To The Hilt

Marc Hartzman and Dan Meyer
  • 5.0 (2)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to To the Hilt! The podcast version of To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing—a book that explores the mysterious and dangerous world of sword swallowing, charting its history from ancient rituals to mod¬ern-day performances. This show features its co-authors, world-renowned sword swallower Dan Meyer and sideshow historian Marc Hartzman, cutting up jackpots with modern-day sword swallowers. In other words, hear their wild stories and experiences as they travel the world gulping steel blades for your entertainment and keeping this most unusual art alive.

  1. FEB 17

    Stan Marye: Memoirs of a 1950s Sword Swallower

    Meet Stan Marye, an 88-year-old former sword swallower who started after reading an excerpt of Daniel Mannix’s 1951 book, Step Right Up!, in Reader’s Digest. He taught himself fire-eating and then learned to gulp steel. During the 1950s and '60s he worked with numerous sideshows and added various other stunts and skills to his repertoire. Hear about his adventures in sword swallowing and much more in this episode of To The Hilt. Stan Marye is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing. For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf

    49 min

  2. 08/07/2025

    Jellyboy: Clown of Danger and Science

    You may have seen Jellyboy the Clown on America’s Got Talent Season 19, where he amazed audiences and the judges. Or perhaps you've read his recent book: Memoirs of a Coney Island Clown (Outside Talker Press). In this episode, you'll hear about Jellyboy’s beginnings as a clown, his start in sword swallowing and his creative twists on the art, like adding a chainsaw to the blade and experimenting with a Tesla coil. He also tells us about his adventures in retrieving a confiscated rifle sword in Ukraine, and much, much more.  Jellyboy is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.   Find Jellyboy online: Website SquidlingBrothers.com Facebook Eric Broomfield Squidling Brothers  Instagram @ConeyIceland And check out his new book, published by Outside Talker Press! Memoirs of a Coney Island Clown Outside Talker Press For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon.

    39 min

  3. 07/17/2025

    Keith Nelson: Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Sword Swallower

    Keith Nelson, also known as Mr. Pennygaff, is the co-founder of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus.  The Bindlestiffs have been performing circus, sideshow, and vaudeville acts for thirty years.  The show has presented nearly 600 of the world’s top artists in the circus and variety fields across New York City and the Hudson Valley, and throughout the United States. Performances have engaged audiences in the hundreds of thousands in theaters, Spiegeltents, big tops, cruise ships, fairs and festivals, and more.  In this episode, Keith shares his experiences working for Ward Hall, offers tips to aspiring sword swallowers, talks about performing on Late Night with David Letterman, and more. Follow Keith Nelson and the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus online:   Website Bindlestiff.org Instagram Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Keith Nelson   Facebook Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Keith Nelson For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf

    23 min

  4. 06/26/2025

    Chris Steele: World’s Most Extreme Sword Swallower

    Chris Steele is the sword swallowing half of America’s Favorite Sideshow Couple, Captain & Maybelle. In this episode, you’ll hear about his start in gulping steel, his adventures on America’s Got Talent and Wife Swap, working with Ripley’s, lifting cinder blocks from a swallowed sword, twisting 7 swords 180 degrees, the extra-dangerous lightning bolt sword, nearly dying from a sword swallowing injury, spilling a bag of swords at the airport, and much more.  Chris Steele is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.   Find Chris Steele online:  Website: CaptainandMaybelle.com  Instagram: @captain_steele_ Facebook: Captain & Maybelle For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf

    1h 2m

  5. 06/19/2025

    Bill Berry: Juggling Sword Swallower

    Bill Berry has been entertaining, juggling, and sword swallowing for more than 25 years, and is world-renowned as a silver medalist IJA juggler. Along with his performing partner Nerdy Noah Royak, they perform a variety juggling-sword swallowing act as the Distinguished Daredevils.   In this episode, you’ll hear about Bill’s beginnings in sword swallowing, the power of visualization, integrating juggling into his act, dealing with saliva, and Dorothy. Yes, Dorothy—the worst audience volunteer ever. Plus, Bill’s Distinguished Daredevils partner, Noah Royak, joins us as well to discuss some of his new sword swallowing stunts. Bill Berry is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.   Find Bill Berry and the Distinguished Daredevils online:   Website mrbillberry.com  Instagram @mrbillberry @nerdynoahshow @DistinguishedDaredevils   Facebook Bill Berry Noah Royak Distinguished Daredevils   YouTube Distinguished Daredevils For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf

    1h 3m

  6. 06/12/2025

    The Amazing Zilla: Feral Showgirl

    The Amazing Zilla is a sword swallower known for swallowing monster swords, as well as a bearded lady and contortionist. In this episode, she talks about learning to swallow swords from Red Stuart and how to modify her blades properly, swallowing an Excalibur sword at a beard and mustache competition, finding ways to push the limits of her abilities, and much more. The Amazing Zilla is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.   Find The Amazing Zilla online on Instagram for photos, videos, tour info, and more: @the_amazing_zilla For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon.

    53 min

  7. 06/05/2025

    Red Stuart: The Living Legend

    Red Stuart has been swallowing swords since 1967, when he learned from sideshow performer Toni Del Rio. Within two years, his quick mastery of the art led him to become the only sword swallower to swallow broadswords and car axles. Red has worked with many shows over the years, including Ward Hall and Chris Christs’ World of Wonders. He can currently be seen at Pexcho’s American Dime Museum in Augusta, Georgia. Red has also taught 61 apprentices over the years, and at the end of this episode, two of his latest students join us—Jax Silvertree, and 11-year-old Billy Excho.    Red Stuart is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing. Purchase the book here on Amazon, or wherever else you buy books. Find Red Stuart online: Facebook: Red Stuart Pexcho's American Dime Museum   Website :Pexcho’s American Dime Museum Buy Red's Book: Red Stuart: With It, For It, and Proud of It

    46 min

  8. 05/29/2025

    The Lizardman: Modified Marvel

    Erik Sprague, better known as The Lizardman, is a sword swallower, multi-talented performer, and author. As his website says, he’s “The Modified Marvel from the dark heart of Austin, a man with more ink in his skin, than blood in his veins." In this episode, he discusses his beginnings in sword swallowing, his experiences with other dangerous stunts, his time with the Jim Rose Circus, and much more. The Lizardman is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.   Find The Lizardman online:   Website: TheLizardman.com  Instagram: @thelizardman23 Facebook: The Lizardman The Lizardman's Book: Once More Through The Modified Looking Glass   For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf

    1h 11m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to To the Hilt! The podcast version of To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing—a book that explores the mysterious and dangerous world of sword swallowing, charting its history from ancient rituals to mod¬ern-day performances. This show features its co-authors, world-renowned sword swallower Dan Meyer and sideshow historian Marc Hartzman, cutting up jackpots with modern-day sword swallowers. In other words, hear their wild stories and experiences as they travel the world gulping steel blades for your entertainment and keeping this most unusual art alive.

Information

  • Creator
    Marc Hartzman and Dan Meyer
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Marc Hartzman and Dan Meyer
  • Show Website
    To The Hilt