Saint Podcast

This is a special episode inspired by an exhibition at the National Gallery in London entitled, Saint Francis of Assisi, featuring a special guest, curator Dr Joost Joustra...

Episode 4 is about Saint Barbara, a maiden who was locked in a tower by her father - and one of the many legendary inspirations behind the fairytale Rapunzel. She's the patron saint of firefighters, Lebanon, lightning, mathematicians, and numerous military artillery units. Find out why Saint Barbara is the patron of explosions. Discover the pre-holiday festivals celebrated in her honour...

Episode seven is about an Egyptian queen. She’s noted for being the brightest mind of her generation and is therefore the patron saint of scholars, students, lawyers, educators, librarians, philosophers, and theologians. This saint’s icon is a spiked wheel, the implement of torture her tormentor, the Roman Emperor, attempted - unsuccessfully - to inflict upon her...

This is a preview of the bonus episode, created for Patreon and Spotify subscribers, about a saint who, according to Pope Benedict XVI, ‘exercised a fundamental influence on the development of European civilisation and culture’. Indeed, the rule for religious men this saint wrote in the 6th century has been the template for nearly every monastic order in Europe, either embraced by their founders or imposed on them by the Church...

In celebration of Pride Month is a special episode inspired by an exhibition at the Manchester Art Gallery entitled, Derek Jarman Protest! – a major retrospective of the work created by one of the most influential figures in 20th-century British culture. This episode features artist Jez Dolan and curator Fiona Corridan from the Manchester Art Gallery...

Episode three in the Mystics series is about one of the most influential figures in Medieval Europe, She was a 12th-century author composer, theologian, author, naturalist, visionary, and exorcist. She began life as an oblate, a child who was donated irrevocably to the church by her wealthy parents, sealed up in a cell for life...

Episode five of Saint Podcast's Martyrs series is about Saint Lawrence, the son of wealthy Christians living in the Roman province Hispania, modern day Spain. He's an extremely popular saint whose story is relatively unknown yet it intersects with one of the most well-known legends in the world: the legend of the Holy Grail. He was famously roasted alive, and quipped to his executioners, 'Turn me over. I'm done on this side,' making him the patron saint of comedians...

The first Mystics episode is about a saint called the Father of Monks. He’s one of the first Desert Fathers, hermits who lived solitary lives in the harsh deserts of Egypt. Throughout his life he was attacked and tempted by the Devil in the guises of a beautiful woman, unimaginable riches, terrifying demons, and a centaur. He’s the patron saint of butchers, gravediggers, animals, skin diseases, and Rome. This is the story of Saint Anthony of Egypt the Mystic in the Desert.

This is a special episode created in collaboration with the York Art Gallery. It’s inspired by an exhibition curated by Dr Joost Joustra called Sin, organised by the National Gallery, London with York Museums Trust...

In Part I of our Saint Francis Mystics episode, Francis turned his back on youthful pursuits of status and glory. In Part II, his movement and message gain momentum. Their success, however, heralds the end of a golden age. As the number of Francis' followers swell, conflict with the Papacy in Rome seems inevitable. Join Francis as he meets Pope Innocent III. Then journey with him to the East to meet a powerful sultan fighting against a crusader army...