By the Sword

In this episode, Fran meets artist blacksmith, Heather McLarty of Los Angeles, California, USA. We talk about her journey in the craft and her involvement in the popular TV series, the Mandalorian. The episode was recorded live Sunday, 28 May 2023.

In this episode, we meet artisan, armourer, production designer, and prop maker, Ugo Serrano, who has worked on films such as Planet of the Apes, GI Joe: the Rise of Cobra, and the Chronicles of Riddick. We talk about his background, his career, and the historical influences on his work.

The episode was recorded live 19 March 2023.

In this episode, we meet Aaron of semi miss productions, USA. We hear about his maiden project: A Lion’s Age, an immersive strategy game, featuring breathtaking artwork and characters, set in mediaeval south Asia. The interview took place Sunday 26 February 2023..

In this episode Fran talks to fight director and artist Sydney Schwindt of True Edge Art in California, USA. We discuss how stage combat and theatre links historical fighting to modern veterans in fascinating ways. We also talk about the enduring appeal of swords in art. The recording took place 29 January 2023.

For the first episode of 2023 Fran meets designer Veronica Young of Cryptid Combatwear in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. We discuss her tournament experience, as well as the chest protector that she has designed exclusively for HEMA fencers who have breasts.

The episode was recorded 8 January 2023.

In this episode Fran talks to artist, larper, puppeteer and performer Ellen Lavery about her varied talents and career paths. We talk about growing up in a fantastical family, and training to be a stunt performer. The episode was recorded live 11 December 2022.

In this episode Fran talks to historian Dr Chassica Kirchhoff, arms and armour scholar and assistant curator of European sculpture and decorative arts at the Detroit Institute of arts USA.

We discuss arms and armour historical influences on popular TV shows House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power, as well as women in martial history.

The episode was recorded live 16 October 2022.

In this episode of the podcast Fran meets armoured combat team captains Meg and Evie of Nashville Armoured Combat USA.
We learn how they got into this growing sport, all about the women’s Armoured Combat League in Tennessee, and the physical demands of fighting in full armour.
The interview took place on live 18 September 2022.

In this episode Fran talks to Armored Combat duellist Shoshana Shellans of the USA.
We discuss the realities of armoured combat and how to get into it, as well as the intersection between armoured combat and historical European martial arts.

In this episode of Swords and Mental Health, Fran invites Janna on the show to talk about her tournament experience at combat con 2022, following their discussions in the episode “the toll of tournament”.
There is also a special announcement one hour into the podcast! The episode was recorded 27 July 2022

I talk to special education teacher and fencer Katie Zold about neurodivergence in the HEMA community. We talk about how we can help each other better, both as students and instructors. The episode was recorded live 17 July 2022.

In this episode of the podcast I speak to Fran, Charles, and Spencer of the Knights of Wakanda armoured combat team, USA.

I learn about how the group formed, the challenges of the sport, and the passion for community and excellence in the team.

The episode was recorded live 26 June 2022.

Unfortunately due to technical issues the first 20 minutes of the recording were lost, I apologise for any inconvenience

Fran talks to Dan Halliday and Graham Meyer on the topic of masculinity in the historical European martial arts community. The episode was recorded 20 June 2022.

In this episode I talk to Justin Kostelecky, owner of Grizzly House Forge in Utah USA.

We discuss the challenges of sword smithing, how to handle disparities in stature, and his experience as a finalist on the hit TV show Forged in Fire. The episode was recorded live 22 May 2022.

Today’s episode is an AMA with your host Fran Lacuata. Answering questions on life/training balance, getting started in Bolognese fencing, and much more. The episode was recorded live 31 April 2022.

This podcast episode is a panel discussion before a live audience at By the Sword 2022, a historical fencing convention for women and gender minorities. The panellists are all instructors who taught at the event, they are Alyx Austin, Emilia Skirmuntt, Suzy Cantrell, Lynette Nusbacher, Robyn Saul, Shanee Nishry, Jo Wimborne, and Fran Lacuata. The recording took place 9 April 2022.

In this episode Fran speaks to Kerry Kerz V McArthur of London Historical Fencing Club. We talk about the journey from Scotland to England, as well as the journey of becoming a HEMA instructor.

The episode was recorded live 3 April 2022.

In today’s episode of the podcast I talk to antique weapon dealers Thierry Flekier-Wathen and Matthew Forde. We discuss a wide array of weapons as well as how to get started in antique Swords collecting.

The episode was recorded 27 March 2022.

Fran hosts Kimberleigh Roseblade and Janna Datahan in a discussion about the benefits and mental costs of taking part in historical fencing tournaments. The episode was recorded 7 March 2022.

I am your host Fran Lacuata, and in today’s episode I talk to Graham Meyer of Moose Historical Fencing in Maine, USA.

Graham is also the founder of Philadelphia Common fencers guild, and we discuss starting a HEMA club, keeping HEMA inclusive, and making HEMA artworks. The episode was recorded on Instagram live 6 February 2022.

In this episode of swords and mental health, Fran Lacuata, Janna Datahan and Kimberleigh Roseblade discuss Cancel culture and second chances in the martial arts community. The episode was recorded 31 January 2022

In this episode Fran speaks to Connor Kemp-Cowell of the Philadelphia Common Fencers Guild.

We talk about Filippo Vadi, competition fencing, and getting the most out of historical fencing texts. The episode was recorded live 16 January 2022.

In this episode Fran meets founder and lead instructor of the Order of the Blade, Richard Hughes, in the UK. We talk about fighting, teaching, as well as being the biggest guy in the room and being unafraid to discuss mental health. The episode was recorded live 9 January 2022.

In this final episode of 2021 with Fran Lacuata and Janna Datahan, the Swords and mental health podcast takes a look at friendship, shared experiences, and questions from our listeners. The episode was recorded 14 December 2021.

This episode of swords and mental health is a roundtable discussion between me, Fran Lacuata, Brittany Saints Leafy of Mordhau HEMA in Arizona USA, Kirsten Meredith and Janna Datahan of True Edge Academy in Utah USA.
We tackle the concept of tenacity and how it affects mental health, martial arts training, and club culture.
The episode was recorded on 21 November 2021.

In this episode of the podcast I meet Joe Booth, captain of the Swords of Cygnus women’s bohurt team in the UK. We learn how Jo got into the sport, what bohurt consists of, and its significance in historical martial culture. The episode was recorded live 12 December 2021.

In this episode we meet professional larper and artist Raquel Skellington, an insightful and vibrant individual bringing diversity and expression to the sword community. The episode was recorded 5 December 2021.

This episode of swords and mental health is a roundtable discussion between Fran Lacuata, Janna Datahan, Rachel Van Dyke, and Rebecca Glass McCaffrey.
We tackle the topic of heavy hitters in martial arts from the perspective of the historical fencing community.
The recording took place 20 November 2021

Today’s episode of the podcast is with William Dawson of the School of the Sword UK. We talk about the intersection between historical European martial arts and live action roleplay. The episode was recorded live on Sunday 21 November 2021.

In this episode I talk to Jamie MacIver, co-founder of London Historical Fencing Club, about Vadi, tournaments, and organising events.
The podcast was recorded on Instagram live 14 November 2021.

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.

In episode 4 of swords and mental health Fran speaks to regular guest Janna Datahan and also Kirsten Meredith, both members of True Edge Academy in Utah, USA. We discuss the topic of resilience versus persistence in the context of mental health. The episode was recorded 6 September 2021.

In this episode we meet knife and swordmakers Stephanie Aiuto from Brooklyn, New York, USA. We discuss the challenges of the trade, how she got into the art, and the future that the craft holds. The episode was recorded on Instagram live 5 September 2021

In this episode of the podcast I speak to Dominic Eaton of Basel in Switzerland about teaching HEMA, autism, Zulu stick fighting, and armoured fighting. The recording took place on Instagram live 30 August 2021

In this episode I speak to Martin de Jong of the Netherlands, also known as the klewang fencer. We talk about the history of the weapon and its use in the former Dutch colonies, and about his upcoming book. The episodes recorded 25 August 2021

This is episode three of swords and mental health where I speak to Janna Datahan in the USA, and Kimberleigh Roseblade in Canada. We discuss women, power, and historical European martial arts. The episode was recorded 10 August 2021.

Today’s episode is an interview with Matthew Forde, an antique weapon dealer in the UK. We look at Matthew’s amazing collection and learn some of the history behind the pieces. The episode was recorded 8 August 2021.

In this bonus podcast episode I host a roundtable discussion on the topic of “elitism in historical European martial arts”. My guests are Esther Gibson and Alyx Austin in the UK, and Janna Datahan in the USA. The episode was recorded 27 July 2021

In this episode of the podcast we meet Asian arms and armour expert Runjeet Singh in the UK. We take a look at some beautiful pieces from his collection and talk about his experience as part of the antique weapons community. The interview was recorded on Instagram live 18 July 2021.

In this episode I talk to Nick Thomas, co-founder of the Academy of Historical Fencing in the UK. We talk about the origins of the academy and his collection of antique swords. The episode was recorded on Instagram live 13 July 2021.

I invite HEMA practitioners and historians Iason Tzouriadis and Elizabeth Champion to dive into the meaning and concept of chivalry. We discuss it’s origins, how it altered over time, and its place in modern culture.