I have big news. A History of Byzantium baby is on the way. The purple room in the Palace is being prepared for the Autumn and I can assure you that the names Justinian and Theodora will not be under consideration.
Of course I’m very excited. But it means I think we need to change the way the podcast is scheduled. I plan on being as involved as possible during the first few months of my baby’s life. And so it won’t be possible to keep a normal podcast routine.
So what we’re going to do is switch to a sort of TV schedule. Where there is silence for a few months and then I will release a complete series of episodes. So that when the podcast is on air, so to speak, you know that it will be out every week without fail and that whatever period of narrative we’re in will reach a natural conclusion. This will include bonus episodes for those who subscribe over at Patreon.
I feel more comfortable switching to this new schedule thanks to Patreon. It means that those of you who kindly support the show can manage your subscriptions however you see fit. And if you’re still in any doubt about how Patreon works – you can pick up a subscription or cancel one any time you like. There is no contract or commitment. And when you resubscribe you get your benefits back instantly.
We’re going to switch to this new schedule immediately. So there will now be a period of silence before a run of episodes that will take us from the death of Manuel through to the sack of Constantinople in 1204.
I won’t be announcing any dates for this new schedule. The periods of silence will take as long as they take and then there will be loads of episodes in a row to enjoy. It will be an adjustment for all of us but I think it’s for the best.
I have pushed myself hard in the past to try and produce the podcast weekly and to leave as few gaps as possible and it can cause a lot of stress. History podcasting just does take a long time. Some topics take weeks to research. And the more I read the better the show gets.
I’m hoping this new schedule will make life easier for you and for me. Thank you for your patience and for your support.
The History of Byzantium 
Congratulations! Take as much time as you need. Well be there when youre back.
Good luck!
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Is this an actual or metaphorical baby?
Congratulations! I hope that your child brings you much joy and happiness!
Congratulations! Enjoy this wonderful time.
Congratulations! Take care of your family. Two things about history: it isn’t on a schedule and it will always be there! God bless!
Excited for you!
This is exciting news! But also kinda bittersweet for me; after binging through years of content for almost a year, and finally catching up with the schedule, the schedule gets tossed, and it will be perhaps months of waiting? But don’t get me wrong, take all the time you need, I know how much work those porphyrogennitoi can be – I have two 🙂 It will be worth the wait and I’m very happy for you!
Congratulations!
“…I can assure you that the names Justinian and Theodora will not be under consideration”
I think we all know a Boy Byzantium will be named Anastasius.
Girl names are trickier. Perhaps Anna in honor of Anna Komnene? I assume Irene is out of the question.
Lekapenos would probably work for either.
🙂
Congratulations Robin!
This is my all time favorite podcast, so the wait for new episodes will be hard, but I fully understand your decision. Enjoy the time with your family!
Congratulations!! Best of luck and lots of joy!
Recommendation #1 – Sleep lots right before the birth – it’ll be your last good sleep for a while.
Recommendation #2 – Buy only the most necessary things – no plan survives contact with your baby, you’re gonna end up improvising and half the stuff they advertise is pretty useless.
Recommendation #3 – No Justinian, fine, but what about Anna, Anastasia, Zoe, Leo, Roman, Basil, Basiliscus?… Okay, maybe not Basiliscus.
🙂 thanks so much
Congratulations for your baby Robin ! Giving him/her a byzantine name would be adorable !
Take all the time you need, I’m actually pretty happy about this, just having all these 20 dark years in a row without being on edge too much
Congratulations for the baby Robin take all the time you need ! And giving him/her a byzantine name is adorable !
I’m actually pretty happy about the schedule of just having these 20 dark years in a row, leaves me on edge less, can’t wait, your podcast changed my life
Completely understandable! Will the episode on life inside Turkic Anatolia still be aired? I was particularly looking forward to that.
Congratulations!
Thank you. And yes absolutely, that will be the first of the next batch.
Congratulations! You are at the start of a wonderful adventure!
Congratulations! I am so happy for you. Plus, this will give me an opportunity to catch up…a little. I’m still back in the early 11th century! Love your podcast.
Congratulations, as a relatively new father my recommendation would be to pre cook a lot of food, freeze it in individual portions. You and Ms Byzantium will be sleeping and resting in shifts for at least a month, you will not always have time to cook! Little Anna Komnene Pierson/ Michael Psellos Pierson will have the last word to say on the matter!
That being said, with the new schedule, will we hear who won the competition at any stage in the near future? And will we get to hear anyone else’s interesting submissions?
🙂 thanks so much. Competition winner announced today
No Justinian. Then congratulations on Constantine [insert number here]!
Congratulations! Do let us know when our new imperial heir arrives, so that we may arrange suitable tribute and bending of the knees.
Speaking as a father of a 15month old daguther, I warmly congratulate you and wish a healthy birth into the purple.
Thanks so much 🙂