The Ents and Sensibility Podcast

Welcome back to Ents and Sensibility! I have a lot in store for you, first, an author interview with Melodie Edwards, the author of Once Forbidden, Twice Shy, a funny and sweet modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion.  Second, we dive into chapter 17 of Sense and Sensibility, and find out who Marianne's author obsessions are, and discuss why Edward Ferrars is acting to strange. 

In this episode listen to an author interview with Julia Seales about her new Regency mystery novel which came out this summer! Edward Ferrars finally visits the Dashwoods, but he doesn't seem particularly thrilled to be there. Is it just that he's reserved or is he hiding something? Marianne extolls on her love of fall leaves and Margaret wishes that all three sisters each had a rich fairy god mo...

After proclaiming his adoration of all things Dashwood, Willoughby announces this is the End. He is going. He is leaving Now. Good-bye.  How do the Dashwood women react to Willoughby's sudden departure? And what does it mean for poor Marianne? We discuss it all in Episode 15 of Ents and Sensibility, the Jane Austen podcast for everyone who loves bold, witty women, awkward handsome men, and dragons...

Willoughby loves everything about Barton Cottage and everyone in Barton Cottage, and he never wants anything or anyone in it to change. What does that mean for Marianne and Elinor?  We find out about Jane Austen's favorite brother, who also happened to be her publicist and literary agent, Henry Austen.  Show Notes Virtual Jane Con is coming this July! Learn how you can submit programming to this f...

It's an extra large episode of Ents and Sensibility! As host Casey Meserve interviews the production crew of Rational Creatures, the hit YouTube show based on Jane Austen's Persuasion. The show completed Season 2 in the autumn of 2022, and we talk about casting, filing the show and the crew's first Austen-influenced show The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.  Then we dive into Chapter 13 of Sense and Sensibi...

Marianne has big news to share with Elinor, and the sensible sister has to talk Marianne down off her high horse. The entire family, and neighborhood, think Marianne and Willoughby are engaged, and Marianne isn't saying they aren't. We also learn why Austen may have chosen the name Queen Mab for a horse.  Ents and Sensibility is a podcast for everyone who loves bold, witty women, awkward handsome...

In Episode 11 we read Chapter 11 of "Sense and Sensibility," Marianne and Willoughby continue liking all the same things while sister Elinor pines for home while being polite to two insipid women. Her only respite is with the proto-Emo Colonel Brandon. We discuss Jane's possible inspirations for Brandon's character and meet another member of the Austen family: Jane's beloved sister and best friend...

Willoughby and Marianne get closer as she recovers from her fall and they realize how many things they have in common, such as making fun of Colonel Brandon. We're reading Chapter 10 of Sense and Sensibility on the Ents and Sensibility Podcast, the podcast for bold witty women, awkward handsome men, and dragons. 

One WIlloughby is not enough. Episode 9 brings you three!  We discuss Chapter 9 of "Sense and Sensibility" and Marianne's dream meeting with her romantic hero. Or is he a hero?  Dive into the history of John Willoughby the character and how Jane Austen took elements of other Willoughbys to construct the dashing cad.  Ents and Sensibility is a dive into the novels of Jane Austen for all those who l...

In Episode 8 writer Amanda-Rae Prescott and I talk about Sanditon and the sisterhood. and we take a hard look at racism in the Jane Austen fandom.  In Chapter 8, Marianne can't understand how Colonel Brandon could possibly be in love with her considering his advanced age of 35. But she's far more worried about Elinor's lack of concern over Edward's nonappearance. 

In Chapter 7 of Sense and Sensibility, the Dashwoods have dinner with the Middletons, who always play the hosts, but definitely aren't the life of the party. The ladies meet the Middletons' visitors, an old lady and a middle aged man. Marianne piano playing earns attention from an unlikely source.  We read one of Jane's letters to Cassandra about early spring, hot weather and Jane's excitement ove...

The Dashwood women make their melancholy journey to Devonshire but are pleasantly surprised when they get to Barton Cottage. They finally meet their landlord, the anti-John Dashwood, and his wife, who resembles a certain golden droid.  In the Janeites and the Critics, we meet one of Austen's earliest, and most famous, or perhaps infamous fans.  Welcome to Episode 6, Programmed for Etiquette and Pr...

The Dashwoods pack their bags and prepare to leave their beloved home after Mrs. Dashwood has it out with her daughter-in-law.  Marianne mourns the loss of her home in a suitably dramatic fashion.  Bad roads, potholes, ambiguous maps, and servant salaries round out our discussion of Chapter 5 of "Sense and Sensibility."  Welcome to Ents and Sensibility, the podcast for those who love bold witty wo...

We're reading Chapter 4 of "Sense and Sensibility." Marianne doesn't believe Edward is good enough for her sister, but Elinor, as every girl with a crush throughout history, can't see any faults in him.  Fanny discovers Elinor and Edward's budding romance and acts on it.  Mrs. Dashwood gets a letter that she can't say no to.  Welcome to Ents and Sensibility, the podcast for nerds who love bold wit...

Marianne and Mrs. Dashwood discuss Elinor's future wedding to Edward, which Elinor ruins when she won't admit that she "like likes" him. We compare homebody Edward to Bilbo Baggins and talk about his preference for second breakfast to driving a stylish carriage.  We also delve into some of the international Jane Austen organizations, discuss Jane's affection for the poet William Cowper, and how mo...

In Episode 2 of the Ents and Sensibility Podcast we meet the worst sister-in-law ever, read letters about Jane Austen's first love, and talk about a steampunk swashbuckling version of one of Austen's beloved novels. 

The Dashwood men are not good at planning and it makes all kinds of problems for the Dashwood women. Welcome to the Ents and Sensibility podcast. The podcast for Jane Austen fans who love dragons and second breakfast. In Episode 1 we'll read Chapter 1 of Sense and Sensibility, celebrate Miss Austen's birthday, and learn what early critics thought of Jane's work.