The story of Pocahontas and John Smith has turned from compelling historical story of a brave woman who united two warring nations, to a melodramatic, oversimplified love story. In reality, Pocahontas likely never view Smith as more than a friend, since she was 11 when they first met. But they won't meet quite yet. We need to talk about the world they both inhabit, and the nations that will collide in the early 17th century. Then, on the creature of the week, you'll see why you want to bring hai...
Jun 15, 2016•50 min
This is not the Beauty and the Beast you've heard. It's not even the story the one you've heard is based on. That one is a super-pared-down version of an 18th century French novella. The original contains way too much description about fairy politics and power structures, 18th century Pandora, and an idea for a "Downton Abbey" reboot...with monkeys. The creature of the week is Papa Bois, from Trinidad and Tobago. He will show you why regular exercise and a balanced diet of strangers lost in the ...
Jun 08, 2016•51 min
Two stories from Greek Mythology: first, it's the story of Sisyphus, who you might know from his interminable, crushing labor, but who actually really deserved that punishment because of how horrible he was. The second story is of good-guy-Bellerophon, Sisyphus's grandson, who is constantly having that football pulled out from under him just as he is about to kick it. The creature is an 80-foot-tall, sneaky Japanese skeleton who has a drinking problem...in that he has a difficult time drinking t...
Jun 01, 2016•44 min
As you've probably come to expect, the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, perhaps the second most famous story from One Thousand and One Nights, is much more violent than modern adaptations would have us believe. Medieval Persia was a dangerous place, and you needed to have your wits, a lot of luck, and apparently an extremely loyal, wily slave girl to survive. The creature this week is the Nix, and it will give you yet another reason to shout at strangers in the grocery store. Wanting an ...
May 18, 2016•43 min
Three stories of tricksters. We have Coyote from Native American mythology giving great gifts and racing a turtle. There's also Anansi the spider-man from West African folklore, who is trying to buy the stories of the world. We also catch up with our old friend Loki from Norse mythology, who just wants to give Thor's wife an impromptu, un-asked-for haircut. The creature of the week is an emaciated horse who will either play harmless pranks on you, or crush you to death in the street. Our sponsor...
May 11, 2016•41 min
The conclusion of the Saga of Arrow-Odd, a man who is destined to live 300 years, yet cursed to be killed by his favorite horse. He's watched his friends and brothers die in his struggle with his adversary, the evil half-troll Ogmund, but this battle is destined to stretch over centuries, into a world that looks completely different to both of them. The creatures this week hang out in pantries, and either tempt you with too much cake or destroy your ill-gotten, likely buttercat-acquired food. Ou...
May 04, 2016•58 min
The saga of the legendary Viking Arrow-Odd contains trolls, ogres, giants, magic arrows, and a sorceress getting smacked in the nose. The mistakes of one Viking's past...or just a Viking being a Viking, haunt him. There's a dangerous Viking teddy bear, and if an angry, famed warrior offers to show you his arrows up close, do not take him up on that offer. On the creature of the week, you'll see that when you're at the supermarket, someone might just secretly be a giant purple blob that lives in ...
Apr 27, 2016•44 min
A story from Chilean folklore about the smartest woman in the world, her talking shoe, and a prince that deserved a slap on the face. The creatures this week are the abatwa, from South Africa, and you'll learn why ants are the best roommates ever. Say hi on Facebook? Support the podcast Find the show on iTunes Music: "Puzzle Pieces" by Lee Rosevere "a long night" by bbatv "Play Pelagic" by Little Glass Men "Neon Hippies" by Fields Ohio "Hedonic State" by Mike B. Fort "Theme W" by Steve Combs &am...
Apr 20, 2016•37 min
Two stories from the Grimm brothers, both of which have people going up, but in different ways. The first is the story of Rapunzel, and the second is about a small tailor who uses one success to face giants, a rampaging boar, and a unicorn when seeking the hand of the princess. The only problem? His greatest achievement may be based on a lie, and he's either the world's smoothest con man or completely delusional. Or both. The creature this week is a stack of old weasels. That catch things on fir...
Apr 13, 2016•48 min
The much-requested story of Prometheus, a Titan who was cursed by Zeus to have his liver pecked out every day for defying the Olympian and bringing fire to the earth. We'll also talk about the Titanomachy, the very literal clash of the Titans at the very beginning of Greek mythology, where Zeus comes to power and we all learn that any policy that involves crazy paranoia is basically the only one a Greek god considers. The creature is the gooseberry wife, but unlike the name, and the berries she ...
Apr 06, 2016•41 min
Old foes resurface as Balin, the fugitive knight, flees from King Arthur's court. He'll find himself on a perilous (and, at times, ridiculous) quest, where he'll inadvertently put the events in motion that will start the quest for the Holy Grail. Oh, and Arthur gets the Round Table and gets married. The creature this week is the little naked person buried just below the ground who will scream horrendously if you try to pick him out. Also, he might just kill you. Our sponsor: SeatGeek! (Link to t...
Apr 05, 2016•52 min
When we left king Arthur, the monstrous Questing Beast was lumbering toward him. We'll learn all about that beast and the line of kings cursed to hunt it. Then, Merlin shows up with a chilling plan to solve the problem of the child that is destined to grow up to destroy Arthur. We'll also meet Balin, a disgraced knight who just got out of jail and meets with an unexpected quest for redemption...that might just curse all of England. On the creature of the week, you'll learn why you want to stock ...
Mar 23, 2016•43 min
The story of the legendary King Arthur, from just after when he pulled the sword from the stone.Though he's in his late-teens or early-twenties, he is not at all taken seriously by his barons or petty kings, who revolt almost immediately. Less than one year into his reign, he is hiding behind the walls of a castle waiting for the best moment to escape, all while Merlin stands atop the wall shooting fire at the armies assembled out front. The creature of the week is the Mahaha, and you'll see yet...
Mar 16, 2016•39 min
This week: two folktales from Japan. One is about a humble, happy stone cutter who becomes a power-mad, bitter stone cutter. The other is about, surprise surprise, supernatural occurrences at a Buddhist temple in a remote mountain region. The creature of the week is...or are...the blue men of the Minch. They are blue, men, and very, very good at writing poetry. Become a member? Say hi on Twitter Find the show on iTunes Music: "Fistful of Dub" by Spinning Merkaba "Brooks" by Kai Engel "Byte" by N...
Mar 09, 2016•36 min
The story of a famous dragon from the folklore of north east England is filled with knights, curses, and, of course, the need to kill your favorite childhood dog. The story of the Lambton Worm is a quest for redemption where many people die because of a young man who just wants to yell cuss words at children and throw his trash in a well. The creature of the week is the butter cat. That should be enough to want to listen to the creature of the week. Find the show on iTunes Become a member Say Hi...
Mar 02, 2016•32 min
Norse mythology, like all mythology, is strange. Thor's hammer is gone. It was stolen...or he just left it somewhere and forgot about it. To get it back, though, he's going to have to do something more difficult than fighting legions of giants. He's going to need to get married. And there's the origin of poetry, which contains way more men formed from spit than you'd expect for the origin of poetry. On the creature of the week, seriously, just stay out of the woods. It never ends well. Except wh...
Feb 24, 2016•29 min
In this famous story from Greek Mythology, we'll meet Cupid (not a baby), as he accidentally nicks himself with his own arrow. In a podcast episode that is like the movie "Mean Girls" with a trip to the Greek underworld, you'll see why it is against the law to harbor someone who's prettier than a goddess. The creature of the week is a forest creature that operates on a very annoying wood chip economy. Become a member Say Hi on Twitter Find the show on iTunes The bag of dirt Music: "Sonar Despier...
Feb 17, 2016•37 min
A double-sized episode with the whole epic and slightly-ridiculous story of a cattle raid that ended up taking way longer than it should have. It involves a young man hulking out numerous times, several creative ways to kill your opponent in single combat, and a fight to the death between best friends. Also, you'll see why you shouldn't bring your squirrel to an active war zone. The creature of the week is a scary, hairy little zombie who, like Jack Frost, will nibble at your toes. Unlike Jack F...
Feb 10, 2016•49 min
Queen Medb, King Ailil, and Fergus make their way into Ulster while the army is crippled by feeling as if they are going into labor. Only one man, barely out of childhood himself, can stand against the invaders and protect his people until they are able to rise. That man is Cu Chulainn. This week, we learn the origin story of this Irish superhero (he's kind of literally a superhero, too. He can hulk out.), including how he got his name, which basically means dog. The creature of the week is one ...
Feb 03, 2016•34 min
Starting an epic string of legends from Celtic folkore. We're back in the time of kings, princesses, and intrigue. You'll see how you can steal a kingdom with fancy accounting, curse a nation because of a careless comment, and start a war to prove to your spouse how rich you are. The creature of the week is the monaciello from Naples, Italy. When he's not helping you, he's stealing your clothes...off your body... Become a member? Say hi on Twitter Find the show on iTunes Really excellent source ...
Jan 27, 2016•34 min
It's the original story of the Snow Queen, more commonly known as the source material for the hyper-popular Disney movie named "Frozen". The original, though, is incredibly different, and contains much more violence, kidnapping, and weirdness than the adaptation. On the creature of the week, you'll see why you shouldn't get drunk and take walks by the river Say Hi on Twitter! Find the show on iTunes Become a member! Music "Get Far" by Muddy Wires "Threadbare Cashmere" by REW<< "A Leaf in t...
Jan 20, 2016•40 min
This week, it's a horror story from Korean folklore. A little girl gets lost in the forest, and then a strange problem begins tearing her family apart. Then, on the creature of the week, you'll see how buying sunglasses for the guard might help you rob a temple. Become a member? Say Hi on Facebook Find the podcast on iTunes Music: "When the Guests have Left" by Blue Dot Sessions "Vindicta (Lost Radio Reshape)" by Astral & Shit "Moon" by Massimo Ruberti "Fleeting" by Coldnoise "Spell" by Role...
Jan 13, 2016•36 min
The first episode of much-requested Native American folklore has giants, ghosts, anthropomorphic coyotes, jilted lovers, and the reason for why the tick got so flat. Because you've always wondered how the wood tick got to be so flat. On the creature of the week, it's an animal from Australian folklore who is lurking in stagnant water, just waiting to give you a deadly hug. Become a member? Say Hi on Facebook Find the Podcast on iTunes Music: "Hiroko Dream" by Whodiniz "The Soft Glow of Christmas...
Jan 06, 2016•29 min
The story behind the transition from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus is one that includes murder, priest-punching, and ominous, demonic-looking companions. This episode looks at the legends behind an austere bishop who has been transformed into a magical, portly elf. **Note: as I say in the show, this episode is not for young children. The story of St. Nick includes grisly murders and mentions of prostitution. Listener discretion is advised.** The creature of the week is another sort of Santa from...
Dec 23, 2015•33 min
The final chapter in the story of Theseus, the Minotaur, and all the other people that have gotten swept up in this drama spanning decades. We'll learn exactly what the Delphic Oracle meant by her prophecy, and how you can use a spool of thread to kill a giant monster. On the creature of the week, it's a very literal tiny dancer. Become a Member? Say "Hi" on Facebook! Find the show on iTunes Music: "Comfort in Uncertainty" by bbatv "Great is the Contessa" by Blue Dot Sessions "The Big Out There"...
Dec 16, 2015•36 min
The story of Daedalus and Icarus is much more than just Icarus flying too close to the sun. Daedalus, the inventor, is directly responsible for the labyrinth and the Minotaur. He's a man whose will to survive and desire for significance drives him to make magnificent things, which only bring death, destruction, and tragedy for him and everyone around him. On the creature of the week, you'll learn how you can keep a Russian forest-dweller from playing pranks on you. All you have to do is burn his...
Dec 09, 2015•35 min
We have all heard the story of Theseus fighting that monstrous half-bull, half-man beast known as the Minotaur, but the original story starts years earlier. It involves tensions between two kingdoms, a deadly poetry slam, and dumb bandits. The creature of the week is a small chicken that will give you lots of gold...if you can keep it from sitting on you in the middle of the night and giving you nightmares. Become a member Tell a story on the podcast Find the show on iTunes Music: "Cold, Heat, D...
Dec 02, 2015•28 min
The story of a young woman, her magic doll, and a witch who may be the most terrifying - or the most ridiculous - person you've ever seen. You'll also see that you should definitely not trust a gift from a witch. Especially if that gift is a human skull...that's on fire. On the creature of the week, if your date has goat hooves it probably will not go well. Become a Member! Say Hi on Facebook Find the show on iTunes Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/list...
Nov 18, 2015•38 min
In this Russian Fairy Tale from the same collections as the stories of Koschei the Deathless, we find a prince who goes on a quest for the firebird. This leads us into a Russian nesting quest situation, where he ends up on a quest-within-a-quest-within-a-quest. We'll also follow his doofus brothers, who decide that taking an extended camping trip getting drunk in their silk party tents is much better than questing. On the creature of the week, it's a large horse-headed monster who will push you ...
Nov 11, 2015•41 min
The end of the saga of this legendary king has Viking battles, magic cows, and a long con to take over England. Ragnar's poor planning when it comes to cementing his legacy blows up in his face, and we catch up with Aslaug, the daughter of Sigurd and Brynhild, and the atrociously ugly couple that murdered her grandfather. The creature of the week is a little one-legged boy who grants wishes and has really smelly hair. Patreon! Patreon? Find the show on iTunes Say "hi" on Facebook Support the sho...
Nov 04, 2015•37 min
