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Saga Thing

Saga Thing
Icelandic Sagas
Ljósvetninga Saga
Valla-Ljot's Saga
Beowulf
Svarfdaela Saga
Snorri Sturluson
Christianity
Iceland
Halldor Snorrason
Honor
Vikings
Hottli Troublemaker
Valla-Ljot
Grendel
Yule Lads
The 13th Warrior
King Harald Hardrada
Guðmund the Powerful
Gudmund
Thorleif

Discover what Vikings did when they were at home in this fun medieval history and literature podcast about the Icelandic sagas. Hosted by two medieval literature professors with beards.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes225Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Saga Thing

Latest Episodes

In this episode, we leave behind Thorstein's noble adventures in Ireland and return to Iceland to Iceland and check in on the goðorð he left in the hands of his onetime rival, Thorhadd. And while Thorhadd proves to be a capable goði in Thorstein's ab... more

". . . and they both were killed." This promising but enigmatic sentence fragment opens Þorsteins saga Síðu-Hallssonar as it comes down to us.

Let's be honest, the Saga of Thorstein Siðu-Hallsson has had a rough time surviving the centuries. This on... more

In this special Saga Brief recorded live at the University of Central Oklahoma, we explore an often-overlooked pillar of Viking Age society: the horse.

(John wanted to call this presentation "A Horse for the Norse, with Sources (of course)," but And... more

Hwæt a Movie! returns with yet another adaptation of the epic Old English poem Beowulf.

This time, we've got Outlander, a surprisingly fun tale of an alien crash-landing in 8th century Norway as he hunts down the monstrous Moorwen that killed his fa... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Ármann Jakobsson
Professor of Old Icelandic Literature at the University of Iceland
University of Iceland
Episode: Saga Brief 29 - Interview with Ármann Jakobsson on Minor Characters in Icelandic Sagas
Dr. Yoav Tirosh
An expert in Old Norse Icelandic literature and researcher at the Center for Disability Studies
University of Iceland
Episode: Saga Brief 28 - Ljósvetninga Saga Interview with Dr. Yoav Tirosh
Ragnhildur Sigurðardóttir
Park manager for Snæfellsjökull National Park
Snæfellsjökull National Park
Episode: Saga Brief 27d - Icelandic Impressions of the Sagas (Interview with Ragnhildur Sigurðardóttir)
Anna Melsteð
Folklorist, ethnographer, and tour guide
Eyrbyggja Saga Society
Episode: Saga Brief 27c - Icelandic Impressions of the Sagas (Interview with Anna Melsteð)
Sigrún Guttormsdóttir Þormar
Department manager of Snorrastofa
Snorrastofa
Episode: Saga Brief 27b - Icelandic Impressions of the Sagas (Interview with Sigrún Guttormsdóttir Þormar at Snorrastofa)
Bjorn Grimsson
Tour guide in Iceland with a passion for the sagas
Episode: Saga Brief 27a - Icelandic Impressions of the Sagas (Interview with Bjorn Grimsson)
Graham Duke
Special guest playing King Athelstan
Episode: Holiday Special (2025): Egil's Yuletide Carol

Hosts

John
Host of Saga Thing and Saga Briefs/Saga Thing with Saga Thing affiliation.
Andy
Co-host of Saga Thing and Saga Shorts/ Hwæt a Movie; medieval literature professor.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 852 ratings
  • Most academic of the Rexypods (in a positive way).

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Tanya
    a month ago
  • Fun way to prep for Iceland visit!

    Listening to this podcast as I prepare for a visit to Iceland! Jon and Andy walk through the Sagas in a fun and informative way; I’ve even been inspired to read the sagas myself! I feel like I understand the history and culture of Iceland a lot more now.

    Also led to me laughing aloud in Kroger during Bandamanna Saga!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Avery10282019
    United Statesa year ago
  • Top Quality Intellectual Fun

    Love this! John and Andy bring us the perfect podcast.

    In every episode you’ll find…

    1) Intellectuals enthusiastically talking about their area of scholarship in an accessible way

    2) Invitation to dive into a rather niche area of study

    3) Format that processes the information in a manageable way

    4) Humorous asides that humanize the hosts and the Icelanders

    5) balanced take on historical figures (they will often remark on how something in a story is different from modern sensibilities, but ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Richland Ramblerette
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love Saga Thing, but you might as well have conducted the interview in Old Norse. I'd have probably caught just as many words 🫤

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Gregory
    a year ago
  • Exceptional insight into the Icelandic Sagas

    I had never heard of, let alone read, the Icelandic Sagas when I stumbled across this podcast. The hosts bring the Sagas to life, giving insight and explanation to make them understandable and entertaining. I’ve just finished the epic of Njal’s Saga, which feels like a story everybody should know, but is quite unknown. John and Andy give it the depth of attention it deserves, bringing their humour and wit, whilst explaining the narrative and underlying meanings (that I’d have definitely missed i... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pete gone Incan
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Hosts are knowledgeable and make niche topics feel accessible to non-experts.
Great for listeners who love history and literature and want to learn while being entertained.
Engaging, accessible scholarship delivered with humor and warmth.
High-quality, entertaining deep-dives with strong banter between hosts.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#100
Sweden/History
Apple Podcasts
#184
Finland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Saga Brief 30 - From Sleipnir to Freyfaxi: The Culture of Horses in Medieval Iceland
Q: Do we have evidence of separate breeding lines for fighting horses versus labor horses?
The sagas indicate distinct lines: riding horses and especially stallions were kept separate and bred for display and combat potential, with work, pack, and draft horses existing as more utilitarian stock.
Hwaet a Movie - Episode 6 - Beowulf (2007)
Q: Were you satisfied with this film? Is it fun enough to recommend?
No, I don't enjoy it unironically or ironically; I find it deflating and disappointing as a Beowulf adaptation.
Saga Brief 28 - Ljósvetninga Saga Interview with Dr. Yoav Tirosh
Q: What do you hope audiences take away from your work?
I hope to question consensus and encourage deeper understanding of sagas, linking them to current themes.
Saga Brief 28 - Ljósvetninga Saga Interview with Dr. Yoav Tirosh
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your project at the Center for Disability Studies?
I'm researching disability in the sagas, aiming to produce a book and a comic book about related stories.
Saga Brief 27d - Icelandic Impressions of the Sagas (Interview with Ragnhildur Sigurðardóttir)
Q: What is your favorite saga or favorite moment from sagas?
Definitely Gudrid Þorfinnardóttir's story, as I connect with her journey of traveling the world and returning to Iceland.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Saga Thing

What is Saga Thing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lively history-literature podcast that dives into the Icelandic sagas with two medieval literature professors who bring scholarly rigor and playful banter. Across episodes, the show blends close textual reading, historical context, and cultural commentary, often punctuating analysis with humorous asides and pop-culture references. Listeners can expect deep dives into saga plots, social norms, and narrative techniques, as well as occasional side projects and lighter episodes that showcase the hosts' dynamic and accessible scholarship. The format and tone are especially appealing to history and literature enthusiasts who enjoy rigorous analysis delivered with warmth and humor; sponsorships or guest appearances that align with medieval studi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Saga Thing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Saga Thing:

1. Rex Factor
2. The Ancients
3. Gone Medieval
4. The History of Egypt Podcast
5. The History of England

How many episodes of Saga Thing are there?

Saga Thing launched 13 years ago and published 225 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Saga Thing?

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What guests have appeared on Saga Thing?

Recent guests on Saga Thing include:

1. Ármann Jakobsson
2. Dr. Yoav Tirosh
3. Ragnhildur Sigurðardóttir
4. Anna Melsteð
5. Sigrún Guttormsdóttir Þormar
6. Bjorn Grimsson
7. Graham Duke

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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