The Maniculum Podcast

The Maniculum Podcast

The Maniculum Podcast

Episodes 155
Avg. Duration 1h 37m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.9 (39)
Since Oct 2020
Latest Episode May 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
86%
Hosting
pinecast.com

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About This Podcast

Maniculum: little hand, pointing finger; often found in manuscript marginalia. Hi! We’re Mac and Zoe, a professional medievalist and triple AAA game developer, and together, we use modern game design techniques to uncover the origins of your favorite tropes and adventures from medieval manuscripts. ​ In each episode, we explore a new medieval manuscript, its connections to modern TTRPGs, and teach you how to adapt these tales into compelling campaigns and amazing adventures. Whether you’re looking to recreate the noble Arthurian tales or incorporate weird and wacky medieval monsters into your campaign, the Maniculum Podcast has you covered.

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Recent Episodes

S1 Misinformation & the Middle Ages: Why Accuracy Matters in Medieval Fantasy

May 31, 2026 1h 41m

The Middle Ages are ever-present and oft-remembered in modern life, but… not very accurately, especially in fiction and TTRPGs like D\&D. How can we set that right, and why does it matter, even…

S1 Vikingmania! Why We Love the Vikings

May 24, 2026 1h 47m

The Vikings have continued to capture imaginations in culture, entertainment, identity, and even branding - but what makes them so popular, and why? Viking expert and museum curator Adam Bierstedt…

S1 From Romantasy to Horror: What Medieval Retellings Teach Us About Genre

May 10, 2026 1h 41m

How can one story become romance, myth, or horror just by changing how it’s told? This week,  we return to Eric and Enide, cross-examining its French chivalric romance, the classic Welsh, and the…

S1 Build a Fantasy Village: Laws & How to Break Them

Apr 19, 2026 1h 16m

This week, we return to building a medieval fantasy village! Come dive into medieval village court records to uncover bizarre taxes, petty fines, and inheritance laws you can drop straight into your…

S1 Beyond Chaucer: John Gower's Medieval Retellings, Feat. Roger Ladd

Apr 05, 2026 1h 17m

Spells, magic items, and questing galore! What other fanciful tales were being constructed in Chaucer’s time? This week, we host special guest Roger Ladd and discuss Chaucer’s contemporary, John…

Build a Fantasy Village: The Lord and the Law

Mar 22, 2026 1h 25m

In this episode, Mac and Zoe discuss how medieval peasantry worked, the complexities of the system, what sort of peasants there were, and how world builders, writers, and game masters can both…

S1 Legally Justified Kissing: Eric & Enide Pt 4

Mar 08, 2026 1h 19m

How many versions of one tale can we tell? In this episode, we’re diving back into Eric & Enide, and Mac has found two more versions of this classic chivalric romance. We discuss how various…

S1 Build a Fantasy Village: Who are the Peasants, Anyway?

Feb 22, 2026 1h 17m

In this episode, Mac and Zoe discuss how medieval peasantry worked, the complexities of the system, unexpected laws, rights, and privileges, and how world builders, writers, and game masters can both…

Dear Sidrak: the Valentine’s Special

Feb 08, 2026 1h 6m

In this episode, Mac & Zoe debunk medieval love advice and discuss common misconceptions around medieval love and marriage. Reading the philosophical dialogue of Sidrak and Bokkus as an advice…

S1 The Art of the Manuscript: Les Enluminures & the Roman de la Rose

Jan 25, 2026 1h 34m

In this episode, Mac & Zoe host Sandra Hindman and Jacky Yao from Les Enluminures to discuss the craft and trade of manuscript illumination and creation in the Middle Ages, as well as the…

Build a Medieval Fantasy Village: A Guide for Worldbuilding

Jan 11, 2026 1h 13m

This episode, Zoe and Mac begin a new series diving into life in medieval villages. This guide for world builders, writers, and game masters will introduce you to how life in medieval villages…

S1 Medieval Friendship Test & Other Tales: Gesta Romanorum

Nov 23, 2025 1h 14m

This week, we adapt three more medieval "morality" tales from the Gesta Romanorum, adapting them into unique puzzles, adventures, and scenarios for your tabletop campaign. Would YOUR party help you…

A Tale of Two Tellings: Eric & Enide Pt 2

Nov 09, 2025 1h 14m

While we may think of genre trends as a modern thing in fantasy literature, the chivalric romance of Eric & Enide paints another picture. We examine two versions of this tale: one gritty and grim…

S1 Halloween Special: Demonic Accounts, the Law of the Circle

Oct 26, 2025 1h 37m

Happy Halloween! The demon has become a fantastic villain (or patron) in many TTRPGs, but their legalistic nature can sometimes feel overused. Join us this week as we analyze real accounts of…

A Court of Bleeding and Boiling: Medieval & Modern Courtly Romance

Oct 12, 2025 2h 2m

In this episode, we finish off the Lais of Marie de France and ask - what makes a medieval romance, and how can we apply that to our games and stories in fresh ways? How does medieval romance compare…

Danse Macabre: Adapting the Medieval Mediterranean with Stillfleet Studio

Sep 27, 2025 1h 36m

In this episode, we're joined by Chris and Wythe, the creators of Danse Macabre, to discuss their medieval horror TTRPG and how to create historical settings that feel both real and reasonable to a…

S1 The Hunt is On: Medieval Romantasy in the Mabinogion

Sep 13, 2025 1h 50m

When sovereignty myth declares that anyone who kills the White Stag can be king, stakes are high in King Arthur's Court. We're exploring the Welsh origins of Eric and Enide in the Mabinogion, and how…

S1 Medieval Heists for D&D: An Interview with Author M.T. Anderson

Aug 30, 2025 1h 43m

This week, we're joined by author M.T. Anderson as we dive into the thrilling tale of Nicked, the true story of a medieval heist to steal the holy body of Saint Nicholas and save Bari from plague.…

S1 Astrology & Necromancy for D&D: A Practical Guide

Aug 16, 2025 1h 34m

We're getting into astrology this week! In part two of our final episode of necromancy, we explore the finer points of astrology and its importance in spell casting - so that you know exactly what…

S1 Medieval Necromancy for D&D: The Demon Alignment Chart

Aug 02, 2025 1h 8m

The stars have aligned, but are you ready to conjure? In part one of our final episode of necromancy, we explore the nature of magic circles and how to ensure you're drawing the correct type for the…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Maniculum Podcast have?

The Maniculum Podcast has published 155 episodes since October 2020, covering topics in Arts, Games.

Is The Maniculum Podcast still active?

The Maniculum Podcast is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 1h 37m.

How do I contact The Maniculum Podcast for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for The Maniculum Podcast, including email and social media links.

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