Let Genius Burn
A podcast on author Louisa May Alcott
The author of Little Women as you’ve never seen her before.
Let Genius Burn is a history podcast I write and host with my writing partner Jamie Burgess that debuted in summer 2021. Through four seasons, we have explored American author Louisa May Alcott’s story from a variety of angles, including her familial, professional, and gendered identities, as well as her other written works. In August 2024, we hit 10,000 downloads!
We focus on the person behind the best-selling novel through careful research and insightful discussions with Alcott scholars, writers, and others contributing to the field of Alcott studies, including Orchard House director Jan Turnquist, Alcott biographer John Matteson, artist Leslie Schomp, and more. These conversations shed new light on Alcott’s inspiration and enduring influence into the 21st century.
Seasons 1-4 are now streaming!
Media Appearances
Harvard University History Department, “Students in Tiya Miles's History 160 Course Explore Louisa May Alcott's Abolitionist World on Let Genius Burn Podcast”, February 2026
Guests at Louisa May Alcott Society’s 2021 “Celebrating LMA” event, November 2021
Appearance on Lost Ladies of Lit podcast, August 2021
“Louisa May Alcott Is My Passion” blog
Reviews
Inspirational and Informative
Love this podcast! Jill and Jamie are so knowledgeable about Louisa May Alcott’s life and writing as well as the time period she lived in. They blend scholarly and illuminating content with enthusiasm and passion, and they cover a wide range of topics.
Wisteria614, 06/17/2022
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“Genius is infinite patience.”