Nathalie's background in political organizing found a home in building our camp and discuss some of behind-the-scenes dreaming and decision making that's been happening. If you haven't yet signed up for camp, you can do so on our website! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.