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Artwork for The Maniculum Podcast

The Maniculum Podcast

The Maniculum Podcast
Theodora
Medieval Manuscripts
Prokopios
Yonec
Ttrpgs
Saint Nicholas
Marie De France
Justinian
Eliduc
Byzantine Empire
Christianity
Hagiography
Relics
Nika Riots
Christmas
Demons
Folklore
Money Lending
Justinian I
Medieval Fables

Maniculum: little hand, pointing finger; often found in manuscript marginalia. Hi! We’re Mac and Zoe, a professional medievalist and triple AAA game developer, and together, we use modern game design techniques to uncover the origins of your favorite tropes and adventures from medieval manuscripts. ​ In each episode, we explore a new medieval manuscript, its connections to modern TTRPGs, and teach... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes149Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsHistory

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Artwork for The Maniculum Podcast

Latest Episodes

How many versions of one tale can we tell? In this episode, we’re diving back into Eric & Enide, and Mac has found two more versions of this classic chivalric romance. We discuss how various cultural differences affect the manner in which these adapt... more

In this episode, Mac and Zoe discuss how medieval peasantry worked, the complexities of the system, unexpected laws, rights, and privileges, and how world builders, writers, and game masters can both accurately represent and adapt the village system ... more

In this episode, Mac & Zoe debunk medieval love advice and discuss common misconceptions around medieval love and marriage. Reading the philosophical dialogue of Sidrak and Bokkus as an advice column, can we really say whether attitudes toward romanc... more

In this episode, Mac & Zoe host Sandra Hindman and Jacky Yao from Les Enluminures to discuss the craft and trade of manuscript illumination and creation in the Middle Ages, as well as the influence and popularity of the courtly romance Roman de la Ro... more

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Recent Guests

Chevalier Sandra Hindman
Professor Emerita of Art History, founder of Les Enluminures
Les Enluminures
Episode: The Art of the Manuscript: Les Enluminures & the Roman de la Rose
Jacky Montbaston
Art Director of Les Enluminures, Master's Degree candidate in Art History and Medieval Studies
Les Enluminures
Episode: The Art of the Manuscript: Les Enluminures & the Roman de la Rose
M.T. Anderson
New York Times bestselling author of Feed and other notable works.
Independent Author
Episode: Medieval Heists for D&D: An Interview with Author M.T. Anderson
James Baillie
Historian and game developer specializing in medieval Caucasus
Austrian Academy of Sciences
Episode: The Party Therapist: The Knight in Panther's Skin
Dr. Emmet Taylor
Postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Early and Medieval Irish
University College Cork
Episode: Cu Chulainn's Glorious Feats: The Wooing of Emer, Pt. 1
Ainsley Sunday
A narrative designer, game designer, and occasional illustrator
Episode: Leechcraft: Plague, Vampires, and Leeches with Ainsley Sunday!
Lynette Heald
Medievalist specializing in animals and literary collections
Notre Dame
Episode: Not to Worry; I Have a Permit: Medieval Fables
Dr. Anthony Kaldellis
Professor in Classics at the University of Chicago, specialist in Byzantine history and literature.
University of Chicago
Episode: The Secret History, or, the Byzantine Gossip Rag, with Dr. Kaldellis

Hosts

Zoe
Co-host and medievalist with a focus on manuscript culture and narrative adaptation.
Mac
Co-host, game developer, and medievalist with expertise in integrating historical material into RPG design.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 93 ratings
  • Nerdy Storytime Fun

    Reminds me of the great conversations I’d have with friends in college after a seminar, or the wonderful side-tangents I get into during my D&D games when my history nerd DM talks about their inspiration for a plot element. I have so much fun listening and have learned a ton. Also, extra thanks for making me the coolest person in my group chat this past Christmas when I was able to share Mac’s Grinch-Beowulf mashup. It received incoherent keysmash levels of admiration.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Libromancer11
    United Statesa year ago
  • Loving this podcast

    I came to this show via Zoe being interviewed on The Dungeoncast. Its a phenomenal amount of useable content to put in front of players or to use as character points when i’m on the otherside of the dm’s screen.

    Definitely going to be making some homebrew tweaks to magic systems in my games based on this stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Poultery Slayer
    United States2 years ago
  • Too political

    It’s difficult to find refuge from politics these days. You won’t find any escape with this podcast. If you like virtue signaling and elitist echo chambers, then you’ll feel at home.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Egdbert
    United States2 years ago
  • Too political

    Politics seems almost inescapable these days. If you want to take a break from politics, this is not the podcast for you. If you like virtue signaling and are a big fan of elitist echo chambers, then you’ve come to the right place.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Egdbert
    United States2 years ago
  • Wonderful!

    I absolutely adore this podcast! I’ve listened to the first 50 or so episodes in a little over a week and love how much I’ve learned. Zoe and Mac do such a great job explaining the stores and I love all of the little tangents!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DukeBiscuit
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel politics appear in the discourse; others praise the educational depth.
Hosts explain complex medieval material accessibly and with humor.
Entertaining and informative, with great balance of history and D&D-style inspiration.
The show is a goldmine for GMs seeking medieval sources and unique ideas.
Audience enjoys tangents and clear connections to modern storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#143
Indonesia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dear Sidrak: the Valentine’s Special
Q: Dear Sidrak, why are women so emotional?
Lightness of the brain makes this; they trust quickly and let go just as swiftly.
Dear Sidrak: the Valentine’s Special
Q: Dear Sidrak, are men or women more lecherous?
Women are more lecherous because they can have multiple joys, while men tire quickly after a deed.
Dear Sidrak: the Valentine’s Special
Q: Dear Sidrak, who should a man love more, his wife or his kids?
A man shall love above all things, God, then his own body, and then his wife principally, and after that his children.
Dear Sidrak: the Valentine’s Special
Q: Dear Sidrak, how can one fall in love at first sight?
It begins when a man sees a fair woman and the sight travels from the eyes to the brain, which then sends a message to the heart.
Dear Sidrak: the Valentine’s Special
Q: Dear Sidrak, should men chastise women with beatings?
If she is a good woman, you should chide her gently with kind words. If she's wicked, your best bet is to just leave her.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Maniculum Podcast

What is The Maniculum Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosts, both with deep medieval expertise and a penchant for tabletop storytelling, guide listeners through medieval manuscripts and their connections to modern RPG design. Episodes blend rigorous historical context with practical storytelling tips for worldbuilding, character design, and campaign planning, often tying ancient texts to D&D-style gameplay, magic systems, and lore-rich settings. The show tends to attract curious, creative minds who enjoy humor, tangents, and accessible explanations of arcane history, with notable uniqueness in featuring hands-on manuscript discussion, art history perspectives, and game-dev insights. Fans likely appreciate the collaboration between rigorous scholarship and playful, imagination-driven gaming... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Maniculum Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Maniculum Podcast:

1. Gone Medieval
2. Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
3. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
4. Midnight Burger
5. Behind the Bastards

How many episodes of The Maniculum Podcast are there?

The Maniculum Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 149 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 The Maniculum Podcast?

Recent guests on The Maniculum Podcast include:

1. Chevalier Sandra Hindman
2. Jacky Montbaston
3. M.T. Anderson
4. James Baillie
5. Dr. Emmet Taylor
6. Ainsley Sunday
7. Lynette Heald
8. Dr. Anthony Kaldellis

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