Valhalla Conversations

Becky Hill

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Let's talk all things Norse - the history, the mythology, how each has been reinterpreted or reinvented in the 20th century onwards and in all media forms. From books to comics to TV series to video games and more - join me, a self-confessed Norse Geek with a variety of hosts and special guests including authors, historians and expert academics.

5d ago

Voicing a Viking Villain in Norse Oath of Blood - George Weightman

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/

1h 24m
Jun 4

Life lessons with Loki: with Louie Stowell

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.

1h 12m
May 21

Beowulf in Yorkshire: with musician Howard Jacobs

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!"

1h 12m
May 12 · Bonus

Valkyries: Beyond the Sagas and Legends

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)

1h 31m
May 7

Time Travel to the Viking Age with M.G. Leonard

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.

52 min
Apr 23

The Last Einherjar with Kevin Wells

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/

1h 13m
Apr 7 · Bonus

Halls of Asgard: A New Game for Norse Gods

Joining me in Valhalla is returning guest, Joshua Gillingham from Little Hammer Games, as we discuss and officially launch his latest @kickstarter card game, Halls of Asgard! Join the Kickstarter by the link below: "HALLS OF ASGARD is a semi-cooperative social strategy game for 3-6 players (25-45 min) with absolutely stunning hand-painted art by celebrated Norse mythology artist Helena Rosova. Clocking in on the lighter side, it’s a great starter for those new to board games with easy set up, a simple mechanic that can generate surprisingly intricate cooperative strategies, and guaranteed memorable times. The semi-cooperative aspect lends itself to a delightful tension between defeating Hela, goddess of the Norse underworld, and out-doing your fellow Asgardian gods. Each player takes on the role of a god (Odin, Thor, Freya, Heimdal, Idun, or Loki) with two unique powers and one unique curse. Gazing down at the mortals passing through the life stages (Child/Warrior/Elder) on the Midgard board, they use their powers to claim heroes that join them in their hall in preparation for Ragnarok. Along the way, Hela claims mortals off the Midgard board and gains all those who die without honour or glory of old age. A unique clan mechanic and differing mortal values (0/1/2) adds an extra element of strategy as gods collect their heroes. If one of the gods can defeat Hela through the strength of their gathered warriors, the gods win; however, if Hela ends up with the highest strength score, all players lose as Ragnarok sets the nine realms aflame."

1h 3m
Mar 26

The Viking Berserkr with Dr Roderick Dale

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...

1h 15m

Trailer

Valhalla Conversations - Podcast Introduction Trailer

Welcome to the Valhalla Conversations podcast, I’m your host Becky Hill otherwise known as Soul Chaser Becky and I am a proud Viking Geek. I fell in love with the history, culture and mythology of the Viking Age through Historical Fiction and Norse Fantasy books and I’ve been on an endless quest for more ever since. I have read and reviewed over 100 books in the Norse Fantasy Genre and over 50 in Viking Age Historical Fiction and Viking Age Non-Fiction. I am a keen consumer of adaptations and re-telling’s of Viking Age History and Norse mythology in a variety of 21st century mediums from comics to computer games, TV and Films. My passionate hunger for more has led me to become an annual pilgrim to the Jorvik Viking Festival in York, UK which is run by the world famous Jorvik Viking Museum. I’ve attended conferences to do with the Viking Age studies such as the Richard Hall Symposium, Norse in the North Symposium and the Midlands Viking Symposium. I first presented on the topic of Norse Fantasy Fiction at the Nine Worlds Geek Con, London in 2018, I then co-hosted a panel discussing Norse Fantasy Fiction with authors Joanne Harris, Francesca Simon and academic Professor Carolyne Larrington, which was streamed during London MCM Comic Con 2021. Recently I made my academic debut appearance at the MARRI Symposium in Stavanger, August 2024, where I presented on depictions of Brynhild the Valkyrie in Fantasy Fiction. Join me as I discuss all things Norse with those who have been inspired by Viking History and Norse Mythology in their creative works or those who have studied the sagas and archaeology, and review how such subjects are being presented to modern audiences today. If you like Viking stuff, you are welcome in my Valhalla, I hope you stay for the Conversations.

12/11/2024

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3 min

Let's talk all things Norse - the history, the mythology, how each has been reinterpreted or reinvented in the 20th century onwards and in all media forms. From books to comics to TV series to video games and more - join me, a self-confessed Norse Geek with a variety of hosts and special guests including authors, historians and expert academics.

Creator

Becky Hill
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

43
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Soul Chaser Becky 2024
Show Website

Valhalla Conversations