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

346: Athena: Friends in Need

Tales of everyone's favorite Olympian in charge of warfare, wisdom (& crafts!): Athena. Well, everyone's favorite except for anyone who has been led to a grisly adventurer fate by her. Or been turned into a monster by her. Or has adopted a snake from her. Or... The creature is Hyena Man! He's way worse than the DC Comics supervillain that shares his name because he will literally eat children. Disclaimer: https://myths.link/346 Hyena men: https://myths.link/hyenas Membership: https://www.myt...

Dec 06, 202344 minEp. 346

345: Welsh legends: Fetch Quest

The story of Culhwch and Olwen is that of a thousand quests and why it's probably ok to name your baby after the place they were born...but maybe not if they were born in a literal pigsty. The creature this week is the Hydrus, who is not the Lernian Hydra, of Heracles fame, but it does get a second act as a Biblical metaphor. Culhwch and Olwen: https://myths.link/fetchquests Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Sponsor: This episode of Myths and Legends is sponsored by BetterHe...

Nov 29, 202341 minEp. 345

344: Armenian folklore: Giants, Giants Everywhere

The story of Mirza, from Armenian folklore, and why it pays to be a heavy sleeper. Also, if you find your incredibly angry, stinky uncle chained up in a closet...it's probably best to leave him there. If you can. The creature this week is Big Bird! If Big Bird ate corpses... The story of Mirza: https://myths.link/mirza Bacon Bandages: https://myths.link/baconbandages --- Music: "Bossa Boa" by Blue Dot Sessions "Crosswire" by Blue Dot Sessions "Halpver" by Blue Dot Sessions "Where we Make our Sta...

Nov 22, 202342 minEp. 344

343: British Legends: Mr. Nice Knight

A knight learns that generosity for those in need is good. Generosity to the point where you're in a worse spot than those you're helping? Maybe it's time to make a budget. Also, why you should follow that very, very stinky man in the woods. The creature is the Hobyah! Despite their fun sounding name, they're horrible. Their victims, sadly, are not much better. --- Amadas: https://myths.link/amadas The Manatea: https://myths.link/manatea The membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership ---...

Nov 15, 202334 minEp. 343

342: Japanese folklore: Lord Long Legs

Lord Long Legs is a spider daimyo with ruthless mantis samurai. Sazaye has an impenetrable shell that will always keep him safe. An eel grilling couple discovers a secret in their midst. Three stories collide on this week's episode. The creature is why hydration might actually be hazardous to your health. --- Sponsors: Uncommon Goods: Whoever you’re shopping for, Uncommon Goods knows exactly what they want. Find it here: https://UncommonGoods.com/legends Bombas: Give more this holiday in more wa...

Nov 08, 202334 minEp. 342

341: Greek Mythology: The Huntress

What happens when you mix chastity, violence, and absolutely zero private baths? The history of the Olympian Artemis...and a whole lot of problems. The creature this week is the Heinzelmännchen, the little naked men who live in your walls. Nic Cage spoons: https://myths.link/spooons Disclaimer: https://myths.link/341 Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Sponsors: Indeed! Join more than 3 million businesses worldwide that use Indeed to hire great talent fast at https://Indeed.co...

Nov 01, 202344 minEp. 341

340: Halloween: The Night that the Skeletons Came to Life

A Halloween story about the specter bridegroom. A bridegroom. Who's also a specter...and the bride who's actually really ok with that. The creature is a little piggy with soul. Your soul, to be exact. Disclaimer: https://myths.link/340 Banana injector: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CPSCLSW Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Sponsor: Masterclass! Learn from the best to become your best, with MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/myths --- Music: "Spring Migration" by Chad Crouch...

Oct 25, 202336 minEp. 340

339: Norse Legends, Part 2: Fjord of the Rings

The story of Frithiof and Ingeborg is rife with evil trolls, good trolls, sea witches, land witches, and how to move on when the tragedy of the past has changed you (into an actual troll). The creatures this week are Havman and Havfrue, Danish mer-people who might mer-der you or just give you a nice mer-ssage to relax. Mer. Sources: https://myths.link/339 Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Sponsor: Simplisafe: Protect your whole home with SimpliSafe Home Security. There’s no ...

Oct 18, 202343 minEp. 339

338: Norse Legends, Part 1: Mr. Viking, the Viking

Viking is a Viking. His dad was either not very creative when it came to naming him, or had a very specific plan for his life. In his story we meet evil giants, awesome mythological dwarf dads, and the only Viking ball game that doesn't turn deadly...during the ball game. It kind of does immediately afterward, though. The creature is Hogboy! It's a barrow-wight, and it's actually way more terrifying than it sounds. --- Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Coddies: https://myths.lin...

Oct 11, 202336 minEp. 338

337: Greek Mythology: The Oracle

For the god of healing, Apollo sure does a lot of the exact opposite. Born to a mother on the run from a giant snake, Apollo's life only gets more chaotic and destructive from there. The creature is Half-Chick! He might be only half a chicken, but he's 100% enema. Yes, you just read that correctly. Disclaimer: https://myths.link/337 --- Sponsor: Need to hire? You need Indeed! Start hiring now at https://Indeed.com/legends --- Music: "Unit 34" by Blue Dot Sessions "The Broker" by Blue Dot Session...

Oct 04, 202350 minEp. 337

336: Monkey King: The Golden Cicada Bachelor

Xuanzang, the monk leading the Monkey King, Pigsy, and Sandy on their journey to the west doesn't want to get married. The city full of women who want to marry him don't really care. The creature is the Guyascutus, a deadly alligator. Imagine that. What an oddity. --- Disclaimer: https://myths.link/336 Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Nose Flute: https://myths.link/noseflute --- Music: Mountain Road by Blue Dot Sessions When We Set Out by Blue Dot Sessions Constructivism by Cha...

Sep 27, 202339 minEp. 336

335: Indian folklore: Got Your Nose

Two stories from Indian folklore where we learn that you should always know your exact weight in mangos...because it might help you outrun those eight guys trying to murder you. Also, being a parent is difficult, especially when your clever ideas to punish your kids just make them more awesome. The creature is the Gulon, from Sweden. It'll turn you into farts. Membership! https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Shrimp neck pillow: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ABKKCTW --- Sponsor: SimpliSafe Home ...

Sep 20, 202341 minEp. 335

334: Arabian folklore, part 2: The Enemy of my Enemy is my Enemy

The story of Fatima is a long one with many twists and turns. There are genies, evil wizards, massive battles, and a world-wide trek to make sure evil pays for its crimes, but at the center is Fatima, a woman who won't back down no matter the opposition, and who always stands for what she knows is right. The creature is a hairy naked man (another one!) but you actually might want to make this one your friend. --- Disclaimer: https://www.mythpodcast.com/15951/334-arabian-folklore-part-2-the-enemy...

Sep 13, 202351 minEp. 334

333: Arabian folklore, part 1: Resolve

The epic story of Fatima, Dhat Al-Himma, the warrior woman, princess, mystic begins with the misadventures of her family line where they learn the perils of bad poetry, why you shouldn't marry genies, and it might be a bad thing to constantly rob your enemies when your bank account gets a little low. The creature is Grootslang, a snake with diamond eyes that maybe has an elephant best friend. --- Disclaimer: https://myths.link/333 --- Sponsor: AG1 : the daily Foundational Nutrition supplement th...

Sep 06, 202341 minEp. 333

332: Japanese folklore: Frog and Slug are Friends

Slug, frog, snake, shoot! You've heard of rock, paper, scissors, but have you heard of slug, frog, snake? That old man you're trying to rob who lives in the mountains by himself has. Hope you like everything being covered in slime. Apparently these characters were reimagined for the manga/anime Naruto , but I haven't seen Naruto , so please don't sue me, people who own Naruto . The creature is Jasconius. The island that will eat you. --- Links Source for today's show: https://myths.link/frogmagi...

Aug 30, 202344 minEp. 332

331: English Folklore: Bad Habits

Two stories from English folklore about the secrets we keep. The first is the story of the Monk of Leicester, Dan Hew, a man who has a few verses of poetry he wants to yell at the married women of the village. All the married women. Humphrey Kynaston likes to party and has made it his life's goal to spend all his dad's money, a goal he'll be able to check off his todo list sooner than he thinks because he's terrible with money. The creature is the Dobhar-Chu, a vicious otter who might just get h...

Aug 23, 202343 minEp. 331

330: Jewish Folklore: The Gilded Cage

Two stories from Yiddish folklore of taking a chance, making a change, going for a ride on a giant bird's wings, yelling at a classroom full of kids, and marrying a demon. Not necessarily in that order. The creature is the Piskie, from Cornwall. It's hopefully wearing clothing! Links! Grass sandals: https://myths.link/grassflop Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Sponsor: Peace of mind and all the tech. Before your next getaway, protect your home with SimpliSafe Home Security:...

Aug 16, 202344 minEp. 330

329: Danish Folklore: Out of the Box

What would you do if you could have anything you could imagine, but it would cost you everything you have? That's not a choice Hans made, but one he was stuck with when his dad made a terrible deal for a wishing box. The creature is why you should help out that unfortunate stranger with their laundry (but not really) --- Links : Washerwoman book bit: https://myths.link/washerwoman That condiment bottle: https://myths.link/condiment Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Sponsors ...

Aug 09, 202345 minEp. 329

328: Monkey King: Bullish

We're back in the story of the Monkey King with the Journey to the West, and we'll see Sun Wukong finally meet his match: a buffalo with a headband. The creature of the week is the yamachichi, a creepy dude who loves morning breath. And also killing you. --- Links! The Yamachichi: https://yokai.com/yamachichi/ The Journey to the West: https://myths.link/journey Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Instagram: https://instagram.com/mythsandlegends --- Sponsor: Audible : Enjoy and dis...

Jul 25, 202341 minEp. 328

327-French Fairy Tales: Sister, Sister

The story of Finette Cendron is like a greatest hits of fairy tales. A tale of betrayal, sisters, ogres, bad poetry, and haircuts, we see three sisters brave the wilds and everything the fairy tale world can throw at them, to make things right. The creature is Cutty Soams! He'll cut your soams...if he's not a secret Scooby-Doo villain. --- Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Catpaw: https://myths.link/catpaw Disclaimer: https://myths.link/327 --- Music: Alsace by Chad Crouch Eveni...

Jul 19, 202344 min

326-1001 Nights: Enough

Three brothers. One cousin...who they want to marry. It starts in a weird place this week. Three brothers are sent on a quest: the brother who brought back the strangest, coolest item would get to marry her. A story with magic carpets, genies, fairies, and a man who can wrap his mustache around his head, we learn the value of communication, understanding, and not having people murdered. The creature this week might not be a creature at all, but simply an elderly woman who doesn't want to be atta...

Jul 12, 202344 min

325-Greek Myths: The Power of Love

Aphrodite is looking for love in all the wrong places. It's the story of where she came from, her side of her doomed marriage with Hephaestus, and how the love of her very, very long life was a tree baby. The creature is Buffardello, a small, bearded fairy from Italy with many, many weird hobbies. --- Links: The Buffardello's Wikipedia page, translated from Italian: https://myths.link/buffardello Disclaimer: https://myths.link/325 --- Sponsors: Find your outer peace in socks, underwear, and t-sh...

Jul 05, 202344 min

324-Samurai Legends: Violent Ends

Two young men: a wildman determined to collect 1000 swords from defeated samurai, and a displaced son of a clan leader, who had spent his childhood on the run. Together, these two would find their place in the world, and change it in the process. The creatures are the Keltémas and Kazna Peri, and they just might help you get rich...or lead you out into a snowstorm straight from the bath. -- The phone umbrella: https://myths.link/phonebrella Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Crea...

Jun 28, 202349 min

323-Knights of the Round Table: Ladies' Knight

The story of Erec and Enide from Arthurian Legend is a good illustration of why you should try to work out your problems as a couple with empathy, understanding, and communication...and not through a deadly quest filled with pointless, brutal combat. The creatures are the Elephant Men, the strange visitors you get when you're drinking whiskey with friends down by the river. * * * Disclaimer: https://myths.link/323 Myths and Legends membership https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Book by the pe...

Jun 21, 202351 min

322-Norwegian Folklore: Ask Dad

Just ask dad Two Norwegian tales of asking dad. All seven of them. Who live in the same house. Or might not have a house to go back to, depending on the story. The creature is the orc! It is both different from the Lord of the Rings orc and very currently a problem! * * * Storage Soles: https://myths.link/storagesoles Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Billy B's version of the Orc: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orc_(Blake) If you're on Mastodon, come say hi: https://weiser.social...

Jun 14, 202335 min

321B-Viking Legends: The Peacemaker

On his quest to help princess Ingigerd, Hrolf has become enslaved by the wily William, a con man who wants to be a prince. This episode, they'll come face-to-face with ghost kings, giant walruses, mythological dwarves, and the evil wizard that took down an entire kingdom. The creature is Biron (びろ~ん)! He's a little gross and weird! -- Biron: https://yokai.com/biron/ Disclaimer: https://myths.link/321b -- Music: "Our Ears, Deceivers" by Blue Dot Sessions "Elegant Weasel" by Blue Dot Sessions "Pla...

Jun 07, 202359 min

321A-Viking Legends: Mostly Harmless

This week, it's the Saga of Göngu-Hrolf, from Icelandic folklore. It starts with a king getting one, solitary, five-foot-long, apparently super attractive hair wrapped in a scarf...and only gets better from there. There are evil wizards belching (yes, belching) fire and poison, somber Vikings getting conned, and a deadly honeypot zombie trap for any heroes who might try to be heroes. It's a fun one. The creature is the Nunui, and you'll see why you want to wear shoes when gardening. Chicken arms...

May 31, 202339 min

320B-Popol Vuh: The Boys

The hero twins will rise... ...and then fall. The underworld calls, and the monsters of their past comes back to haunt them. The creature is the Obda, from Mari folklore. Yet another hairy naked man who lives in the forest. Who want to tickle you. Membership : https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Alligator (warning, skinned alligator) : https://myths.link/alligator * * * Sponsor: Canva : Collaborate with Canva for Teams! https://canva.me/myths * * * Music: "Caveman" by Blue Dot Sessions "Picke...

May 24, 202343 min

320A-Popol Vuh: Origin Story

In the beginning, the gods apparently had an undo button. And angry tortilla griddles that took out the first humans. Today, it's the beginning of the beginning in the Popol Vuh. We'll meet a macaw who thinks he's the son, a metal band lineup of underworld beings, and see the birth of the hero twins, who are destined to go up against the batman* *not that batman The creature is the Snallygaster, the answer to the age-old question of what happens when a Cthulhu bird gets drunk? * * * Links! An ex...

May 17, 202338 min

319-Indian folklore: Tricks and Illusions

Can you beat fate? Subramanya has learned something terrible about two people who are practically siblings to him. Can he use his deep wisdom to beat the life that's laid out before them? The creature is maneki-neko, the waving cat, and we'll see how cats can be very lucky...if they can be bothered to help you in the first place. -- Links! Disclaimer: https://myths.link/319 Source: https://myths.link/fate Pooping clock: https://myths.link/sandclock Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/members...

May 10, 202343 min