Show overview
Tophole! has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 69 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 35 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence, with the show now in its 3rd season.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 23 min and 33 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Fiction show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 4 days ago, with 15 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Deborah Lofas.
From the publisher
Episodes look at individual Chalet School books, Elinor M Brent-Dyer's life and other works, and wider themes, with occasional interviews. There will be spoilers, because the books have been in print for over 50 years. There will be mispronunciations, because it's too late now to put right the ones I invented as a 9 year old. And we do not ignore the bonkersness that makes EBD so beloved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest Episodes
View all 69 episodesThe Pillars of the House
The perils of cheap sweets
My least favourite Chalet School book
EBD - licensed to thrill
To Guernsey
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye!
Fat-shaming, drug-pushing, and an ornate belt buckle
Comfort and joy
Girls on film
S3 Ep 13Saved by the medium of fashion
Back at last with an episode answering a question posed by Kit.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/04/07/s3e13-saved-by-the-medium-of-fashion/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 Ep 12The Secret Life of Mlle Lachenais
In honour of our Winter Olympic medals in skeleton, a look at the Chalet School book which mentions the sport - one which Mlle Lachenais has done many times. I know, right? We're looking at Trials for the Chalet School.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/03/10/s3e12-the-secret-life-of-mlle-lachenais/You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 Ep 11Something to keep your hands occupied
It's a Wendy week and we're talking about handcrafts at the Chalet School. And also through history. And in the real world. And in our own lives. Context, that's it - we're providing context, we're not just rambling. Glad we've cleared that up.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/02/24/s3e11-something-to-keep-your-hands-occupied/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 Ep 10I didn't think!
Which is it to be - a sun-soaked, punch-fuelled trip to Jamaica, or a chilly school term on an island off the coast of Wales? Well, there's really only one answer to that...Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/02/10/s3e10-i-didnt-think/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 Ep 9Who gave you leave to call me Matey?
It's a Wendy week! And we're talking about the Chalet School's matrons - at some length, because we're easily distracted.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/01/27/s3e9-who-gave-you-leave-to-call-me-matey/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 Ep 8Victorian poets and no gym apparatus
We're starting 2026 with an EBD book that finishes on Christmas Day because we have been Rather Unwell and so we are Running A Bit Late. In this episode I'm talking about a Chalet connector, and one of EBD's best books to boot.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/s3e8-victorian-poets-and-no-gym-apparatus/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 Ep 7Pageants and carols
We're somewhat late with this episode (sorry), but we're here now and focussing on fun seasonal stuff! Which is your favourite - The Bells of Christmas, or Strangers at the Inn? I totally want to rush out and create a steaming boar's head prop now.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/12/17/s2e7-pageants-and-carols/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 Ep 6The Leader of the Gang
Back to Switzerland this week, as we take a look at the 34th Chalet School book, Mary-Lou of the Chalet School.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/s3e6-the-leader-of-the-gang/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 Ep 5Brown tunics and orange ties (2)
In which Hayley, Wendy and I conclude our discussion about which is better, Malory Towers or the Chalet School, and then I mop up the bits we didn't discuss and the things we got wrong!Transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/11/18/s3e5-brown-tunics-and-orange-ties-2/We'd love to hear from you! You can find Tophole on Facebook, or email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 Ep 4Brown tunics and orange ties (1)
They wear the same uniform, so what's the difference between the Chalet School and Malory Towers? Well...Episode transcript at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/11/04/s3e4-brown-tunics-and-orange-ties-1/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at [email protected] 2 in a fortnight! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 Ep 3Back to the very beginning
Loads of spoilers in this consideration of EBD's first book, Gerry Goes to School, without which there would be no Chalet School... what an awful thought.Transcript available at https://topholepodcast.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/s3e3-back-to-the-very-beginning/You can find Tophole on Facebook or email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.