The Life and Times of Martin Luther

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This show details the life of Martin Luther, the events of the Reformation, including the inventions, events and personalities of the Reformation and the 15th and 16th centuries.

Steve Fogle


    • Jun 1, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 30m AVG DURATION
    • 39 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Life and Times of Martin Luther podcast is an incredible resource for anyone interested in learning about the Reformation and the life of Martin Luther. Hosted by Steve Guerra, this podcast provides a thorough analysis of historical events, putting them into context and helping listeners understand the "why" behind them. The level of research and dedication that goes into each episode is evident, and it is clear that Guerra has a passion for both history and his topic of discussion.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is its in-depth exploration of Martin Luther and the time period in which he lived. Guerra delves into not only Luther's life, but also the rulers and people of that era, providing a well-rounded understanding of the events and their significance. The episodes are well-researched, well-presented, and even include a touch of humor to keep things light. Additionally, Guerra's love for the subject matter shines through in his narration.

    However, one downside to this podcast is its irregular release schedule. While it started strong in 2016, with regular episodes being released, it has since slowed down to only a few episodes per year. While understandable due to Guerra's personal commitments outside of the podcast, it can be frustrating for listeners who eagerly await new content. That being said, there are currently 37 episodes available to listen to, which still provide a wealth of information on Martin Luther.

    In conclusion, The Life and Times of Martin Luther podcast is an excellent resource for those seeking to learn more about Martin Luther and the Reformation. Steve Guerra does an exceptional job at providing background details, keeping episodes concise yet informative, and engaging listeners with his storytelling style. Despite its irregular release schedule, this podcast is a valuable source of historical knowledge and a must-listen for anyone interested in this period of history.



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    Latest episodes from The Life and Times of Martin Luther

    Episode 38: Elections Have Consequences

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 43:00


    Maximillian I is dead.  Who will be elected the new King of the Romans aka the Emperor of the Holy Roman Emperor?  This time we discuss the Hapsburgs, revisit Maximillian, and discuss the contenders for ultimate prize.  At the end, there is one winner.  But of course, elections have consequences.  

    Episode 37: The Holy Roman Empire: The Lightning Round

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2021 36:47


    It is January 12, 1519, and Holy Roman Emperor, Maximillian I has died.  The Luther question is put on the back burner while the powers that be jockeys for position to select a new emperor.  Before we delve into the selection and election of a new emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (HRE), this episode will be a lightning round of information about the Holy Roman Empire itself.  It encapsulates information presented way back in episodes 3,4,5, & 6.   Happy Listening!

    Episode 36: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 29:14


    After the blow-up in Augsburg and Luther's refusal to recant, and his subsequent escape, Cardinal Cajetan and Pope Leo X are demanding Luther be sent to Rome.  Frederick the Wise has a problem on his hands, how to solve the "Luther Affair?"

    Episode 35: The Dark Earth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2021 44:07


    Enter stage left a new character at the dawn of the Reformation: the new professor of Greek at the University in Wittenberg: Philipp Schwartzerdt aka Philipp Melanchthon.

    Episode 34: An Augsburg Appointment

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2021 36:15


    Martin Luther is "invited" to a special meeting in Augsburg in October of 1518 with Cardinal Cajetan.  Can you say, recant?  

    Episode 33: What the Eck?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2021 33:55


    We pick up the story after the Heidelberg Disputation, and discuss the relationship between Martin Luther and Johannes Eck, and Eck's criticism of the 95 Theses.  Cardinal Cajetan enters the narrative, as we set the scene for Luther's  upcoming trial at Augsburg.  Happy Listening!

    Episode 32: A Year Like No Other

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2020 38:24


    Wow:  Finally a new episode!  In this episode, we explore Martin Luther's Sermon on Indulgences and Grace and the Heidelberg Disputation.  Happy Listening!

    Episode 31: Reading, Writing & Heretics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2020 37:41


    This is a rather eclectic episode, digging into literacy and communication methods in the late Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation.  The move from Latin to writing in the vernacular.  We'll also discuss the tortured history of heretics, especially Jan Hus, and whether reformers like Martin Luther had a reason to be a little fearful. Happy Listening!  

    Episode 30: The Empire Strikes Back...Well Kind'a Pushes Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2019 27:23


    Leo X, Archbishop of Mainz and Johann Tetzel respond to the 95 Theses

    Episode 29: The Postman Always Rings Thrice? The 95 Theses Hits the Road

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2019 27:43


    Based on where we are in the story of Martin Luther, this is essentially the beginning of "Book II" in the telling of The Life nd Times of Martin Luther.   In this episode we meet three friends of Martin Luther: Johannas Lang, Georg Spalatin and Christopher Scheurl.  Each likely had an impact on the how and where the word of the 95 Theses would spread.  

    Episode 28: If I had a Hammer-Martin Luther Posts the 95 Theses

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2019 26:34


    Luther posts the 95 Theses!  In the program up to date, we have delved into Martin Luther's life up to now. We have looked at the history of the Holy Roman Empire, and also a history of the Papacy; each of those topics until this moment on October 31, 1517.  Now the 95 Theses are in play, and the reaction to it will ignite the Reformation movement.  

    Episode 27: The Indulgence Game

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2018 31:25


    Episode 26: Breakthrough!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2018 29:22


    Episode 25: The Augustinian Administrator

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2017 25:45


    Episode 24: Papa Don't Preach; The History of the Papacy Part 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2017 41:55


    Episode 23 Papa was a Rolling Stone, The History of the Papacy Part 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2017 38:22


    Episode 22: The Monarchs and The Papas; the History of the Papacy Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2017 31:17


    Episode 21: Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, The History of the Papacy Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2017 35:03


    Oh My Papa...The History of the Papacy Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2017 37:54


    Episode 19: What's Up Doc?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2017 26:05


    Episode 18: Next Stop the Eternal City

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2017 28:25


    Episode 17: The Life and Times Christmas and New Year's Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2016 17:37


    Episode 16: Meanwhile Back in Erfurt...

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2016 26:20


    Special Announcement! Happy Reformation & Exciting News about the Program

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2016 4:12


    Episode 15: Saints and Sinners: Augustine, the Wrap-up

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2016 31:06


    Episode 14: Barbarians at the Gates- Augustine of Hippo Part III

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2016 33:36


    Episode 13: From Conversion to Confession; Augustine of Hippo Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2016 33:25


    Episode 12: Augustine of Hippo, Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2016 30:30


    Episode 11: Get Thee to a Monastery!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2016 25:58


    Episode 10: Luther at a Crossroads-Mortality in the Middle Age

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2016 28:37


    Episode 9: Between Reason and Faith

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2016 29:32


    The Life and Times of Martin Luther: Episode 8: The University of Erfurt

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2016 15:20


    Episode 7: The Early Years- Alternative vs. Real History

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2016 32:01


    The Life and Times of Martin Luther Episode 6: Saxony

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2016 27:46


    The Life and Times of Martin Luther Episode 5: The Holy Roman Empire (Part 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2016 29:50


    The Life and Times of Martin Luther Episode 4: The Holy Roman Empire (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2016 29:07


    Episode 3: The Holy Roman Empire (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2016 27:09


    Episode 3: The Holy Roman Empire (Part 1)  In this episode we leave Martin Luther after his birth in 1483, and go back to the fall of the Roman Empire in the West, the rise of the Frankish Kings, culminating with the coronation of Charlemagne, the father of Europe.  

    The Life and Times of Martin Luther Episode 2: Meet the Parents

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2016 29:20


    The Life and Times of Martin Luther Episode 1: To Begin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2016 17:09


    This "pilot" episode details how and why this podcast is beginning, with an overview of the story arch and scope of the podcast. Namely, the life of Martin Luther, in tandem with the events of the Reformation.  The series will also capture many of the events, inventions, daily life and personalities of the 15th & 16th centuries.  

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