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<rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Hard Times</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hard-times--7143290</link><description><![CDATA[Delve into a realm where the struggles of the human spirit confront the relentless machinery of society, as suggested by the evocative title. This podcast invites listeners to explore the complexities of hardship, resilience, and the often harsh realities faced by individuals in an industrialized world. With an emphasis on the impact of utilitarianism and societal expectations, each episode features a new complete audiobook that examines the lives of characters grappling with the weight of their circumstances. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that reveal the depths of human experience and the relentless pursuit of freedom and meaning. As you journey through these narratives, you’ll uncover diverse perspectives on adversity, offering both insight and reflection. Discover a new book with every episode, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of stories that illuminate the struggle against hard times.<br /><br />This show includes AI-generated content.]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7143290/episodes/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><language>en</language><category>Books</category><copyright>Copyright Satire Genre</copyright><image><url>https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg</url><title>Hard Times</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hard-times--7143290</link></image><lastBuildDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:32:44 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Satire Genre</itunes:name><itunes:email>spreaker80@podcastlibrary.org</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Delve into a realm where the struggles of the human spirit confront the relentless machinery of society, as suggested by the evocative title. This podcast invites listeners to explore the complexities of hardship, resilience, and the often harsh...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Delve into a realm where the struggles of the human spirit confront the relentless machinery of society, as suggested by the evocative title. This podcast invites listeners to explore the complexities of hardship, resilience, and the often harsh realities faced by individuals in an industrialized world. With an emphasis on the impact of utilitarianism and societal expectations, each episode features a new complete audiobook that examines the lives of characters grappling with the weight of their circumstances. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that reveal the depths of human experience and the relentless pursuit of freedom and meaning. As you journey through these narratives, you’ll uncover diverse perspectives on adversity, offering both insight and reflection. Discover a new book with every episode, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of stories that illuminate the struggle against hard times.<br /><br />This show includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Kids &amp; Family"><itunes:category text="Pets &amp; Animals"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Science"><itunes:category text="Nature"/></itunes:category><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>13d082e5-4038-51e7-a506-7f16d06fdefc</podcast:guid><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Letters of Travel-Rudyard Kipling</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/letters-of-travel-rudyard-kipling--75684018</link><description><![CDATA["Letters of Travel" by Rudyard Kipling invites listeners on a journey through the author's vivid experiences and reflections during his travels. This collection captures the essence of adventure, exploration, and the diverse cultures encountered along the way, showcasing Kipling's masterful storytelling and keen observations. The themes of curiosity and the human connection to different lands and peoples resonate strongly today, reminding us of the importance of understanding and appreciating the world beyond our own borders. With its timeless appeal and rich prose, this audiobook is a celebration of wanderlust and the enduring spirit of discovery that continues to inspire travelers and dreamers alike.<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/75684018</guid><pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:03:25 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/75684018/6291_letters_of_travel_rudyard_kipling.mp3" length="223431982" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Letters of Travel" by Rudyard Kipling invites listeners on a journey through the author's vivid experiences and reflections during his travels. This collection captures the essence of adventure, exploration, and the diverse cultures encountered along...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Letters of Travel" by Rudyard Kipling invites listeners on a journey through the author's vivid experiences and reflections during his travels. This collection captures the essence of adventure, exploration, and the diverse cultures encountered along the way, showcasing Kipling's masterful storytelling and keen observations. The themes of curiosity and the human connection to different lands and peoples resonate strongly today, reminding us of the importance of understanding and appreciating the world beyond our own borders. With its timeless appeal and rich prose, this audiobook is a celebration of wanderlust and the enduring spirit of discovery that continues to inspire travelers and dreamers alike.<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>27901</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Life and Adventures of Jack Engle An AutoBiography-Walt Whitman</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/life-and-adventures-of-jack-engle-an-autobiography-walt-whitman--75040795</link><description><![CDATA["Life and Adventures of Jack Engle" is a fascinating autobiographical work by Walt Whitman that delves into the life and experiences of its titular character. This narrative unfolds with a rich tapestry of personal reflections, showcasing Whitman's unique perspective on identity and the human experience. The themes of self-discovery and resilience resonate powerfully today, reminding listeners of the enduring quest for authenticity and meaning in their own lives. Whitman's lyrical prose and keen observations invite us to reflect on our journeys, making this audiobook a timeless exploration of the complexities of life and the adventures that shape us.<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/75040795</guid><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 09:03:39 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/75040795/life_and_adventures_of_jack_engle_an_autobiography_walt_whitman.mp3" length="118992467" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Life and Adventures of Jack Engle" is a fascinating autobiographical work by Walt Whitman that delves into the life and experiences of its titular character. This narrative unfolds with a rich tapestry of personal reflections, showcasing Whitman's...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Life and Adventures of Jack Engle" is a fascinating autobiographical work by Walt Whitman that delves into the life and experiences of its titular character. This narrative unfolds with a rich tapestry of personal reflections, showcasing Whitman's unique perspective on identity and the human experience. The themes of self-discovery and resilience resonate powerfully today, reminding listeners of the enduring quest for authenticity and meaning in their own lives. Whitman's lyrical prose and keen observations invite us to reflect on our journeys, making this audiobook a timeless exploration of the complexities of life and the adventures that shape us.<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>14859</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Diatessaron A Harmony of the Four Gospels-Tatian</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/diatessaron-a-harmony-of-the-four-gospels-tatian--74635159</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74635159</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:03:19 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74635159/diatessaron_a_harmony_of_the_four_gospels_tatian.mp3" length="187974101" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>23473</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Utilitarianism-John Stuart Mill</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/utilitarianism-john-stuart-mill--74602090</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74602090</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:03:29 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74602090/utilitarianism_john_stuart_mill.mp3" length="100141318" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>12505</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Neighbors-Florence Morse Kingsley</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/neighbors-florence-morse-kingsley--74569412</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74569412</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:02:55 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74569412/neighbors_florence_morse_kingsley.mp3" length="256045138" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>31974</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Vindication of the Rights of Woman-Mary Wollstonecraft</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/vindication-of-the-rights-of-woman-mary-wollstonecraft--74538023</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74538023</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:09:17 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74538023/vindication_of_the_rights_of_woman_mary_wollstonecraft.mp3" length="281778839" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>35187</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Lost Illusions Ève and David-Honoré de Balzac</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/lost-illusions-eve-and-david-honore-de-balzac--74506557</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74506557</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:09:05 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74506557/11011_lost_illusions_e_ve_and_david_honore_de_balzac.mp3" length="240369285" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>30016</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Beggar's Opera-John Gay</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/beggar-s-opera-john-gay--74468096</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74468096</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:08:07 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74468096/beggar_s_opera_john_gay.mp3" length="64761867" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>8087</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Maezli-Johanna Spyri</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/maezli-johanna-spyri--74435205</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74435205</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:08:56 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74435205/maezli_johanna_spyri.mp3" length="172575143" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>21550</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Antigone (Plumptre Translation)-Sophocles</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/antigone-plumptre-translation-sophocles--74394666</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74394666</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:37:30 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74394666/10085_antigone_plumptre_translation_sophocles.mp3" length="38118350" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>4760</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Crock of Gold-James Stephens</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/crock-of-gold-james-stephens--74351394</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74351394</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 01:25:05 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74351394/crock_of_gold_james_stephens.mp3" length="169417277" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>21156</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Geraldine Jewsbury in Jerrold's Shilling Magazine, 1846-47-Geraldine Jewsbury</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/geraldine-jewsbury-in-jerrold-s-shilling-magazine-1846-47-geraldine-jewsbury--74211869</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74211869</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:09:11 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74211869/geraldine_jewsbury_in_jerrold_s_shilling_magazine_1846_47_geraldine_jewsbury.mp3" length="85431827" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>10668</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>In a North Country Village-M. E. Francis</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/in-a-north-country-village-m-e-francis--74165289</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74165289</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:09:32 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74165289/in_a_north_country_village_m_e_francis.mp3" length="144505775" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>18045</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>By Desert Ways to Baghdad-Louisa Jebb Wilkins</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/by-desert-ways-to-baghdad-louisa-jebb-wilkins--74120291</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74120291</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:20:14 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74120291/by_desert_ways_to_baghdad_louisa_jebb_wilkins.mp3" length="204894570" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>25586</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Country Wife-William Wycherley</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/country-wife-william-wycherley--73400099</link><description><![CDATA["Country Wife" by William Wycherley is a classic restoration comedy that delves into themes of love, desire, and the complexities of marriage in 17th-century England. The play centers on the witty and cunning interactions between characters navigating societal norms and personal ambitions. Its exploration of sexual politics and the subversion of traditional roles resonates as much today as it did in its time, highlighting the timeless nature of human relationships and the pursuit of happiness. With sharp dialogue and clever satire, Wycherley's work remains a compelling reflection on the intricacies of love and the often humorous consequences of deception.<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73400099</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:52:49 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73400099/country_wife_william_wycherley.mp3" length="103286309" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Country Wife" by William Wycherley is a classic restoration comedy that delves into themes of love, desire, and the complexities of marriage in 17th-century England. The play centers on the witty and cunning interactions between characters navigating...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Country Wife" by William Wycherley is a classic restoration comedy that delves into themes of love, desire, and the complexities of marriage in 17th-century England. The play centers on the witty and cunning interactions between characters navigating societal norms and personal ambitions. Its exploration of sexual politics and the subversion of traditional roles resonates as much today as it did in its time, highlighting the timeless nature of human relationships and the pursuit of happiness. With sharp dialogue and clever satire, Wycherley's work remains a compelling reflection on the intricacies of love and the often humorous consequences of deception.<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>12898</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Hard Times - Charles Dickens - Part 2</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/hard-times-charles-dickens-part-2--72759852</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72759852</guid><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:00:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72759852/hard_times_charles_dickens_part_2.mp3" length="34412085" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>4302</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>bounderby,braggart,coketown,dickens,gradgrind,hard,plot,satire,stamped,times</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Hard Times - Charles Dickens - Part 1</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/hard-times-charles-dickens-part-1--72759851</link><description><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72759851</guid><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:43:05 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72759851/hard_times_charles_dickens_part_1.mp3" length="279943034" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:txt purpose="ai-content">true</podcast:txt><itunes:author>Charles Dickens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills).<br /><br />This episode includes AI-generated content.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>34993</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>bounderby,braggart,coketown,dickens,gradgrind,hard,plot,satire,stamped,times</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/fe6464771d023abd6ed5a21860d86e18.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
