Best Marshall Parson Podcasts (2026)

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Romanos the Melodist with Thomas Arentzen 41:04

Play Pause

3m ago41:04

41:04

Songs have a way of making us see and feel things unlike other forms of writing, which is why so many of us treasure the words of lyricists. And when it comes to early Christianity, no songs were more treasured and influential than those of Romanos. This week, Danièle speaks with Thomas Arentzen about the life and works of Romanos the Melodist, why…

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THE SOUND OF MUSIC with Tyler Joseph Ellis 1:24:53

2d ago1:24:53

1:24:53

Happy New Year, listeners! We're starting off 2026 with one of the most famous musicals of all time, but while everyone has at least heard of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, most don't know its profound place in musical theatre history. Join guest Tyler Joseph Ellis (SHUCKED) as we discuss nuns, Nazis, and of course, the sound of music. Everyone showed up to t…

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Medieval Beauty 31:09

6d ago31:09

31:09

Who’s the fairest of them all? And, more importantly, how did they get that way? This week, a new biography of Marilyn Monroe sends Danièle down the rabbit hole of medieval beauty, how it was achieved, and how it’s still influencing beauty standards today. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how …

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2025: The Medieval Year in Review 37:41

18d ago37:41

37:41

If there’s one thing we can say about 2025 it’s that it was certainly full of surprises. From political bridge-burning to bridge-building, to the destruction and the restoration of priceless artifacts, there was never a dull moment this year. This week, in keeping with tradition, Danièle speaks with Peter Konieczny, editor of Medievalists.net, abou…

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WAR PAINT with Caden Zane Marshall 1:19:15

21d ago1:19:15

1:19:15

WAR PAINT was the Broadway follow up to the musical GREY GARDENS, so of course it's the GREY GARDENS follow up on "A Musical Theatre Podcast." This week, actor, interpreter, and influencer Caden Zane Marshall joins us to talk about two women whose impact has changed the world forever. (And no, we don't mean Christine Ebersole and Patti LuPone...thi…

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Robin Hood and the Christmastime Tradition with Alex Kaufman 48:03

25d ago48:03

48:03

He’s a hero. He’s an outlaw. And it turns out he’s also Christmastime favourite. Given his many incarnations, from a foxy cartoon heartthrob, to the gruff and grizzled Hugh Jackman that previewed this week, it’s hard not to fall in love with some version or other of Robin Hood. And as we’ll find out in this episode, even jolly old Saint Nick just h…

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Richard the Lionheart with Heather Blurton 50:23

1M ago50:23

50:23

Love him or hate him, it’s hard to take one step into the medieval world without running into the larger-than-life figure of Richard the Lionheart. Rebel, crusader, prisoner, castle-builder Richard is one of the most colourful and quotable kings of the Middle Ages. This week, Danièle speaks with Heather Blurton about how Richard’s contemporaries sa…

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The Medieval Order of Assassins with Steve Tibble 55:43

1M ago55:43

55:43

In the last twenty years, the shadowy Assassins of the medieval Middle East have seen a serious resurgence in popularity. And yet, like so many medieval people and groups, it’s still hard to tell the legend from the reality - and that’s just the way the Assassins wanted it. This week, Danièle speaks with Steve Tibble about who the Assassins were, w…

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GREY GARDENS with Drew Droege 1:04:14

1M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

This week we're spending another winter in a summer town as we cover the terrific 2006 musical GREY GARDENS. Here to not only have his cake but chew it and masticate it is the great Drew Droege (MESSY WHITE GAYS, TITANIQUE). Drew takes us through lesser-known accounts and perspectives on the Beale women, all while raising up the non-conformist ladi…

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Best Medieval Books of 2025 42:24

1M ago42:24

42:24

It's the most wonderful time of the year: time to celebrate the best medieval books of 2025. This week, Danièle speaks with Peter Konieczny, editor of Medievalists.net, about their favourite reads this year - and she announces some exciting news about the future of The Medieval Podcast. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of liste…

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The Medieval Moon with Ayoush Lazikani 48:22

2M ago48:22

48:22

In the last century we’ve witnessed people set foot on the moon, and seen even the dark side in high-res images, and yet the moon still evokes a sense of romance and mystery, just as it did in the Middle Ages. This week, Danièle speaks with Ayoush Lazikani about what – and who – medieval people across the world believed the moon to be. Support this…

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The Language of Heresy with Erin Wagner 49:59

2M ago49:59

49:59

With just one word, we can evoke a world of assumptions, stereotypes, and even accusations, clearly marking the difference between who’s in and who’s out. And when it comes to legal terminology, the stakes are even higher. This week, Danièle speaks with Erin Wagner about what late medieval people meant when they used the word heresy, how the usage …

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BONNIE & CLYDE with Ivan Menchell 52:14

2M ago52:14

52:14

Today we finish up our fall American Dream Miniseries with a surprise fourth episode dedicated to the listener requested BONNIE & CLYDE. This musical, maybe even more than the others we've covered in this miniseries, most easily represents the experience of Americans in 2025. Let that sink in for a minute! Here to discuss it is the show's book writ…

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Balthild of Francia with Isabel Moreira 54:12

2M ago54:12

54:12

This year, we’ve spent some good quality time with early medieval queens, digging into their mysterious and spectacular lives and reigns. And when it comes to the spectacular, it’s hard to compete with the star of this week’s episode, a woman who arrived in Francia a slave, rose to become a queen, and then ascended to the heavens as a saint. This w…

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Medieval Vampire Epidemics with John Blair 49:15

2M ago49:15

49:15

As the nights get longer and spookier, there's one thing that's guaranteed to make our hair stand on end: corpses that just won’t stay dead. Especially the ones interested in eating us. This week, Danièle speaks with John Blair about who refused to rest in peace in the Middle Ages, how medieval people attempted to keep the dead buried, and why some…

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BARNUM with Ryan VanDenBoom 59:29

3M ago59:29

59:29

The third entry in our "American Dream" miniseries of listener requests is the 1980 musical BARNUM. Now, that means it is not THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, and please don't come for Jeff if he speaks too candidly about that musical! Instead, join us for a lively discussion regarding the showmanship of P.T. Barnum and the musical that bears his name as well…

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The Two Hundred Years' War with Michael Livingston 44:59

3M ago44:59

44:59

Although a lot of medieval history is murky, the whys and wherefores – not to mention the timeline – of the Hundred Years’ War are firmly nailed down. Or are they? This week, Danièle speaks with Michael Livingston about why the Hundred Years’ War should actually be called the Two Hundred Years’ War, what actually touched off the conflict, and why w…

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Medieval Animal Names with Ben Parsons 44:19

3M ago44:19

44:19

Since time immemorial, we've given animals names, from the sublime to the utterly ridiculous. For everyone who’s looked at a puppy or a kitten and wondered what it should be called – and then called it an embarrassingly silly nickname anyway – this episode is for you. This week, Danièle speaks with Ben Parsons about what medieval people named their…

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Medieval Wolves with Elizabeth Marshall 39:26

3M ago39:26

39:26

In the dark forests of the Middle Ages – and the modern stories we tell about it – lurks a powerful, beautiful predator. Sometimes big and bad, sometimes a figure of admiration, the medieval wolf was such a big part of English culture, that it found its way not just into stories, but into the language itself. This week, Danièle speaks with Elizabet…

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1776 with Howard Sherman 1:11:13

3M ago1:11:13

1:11:13

By Jeffrey Scott Parsons

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A New History of the Fourteenth Century with Helen Carr 37:46

3M ago37:46

37:46

The fourteenth-century is one of the most turbulent periods in European history. Famine, war, plague, royal depositions – you name it, this century’s got it. This week, Danièle speaks with Helen Carr about how England fared in these wild times, what her take is on some famous Plantagenets, and why we need to take a fresh look at this calamitous cen…

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Medieval Wills and Testaments with Robert A. Wood 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

One of the difficult truths of life in the Middle Ages is that death was never far away. While the vast majority of medieval people owned far fewer possessions than we do today, they were just as concerned with making sure everything was taken care of according to their wishes before they passed. This week, Danièle speaks with Robert A. Wood about …

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Forensic Medicine and Death Investigation with Sara Butler 49:24

4M ago49:24

49:24

Everyone loves a good medieval whodunit, but how did real people investigate homicides in the Middle Ages? What did they look for? And how did they decide if a person’s death was an unfortunate accident or foul play? This week, Danièle speaks with Sara Butler about forensic medicine, and how death investigation was conducted in medieval England. Yo…

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RAGS with Samantha Massell 1:10:59

4M ago1:10:59

1:10:59

Today we begin a mini-series on "A Musical Theatre Podcast" that will explore "the American Dream." These are musicals you listeners have requested that all have one thing in common: "being an American is a beautifully complicated thing." First up is the 1987 musical RAGS created originally by three titans of the art form: Charles Strouse (BYE BYE …

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History in Flames with Robert Bartlett 46:08

4M ago46:08

46:08

Part of the reason a lot of people figure nothing much went on during the Middle Ages is because we’ve lost a whole lot of sources telling us what actually did happen. Through malice and misfortune, medieval manuscripts have been destroyed in their thousands. So, how do we know what may have gone up in smoke? And what can we do to keep our beloved …

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Æthelstan, First King of England with David Woodman 48:31

4M ago48:31

48:31

On September 4, 925 – 1100 years to the day this episode is released – King Æthelstan was crowned at Kingston-upon-Thames. Æthelstan is most often talked about in the context of the famous Battle of Brunanburh, but maybe we should remember him instead as the first king of England. This week, Danièle speaks with David Woodman about Æthelstan’s life,…

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SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE with Danielle Ferland 1:06:53

4M ago1:06:53

1:06:53

"There are worse things than listening to a podcast on a Sunday!" Join special guest, and original cast member, Danielle Ferland ("Little Red" in Into the Woods) as we look back at her Broadway debut in the Pulitzer Prize winning, and listener requested, Sondheim/Lapine musical Sunday in the Park with George. Listen to stories about the nontraditio…

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Robert DeVere, Royal Favourite with James Ross 50:00

5M ago50:00

50:00

When the power of an entire kingdom rests in the hands of just one man, it’s both incredibly valuable and incredibly dangerous to be that man’s bestie - and the legacies of royal favourites tend to retain the taint of contemporary snark. So, maybe it’s about time we take a second look. This week, Danièle speaks with James Ross about the life of Rob…

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Joan of Arc with Deborah McGrady 59:54

5M ago59:54

59:54

Maid, hero, heretic, saint - Joan of Arc is one of the most fascinating figures of the Middle Ages. This week, Danièle speaks with Deborah McGrady about Joan’s incredible life and death, her voice, and her complex and enduring legacy. You can enrol in Danièle's online course Calamity and Change: An Introduction to the Fourteenth Century at https://…

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Medieval Love Letters with Ad Putter and Myra Stokes 42:30

5M ago42:30

42:30

The people of the Middle Ages were no strangers to Cupid’s arrows, and just like us, they loved a good love letter. But in a world where literacy rates were far below what they are today, who was writing their most heartfelt feelings down? And how do we know? This week, Danièle speaks with Myra Stokes and Ad Putter about where we find love letters,…

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Marco Polo and his World with Sharon Kinoshita 48:04

5M ago48:04

48:04

He's one of the most popular figures in all of medieval history, and his book was a bestseller for literally centuries. So what do we know about the life and times of Marco Polo? This week, Danièle speaks with Sharon Kinoshita about why Marco travelled so far, what sort of detail he wanted to share with his readers, and what was going on in the wor…

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Episode 300! 48:20

6M ago48:20

48:20

This week, in celebration of Episode 300, Danièle answers your questions on everything from Hastings to hose, with a couple of surprises along the way. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists And join on This is History's Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thisishistory and use the code 'glassking' to ge…

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Vikings Behaving Reasonably with Robert Lively 43:48

6M ago43:48

43:48

If you asked the average person how Vikings solved their problems, they probably wouldn’t say through lawyers. And yet, early Scandinavian people were sticklers for due process. This week, Danièle speaks with Robert Lively about how a person became a Viking lawyer, what the process was for solving disputes, and how fixing bad behaviour worked in th…

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Elephants and Ivory with John Beusterien 49:58

6M ago49:58

49:58

Elephants were known throughout most of the medieval world, even if most people had never encountered one, themselves. In bestiaries, elephants are praised for their long memories, intelligence, and monogamy. And, of course, their ivory. This week, Danièle speaks with John Beusterien about elephants and ivory in medieval China and Spain, including …

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Royal Grief in Medieval Iberia with Nuria Silleras-Fernandez 56:45

6M ago56:45

56:45

For three medieval Iberian queens, grief - and the way they expressed it - had immense and far-reaching consequences. This week, Danièle speaks with Núria Silleras-Fernández about what grief and widowhood were "supposed" to look like, how grief and madness were thought to be intertwined with love, and how the grieving women in the famous Isabella t…

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PARADE with Max Chernin 1:14:11

7M ago1:14:11

1:14:11

PARADE is by no means a "happy musical." But the way it has aged not only with audiences but within our culture has given it a happier ending than when it first opened in the 1999 Broadway season. This week, actor Max Chernin (Broadway's PARADE, BRIGHT STAR, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE) takes a moment from playing "Leo Frank" in the show's curre…

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Mysterious Manuscripts with Garry Shaw 55:07

7M ago55:07

55:07

There are several famous examples of mysterious medieval writing, including the so-far unbreakable Voynich Manuscript. So, what secrets were medieval people trying to hide? And why? This week, Danièle speaks with Garry Shaw about who was encrypting their manuscripts, the codes they used, and the centuries of attempts to crack the Voynich Manuscript…

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Johannes Gutenberg with Eric White 52:06

7M ago52:06

52:06

There are a lot of gamechanging inventions that shifted the trajectory of the Middle Ages, but one machine managed to hit at just the right time and place to create a massive enterprise in medieval Europe, with consequences that touched the entire globe: Gutenberg's printing press. This week, Danièle speaks with Eric White about Johannes Gutenberg’…

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Inventing the Renaissance with Ada Palmer 55:55

7M ago55:55

55:55

Given that the term literally means “rebirth”, the Renaissance throws some not-so-subtle shade on the period that comes before it. So, where did the idea of the Renaissance actually come from? And was it truly a golden age? This week, Danièle speaks with Ada Palmer about Petrarch, Machiavelli, atheism, and how we should look at the period formerly …

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Saint Thomas Becket with Michael Staunton 57:16

7M ago57:16

57:16

It's one of the most notorious political assassinations in history: the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. The story of two friends who became bitter enemies in a struggle between church and state that drew in some of the most powerful people from all over medieval Europe. So, how did a pretty ordinary kid from London end up as …

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THE ADDAMS FAMILY with Rachel Potter 1:09:05

7M ago1:09:05

1:09:05

"They're creepy and they're kooky," but they also mean a lot to so many of you! THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a musical based on the beloved characters by Charles Addams is one of the most performed musicals in the United States. Today, we look at why that might be. Joining us is one of Broadway's "Wednesdays," the amazing Rachel Potter (EVITA, WICKED), whose…

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Medieval Infancy with Julie Singer 47:42

8M ago47:42

47:42

One of the most celebrated moments in childhood is when a person utters their very first words, stepping over a brand new threshold of communication. And from that moment on, all bets are off. This week, Danièle speaks with Julie Singer about what medieval people thought about infancy in general, how literary children could be vehicles for truth an…

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Prester John with Chris Taylor 43:52

8M ago43:52

43:52

A mysterious figure ruling at the fringes of the known world, Prester John might be the most famous person you've never heard of. Like a medieval Carmen Sandiego, Prester John was a man people searched the globe for, from Ethiopia, to Tibet, to the New World, never quite catching up to him in the end. So, who was Prester John and why were medieval …

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SMILE with Robert W. Schneider 1:16:28

8M ago1:16:28

1:16:28

SMILE, a musical by Howard Ashman and Marvin Hamlisch about a teen beauty pageant may not have won the crown when it premiered on Broadway back in 1986, but it was the winner of this year's "Flop Shop" PATREON! poll. We're hoping now a few more people will know just how important this musical is! Director, podcaster, and educator Robert W. Schneide…

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El Cid with Nora Berend 49:39

8M ago49:39

49:39

In the centuries since his death, the famous El Cid has been the star of plays, romances, feature films, and even propaganda campaigns. But how does history compare to the hype? This week, Danièle speaks with Nora Berend about the real Rodrigo Díaz, the astonishing way his legend grew and changed over time, and how El Cid is still being used as a p…

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Royal Women of Sweden with Caroline Wilhelmsson 48:30

8M ago48:30

48:30

To get a fuller picture of medieval queenship, it's time to head to the heart of Scandinavia to learn about the lives of the lesser-known medieval women who found themselves - intentionally or unintentionally - ruling a kingdom. This week, Danièle speaks with Caroline Wilhelmsson about the royal women of Sweden, how they became queens, and how they…

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DEATH BECOMES HER with Marco Pennette and Kaleigh Cronin 1:07:41

8M ago1:07:41

1:07:41

Just as DEATH BECOMES HER celebrates 10 Tony nominations, we're thrilled to celebrate our new episode dedicated to this brand-new Broadway hit! Joining us is one of the nominees, the hilarious book writer himself, Marco Pennette (TV's Ugly Betty & Mom), and one of hard-working cast members keeping the show going 8 performances a week, Kaleigh Croni…

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Frederick Barbarossa with Graham Loud 54:28

9M ago54:28

54:28

When we look back to medieval Europe, there are a handful legendary figures who stand out above the rest. Richard the Lionheart. Charlemagne. El Cid. And Frederick Barbarossa. A powerful emperor, focused crusader, and stubborn supporter in the middle of a papal schism, Barbarossa certainly made waves in the twelfth century, and left a lasting impre…

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The Rise of Henry Tudor with Nathen Amin 1:03:07

9M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Though he’s remembered as the man who united the two royal houses of England, Henry Tudor was more than just the red rose of Lancaster: he was also the red dragon of Wales. This week, Danièle speaks with Nathen Amin about Henry Tudor's Welsh ancestry, how generations of royals and rebels shaped him, and how he managed to claim the English throne de…

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CRAZY FOR YOU with Shannon Lewis 1:11:01

9M ago1:11:01

1:11:01

"Let me give you the lowdown, we're K-razy for 'Lew!'" This week we're covering a game changing musical based on a game changing musical (get ready for Jeff's "Expired Ketchup" metaphor) featuring the Broadway debut of a performer who's now enjoying her Broadway debut as a choreographer! It's CRAZY FOR YOU with Shannon Lewis! Shannon (JUST IN TIME,…