We're featuring a founding father this week! A founding father of modernist drama, that is: Henrik Ibsen. He is also our first Norwegian author, first 3-time Nobel prize nominee (not winner), and first author to use his own life experiences in his work (jk lol). This episode is a wild ride with stories, analysis, and a visit from Edgar Allan Poe to start, so come along for the journey!

We could all use a bit of magic in our lives these days, so join us for the most delightful episode about the wittiest, witchiest, wordsmith: Betty MacDonald! Known for her clever reflections in her autobiographies and her wonderful character, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, MacDonald is remembered as a unique voice in literature who helped adults and children alike find theirs.

'According to Emily Post', she's the subject of our episode this week! We explore another version of 'literature', examining Emily's advice and articles on how best to handle any social situation. We discuss the role of etiquette, society, communication, and culture, along with the intersection of feminism amidst all of this! Join us for the answers to all your most important etiquette and more!

And he's here tonight, everybody! It's Leo Tolstoy! We examine the writing, life, and legacy of author and philosopher and radical thinker and failed farmer ? His contributions to writing and literature have changed not only how we write but also the way we think. We unpack some of the context around his work and the stories that have made this man a myth. Join us!

Steph & Jon are back to discuss Fairy Tale Legend, Mary De Morgan. Growing up in varied intellectual circumstances, De Morgan used her original fairy tales to critique the society she lived in. She wrote about gender roles, power, class, and of course, capitalism! Natural fodder for fairy tales, really. Join us this week to learn more about your new favorite fairy tale author!

We're joined by a very special guest host: Paige Zukauskas! Paige brings her knowledge and passion for Dreiser to this week's episode as we explore another mostly midwest author, discuss Sister Carrie, and track adventures across political and social ideologies! Dreiser wrote many groundbreaking novels but isn't often celebrated as other authors from this period. We speculate on this and celebrate his legacy, it's a trip!

Jack takes over hosting this week for a delightful kick off episode to summer, covering the extraordinary author of Pippi Longstocking (among many other works): Astrid Lindgren! Her work varied in form and topics, but always focused on sharing truths with a deep sense of compassion and care. Follow us to Sweden as we map out this whimsical author's life and legacy over the course of 94 years!

This week, we examine Shakespeare's contemporary and friend and rival? Ben Jonson! Jonson was a poet, playwright, and general scallywag who bounced back and forth between success and failure. His works are largely considered to be some of the best of the age, and while his stories may not be as well known as Shakespeare, his legacy is one worth hearing about... if anything, for the prison stories!