In this episode I speak to Spencer Waddell, the multitalented martial artist behind the Wandering Sword Project.

We talk about his myriad interests in historical Asian, European, and African martial arts, and spreading the word about swords all over the world stop

The episode was recorded on Instagram live 7 November 2021.

On today’s episode we meet Aaron Lamontagne of Golden Triangle Fencing in Canada. We discuss swords, working with kids and neurodiversity in martial arts. The podcast was recorded on Instagram live 31 October 2021.

In this episode we meet Bethan Jenkins of Linacre School of Defence in Oxford, UK. We discuss smallsword, fencing for the salle vs self defence, and to not believe everything you read in books. The recording took place on Instagram live 24 October 2021.

This extended episode features two interviews with historical African martial arts Association founder and president, Da’Mon Stith.

We follow his unorthodox and diverse martial arts background, how he began the modern historical African martial arts movement, and learn how one can train and research these martial arts.

I’m your host Fran Lacuata, and the interviews took place on the 12th and 14th of October 2021.

Swords of the Renaissance II was an event held in Potsdam Germany on 16th and 17th of October 2021 hosted by Schiltwache Potsdam. There were six workshops, lots of free fencing and chances to talk about history and swordplay. We took the opportunity to speak to some of the attendees and instructors.

This is episode five of swords of mental health with Fran Lacuata and Janna Datahan. We have a very open and frank discussion on the topic of boundaries and subtexts: whether in every day life, or in martial arts training. CW: A warning for sensitive listeners: some of the discussion is of a very emotional nature and covers domestic violence and child abuse. The episode was recorded 7 October 2021.

In today’s podcast we meet historical African martial arts scholar and practitioner, Mansa Myrie. We discuss the HAMA Association and its founding, as well as the research and study of these cultural practices that span millennia. The episode was recorded live at the southern Ontario historical fencing Association tournament ‘the kings cup’, in Ontario Canada, 3 October 2021.

I was recently invited to attend one of the most out of this world sword events - Swordpunk.

Somewhere between a martial arts camp and a festival, Swordpunk takes place in rural Warwickshire UK at the beginning and end of each summer. The inclusive and environmentally responsible ethos makes for a super welcoming atmosphere, and even though I attended on my own I was soon chatting to lots of new friends.

Whether it’s circus skills, blacksmithing, swordplay or axe throwing, this friendly and relaxed event has something for everyone.

It’s a chance to strip off the mediocre mundanity of the nine to five world, grab a bladed weapon, and dance with fire - quite literally, if the spectacular evening entertainment is anything to go by.

I took the opportunity to chat to the instructors, attendees and organisers behind Swordpunk, to find out what makes this event so different and special. Recorded 16 Sept 2021.

We meet Andrej Kubiček of Belgrade Fencing Academy Serbia, and discuss his 20 years of practising and teaching historical European martial arts. The episode was recorded on the 19th of September 2021 on Instagram live.

This episode is an interview with Swords maker Mark Howland, of Shrikes Forge in Oregon, USA. We discuss his beginnings in the SCA, how he began his craft as a sword maker, and the more obscure and undiscovered areas of HEMA. The episode was recorded on Instagram live 12 September 2021.