The Distaff Podcast

We say goodbye to Gudrid. Her life after Vinland, her journey to meet the Pope, and a return to Iceland to live out a devoted life. We honor her, praise her and hope every woman can see a little of themselves in her story. Her artifacts were not gold, they were so much more. Enjoy. We sure did!

We Have Arrived! Gudrid and her fellow Greenlanders finally make it to Vinland (North America). They will spend three years building settlements, trading with local tribes, exploring, making babies and making war. Join us as we tell the story, always,  from a woman's perspective. Enjoy!

This is an episode we added in, a little out of order, full of more buzz around Viking travel, getting ready for a big journey and Gudrid's new life with a new husband. Enjoy!

Today we talk Runes, rituals and sigils! Gudrid, Karlsefni and the rest of the Greenlander Vikings have loaded their boats and are setting sail for Vinland. Their material preparations made, we take a minute to discuss the spiritual, perhaps even magical, efforts that go along on their adventure. Enjoy!

In this episode we talk about Viking Travel. Gudrid and the Greenlanders are preparing to sail west. What boats will they use, how much food, clothing, and supplies should they bring? And yes, what type of magic can come along? This is a fun one!

A newly widowed Gudrid returns to Brattahlid to be with her in-laws. There she meets Thorfinn Karlsefni "The Making of a Man" and marries him. Kim and Sarah discuss life on Greenland, Karlsefni and his history, and so much more. Join us as we continue to weave the tale of Gudrid the Well Traveled. 

In this Episode, Gudrid finds love, marries the most handsome man in Greenland and prepares to settle down in wedded bliss. But, it is not to be. Illness and chaos find Gudrid again, this time she will need to negotiate with the living as well as the dead. As always, she does it with grace. 

In this episode we take a peak over the horizon at our Eastern Norse, The Rus. River Kings and warriors, this group of Viking Age Scandinavians fought, raided and settled on rivers throughout Eastern Europe and even into modern-day Russia. One of the fiercest of these Rus was a woman named Olga. She was a queen, a saint and a prolific grudge-holder. Enjoy!

In this episode Kim and Sarah tell the story of Gudrid's first winter in Greenland. After a shipwreck that killed many of her loved ones, Gudrid winds up on a remote farm on the coast of Greenland. This escape from her old life in Iceland ends up delivering Gudrid face to face with a Pagan Sorceress in need of help.  Join us as we unravel a few threads while we continue to weave the story of...

So, where did all these Vikings come from? In this episode we talk about the Norse "origin story." A tale of a man named Ask and a woman named Embla. Then we travel down the road a few centuries and discuss Erik the Red, another OG worthy of an origin story all his own. Enjoy!

 As a kid, did you ever wish you could live in the ultimate tree house? Well, according to Norse mythology, you're living in one. Ygdrassil, with its nine worlds, branches that tangle with clouds, gods sliding down rainbows and wells that are just, well, wyrd. We talk in this episode about all of that and so much more. Gudrid The Well-Traveled remains our tour guide this episode through her V...

Aud Ketilsdottir, born over 1000 years ago, stitched together kingdoms and farms, freed thralls and converted rulers. She was the master weaver of Christian and Pagan threads, Celtic and Norse traditions, folklore and gospel. Generations later, Aud's handiwork becomes the world that Gudrid will be forced to reckon with. We talk about all this, along with some Viking fashion advice from a real...

Gudrid Thornbjarnardottir is our host Flyga for Season 2 of the Distaff Podcast. What is a flyga? And how did a woman, born on a cold and wind-swept island over 1000 years ago venture into the world enough to be titled The Well Traveled? We talk about this and so much more on Episode 1 of our brand new season. We'll explore and weave stories about Vikings, Norse Gods, Christian Pagans and all...

In this final episode of the Distaff Podcast Season 1, we say goodbye. Goodbye to the wild and crazy Puritans, the witches and reverends, and the Agawam people who rode the wave of the Puritan experiment for as long as they could. When we're done, much like 350 years ago, Springfield will be razed to the ground,  the Puritan experiment nearly destroyed and the landscape of western Massachuset...

 Mary Bliss Parsons (not to be confused with the first witch trial of Mary Lewis Parsons) was shrouded in mystery. She wandered the swamps at night, had a knack for finding hidden keys and knew how to throw the most spectacular fits.  Any other Puritan woman would have been called "Witch" and thrown in jail. But not this Mary. We talk about Puritan fears, politics and the righteous balan...

 Were there actual Puritan Witches in Colonial America? Did years of witch hunts, witch trials and shrieking teenagers actually conjure up the village witch? Or is there a better explanation for these opinionated, independent and often underestimated men and women who ended up swinging from the Colonial gallows?  Find all of our sources on our website, distaffpodcast.com Contact us at distaffpodca...

Throw a little pudding in your fireplace and see who comes knocking.  It could be a  witch, it could be Hugh Parsons. In this episode we talk about the Hugh and Mary Parsons witch trial, as well as a little family history venting about a different kind of witch hunt closer to home. Enjoy! Find all of our sources on our website, distaffpodcast.com Contact us at distaffpodcast@gmail.com Episode Chap...

What starts out as a work meeting between our hosts Kim and Sarah turns into one of our favorite episodes. With the lurking shadow of the Witch Trials yet to come, we talk about strange phenomenon, naughty Puritans, and colonial gossip. We finish off with a lesson on how to summon a witch right to your door, or maybe just how to summon one of your really weird neighbors. You decide. Enjoy! For Sou...

This conversation delves into the historical practices of childbirth in colonial America, focusing on the role of midwives and the transition to male-dominated medical practices. It explores the impact of superstition, witch trials, and social status on midwifery, as well as the importance of community support during childbirth. The discussion reflects on the modern implications of these historica...

It is 1636 in New England. The mist rises over the low land, the day is just beginning. Two women meet on a path. One woman is of the Agawam Nation, the other is a Puritan.  What do they see in the other?  Both women are mothers, wives, members of a community. Both are making a life in the land they stand on. One is a leader in her nation, the other, not so much. We try to unravel and re-weave the...

Dear Prudence…”"Surely these were Amazonian times when women had strength." This conversation delves into the historical narrative of Prudence and Miles Morgan, exploring their journey, family connections, and the significance of the Bay Path. The speakers discuss the challenges of historical research, the role of women in early settlements, and the romanticized view of history. Through...

Dear Prudence…”"Surely these were Amazonian times when women had strength." This conversation delves into the historical narrative of Prudence and Miles Morgan, exploring their journey, family connections, and the significance of the Bay Path. The speakers discuss the challenges of historical research, the role of women in early settlements, and the romanticized view of history. Through...

What!? Lascivioius Puritan women? Yes, and we're here to talk about it. We get into the nitty-gritty of our ancestor Mary Burt and some of her fellow Puritan women in Springfield, MA, Massachusetts Bay Colony circa 1640.  What did a colonial woman do when she found herself in a compromising position? Did her family and their standing in the community determine her fate? And what of the other...

Join Sarah and Kim as they delve into the fascinating history of Springfield, MA, exploring the lives and legacies of its early settlers. From the intricacies of church seating arrangements to the dramatic court cases that shaped the community, this episode uncovers the rich tapestry of 17th-century life. Discover how power dynamics, social norms, and personal stories intertwine in this captivatin...

Join Sarah and Kim as they delve into the fascinating history of Springfield, MA, exploring the lives and legacies of its early settlers. From the intricacies of church seating arrangements to the dramatic court cases that shaped the community, this episode uncovers the rich tapestry of 17th-century life. Discover how power dynamics, social norms, and personal stories intertwine in this captivatin...