From the Lighthouse

A Kindred Spirit: The World of Anne of Green Gables

Are you a kindred spirit? Are you of the race that knows Joseph, as Miss Cornelia would say? If you understand those references, you're probably as big an Anne of Green Gables as Stephanie. This week, Stephanie chats to Jimmy about the new Netflix adaptation Anne with an E, Jimmy's beloved 1980s adaptation, and all things Anne Shirley. 

Francis Webb: The Best Australian Poet You've Never Heard Of

Francis Webb is the best Australian poet you've never heard of. At least, that's what Dr Toby Davidson thinks. This week, Stephanie and Michelle discuss Australian poetry, cultural cringe, and Francis Webb's influence on the poets who came after him. This podcast also features recordings of Francis Webb reading his own poetry. 

Romance Heroes, Dog Sidekicks and Beau Brummell: The Regency Romance Novels of Georgette Heyer

Georgette Heyer wrote crime and historical novels, but is most widely known for her best-selling and beloved Regency romances. Stephanie is joined on the podcast this week by her fellow Heyer tragic, Dr Lee O'Brien, to talk about all things Regency and romantic. They discuss romance heroes, dog sidekicks, Beau Brummell, historical research, and what to do about your problematic faves. 

You know nothing, HBO: Medievalism, and the racial and sexual politics of Game of Thrones

To say Game of Thrones is popular is to wildly understate the case: the first episode of the most recent series caused Foxtel to (temporarily) crash. This week, Stephanie and Jimmy are joined by Professor Louise D'Arcens to discuss the popularity of the series and the enduring appeal of the medieval, as well as try to untangle the racial and sexual politics of Westeros. 

Remembering Jane: Is Austen really, "the greatest novelist the world has ever seen"?

On the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death on July 18, 1817, Stephanie and Michelle are joined by Dr Geoff Payne to talk all things Austen. They debunk some Austen myths, discuss their favourite novels and characters, and agree that Jane Austen is the greatest novelist the world has ever seen. 

25 Years later and we're still Looking for Alibrandi

Melina Marchetta's young adult novel Looking for Alibrandi was published 25 years ago this year. The novel has become a landmark piece of Australian children's literature, and continues to be as popular amongst young people today as it was when it was published. Stephanie, Jimmy and Michelle are joined by Dr Victoria Flanagan to discuss the legacy of the novel, as well as gender, ethnicity, romance, and the experience of reading the novel in 2017. 

S-Town: Stories of Time and Madness

Are podcasts the new novels? Stephanie, Michelle and Jimmy podcast on a podcast: S-Town, the new hit show from the team that bought you Serial and This American Life. They discuss John B. McLemore, Alabama, Southern Gothic, tattoos, and why fact really is stranger than fiction. 

13 Reasons Why: An Exploration of Suicide or Revenge?

The Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why, based on the popular book of the same name by Jay Asher, has attracted a huge amount of controversy because of its graphic depiction of teenage suicide. While some mental health groups have argued that its content could be triggering to young viewers, others have argued that the series has raised important areas of discussion around bullying and mental health issues for teenagers. This week, Stephanie and Michelle are joined by one of their students, Bohdi Byles, to discuss the television series. 

Congress for Cultural Freedom or: How the CIA Fought the Cold War by Focusing on Literature

Why was the CIA involved in literature? Stephanie and Michelle talk to Dr Alys Moody about the Congress for Cultural Freedom, a CIA-funded group that financed a whole range of literary activities in the mid-twentieth century. They ponder shadowy government organisations, cover-ups, and what happens when a bunch of writers find out that the CIA is funding their conferences. 

Harry Potter and the Silent Intertexts

Why is Harry Potter the global sensation that it is, twenty years after the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone? Stephanie and Michelle chat with fantasy expert Dr Kirstin Mills about Harry Potter and the internet, other fantasy literature you should be reading, and why Rowling just can't seem to let Harry go.