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PODCAST

By the Sword

The modern study of the ancient art of swordplay is brought to life each week where we talk to a different member of the historical European martial arts, or HEMA, community. Whether it’s the medieval longsword, Elizabethan rapier, the regency smallsword or Victorian sabre that interest you, join us for a series of fascinating interviews with instructors, competitors and experts from all around the globe. Follow us on Instagram @swordwomen

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All Episodes

00:19:57

Martial arts culture is a work in progress

By the Sword ·

2025/12/18

In this episode I rant about the frustrations of trying to change martial arts culture for the better, especially when the unwillingness to change hampers any progress from the outset. After sixteen years I am so very tired. If we genuinely want to improve our communities we need to put the work in, all of us.

en

00:22:47

How to come back from a break

By the Sword ·

2025/11/07

Have you not been to class for a while? Do you miss swords? Whatever your hobby, I break down the steps and approach you need to make returning to the thing you love a pleasure not a pain.FranURG centred HEMA events, coaching, content and podcasts. Historical European Martial Arts.💻 Website https://bythesword.net⚔️ courses and coaching https://ko-fi.com/swordwomen🎞️ Instagram @swordwomenhttps://www.instagram.com/swordwomen?igsh=eGU2NHFxeGplZTh3&utm_source=qr📱 Facebook Page

en

00:24:35

Suit of Swords 2025: interview with Rose Jones &...

By the Sword ·

2025/10/31

I attended Scotland’s very first URG HEMA event in October 2025, and took the opportunity to interview the two organisers to gain an insight into the process and goals of this awesome historical fencing Weekender.

en

00:32:53

How to train HEMA from home

By the Sword ·

2025/10/24

This podcast is aimed at everyone who trains HEMA or any martial art, whether you want to get out of a plateau in class, or you’re planning a comeback after a break, or you just can’t get to a class, training from home is always a good idea.

en

00:31:05

5 Things I will not be teaching you as your coach

By the Sword ·

2025/10/17

🏆 “Winning is everything”. Winning is just a visible part of fencing. There is a fathoms-deep chunk beneath the surface of learning, passion and personal growth.👀 To look down on other fencers and clubs. Parochial perceptions persist, and a community is more than the club you belong to. We can’t grow as a movement without understanding, connection and cross pollination.✅ That my way is the only correct way. None of the masters can agree on what is the correct way to learn and practice fencing, far

en

00:34:11

Taming Toxicity in HEMA

By the Sword ·

2025/10/10

We tend to imagine our own club is utopian compared to the others you hear about on social media where bad things happen. I’m here to let you know that every club is fertile ground for toxic behaviour. But what can we do about it?

en

00:35:27

9 things you were praised for as a girl that can make...

By the Sword ·

2025/10/03

Little girls are praised for all kinds of qualities and behaviours. What we carry into adulthood from this praise and these internal values can stymie our learning.

en

00:20:43

11 things HEMA fencers should stop doing

By the Sword ·

2025/09/26

Eleven things that you are doing that you really shouldn’t. This episode looks at how we can take our habits and make them better.

en

00:50:14

The leaky pipeline in HEMA

By the Sword ·

2025/09/18

The term "pipeline" describes the typical fencing career progression: from beginner, to student, to instructor and/or competitor, and the "leakiness" signifies that women are leaving the path at multiple stages, unlike men. In this episode we look at the key aspects, contributing factors, and possible solutions to the leaky HEMA pipeline.

en

00:50:16

Heather McLarty: Artist Blacksmith and Mandalorian...

By the Sword ·

2023/06/11

In this episode, Fran meets artist blacksmith, Heather McLarty of Los Angeles, California, USA. We talk about her journey in the craft and her involvement in the popular TV series, the Mandalorian. The episode was recorded live Sunday, 28 May 2023.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bythesword/message

en

00:53:35

Ugo Serrano

By the Sword ·

2023/04/10

In this episode, we meet artisan, armourer, production designer, and prop maker, Ugo Serrano, who has worked on films such as Planet of the Apes, GI Joe: the Rise of Cobra, and the Chronicles of Riddick. We talk about his background, his career, and the historical influences on his work. The episode was recorded live 19 March 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bythesword/message

en

00:46:40

Aaron - Semimyth Productions: A Lion’s Age

By the Sword ·

2023/03/28

In this episode, we meet Aaron of semi miss productions, USA. We hear about his maiden project: A Lion’s Age, an immersive strategy game, featuring breathtaking artwork and characters, set in mediaeval south Asia. The interview took place Sunday 26 February 2023.. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bythesword/message

en

00:52:17

Sydney Schwindt True Edge Art & Fight director

By the Sword ·

2023/02/16

In this episode Fran talks to fight director and artist Sydney Schwindt of True Edge Art in California, USA. We discuss how stage combat and theatre links historical fighting to modern veterans in fascinating ways. We also talk about the enduring appeal of swords in art. The recording took place 29 January 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bythesword/message

en

00:43:54

Veronica Young Cryptid Combatwear Chest protection

By the Sword ·

2023/02/02

For the first episode of 2023 Fran meets designer Veronica Young of Cryptid Combatwear in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. We discuss her tournament experience, as well as the chest protector that she has designed exclusively for HEMA fencers who have breasts. The episode was recorded 8 January 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bythesword/message

en

00:48:53

Ellen Lavery - Artist and performer

By the Sword ·

2023/01/03

In this episode Fran talks to artist, larper, puppeteer and performer Ellen Lavery about her varied talents and career paths. We talk about growing up in a fantastical family, and training to be a stunt performer. The episode was recorded live 11 December 2022. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bythesword/message

en

00:55:31

Dr Chassica Kirchoff Arms and Armour Historian

By the Sword ·

2022/10/27

In this episode Fran talks to historian Dr Chassica Kirchhoff, arms and armour scholar and assistant curator of European sculpture and decorative arts at the Detroit Institute of arts USA. We discuss arms and armour historical influences on popular TV shows House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power, as well as women in martial history. The episode was recorded live 16 October 2022. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bythesword/message

en

00:57:58

Meg & Evie, Armoured Combat Nashville

By the Sword ·

2022/10/08

In this episode of the podcast Fran meets armoured combat team captains Meg and Evie of Nashville Armoured Combat USA. We learn how they got into this growing sport, all about the women’s Armoured Combat League in Tennessee, and the physical demands of fighting in full armour. The interview took place on live 18 September 2022. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bythesword/message

en

00:52:59

Shoshana Shellans Armoured Combat Duellist USA

By the Sword ·

2022/09/03

In this episode Fran talks to Armored Combat duellist Shoshana Shellans of the USA. We discuss the realities of armoured combat and how to get into it, as well as the intersection between armoured combat and historical European martial arts. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bythesword/message

en

01:22:05

SAMH: catch up and special announcement

By the Sword ·

2022/07/31

In this episode of Swords and Mental Health, Fran invites Janna on the show to talk about her tournament experience at combat con 2022, following their discussions in the episode “the toll of tournament”. There is also a special announcement one hour into the podcast! The episode was recorded 27 July 2022 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bythesword/message

en

01:04:23

Katie Zold: Neurodiversity in HEMA

By the Sword ·

2022/07/26

I talk to special education teacher and fencer Katie Zold about neurodivergence in the HEMA community. We talk about how we can help each other better, both as students and instructors. The episode was recorded live 17 July 2022. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bythesword/message

en

136 results

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