Best Margaret H Willison Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 95: The Thing About Mary's Concerto with guest Dr. Lidia Chang 23:37

3h ago23:37

23:37

Mary Bennet is ready to wow the audience with her concerto, but it's not receiving the rousing reception she might have hoped for. This episode we welcome back Dr. Lidia Chang to discuss Mary's performances within the context of Regency era societal expectations of a young lady's musical education and accomplishments. Thank you so much to Lidia for…

1
French Kiss (with Casper ter Kuile) 1:02:37

3h ago1:02:37

1:02:37

Vanessa Zoltan meets Casper ter Kuile on a beach in Cannes to record this week’s episode, all about the 1995 movie French Kiss directed by Lawrence Kasdan. This week we discuss the 'criminal with a heart of gold' trope and the power of kissing. We finish the episode with an interview with anxiety coach Dave Carbonell, all about aerophobia (a fear o…

1
Ending Of: You've Got Mail 21:44

7d ago21:44

21:44

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah dissect (and relentlessly mock) the last scene of You've Got Mail. They discuss the lack of actual communication in this scene and the supposed charm of Joe Fox. --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus cl…

1
Should I Quit: Wanting to Get Married? 26:02

8d ago26:02

26:02

For most of their life, Kat had a plan: move in with someone, get married, have kids. But recently they’ve been re-evaluating. They live with a long-term partner and are very happy. Would being ‘married’ change anything? Or do they just want marriage because that's what society has guided them towards? This week in Should I Quit? Vanessa and Kat ex…

1
You've Got Mail 1:04:55

14d ago1:04:55

1:04:55

This week, Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about You’ve Got Mail. We’re onto our final Meg Ryan/Nora Ephron collaboration. This week we explore how politics intersect with attraction and interview the former Editorial Director of Publisher’s Weekly, J…

1
Episode 94: The Thing About Anne Steele's Beaux 27:28

20d ago27:28

27:28

Anne Steele has one thing on her mind, and she would like to tell you all about it. No, really. ALL about it. This episode we take a look at Miss Steele's favorite topic of discussion and try to answer the all important question: where are all the smart beaux? If you have ever wondered where you can find all the beaux, smart or otherwise, this epis…

1
Ending Of: When Harry Met Sally 18:13

21d ago18:13

18:13

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah tackle the last scene of When Harry Met Sally. They discuss the interstitial ‘couch scenes’ which recur throughout the movie and the few details we learn about Harry and Sally’s life after reconciliation. --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more…

1
Should I Quit: The Plan B for My Radical Life? 26:15

23d ago26:15

26:15

Elizabeth Oldfield wants to live radically in her faith. She wants to transcend traditional ideas of financial stability and community responsibility. However she can’t quite quiet the pragmatic voice in her head that’s tethering her to more conventional values. Is that voice helping protect her? Or is it holding her back? This week on Should I Qui…

1
When Harry Met Sally 1:06:29

28d ago1:06:29

1:06:29

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about When Harry Met Sally. We’re continuing our deep-dive into Meg Ryan with the movie that put her on the map as leading-lady material. This week we explore whether 'opposites attract' is really a romantic…

1
Episode 93: The Thing About Austen's Teenage Writings with guest Dr. Kathryn Sutherland 51:54

1M ago51:54

51:54

Jane Austen's early works, contained within three surviving notebooks, are funny, sharp, and brimming over with personality. This episode we are joined by Dr. Kathryn Sutherland, one of the editors of the Oxford World’s Classics edition of Austen’s Teenage Writings, to discuss the nature of these writings, the way they were consumed by her family a…

1
Ending Of: Sleepless in Seattle 23:59

1M ago23:59

23:59

After our wide-lens analysis of a movie, we're going to spend a week closely studying its final scene. These scenes, which are often Happily Ever Afters, tell us a lot about what's important to the movie and its idea about love and coupledom. In this week's scene, the characters Annie, Sam, and Jonah finally get to meet each other on the top of the…

1
Should I Quit: Buying New Books? 23:02

1M ago23:02

23:02

Charlie James can't stop buying books. Every time they’re in a bookstore, there seems to be a new book calling them, a new trove of knowledge ready for them to explore. But Charlie's not reading books as fast as they’re buying them. Should they quit buying books and focus on their ‘To Be Read’ pile? Should they get rid of the books they already own…

1
Sleepless in Seattle 1:00:46

1M ago1:00:46

1:00:46

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet at the top of The Empire State Building to record their first episode of Hot and Bothered together, all about the 1993 classic Sleepless in Seattle. It’s got Meg Ryan, it’s got Tom Hanks, it’s directed by Nora Ephron. What more could you want? For the next nine weeks, we’re thinking about the influence and im…

1
Should I Quit: My Relationship with My Mother? 28:23

2M ago28:23

28:23

It’s our last episode with Mauricio Bruce filling in as a guest host! This week on the show, our anonymous guest shares about the difficult relationship she has with her mom. Things have been painful for a long time and she feels like now is the time to ask: at what point should she put up some stricter boundaries? This week on Should I Quit? Mauri…

1
Episode 92: The Thing About Mr. Knightley's Strawberries 28:51

2M ago28:51

28:51

The strawberries are ripe, so gather up your best bonnet and your beribboned basket and head on down to Knightley's U-Pick Farm. We've got all of your favorite strawberries, from the hautboy to the Chili to the white wood. This episode we visit Donwell Abbey to take a look at Mr. Knightley's very fine strawberry beds. You can find us online at http…

1
How To: Have Mixed Feelings About a Rom Com 23:37

2M ago23:37

23:37

Well folks – we've arrived! Our tenth and final episode of our How To series about How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days. We've puzzled over its messaging, marveled at its efficiency, and learned a lot about the mechanics of film-making. On today's episode, Vanessa shares her concluding thoughts on the movie and brings her lingering questions to the brillia…

1
Special Edition: Storytelling and Taylor Swift (with Margaret H. Willison) 14:05

2M ago14:05

14:05

Vanessa is joined for a small bonus conversation by Margaret H. Willison, faculty on our upcoming Taylor Swift Pilgrimage on Cape Cod. They explore why Taylor's music is such a rich text for sacred reflection and share the things they're most looking forward to on this trip! If you're interested in joining us in November, you can sign up on our web…

1
Special Edition: Storytelling and Taylor Swift (with Margaret H. Willison) 14:05

2M ago14:05

14:05

Vanessa is joined for a small bonus conversation by Margaret H. Willison, faculty on our upcoming Taylor Swift Pilgrimage on Cape Cod. They explore why Taylor's music is such a rich text for sacred reflection and share the things they're most looking forward to on this trip! If you're interested in joining us in November, you can sign up on our web…

1
Should I Quit: Waiting for a Partner to Have a Baby? 27:09

2M ago27:09

27:09

We’re continuing our short series with Mauricio Bruce filling in as a guest host. Mauricio is a transpersonal therapist, chaplain, and the co-leader of our What Matters program. This week on the show, our guest Katie shares with Mauricio about her desire to be a mom. She’s nearly 34 years old and she feels like the clock is ticking. The problem is …

1
How To: Dress Like a Costume Designer 35:33

2M ago35:33

35:33

We can't wrap-up a deep-dive into How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days without talking about the most memorable part of the movie – the yellow dress Kate Hudson wears in the climax of the film. And while we're at it, it's worth obsessing over all the costumes in this film because this is a movie steeped in fashion. To help us unpack the craft of costume de…

1
Episode 91: The Thing About the Lakes 34:08

2M ago34:08

34:08

Lizzy is headed to the Lake District with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Or is she? This episode we get into the trip that didn't happen and discuss the picturesque splendors of the Lakes. If you have ever been curious about the ideal cow configuration (and you know you are), this episode is for you. You can find us online at https://www.thethingabou…

1
Should I Quit: My City? 26:03

3M ago26:03

26:03

For the next few weeks on the podcast, while Vanessa is traveling, we have the wonderful Mauricio Bruce filling in as a guest host. Mauricio is a transpersonal therapist, chaplain, and the co-leader of our What Matters program. On our first episode with Mauricio, our anonymous guest is struggling with a tough decision about moving. On the one hand:…

1
How To: Listen Like a Musicologist 45:07

3M ago45:07

45:07

The music of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days runs the gamut from country-pop songs to whimsical orchestrations. To the modern ear, it all sounds very specific to an early 2000s rom-com moment. This week, to help us understand that moment and the history of movie music more broadly, we have Julie Hubbert on the show. Julie Hubbert is the LaDare Robinso…

1
Episode 90: The Thing About Captain Wentworth's Letter with guest Margaret H. Willison 42:16

3M ago42:16

42:16

Anne Elliot has just received a very important letter, and we are all overcome. This episode we're joined by guest Margaret H. Willison of Not Sorry Productions as we unpack Captain Wentworth's letter to Anne, aka the letter to end all letters. If you have ever been half agony, half hope, this episode is for you. Thank you so much to Margaret for j…

1
The Best Advice Show: Deciding with Nell Wulfhart 7:01

3M ago7:01

7:01

Instead of a regular episode this week, we're sharing an episode of one of our favorite podcasts, The Best Advice Show. Last week, Vanessa had the pleasure of guesting on the show. You can listen to Vanessa's episode here, but today we're dropping a different episode from their archives – Deciding with Nell Wulfhart. Here's how the wonderful host, …

1
How To: See Like a Cinematographer 36:33

3M ago36:33

36:33

When watching at rom-com, have you ever noticed that the stars just kind of glow? That their skin looks silky smooth and their apartments are always sun-drenched? Lighting design and camera movement play a huge role in giving rom-coms their particular aesthetic, and those things (we're pretty sure) are part of the art of cinematography. This week, …

1
Episode 89: The Thing About Henry Crawford Reading Shakespeare 31:40

3M ago31:40

31:40

If you thought that Mary Crawford with her harp was the only siren in the Crawford family, think again. Henry Crawford is here with a volume of Shakespeare, and WOW. Prepare yourselves. This episode we unpack this scene's particular Shakespearean allusion, examine the status of reading aloud during Austen's time, and discuss Fanny's reaction to Hen…

1
Episode 346: The Curse and Lawmen: Bass Reeves (FINALLY) 50:34

4M ago50:34

50:34

You know how sometimes you get a text or an email, and you say you’ll get around to it later, and you totally MEAN to get around to it later, and you even know that the person on the other end of the message KNOWS that you’ll get to it when you get to it, but then suddenly literal MONTHS have passed and it seems like it would be weirder to reply to…

1
Should I Quit: Being a Therapist? 19:59

4M ago19:59

19:59

Kelsie doesn’t always feel good about the work they're doing at their non-profit therapy job – and what’s more, they’re burning themselves out at it. Is there a better version of this work? Or do they just need to accept that in a broken world, we’re mostly going to have broken solutions? This week on Should I Quit? Kelsie and Vanessa discuss when …

1
How To: Spot a Movie Star 50:33

4M ago50:33

50:33

The success of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is built around the chemistry and star-power of its two leading actors: Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. To truly understand this film, we have to understand the way movie stars operate in Hollywood, what casting these two actors meant in 2003, and what it means today. Helping us in that task is Russe…

1
Episode 88: The Thing About the Bennet Sisters' Shoe-roses 19:21

4M ago19:21

19:21

Grab your dancing slippers and your shoe-roses because the Netherfield Ball is right around the corner, and the Bennet sisters are ready to party. This episode we take a look at the fancy footwear frills of the 17th and 18th centuries and the ways in which those trends transitioned into the Regency era. You can find us online at https://www.thethin…

1
When to Quit Thinking About a Problem (with Mauricio Bruce) 23:05

4M ago23:05

23:05

Mauricio Bruce is a transpersonal therapist, chaplain, and the co-leader of our What Matters program. This week he joins Vanessa to talk about visualization as a decision-making tool and how to tap into your feelings. -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please cons…

1
How To: Design a Movie World 36:38

4M ago36:38

36:38

After talking about setting last episode, we wanted to dig even deeper into the physical space inhabited by Ben and Andie. How does the design of their workplaces, apartments, and date-nights affect how we perceive each of their characters? To help us tackle this topic, we're joined by Production Designer Stuart Blatt. Stuart walks us through the r…

1
Episode 87: The Thing About Emma's Portrait of Harriet with guest Georgie Castilla 31:48

4M ago31:48

31:48

Emma is trying to paint Harriet's portrait, but it's hard to concentrate with Mr. Elton mouth breathing over her shoulder. But still, Mr. Elton is obviously in love with Harriet. Right? Right?!? This episode we welcome returning guest Georgie Castilla of Duniath Comics as we discuss Emma's attempt at combining the art of matchmaking with the art of…

1
Should I Quit: Being a Stay-at-Home Parent? 23:06

5M ago23:06

23:06

Sophie decided to take some time off work when she had her second child, but she always thought she would go back to her career in law. Since then however, one of her kids has become disabled and it has felt less and less possible to go back. Should she just give up on having a career? This week on Should I Quit? Sophie and Vanessa discuss how to b…

1
How To: Understand Setting and Location 38:18

5M ago38:18

38:18

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, like many Rom-Coms, is set in New York City. It’s got fire escapes, taxi cabs, and a dramatic Manhattan Bridge scene. In order to understand this film, we have to understand: What is it about New York that is so ripe for romance? And what parts of the city are highlighted in this movie and why? To help us answer those …

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