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By the Sword

By the Sword
HEMA
Historical European Martial Arts
Toxicity In HEMA Clubs
Women In Martial Arts
Welcoming Training Environments
Gender Inclusivity In Martial Arts
Archery
Queer Quillons Guild
Fiora
Fencing
Under Pressure Performance
Pole Dancing
Women In HEMA
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Gender Roles In Society
Leadership
Club Culture
Competition
Community
Coaching Philosophy

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 th... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes144Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesLeisure

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Artwork for By the Sword

Latest Episodes

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 r... more

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 ... more

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 th... more

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 i... more

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Recent Guests

Sarah Beals Sager
Instructor at Hilt & Helm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hilt & Helm
Episode: Sarah Beals Sager: removing barriers in HEMA
David Blumineck
Archer, pole dancer, and content creator known for pole archery and YouTube/TikTok content
Episode: Blumineck: arcane archer
Lacey Eck
Founder and lead instructor at Cleveland Steel Historical Fencing, Ohio
Cleveland Steel Historical Fencing
Episode: Lacey Eck: Emotional regulation in HEMA
Zoya Zackavec
The Fencing Mentor, mental coaching for fencers
The Fencing Mentor
Episode: The Fencing Mentor: Zoya Zackavec
Anna Wiederänders
Physiotherapist and Osteopath known for integrating physio with HEMA training insights
Physio Meets HEMA
Episode: Physio meets HEMA: Anna Wiederänders on effective HEMA training
Aurora Simmons
Instructor at Toronto Historical Combatants
Toronto Historical Combatants
Episode: Aurora Simmons: femme friendly training spaces
Spencer Waddell
Martial artist and instructor, also known as Simply Samurai
National Armor Combat / AMMA / Buhurt participant
Episode: Spencer Waddell and Heavy Hitting
Janna Datahan
Episode: Why HEMA is political
Madeleine Thomson
Principal organizer of Suit of Swords; URG instructor and fencer
Suit of Swords
Episode: Suit of Swords 2025: interview with Rose Jones & Madeleine Thomson

Host

Fran La Quarta
Host of By the Sword Podcast

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • Great perspectives and information

    This podcast is a great source for experiences perspectives about modern hema training, with a focus on inclusivity and safety. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Will A. Lias
    United States5 years ago
  • Nice addition to hema podcasts

    Great to hear so many hema folks I haven’t met in person before!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    history-mom
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests bring practical, actionable insights for practitioners and organizers.
Thoughtful discussions on leadership and culture are a key draw.
High-quality guests with diverse backgrounds.
Strong focus on inclusivity and safety resonates with community listeners.
Some episodes are heavier on sociology; listeners seeking pure technique may want more hands-on tips.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#163
Canada/Leisure/Hobbies

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Amber & Kira: Queer Quillons Guild
Q: What makes the Night Fight TSD program distinct within your offerings?
Night Fight started as a self-defense onboarding program for queer folks, but over years it has evolved back into a broader martial arts focus, offering affordable, sliding-scale classes and inviting newcomers to try other disciplines like Wing Chun and Jikendo.
Amber & Kira: Queer Quillons Guild
Q: So how did you both meet and decide to start Queer Quillons Guild?
We built the guild from a friendship, then formalized it as a club when we rented a space and realized the potential to grow the group and make training more accessible.
Spencer Waddell and Heavy Hitting
Q: What distinguishes AMMA fights from other sword disciplines in terms of risk and safety?
AMMA uses protective armor, standardized rounds, waivers, and pay for competitors; the emphasis is on controlled, consensual competition with clear safety protocols and officials enforcing rules.
Spencer Waddell and Heavy Hitting
Q: When is it appropriate to hit hard in armored combat?
Hard hits are acceptable to determine control and finishing a bout, but must stay within safety rules and never target vulnerable areas; referees enforce limits to prevent injury and keep it a sport.
Lacey Eck: Emotional regulation in HEMA
Q: How can clubs foster a culture that supports emotional regulation?
Establish a clear code of conduct, provide support systems and resources (including coaching training on emotional regulation), encourage open communication about feelings, and implement safe practices like carding out when safety or emotional well-being is at risk.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About By the Sword

What is By the Sword about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on historical European martial arts (HEMA), featuring in-depth conversations with instructors, competitive fencers, event organizers, and researchers. Guests cover injury prevention, performance psychology, inclusive training spaces, event planning, and practical coaching philosophies, often tying personal experiences to broader community issues like safety, culture, and mentorship. A notable pattern is a strong emphasis on inclusivity, long-term skill development, and responsible leadership within clubs and events, making it a valuable listen for practitioners, coaches, and organizers seeking actionable takeaways for safer, more welcoming spaces and sustainable practice.

What stands out is the blend of practical training... more

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Which podcasts are similar to By the Sword?

These podcasts share a similar audience with By the Sword:

1. The Sword Guy Podcast

How many episodes of By the Sword are there?

By the Sword launched 6 years ago and published 144 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on By the Sword?

Recent guests on By the Sword include:

1. Sarah Beals Sager
2. David Blumineck
3. Lacey Eck
4. Zoya Zackavec
5. Anna Wiederänders
6. Aurora Simmons
7. Spencer Waddell
8. Janna Datahan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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