Year in Review
2025 for Memory Medieval.. and looking to 2026
2025 Year in Review!
(and what’s coming for 2026)
I posted the very first episode of the podcast on Dec 17, 2024 so every other podcast episode (24 of them) came out in 2025.
This year, the podcast got about 50,000 listens, across Youtube, Substack, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
I have also linked to the substack accounts of those mentioned so you may subscribe to them as well, highly recommended!
Laurence Marvin, John D Hosler, David Parnell, and Andrew from “Shadows over Constantinople” are hereby conferred with official “Friend of the Show” status by appearing twice, each. Mr. John D Hosler is in the running to become the first to three episodes, though Laurence Marvin is in the running and James Naus is the dark horse to get two quick episodes in 2026.
And special thanks to Legacy for becoming the first sponsor of the podcast with Cards of History. (If you purchase through this link, it’s the only place on the internet you get a 10% discount!)
A few podcast highlights for me:
-This year I really learned about the Eastern Roman Empire. From the intro episode (3) with David Parnell, to the giga-episode (over 3 hours, ep 10) with Andrew, it has been great to learn about the ERE and put it into a better understanding.
-One thing I’ve really been looking to do with the podcast is to bring unique conversations to the table. I really enjoyed the conversation in Ep 15 with Levi Roach on what differentiated Feudalism from Slavery. Then the following two episodes with Taylor Kniphfer and Matt Lewis were very insightful looks into the Wars of the Roses.
-Ep 20 with Dr Emma Herbert-Davies was one I particularly enjoyed. She’s done some really incredible research and learning details about horses really puts some things into context.
-Ep 22 (nearly 3 hours) on the mongols was a fun capstone to all of the beef on X. Jack Wilson is a real expert and his summary of the subject was quite fascinating.
-Lastly, I was really surprised how much I enjoyed the last episode on medieval food and feasting. Not a topic that really comes to mind to learn about but Andrew Mitchell has a great way of laying it out and you can feel his enthusiasm. Really fantastic episode.
Worth mentioning, I also try to bring on guests who are both subject matter experts AND have never been on podcasts before because I think they can make for some very interesting and unique conversations. This is generally not the best podcasting strategy (you want guests who have big audiences) but this is something that I think is extremely valuable and interesting for the audience. I think this year, 6 episodes (a full 25%!) featured guests who have never been on a podcast before.
Lastly, the Memory Medieval project has grown into double digit numbers of paid-supporters between X and Substack and I want to take a moment to thank everyone who is supporting my project financially. It’s a nice boost and more importantly, a very clear signal of your enthusiasm and support for the project, so thank you very much.
And now, what’s coming up for 2026?
The first six episodes of the podcast will be on Richard the Lionheart.
We will start with an episode with the man who is widely accepted as the world’s foremost Richard scholar, John Gillingham. Mr Gillingham, it must be noted, has never appeared on a podcast (as far as I can tell) to discuss his work, so it’s a real pleasure for me to have spoken with him and to have the ability to bring you this very unique conversation. (Special thanks to the aforementioned Taylor Knipfer for putting us in contact. Thank you!)
The next four episodes in some order will feature Real Crusades History from YT, John D Hosler, James Naus, and The Bazaar of War and then the series will finish at the end of March with a long episode featuring Alex Petkas, discussing Richard’s military career in contrast with Julius Caesar (widely recognized as one of the GOATs).
After that, I’ll have episodes on the SCA, on the book “Bloodtaking and Peacemaking” (Icelandic Saga study) with William Ian Miller, and... we’ll go from there. Many episodes tentatively scheduled but it’s so far out... don’t want to get too far ahead of myself.
Lastly, 2026 will be the year I finally offer you some even higher quality ways to enjoy medieval history and to support my project.
1- In the first half of 2026 I will run my first kickstarter for custom medieval-themed playing cards, illustrated by myself. I’ve been ramping up to getting this project on the road and it’s coming in the next few months.
2- In February or March, I have teamed up with a handful of editors to launch a digital publication on here on substack Feigned Flight Magazine which will hopefully become a physical magazine by the end of next year. God-willing and with your support. Please subscribe now so you don’t miss it!
3- I have been speaking with silversmiths and even a goldsmith to look at offering high quality signet rings (pictured) with medieval heraldry. This may get bundled in with the kickstarter, or I may have to run campaigns on my own (due to needing to place a bulk order).
4- I am looking at putting together one or two curated trips to Europe to go explore some Norman sites in person (Frederick II’s Castle Maniace is high on the list, pictured) or to go visit some medieval cathedrals. You’ll have the chance to go with a group of enthusiasts and be regaled with related medieval stories from me.
With so many high quality expansions, both in terms of better free content and products and trips, my time casually posting on X (and notes, here) will likely decline so 64,300,000 impressions on X in the last year is probably a high water mark. I will still try to fit in some daily castles, cathedrals, and interesting stories as I am reading and studying on my own..
BUT, if you want to make sure you don’t miss everything coming up, please subscribe (even for free) to my substack. I only send out emails for podcast episodes and major event updates, but that’s how you can make sure you don’t miss.
Thank you all for a great 2025! It’s been a lot of fun. We’ve covered a lot, learned a lot, and had a lot of laughs (mostly at the expense of people who like Philip Augustus). 2026 is shaping up to be epic.
Thank you for supporting my project and I hope you are ready for an incredible 2026!
The Richard the Lionheart arc is goin to be epic given the guests lineup. Having Gillingham for a first podcast appearance is huge, like catching someone before they become legend status. The Julius Caesar comparison angle with Alex Petkas sounds fascinating too since Richard's battlefield tactics often get overshadowed by the crusade mythology. I dunno, the whole project's trajectory from deep dives on the ERE to branching into material culture with the playing cards shows a seriousness of intent. Most medieval podcasters stay in their lane, but you're building an entire ecosystem here which is rare.
Good luck in the New Year, and congrats on getting a sponsor!