Best Chad Denton Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 63: Anticlimax 36:43

1M ago36:43

36:43

The Wars of Religion reaches its crescendo with a three-way struggle, and Catherine watches as her most beloved child makes a horrific and bloody mistake that would prove too much for her to bear.

1
Episode 62: Misery and Worry 28:50

2M ago28:50

28:50

Henri tries to get comfortable as king surrounded by his minions and scholars while Catherine's problem son, François d'Alençon, helps cause the Wars of Religion to break out again. Check out pictures, bibliographies, and more at http://www.medicipodcast.com. Support the podcast on Patreon. You can also drop some change in the tip jar and see my ot…

1
Episode 61: The Favorite 28:01

3M ago28:01

28:01

With an atrocity between them, Catherine de' Medici's relationship with her son King Charles IX falls apart. She can take pride in her favorite son Henri's election as King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, although unfortunately her beloved child decides he hates his new job.

1
Episode 60: Massacre 20:23

4M ago20:23

20:23

Catherine de' Medici and King Charles IX lash out against perceived enemies only to release a horror beyond their control, one that will stain Catherine's image forever.

1
Episode 59: Eve of an Atrocity 20:41

5M ago20:41

20:41

Catherine seems to have finally ended the religious civil war, a lasting peace that would be sealed with the marriage of her glamorous daughter Margot and the Protestant great hope Henri de Bourbon. But no one saw the storm that was coming... Check out pictures, bibliographies, and more at http://www.medicipodcast.com. Support the podcast on Patreo…

1
Episode 58: Everyone's a Martyr 31:56

5M ago31:56

31:56

The war between Catholics and Protestants in France finally erupts in earnest. Catherine travels across France with Charles IX to try to calm the volcano, but her own patience with the increasingly desperate Protestants is wearing thin...

1
Episode 57: Under Pressure 22:44

6M ago22:44

22:44

Catherine de' Medici takes the reins under the novel title of Governess of France. Just as she assumes power, a crisis that will overshadow the rest of her life begins to take shape.

1
Episode 56: Queen Mother 28:42

7M ago28:42

28:42

Catherine de' Medici's chronically ill son is now King François II of France. Rather than getting to enjoy the perks of being a king's mother, she finds herself caught having to deal with not only the growing tensions between Catholic and Huguenot, but the feud between two powerful families, the Guises and the Bourbons. (Note that I'm going on hiat…

1
Episode 55: Ménage à trois 26:30

8M ago26:30

26:30

Now queen of France, Catherine de' Medici is forced to form a somewhat unorthodox household with her husband Henri and Diane de Poitiers. Meanwhile religious persecution and violence have been growing, and Henri prepares to once again face his and his father's nemesis, Emperor Charles V. Check out pictures, bibliographies, and more at http://www.me…

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Episode 54: The Girl Has Come To Me Completely Naked 31:44

9M ago31:44

31:44

Far from a fairly tale life, to secure her future Catherine de' Medici must overcome snobbery at the royal court, anti-Italian racism, escalating religious and political tensions, her husband's bizarre love for his own surrogate mother Diane de Poitiers, and even her own body's seeming inability to get pregnant with an heir to the French throne. Ch…

1
Episode 53: No Girls Allowed 17:49

10M ago17:49

17:49

Catherine de' Medici has just married into the monarchy of France, arguably the oldest surviving Catholic Christian monarchy in Europe. So it's a good time to ask the question that would shape Catherine's life: how was it that a monarchy that barred women and their children from the crown also had a long history of powerful women guiding it? Check …

1
Episode 52: The Little Duchess 14:32

10M ago14:32

14:32

From the start of her life, the orphaned Catherine's life was marred by politics. First, she was destined to be a figurehead for her great-uncle's territorial ambitions. Then she was a hostage blamed for the crimes of her family, and next a pawn on the royal marriage market. No one could have guessed that the future had grander things in store for …

1
Episode 51 - Family Feud 18:47

11M ago18:47

18:47

Duke Alessandro de' Medici enters a deadly contest with his cousin, Cardinal Ippolito. The real threat, however, may be closer to home. Check out pictures, bibliographies, and more at http://www.medicipodcast.com. Support the podcast on Patreon

1
Episode 50 - How The Medici Did It 14:06

12M ago14:06

14:06

For our 50th episode, I give an overview of how the Medici went from being just one of several powerful banking families to joining the ranks of European royalty and high nobility. Check out pictures, bibliographies, and more at http://www.medicipodcast.com. Support the podcast on Patreon

1
A Quick Update 3:16

12M ago3:16

3:16

Just a brief update on the latest way the Worst Summer Of My Life has messed with me and what that means for the podcast along with what's in store with future episodes.

1
Episode 49: Duke 26:29

1y ago26:29

26:29

We leave the Medici papacy behind and look at the life and times of Alessandro de' Medici, the first Medici de facto ruler of Florence and (possibly) a black head of state in Renaissance Europe. The theme music is "La Disperata", composed by Vincenzo Ruffo (ca. 1510-1587) and performed by Jon Sayles. Check out pictures, bibliographies, and more at …

1
Episode 48 - The Emperor and His Pope 32:42

1y ago32:42

32:42

Pope Clement VII sells his soul to Emperor Charles V to get back Florence. Part of the bargain includes Clement essentially signing off on the death warrant of the Republic of Florence.

1
Episode 47: The Old New Republic 19:03

1y ago19:03

19:03

Lorenzo the Magnificent's granddaughter Clarice triggers a coup in Florence just by berating the man in charge. Meanwhile Pope Clement is driven to hide in a derelict palace in the mountains and receives an unwelcome visitor all the way from England. The theme music is "La Disperata", composed by Vincenzo Ruffo (ca. 1510-1587) and performed by Jon …

1
Episode 46 - Sack of Rome 32:55

1y ago32:55

32:55

Pope Clement tries once more to loosen Emperor Charles V's grip on Italy, another revolution in Florence is narrowly avoided through one man's incompetence, and the stage is set for one of modern history's most notorious war-time atrocities.

1
Episode 45: The Edge of the Abyss 20:27

1+ y ago20:27

20:27

Clement VII brings back the artistic glories of Renaissance Rome, but disaster for himself, his family, and for Rome looms overhead. The theme music is "La Disperata", composed by Vincenzo Ruffo (ca. 1510-1587) and performed by Jon Sayles. Check out pictures, bibliographies, and more at http://www.medicipodcast.com. Support us at Patreon.…

1
Episode 44: Interregnum 22:11

1+ y ago22:11

22:11

After Leo X's sudden death, the Medici are briefly out of power in the papacy. In the meantime, Emperor Charles V changes the landscape of European politics by getting elected as Holy Roman Emperor, and the fate of the Medici family is put in the hands of an orphaned, illegitimate son. Check out images, maps, genealogies, and more at medicipodcast.…

1
Episode 43: The Drunken German 45:44

1+ y ago45:44

45:44

While Pope Leo works with the artist Raphael toward the preservation of Roman antiquities and tries to steer Italy between the deadly rocks of France, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Ottoman Empire, a little problem crops up to demand his attention. And that little problem had a name: Martin Luther. The theme music is "La Disperata", composed by Vin…

1
Episode 42: The Orphan 22:48

1+ y ago22:48

22:48

A new Medici is born amidst tragedy, Pope Leo struggles with the threats posed by France, Spain, and the Holy Roman and Ottoman empires and a deadly conspiracy close to home, and an obscure monk and university lecturer in Germany starts to inspire a bit of controversy.

1
Episode 41: The Prince 22:33

1+ y ago22:33

22:33

Pope Leo X goes through his own "annus mirabilis." Meanwhile the next generation of Medici men come into their own: the wannabe aristocrat, Lorenzo "the Younger", and the juvenile delinquent turned freelance mercenary, Giovanni of the Black Bands.

1
Episode 40: New World Order 21:52

1+ y ago21:52

21:52

We look at Pope Leo X's reign, from how he got an edition of a pivotal Jewish text dedicated to him to the elaborate practical joke he engineered involving his pet elephant and an old-fashioned Roman triumph. But Leo also has to face the fact that the fate of Europe, especially Italy, now lays in the hands of three young, ambitious, and powerful mo…

1
Episode 39: The Lion of God 31:22

1+ y ago31:22

31:22

The unlikely partnership between the bookish, affable Giovanni de' Medici and the rough-and-tumble Pope Julius II will finally bring the Medici back to power and set the stage for Giovanni's turn as Pope Leo X, which would prove to be one of the most consequential papal reigns in history for reasons no one could have predicted. Check out the websit…

1
Episode 38: Mother Church 20:39

1+ y ago20:39

20:39

The Catholic Church was once the most important, omnipresent institution in Europe. Before we meet the Medici Popes, we'll delve into what exactly the Church did for the people, from providing early nursing homes to giving people one of the few shots at social mobility, and how powerful the Popes really were. Check out the website for extra materia…

1
Episode 37: The Exile 17:18

2y ago17:18

17:18

Still in exile, Piero de' Medici throws himself on the mercy of the new king of France and Cesare Borgia. But will they prove to be reliable friends? Check out the website for extra materials and one-time donations: medicipodcast.com Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/medicipodcast

1
Episode 36: The Tigress and the Popolano 26:31

2y ago26:31

26:31

This time, we check in on the sons of Pierfrancesco de' Medici, the brothers Popolano, Lorenzo and Giovanni. While Lorenzo tried to play a small, non-partisan role in Florence's new government, Giovanni fell in love with one of the most famous and daring women of the Renaissance. Check out the website for extra materials and one-time donations: med…

1
Episode 35: Trial By Ordeal 25:10

2y ago25:10

25:10

We conclude Savonarola's story by looking at why one of his most fervent followers decided to try to shut up the growing criticism of Savonarola by resorting to an obsolete medieval ritual and how that decision backfired catastrophically. Check out the website for extra materials and one-time donations: medicipodcast.com Support me on Patreon: http…

1
Episode 34: The Borgia Vs. The Prophet 29:32

2y ago29:32

29:32

Savonarola may be enjoying the peak of his influence over Florence, but he's made a relentles enemy who just so happens to be a pope and, worse, a Borgia. Meanwhile, Piero and his supporters spin plots for a Medici restoration. Check out the website for extra materials and one-time donations: medicipodcast.com Support me on Patreon: https://www.pat…

1
Episode 33: God's Republic 25:38

2y ago25:38

25:38

Charles VIII marches on Naples not knowing a brand-new plague is waiting for him, the Medici adapt to the existence of the new republic in different ways, and Savonarola and his allies in government tighten their grip over Florence, even while Rodrigo Borgia closes in on Florence's popular preacher. Check out the website for extra materials and one…

1
Episode 32: The Friar and the King 28:15

2y ago28:15

28:15

Piero de' Medici is gone, and a new rising star is a hotshot preacher named Girolamo Savonarola. Once an itinerant preacher and lecturer, Savonarola now finds himself hobnobbing with King Charles VIII of France and even having a say in Florence's newly rebuilt, Medici-free republic.

1
Episode 31: The Flood Comes 21:18

2y ago21:18

21:18

Piero doesn't get to enjoy being the de facto lord of Florence for long before he has to deal with an impending French invasion of Italy. He decides to imitate his father's boldest move, which would surely work...won't it?

1
Episode 30: Piero the Brief 14:38

2y ago14:38

14:38

The fourth Medici to come to power as "unofficial lord" of Florence is Lorenzo the Magnificent's son, Piero. Although a strapping, handsome, and popular young man, forces within the regime are already working against him. But the real threat is starting to stir many miles outside of Florence...

1
Update for May 2:03

2y ago2:03

2:03

An update explaining the brief hiatus and what the planned schedule for the show will be going forward.

1
Episode 29: After Me, The Deluge 23:26

2+ y ago23:26

23:26

We step back from the Medici to look at Europe as a whole circa 1492. The balance of power is shifting and that means, for Medici and Italy as a whole, the flood is coming.

1
Episode 28: The End of the Golden Age 19:16

2+ y ago19:16

19:16

The golden age of the Medici's unofficial lordship over Florence is drawing to an end with Lorenzo's death. Here we look back over Lorenzo's legacy as the patron, the politician, and even the embezzler and the human being. Also, what exactly was Lorenzo's contribution to the course of not only Florentine but European history as a whole?…

1
Episode 27: The Decline and Fall of the Medici Bank 19:03

2+ y ago19:03

19:03

Lorenzo is at the height of his power and security. However, just behind the scenes, the family bank that caused the Medici to come into power in the first place is slowly but steadily falling apart, thanks to the Ottomans, a squabble between English royals, and, most of all, the ugly realities of politics.…

1
Episode 26: The Private Life and Patronage of Lorenzo the Magnificent 31:56

2+ y ago31:56

31:56

The Lorenzo we see from his volumnious letters is a man who had a short temper and bouts of depression, but was also capable of tremendous compassion and generosity. Unfortunately, his relationships with his own wife and sons were perhaps less than ideal.

1
Episode 25: Into The Lion's Den 27:51

2+ y ago27:51

27:51

To try to stop a war Florence is badly losing and take some steam out of the Pope's vendetta against him, Lorenzo does something few politicians had done before or since: put himself directly in enemy territory.

1
Episode 24: Bloodshed 24:04

2+ y ago24:04

24:04

The Pope, his nephew, an archbishop, and a mercenary decide Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother Giuliano have to die (or at least be overthrown). Unfortunately, the conspiracy develops some hiccups, namely having to send a couple of clergy instead of a mercenary to take down Lorenzo...

1
Episode 23: The Calm Before The Storm 21:49

2+ y ago21:49

21:49

Lorenzo resorts to unsavory methods in order to keep the Medici bank afloat. In the meantime, his path crosses with the man who would prove to be his most relentless enemy: Christ's representative on Earth himself.

1
Episode 22: Triumphs and Missteps 30:13

2+ y ago30:13

30:13

Not long after coming to power, Lorenzo de' Medici has to fend off enemies at home and abroad. Unfortunately, in the course of protecting Florence from a crisis that could spiral out of control, Lorenzo sets the stage for a humanitarian disaster. But how much was he really to blame?

1
Episode 21: The Rising Son 31:24

2+ y ago31:24

31:24

Even as a small child, Lorenzo had been thrust into the role of the public face of the Medici regime. Now an adult, Lorenzo's own marriage to a Roman noblewoman from a clan claiming the Emperor Augustus and Julius Caesar as ancestors is a chance for the Medici to ascend even higher. Meanwhile, Piero is finally succumbing to his gout, just when both…

1
Update for 10/29/2021 3:05

2+ y ago3:05

3:05

An update on the show schedule for 10/29 and a thank you to everyone making sure this podcast isn't just me talking to myself.

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Episode 20: Conspiracy or Countercoup? 27:25

3y ago27:25

27:25

Piero de' Medici narrowly escaped death or abduction. But did everything happen as Piero and his son Lorenzo said? And just how will the Party of the Hill survive when they apparently bet everything on one scheme?

1
Episode 19: Hill Versus Plain 26:26

3y ago26:26

26:26

Piero de' Medici seems to be enjoying a smooth transition to power, but soon enough a rival political party takes shape on the high ground just across the river from the Palazzo de' Medici. When legal measures fail to dislodge the Medici, the so-called "Party of the Hill" proves itself more than willing to resort to more drastic measures. Meanwhile…

1
Episode 18: Succession 20:13

3y ago20:13

20:13

At the height of his political power, Cosimo de' Medici is being overwhelmed with illness and personal tragedy. Who will succeed him to his invisible, nameless throne? His son Piero, who unfortunately is a middle-aged man so sick no one thinks he will live for much longer. For maps, bibliographies, and more, go to medicipodcast.com. Support the sho…

1
Episode 17: The Invisible Throne 29:42

3y ago29:42

29:42

Cosimo de' Medici quickly established a regime that operated within Florence's constitution but gave Cosimo an almost unchallenged power over the state. Unfortunately, Cosimo's government was a delicate structure, and the pandemonium of Italian Renaissance politics threatened to bring it all tumbling down. For maps, bibliographies, and more, go to …

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