StoneLore Podcast

Jonathan "Wulfgar" Shears
  • 5.0 (4)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Join Jonathan as he welcomes international guests to journey through history and time – discovering and recovering the fables, myths, and legends of ancient stones and stones of strength.

  1. The Lonton Egg

    FEB 1

    The Lonton Egg

    In an age gone by, after a few pints, young men would challenge each other to lift the Lonton Egg on their way home from the pub. People would go through Lonton on their walk between Mickleton and Middleton because they could drink for longer. They would pass the old smithy and challenge each other to see who was the strongest by attempting to lift the stone as high as possible. My guest, Calum Stott (@sherlock_stones_), shares the remarkable rediscovery of the Lonton Egg, explaining how very thin threads and a bit of perseverance brought a nearly forgotten lifting stone back to life. Along the way, we dive into rural history, magical strength stories, and how one rediscovered stone helped spark a wider revival of England’s lost lifting stone traditions. So sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things THE LONTON EGG. Article: The Lonton Egg & Teesdale Feat Stone by Calum Stott BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW OUR SHOW ​​https://pod.link/1772997849.

    40 min
  2. Irish Curing Stones

    JAN 1

    Irish Curing Stones

    Season two begins with a deep dive into Ireland’s ancient landscape and its powerful relationship with stone. I am joined by Deirdre O’Neill (@remnantsofourpast), author of Remnants of Our Past, a book that explores how the Irish landscape acts as a living record of ancestral belief, tradition, and everyday life. In this episode, Deirdre shares her research into Ireland’s sacred sites, particularly curing stones often found at holy wells and ancient ritual spaces. We explore the folklore, history, and mystery surrounding stones believed to heal physical and spiritual ailments. The conversation weaves through pagan traditions, early Christianity, folklore collected from local communities, and the ways ritual, prayer, and landscape merged organically over time. Deirdre also discusses her research process, drawing from old newspapers, folklore archives, local histories, and firsthand conversations with people living near these sacred sites. Featured stories include: Cloch an Phoill, the Petrified Dairy, St. Patrick’s Chair, the Mad Chair of Dunany, and St. Ronan’s Altar. So sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things IRISH CURING STONES. BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW OUR SHOW ​​https://pod.link/1772997849 https://www.remnantsofourpast.com/ Instagram: @remnantsofourpast Facebook: @remnantsofourpastofficial TikTok: @remnantsofourpast YouTube: @remnantsofourpast

    50 min
  3. The Stone of Destiny

    12/01/2025

    The Stone of Destiny

    In the book of Genesis, Jacob uses a stone as a pillow while traveling from Beersheba to Haran. He dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels moving upon it, and God promises him protection, descendants, and the surrounding land. When Jacob wakes, he declares the place sacred, sets the stone upright as a pillar, anoints it with oil, and names the site Bethel, marking the stone as a sign of God’s covenant with him. This is just one of the many origin stories surrounding the infamous Stone of Destiny. From ancient Celtic legends to biblical theories and royal coronation lore, we explore the competing narratives that have followed the stone through history. Join me and Dr. Mark Hall, leading expert at the Perth Museum in Scotland, as we trace its journey, unravel its symbolic power, and examine why this enigmatic artifact continues to inspire debate, wonder, and national pride today. So sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things THE STONE OF DESTINY. Life in Pieces: Lessons in the Value of Fragments from the Secret Lives of the Stone of Scone/Destiny by Sally Foster Visit the Stone of Destiny BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW OUR SHOW ​​https://pod.link/1772997849

    46 min
  4. Swedish Runestones

    11/01/2025

    Swedish Runestones

    The majority of runestones are memorials to people who died, whether at home or abroad. Some runestones also functioned as a form of public declaration for land ownership. Others believe that some possess magic or even curses. My guest, runestone photographer Johan Grennard (@tales_from_the_north), joins me to discuss famous runestones located in Sweden from before the Vendel period through the Viking Age. These once brightly colored painted stones have since faded, but we hope to restore their vibrancy by sharing the stories behind these iconic stones. So, sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things SWEDISH RUNESTONES. BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW OUR SHOW ​​https://pod.link/1772997849

    33 min
  5. Norwegian Manhood Stones

    10/01/2025

    Norwegian Manhood Stones

    Lifting stones have been used all over the world to mark a boy’s passage from childhood into manhood, and Norway is no different. Tucked away in the mountains and valleys of some of the country’s most remote areas, you can still find these stones just waiting to be lifted by the next challenger. My guest, Knut Einar Skår (@knuteinarskar), has been hard at work researching and locating these manhood stones, building an online database where all their history and information can be stored. After speaking with locals and poring over the national archives, Knut has identified more than 60 stones and their locations. Many of these were testing stones, used by men of the area to prove their strength, be confirmed in the church, or, in one instance, be bestowed with supernatural powers! The tradition and folklore of lifting stones in Norway cannot be ignored, so sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things NORWEGIAN MANHOOD STONES. Norwegian Lifting Stones Website: loftestein.no/en BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW OUR SHOW ​​https://pod.link/1772997849

    36 min
  6. Mouilín Port Bhéal An Dún

    09/01/2025

    Mouilín Port Bhéal An Dún

    It was a great day in each young man’s life when he raised the stone from the ground and ‘gave it wind’, as they said. And if he raised it to his knees, he was a champion, the equal of the best. And if he raised it to his chest he was a hero, a phenomenon of strength and men talked of him. It was the rediscovery of this stone that led my guest, David Keohan (@_indiana_stones_) to the rediscovery of 50 plus lifting stones in Ireland that were almost completely lost to time. This is also the stone that was the inspiration for Liam O’Flaherty’s short story titled “The Stone”. Enjoy hearing David’s journey in reclaiming a portion of Ireland’s identity that had been lost. And in a way, you could say that this stone brought back the culture of Irish stonelifting, so sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things MOUILÍN PORT BHÉAL AN DÚN. The Stone by Liam O’Flaherty Article: The Quest for the Stone of Inishmore by David Keohan GoFundMe: Rescue the Pudrac Plinth and Wallace Putting Stone  BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW OUR SHOW ​​https://pod.link/1772997849

    57 min
  7. Marjunar Hav

    08/01/2025

    Marjunar Hav

    “I know what awaits. Death surely looms. This stone will be a testament to my strength.” These were the words of Norðnástova housemaid Marjun, who fell pregnant out of wedlock at a time when that was punishable by death. Marjun was on her way along Åargil river with the other milkmaids when they came across the stone. She stopped in her tracks and lifted it single-handedly. This story dates back to the 16th century and is now the most famous lifting stone in the Faroe Islands. Researcher and stonelifter Bjartur Niclasson (@bjartur.leo) joins me to discuss this giant 633 lb slab and how it became so popular. He’s currently working on publishing a book documenting all the research he’s done on Faroese lifting stones, and because of his extensive research, Bjartur shares several other stories tied to Marjunar Hav that aren’t so well known. So sit back and enjoy as we have at it discussing all things MARJUNAR HAV. BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW OUR SHOW ​​https://pod.link/1772997849

    53 min
  8. Stonelifting Roundtable

    07/12/2025 · BONUS

    Stonelifting Roundtable

    Tune in to an epic discussion featuring some of today’s most prominent stonelifters from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. Join Martin Jancsics (@thestoneman265) David Keohan (@_indiana_stones_) Dave Nisbet (@caveman.daveman) Dale Nisbet (@i_byde_it) Jarrett McPhee (@newenglandstonelifting) Sean Urquhart (@seanurq) Keith Surette (@_fullsterkur_) Tom Billinge (@waryoga) and myself as we gather together and share stories, memories, and our vision for the future of stonelifting and its community. From inspiring moments to personal reflections on what stonelifting means to each of us (and even a few good laughs), this episode has it all! Enjoy this truly unique opportunity that I had the honor to be a part of.  Thank you to Josh Mackintosh (@nofamegame) for orchestrating this and giving us the space we needed to record. BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW OUR SHOW ​​https://pod.link/1772997849

    1h 12m
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Join Jonathan as he welcomes international guests to journey through history and time – discovering and recovering the fables, myths, and legends of ancient stones and stones of strength.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan "Wulfgar" Shears
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jonathan "Wulfgar" Shears
  • Show Website
    StoneLore Podcast