What does it take to embody a legendary Norse villain?

I’m joined by OneVoice 2026 & 2025 award winning voice actor, ⁨@georgeweightman1331⁩ to discuss how he transformed into one of Norse: Oath of Blood’s most formidable foes - Steinar Far-Spear. We will be talking about the physicality of performance capture, the psychology of playing the 'bad guy,' and how you bring a Viking warrior to life while covered in sensors instead of armour and instead of wielding a sword, axe or spear, you have to wear a mobile camera braced inches from your face! Let us explore how the Vikings are represented in the newest Viking game from ⁨@ArcticHazard⁩ ⁨@tripwireinteractive⁩ .

Behind the scenes performance capture photos credit to Max Brown Media.

Introduction Showcase Video credit to OneVoice Awards 2026.

https://www.norsethegame.com/

'Norse: Oath of Blood is a Turn-Based Tactics game set in Viking-Age Norway. Build a settlement, forge alliances, and fight strategic battles. Manage a community of craftspeople, farmers, and warriors, as you grow strong on your path to vengeance in this story-rich saga.' https://store.steampowered.com/app/3054690/NORSE_Oath_of_Blood/

Sword Brothers - FREE Prequel Short Story - available as an eBook and Audio Book via the Norse game website. Learn more about Giles Kristian, the epic narrative writer behind the game and dive into the best Viking age fiction around - https://www.gileskristian.com/

Ever wondered what would happen if a Norse god had to survive school? Today, we’re joined by the brilliant ⁨@Loustow⁩ , author of the hilarious Loki: A Bad God's Guide series. Get ready for some mischief as we dive into the ironic world of 'Life Lessons with Loki' and find out why the ultimate trickster might just be the perfect guide to growing up.

https://louiestowell.com/

https://louiestowell.com/lokifesto ⁨

@WalkerBooksUK⁩

Intro and Ending Soundtrack: Into the Wyld from Svilland TTRPG Music.

On a dark November night in 2023, the legendary epic poem, Beowulf, came to life with music and theatre in a unique promenade performance by @ProperJobTheatre set in the West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield. Discover more about this special performance of which musician Howard Jacobs founded his viking band, Shield King/Skjöldr Konungr.

Intro track - Healfdane's Lament (Skjöldr Konungr, 2023)

Ending Track - Velkominn (Skjöldr Konungr, 2023)

https://www.howard-jacobs.co.uk/skjoldr-konungr

"Formed to accompany King Healfdene’s funeral procession through the streets of Huddersfield during Proper Job Theatre's 2023 production of Beowulf, Skjoldr Konungr were an instant hit finagling their way into the whole production’s live soundtrack. They’ll be back… don’t doubt it!"

Enter Valhalla to join our conversation with ⁨@MayaGLeonard⁩ on time-travelling doors, the magic of music, the balance of history and danger in children's fiction, why she modelled a 'bad guy' on a Manchester fooball player, and how Maya discovered a genuine mystery involving two Viking age golden horns discovered in Denmark... and so much more!

If you like Vikings, you are welcome in my Valhalla, and I hope you stay for the conversation.

Joining me on this episode is comic artist and writer, Kevin Wells, whom I discovered at Thought Bubble Comic Con in 2025. We will be taking a deep dive into his norse-inspired graphic novel, The Last Einherjar, exploring his inspiration, his creative process and sharing ideas on what makes Vikings and their mythology so popular and answering "What if Ragnarok didn't happen as intended?"

"Ragnarok has destroyed the Nine Realms

all that is left is Endirheim.

As a new darkness rises from the

north only one man can prevent the

terrors that await the survivors of Ragnarok.

That man is Ulf, THE LAST EINHERJAR."

https://www.kwizillustrator.com/

Joining me in this episode is Dr Roderick Dale, we will discuss his role in the former World Tree Project looking at observations of Viking representation in the modern world, and then dive deep into our misconceptions about Viking Berserkers.

You can buy his book 'The Myths and Raelities of the Viking Berserkr' from Routledge - https://www.routledge.com/The-Myths-a...

Joining me as our first guests into Valhalla for 2026, is historical fiction author and historian, ⁨@cjadrien⁩ - he also co-hosts the ⁨@vikingologypodcast⁩ too! Alongside his talented artist wife, Crystal Whithaus as we discuss and explore how they teamed up to create a very charming, entertaining and also engaging childrens book about Vikings as a people from a time long ago.

It is available to buy on demand from Amazon.

Book Blurb: “I’m a Viking!” is a history book about the Viking Age for kids. Join Leif, a chieftain’s son who wants nothing more than to grow up to be a Viking just like his dad. Follow Leif as he gives you a tour of his life—the things he must learn, the things he likes to do for fun, and much more. Conceived and written by author and historian C.J. Adrien and illustrated by the talented Crystal Whithaus, “I’m a Viking!” is an excellent primer for young minds interested in the past. Don’t be fooled—grown-ups may learn a thing or two, too."

We know them as the winged choosers of the slain and the fierce female warriors of Valhalla—but who are the Valkyries, really? Are they divine escorts, mortal women with supernatural gifts, or something else entirely? Or perhaps all of the above?

Today, we’re pulling back the veil on these enigmatic wish-maidens to explore how they evolved from the terrifying omens of Old Norse poetry into the complex heroines of modern fantasy. I’m joined by an incredible panel: authors KS Barton and Johanna Wittenberg, the co-hosts of Shieldmaiden: @WomenoftheNorseWorldPodcast podcast, and academic researcher from the @universityofleeds , Sif Brookes from the @valsif channel.

Together, we’re exploring and examining the sagas, the legends and twenty-first century conceptions in 'Valkyries: Beyond the Sagas and Legends'. Join us as we head straight to Valhalla, to find out what it truly means to 'choose the slain'.

Episode artwork designed by illustrator Katie Brompton

Intro and Ending Soundtrack, 'Into the Wyld' from Svilland TTRPG

- Shieldmaidens: Women of the Norse World is a monthly podcast that takes a deep dive into the lives of women in the Viking Age, exploring their roles, experiences, and contributions to Norse society. Hosted by fiction authors Johanna Wittenberg and K.S. Barton, each episode explores the fascinating stories of Norse women from historical accounts, sagas, and archaeology. From shieldmaidens and queens to farmers and priestesses, we’ll uncover the varied and complex roles that women played in Norse culture. -

- The Truth about the Valkyries with Sif Brookes, Episode of @nordicmythologypodcast - https://youtu.be/zZYiMOF7joM?si=AQ5gx0G8fpPSa0GY

- Johanna Wittenberg: https://johannawittenberg.com/

- K.S Barton: https://ksbarton.com/

- Sif Brookes: https://sifbrookes.com/

Books discussed in this episode:

'A Deal with Odin' by K.S Barton

'Valkrjur: Servant or Master?' by Sif Brookes

'The Valkyries: New & Ancient Norse Tales' from Flame Tree Press

Valkyrie: The Women of the Viking World by Dr Johanna Katrin Fridriksdottir

The Real Valkyrie: The hidden history of Viking Warrior Women by Nancy Marie Brown

The Viking Way: Magic and Mind in Late Iron Age Scandinavaia by Neil Price

The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson (Penguin Edition)