StoneLore Podcast

Journey into the sacred landscapes of the Arctic as we explore the spiritual world of the Sámi, Europe's Indigenous people. In this fascinating conversation, researcher and author, Dr. Francis Joy, shares decades of work studying Sámi cosmology, shamanism, and the mysterious Sieidi Stones. Sieidis are natural rock formations believed to serve as places of communication between humans and the s...

Were you aware that at the start of the Medieval period, a new alphabet emerged apart from the Latin alphabet by the name of Ogham? Ogham has a very unique and primitive style and can be seen on ancient stones all over Ireland’s countryside, especially in the southwest. Joining me to discuss this topic is Irish historian and tour guide Tony Corcoran, owner of Wild Irish Tours ( @wild_irish_tours )...

Delphi was revered as the spiritual center of the ancient Greek world, marked by the enigmatic Omphalos Stone. Said to be either the stone swallowed by Kronos and later cast back out, or a marker placed by Zeus after his eagles identified the center of the cosmos, the Omphalos represented far more than a geographic midpoint. But beyond its symbolism, could this mysterious stone possibly be a devic...

The Picts were an ancient people who lived in what is now Scotland between the 3rd and 9th centuries. With no written records of their own, the Picts remain one of history’s most mysterious cultures. Known to us only through Roman accounts, archaeology, and their ornately carved stones, what stories did they leave behind? My guest, author and historian Graeme Johncock ( @scotlands_stories ) joins...

In Part Two of my conversation with Knut Einar Skår ( @knuteinarskar ), we uncover even more hidden lifting stones scattered across the Norwegian landscape. Knut opens up his private research map, revealing dozens of stones not yet published on his website. Drawing from Norway’s National Library archives, obscure local history books, and word-of-mouth discoveries, he shares stories of the followin...

In an age gone by, after a few pints, young men would challenge each other to lift the Lonton Egg on their way home from the pub. People would go through Lonton on their walk between Mickleton and Middleton because they could drink for longer. They would pass the old smithy and challenge each other to see who was the strongest by attempting to lift the stone as high as possible. My guest, Calum St...

Season two begins with a deep dive into Ireland’s ancient landscape and its powerful relationship with stone. I am joined by Deirdre O’Neill ( @remnantsofourpast ), author of Remnants of Our Past , a book that explores how the Irish landscape acts as a living record of ancestral belief, tradition, and everyday life. In this episode, Deirdre shares her research into Ireland’s sacred sites, particul...

In the book of Genesis, Jacob uses a stone as a pillow while traveling from Beersheba to Haran. He dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels moving upon it, and God promises him protection, descendants, and the surrounding land. When Jacob wakes, he declares the place sacred, sets the stone upright as a pillar, anoints it with oil, and names the site Bethel, marking the stone as a sign of...

The majority of runestones are memorials to people who died, whether at home or abroad. Some runestones also functioned as a form of public declaration for land ownership. Others believe that some possess magic or even curses. My guest, runestone photographer Johan Grennard ( @tales_from_the_north ), joins me to discuss famous runestones located in Sweden from before the Vendel period through the...

Lifting stones have been used all over the world to mark a boy’s passage from childhood into manhood, and Norway is no different. Tucked away in the mountains and valleys of some of the country’s most remote areas, you can still find these stones just waiting to be lifted by the next challenger. My guest, Knut Einar Skår ( @knuteinarskar ), has been hard at work researching and locating these manh...

It was a great day in each young man’s life when he raised the stone from the ground and ‘gave it wind’, as they said. And if he raised it to his knees, he was a champion, the equal of the best. And if he raised it to his chest he was a hero, a phenomenon of strength and men talked of him. It was the rediscovery of this stone that led my guest, David Keohan ( @_indiana_stones_ ) to the rediscovery...

“I know what awaits. Death surely looms. This stone will be a testament to my strength.” These were the words of Norðnástova housemaid Marjun, who fell pregnant out of wedlock at a time when that was punishable by death. Marjun was on her way along Åargil river with the other milkmaids when they came across the stone. She stopped in her tracks and lifted it single-handedly. This story dates back t...

Tune in to an epic discussion featuring some of today’s most prominent stonelifters from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. Join Martin Jancsics ( @thestoneman265 ) David Keohan ( @_indiana_stones_ ) Dave Nisbet ( @caveman.daveman ) Dale Nisbet ( @i_byde_it ) Jarrett McPhee ( @newenglandstonelifting ) Sean Urquhart ( @seanurq ) Keith Surette ( @_fullsterkur_ ) Tom Billinge ( @waryog...

After picking up a used book for just $4, author and historian Tom Billinge ( @waryoga ) stumbled upon the names of four ancient Greek lifting stones, virtually unknown to the modern world. This discovery launched him on a journey across Greece, into the offices of local archaeologists, and even deep into the museum vault. In this episode, we explore everything from supernatural feats of strength...

In the Middle Ages, Kirkjubøur was the religious cultural and political center of the Faroe Islands. Bishop Mus imposed heavy taxes on the people in order to build a stone cathedral there and an uprising broke out. The bishop sought to gather a large army with only the strongest men. Only the men who could lift the large stone that lay upon Brynjumannaborð were allowed to join the army. My guest,...

In the old graveyard in lower Denn, convenient to Drumavaddy Chapel, lies a stone which in former years is supposed to have formed a table or substitute for an altar, on which the priests celebrated Mass in the Penal Days. It was a great feat of strength for the strongest men attending a funeral to try their skill to lift this stone. My guest, Andy Downes ( @handmedownes ), shares another incredib...

One of the great stone lifters was John Coffey of Scrageen. He used to lift a big flag at Clare Bridge and put it standing on the end of it. Strong men from all parts of the country used to come to try to lift it, but nobody was able to lift it but himself. My guest, Andy Downes ( @handmedownes ), is on a mission to lift every historic lifting stone in Ireland, and was at the forefront in rediscov...

The Fianna Stone, known to locals as the Bodach Craigh, may well be perhaps the oldest remaining test of strength known to man. Local folklore states that those being able to lift the stone would be entitled to lift the heavy spear of Morven and allow them to fight alongside the Fianna warriors. Joining me to discuss this infamous stone is Dr. Bill Crawford ( @doc.roccc ). Along with Martin Jancsi...

In this episode, we dive deep into the history and folklore attached to The Wallace Putting Stone & Plinth in Sheriffmuir, Scotland. Dating back to 1297, this stone is the very object that William Wallace used to train with and display his heroic power.  I am joined by none other than Jamie Gorrian ( @bigsexygrandad101 ) from Alloa, Scotland. Jamie was prominently featured in Maximum Iron’s do...

In this episode, we will be covering the Barevan Stone in Cawdor, Scotland. This stone is unique due to its location in a 14th century churchyard alongside a mysterious open coffin. I am joined by an extremely special guest: Martin “The Stone Man” Jancsics ( @thestoneman265 ) from Elgin, Scotland. He was prominently featured in Rogue Fitness’s documentary  Stoneland  and in Maximum Iron’s document...

In this debut episode, we will be covering The MacPhee Lifting Stone in Islay, Scotland, exploring the rich history of this location, and uncovering little known facts about Clach MacPhee. My special guest is New England Stonelifting's own Jarrett McPhee ( @newenglandstonelifting ) from Rhode Island. He recently visited and lifted this stone a few months ago, becoming the first McPhee in 400 years...

Join me, Jonathan "Wulfgar" Shears, every month, as we journey through time discovering and recovering the fables, myths, and legends of ancient stones and stones of strength. This is the StoneLore Podcast!