Click here for audio Ever wonder why Vikings had so many nicknames? The Vikings had to use nicknames because their society was patronymic--they derived their surnames from their fathers. So, if a man named Olaf had a father named Erik, Olaf would be Olaf Eriksson (Olaf Erik's son), or if his father's name was Bjorn, he'd be Olaf Bjornsson. If…
Click here for audio version What would you do if you lost your favorite possession? Something that kept you and your entire family safe? If you were a man, would you dress up as a woman and pretend to be the bride of your sworn enemy? If you were Thor, you would. Thor Loses Mjolnir One of my favorite stories…
Click here for audio version The People's God It’s a stormy day, thunder crashes, lightning crackles. You think it’s caused by lightning, air currents, and sound waves. But it’s actually caused by the Norse god Thor (one of the mightiest of gods) as he fights giants. Thor is the god of storms and protects both the gods and men. Unlike…
Click here for audio version How many names do you go by? Your first response might be, one. But think about it...do you have a family nickname? A nickname you are only called by friends or people in certain situations, like a sports team? Does your mother perhaps refer to you by your first and middle name and no one…
Click here for audio version Odin's Sacrifice No pain, no gain. You can’t get something for nothing. Everything has its price. We’ve all heard these sayings, some of us, perhaps, even live by them. To attain what we want, whether it be a minor goal to get in better shape, or a huge dream like making it to the Olympics,…
Click here for audio version Tyr's Bravery You know what you have to do right now is the right thing to do. You know it, but it is hard or scary or dangerous. You do it anyway, because you have a sense of justice. Or maybe you have to do it for the greater good. Would you put your hand…