Skal Podcast

The guys hop on Zoom to chat before the Xmas/Yule festivities start and go into Norse News about Asatru Folk Assembly being approved for a new church in Minnesota, rune stone discoveries, Yule cat statues, and the new Yule pack for Assassin's Creed Valhalla. With the main topic, we hear both sides of the argument over the connection of Odin to Santa Claus. Have fun with this quick episode and we'll see you in 2021! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

In the lead up to Yule, Kris provides some hints at new mead to try and Skal products to buy. Norse News covers some excavation, a fact checking article for the Last Kingdom, and a new podcast show with a guest appearance by Einar Selvik talking about his involvement on Assassin's Creed Valhalla.  The main topic for this episode dives into the Yule witch, Gryla, her kids the Yule Lads, and ends talking about her pet, the Yule Cat! Get ready for this festive time and enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

The guys come together and drink some of Dansk Mjod's Odin's Skull while recapping and telling new tales. Norse News involves fun clips of Trick or Treat's Sam throughout the year, a Wardruna YouTube series, a cover of Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song in Old Norse, and a school teaching Old Norse. Then it all things martial arts. What is Glima? How does it compare to other martial arts? What are the rules and structure of competition? And even some references to the sagas. A mead and combat filled episode sure to please the gods! Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

With Scott under the weather from testing positive for COVID-19, Kris sets a warm fire, cuddles up with the dogs, pours some mead, and leads us through a new episode. Norse News is media rich with new trailers, cancelled shows, notes on old content, and product affiliation to Norse themed media. The main topic goes into detail on Alfablot, both how to celebrate and the focus of this celebration at this time. Have a great Alfablot, Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

The boys kick off with a little bit of what's been going on with the show and them personally before jumping into Norse News as usual. This episode's Norse News includes hordes of coins, hordes of decapitated bodies, consensus on the shieldmaiden debate, and more ranting from a well intentioned Grimfrost post about the upcoming Assassin's Creed game. Then the main topic covers connecting with a specific deity and is it the right choice for you. Kris also walks provides a starting point for exploration into how to worship them and when. Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

Kris and Scott come in hot with some updates on what the show is doing like concrete Norse workout gear and equipment for new content. Then Norse News goes over some new films and shows as well as content from Marvel's Mighty Thor comic series. Finally they cover Vinland more thoroughly since we're hot off the topic with the recent review of the film Pathfinder. All of this while Kris throws back some classic Viking Blod mead from Dansk Mjod before heading to camp for his next mma fight. Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

Scott and Kris kick it off quickly with no new mead and go straight into various pieces of Norse News. There's archaeology, wild Karens, and sad examples of religious oppression. After the latest news, the guys sample a fan suggested band, Kris turns in his book report on Return of Odin, and they rip into the 2007 film Pathfinder. There's great info pulled from the book and fun laughs about the movie to be had, all over some horns of mead. Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

This episode introduces a new mead, previews some new ventures with the Skal team into fitness equipment and videos, and some Norse News on new books, renewed shows, behind the scenes info, as well as archaeology. Then the guys dive into fate and the Norns that spin the threads of destiny. What is the Norse idea of fate? How can we change it? Are we truly the masters of our own destiny? Find out in this episode! Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

After a long layoff, the boys are back with all new mead and stories. First is a new mead from Sweden thanks to a distributor in Boston, MA. Then right into Norse News for another great archaeological find full of blacksmith tools, an interview with Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth about Viking lifestyles helping fight climate change, as well as an announcement from the guys at Grimfrost coming out with their own Viking film aiming for a level of authenticity not yet achieved by other projects. Finally, Scott leads us through the chaotic eye for an eye war between rivals biker gangs throughout Scandinavia. Did they act and bring honor to the old ways of Viking warriors? You be the judge. Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

Kris and Scott toast some limited edition B. Nektar mead, preview some new Norse themed products from Viking Supps, Viking Gear MMA, and Grimfrost and then jump into Norse News. They discuss a new mead hall being built in Denmark as well as update everyone on the details of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The main topic covers a quick look at runes overall before focusing on bind runes legitimacy and how to create them. Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

Kris and Scott come back strong and review the mead previewed in our unboxing video as well as discuss seven meads that everyone must try! With Norse News, the guys discuss the new announcements about Assassin's Creed Valhalla and the return of the Last Kingdom. Finally the guys go through and talk about various forms of torture and rituals and also analyze the evidence behind them. Make sure you listen to this one on an empty stomach. Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

Despite still being in lockdown, Kris and Scott try using Google Hangouts to video chat long distance. There's new Norse News about a new Viking program in Norway and an interesting archaeological find. The guys also just have an open discussion about certain trends in Norse discussion groups online and re-evaluate the "acceptance criteria" for entrance to Valhalla. Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

Kris tastes some new mead from Maniacal Meadery Co while giving the skinny on the show's status from the corona pandemic. There's a few new products introduced in the show with reviews to come. Norse News covers some corona handling from Iceland, an Assassin's Creed Ragnarok update, and a unique archaeological find. Then the main topic covers Norse bronze age economics that setup the Viking Age way of life and social classes. Staff safe, pray to Eir for health in these troubling times, and Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

Kris keeps it short and sweet with a new mead flavor from Moonlight Meadery and dives right into lesser known goddesses as well as famous warrior women in Norse myths and possible history. Skal!  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

The boys go over the weekend shenanigans where Kris honored the gods through a one on one mma battle. Kris covers not only the match but the Norse ties  and rituals he went through in the process. Then after reviewing some new artwork that'll be posted on the Skal socials for Norse News, Scott leads us through a history lesson on the Lombards and their impact on ancient Europe. All this while tasting a new mead from an Arizona meadery. Skal!  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

Due to an upcoming mma match, this solo episode with Kris has no mead review but instead starts off with some Norse themed product reviews from supplements to training gear. Norse News covers some show changes/additions and the Heathen copyright issue. Norse News also goes through a few Netflix series that have both been announced and released for Greek and Norse mythology. The main topic then dives into setup and organization for a rune study group. There's meditation techniques, building your own rune set, and even a consecration ritual for your new rune set. Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

Kris samples a fruity mead from Schramm's Meadery, in celebration of a long awaited topic Scott has been wanting to discuss, the Varangian Guard. For our Star Wars listeners, they're like the Norse version of the Mandalorians. But before jumping into the main topic, it wouldn't be Skal Podcast without some Norse News! Check the Facebook page for those news articles and more while enjoying the latest episode! Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

The guys take some time to recap the recent Yule/Christmas celebrations and ring in goals for the new year both personally and with the show, all while sampling a new flavor from B. Nektar! Let us know what you want from the show in 2020 and as always, SKAL! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

With some cider from B Nektar to taste, Norse News checks Kris's Frozen 2 predictions, gives the scoop on the futuristic nation of Asgardia, reminds everyone about of Krampus due to the recent Krampusnacht, and even mentions a prize winning bulldog named after Thor himself.   All this before diving into more Finland information that wasn't covered in the first part and sets the stage for future episodes on the Northern Crusades. Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support

Back to the regular routine, the guys bust open two new bottles of mead while going through various Norse News articles including the Netflix Vikings spin-off, Frozen 2 being shown in Sami, as well another archaeological find from Nashville, TN of all places. From there Kris tries to give a explanation of what Asatru is and some of the affiliations in the area. Skal! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/skalpodcast/support