Lister Sister Conversations

We're talking medieval fairs, motorcycles, and tattoos with with Vera and Donna! More importantly, we're talking about how connecting with strong, independent women, from all walks of life, can be used to build community. Anne Lister Birthday Week (ALBW) was recently celebrated stateside, with tea, talks, and an escape room! Conversation via Messenger Photo: Vera Messina Music: MusicInMedi...

Any true Lister Sister will tell you that they want the scoop on AL's wife, Ann Walker. 'Searching for Ann Walker An Anthology of the Life & Legacy of an Extraordinary 19th Century Woman' brings Ann to life not just as Anne Lister's wife, but as a full person. The myth-busting detectives, Diane Halford, Leila Straub, and Deb Woolson dispel many of the assumptions and untruths a...

Bring your walking shoes as Lesley and Lisa pick up the conversation about Walker Wednesdays with the delight that visiting Americans feel when they experience the old public footways of England. There's even discussion of re-enacting the Blackstone Edge folly when Anne Lister wildly walked 10 miles out in the countryside to eagerly greet Marianna, only to experience humiliating heartbreak. Conver...

From the Woolpack Inn, the Walker Wednesday duo of Lesley and Lisa sit down to chat about the beginnings of Walker Wednesday. Out of COVID times the gals started virtual walks and challenges. The positivity and friendships during the difficult times formed the base for this group that sets an agenda to "put the world right". From hiking boots, speed, sweat, and mud to the Pooh Sticks tra...

We pick up with the conversation with Sharon, from Australia. During her recent travels to England, she used Anne Lister's fitness inspiration to climb the many steps of Elizabeth Tower, St. Paul's Cathedral, Clifford's Tower, 199 Steps of Whitby and more. In the year since learning about Gentleman Jack, Sharon has savored books about Anne & Ann, and been motivated to push beyond h...

It's only been a year since Sharon was introduced to Gentleman Jack, and Anne & Ann's impact gave her the determination to visit England and Shibden Hall itself. Sharon fulfilled a life-long dream of visiting Buckingham Palace, and explored her new-found passion for 'Listering'. With her refusal to allow regret to limit her, Sharon has opened new horizons that emulate the best...

We're back after our travels! And, yes, it's true. Travel kicked my butt quite literally! Help me get back on track with regular conversations on the pod. A few conversations are already in the making, but I'd be delighted to have listeners reach out and join me, sharing their experiences with Butt-kicking Travel, Pride Month, or AL/AW Absconded with My Wife/Significant Other. Photo: S...

Diana shares with Sue some of what is on her nerves this week: threats to the 14th Amendment and DOMA, suppression of everyday (DEI) language and programs, preserving women's perspectives, and more. "Perspective shapes narrative. Power shapes interpretation. Ultimately, who tells the story matters often as much as whose story is being told." From Cat Bohannon's 'Eve", to...

Christine Sanders joins Sue in a conversation from her canal boat, fresh off a walk on the moors in Bronte country. She shares the inspiration that empassioned the writing of her collection of mirrored poems about Anne Lister's lovers. Through exhaustive research, Christine's writing process allows Lister's lovers to speak through her, putting life and breath into the women. "A 2nd Extract from Wo...

Cheryl and Elizabeth continue their wrap-up of ALBW26 (Anne Lister Birthday Week) with excitement about Jennifer Van Gessel's new film, 'Langton', that is casting for a young Anne Lister. O'Hooley and Tidow were back for a one-night-only at The Arches, an intimate venue. Elizabeth describes the privilege she feels about the extreme talent that moves emotions. The walking football tournament was qu...

Sue admits that she was suffering FOMO during ALBW26 (Anne Lister Birthday Week), but is grateful to hear all about it from Cheryl and Elizabeth. A big highlight was one-on-one meetings with our champion, Helena Whitbread, who wrote the seminal books 'I Know My Own Heart: The Diaries of Anne Lister' and 'No Priest But Love: The Journals of Anne Lister.' Of course the jewel on the c...

Lister Sister Conversations Podcast is thrilled to "be" in Halifax, albeit, through the eyes, ears, and feet on the ground of Elizabeth and Cheryl. From afternoon tea at the Holdsworth House, to scavenger hunting to the ALBW Hub, we hear about the goings on from friends who have already arrived. Elizabeth shares insights about the "sexy delight" of the Gentleman Jack Ballet, and we hear about upco...

Diana and Sue share their last minute recommendations for those of you lucky souls who are headed to Anne Lister Birthday Week 2026. Pack it all in! There is so much to do and see. We hope you fill every moment with great adventures, make wonderful memories, and enduring friendships. Oh, and please tell us all about it when you're home! Conversation in studio Photo: Sue Britz Music: MusicInMed...

Sue and Diana offer ideas for celebrating International Women's Day and for getting prepared for attending ALBW (Anne Lister Birthday Week) from a California point of view. Billie Jean King impacted both gals, Diana , as she was learning tennis and seeing King as a woman who offered her hope. Sue, recalls Billie Jean's example as a leader in the Women's Lib movement, and giving her words to call o...

Akiva embodies the bravery of Ann Walker by sharing the impact Gentleman Jack had in finding her comeback power while living with mental illness. Like Ann, who came alive with Anne Lister in her life, both she and Akiva had to fight for that awakening. Breaking taboos, Akiva tells about the uplifting restoration of a woman's soul with her short film project, 'Awaking Georgie'. Speaking...

I'm excited to share our first episode with a topic or question as our subject. Sue is joined by neighboring Lister Sister, Diana, to discuss why Anne Lister's actions have, at times, been interpreted as using predatory tactics to seduce passive, naive ladies. The gals agree that Anne's romantic interests were likely as interested in her as Gentleman Jack was with them. Diana wisely st...

What a small world! After Diana reached out, Sue found out that the two Lister Sisters live about a mile apart! Diana was drawn in to the Anne Lister world after watching Sally Wainwright's 'Last Tango in Halifax'. That was followed up by 'Gentleman Jack', and the developing obsession about the Yorkshire region carried her to ALBW in Halifax. Sue and Diana talk about the duality of Anne Lister's p...

Kirsty picks up last week's episode talking proudly about Gentleman Jack creator and local Sowerby Bridge girl, Sally Wainwright. Sally portrays the "truest representation of West Yorkshire people I've ever watched." Kirsty shares local lore about the 18th century criminal gang, the Cragg Vale Coiners. She recommends the Bankfield Museum as an excellent place to learn about the h...

Kirsty Davies brings a local's perspective to the Lister Sisterhood. From visiting Shibden throughout her childhood to queuing up with the droves of women from all over the world to take part in the Gentleman Jack excitement, Kirsty has found new and enduring friendships. As a strong ally for the Listerhood, Kirsty says that it fills her heart to know that Halifax is a safe place for visitors. Con...

We continue our conversation with the self-described independent spirit Pat Esgate, progenitor of the Anne Lister Birthday Week (ALBW) festival. A few hints are dropped about updates of the Anne Lister Society that runs tandem with ALBW, and how it was developed by Sally Wainwright, Anne Choma, Laurie Shannon, and Pat. Pat looks each day for positivity to carry into the future, an important task e...

Pat Esgate shares the moment in the Halifax Minister when she stood to express what so many of us feel, a deep appreciation for being seen and an opportunity to create community. After visiting Gentleman Jack's Shibden Hall, then taking in a talk by Helena Whitbread and Jill Liddington, Pat says it "lit a fuse in me". Together with Cheryl McDonald, Pat forged Anne Lister Birthday Wee...

Like Ann Walker, who saw in Anne Lister someone with the courage to fully live her own life, so too, do Lister Sisters who get to gain courage through friendships with each other. Two people, like Vicki & Jan, who on paper may seem not to have much in common, wind up with friendships that change lives. Differences allow us to see other perspectives and experiences with new understanding. Conve...

The story of Anne & Ann can close 4,000 miles distance to bring people together and create a friendship like Jan & Vicki have. It was the impact of 'Gentleman Jack' and the social media communities that grew that led these two together. It is their shared sense of humor that Vicki says is the reason that, "We got on like a house on fire!" They have become best friends that talk every day and their...

As the true red jacket volunteer that she is, Steph says that, "People see bits and pieces of themselves in Anne." That's what keeps her, like so many, returning time and again to Shibden Hall. Steph talks about being an artist whose drawings are "like keeping a diary, in a way," providing her with the ability to relive the many stories and experiences that going to the Ann...

Lister Sisters have quite the sense of humor! We pick up our conversation with Cheryl & Elizabeth who discuss their idea for their own podcast inspired by their own "Kindlegate" escapade. It happened during an Anne Lister Society session while renowned Anne Lister author Jill Liddington was speaking. You won't want to miss how it plays out. Then there are stories about common thread experience...