The Sassenach Files: An Outlander Podcast

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, I’m diving deep into the newly released season seven Official Trailer. Join me as I chat about the color palette, the music, and of course the content. Show watchers be warned THIS IS A SPOILER ZONE. I air my thoughts on what we are seeing in the trailer based on what I have read in the books, so there are A LOT of spoilers. I was so happy to see our favorite characters back in action and with many of my favorite books scenes hinted at as well. Make sure to listen in for my take on some of the creative choices also made when putting this trailer together including the book end dialogue, Caitriona Balfe’s rendition of Ave Maria and much more!

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, I’m breaking down the season one finale of Men in Kilts: “The Battle of Culloden”. Come along as I chat about the lead up to that fateful day and the two men who commanded the field. I also discuss the weaponry and tactics used during the battle, the family-oriented nature of the Jacobite Army, and how the rising of 1745 forever changed the face of Scotland and it’s people. The Battle of Culloden and the Jacobite cause has fascinated me for a long time, so it was a pleasure to close out this round of my Men in Kilts series with this topic. Enjoy!

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast, I’m chatting about episode 107 of Men in Kilts: “Clans and Tartans”. Join me as I discuss some of the most infamous feuds during Scotland’s Clan Wars from 1300-1600: the MacDonalds versus the McLeods, and the MacGregors versus the McLarens. I also break down the making of tartan, waulking wool, and where those brilliant colored plaids we’ve come to know and love first originated.

This week on The Sassenach Files I’m diving into the episode 106 of Men in Kilts: “Scotland by Land, Air, and Sea”. Come along with me as I explore the Highlands and Islands with Sam and Graham I will share some of my own stories and recommendations of places they visited including the Quiraing, the Fairy Pools, and Loch Ness, as well as some places you may not know about including the Isle of Iona and The Kelpies. I felt this episode was unique because it was less on history and more on the land itself, so I hope you enjoy the change of pace!

Welcome back to another episode of The Sassenach Files where I am discussing episode 105 of Men in Kilts: “Tradition”. Come along for the ride as I discuss some of the basic elements of life in Scotland such as basket weaving, the Gaelic language, and being eaten alive by midges. As always, I take a couple of detours on my road trip with Sam and Graham, so you’ll also hear me chat about the technicalities of training sheep dogs and beg the age old question, “How accurate is Outlander, really?” You’ll get all of that and much more on this episode of The Sassenach Files!

Welcome back Obsassenachs! This week on The Sassenach Files I am releasing the audio from my LIVE breakdown of the Season Seven Opening Credits from February. I chat about the visuals and music of this iconic piece of Outlander along with the frames and snippets of film we see throughout the wonderful rendition of The Skye Boat Song by Sinead O’Connor. Join me as I talk about the color and lighting choices, the roles of some of the behind the scenes worker bees that are credited, and how I think some of these images fit into the seventh season.

Hey Obsassenachs! This week on The Sassenach Files, I’m doing a deep dive into the fifth book in Katherine Lowry Logan’s Celtic Brooch Series, The Broken Brooch. Join me as I break down the thoughts, feelings, and actions of our two protagonists, JL O’Grady and Kevin Allen. I also chat about some of the major themes we see over the course of the book, the inner workings of a good murder mystery plot, and how Elliott was really trying my last nerve. The Broken Brooch, coincidentally one of my favorites of the series, is our introduction to the O’Grady family, James Cullen’s point of view, and the beginnings of The Diamond Brooch story. So hold tight! The Droughtlander Book Club train is departing the station, and you’re in for a wild ride.

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast I’m breaking down episode 104 of Men in Kilts: Witchcraft and Superstition. Join me as I chat about the lore and myths that are baked into daily Scottish life including a multitude of ghost stories, witchy woo woo, and Pagan traditions. In this episode I finally got to share my favorite hilarious Clanlands moment – the good ole Fiat Prostate getting stuck in the gates of Cawdor Castle. I also shared a couple of stories about my own experiences with the ghosts of Edinburgh. So, gather round the fire for a spooky tale a la The Sassenach Files!

This week on The Sassenach Files podcast I’m discussing the third episode of Men in Kilts, “Song and Dance”. Join me as I chat about all the different ways music has shaped the Scottish culture. Since one of the most famous songs from Scotland is “The Massacre of Glencoe” by The Corries, I thought it would be fitting to talk about the events that inspired the song. I also chat about a few other songs from the Jacobite era including my personal favorite, "The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond" and the events that inspired them. From waulking songs to sword dancing and everything in between, we run the gamut of musical inspiration in Scotland, and I hope you’ll join me for the journey!

Hey Obsassenachs! This week on The Sassenach Files I’m breaking down the second episode of Men in Kilts, “Scottish Sports”. Come along for the ride as I chat about some of the most famous sports in Scotland from shinty to the Highland Games and everything in between. During this wee episode, I discuss the regulations and history of Scotland’s famed past times. I also throw in some fun stories about me, myself and I as I chat about the sports I personally love including racing and American football. Along the way, I bring in a few nuggets from Clanlands, so I highly recommend reading the book or listening to the audiobook as part of this podcast series.

Welcome back for another episode of The Sassenach Files. This week I begin my journey through Scotland with Sam and Graham by breaking down their show Men in Kilts. First up is Scottish Food and Drink, and I am here for it! Join me as I chat about the endless array of seafood in Scotland’s larder along with the fascinating process of making whisky. As part of this series, I’m also including interesting bits and pieces of Sam and Graham’s book Clanlands along with some of my personal experiences in Scotland. You won’t want to miss it!

Hey Obsassenachs! On this edition of The Sassenach Files, I’m releasing a previously recorded LIVE episode from December 23, 2022 regarding the Season Seven Teaser Trailer. If you didn’t catch the live chat on TSF Obsassenachs, head on over and check out this special podcast where I break down some of the key moments I caught in the teaser trailer and what that says about the upcoming season. I also chat about the overall aesthetic of the trailer in comparison to the season six color palette and themes, and gave my best guesses on answers to some of your burning questions regarding upcoming seasons of Outlander. Stay tuned for the announcement section at the end, as I have some interesting tidbits to share!

What’s Up, Obsassenachs? This week, after a break for the holidays, I’m back with my friend Angela Hickey of Outlandercast Clan Book Club (Facebook) and Queen Bee’s Hive (Patreon) to discuss the Gabaldonian Time Travel Theory for a very special 100th episode of The Sassenach Files. Join us as we chat about our favorite time travelers and the supernatural magnetism that draws them all together. We also break down some of the scientific theories that Diana has used to create the time travel of the Outlander universe and discuss some of the key differences between the time travel of the books versus the show. It’s a wild ride full of facts, theories, and wild ass guesses, so come on in. The water’s fine!

Happy Holidays Obsassenachs! This week on another LIVE edition of The Sassenach Files, I hosted my sixth edition of Droughtlander Book Club where I discussed the second half of The Emerald Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan. Join me as I break down the major plot points of the remainder of the book including Kenzie’s capture by Military Intelligence, Jack’s crazy idea to ride along on a B-17 bombing run over Germany, and how saving Lieutenant Robert Manning from a terrible fate changed Kenzie’s future for the better. I also chat about a few key themes and how David and Kenzie’s complete honesty with each other makes them one of the strongest couples in the Brooch Universe.

Greetings Obsassenachs! This week on a LIVE edition of The Sassenach Files, I hosted my fifth edition of Droughtlander Book Club where I discussed the first half of The Emerald Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan. Join me as I break down the defining details of our main characters Kenzie Wallis Manning and David McBain as well as the rising actions of their stories in Book Four. I chat about some of the major through lines and themes of this portion of the book along with the expansion of the Brooch Universe, some cool World War II history, and Elliott and Meredith's quick, yet heartbreaking story. This book also happens to have a couple of my favorite characters a la Jack Mallory and “Cav” Cavanaugh, so I made sure to discuss them too!

Happy Thanksgiving Obsassenachs! This week on The Sassenach Files I chatted about the extended version of 109: The Reckoning. Join me as I discuss all of the scenes that were cut or pared down for time. A lot of groundwork was laid in this episode for the remaining storylines of the season, and I break down how the choices made in the editing room impact our understanding of the plot and character arcs moving forward. I also touch on some of the key moments in the episode for Jamie’s development and the growth of Jamie and Claire’s marriage that both myself and the showrunners consider “tent pole” moments.

Hey Obsassenachs! This week on The Sassenach Files I dove into some of the extras on the Season One Blu Ray / DVD to uncover what we missed with all the deleted and extended scenes. Join me as I chat about great scenes left on the cutting room floor and the impact those choices had on the trajectory of the season’s story. I also chat about background information and character motivations that were left out in the cold and could have been used to inform the viewer. I didn’t disagree with all their choices though, so I make sure to touch on that as well!

Welcome back Obsassenachs! This week on another LIVE edition of The Sassenach Files, I was joined by my friend Angela Hickey from Outlandercast Clan Book Club (Facebook) and Queen Bee’s Hive (Patreon) to discuss everything we can expect regarding season seven. Come join us for this extended chat where we touch on all casting announcements, info drops, and filming leaks from the sleuths of the fandom. We also dive deep into the content of Diana Gabaldon’s A Breath of Snow and Ashes, An Echo in the Bone, and Written in My Own Heart’s Blood to sort out potential plot points for the upcoming season. *Disclaimer: Please excuse the audio quality. I had some technical difficulties in the recording of this episode. Thanks!!

Greetings Obsassenachs! This week on a LIVE edition of The Sassenach Files, I hosted my fourth edition of Droughtlander Book Club where I discussed parts three and four of The Sapphire Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan. Join me as I analyze some of our supporting roles including Jack Mallory, Cullen Montgomery, and David McBain. I also chat about the trial of the conspirators after the assassination of President Lincoln, the motivations of this book’s villain–Colonel Gordon Henley, and a few of the creative choices I thought were particularly inspired in these sections of the book.

Welcome back Obsassenachs! This week on another LIVE edition of The Sassenach Files, I hosted my third edition of Droughtlander Book Club. Catch the replay here to check out my discussion on parts one and two of The Sapphire Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan. Join me as I analyze our two protagonists: Braham McCabe and Charlotte Mallory, along with all of their endearing traits and fatal flaws. I also chat about some of the key plot points of the first half of the book as well as the historical figures, places, and events that take center stage in this fantastic story. Of course, romance novels being what they are, I also made sure to break down our main couple, what makes them perfect for each other, and what sets their love story apart from others in the Celtic Brooch Series. Make sure to join me on October 29th at 4:00pm EDT in my FB group TSF Obsassenachs for our wrap-up on The Sapphire Brooch where I will be discussing parts three and four!