We're Not So Different

folks, in our neverending struggle to defeat the overflowing mailbag of patron questions, we've started doing one mail episode a month and here we are for August. this time we answer questions about which Simpson family member corresponds to the Medieval humors, the tradition of smoking and curing meats, Medieval automatons, everyone's favorite biblical glup shitto Simon Magus, and what Medieval event we'd go back in time to watch! check it out!

Explore the intriguing world of medieval BDSM practices that stretch back to before written history. The hosts uncover ancient customs and the erotic nuances of the past, touching on stories of Abelard and Heloise among others. They highlight the significance of consent and power dynamics while examining how societal norms influenced sexual relationships. From comical blanket fort challenges to bizarre burial rites, prepare for a candid and humorous dive into the interplay of pain, desire, and historical curiosities!

the Book Club series is back and we're here to introduce you to the Italian peninsula in 1348 or, as they might have called it: the end of the fucking world. the Black Death hit the densely-populated boot like a nuke, killing millions in just a few months. why are we talking about something so depressing and that we've already covered extensively? well, frankly, that's the backdrop of The Decameron and how Boccaccio introduces it. the plague sets the stage for the widespread breakdown of social and cultural norms and the decaying relationship between the laity and the Church, a central theme for Boccaccio. so, we start with the horror of the plague and what it unleashed, then move on to talk about the author, the metatextual aspects of the book, and introduce the setting and characters. we're going to have a great time with this one but in order to get to all the intrigue, sex, and anti-clericalism, we first have to introduce it all.

folks, we kinda got carried away talking about current events and, whoops, wouldn't you know it, we just decided to do a whole current events episode. we will dive back into the Middle Ages next time but this week we're more concerned with the contemporary politics of the failed states of America and England as the two old friends compete to see who can fuck up and kill the golden goose the fastest. while things are bleak, they are also darkly and undeniably funny, so there's that!

Discover the fascinating evolution of early medieval Bohemia, from its obscure origins with the Boii tribe to becoming a cultural hotspot. Delve into the complexities of its Christianization, driven by missionaries like Cyril and Methodius. The podcast highlights the rise of the Přemyslid dynasty and its impact on the region, all while weaving humor with historical insights. The discussion also touches on how Bohemia transformed dramatically within 500 years and its integration into the Holy Roman Empire, setting the stage for future revolutions.

folks, we're back with more patron questions, this time for the month of July. we talk everything from which weapon we'd want in a Medieval battle, Hanseatic League piracy, Medieval Futurism, the connections between Lollards and Hussites, throat singing, and more!

folks, we're back in our ongoing quest to catch up on Patron questions and so we've got 10 more to discuss for the month of June. we talk about what Medieval people smelled like, bi kings, Medieval footwear, gambling, animal welfare, and the King Asleep in the Mountain trope! it's so much fun, check it out!

folks, what you'll hear today are two episodes from a brand new, limited edition podcast series that we did with Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison from American Prestige called Welcome to the Crusades: The First Crusade. it's a ten-episode deep dive into the famous and infamous First Crusade, undertaken by Catholic Europe at the instigation of the Byzantines in 1095 to retake Anatolia and Jerusalem. given it is one of the most fascinating and important events in human history, we thought it would be perfect to discuss, especially given its continuing contemporary relevance with Christian Nationalists in power across the globe. Episode 1: Rome details the background and lead up to the preaching of the First Crusade. Further, episode 2: Taranto, will show up in your podcast feed shortly after this one, so you can get a feel for the whole series. if you enjoy them, and we know you will, you can unlock the final 8 episodes, plus a bonus reading list mini-episode for just $8. after two weeks, the price will go up to $10 but we think it's worth it regardless, clocking in at well over 10 hours of history on the First Crusade. if you're interested in listening to the whole series, please visit https://americanprestige.supportingcast.fm/welcome-to-the-crusades-the-first-crusade

Derek Davison, co-host of the American Prestige podcast, dives into the historical roots of the First Crusade. He highlights the pivotal role of Byzantine Emperor Alexios I and Pope Urban II in uniting for this significant movement. They discuss the ongoing relevance of the Crusades in contemporary politics and the complex dynamics of church-state relations during the medieval era. The conversation also explores the cultural perceptions of the Crusades and the enduring impacts they had on Christianity and Islam, providing a nuanced view of this critical historical event.

folks, we tried to stay out of the game but they keep pulling us back in. we don't want to do episodes where we solely focus on misconceptions about the Middle Ages but the new crop of Christian Nationalists and reactionaries make it unavoidable. there's little they love more than coming up with bullshit narratives about the Middle Ages and, specifically, Medieval Europe. so we take a look at 6 of the these new misconceptions, which are actually just ones that have been around forever but are being reheated. we talk about China's level of technological advancement, whether the Crusades were bad, retvrn, and much more! enjoy!