Episodes 142
Avg. Duration 56m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (8)
Since Nov 2020
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Features Guests

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
18%
Hosting
anchor.fm

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

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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Recent Episodes

S7E7 Blumineck: arcane archer

Jun 03, 2026 1h 8m

Fran talks to David AKA Blumineck, the archer and pole athlete who combines history, fantasy and all things geeky on his wildly popular social media channels.We go into his origin story, what it…

S7E6 Lacey Eck: Emotional regulation in HEMA

May 14, 2026 1h 6m

Fran talks to Cleveland Steel Historical Fencing founder and lead instructor Lacey Eck about the importance of emotional regulation in HEMA.We discuss what emotional regulation is, how emotions…

S7E5 The Fencing Mentor: Zoya Zackavec

May 09, 2026 1h 5m

Zoya is a mindset coach and fencing mentor based in Chicago USA. In this episode she talks to Fran about how to fence authentically under pressure, and deal with our own inner battles - often our…

S7E4 Physio meets HEMA: Anna Wiederänders on effective HEMA training

Apr 30, 2026 34m

Fran talks to Physio and Osteo Anna Wiederänders about training safely and effectively for HEMA.We explore Anna’s martial arts background, good practices for HEMA training, and her top tips for safe…

S7E3 Aurora Simmons: femme friendly training spaces

Apr 20, 2026 55m

Fran meets Aurora Simmons, longsword and armoured fighting instructor at Toronto Historical Combat in Canada.We discuss the importance of creating training spaces that are welcoming to all genders:…

S7E2 Spencer Waddell and Heavy Hitting

Apr 07, 2026 1h 4m

In this episode Fran talks to Spencer Waddell: a champion fighter and title holder of many styles including reenactment, SCA, HEMA, AMMA, boxing, buhurt and light sabre.We discuss his background and…

S7E1 Why HEMA is political

Mar 11, 2026 1h 6m

Fran speaks to Janna Datahan in the US about why HEMA is political, and how world events affect our hobby and all the people who participate in it.

S6E9 Martial arts culture is a work in progress

Dec 18, 2025 19m

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…

S6E8 How to come back from a break

Nov 07, 2025 22m

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…

S6E7 Suit of Swords 2025: interview with Rose Jones & Madeleine Thomson

Oct 31, 2025 24m

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…

S6E6 How to train HEMA from home

Oct 24, 2025 32m

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,…

S6E5 5 Things I will not be teaching you as your coach

Oct 17, 2025 31m

🏆 “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…

S6E4 Taming Toxicity in HEMA

Oct 10, 2025 34m

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…

S6E3 9 things you were praised for as a girl that can make HEMA difficult as an adult

Oct 03, 2025 35m

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.

S6E2 11 things HEMA fencers should stop doing

Sep 26, 2025 20m

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.

S6E1 The leaky pipeline in HEMA

Sep 18, 2025 50m

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…

S5E21 Heather McLarty: Artist Blacksmith and Mandalorian consultant

Jun 11, 2023 50m

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.…

S5E20 Ugo Serrano

Apr 10, 2023 53m

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…

S5E19 Aaron - Semimyth Productions: A Lion’s Age

Mar 28, 2023 46m

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…

S5E18 Sydney Schwindt True Edge Art & Fight director

Feb 16, 2023 52m

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…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does By the Sword have?

By the Sword has published 142 episodes since November 2020, covering topics in Hobbies, Leisure.

Is By the Sword still active?

By the Sword is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 56m.

How do I contact By the Sword for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for By the Sword, including email and social media links.

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