Myths and Legends - podcast cover

Myths and Legends

Jason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpodwww.mythpodcast.com
Jason Weiser and Carissa Weiser tell stories from myths, legends, and folklore that have shaped cultures throughout history. Some, like the stories of Aladdin, King Arthur, and Hercules are stories you think you know, but with surprising origins. Others are stories you might not have heard, but really should. All the stories are sourced from world folklore, but retold for modern ears. These are stories of wizards, knights, Vikings, dragons, princesses, and kings from the time when the world beyond the map was a dangerous and wonderful place.

Episodes

290-Indian Folklore: Hiss and Make Up

A story from Kashmir folklore about love, marriage, and murder. Kind of a lot of all those things, actually. The creature is a Jaculus, the snake that will kill you with kindness. And its sharp javelin head. -- New Scoundrel out today! https://myths.link/scoundrel Pickle Bath Salt: https://myths.link/picklebathsalt -- Sponsors: Bombas: Get 20% off your first purchase at http://Bombas.com/legends Faherty: Get 15% off with code MYTHS at http://FahertyBrand.com/myths Support the show: https://www.m...

Oct 05, 202238 min

289-Viking Sagas: Half the Man

The story of Half's Heroes, from the Icelandic Sagas. If you don't like being burned alive...and also do absolutely nothing to avoid the completely avoidable fate of being burned alive...can you even call yourself a man? The creature this week is the Ubigabi (姥ヶ火), the flaming head that's barreling toward you in the night. -- Sponsors: Best Fiends: Connect with us on Best Fiends with Friend Code: 2829841 Shopify: Sign up for a FREE trial at http://shopify.com/legends (all lowercase!) Helix Sleep...

Sep 28, 202238 min

288-Viking Sagas: The Pillage People

The Saga of Half and His Heroes from Icelandic folklore starts with Odin spitting in a family's ale and only gets stranger from there. The creatures are the Ellyllon, the flower glove wearing, grocery-store-visting, fungus eaters. -- Links! Scoundrel! https://myths.link/scoundrel That comic book villain podcast we have: https://www.nextpod.com/botw The shocking potato thing: https://myths.link/potato -- Sponsors: Bombas: Get 20% off your first purchase at http://Bombas.com/legends Best Fiends: D...

Sep 21, 202238 min

287-Korean Legends: Sob Story

This week, it's the story of Stupid Ondal and the Princess Pyeonggang, where we see that it's Pyeonggang's birthday, and she can cry if she wants to. Oh, it's the next birthday, and she's still crying? Wait, three years down the road, and she hasn't stopped. Should someone find out what's wrong? The king just wants to threaten her with marriage to a guy he sees as terrible? Yeah, this should end well. The creature is Lazy Laurence. He guards apple orchards. And also doesn't mind a little backwas...

Sep 14, 202237 min

286-Japanese folklore: Cat Dad

Tokutarō is not going to be tricked by fox monsters. He's just not. Also, a dad has a big problem with the new pet cat. Two stories from Japan about things not being what they seem (or things being exactly what they seem). -- New Scoundrel out this week! Some of the most famous paintings in the world are now publicly visible only because a woman tried to have her own son murdered! https://myths.link/scoundrel That disclaimer: https://myths.link/286 -- Sponsor: June's Journey! Check it out on the...

Sep 07, 202240 min

285-Romanian Folklore: Grin and Bear It

The story of Harap Alb ( Povestea lui Harap Alb ) from Romanian folklore has it all. Like, it really does try to jam as many fairy tale tropes in as possible, but it actually works. It's a fun story with a little bit of everything. Oh, and talking lettuce. The creature is the Iwana bōzu (岩魚坊主) a priest who loves fish and has a seeeeecrettttt. -- Sponsors: Indeed: Visit http://indeed.com/legends to start hiring now! Best Fiends: Check it out on the App Store or Google Play! -- Music: "Quindi Cave...

Aug 31, 202242 min

284-Grimm: To the Point

I mean, if you style your beard to a point so that it looks like an enormous bird's beak, you can't really fault an insult comedy pro princess for taking some shots at it. It's "King Thrushbeard" by the Grimm brothers. The creature is a giant whose career path involves working for kings, hermits, and, oh yeah, the devil. -- Get your links. Hot and fresh. Scoundrel. Learn how two sisters in the 1800s were inadvertently responsible for John Edwards and Miss Cleo. https://myths.link/scoundrel Membe...

Aug 24, 202234 min

283B-Indian Folklore: To the Victor

We see if Victor can come out on top using the power of stories…for murder? The creature is a tiny fish with fingers and teeth! — Disclaimer/mermaid: https://myths.link/283b Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership — Sponsors Shipstation: Free 60-day trial at http://ShipStation.com , click on the microphone at the top of the page and type in MYTHS Indeed: $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post at http://Indeed.com/LEGENDS Best Fiends: Friend us with code 2829841 Canva: Free ...

Aug 17, 202241 min

283A-Indian Folklore: King of the Jungle

What happens when a lion and his prey become best friends? Or when a monkey starts messing around on a worksite? Or a weaver pretends to be a god to woo a princess? The Panchatantra happens. An eclectic, free-flowing anthology of short, funny, sometimes brutal stories that are meant to teach people wisdom...but might all be part of a long-con to gain control of a kingdom. The creature is the Nasnas, and he is very bad at hide and seek. And will also melt your flesh. -- Links! An English version ...

Aug 10, 202235 min

282-Gawain: All Knight Long

King Arthur and his best knight, Sir Gawain, have to answer the age-old question: what do women want? Oh, and if King Arthur doesn't find the definitive answer within a year, he'll be executed. Hijinks ensue. The creature is Nalusa Falaya, an evil porcupine who will turn you into an unwitting sleeper agent against your own family. -- The Salt Shooter: https://myths.link/saltshooter The membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership -- Sponsors: Bombas! Get 20% off your first purchase: http:/...

Aug 03, 202236 min

281-Grimm: Beyond the Grave

Two stories from the Grimm brothers with people going beyond death. On the first, it's a prince and princess who find love...after they swear a terrible and toxic oath to one another. On the second, if your guest sees ghost children in your house, maybe you should listen to them? The creature is the Leyak, a witch who likes munching on some human entrails and turning into a monkey with golden teeth. -- Scoundrel: If someone offers you a miracle tonic that's literally just heavily irradiated bott...

Jul 27, 202237 min

280-Korean Folklore: Family Matters

Three stories from Korean folklore about family with terrible frog sons, angry imps beating guys with sticks until their arms get tired, and a mayor who just doesn't know when to quit. The creature is the Leanhaum-Shee, and if someone wants to set you up on a date with an invisible person...maybe pass. And also run away as quickly as possible. -- Links! Disclaimer: https://myths.link/280 Scoundrel: https://myths.link/scoundrel -- Sponsors: Simplisafe: Go to http://simplisafe.com/legends and clai...

Jul 20, 202246 min

279-Norse Sagas: Prince Ali

The story of Spotted Ali, from the Icelandic sagas, has werewolves, ogre battles, and witch curses. It also has parents doing the right thing (and then the wrong thing for way too much cash), enemies becoming friends if they can keep on doing enemy stuff, and why you should always be polite to people who help you out: you don't know which ones might be actual trolls. The creature this week is the Kibaan, a chill hairy guy who will play music for you...providing you don't try to steal his child. ...

Jul 13, 202246 min

278-Oscar Wilde: Skyrockets in Flight

Two literary fairy tales from Irish writer Oscar Wilde. On the first, we'll see that even fireworks need spa days. Is that what wallowing in the mud with animals is? Probably, right? On the second, it's a story of love. Cynical, brutal love. The creature is the Joseung Saja (저승 사자), a dapper grim reaper who's all business. -- Disclaimer: https://myths.link/278 -- Sponsors: June's Journey: download June’s Journey today! Available on Android and iOS mobile devices, as well as on PC through Faceboo...

Jul 06, 202234 min

277-1001 Nights: Kiss the Cook

The story of the cook and the warlock, from 1001 Nights, where you see how a hot tub can change your entire life's course. The creature is the Murghi-i-adami, a buff peacock with a lot to say. -- Disclaimer & vizier bit: https://myths.link/277 Scoundrel! Check out the worst (as in least talented) counterfeiter in US history: https://myths.link/scoundrel -- Sponsors: Check out June's Journey on the Apple App Store or Google Play! Helix Sleep: Go to http://helixsleep.com/myths for up to $200 o...

Jun 29, 202238 min

276-Swiss Horror: Along Came a Spider

An adaptation of a Swiss horror novella "The Black Spider" by author Jeremias Gotthelf (AKA Albert Bitzius), about a town with a knight problem, so they make a deal with a very suspicious man to help them in their time of need. The creature is the Kanbari nyūdō, that creepy hairy guy watching you go to the bathroom on New Year's Eve. -- The disclaimer: https://myths.link/276 -- Music: All music by Blue Dot Sessions -- Sponsors: BOMBAS: Suuuuper comfortable everything. Check it out and get 20% of...

Jun 22, 202253 min

275-Tibetan Folklore: Free Bird

A prince, chased by seven evil wizard roommates, seeks help from a hermit. This leads him on a journey of discovery that entails ghosts, mythological creature kidnapping, and many, many blisters. The creature is the Lioumere, and you'll see that clowns aren't just for children's birthday parties! They're also for doing dental work on dangerous ogresses. -- The strange, sad life of Bernarr Macfadden: https://myths.link/scoundrel -- Sponsors: Indeed: Go to http://indeed.com/legends to claim your $...

Jun 15, 202245 min

274-European Folklore: Murky

Two stories from Eastern Europe where we see why mythological water monsters aren't a great way to discipline your kids. On the second, if a wizard is mumbling something outside your house, you're in for a bad time unless you talk to a witch. The creatures are the Devil's Dandy Dogs! They're not dandy, not the devil's, and they're barely dogs! -- Disclaimer: https://myths.link/274 Newts! The new PRX podcast I mentioned that has the Vodník, the Czech water monster in the first story. If you want ...

Jun 08, 202240 min

273-Robin Hood: The Good Thief

You would think, if you're the most wanted person in Britain, you would probably want to lie low for a little while and think that the all-too-happy-to-get-kidnapped abbot with the big bags of gold strolling through Sherwood forest might be an obvious trap. The creature is why you don't want to eat a big meal and then go into battle. -- Links! Scoundrel! Check out the story of Sarah Wilson: https://myths.link/scoundrel Our membership! It still exists! https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership -- Sp...

Jun 01, 202245 min

272-Egyptian Folklore: Imposter

The story of a young man who decided that he would do anything to live the life of his dreams...but how far is too far? The creature is the Minata-Karaia, basically ents who snack on their armpit fruit. -- Mitos y Leyendas: https://myths.link/mitos Best of the Worst, another show we have that's basically creature of the week but with comic book villains: https://myths.link/botw Fictional is back, too! https://fictional.fm/subscribe -- Sponsors: Best Fiends! Check it out on the App Store or Googl...

May 25, 202236 min

New Podcast: Myths and Legends, now in Spanish!

Sonoro and Nextpod (that’s Jason and Carissa Weiser!) present Mitos y Leyendas. The acclaimed podcast about mythology and worldwide folklore, now in Spanish. Listen, learn, and subscribe today on your favorite podcast platform to catch all the episodes every week. Available now! To listen directly on Apple Podcasts: https://play.sonoropodcast.com/LFm7oyx7 Nextpod.com Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

May 23, 20228 min

271-Korean folklore: A Friend in Need

Three stories of people helping people from Korea, including helpful monsters, deadly Pictionary, and why you should shove strangers down hills. The creature is the Glashtin, a creature with sticky hands, but in the murdery way and not the stealy way or ice creamy way. -- Sonoro and Nextpod (that's us!) present Mitos y Leyendas. It's this podcast, now in Spanish! Listen to the trailer and first TWO episodes now: https://play.sonoropodcast.com/LFm7oyx7 Check out this week's all-new Scoundrel: htt...

May 18, 202233 min

270-Greek Myths: Cloud Cuckoo Land

This week, Olympus will fall. The reign of the Greek gods will come to an ignoble end to an enemy that has been lurking in the shadows the whole time. Hear how it all goes down in this definitely serious story about how the rule of the Olympians was usurped by something you see every day. The creature is the Kickle Snifter! The reason why you should wash your beard! Or don't because who doesn't enjoy having a semi-parasitic friend around all the time? -- Links! That disclaimer: https://myths.lin...

May 11, 202242 min

269-Hans Christian Andersen: What We Do With the Shadows

A story from Hans Christian Andersen about becoming your best self…after that self completely separates from you and leaves you as merely a shadow. The creature this time is the invincible bear monster your ghost grandpa warned you about. — Scoundrel: All new this week! https://myths.link/scoundrel Fictional: All new tomorrow! https://fictional.fm/subscribe — Sponsors: BOMBAS: Suuuuper comfortable everything. Check it out and get 20% off your first purchase. http://bombas.com/legends June’s Jour...

May 04, 202239 min

268-Viking Legends: Hride or Die

Two stories from Norse myth. The first is about how you should just be you, even if people think you're a fool for doing so...actually, kind of especially if people think you are a fool for doing so. The second is about why you shouldn't go to the bathroom alone at night: Norse toilet zombies. The creature is the Mimick Dog, a dog that will mimic you and maybe put on plays. -- Sherlock Holmes on Fictional! https://fictional.fm/subscribe Best of the Worst, our twice-weekly mini-cast with ridiculo...

Apr 27, 202239 min

267-Dragons: The Horse and his Boy

A story of believing in yourself and finding your own way in the world...by imitating Pokemon and Hodor and wearing flashy suits from your best friend's stone safehouse. From a story from what's now Czech Republic and Slovakia, called "Prince Bayaya." Coming to a garden near you, the creature is the Jidra, from Medieval Europe. You might think you're a fantastic gardener, what with growing a plant bigger than you are...but you might rethink that when the plant tries to eat you. -- Links! Scoundr...

Apr 20, 202234 min

266-1001 Nights: Good Night and Good Luck

A story from One Thousand and One Nights of an incompetent dude, a genie that's more than happy to be used for evil, and how the best legal outcome is one that involves free honey cakes. This is also where we wrap up the framing narrative, and we see if Scheherazade's gambit, of keeping herself alive by telling her husband stories every night for the past 989 days, finally pays off. The creature is Irusan, the Irish king of the cats, and he is tired of listening to your terrible poetry. -- Links...

Apr 13, 202246 min

265-Monkey King: Out of Your Gourd

A super-powered monkey from Chinese folklore meets more than he bargained for: a sloshing hollow gourd full of pus. The creature is the Mikaribaba (箕借り婆) from Japanese folklore, a great reason not to shower (because she will literally gouge out your eyes). -- Scoundrel! New episode of Scoundrel this week. Check it out: https://myths.link/scoundrel New episodes of Best of the Worst out, too. They're a lot of fun. https://myths.link/botw -- Sponsors: Headspace: Go to http://headspace.com/legends a...

Apr 06, 202254 min

264-Korean folklore: On the Mountainside

Five stories from Korean folklore all woven together to tell a grand narrative of the lives of normal people (and animals...and trees) on a mountainside in medieval Korea. The creature is the Iara, from Brazil, a vampire mermaid who isn't thrilled to be a vampire mermaid but hey, it was the best her fish friends could do for her a the time. -- Best of the Worst! Check out our (other other) new podcast where we tell funny vignettes of ridiculous heroes and villains from comic book history. Check ...

Mar 30, 202235 min

263-Celtic Folklore: You Can't Take it With You

Three stories of things worth more than gold from Slavic, Celtic, and Chinese folklore. Also, why you shouldn't eat gold (it will literally kill you), why you should dig into that road cake early on, and why you should remember where you put stuff before getting the authorities involved. The creature is a cow's stomach with bone melting eyes! Who hates it when evil barons are evil! -- New Scoundrel out this week! Check it out at https://myths.link/scoundrel New Fictional out tomorrow! Check it o...

Mar 23, 202240 min