Valhalla Conversations Podcast

Here is where you will find the latest panels (on YouTube as videos or audio as Podcasts) that I've hosted/collaborated on featuring favourite authors and expert historians to discuss viking mythology as well as viking history.

'Norse Mythology in Fantasy' podcast episode with That Jorvik Viking Thing Podcast (debuted during Jorvik Viking Festival 2022) where I debuted with a special panel of Professor Carolyne Larringon, and authors Francesca Simon and Joanne Harris. We discuss the use of Norse Myths in fantasy and society's ongoing fascination with the characters and legends with hosts Miranda and Lucas from The Jorvik Viking Centre.

'Valhalla Conversations' YouTube Podcast Series:

'Let's Talk Norse - Mythology in Fantasy Fiction' - Episode One: for Norsevember 2022 with authors Amalia Dillin and Cat Rector. We discussed their books and how Norse mythology continues to be revived and retold.

  

'A Game of Queens and Thrones' - Episode Two: for Norsevember 2022 with authors Patricia Bracewell, Helen Hollick and historical Sharon Bennett Connolly. We discussed critically the fictional and the factual historical plot and characters and events featuring in Vikings Valhalla Season 1 on Netflix.

 

'The Twice Crowned Queen, The Kingmaker and The Prince Without A Throne' - Episode Three: for April 2023, featuring return guests Patrica Bracewell, Helen Hollick, historian Sharon Bennett Connolly and new guest author, Justin Hill. We review and discuss the truth and the dramatic lies woven into Vikings Valhalla Season 2 on Netflix.

'Ragnarok: Gods, Giants and Growing Up' - Episode Four: for February 2024, I collected a superb panel with authors Joanne Harris, Genevieve Gornichec, Kaitlin Felix, and Professor Carolyne Larrington (an expert in Norse Mythology) to discuss Netflix's little known Norse series, Ragnarok - set in Norway, involving teenage Gods vs teenager giants, climate change, grief and growing up.

'A Saga Retold: Brynhild's Story - The Valkyrie by Kate Heartfield' - Episode Five: for March 2024, I'm delighted to talk to one of my latest favourite authors, Kate Heartfield, author of The Valkyrie, an epic retelling of the Volsung Saga/Nibelunglied from the point of view of Brynhild, the fallen Valkyrie and Gudrun, sister to the ill-fated Gunnar.

Her exploration of Valkyrie's role, duty, abilities, why Bryn and Odin had a disagreement, and refreshingly modern adaption of the original sources makes this a truly exceptional narrative and one I encourage anyone with an interest in norse mythology or valkyries to read.

'The United States of Asgard with Tessa Gratton' - Episode Six: I am joined by my special guest (and another favourite author), Tessa Gratton to discuss her trilogy The United States of Asgard (The Lost Sun, The Strange Maid and The Apple Throne). [May 2024]

The blurb of one book says the following "Norse-influenced alternate world of the United States of Asgard, where cell phones, rock bands, and evangelical preachers coexist with dragon slaying, rune casting, and sword training in schools. Where the president runs the country alongside a council of Valkyries, gods walk the red carpet with Hollywood starlets, and the U.S. military has a special battalion dedicated to eradicating Rocky Mountain trolls." This just gives a flavour of the rich and deep alternative world that Tessa has created from rewriting history and bringing the Gods down to earth, literally.

I ask her questions about how her ideas came about, how she researched norse mythology, share my theories and understanding (and appreciation) for her interpretation of the role of Valkyries and even ask her which path of life she would follow if she could exist in her own fictional world.

She also reveals some exciting news regarding future development of this series and openly shares the tough time she had publishing them originally.

"Saga of the Shield Maiden - Interview with comic writer, Asa Wheatley" - Episode Seven: On the release of his fourth comic anthology on Kickstarter, I'm delighted to get some time with comic writer, Asa Wheatley, who has creatively blended the tale of a lone shield maiden, a female warrior, with his love of the Western genre.

We discuss how Shield Maiden began, how he used both Viking Age history and Norse Mythology, his unique connection with an ancient Queen of Norway, the juggling act of a single character but multiple timelines, share our equal fascination with the myths and the history and discuss stories and characters from Books 1, 2 and 3 and reveal exciting details about Book 4 and future plans for this comic anthology series which is sure to be a hit with fans of the Vikings TV series and also fans of Neil Gaiman.