Podcasts about Fiddleback

The last time we were here we talked a bit about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and then swiftly passed on to other things.But there were some things we left out. Some things that need to be mentioned. Because, you see, there is much made of Maslow and his Hierarchy and maybe, just maybe, it's a little too much. Even though we think we understand it, there are problems. Not just with our understanding, but also with the Hierarchy itself. If you are going to pay attention to it you might want to know what its faults are. So let's take a look at Maslow and try to avoid making any unwarranted assumptions.You can help support GM Word of the Week at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback

Dan Eastland of Dogwood Custom Knives joins Bob "The Knife Junkie" DeMarco on episode 336 of The Knife Junkie Podcast. Find show notes and links for this episode at https://theknifejunkie.com/336.Before starting Dogwood Custom Knives, Dan spent time as a landscaper, a U.S. Army Infantryman, a carpenter, furniture maker and outdoorsman... all requiring a variety of blades. As a stay-at-home dad, a friend and Dan's wife conspired to get him into woodworking to stave off madness. Years later, a blacksmith showed him how to make a Bowie knife and he was hooked.Dan was invited to Fiddleback Forge by Andy Roy to sand, sweep and do whatever grunt work was required of an apprentice. When he graduated from his apprenticeship, Dan kept working with Fiddleback and Fletcher knives learning valuable lessons in knife making, customer service and running a small business.Success as a knife maker according to Dan: "If one day a grandfather hands his grandson one of my knives and says, 'My Dad gave me this knife when I was your age.'” He adds that knife making is his true calling, "I go to bed at night reading about knives and wake up in the morning thinking about knives."Find Dan and Dogwood Custom Knives online at www.dogwoodcustomknives.com and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/dogwoodcustomknives/. Dan is also co-host of the Knife Perspective Podcast -- a link to it can be found on the Dogwood Custom Knives website.Be sure to support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a Patron -- including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details.Let us know what you thought about this episode. Please leave a rating and/or a review in whatever podcast player app you're listening on. Your feedback is much appreciated.Also, call the listener line at 724-466-4487 or email bob@theknifejunkie.com with any comments, feedback or suggestions on the show, and let us know who you'd like to hear interviewed on an upcoming edition of The Knife Junkie Podcast.To listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen.

Series 3 begins with a fond look back at an earlier episode.Yes, we're looking at nostalgia once again and boy, that sure was a great episode wasn't it with all it's references to the swiss army and pointing out how nostalgia was really just a disease. But, of course, as with all things fondly remembered, the spectacles of time have become a bit smudged. Perhaps we aren't seeing as clearly as we might. Or, perhaps, there's just more to know.You can help support GM Word of the Week at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback

We made a plan, but that plan didn't go… to plan. So we made a new plan. Which also, didn't go… to plan.But the third plan? That stayed up. And it brought us a little episode that was far different than we thought it would be, all on the strength of a listeners writing in to ask a question. Which is why we encourage that sort of thing. So, if you want to know about spell components in D&D and how to entice your players to go on an adventure that features some amazing animals this is probably exactly the episode you want. After all, nothing in magic is as it appears to be.If you'd like to help support the show, the best place to do that is at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback

The name Helena Blavatsky was certainly one to watch, for a variety of reasons.Was it because of her immense talents as a spiritual medium? Or perhaps it was because she was a font of spiritual leadership both at home and abroad? Or maybe it was because she helped bring eastern religions to the west? Or maybe it was all the various great writers of the day who both impressed and were impressed by her?Or maybe it was just because she started something that lead to someone else doing terrible things in the 20th century.Enjoying the show? Head over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback and become a member.

What happens if you mix a bit of as-above-so-below with a bit of animal magnetism?Well, if you're a regular listener to this show, you'll know that what you get is a journey that starts at Appleseed and ends at Fox. But you'll also know that along the way you'll hear many interesting bits about new churches, new religions, and old tricks.Along with a surprising amount of Benjamin Franklin.If you've enjoyed this show, please head over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback to help support future episodes.

Let's take a historical journey with a mystic seer played for laughs.And while we're at it, let's also look into the far reaching effects of someone who didn't really exist in the first place. But boy was he sure influential. So let's settle in and learn about Hermes Trismegistus and everything he's responsible for. Even though he definitely didn't exist.Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback

There are many classic episodes of GM Word of the Week, including this one.Which is sort of the problem. What does ‘classic' even mean any more? And what do we imply when we use the word? Well, it's complicated of course, and classically, that's exactly what attracts our attention. So let's see if we can figure it out and make some sense of it. In our usual, classical, style.Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback

A small change in the way paper was made lead to a huge change in what you can read.And the weird part is that it all starts with an execution and ends up with people on Mars. Of course, if people hadn't got better at reading, it might not have made a difference. But they did, thankfully, and now you can dream about swinging from tree to tree, or sailing the seven seas. Really. Go ahead. It's okay.Find out what I read at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8834981-brian If you enjoyed this episode, join us on Buy Me A Coffee to help support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback

Welcome to season two of GM Word of the Week.Confused? Don't be. We'll explain. Or rather I'll explain. And while I'm at it, we'll discuss things Dickens along with the confusing difference between American TV seasons, and British Television series. And probably that won't confuse you anymore than you already are. Unless you thought I meant the other kind of season. Listen and find out.GM Word of the Week is supported by your very kind contributions on Buy Me A Coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback

Happy Holidays!In this part:Coral CastleCardiff GiantThemistoclesExploding AnimalsShark GodsPsyche and CupidNearly an hour of information and entertainment for your holidays.If you'd like to help support GM Word of the Week and get access to more monthly bonus episodes head over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback and join our Head Librarian Tier.

Happy holidays!In this part:TransiDoctor KnoxNaming ConventionsSporksBrocadeFra Mauro MapNearly an hour of information and entertainment for your holidays.If you'd like to help support GM Word of the Week and get access to more monthly bonus episodes head over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback and join our Head Librarian tier.

The second part of our two part spice series focuses on the history of the spice trade.And in large part that history can be encapsulated in the history of the nutmeg. So let's dig in to what nutmeg is, why it was so popular and how that drove the demand for the spice until it became so popular everyone had to have it. But not for the reasons you might think. The nutmeg, and why Manhattan loves it.Support the show by becoming a member on Buy Me A Coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback

They taste good, they smell good, but sadly they are terrible.At least, they were in the past. Even though today they seem to be blessed with some sort of magical property that everyone wants a piece of. From your coffee to your candles to the ingredients for making little girls, spices are everywhere and everyone wants some. Which is not dissimilar to the way it used to be.Join us on https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback to help support the show.

The second part in our mini-series on cadavers.So, how did Burke and Hare change the state of the game when it came to dissection? And what happened after that?Well quite a lot really, but keep in mind that a lot of what we know today wouldn't have happened without those two gentlemen, and those similarly inclined. Still, the real heroes of the piece are those who were just… laying around at the time. And thanks to their efforts, or lack thereof, your life is what it is today.You can support the show at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback

Welcome to October, the easiest theme month of them all.Let's discuss, briefly, the reason for the season and then go on to talk about why we've already lost the battle. Well, the first part of why we've lost the battle against the dead; the historical context. Which, if you know the history of the cadaver, you already know where we're going to end up. And we do. But we have a point to make, which probably will become more obvious in the next episode. Part 2.If you enjoy this episode, consider supporting us on Buy Me A Coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback

Yes, once again it is time for another of our world famous Lost Episodes.The problem is, there's been a whole bunch of extenuating circumstances, which we try to explain somewhat unsuccessfully. But at least you get to hear some bits about swords, socks, and ninjas, along with a couple of people who really were in charge, like it or not. The whole episode just oozes with predicaments for you to try to sort through.We're switching up our means of support. Now, if you'd like to help support the show and want less of a hassle than Patreon used to be, we can direct you straight to Buy Me A Coffee, instead. Check it out at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Fiddleback

It's got awful nice wood for a Fox B I said to my dad. There is always a gun that he has, or one that I have, that the other wants. In this case we were hashing out the finer details of a swap that involved a Winchester 101 and a Savage Fox B(16ga, single trigger) with awful nice wood to boot. I wont get into the nitty-gritty of who came out on top in this particular trade, rather, I'd like to address my own almost involuntary comment regarding the character of the wood on the gun. This is 10 Minutes on gunstock wood. Wood has long been one of the best ‘strength to weight ratio' materials at human disposal and so has been and is still used preferentially for building of all kinds. It makes perfect sense that wood was chosen to be the buffer between man and metal where guns were concerned. Above all things the gun stock needs to be functional and in the parlance of gun stock speak, functional means strong enough to endure the beating regular use implies. In the most basic terms, trees grow by adding layers upon layers, building out from within and up from the ground. This is why fences stapled to living trees don't end up, well, UP. If a tree grew up, the fence would be carried with it and away from the ground. This is the best example I can think of to illustrate the nature of tree growth and one that helps with the perception of grain in wood. Each year, the tree adds a layer. These stacked layers become the grain in the wood. Layers are added sequentially on top of one another until our tree is selected to become a gun stock. If only it were that simple. Layers are added each year, but trees do not add layers equally. We have all seen a tree bend to grow toward a light source, twist, arc, fall and then curl back up again. Layers are added based on chemical changes in its response to (primarily) light or lack thereof. Additionally, trees do not all grow in the same locations; trees that grow on the sides of mountains have it ‘harder' than trees that grow in a lowland along a river. From a tree-centric perspective, deep nutrient-rich soil is better than the rocky hillside of a mountain with its shallow soil and minimal nutrients. Location-specific issues on a smaller scale are not the same as regional variation. If you have ever planted a garden, you know that your seed catalog splits all crops regionally, based on climate segments. This is why when you bird hunt in northern Montana crops are wheat and beans, and as you go south there is more corn or canola. These crops, just like trees, ‘prefer' a specific set of conditions, growing season, rainfall, etc. to experience optimal growth and production.  So how does this factor into a gun stock? All of the above is to illustrate that not all trees are created equally, and even within a species of tree, each tree has been grown in a specific region and location. Each of these elements(and more) dictate the grain of the wood and as a result the outward physical appearance. Gun stocks are typically made of walnut (with the most notable other option being maple). Walnut is a hardwood, broad leaf tree, that exhibits exceptional strength and typically dense grain. The latin family name, juglans, has 21 species (according to Wiki) with black walnut(J. nigra) and english walnut(J. regia) being the most commonly used for gun stocks. There are many names for the varieties of walnut used in stocks like French, English, Turkish, Circassian, Claro, Bastogne, California and Black. To cut through the haze in nomenclature would require more words than this article allows, but know that these names either refer to a specific species or a physical location where a specific species of juglans was grown. An example being that English Walnut is J. Regia. French Walnut is also J. Regia but grown in France.  With location and species sorted out, gunmakers need a way to describe gun stocks from the perspective of aesthetics. We can pick out pieces of Turkish Walnut that have appropriate grain patterns to produce strong functional gun stocks, but within our subset of Turkish walnut with good grain, there must be a way to differentiate the aesthetic qualities of a stock blank. Enter the myriad of stock grading systems that have been developed to attempt to put a quantitative measure on something that I would argue is rather qualitative/subjective.  The features in gunstocks regarded as aesthetically pleasing are similar to those in other schools of woodworking. Fiddleback, a phenomenon where closely grown layers of curly grain reflect light in waves, is revered in furniture and instruments as well as gun stocks. The collective term for these ‘imperfections' in gunstock blanks is figure. Figure is described in many ways such as curly, ribbon, wavey, ropey, swirly, or wild. In gun stocks, the amount of mineral lines(dark lines caused by differences in soil mineral content), the waviness or curl of grain, and presence of burl all affect the appearance of the wood. Highly figured stocks receive higher grade values. Grading systems use letters, numbers, or nomenclature to attempt to describe the percentage of a stock that contains figure. Standard, semi-fancy, fancy, extra fancy, and exhibition is one such set of delineations. Typically there is a standard grade, and 4 types of grade above that represent 25, 50, 75 and 100% figure respectively. Grades that use numbers(or roman numerals) would run as Grade 1 or I for standard, increasing in number up to Grade 5 or V (and up). Letters might start with A and run up to AAA or X to XXX, (and up). Additional terms like Royal, Crown, Presentation or Best are all thrown in for additional spice. The take-home is no single system is in place that unifies all stock quality grades. Stocks are placed on subjective scales that vary from company to company. It is worth noting that stock grades may or may not account for the actual STRENGTH of the stock - IE the wood grain that runs through the grip area. This is arguably the most critical portion of the stock as it will experience the most stress and is also typically the thinnest area of the stock. Grain that runs along the grip, curving to match the natural shape of a pistol or round knob, or that flows straight through the length of an english stock is imperative. This is why looking beyond the ‘pretty' aspects of figure is so important.  So what does this all mean? Without trying to be cliche, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some folks might love burl wood and ‘birds eyes' in their stocks while others prefer the buttery look of French Walnut, still others want the classic American Walnut feathering found in so many Winchesters. My suggestion is to always take a look at the grain of the stock in addition to its outward beauty. When selecting a blank, ensure that you look at both flat sides of the blank as well as the top and bottom. Getting a look at the grain on all sides is the best way to ensure you have a strong stock blank to start which will yield the best-finished gun stock. Some of the most figured and unique blanks I have seen have only been fit to stock a boxlock shotgun simply because the boxlock stock design is inherently more sturdy than a sidelock and those pretty blanks would simply have cracked or broken otherwise.   For my own experience, I should have slowed down and looked at the grain on the Fox B stock, but like so many others, I find it easy to be seduced by the beauty found in the wood. Lucky for me, the stock looks pretty AND has good grain through the grip. My biggest suggestion; don't rely on luck like I did and check the grain the next time you consider a shotgun or stock blank.

This week Peter and Quinton take a detour from Final Fantasy 14 chat and get into some lively discussion with our guest. Fiddleback is the one of the creators and host of the excellent podcast, GM Word of the Week. We learn about the origins of the show, why words are cool, and why Fiddleback isn't playing any actual games right now. Please support Fiddleback by checking out the following links: https://www.fiddleback.me/ https://www.gmwordoftheweek.com/ https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek https://twitter.com/fiddleback https://twitter.com/GMWotW We'd love your feedback so be sure to reach out on Twitter, on Discord, or send us an email at show@maelstromradio.com and let us know what you want us to play or chat about! Join us live on Twitch, Fridays 6pm PT/9pm ET Please subscribe to our YouTube! Logo and artwork by https://themerrylark.com/ Opening Music by Husky by the Geek Closing Music by Dutyyaknow

Spectacles are important. So important that they’ve been around a lot longer than anyone thought. They had a rough start though and several of the things we take for granted about eyewear were a long time coming. But at last, here they are and in this episode we talk you through their history. We take you from early Egyptian eye glasses to totally useless decorative eyeglasses all in the same show. And by the end, we hope you see our point. You can grab a copy of The Clock and The Camshaft by John W. Farrel from Amazon with this link. And you can support us through Patreon by clicking on the yellow banner at https://www.gmwordoftheweek.com/home

Consider the aurumvorax. It used to be, in D&D, that you could make some use out of the various parts of some of the monsters you defeated. But you had to be careful with this one. Really though, we wanted to talk about fur trapping and trading as it developed throughout history. In doing so, we pay particular attention to Russians, beavers, John Jacob Astor, and the political turmoil of the 19th century. All of which are interesting and exploitable dynamics for your own D&D game. Assuming they still do that sort of thing. You can get Robert Silbernagle’s book The Cadottes: A Fur Trade Family on Lake Superior by clicking the amazon affiliate link located in the episode description here or on our website. You can support the show directly by following the yellow banner at the top of our home page at GMWordoftheWeek.com.

We’ve long relied on water as a means of transport and sustenance, but let’s not forget it is also a source of power. And no medieval machine was better suited to take advantage of that power than the waterwheel. And thanks to the waterwheel, the dark ages were made a little less dark and took less time than they might have. It’s thanks to the harnessed power of water, via the waterwheel, that we can even be here today to hear what we have to say. To support the show, head to https://www.gmwordoftheweek.com/ and click the yellow banner at the top. Get The Clock and the Camshaft by John W. Farrel with our Amazon Affiliate link.

Melted, shredded, grated, sliced we don’t much care, any cheese is nice. Well, almost any cheese. Some run afoul of our cultural expectations. But, that aside, most people enjoy a nice bit of cheese on a fairly regular basis. So what is it about this stuff that makes it so special? And why do we make so much of it? And how can I possibly make some of my own? You’ll never guess how many of those questions we answer inside this episode, so you should definitely listen. But first, some nice bouzouki music. Head over to https://www.gmwordoftheweek.com/ and click the yellow banner at the top to find out how you can help support the show.

We’ve known about butter for more than 10,000 years. It’s been a well understood product of the cow for at least that long. Well, sort of. Understood is maybe a stretch. We knew how to make it, but understanding how and why it happened took longer than that. In fact, it took so long, that some folks worked up quite an extensive mythology to ensure that butter would keep happening. And then they threw it all away, along with the butter. Just like we’ve done in more recent times, so much so that fewer and fewer people know what actual butter tastes like any more. And all because some people were so well intentioned. Maybe we can fix that. Find out inside. Butter us up with some support on Patreon. Head over to the GM Word of the Week website and click the yellow banner at the top.

n this episode, part 2 of our cow-centric series, we take a look at one of the greatest, and worst, products of the cow: milk. It is pretty great. From serving as a substitute for our earliest foods to the basic ingredient of so many others. But it’s not just cows milk we talk about in this episode. It’s all milks and the things milk does for us, and to us. And frnakly, if it weren’t for one particular man, we probably wouldn’t care about milk at all, really. But first, pigeons. Check us out at https://www.gmwordoftheweek.com/ and help support the show by clicking on the yellow banner at the top.

Cows? Really?? Cows??? Yup. Cows. Because there’s lots of interesting things to know about cows that are off the general cow knowledge beaten path. In fact, we promise not to tell you anything about cows that you could have learned in primary school. Promise. We’ve got genetics and breeding and etymology and more in an episode you can really…. ruminate over. You can support the show by going to https://www.gmwordoftheweek.com/ and clicking the yellow banner at the top. We’d love to have you join us on Patreon or support us in any other way that works for you.

A bit of the history of wood finishing and the contributions of one tiny insect. But it goes beyond even that. The lac bug is a marvelous source of one of the most useful naturally occurring substances known to man with applications not only across a variety of fields, but back through time as well. So listen in as we tell you all about shellac, make a bet we’re pretty sure we can win, and explain why you probably wouldn’t be able to listen to the show without it. We set the record straight on shellac. Head over to https://www.gmwordoftheweek.com/ and click the yellow banner at the top to find out how you can help support the show.

There’s more to the drum than just keeping the beat. In fact, so much more that we had to really dig in to appreciate its full versatility. As humans, we respond to drums in a variety of ways, but we’re not the only ones and it’s not all about marching. So on this tour we examine some of the uses of the drum through history, and look at the latest science to see what drumming and tapping can do for us. Along the way we talk about some boys and what used to be one of the fastest communication methods around. All that and more, inside. Join us on Patreon to support the show by clicking the Yellow Banner at the top of our website at www.GMWordoftheWeek.com

In all the talk we’ve had about specific swords over the years, we’ve never really talked about swords as a group of things all by themselves. So, let’s fix that this week. In this episode we talk about the history of swords, how they developed, and which ones were really important. It’s an overview of the whole things from their primitive beginnings to what we know think of when we think about swords in fantasy and gaming. And even fantasy gaming. Along the way we discover something very important about swords and discussions of them, and maybe ghet some insight into why D&D doesn’t really bother explaining much about them. You can support us on Patreon if this is the sort of thing you enjoy, and we hope it is. Find it at: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Any time you experience some form of entertainment and want to bring it to your gaming table, you’re thinking about adaptation. Taking something from one form of media and moving it to another is no easy task. So, in this episode, we decided to take a look at the process of adaptation and examine some of its pitfalls and some of its triumphs. And you’d never know it to listen to it, but even this episode is an adaptation of something entirely other. So adapt yourselves to a slightly different episode than usual and give it a listen. And if you like what we do here, come visit us at https://www.gmwordoftheweek.com/ and follow the yellow banner at the top to join our Patreon.

Getting around on water has always been a bit tricky. It’s bad enough just working out how to sail on the wind, but, when you are part of a society that derives nearly all its worth from one particular river, you have a vested interest in sorting things out as quickly as possible. Which is what the ancient Egyptians and Chinese did. They dammed their rivers and sailed up and down them in the pursuit of trade as much as they could. Except for the bits they dammed. Which was a whole new trick they had to learn. So they invented locks. Your support keeps the show ad free. Join us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, what’s your story, after all? The magic mirror is a staple of fairy tales and fantasy fiction. The go to source when you need something mundane to spice up the place with a bit of magic. And it’s true, most mirrors you run into in Fantasy movies, books, and games, tend to be magical if they show up at all. But there’s more to mirrors than meets the eye, so lets set our gaze on them and see what we can learn with a bit of reflection in this episode of GM Word of the Week. Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

When we were confronted by a video game with an in game system that seemed to make things harder rather than easier, we went looking for help. In so doing, we stumbled upon the path of the mason, a profession so old, some folks consider it to be the worlds second oldest profession. And it is very old indeed. Another of those “before people wrote things down” things where no one knows exactly how it started but the evidence for it being a long time ago is everywhere. So let us take you on a journey that starts in a zoo, goes to the coast of Ireland, and then swings by some pyramids you probably haven’t even heard of. it’s all fun and games. Keep the show ad free by joining us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

We’re all wound up about scrolls in this episode and most of it is Gary’s fault. See, back in the bad ol’ days of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, Gygax went on a bit about how to make magical scrolls, and we thought, “Hang on. that all seems a bit much. What’s all the fuss about?” So we went and had a look. As it turns out, Gary was mostly a lot wrong about things related to scrolls, magical or not, and how to make them. Good thing it’s only a game and there’s nothing to get excited about. Right? Right??!! For transcripts and bonus episodes, join our patrons on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Accounting for accountants, we find ourselves a-counting. Thankfully, it’s not a math heavy episode, otherwise we’d have to count ourselves out. But this is a bit of the story about how counting came to be, and how it took us a long time to get to the point where we could count anything we wanted. Because it wasn’t easy at first and, for many of us, it isn’t easy now either, but there is a device that might make the whole thing go more smoothly if only we still valued its use: The abacus. There’s no accounting for taste, but if yours aligns with ours, why not join our patrons on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Last week, we talked about real people who became the subject of tall tales and folklore. This week, we talk about made up people who started out as folklore. Except many of them didn’t. At best, they were made up as new stories based on folklore. At worst, they were just made up entirely. And this tends to annoy some folklorists who sometimes refer to these sorts of things as fakelore. To find out what makes it so annoying, and hear some great stories along the way, warm up your headphones and give the show a listen. This episode is sponsored by the good folks at Patreon, who’ve chosen to be our Patrons. Won’t you join them? https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

There’s something about Tall Tales that really capture the imagination. Whether they’re about real people or not, they tell amazing, unbelievable stories meant to entertain and educate us. But there is a down side to tall tales as well. And in part one of a two part series, we’ll look at some of the real mean and women behind the stories we hear and how the tales both help and hurt. So let’s gather around the camp fire and listen as we discuss the likes of Danial Boone and Molly Pitcher and what we can and can’t learn from tall tales. Join us on Patreon for early episode, transcripts, live chats and more at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek.

Amulet was suggested to us, quite a while ago, by one of our Patrons on Patreon, but we put it off for a very long time because we couldn’t find much to say that wasn’t just a definition and an admonishment to use the word correctly. But then we did, and we hope you agree it’s a story worth telling. It’s an episode full of dangers and curses, faith and hope, and a tale of times both ancient and modern. It’s got everything you could possibly want including some Dungeons and Dragons. And it’s all thanks to our Patrons who you can join in supporting the show here: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

The modern idea of the Jester is not entirely incorrect. In many respects, it’s pretty close. But there are one or two things we’d like to clarify. Along the way we’ll talk about historical Jesters, their jokes, and what their lives were like. We’ll see Jesters from around the world and get to know more about how they worked. And, lest you think Jesters are all dead and gone, we’ll talk about two of the biggest fools we know about from the modern world. Join in the jokes and japes on our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

It seems obvious, doesn’t it? I mean, we clearly know where Gary Gygax got the inspiration for the Barbarian Character Class in Dungeons and Dragons. He even references it in the famous Appendix N. Obviously, what he had in mind was Conan. Duh! Ah but wait. Would we even be here if that were true? If the most obvious and plain explanation was the one that was correct, why even bother with the episode? Something must be up. And it is, because once you start digging into it, you learn several surprising things. Like, barbarian is kind of a no-no word. Conan doesn’t really fit the definition of barbarian. And Gary, once again, wasn’t really on point with his character design. But to find out more you have to listen to the show. And if you like what you hear, join our Patrons on Patreon and support the show: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Once there was a very smart man who lived in Ancient Rome. He wrote a book called Naturalis Historia and for the next 1400 years, it was the best book ever. Everyone had a copy, read it, and referred to it. Why? Because it contained everything ever known about the whole world. And who doesn’t want that on their shelf? But just how good was it, and how much did Pliny the Elder really know? Was he the authority on everything? Or was he just a second rate collector of information who got lucky? We’re glad you asked, let’s find out in this episode of GM Word of the Week. GM Word of the Week is supported by the kind contributions of our patrons on Patreon. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to our website at GMWordoftheWeek.com where you can find out how to support the show yourself, subscribe to it on all your favorite podcatchers, and find even more episodes to enjoy. This episode was Written, Researched, and Produced by Brian Casey. Today’s music was provided by Blue Dot Sessions.

Welcome to the new format. We hope you enjoy it. In this episode we are talking about unicorns, but more specifically we’re talking about unicorns horns, or alicorns as they are officially called. And to do so, we have to go all the way back to 1660 and then all the way backer to the 33rd century BCE. It’s quite the trip, but go ahead and have a seat. Right over there. On that chair made out of unicorn horn. Because that chair is really important. GM Word of the Week is supported by the kind contributions of our patrons on Patreon. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to our website at GMWordoftheWeek.com where you can find out how to support the show yourself, subscribe to it on all your favorite podcatchers, and find even more episodes to enjoy. This episode was Written, Researched, and Produced by Brian Casey. Today’s music was provided by Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic Sound.

We’ve briefly talked about animated statues before, but we really didn’t dig into statues in particular at the time. So herein, said discussion. And we do really go way, way back into history and travel right up to the present day. What’s all this statue stuff about really? Can we learn anything from them? What are they trying to tell us? Most importantly, how has all this statue history impacted the present day and is there anything we can do about it? If you’ve enjoyed the episode, please consider supporting us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Welcome to an unusual episode of GM Word of the Week, in which we eventually talk about tigers. But it is so much more than that. A peak behind the curtains here at the GM Word of the Week writer’s room where we show you how some of our episodes come together. And along the way, we dish some interesting bits of info about tigers and, even more relevantly to the gaming community, some stuff about weretigers, too. So listen in and enjoy! And here’s that link to our Patreon for you to follow and pledge in support of the show: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

Welcome to the New Year! We’re happy to see you, but we know you’ve got a brand new calendar just waiting to be filled up with schedules, appointments, birthdays, and anniversaries and that’s cool. But we also know that there are going to be a lot of blank spaces left. Even with all those actual holidays already printed on there. Never fear, though. We’re here to help. We’ve got lots of neat days to help you fill up those big blank stretches of time. Days like National Frisbee Day and National Coffee Day and National Fire Awareness Day and oh so much more. We know you’ll thank us later for it. We’ll thank you right now for a pledge to our Patreon to help keep the show coming. Sign up at https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek Thank you!

First, apologies. Then, news about some of the most dangerous creatures ever encountered. From Tolkien to Germany to Santa to Germany again then a bit of a stop in various Nordic countries and on to England, you’d think we were flying on of Santa’s routes. But we’re not. No, at this time of year we have a dire warning for you about the little creatures you let into your house. Take care and be well. Merry Christmas indeed. Get access to transcripts, bonus episodes and monthly creator chats by becoming a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GMWordoftheWeek

George Celtrick, president of Whitewood Products, discusses further Whitewood Products' custom large and small order hardwood flooring products offered to contractors and retailers to match their customer's needs. He discusses the process, which includes either a description of the desired flooring or a sample, which Whitewood will replicate. Celtrick also talks about the elements of the custom program and the Fiddleback program, offering a wide variety of hardwood and color offerings.

Podcast 409 (3/24/15) Equip2Endure Podcast is brought to you by: Dogwood Custom Knives : http://www.dogwoodcustomknives.com/ Dealers USA Made Blade, Edge Works, Arizona Custom Knife Live Fire Gear LLC: http://www.livefiregearllc.com/ Gear Picks Child size water boiling and emergency kit container. MSR .475 Stowaway Pot http://amzn.to/1IpUxY9 Videos: Carter Cutlery and Fiddleback first looks https://youtu.be/QEupnS1RVSE Win a Kabar Becker Matchax https://youtu.be/ICe-LAkKx7g Link to purchase a Machax http://amzn.to/1CLRd9F Interesting News: New knife design from Condor: https://www.facebook.com/297003743766164/photos/a.332305400235998.1073741828.297003743766164/630342593765609/?type=1 This design appears to have a solid pommel, something I think deserves more attention on a wilderness knife. Another one....From Buck Knives. https://youtu.be/YQgfp-MBp68 Personal Interest :    Adam's Thoughts ........Haversack, or small pack Vs modern packs. Are the big packs causing more problems than they solve. Is the idea of carrying your primary gear in your pockets and supplemental gear in a shoulder bag a better solution Robby's Thoughts........Canvas vs Nylon tarps, why the argument does not hold water. Does the idea that in a long term situation you would need the canvas leave out the thinking of what kind of shelter you would build for long term.  

Equip2Endure Podcast is brought to you by: Dogwood Custom Knives : http://www.dogwoodcustomknives.com/ Live Fire Gear LLC: http://www.livefiregearllc.com/ Videos Of the Week: AlpenLore Hyper Rescue Belt Test and Review RAVPower 7800 Element Charger Giveaway Stat Gear Auto Survival Kit Overview Survival Discussion:  Having the Preparedness Conversation and not looking like a deranged person!  Understanding a practically prepared approach to obtaining skills, tools, and supplies. BLADE Show 2014: Blade show is almost here, so what are our hosts looking forward to? Adam: I want to see if anything new is coming out of OKC, I'm also looking forward to picking up some new blades.  My annual Fiddleback, and Dogwood Custom Knives.  Seeing what the guys at Habilis Bushtools are doing this year.  I'm also really interested to see some of the new start ups that always have new and interesting things.   Dan: Sleep   Robby: Looking forward to seeing old friends, but as far as gear goes, Im wanting to check out the Kershaw Taskmaster folding saw to see how it stacks up to the Bacho. Im also gonna be checking out the Primal Gear Unlimited Survival Bow. Im not sure if I will get the chance, but, If I'm free I would like to attend the lecture Abe Elias is giving on selecting a Bushcraft Knife. Gear Picks/Spotlight: Adam: Alpenlore “Hyper Belt” AlpenLite Rescue Belt www.alpenlore.com Robby: Hyalite Equipment: Peak Oyl Elite sleeping pad: http://hyaliteequipment.com/sleeping-pads/view/peak-oyl-elite-poe