Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast By the Sword

Host Fran Lacuata talks to lifelong martial artist Connie Burns about their journey, both in eastern martial arts, self defence and HEMA.

Full of fascinating insights and experiences, listen in as they discuss the highs and lows of learning and teaching the fighting arts, and how Connie found their way back to the original joy that drew them in.

Fran talks to Sarah Beals Sager, instructor at Hilt & Helm Fencing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA.

Topics covered include Sarah’s blog: longswords and lullabies, how to remove barriers for minorities in HEMA, creating a supportive space, and the role of anthropology in martial arts.

Fran meets Kira & Amber, the martial arts, self defence and fitness enthusiasts behind Queer Quillons Guild in Atlanta, Georgia USA.

We talk about the importance of LGBTQIA spaces, the multiple challenges facing under represented groups in martial arts, and each of their own backgrounds in fighting that led them to create the community they and others needed.

Instagram @queer_quillons_guild

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 takes to get into pole and archery, performing for the public and what is coming up in the future.

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 affect us as fencers, and what we can do to actively improve our training spaces and develop as a community.

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 biggest challenge.

Listen to Zoya’s story for advice on how to approach your own fencing mindset, dealing with mental hurdles, and the path to mentoring and coaching for yourself.

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 and effective practice.

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: what to avoid and what to include.

Aurora also talks about her extensive background in martial arts such as taekwondo and jeet kune do, along with 15 years experience in HEMA alone.

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 his unique perspective on heavy hitting in sword arts, when it’s appropriate and when it’s a bad idea.

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.

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.

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.

Fran

URG centred HEMA events, coaching, content and podcasts. Historical European Martial Arts.

💻 Website https://bythesword.net

⚔️ courses and coaching https://ko-fi.com/swordwomen

🎞️ Instagram @swordwomen

https://www.instagram.com/swordwomen?igsh=eGU2NHFxeGplZTh3&utm_source=qr

📱 Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/share/17UjsbpFSe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🩵 Support

https://Patreon.com/swordwomen

https://ko-fi.com/swordwomen

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.

URG centred HEMA events, coaching, content and podcasts. Historical European Martial Arts.

💻 Website https://bythesword.net

⚔️ courses and coaching https://ko-fi.com/swordwomen

🎞️ Instagram @swordwomen

https://www.instagram.com/swordwomen?igsh=eGU2NHFxeGplZTh3&utm_source=qr

📱 Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/share/17UjsbpFSe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🩵 Support

https://Patreon.com/swordwomen

https://ko-fi.com/swordwomen

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.

🏆 “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 be it from me to make that claim. Find as many teachers as you can, choose wisely.

💪🏼 That you need a grindset. Your phone, your car, your brain and your body will not run on empty. Rest, find other hobbies and communities. HEMA is only one part of your life.

💥 How to generate power. Sharp swords don’t need power, in fact, striking hard is a bad idea and leads to sloppy fencing. You need to bump up your DEX, more than your STR.

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?

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.

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.

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.

URG centred HEMA events, coaching, content and podcasts. Historical European Martial Arts.

💻 Website https://bythesword.net

⚔️ courses and coaching https://ko-fi.com/swordwomen

🎞️ Instagram @swordwomen

https://www.instagram.com/swordwomen?igsh=eGU2NHFxeGplZTh3&utm_source=qr

📱 Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/share/17UjsbpFSe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🩵 Support

https://Patreon.com/swordwomen

https://ko-fi.com/swordwomen

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.

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.

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..

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

In this episode of the podcast I speak to Fran, Charles, and Spencer of the Knights of Wakanda armoured combat team, USA. I learn about how the group formed, the challenges of the sport, and the passion for community and excellence in the team. The episode was recorded live 26 June 2022. Unfortunately due to technical issues the first 20 minutes of the recording were lost, I apologise for any inconvenience

Fran talks to Dan Halliday and Graham Meyer on the topic of masculinity in the historical European martial arts community. The episode was recorded 20 June 2022.

In this episode I talk to Justin Kostelecky, owner of Grizzly House Forge in Utah USA. We discuss the challenges of sword smithing, how to handle disparities in stature, and his experience as a finalist on the hit TV show Forged in Fire. The episode was recorded live 22 May 2022.

Today’s episode is an AMA with your host Fran Lacuata. Answering questions on life/training balance, getting started in Bolognese fencing, and much more. The episode was recorded live 31 April 2022.

This podcast episode is a panel discussion before a live audience at By the Sword 2022, a historical fencing convention for women and gender minorities. The panellists are all instructors who taught at the event, they are Alyx Austin, Emilia Skirmuntt, Suzy Cantrell, Lynette Nusbacher, Robyn Saul, Shanee Nishry, Jo Wimborne, and Fran Lacuata. The recording took place 9 April 2022.

In this episode Fran speaks to Kerry Kerz V McArthur of London Historical Fencing Club. We talk about the journey from Scotland to England, as well as the journey of becoming a HEMA instructor. The episode was recorded live 3 April 2022.

In today’s episode of the podcast I talk to antique weapon dealers Thierry Flekier-Wathen and Matthew Forde. We discuss a wide array of weapons as well as how to get started in antique Swords collecting. The episode was recorded 27 March 2022.

Fran hosts Kimberleigh Roseblade and Janna Datahan in a discussion about the benefits and mental costs of taking part in historical fencing tournaments. The episode was recorded 7 March 2022.

I am your host Fran Lacuata, and in today’s episode I talk to Graham Meyer of Moose Historical Fencing in Maine, USA. Graham is also the founder of Philadelphia Common fencers guild, and we discuss starting a HEMA club, keeping HEMA inclusive, and making HEMA artworks. The episode was recorded on Instagram live 6 February 2022.

In this episode of swords and mental health, Fran Lacuata, Janna Datahan and Kimberleigh Roseblade discuss Cancel culture and second chances in the martial arts community. The episode was recorded 31 January 2022

In this episode Fran speaks to Connor Kemp-Cowell of the Philadelphia Common Fencers Guild. We talk about Filippo Vadi, competition fencing, and getting the most out of historical fencing texts. The episode was recorded live 16 January 2022.

In this episode Fran meets founder and lead instructor of the Order of the Blade, Richard Hughes, in the UK. We talk about fighting, teaching, as well as being the biggest guy in the room and being unafraid to discuss mental health. The episode was recorded live 9 January 2022.

In this final episode of 2021 with Fran Lacuata and Janna Datahan, the Swords and mental health podcast takes a look at friendship, shared experiences, and questions from our listeners. The episode was recorded 14 December 2021.

This episode of swords and mental health is a roundtable discussion between me, Fran Lacuata, Brittany Saints Leafy of Mordhau HEMA in Arizona USA, Kirsten Meredith and Janna Datahan of True Edge Academy in Utah USA. We tackle the concept of tenacity and how it affects mental health, martial arts training, and club culture. The episode was recorded on 21 November 2021.

In this episode of the podcast I meet Joe Booth, captain of the Swords of Cygnus women’s bohurt team in the UK. We learn how Jo got into the sport, what bohurt consists of, and its significance in historical martial culture. The episode was recorded live 12 December 2021.

In this episode we meet professional larper and artist Raquel Skellington, an insightful and vibrant individual bringing diversity and expression to the sword community. The episode was recorded 5 December 2021.

This episode of swords and mental health is a roundtable discussion between Fran Lacuata, Janna Datahan, Rachel Van Dyke, and Rebecca Glass McCaffrey. We tackle the topic of heavy hitters in martial arts from the perspective of the historical fencing community. The recording took place 20 November 2021

Today’s episode of the podcast is with William Dawson of the School of the Sword UK. We talk about the intersection between historical European martial arts and live action roleplay. The episode was recorded live on Sunday 21 November 2021.

In this episode I talk to Jamie MacIver, co-founder of London Historical Fencing Club, about Vadi, tournaments, and organising events. The podcast was recorded on Instagram live 14 November 2021.

In this episode I speak to Spencer Waddell, the multitalented martial artist behind the Wandering Sword Project. We talk about his myriad interests in historical Asian, European, and African martial arts, and spreading the word about swords all over the world stop The episode was recorded on Instagram live 7 November 2021.