Saint Podcast

Since this is the debut episode of Saint Podcast, it seems only appropriate to begin with the story of Saint Stephen, the protomartyr - or first martyr. Saint Stephen is one of the few saints whose story has a Biblical source, but his tale continues beyond the Bible in medieval legends, traditional celebrations, and even a French football club. Discover how the bones of a Roman citizen of Greek descent changed the face of Christianity. Find out why wrens are considered treacherous birds by Celts and Vikings.  And why many people around the world have Saint Stephen to thank for that public holiday on Boxing Day.

Episode six is about a saint whose name means little bear. She’s a British saint, a princess from Britannia, the name of the British Isles when England and Wales were part of the Roman Empire. Her legend is based around a pilgrimage that included an entourage of 11,000 virgins as well as an additional 15,000 hangers on. They met their end in modern-day Germany and inspired a movement among 13th-century women who rejected traditional female roles to live unmarried in communal groups without the influence of men! The saint's legend also gave birth to a monastic order of nuns whose chapter in Loudon, France, was scandalised by demonic possessions and a witch trial. This is the story of Saint Ursula the Leader of the 11,000 Virgins.

Episode 3 of Saint Podcast's Martyrs series is about Saint Margaret. She's one of the most popular saints globally, despite having been declared fictional by the Catholic Church in the 5th century. Nevertheless, her legend as a vanquisher of dragons has made her a perennial favourite. Tune in to hear the story of this gender-bending saint, known as Saint Marina/Marino to Eastern Christians - and find out what Saint Margaret has in common with Sleeping Beauty, Aphrodite, and margaritas.

This is I Am Milk, a special episode inspired by an exhibition at the Wellcome Collection in London entitled, Milk. It explores our relationship with milk and its place in politics, society, and culture. Judaeo-Christian legends are filled to the brim with stories about milk from lactating saints to a promised land of milk and honey and a Christian morality that developed around the symbolism of the white liquid. I Am Milk is a special Saint Podcast episode that delves into the link between saints’ legends and milk, featuring co-curators from the Wellcome Collection, Honor Beddard and Marianne Templeton.

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The second episode in Saint Podcast's Mystics series is about a 13th-century Dominican friar and inquisitor. His rulings against Cathar heretics made him many enemies, including a cabal of nobles in Milan who sent an assassin to kill him. Although not strictly speaking a mystic, many miracles are attributed to this saint. He’s a divine healer of sickness. He’s brought the dead back to life. He controls the weather. And it’s said that he cast out numerous demons from the bodies of the possessed.  This is the story of Saint Peter of Verona the Exorcist – and a history of exorcism in the Catholic Church.

Episode eight in Saint Podcast's Martyrs season is about a saint who was a monstrous giant, standing over 12 feet/3.5 metres tall! He’s the patron saint of athletics, travellers, journeys and transportation in general, epilepsy, the city of Havana in Cuba, and of bachelors. His legend inspired a fashion craze in the late 1950s, and he's famously known for carrying an unbelievably heavy child across a wide river who turns out to be Jesus in disguise. Most unusually, this saint was originally depicted with a dog’s head. Join us to explore the legend of a dog-headed giant who was transformed into a jock and the patron saint of surfers.

Episode 4 is about Saint Barbara, a maiden who was locked in a tower by her father - and one of the many legendary inspirations behind the fairytale Rapunzel. She's the patron saint of firefighters, Lebanon, lightning, mathematicians, and numerous military artillery units. Find out why Saint Barbara is the patron of explosions. Discover the pre-holiday festivals celebrated in her honour. Tune in to this episode to hear about Saint Barbara's guise as powerful male Afro-Caribbean god of thunder - and also her guise a Disney Princess.

Episode seven is about an Egyptian queen. She’s noted for being the brightest mind of her generation and is therefore the patron saint of scholars, students, lawyers, educators, librarians, philosophers, and theologians. This saint’s icon is a spiked wheel, the implement of torture her tormentor, the Roman Emperor, attempted - unsuccessfully - to inflict upon her. Her legend has inspired dating customs involving elaborate hats, moved the poet Emily Dickinson, and engendered a Baltic winter festival. She’s also one of a handful of saints who were married to Jesus Christ. Her wedding was presided over by a figure the angels declared to be 'the Empress of Hell'. This is the story of Saint Catherine of Alexandria the Virgin Bride.

Episode three in the Mystics series is about one of the most influential figures in Medieval Europe, She was a 12th-century author composer, theologian, author, naturalist, visionary, and exorcist. She began life as an oblate, a child who was donated irrevocably to the church by her wealthy parents, sealed up in a cell for life. How she emerged to become one of the most sought after advisors to bishops, kings, and popes is incredible, especially so given the stringent restrictions that greatly narrowed the possibilities open for women. Her tale is one of amazing triumph - and also one of heartbreak over the departure of her beloved nun, Richardis. This is the story of Saint Hildegard of Bingen the Mystical Polymath.

Episode five of Saint Podcast's Martyrs series is about Saint Lawrence, the son of wealthy Christians living in the Roman province Hispania, modern day Spain. He's an extremely popular saint whose story is relatively unknown yet it intersects with one of the most well-known legends in the world: the legend of the Holy Grail. He was famously roasted alive, and quipped to his executioners, 'Turn me over. I'm done on this side,' making him the patron saint of comedians. Tune in to discover what connects this historic figure with King Arthur, Sailor Moon, the Da Vinci Code, and Indiana Jones.