The story of Pecos Bill is that of a true American Hero...who spends half the story naked and who legitimately thinks he is actually a coyote. But don't tell him that. He's cool and won't hurt you, but you'll get into a long discussion and won't actually convince him or his horse (named Pegasus/Widowmaker/Jeremy) that he's actually a human being. Also, while we're at it, he can lasso water and air because I guess when you ask the audience to suspend disbelief, you go for broke. The creature this...
Jul 12, 2017•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast The story of Sentaro the millionaire* is about a man with a dream. Well, not really a dream, but a deep, abiding fear of death. Soon, he becomes so obsessed with avoiding the inevitable that it leads him on a journey across Japan and later the world to find a way to avoid that which will come to us all. The creatures this time are from the US and one will "please and excite" you in the forest...then lure you back to its place where it will turn you into an electric eel burrito. *Sentaro is not a...
Jul 05, 2017•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast A young woman's father is taken, and she decided to go to the edges of the known world to get him back, to a faraway island harboring a dark and terrible secret. The creature this week is skunk ape! He's 0% skunk, 0% ape, and 100% into stealing your produce. --- Music: "Two Dollar Token" by Blue Dot Sessions "These Times" by Blue Dot Sessions "Slow Casino" by Blue Dot Sessions "Yellow Dust" by Rolemusic "In My Head" by Podington Bear "Down and Around" by Podington Bear "Cylinder Six" by Chris Za...
Jun 28, 2017•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast A sea horse (but not that type of sea horse) that haunts the coasts of Scotland, the kelpie is a legendary cryptid that represents the dangerous unknown of the water...as well as new guys stopping by your village for the sole purpose of picking up women. The creature this time is the Shojo, a Japanese yokai, who is living its best life: by lounging on the beach drinking and pulling off daring heists. ************ That incredibly readable book on Celtic myths and legends: https://www.amazon.com/d...
Jun 21, 2017•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you've ever wondered about giving that strange old man a piggy-back ride in the woods, the philosophical nuances of way too much grave robbing, or how many people are necessary to take down a four-story-tall baby bird, well, then this is the episode for you. Sinbad finishes up his epic tale of epicness and we see what led to him falling back on his plan "B" of living a life of leisure on his near-infinite wealth. The creature this time is the reason you should take a giant bat with you everyw...
Jun 14, 2017•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Whether it's deadly literary references, sticky cows, or extremely inappropriate eulogies, the stories of Sinbad have it all...as long as by "it all" you're looking for a story of how a rich (and, let's face it, not-so-smart) guy for whom everything pretty much always works out. It's like Mr. Magoo without the nearsightedness and with much, much more impalement and cannibalism. The creature the creature this week is a great excuse to keep your house well-stocked with red peppers and pet crabs. -...
Jun 07, 2017•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sinbad (no, not that Sinbad) is probably the 3rd most famous story from a collection titled "One Thousand and One Nights". It's a story of loss, hardship, and redemption...and then partying so hard that you forget all that loss, hardship, and redemption and need to do it all over again. Six more times. On the plus side, it's not just about an out-of-touch rich guy being out-of-touch and rich, but being so while experiencing some pretty weird stuff. The creature this time is an awkwardly hot squi...
May 31, 2017•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast It seems like with a lot of fairy tales someone looked at the original, thought that there was absolutely no way they could tell that to a child, and re-wrote it to get rid of the shocking violence and general terribleness of every creature ever. "The Ugly Duckling" by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen is no exception. It's shockingly violent and sad at times, but underneath its brutality and ridiculousness is a profound theme that still resonates today. Also birds are jerks. The creature th...
May 24, 2017•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Don't, under any circumstances, trust the Midas touch. The king of unforced errors, Midas is a well-known figure in mythology mainly because of horrible decision-making and lack of foresight. They say any publicity is good publicity, and I hope that is the case for Midas, who took a bad choice and used it to propel himself to everlasting notoriety. Mouse bears. The creatures this week are mouse bears. They have the ferocity of bears and the ability to sneak into your cupboards like mice. Needles...
May 17, 2017•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Wrapping up this two-part series on Morgan le Fay, we'll see her devious schemes within schemes come to fruition with one aim in mind: killing King Arthur and seizing the throne for herself. The creature this week is fish man, from Spain. He's kind of like a superhero if all superheroes did was lay around and drink wine at their parents' house. ---------- Music: “Lamplist” by Blue Dot Sessions “One Needle” by Blue Dot Sessions “Parissi” by Blue Dot Sessions “Tuck and Point” by Blue Dot Sessions ...
May 10, 2017•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sorceress. Confidant. Traitor. Sister. All of those words describe Morgan Le Fay, King Arthur's half-sister. She is by far the most complex character I've come across in the Arthurian legends, but she's constantly portrayed in the medieval and early modern texts as a one-note traitorous baddy who is evil because she's an evil sorceress and evil sorceresses are evil. If you're familiar with the legends, you're going to see a Morgan you've never seen before. If you're not, get ready to meet one of...
May 03, 2017•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast I wanted to name this episode "it's not easy being green," but it really is. The Green Knight had his head chopped off last episode...but still carried it out of the most uncomfortable Christmas dinner ever. Really, it's not easy being Gawain, who has to go present his neck in payment. Except it really is easy being Gawain. Most of this episode will consist of him sleeping until noon in a fancy castle. But he still has that date with destiny on New Year's Day...and by "destiny" I mean a hairy gr...
Apr 26, 2017•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast You probably had to read the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in high school. I know I did, and it's a great story. There are beheadings, green guys, confusing interactions with ladies. It might be one of the most violent non-Die Hard Christmas stories. Anyway, everyone knows that. You probably don't know the story I'll tell today. It's of how Gawain grew into the paragon of virtue he's known as in the legends. It involves, of course, dog parties, inept knights, and the most grotesque pi...
Apr 19, 2017•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast You know how to make your stories completely resistant to any ridicule from a future podcaster? Make them as ridiculous as possible. The stories of Paul Bunyan arose from the camps of lumberjacks in the US in the 1880s, but he spread to be a nationwide symbol of American strength and a pioneer spirit. Except that a lot of what we know about Paul Bunyan might actually not be folklore, but stories made up to sell stuff. Also, if someone tells you to put something up your nose that feels like bees ...
Apr 12, 2017•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast The story of Oedipus is fun until it isn't. I've met people with varying degrees of familiarity with the story. Some are familiar only with the central premise of the story, while others' knowledge only extends to a certain disgusting little complex popularized by a similarly-disgusting Viennese psychologist. Regardless, the story of Oedipus is a fascinating commentary on fate, our willing blindness to uncomfortable truths, and why you should, under no circumstances, talk to prophets. Seriously,...
Apr 05, 2017•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast The story of the frog prince is well known - a beautiful princess meets a frog, kisses him, and he turns out to be a prince. Except, in the earliest version, it doesn't go like that at all. I won't spoil it, but the original frog prince is extremely bizarre, and I had the most fun writing it of any episode so far. The second story is of a frog princess, from Russian folklore, and not only is it a great story in its own right, with a stupid king and a ridiculous dating service, but we'll catch ba...
Mar 22, 2017•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast The story of Puss is Boots is that of a cat who wears boots and talks. The character of the cat has somehow gone on to be voiced by Antonio Banderas, take part in a one really successful franchise, spin off into its own movie AND Netflix series. The 2011 movie alone went on to gross, and I'm not making this up, over half a billion dollars worldwide. The original is something you haven't heard before, and has ogre fights, a cat con artist, and dating advice from the Myths and Legends Podcast.* Th...
Mar 15, 2017•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Quite possibly the last episode on Norse mythology before we start on the epic showdown that is Ragnarok, this story has Thor earning a ridiculous facial feature and wetting himself in terror. Also, you shouldn't follow Loki into the wilderness, no matter how good the party he is telling you about sounds, and we'll learn how far is too far when it comes to idle, drunken boasts in the halls of the gods. The creature is a sweet little flaming chicken who will steal for you and not feel bad about i...
Mar 08, 2017•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast According to folklore, King Solomon had a ring. Given to him by God, it allowed him control demons...but it also had some other powers unknown to Solomon, powers that make it essential for fighting dragons, escaping witches, and taking nice Sunday afternoon flights through the country. The creature is a shaggy, mostly-kind monster who is really great at walking on hillsides and really terrible at helping you hang pictures. Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership...
Mar 01, 2017•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast There has been a menace sleeping in Beowulf's homeland since he was born. It has lived for centuries, and it is strong and dangerous, while Beowulf has lived for only eighty years, and is weakening. Yet, their paths draw them inexorably toward one another in a battle that will live on in legend, but might destroy them both. The creature this week is why you should keep a giant vat of moonshine in your backyard. ---------------- Career Day: Career Day on iTunes: http://itunes.careerdayshow.com Ca...
Feb 22, 2017•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's round two for everyone's favorite (only?) Geatish hero, as he bravely takes on...his former adversary's mother. Really, it's way more interesting than it sounds. Also she's not Angelina Jolie, but a terrifying, demonic swamp hag. The creature this week is so cute you won't even mind that it watches you sleep. The Bogey Man: http://amzn.eu/8FZRv67 Our awesome sponsors: http://www.lootcrate.com/legends code "LEGENDS" for awesome geek and gamer gear. http://www.casper.com/legends code "LEGENDS...
Feb 15, 2017•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast You know the story of Beowulf. I don't need to do this. But really, there's mead. There's Grendel. There are mead-fueled fights with Grendel. It's just a fun, (kind of) light re-telling of the classic story, minus all the yelling, Angelina Jolie, and eye explosions of the 2007 movie. The creature this week is why you have that perpetual sun burn. And vampire fingers. --------------------------- Career Day this week: http://itunes.careerdayshow.com or just http://careerdayshow.com Blue Apron: htt...
Feb 08, 2017•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Many connected stories from Greek mythology. We'll start with story of Hades and Persephone, and learn why she's always hanging around the underworld (hint: it's not because she wants to). Then, I'll tell the story of the curse of the house of Atreus, starting with Tantalus and his questionable food choices. It's a long, dark episode, so get ready. The creature is the Nakki, from Finland, who just wants to drown you and look good while doing it. Is that too much to ask? The store: http://www.bar...
Feb 01, 2017•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast The first story today is from the Mi'kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Maliseet people, about all the things that can go wrong when creating the animals and why you shouldn't drink gross monster waste water. The second story is from Cree fokllore, about Monster Skunk farting everyone to death because this is a serious podcast that takes itself very seriously. The creature is evil. Literally, she is the embodiment of evil from Russian folklore...a little old lady living in the woods. The Heifer Internatio...
Jan 25, 2017•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, there are two stories from Japanese folklore. The first has to do with a butterfly that just won't give up trying to land on the face of a dying man. The second is of a monk-in-training who just doesn't want to stop partying. The creature is Hedley Cow, and she will give you hope that that the relationship with your crush might work out...but will leave you standing alone in the swamp. Sponsors: Check out http://audible.com/myths for some excellent audiobooks. The one I recommended on...
Jan 18, 2017•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast A story of a young woman from Nepal who has a (sadly) common problem for folklore, but a very uncommon solution. Also she eats goat vomit. She probably doesn't enjoy it, though. The creature this time is the Habetrot, and she'll make you want to wear stone glasses...and them promptly throw them down in horror and run away. The Myths and Legends store is now up! Check it out at http://www.mythpodcast.com/store Say hi to me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jasontheweiser ----- Check out http:/...
Jan 11, 2017•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast This story from the Grimm brothers has giants, witches, magical animal organs, enchanted produce, and a helpful (and maybe a little homicidal) cloud buddy who just wants to aid you in finding the next steps on the journey that is life. This story is bizarre and wonderful and a testament to the endurance of love and the continuing admonishment to avoid entering spooky castles in dark folklore forests. The creature this time is from Wales and has to try really, really had to place her one tusk-lik...
Jan 04, 2017•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast The end of the saga of Gilgamesh...and possibly the end of Gilgamesh, but not if the demi-god has anything to say about it. After a tragic loss, Gilgamesh goes on a quest to defeat mankind's greatest enemy - death itself, and he learns the secrets of our destructive past. The creature this week slathers his naked body in mud and twigs. Hows that for juxtaposition? Sponsors: Loot Crate! Check out http://www.lootcrate.com/legends (offer code: LEGENDS) for the awesome antihero box. Blue Apron! http...
Dec 28, 2016•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gilgamesh and his new best friend are heading out on an adventure to fight a firebreathing giant named "Hugeness the Terrible." Also there's a giant deadly bull fight, talk of zombies, some tiny shoes, and light hand-holding. If those things don't make you want to listen to this episode I can't think of anything else that would. The creature this week is splinter cat, the enemy of arboretums everywhere. The Myths and Legends store is now up! Check it out at http://www.mythpodcast.com/store Say h...
Dec 21, 2016•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Epic of Gilgamesh is amazing. It is quite possibly the oldest epic we have, and though it only exists in fragments, it tells a surprisingly human story. There are questions of life and death, such as what it all means and why are we here? It delves into the issues of what it means to be a human rather than just a beast, what it means to be a good ruler, and what it means to leave a legacy. These are questions relevant even today, over 4,000 years after this story was told. Of course, it is a...
Dec 14, 2016•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
