Best Vallás Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 39a - Valla-Ljot's Saga (chapters 1-5) 1:35:46

27m ago1:35:46

1:35:46

While we may have finished Svarfdaela Saga, we're not done with the most tumultuous valley of medieval Iceland just yet. In this episode, we pick up with the next generation. The lead actors in this little drama are Halli, the grandson of Karl the Red, and Ljot (aka Valla-Ljot), the son of Ljotolf the godi. And though the tensions between Karl and …

1
Hwaet a Movie - Episode 3 - Beowulf and Grendel 2:03:32

9d ago2:03:32

2:03:32

It's time for the third installment of our side project known as Hwaet a Movie! In this episode, we give the Saga Thing treatment to the 2005 Canadian-Icelandic film Beowulf and Grendel. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and watch it (even if our review might not cast it in the brightest light). The film stars Gerard Butler as Beowulf…

1
Saga Short 12 - The Tale of Thorleif Earl's Poet 1:42:03

28d ago1:42:03

1:42:03

Though Svarfdaela Saga itself is behind us, the story of the inhabitants of the Tumultuous Valley continues. In this episode, we follow Thorleif Asgeirsson, one of Klaufi's killers and the brother of Yngvild. As you'll discover, Thorleif has that independent spirit that Icelanders carry with them into the courts of Norwegian rulers. He's also got a…

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Saga Brief 26 - The Post-Classical or Rogue Sagas: Interview with Dr. Rebecca Merkelbach 1:18:29

2M ago1:18:29

1:18:29

Join us for an in-depth interview with Dr. Rebecca Merkelbach, Assistant Professor of Old Norse-Icelandic Studies at the University of Tübingen, Germany. Her latest book, Story, World and Character in the Late Íslendingasögur: Rogue Sagas, offers a fresh perspective on the often overlooked "post-classical" sagas. We delve into the complex and fasci…

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Episode 38h - Svarfdaela Saga (Judgments) 1:39:15

2M ago1:39:15

1:39:15

After 7 exciting episodes (they were exciting, right?), we're finally ready to put Svarfdaela Saga on trial. As usual, we drag the text to the Saga Thing and review it through our judgment categories: Best Bloodshed Body Count Nicknames Notable Witticisms Outlawry Thingmen Final Ratings How does Svarfdaela Saga stack up against the 30+ other sagas …

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Episode 38g - Svarfdaela Saga (chapters 22-27) 1:39:00

2M ago1:39:00

1:39:00

This is it. We've reached the end of Svarfdaela Saga. In this episode, we discuss the aftermath of Karl the Red's death. Will Ljotolf step up and retake control of the valley? Or will a new contender emerge to challenge his authority? And what becomes of Skidi and Yngvild? The answers may shock you. Seriously. This is a tough one for a number of re…

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Episode 38f - Svarfdaela Saga (chapters 18-21) 1:26:15

4M ago1:26:15

1:26:15

In this episode, things come to a head between the factions of Thorstein the Tumultuous and Ljotolf the godi (quite literally). Listen in and find out what happens as Karl the Red learns about the death of his best friend and the whole valley is thrown into chaos. We're in the heart of the saga now and things are getting real juicy. Join in on the …

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Episode 38e - Svarfdaela Saga (chapters 14b-17) 1:30:22

4M ago1:30:22

1:30:22

In this episode, Klaufi rescues his friend Karl the Red from a terrible Viking called Atli. But don't get too excited about Klaufi becoming the hero of this saga. He also kills a whole bunch of people, causes general havoc, and even gets married by dubious means. We also get to see him in full berserker mode, which can be fun (if viewed from a dist…

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Episode 38d - Svarfdaela Saga (chapters 10-14a) 1:12:43

5M ago1:12:43

1:12:43

With the Big Lacuna now behind us, we embark onto a new adventure in what may or may not be (but probably is) a new saga. Is this the same Thorstein we've come to grow and love? Or is it a different man altogether? In the end, it doesn't matter much because Thorstein shifts into the background as new characters take center stage, like Karl the Red,…

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Episode 38c - Svarfdaela Saga (The Big Lacuna) 45:35

6M ago45:35

45:35

In this episode, we find ourselves navigating the murky depths of the massive gap in Svarfdæla saga that we call "The Big Lacuna." What happened to Thorstein Thorgnirsson when he left Sweden? Why is he feuding with someone named Ljotolf in Iceland? How did he get to Iceland? Is that even the same Thorstein or is it Thorstein's son or maybe his gran…

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A Conversation With Clayton Harris III - Candidate For Cook County State's Attorney 31:24

6M ago31:24

31:24

Block Club Chicago's Quinn Myers interviews Clayton Harris III, on why he thinks he should be Cook County's next State's Attorney.By Clayton Harris III, Jon Hansen, Quinn Myers

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A Conversation With Eileen O'Neill Burke - Candidate For Cook County State's Attorney 27:06

6M ago27:06

27:06

Block Club Chicago's Quinn Myers interviews Eileen O'Neill Burke, on why she thinks she should be Cook County's next State's Attorney.By Eileen O'Neill Burke, Jon Hansen, Quinn Myers

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Episode 38b - Svarfdaela Saga (chapters 6-10) 1:10:06

6M ago1:10:06

1:10:06

We return to the tale of Thorstein as seeks fame, honor, and a bit of respect from his father. He's already defeated the great Viking known as Ljot the Pale, which is a big feather in his cap. Unfortunately, he lost his brother Thorolf in the battle. Eager to bury his beloved brother in style, Thorstein heads for the shores of Sweden where he'll me…

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Episode 38a - Svarfdaela Saga (chapters 1-6) 1:25:14

7M ago1:25:14

1:25:14

We begin the new year with a saga that has been compared to the works of Shakespeare himself. Not necessarily in a favorable light, but definitely compared. As we hinted in our 10th Anniversary episode, we're jumping into the sagas of Eyjafjörður in Northern Iceland (including Svarfdæla saga, Valla-Ljóts saga, Víga-Glúms saga, and Ljósvetninga saga…

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The Yule Lads 24:02

8M ago24:02

24:02

Gleðileg jól frá Saga Thing! We're back with another exciting holiday discovery for you. This time, we share a bit of backgroundy stuff about the famous Yule Lads of Icelandic tradition before premiering a brand new poem about them. This may or may not be the oldest surviving poem about the Yule Lads, though we have some suspicions about the nature…

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Hwaet a Movie - Episode 2 - The 13th Warrior 2:28:34

9M ago2:28:34

2:28:34

It's time for another installment of our side quest podcast, Hwaet a Movie! In this episode, we review the other Beowulf movie from 1999. That's right, there were two. This one stars Antonio Banderas as the far-traveled Ahmed Ibn Fadlan, an unlikely hero and perhaps originator of the Beowulf legend. Sure . . . that's the ticket. Join us for a rathe…

1
Episode 37e - The Saga ofHavard of Isafjord (Judgments) 1:35:09

9M ago1:35:09

1:35:09

After 4 episodes of reviewing The Saga of Havard of Isafjord (Hávarðar saga Ísfirðings), it's time to take it to the Saga Thing. In this episode, we pass judgment on the usual categories: Best Bloodshed, Nicknames, Notable Witticisms, Outlawry, and Thingmen. This saga proved to be more interesting in some categories than in others, but does Havard'…

1
Inside West Virginia’s New Economic Bill of Rights–with Troy N. Miller 59:54

10M ago59:54

59:54

For this week’s episode, Rebecca sat down with Troy N. Miller, who’s long served as the Off-Kilter podcast’s beloved “man behind the curtain,” aka executive producer. When he’s not producing Off-Kilter, the Zero Hour, Breaking Through, and other progressive podcast/radio programs, Troy serves as West Virginia organizer and special projects director…

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Redefining Wealth–with Aisha Nyandoro 59:54

10M ago59:54

59:54

Wealth is a word that gets thrown around a lot, especially in economic conversations and spaces. The most basic definition is what you own minus what you owe. But as Aisha Nyandoro—CEO of Springboard to Opportunity and architect of the Magnolia Mother’s Trust—argues in her recent Tedx Talk, it’s time to redefine wealth in the United States. In her …

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Episode 37d - The Saga of Havard of Isafjord (chapters 19-24) 1:24:54

10M ago1:24:54

1:24:54

While Havard and his band of merry cousins and bloodthirsty tweens hides out at Atli's, his good friend Steinthor is heading to the Althing to work his magic on a settlement for all the killings. But there's one more brother of the sons of Thjodrek out there. His name is Thorarin and he's a chieftain of some consequence. He's hatched a plot that co…

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Shifting the Paradigm on Disability Employment—with Bryan Gill and Nan Gibson 59:54

10M ago59:54

59:54

For this week’s episode of Off-Kilter, with October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Rebecca sat down with two leaders at JP Morgan Chase (JPMC) who are at the forefront of advancing disability employment within the business and employer community: Bryan Gill, head of JP Morgan Chase’s Office of Disability Inclusion and the firm’s…

1
“It doesn’t have to be this way”—with Jen Burdick of Community Legal Services 59:51

10M ago59:51

59:51

For this week’s episode of Off-Kilter, Rebecca sat down with Jen Burdick, supervising attorney of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) unit at Community Legal Services (CLS), Rebecca’s legal aid alma mater. They had a far ranging conversation about how “eligibility doesn’t equal access” and other lessons Jen has learned throughout her years as a …

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Older Workers in Physically Challenging Jobs Are in Trouble 1:19:17

10M ago1:19:17

1:19:17

According to recently released Census data, poverty among older adults increased sharply again in 2022, after reaching an all-time low just two years before. One group of older Americans who’s especially struggling is older workers in physically demanding jobs. Contrary to the popular narrative that everyone’s living longer and work is getting easi…

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Inside the Voices of Disability Economic Justice Project–with Emily Ladau 59:54

11M ago59:54

59:54

For this week’s episode of Off-Kilter, Rebecca sat back down with Emily Ladau. She’s the editor of the Voices of Disability Economic Justice Project and the author of Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally. She’s someone who’s done an immense amount throughout her career to shift narratives on disability in the Un…

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Labor of Love: A Sit-down with America’s Most Celebrated Labor Reporter—with Steven Greenhouse 59:54

11M ago59:54

59:54

For this week’s episode of Off-Kilter, Rebecca sat down with longtime labor journalist Steven Greenhouse. He’s someone who really needs no introduction after spending thirty-one years at the New York Times, eighteen of which he spent covering the labor beat, until 2014. He’s also the author of The Big Squeeze: Tough Times for the American Worker an…

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Episode 37c - The Saga of Havard of Isafjord (chapters 11-18) 1:28:51

11M ago1:28:51

1:28:51

What do you do after a successful killing spree? Kill some more! At least that seems to be Havard of Isafjord's motto. There's a certain logic to it as one killing begets another. But Thorbjorn has a lot of brothers and there's only so much killing Havard can do before he needs to find a sweet spot to hide out. Perhaps that nice fella from the Alth…

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Hwæt a Movie! - Episode 1 - Beowulf (1999) 1:58:25

11M ago1:58:25

1:58:25

As part of our 10th Anniversary extravaganza, we are launching what could become a new podcast: Hwæt a Movie! It's a movie review podcast focusing on films with a medieval (or medieval adjacent) setting. To get this little experiment off on the right foot, we are starting with a series on Beowulf movies. There are a lot of them and they aren't nece…

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10th Anniversary of Saga Thing (Part 2) - How Well Do You Know Your Co-Host (with Totalus Rankium) 1:07:45

11M ago1:07:45

1:07:45

One episode wasn't enough to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. In this special bonus episode, you get double the podcast hosts! We're joined by our good friends Rob and Jamie from Totalus Rankium for another thrilling edition of How Well Do You Know Your Co-Host! Originally intended to be part of a single anniversary episode, we had so much fun th…

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10th Anniversary of Saga Thing 2:07:23

11M ago2:07:23

2:07:23

Join us as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary with some reminiscing, listener interaction, ridiculous bits, and a lot of laughs. There might even be a hilarious surprise guest appearance here as well. And if that's not enough for you, we've got two more bonus episodes to sate your appetite. As we say more than once in this episode, thank you for lis…

1
American Identity in Crisis–with Kat Calvin 59:54

12M ago59:54

59:54

Something many of us take for granted, if we’ve never been without it, is how vitally important it is to have photo ID. In this day and age you can’t do pretty much anything without ID—from accessing public benefits to renting an apartment to voting, and so much more. So for this week’s episode, Rebecca sat back down with a dear friend who’s been l…

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Inside the Disabled Journalists’ Association–with Cara Reedy 59:54

12M ago59:54

59:54

For this week’s episode, Rebecca sat down with Cara Reedy. She’s a journalist and the founder of a new organization called the Disabled Journalists Association (DJA)—which she’s spent the past two years setting up to identify the needs of disabled people in journalism and to amplify the voices of disabled journalists across the United States. It’s …

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Speaking about pain—with Kate Nicholson 1:08:17

12M ago1:08:17

1:08:17

For this week’s episode, Rebecca sat down with Kate Nicholson, a dear friend and colleague and a policy advocate who’s been leading the charge when it comes to fighting on behalf of people who live with chronic pain. Today she serves as the founder and executive director of the National Pain Advocacy Center. They talk about what it’s like to live w…

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“Find your north star and your strategy” —with Indi Dutta-Gupta 59:54

12M ago59:54

59:54

For this week’s episode, Rebecca sat down with Indi Dutta-Gupta, a dear friend and colleague who’s dedicated his career to ending poverty in America and building an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few. Today he serves as president and executive director of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), one of the nation’s leadi…

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“Combining head and heart in the work” —with Kathleen Romig 59:54

1y ago59:54

59:54

For this week’s episode, Rebecca sat down with Kathleen Romig, a dear friend and colleague who today serves as the director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, one of the nation’s leading organizations that focuses on economic and budget policy for low-income families. To mark the eighty-eighth an…

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Episode 37b - The Saga of Havard of Isafjord (chapters 6-11) 2:16:02

1y ago2:16:02

2:16:02

[Quick Note: This episode appears to be over 8 hours long. It's a cruel joke by the podbean upload. The actual length is just over 90 minutes. It will end where it's supposed to.] We’re back with another installment of Hávarðar saga Ísfirðings, The Saga of Havard of Isafjord. This one is quickly becoming a new Saga Thing favorite. In this episode, …

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“My passion is my superpower”—with Zaki “The Barber” Smith 59:54

1y ago59:54

59:54

For this week’s episode, Rebecca sat back down with Zaki “The Barber” Smith, an entrepreneur, a powerhouse activist, and a criminal justice reform leader whose work focuses on ending the perpetual punishment that comes with having a criminal record in America. They had a far-ranging and emotional conversation about the historic clean slate legislat…

1
On Resilience—with Alejandra Vazquez-Baur 59:54

1y ago59:54

59:54

For this week’s episode, Rebecca sat down with Alejandra Vazquez-Baur, an educator-turned-policy advocate whose work focuses on expanding supports for K–12 immigrant students—especially newcomers—and multilingual students. As Alejandra describes herself: “I am a product of resilient Mexican women. A sister. A dancer. An educator. A visionary.” They…

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