Truths Universally Acknowledged

About Truths Universally Acknowledged

Want to know more about the history behind Bridgerton, Jane Austen adaptations, and the very modern fantasy of nineteenth century love and romance? Emma and Molly, two graduate students of English literature, discuss the rich intersections of history, romance, literature, and popular culture that appear on our TVs and in our books all the time. We bring our love of these topics to bear on bi-weekly conversations that touch on our ongoing cultural fascination with Regency England. Updates every other Thursday.

Publisher

Molly Keran and Emma Soberano

Category

tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

6 Mar 2022

Latest episode

8 Jul 2022

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Jul 2022

   The ABCs (and DEFGHs) of Bridgerton

   (TW: In this episode, we discuss rape and racist violence, specifically in reference to a scene from season 1 of Bridgerton.) Molly, Emma, and special guest Becky talk Bridgerton. In this episode, we’re considering the adaptation process, and what was lost and gained when the story went from the bookshelf to the Netflix watchlist. Also of interest: more on the advantages and pitfalls of colorblind casting, the romcomification of Taming of the Shrew, the meaning of race in pre-20th century Britain, why Mr. Darcy isn’t a Duke, and thinking about who is and isn’t allowed certain forms of pleasure. Follow us on Twitter @truthsunipod @mjkeran @chingonacademic @hixonbecky. The novelists Molly mentions are Beverly Jenkins, Piper Huguley, and Courtney Milan. If you want to hear more romance novel talk, check out Molly’s new podcast Let the Bodice Hit the Floor—the first episode is out now!

2. 

   10 Jun 2022

   An epilogue

   Emma and Molly get you up to speed on what happened between Nicole and her final suitor after the show stopped filming. We talk breakups, lemon cake, friendship via gifs, UnREAL, the Bachelorverse, and the future of this podcast. Find us on Twitter at @truthsunipod @chingonacademic @mjkeran. Also consider checking out Molly's new podcast, Let the Bodice Hit the Floor, @bodicehitsfloor.

3. 

   3 Jun 2022

   Keeping it Regency

   The end has come, and Molly and Emma are here to discuss the final episode of The Courtship and Nicole's choice of suitor. Also of interest: confusing bartending, sidewalk PDA, our favorite suitor plans a superior date, what it means when you describe someone as the missing piece to your puzzle, tandem horse riding, the scavenger hunt that should've been, and one woman's valiant quest to get her little sister engaged. Plus: the future of this podcast, now that the first (and perhaps only?) season of The Courtship has ended. Find us on Twitter @truthsunipod @chingonacademic @mjkeran

4. 

   25 May 2022

   A sticky situation

   Molly and Emma discuss episode 11 of The Courtship and make their final predictions for the suitor who will ultimately win Nicole's heart. In this episode, one suitor proves himself a true Wickham while another pulls a Mr. Darcy move for the ages. Also of interest: 19th century estate management and the romanticization thereof, the dying gasps of the feudal system, more references to Downton Abbey, rising tensions between handsome men, Molly's healthy fear of and respect for bees, thoughts on goat milking techniques, more praise for the incredible Mrs. Danie Baker, and what happens in the gentleman's parlor does not in fact stay in the gentleman's parlor. Find us on Twitter @truthsunipod @chingonacademic @mjkeran. ****** Romance novels that deal with estate management, agricultural work, and/or tenant relations (a list made with generous help from Molly's friend and fellow book club member Adelaide--thanks!): The Rake by Mary Jo Putney; A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant; The Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas (in fact, many of the books in Kleypas's Ravenels series deal with estate management, the decline of the landowner class, and rise of the industrialist class); Band Sinister by KJ Charles; The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan. A few more not mentioned on the show: In for a Penny by Rose Lerner; The Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell; The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt; Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas. (Fun fact: Estate management is also a central subject/conflict of the romance novel that Molly is currently writing!)

5. 

   17 May 2022

   Cheeky chaps and noncommittal cads

   In this episode of Truths Universally Acknowledged, Molly admits she was wrong about one of the suitors, and Emma discusses the history of pleasure gardens, fortunetelling, and the criminalization of the Romani people and cultural practices in 19th century England. Also of interest: British agricultural law, the Mr. Wickham hiding in plain sight, the problem with "not seeing race," handsome men getting increasingly intoxicated, familial love, what even is the socialite lifestyle, the merits of choosing comfort, and a potential Mr. Darcy on the horizon. FYI: The show's costume designer is Tom Rogers, on Instagram @tomrogersdeisgn. Find us on Twitter @truthsunipod @chingonacademic @mjkeran.

6. 

   12 May 2022

   #vanlife

   Emma and Molly discuss episode 9 of The Courtship. In this episode, we investigate who is the show’s Wickham and who is the Mr. Darcy—but our conclusions may surprise you! Also of interest: Austen’s five other novels, male body image, weightlifting safety concerns, the curative properties (and disgusting taste) of the water in Bath, facing your fears, the blue-eyed wanderer, learning to be vulnerable, and our own love lives. Find us on Twitter @truthsunipod @mjkeran @chingonacademic. ****************************************The Austen alignments: Mr. Chapman as Willoughby (Sense & Sensibility); Danny B as Captain Wentworth (Persuasion) and John Thorpe (Northanger Abbey); Mr. Nazaire as Henry Crawford (Mansfield Park); Mr. Cones as Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey) and Edmund Bertram (Mansfield Park); Mr. Hunter as Mr. Knightley (Emma); and Mr. Judge as Edward Ferrars (Sense & Sensibility) and Robert Martin (Emma).

7. 

   3 May 2022

   Poor kitty

   Emma and Molly talk ... and talk ... and talk about last week's episode of The Courtship. In this episode, two favorites go home, one favorite comes out, and a grown man pretends to be a cat, so you know things are starting to get serious. Also of interest: current rankings, reality vs. fiction, the etiquette of toasts, a defense of commitment issues, socially-sanctioned groping (AKA Blind Man's Bluff), men's sportswear through the ages, sexual fluidity and masculine ideals, queer romance recs, chemistry vs. compatibility, and several tearstained tissues. Find us on Twitter @truthsunipod @mjkeran @chingonacademic **** Author recs for queer and/or trans romance: Cat Sebastian, K.J. Charles, EE Ottoman, Alyssa Cole (all mentioned on the show). Also: Alexis Hall, Jude Lucens, Jack Harbon, Adriana Herrera, Olivia Waite, Courtney Milan, Austin Chant, Rebekah Weatherspoon, and many more... It's a robust field, and there are some fantastic writers out there doing incredible work.

8. 

   26 Apr 2022

   Let them eat cake

   This week, Emma and Molly don't really give the newest suitor on The Courtship a chance. In this episode, we discuss masquerades (both historical and fictional), wonder how many men are too many men, and talk about how much we love lemon cake. Also of interest: 18th century racism, questionable Shakespeare, romance novel recommendations, the Great British Bake Off, Disney princes, eating the rich, and the fact that, contrary to what Joe Jonas might tell you, gin used to be known as the scourge of the British working class. Follow us on Twitter @truthsunipod @mjkeran @chingonacademic. ************************************************* Romance novels mentioned in this episode: An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn; A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin by Sophie Jordan; Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean; Maiden Lane (series) by Elizabeth Hoyt; Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade Some other romances featuring masquerade/masking (as suggested on Twitter and by Molly's book club): Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas; Falling into the Bed with a Duke by Lorraine Heath; The Runaway Duchess by Joanna Lowell; Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian; My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverly; The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne; Monsieur X by Adriana Herrera

9. 

   19 Apr 2022

   Bacchanal, boys, bacchanal

   This week, Emma and Molly discuss the bacchanal (or, as the suitors would have it, BACCHANAL!) that took place on episode 6 of The Courtship. In this episode, we discuss s-e-x and wonder why it has to be such a big deal all the time. Other topics of interest: the weirdness of fantasy suites, the conservatism of some romance conventions, Miss Remy's frontrunners, the weather in England, nudity in classical art, how to not make it 100% obvious to everyone that you just had sex, portraiture, romcom wrestling, and the merits of the limerick. Find us on Twitter @mjkeran and @chingonacademic, or follow the show @truthsunipod.

10. 

    11 Apr 2022

    We need to talk about Dandy B

    This week, Emma and Molly discuss episode 5 of The Courtship, which is now on USA instead of NBC. In this episode, we discuss toxic masculinity, bare chests, and whether some of these suitors really think they’re in the Regency. Other topics of interest: dandy culture, the brother’s best friend trope, apple archery, Emma’s ongoing battle with climbing bros, the wisdom of New Girl, men who won’t commit, dinner party manners (or the lack thereof), and what in the hell is Mr. Cones even doing. Find us on Twitter @mjkeran and @chingonacademic.

11. 

    2 Apr 2022

    My little sausages need to be freed

    This week, Emma's on a camping trip, so Molly and special guest Becky Hixon discuss episode 4 of The Courtship! In this episode, we get angry at one suitor, pile love on another, and beg one more to PLEASE STOP SINGING. Plus: Becky tells Molly about her research on the practice of so-called "raceblind" or "colorblind" casting of classic and historical texts. Other topics of interest: Shakespeare's problem(atic) plays, Game of Thrones' pseudo-medievalism, dueling, race and desirability, balcony gossip, and the show's ongoing bonnet conundrum. Find us on Twitter: @hixonbecky @mjkeran and @chingonacademic

12. 

    27 Mar 2022

    Screwin' it and doin' it

    Emma and Molly recap this week's episode of NBC's new reality dating show, The Courtship! In this episode, we lament the fall of a himbo, gloss over the rules of cricket, and shed a few tears over one suitor's departure. Other topics of interest: tragic backstories, Colin Bridgerton, Frankenstein-based dating, Romantic poetry, the unbearable whiteness of romance heroes, Ketanji Brown Jackson, single dads, 19th century immigration bans, and whether we're being set up for a major dose of drama next week. If the audio occasionally sounds like it’s coming to you through a broken phonograph, it's because we had some more mic issues, but next week the problem should be fixed. Find us on Twitter @chingonacademic and @mjkeran.

13. 

    16 Mar 2022

    Just give me my roast beef

    Emma and Molly tackle episode two of NBC's new reality dating show, The Courtship! In this episode, we enjoy a Mr. Darcy-inspired dunk in the lake, discuss the ethics of televised trauma, and say goodbye to two more suitors. Other topics of interest: Regency fashion, controversial cleavage, romance novel funny business, himbos, machismo, and The Bachelor's weird sex rules. Find us on Twitter: @mjkeran (http://twitter.com/mjkeran) and @chingonacademic (http://twitter.com/chingonacademic)

14. 

    9 Mar 2022

    The whole 2-1 2-1 spinnerooksi

    Emma and Molly talk Episode 1 of The Courtship! We meet Miss Nicole Rémy, her Court, and her sixteen suitors, whose names Molly repeatedly stumbles over because she can’t read her own handwriting. Other topics of interest: Austenland, the Bridgerton boom, romantic narrative structures, the horror of dating apps, The Bachelor(ette)'s racism problem, (a)historical fashion, Regency decadence, Queen Charlotte's ball, divorce in the 19th century, and where to get a corndog in Regency England. This is our first episode, so it runs a little longer than future episodes probably will, but we've split it into two parts for your ease of listening: Part 1: Introductions and the appeal of the Regency Part 2: Episode recap and discussion (starting at 42:28) Find us on Twitter: @mjkeran (http://twitter.com/mjkeran) and @chingonacademic (http://twitter.com/chingonacademic) (Note: There are a few audio issues in this episode but we're expecting to have them solved by the next episode. Bear with us as we get our recording setups sorted.)

15. 

    6 Mar 2022

    Trailer

    Introducing Truths Universally Acknowledged: A Courtship Recap Podcast! Each Wednesday, join Emma and Molly as they discuss NBC's new reality dating show, The Courtship, bringing their expertise in Popular Romance and 19th Century Studies to analyze and laugh about each week's regency-inspired drama.

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