Fortune's Wheel: A Podcast History of Our Medieval Story

Patreon Series: Book of Alexios Episode 188: Chapter 6: April 4, 1081 NOTE: This is a repeat of Episode 132, but in the interest of the flow of this series, I've decided to include it for continuity. The empire is on fire—figuratively and nearly literally—as Alexios Komnenos makes his bold play for the throne. With the capital in chaos, loyalties split, and Eastern Rome teetering, one man dare...

Patreon Series: Book of Alexios Episode 187: Chapter 5: Cheese Week NOTE: This is a repeat of Episode 131, but in the interest of the flow of this series, I've decided to include it for continuity. In this episode, we explore the dangerously creamy days leading up to the rise of Alexios Komnenos—because nothing says imperial coup like dairy. Before he seizes the throne of Eastern Rome, the emp...

Patreon Series: Book of Alexios Episode 186: Chapter 4: The Writing on the Wall NOTE: This is a repeat of Episode 130, but in the interest of the flow of this series, I've decided to include it for continuity. Emperor Nikephoros III watches his empire crumble like dry parchment. With rebellion brewing and a once-loyal general rising in fame, the old emperor can’t ignore the writing on the wall...

Patreon Series: Book of Alexios Episode 185: Chapter 3: Alexios & the Erymanthian Boar On this episode, we employ a comparison used by Alexios Komnenos’s daughter when describing her father. There is absolutely no doubt that Anna Komnene revered her legendary father, but the comparison she makes in this episode some would say is a bit over the top. That said, I encourage everyone to consider i...

Patreon Series: The Book of Alexios Episode 184: Chapter 2: Bryennios's Rebellion NOTE: This is a repeat of Episode 129, but in the interest of the flow of this series, I've decided to include it for continuity. Today, we watch Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates take the reins of a smoldering empire still reeling from the Bread Riots of 1078. But no sooner does he don the purple than the f...

Patreon Series: The Book of Alexios Episode 183: Chapter 1: Roussel de Balliol Today, we watch a young Alexios Komnenos do what Alexios Komnenos does best: survive and outmaneuver. The foe? A rogue Norman warlord named Roussel de Balliol, who decided to carve out his own little empire from Byzantine soil. It's the Komnenos kid versus the Norman upstart—and spoiler alert: the empire might just have...

Patreon Series : Book of Alexios Episode 182: Prologue Today, we crack open The Book of Alexios , a new mini-series chronicling the rise of one of Byzantium’s greatest emperors. But before we launch into the heart of his reign, we need to sweep up a few imperial messes. The chessboard is rearranged: emperors fall, others rise, and somewhere far to the east…a new threat stirs. No, not the Seljuks—s...

Patreon Series : Rise of the Crusading Spirit Episode 181: The Papacy of Pope Alexander II Today, we pause our sprint through imperial chaos to turn toward Rome—because while emperors rise and fall in the East, a powerhouse is at work in the West. We revisit the reign of Pope Alexander II, a quiet juggernaut of the 11th century, whose influence reverberated from papal chambers to battlefields. It’...

Patreon Series: Rise of Poland Episode 180: Poland Remains While kingdoms rose and crumbled all across Europe, Poland—battered, bruised, and often overlooked—managed to hold itself together through the chaos of the 11th century. How did this patchwork realm survive where others fell apart? It's a testament to the thousand-year-old Polish spirit. No More Paywalls! How? If you believe in what’s...

Patreon Series: Rise of Poland Episode 179: The Worthy Brother Today, we dive into the wild, ruthless, and often misunderstood reign of Bolesław II—better known as Bolesław the Bold. He wasn’t just another medieval ruler jockeying for land and power. No, Bolesław was a king with ambition carved in steel and sealed in blood. He fought wars, crowned himself, and clashed with the Church… and let’s ju...

Patreon Series: Rise of Poland Episode 178: But It's Not Too Heavy Today, we trace the quiet but critical rise of Casimir the Restorer—a man who didn’t charge into history with a sword held high, but instead rebuilt a kingdom from the ground up. After Poland fell into disarray, it was Casimir who returned from exile, restored order, and stabilized the monarchy with a mix of diplomacy, grit, an...

Patreon Series: Rise of Poland Episode 177: Heavy Is the Crown Today, we dive into the brutal and chaotic reigns of Mieszko II Lambert and his charming brother Bezprym—if by “charming” you mean “sadistic, power-hungry nightmare.” After Bolesław the Brave left Poland strong and unified, his sons quickly reminded everyone just how fragile power can be. This is a story of exile, betrayal, torture, an...

Patreon Series: Rise of Poland Episode 176: The Many Wars of Boleslaw Today, we charge headlong into the bloody campaigns and calculated power plays of Bolesław I of Poland—known to some as “the Brave,” and to others as “the guy who never saw a war he didn’t like.” Whether it was the Holy Roman Empire, the Kievan Rus’, or internal rivals, Bolesław saw them all as opportunities for expansion—or rev...

Patreon Series: Rise of Poland Episode 175: A Foundation to Build Upon Today, we stand at the crossroads of dynastic transition in Poland. Mieszko I, the man who carved out the foundation of a Christian Polish state through diplomacy, war, and strategic marriage, breathes his last. But before the dust settles, his son—Bolesław—steps forward, eyes fixed on expansion and glory. The age of consolidat...

Patreon Series: Rise of Poland Episode 174: King of the North Today, we begin a brand-new arc: the rise of Poland. And like all good origin stories, it starts with a decision that changed everything. Mieszko I, the first ruler of Poland we can name with confidence, takes a leap into the unknown—converting to Christianity and aligning his people with the rising power of Latin Christendom. It wasn’t...

Patreon Series: Context of a Conquest Episode 173: Eadric the Wild This tale is one of alliance, defiance, and no small amount of grit. We’re headed to the borderlands in this episode. Eadric of Herefordshire and Shropshire teams up with Welsh princes in a last-ditch effort to push back the Norman tide. Anglo-Saxon resistance isn’t dead—not yet. And in the shadowy woods and rugged hills, a fragile...

Patreon Series : Context of a Conquest Episode 172: Flanders In Crisis Losses abound in this chapter of our story. But before we get swept away in the grief and fallout, we finally pause to give the County of Flanders its due. A key player in the game of 11th-century thrones, Flanders is about to show us just how much sway it holds over the fortunes (and misfortunes) of Europe’s rising powers. It’...

Patreon Series: Context of a Conquest Episode 171: Was Matilda Really A Monster? Today, we dive into one of the most powerful couples of the Middle Ages—William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. History tells us theirs was a loyal and respectful union...but was it really? We’ll look at what the chronicles say, what they don’t say, and explore just how faithful the marriage may have been behin...

Patreon Series: Context of a Conquest Episode 170: Forsaken Son Today, we crack open the long-simmering drama between William the Conqueror and his eldest son, Robert Curthose. Spoiler alert: Norman family dinners were not warm and fuzzy affairs. This episode dives into the rocky relationship between father and son—misunderstandings, power plays, and one very bruised ego. William may have conquere...

Patreon Series Episode 169: Ireland After Clontarf Ireland: 1014 and beyond...Let’s explore the towering legacy of Brian Boru—High King of Ireland, unifier, reformer, warrior. His rise reshaped the island’s political landscape, but his sudden, violent end at Clontarf left a power vacuum that would echo for generations. What did his brief moment of near-total control mean for Ireland’s future? Let’...

Patreon Series: Rise of the Crusader Spirit Episode 168: A Pisan Delegation Today, we follow Roger de Hauteville as he stands at a crossroads—offered one of the greatest opportunities any military commander could dream of. It’s a chance to etch his name into the bedrock of history… but only if he has the nerve to seize it. Will he take the leap, or walk away from destiny? Grab your sword (and your...

Patreon Series: Rise of the Crusader Spirit Episode 167: Duke Bonifacio of Canossa Today, we begin unraveling the extraordinary story of Matilda of Canossa—one of the most powerful and complex women in medieval Europe. But before we get to the warrior-countess herself, we lay the foundation with her legendary father, Bonifacio of Canossa, a larger-than-life noble who ruled the heart of Italy like...

In this short update episode, we get a sneak peak at some changes to the show. Specifically, it’s ditching paywalls, what that means for listeners, and how listeners can help the podcast grow. Expect more episodes, more access, and a whole lot more medieval mayhem — plus, a glimpse of what’s coming next as we build toward the epic story of the First Crusade. No More Paywalls! How? If you believe i...

SEASON 7 : All Roads Lead to Clermont Miniseries : Popes, Emperors, Kings & A Countess EPISODE 166: The Council of Piacenza, Pt.3 We expand upon the Council of Piacenza’s agenda and its first four precedent-setting days, and we see on this episode days five, six and seven, along with Conrad III’s very interesting moves in the months after Piacenza. No More Paywalls! How? If you believe in what...

PHILOSOPHY SERIES 1 : Foundations of Western Thought EPISODE 005: Plato’s Triad: Soul, Society & Virtue What does it mean to live a good life—and build a good society? In this episode, we dive into Plato’s grand design: the Tripartite Soul, the Tripartite City, and the cardinal virtues that bind them together. From the philosopher-king’s lofty perch to the tug-of-war inside your own psyche, we...