Red Stuart has been swallowing swords since 1967, when he learned from sideshow performer Toni Del Rio. Within two years, his quick mastery of the art led him to become the only sword swallower to swallow broadswords and car axles.

Red has worked with many shows over the years, including Ward Hall and Chris Christs’ World of Wonders. He can currently be seen at Pexcho’s American Dime Museum in Augusta, Georgia.

Red has also taught 61 apprentices over the years, and at the end of this episode, two of his latest students join us—Jax Silvertree, and 11-year-old Billy Excho.

Red Stuart is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing. Purchase the book here on Amazon, or wherever else you buy books.

Find Red Stuart online:

Facebook: Red Stuart

Pexcho's American Dime Museum

Website :Pexcho’s American Dime Museum

Buy Red's Book: Red Stuart: With It, For It, and Proud of It

Erik Sprague, better known as The Lizardman, is a sword swallower, multi-talented performer, and author. As his website says, he’s “The Modified Marvel from the dark heart of Austin, a man with more ink in his skin, than blood in his veins."

In this episode, he discusses his beginnings in sword swallowing, his experiences with other dangerous stunts, his time with the Jim Rose Circus, and much more.

The Lizardman is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.

Find The Lizardman online:

Website: TheLizardman.com

Instagram: @thelizardman23

Facebook: The Lizardman

The Lizardman's Book: Once More Through The Modified Looking Glass

For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf

Franz began swallowing swords in 2013, and since then has earned nine world records, including the most bowling pins knocked down while sword swallowing, the most sit-ups while sword swallowing, and swallowing the most curved sword (133 degrees).

In this episode, Dan and I speak to him during his recent visit to America. Hear about his start in sword swallowing, his many remarkable feats, and the time one of them sent him to the hospital for several weeks.

Franz is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.

Find Franz online:

Website: https://www.red-hot-sharp.com

Instagram: @franz_huber_81

YouTube: @redhotsharpentertainment

Facebook: @TheBavarinDaredevil

For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf

Adam Rinn, aka, Adam Realman, is the artistic director at Coney Island USA and has been swallowing swords for about 25 years after learning at the Coney Island Sideshow School. Years later he took over as its instructor teaching sideshow arts to students eager to learn.

In this episode, Adam discusses growing up around the Coney Island sideshow in the ‘80s, his experiences learning the art of sword swallowing, his adventures as a performer, and much more.

Adam is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.

Follow Coney Island USA online:

Instagram: @coney.island.usa

Facebook: coneyislandusa

Website: coneyisland.com

For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf

Brad Byers has been swallowing swords for more than 45 years and is known for swallowing 12 swords one at a time and then twisting all 12 blades at once in place. Brad also juggles, rides a unicycle and tiny bicycles, balances on the rola bola board, walks on broken glass, yoyos, throws tops, spins suitcases and other large objects on his finger, balances a running lawn mower on his chin, and blows bubbles with a tarantula in his mouth—just to name a few of his stunts. His remarkable skills have earned him 73 world records.

Hear how Brad got started in sword swallowing, his adventures on Letterman, his experiences with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and much more in this episode.

Brad is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.

Follow Brad online:

Facebook: Brad Byers

The Amazing World of Brad Byers

X: iambradbyers

Website: Bradbyers.com

For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf

Cyrus Pynn is a sword swallower, juggler, equilibrist, and knife thrower known for his amazing shows at Ren Faires. As his website says, “He's a man of skill, a man of danger, and some would say....a complete lunatic.” Hear about his adventures in sword swallowing and more in this episode.

Cyrus is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.

Follow Cyrus online:

Instagram: @cytheswordswallower @bladesandbravery

Facebook: Cyrus Pynn

TikTok: Cytheswordswallower

Website: cyruspynn.com

For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf

At 89 years old, Jim Ball holds a rare triple distinction in sword swallowing: he’s the world’s oldest living sword swallower; when he learned at age 12, he was the world’s youngest; and having swallowed steel for 77 years, he’s the world’s longest-performing sword swallower. Jim is also unique in that both his parents were sword swallowers: John “Lucky” Ball and Estelline Pike. It was his mother, Estelline, who trained him.

Jim’s career took him across the U.S. and Canada, working with legendary showmen like Dick Best, Walter Wanous, and Alex Linton. From Hubert’s Museum in New York to Madison Square Garden with Ringling Bros., to What’s My Line? in 1958, and a stint in the army in between it all, Jim has many adventures to share in this episode.

Jim Ball is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.

For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf

Brianna Belladonna is a tattooed sword swallower, fire eater, and all-around daredevil who’s appeared on How I Met Your Mother, AMC’s Freakshow, CSI, Inked, just to name a few shows, and has performed at The Magic Castle, Six Flags Theme Park, the Playboy Mansion, Coney Island, the Jim Rose Circus, various tattoo expos, and many other shows and venues around the world. In this episode, she shares stories of her many amazing adventures in sword swallowing!

Brianna is one of more than a hundred sword swallowers featured in the book, To The Hilt: A Sword Swallower’s History of Sword Swallowing, published by Schiffer Publishing.

Follow Brianna online:

Instagram: @briannabelladonna

Facebook: Brianna Belladonna

Website: https://www.briannabelladonna.com

For more on To The Hilt, visit ToTheHiltBook.com or purchase a copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EbUsQf