Podcast
Valhalla Conversations
Hosted by Becky Hill · EN
Let's talk all things Norse - the history, the mythology, how each has been reinterpreted or reinvented in the 20th century onwards and in all media forms. From books to comics to TV series to video games and more - join me, a self-confessed Norse Geek with a variety of hosts and special guests including authors, historians and expert academics.
31episodes
Episodes
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A Treasure Seeker's Guide to the Viking Age with Dr Tom Horne
1w ago01:30:37Tap to summarizeWhen we think of Viking 'treasure,' we usually think of stolen gold and silver hoards. But what if the real treasures were the items people touched and used every single day?Today, we’re joined by Dr. Tom Horne to go beyond the myths and explore a true 'Portrait of the Viking World.' We aren't just looking at wealth; we’re looking at the tools, the places, and the everyday objects that defined an entire era. From the North Atlantic to the heart of Scandinavia, this is your 'Treasure Seeker’s Guide' to the Viking Age. Dr Tom Horne read Ancient and Modern History at Balliol College, Oxford, before working as a history researcher for the BBC. His introduction to archaeological excavations began when he volunteered for the Tiber Valley and Sangro Valley Projects in Italy, and he has gone on to dig and survey across Britain and in Ukraine. Tom received an MLitt. in Medieval Archaeology and a Ph.D. in Viking trade networks from the University of Glasgow, and continues to write for academia, having authored a range of material, including his monograph, A Viking Market Kingdom in Ireland and Britain (Routledge). He was also a co-editor of, and contributor to, The Viking Age in Scotland (EUP). Tom's most recent book is Treasures of the Vikings, published by Amber Books. Currently a writer for History Hit and an international tour guide alongside his academic career, Tom also works as a Museum Assistant at the Govan Stones museum in Glasgow, for which he also co-produces and edits the Govan Early Medieval Podcast and volunteers as a guide and Communications Manager.
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Mead: From Viking Myth to Modern Icon with Dr Simon Trafford
3w ago01:20:34Tap to summarizeWe all have that iconic image of the Viking Age: a smoke-filled longhall and a horn overflowing with mead. But was it truly the 'nectar of the gods,' or is our modern obsession with it telling us more about ourselves than the actual Norse? Today, I’m sitting down with Dr. Simon Trafford to look past the drunken stereotypes and into the real politics of the mead bench. We’re exploring how mead evolved from a prestigious historical drink into a powerful modern brand—from ancient rituals to its role in heavy metal, film, TV and computer games. Let’s find out if mead is really 'history in a bottle' or just a very successful piece of Viking PR.
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The Reluctant Re-Enactor: 30 Years of Living History with Nigel Amos
Jul 201:31:47Tap to summarizeTo many people today, historical re-enactment is a hobby of passion and interest. Some progress to become modern living historians, bringing history to life for schools as well as crowds at public events. There are a special few who have transformed this niche blend of practical skills and historical research to even greater heights and have achieved the balance of making their living from history. One such person is todays guest. His journey began way back in 1992, when his future wife persuaded him to join her in historical re-enactment. In 1993, the pair took part in their first battle as part of Jorvik Viking Festival in York and the rest as they would say, is history - pun intended. For the past 30 years, our guest has further developed and built a saga worthy career in a wide variety of roles, both big and small, as part of Regia Anglorum medieval living history society. Such as managing Rochester's Norman Festival complete with building a Norman palisade, founding the plans to construct Wychurst a replica Anglo-Saxon fortified Manor House, getting to script and narrate grand finale performances at Jorvik Viking Festivals, leading the charge of the mounted Conroi of soldiers at the Battle of Hastings re-enactment, not to mention honouring the year of 1066 by leading a mounted March from York to Battle Abbey for English Heritage. All this and so much more! So let us discover and celebrate the many remarkable achievements of Nigel Amos.
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Voicing a Viking Villain in Norse Oath of Blood - George Weightman
Jun 1801:23:45Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to embody a legendary Norse villain? I’m joined by OneVoice 2026 & 2025 award winning voice actor, @georgeweightman1331 to discuss how he transformed into one of Norse: Oath of Blood’s most formidable foes - Steinar Far-Spear. We will be talking about the physicality of performance capture, the psychology of playing the 'bad guy,' and how you bring a Viking warrior to life while covered in sensors instead of armour and instead of wielding a sword, axe or spear, you have to wear a mobile camera braced inches from your face! Let us explore how the Vikings are represented in the newest Viking game from @ArcticHazard @tripwireinteractive . Behind the scenes performance capture photos credit to Max Brown Media. Introduction Showcase Video credit to OneVoice Awards 2026. https://www.norsethegame.com/ 'Norse: Oath of Blood is a Turn-Based Tactics game set in Viking-Age Norway. Build a settlement, forge alliances, and fight strategic battles. Manage a community of craftspeople, farmers, and warriors, as you grow strong on your path to vengeance in this story-rich saga.' https://store.steampowered.com/app/3054690/NORSE_Oath_of_Blood/ Sword Brothers - FREE Prequel Short Story - available as an eBook and Audio Book via the Norse game website. Learn more about Giles Kristian, the epic narrative writer behind the game and dive into the best Viking age fiction around - https://www.gileskristian.com/
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Life lessons with Loki: with Louie Stowell
Jun 401:12:29Tap to summarizeEver wondered what would happen if a Norse god had to survive school? Today, we’re joined by the brilliant @Loustow , author of the hilarious Loki: A Bad God's Guide series. Get ready for some mischief as we dive into the ironic world of 'Life Lessons with Loki' and find out why the ultimate trickster might just be the perfect guide to growing up. https://louiestowell.com/ https://louiestowell.com/lokifesto @WalkerBooksUK Intro and Ending Soundtrack: Into the Wyld from Svilland TTRPG Music.
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Beowulf in Yorkshire: with musician Howard Jacobs
May 2101:12:09Tap to summarizeOn a dark November night in 2023, the legendary epic poem, Beowulf, came to life with music and theatre in a unique promenade performance by @ProperJobTheatre set in the West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield. Discover more about this special performance of which musician Howard Jacobs founded his viking band, Shield King/Skjöldr Konungr. Intro track - Healfdane's Lament (Skjöldr Konungr, 2023) Ending Track - Velkominn (Skjöldr Konungr, 2023) https://www.howard-jacobs.co.uk/skjoldr-konungr "Formed to accompany King Healfdene’s funeral procession through the streets of Huddersfield during Proper Job Theatre's 2023 production of Beowulf, Skjoldr Konungr were an instant hit finagling their way into the whole production’s live soundtrack. They’ll be back… don’t doubt it!"
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Valkyries: Beyond the Sagas and Legends
May 1201:31:28Tap to summarizeWe know them as the winged choosers of the slain and the fierce female warriors of Valhalla—but who are the Valkyries, really? Are they divine escorts, mortal women with supernatural gifts, or something else entirely? Or perhaps all of the above? Today, we’re pulling back the veil on these enigmatic wish-maidens to explore how they evolved from the terrifying omens of Old Norse poetry into the complex heroines of modern fantasy. I’m joined by an incredible panel: authors KS Barton and Johanna Wittenberg, the co-hosts of Shieldmaiden: @WomenoftheNorseWorldPodcast podcast, and academic researcher from the @universityofleeds , Sif Brookes from the @valsif channel. Together, we’re exploring and examining the sagas, the legends and twenty-first century conceptions in 'Valkyries: Beyond the Sagas and Legends'. Join us as we head straight to Valhalla, to find out what it truly means to 'choose the slain'. Episode artwork designed by illustrator Katie Brompton Intro and Ending Soundtrack, 'Into the Wyld' from Svilland TTRPG - Shieldmaidens: Women of the Norse World is a monthly podcast that takes a deep dive into the lives of women in the Viking Age, exploring their roles, experiences, and contributions to Norse society. Hosted by fiction authors Johanna Wittenberg and K.S. Barton, each episode explores the fascinating stories of Norse women from historical accounts, sagas, and archaeology. From shieldmaidens and queens to farmers and priestesses, we’ll uncover the varied and complex roles that women played in Norse culture. - - The Truth about the Valkyries with Sif Brookes, Episode of @nordicmythologypodcast - https://youtu.be/zZYiMOF7joM?si=AQ5gx0G8fpPSa0GY - Johanna Wittenberg: https://johannawittenberg.com/ - K.S Barton: https://ksbarton.com/ - Sif Brookes: https://sifbrookes.com/ Books discussed in this episode: 'A Deal with Odin' by K.S Barton'Valkrjur: Servant or Master?' by Sif Brookes 'The Valkyries: New & Ancient Norse Tales' from Flame Tree PressValkyrie: The Women of the Viking World by Dr Johanna Katrin Fridriksdottir The Real Valkyrie: The hidden history of Viking Warrior Women by Nancy Marie Brown The Viking Way: Magic and Mind in Late Iron Age Scandinavaia by Neil Price The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson (Penguin Edition)
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Time Travel to the Viking Age with M.G. Leonard
May 700:51:50Tap to summarizeEnter Valhalla to join our conversation with @MayaGLeonard on time-travelling doors, the magic of music, the balance of history and danger in children's fiction, why she modelled a 'bad guy' on a Manchester fooball player, and how Maya discovered a genuine mystery involving two Viking age golden horns discovered in Denmark... and so much more! If you like Vikings, you are welcome in my Valhalla, and I hope you stay for the conversation.
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The Last Einherjar with Kevin Wells
Apr 2301:12:47Tap to summarizeJoining me on this episode is comic artist and writer, Kevin Wells, whom I discovered at Thought Bubble Comic Con in 2025. We will be taking a deep dive into his norse-inspired graphic novel, The Last Einherjar, exploring his inspiration, his creative process and sharing ideas on what makes Vikings and their mythology so popular and answering "What if Ragnarok didn't happen as intended?""Ragnarok has destroyed the Nine Realmsall that is left is Endirheim.As a new darkness rises from thenorth only one man can prevent theterrors that await the survivors of Ragnarok.That man is Ulf, THE LAST EINHERJAR."https://www.kwizillustrator.com/
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Halls of Asgard: A New Game for Norse Gods
Apr 701:02:48Tap to summarizeJoining me in Valhalla is returning guest, Joshua Gillingham from Little Hammer Games, as we discuss and officially launch his latest @kickstarter card game, Halls of Asgard! Join the Kickstarter by the link below: "HALLS OF ASGARD is a semi-cooperative social strategy game for 3-6 players (25-45 min) with absolutely stunning hand-painted art by celebrated Norse mythology artist Helena Rosova. Clocking in on the lighter side, it’s a great starter for those new to board games with easy set up, a simple mechanic that can generate surprisingly intricate cooperative strategies, and guaranteed memorable times. The semi-cooperative aspect lends itself to a delightful tension between defeating Hela, goddess of the Norse underworld, and out-doing your fellow Asgardian gods. Each player takes on the role of a god (Odin, Thor, Freya, Heimdal, Idun, or Loki) with two unique powers and one unique curse. Gazing down at the mortals passing through the life stages (Child/Warrior/Elder) on the Midgard board, they use their powers to claim heroes that join them in their hall in preparation for Ragnarok. Along the way, Hela claims mortals off the Midgard board and gains all those who die without honour or glory of old age. A unique clan mechanic and differing mortal values (0/1/2) adds an extra element of strategy as gods collect their heroes. If one of the gods can defeat Hela through the strength of their gathered warriors, the gods win; however, if Hela ends up with the highest strength score, all players lose as Ragnarok sets the nine realms aflame."
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