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Let Genius Burn

Let Genius Burn

Written by: Jamie Burgess & Jill Fuller
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Louisa May Alcott may be best known for the beloved book Little Women, but her story doesn’t begin or end with her famous novel. On Let Genius Burn, we separate the layers of Louisa’s life to learn more about who she really was--and all the ways her legacy continues to resonate today. We’ll explore the traumatic year of her childhood spent in an experimental utopian community, her service as a Civil War nurse, her final years of wealth and celebrity as a children’s author--and more intimate details and little-known stories of Louisa’s life. Instead of a retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s biography, each episode in the 8-part series examines Louisa's life through a different lens--Louisa as a celebrity, writer, activist, daughter, and more-- highlighting her complexity as a person, woman, and historical figure. Ahead of her time, Louisa railed against the limitations of her gender and fought for women’s suffrage. She craved literary greatness, but was weighed down by the financial needs of her family. Through writing scandalous Gothic thrillers, she found a way to voice her own inner turmoil. In the end, she achieved extraordinary financial success, but creative fulfillment remained elusive.We’ll examine all of this and more on Let Genius Burn. Find more on Instagram and Facebook @letgeniusburn or at letgeniusburn.com.

© 2025 Let Genius Burn Art Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Trailer: Let Genius Burn

    Trailer: Let Genius Burn
    Jun 28 2021

    Welcome to Let Genius Burn, a podcast series about the life and legacy of Louisa May Alcott created by Jill Fuller and Jamie Burgess.

    Louisa May Alcott is best known for her novel Little Women, but her story doesn't begin or end with her famous novel. Learn about the layers of Louisa's life, from her extraordinary childhood as the daughter of a Transcendentalist philosopher to the wealth and celebrity of her later years as a children's author.

    Let Genius Burn launches July 12, 2021. In the meantime, learn more about Louisa's life on Facebook and Instagram @letgeniusburn and on our website letgeniusburn.com.
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    2 mins
  • Louisa May Alcott: An Introduction

    Louisa May Alcott: An Introduction
    Jul 12 2021

    A short biography of Louisa's life lays the groundwork for this series. Meet the hosts of Let Genius Burn and hear about why we believe Louisa May Alcott was a singular genius in her generation. This is Let Genius Burn.
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    31 mins
  • Louisa as Daughter

    Louisa as Daughter
    Jul 19 2021

    Before Louisa May Alcott grew up to be a famous children's author, she belonged to her parents: Bronson Alcott and Abigail May Alcott. Bronson was an educator whose lofty ideas brought him to the forefront of the Transcendentalist philosophy movement. Abigail May Alcott was a social worker and ardent supporter of women's suffrage. Together, they created a family where their four daughters were encouraged to be active, creative individuals. This is the story of Louisa May Alcott as a daughter.

    Visit our website to learn about the references in this episode: https://www.letgeniusburn.com/learn-more

    If you can, please support Feeding America: https://www.feedingamerica.org.
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    52 mins
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