Viking Story

Happy Canada Day to all of my Raiders! Since today is a special day, you're getting a double-shot of Viking Story as we take a look at the background behind my translation of of Eirík the Red's Saga, this time focusing specifically on its second chapter. Some of the Old Norse words discussed in today's episode include: KNARRARBRINGU NORÐAN SAUR EY HOLM FJORÐUR STAÐIR ÞRIÐI TUTTUGU OK FIMM Don’t fo...

My translation of "Eirík the Red's Saga" takes centre stage today as I give my thoughts, explanations and insights into the saga and, in particular, into its first chapter. What makes "Eirík the Red's Saga" different from "The Saga of the Greenlanders"? Which saga contains the more accurate version of events? All of these answers and more in today's episode! Old Norse words discussed in today's ep...

In today's episode I go over some of the latest news concerning the Viking age, this very podcast, AI, Reynisfjara, and much, much more. Unfortunately, there is also some bad news concerning the Reykjavík Grapevine, but you can help them out by using the following links. Main link: https://grapevine.is Check out the Reykjavík Grapevine's shop and get between 50-75% off on all Icelandic products: h...

It's a new season and that means a brand new Viking Story interview! Today I welcome Joshua Gillingham to the podcast to share his knowledge of Norse mythology and what elements inspired his new board game, "Halls of Asgard." If you want to support Halls of Asgard then please back the project any time between April 7th - 30th by donating here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joshuagillingham/...

Happy 2026 to all of my Viking Story Raiders! Looking for something to listen to today while you try to sleep off the mead in your half-awake state? Then this is the episode for you! It is also the 'unofficial' 50th episode of Viking Story! Today I give a quick update on a few topics including: my most recent visit to Iceland, global warming, the country bar in downtown Reykjavík, the differences...

In today's bonus episode I interview historian and author Valur Gunnarsson about his first English book entitled "What If Vikings Had Conquered The World," which covers a great deal of Nordic history all the way from the Viking Age right through to modern Icelandic history.  I have read his book with great pleasure and so speaking from experience, when you read it yourself you may be forgiven...

This is the "official" end to Season 7 but find out what's in store for this podcast, even after this season comes to a close! Also, how difficult is it to interpret a culture through the eyes of another culture that you yourself are also trying to interpret? Is Viking Story really the longest-running Viking-themed podcast of all time? (Spoiler: no). Plus much more in today's "official" final epis...

What can material culture tell us about a past society? Can pottery speak towards one's culture and, if so, in what ways? Today we discuss childhood archaeology with Dr. Steven Dorland from the Anthropology Department at Grand Valley State University. We also discuss Dr. Dorland's community-based project hosted by the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Mississaugas First Nation, where relationship...

There are a lot of controversial topics in today's episode, including: Did Guðríð flirt with Thorstein the Black in front of her dying husband? Did Karlsefni find other men attractive? Was the ghost who spoke to Guðríð actually a living, breathing, child? The answers to these questions and more in today's podcast episode! Old Norse words discussed in today's episode include: ILMAT (from ILMA) SÆTT...

After a rather rude interruption last episode, we are back again with further discussion and explanation surrounding my translation of "The Saga of the Greenlanders." Among the Old Norse words discussed in today's episode are: DAGMÁLASTAÐ EYKTARSTAÐ SKORTI (from SKORTA) HÚDKEIPA (and in particular the prefix HÚD) Also, did Tyrkir, in a moment of inspiration, decide to challenge Leif for the role o...

Have you ever wanted to get inside the mind of a translator? Well, lucky for you I have translated "The Saga of the Greenlanders" and added it as an addendum to my own novel, which draws on said saga for inspiration, and today I'm going to talk all about it! In this episode I read my translation of the first two chapters of "The Saga of the Greenlanders" and explain my rationale for translating th...

Who is SaturDave, you ask? Well, he's a radio disc jockey from Canada and he's also... my brother! His real name is David Laycock and in today's episode we learn about where the name SaturDave originated from, the inspiration behind his Icelandic tattoo, how the Icelandic mantra of "þetta reddast" plays into his radio interviewing style and what his many experiences in Iceland have been like. We a...

Welcome to the first official episode of Season 7! Find out about the latest news regarding my second novel, "Bloodsword Saga - Greetings from Valhöll," as well as updates on the interviews and insights coming up this season! The first-ever Viking Story Contest is announced, whereby three lucky Raiders will win a free copy of one of my novels (of their choosing). Also, were the Vikings present in...

Season 7 is right around the corner, but first..... we welcome back Martyn Whittock to the podcast to discuss his latest book "Vikings in the East - From Vladimir the Great to Vladimir Putin - The Origins of a Contested Legacy in Russia and Ukraine." This book examines both the Viking history that both nations share, as well as how that history affects the modern day political and military objecti...

Season 6 is a wrap! It's been fun conducting interviews and sharing them with my..... Viking Raiders? What's in store for the Viking Story podcast? When will my second novel, "Bloodsword Saga - Welcome to Valhöll," be published? These answers and a few more to boot in this short wrap-up to Season 6. Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstory...

The final episode of the Interview Series focuses on myself and a Canadian book club who ask me various questions about my book and the associated Viking history that it contains. So join me as I take on 1000s of questions thrown at me, with no preparation from my side whatsoever, during the middle of my night, and listen as I try to answer each and every question off-the-cuff as insightfully and...

It's time for an Icelandic perspective! This week the Viking Story podcast brings you unique insight into what it's like growing up in Iceland and living there today. Find out from Örn Arnarson what it means to be Icelandic, what some of the differences are between Icelanders and other Scandinavians, and what's behind the Icelandic mantra of "Þetta Reddast." Don’t forget to rate, review, and help...

In this week's interview I get to sit down and speak to Riccardo Polacci, another historical fiction author who sets his narratives in the Viking Age. We talk about the spiritual episode that lead to Riccardo's writing of "Born a Viking: Blót," why he chose such a young character as his protagonist and about some of the decisions he had to make when writing his novel. There is also a healthy discu...

It is a delight to welcome Andrea Westfall to the Viking Story podcast this week. She shares her experiences and insight as it relates to Medieval and Nordic studies, and by throwing out off-the-cuff lines like "I love languages - the deader the better" you really can't help but be entertained by Andrea's personality as well! In this interview we discuss everything from natural phenomena during th...

Welcome to Season 6! The interviews will start in August but first we take a quick look at what makes this podcast unique. And is it actually the longest running Viking podcast on the interwebs?? This episode sets up the rest of the season nicely and also introduces a new tag-line! Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstoryfaq@outlook.com My...

VIKING STORY SUMMER SCHEDULE: New interview episodes every Monday in August!

Grab yourself an eggnog because it's time for an early Christmas present - the 40th episode of Viking Story! Did I realize that during recording? No I did not! Nevertheless... When can you expect the sequel to Bloodsword Saga? How can one find the Hamlet/Amleð comparison book from St. Clair Publications that I helped co-write? What is the story behind Stein "The Strong" and his debilitating headac...

In this bonus episode I welcome Martyn Whittock, the author of "American Vikings - How the Norse sailed into the lands and imaginations of America" to the podcast. During our discussion Martyn gives a preview of the types of topics/themes covered in his latest book, ranging from the Norse discovery of North America and their subsequent activity in the New World in the centuries that followed to th...

Many people have heard of Shakespeare's greatest tragic hero, Hamlet, but surprisingly few have taken an interest in his actual origins, which date back to over half a millennium before Shakespeare's time. In this episode I speak with St. Clair Publications' own Spencer St. Clair to discuss a collaboration that we are working on together, namely, a book that is tentatively titled "(H)aml...

In the final episode of Season 5 we take a look at the lengths I went to in order to bring you a detailed description in my Viking novel of what burning alive feels like. I also discuss whether or not this will be the final season of Viking Story and I thank my wonderful listeners for their continued support. Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: v...