If you hear her weeping, it might already be too late. A life fraught with loss and betrayal creates a tragic and dangerous being that's trapped between life and death, salvation and destruction. She's crying out on the edge of madness for those she's lost, and she might be coming for the ones you care about most. This week, it's a deep dive into the stories behind La Llorona, the weeping woman from Latin American folklore. The creature this week is the chupacabra, which is either a vicious blue...
Apr 10, 2019•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Where we left off, Cú Chulainn was getting dung smeared in his face by a stronger, magical king. None of that matters, because Cú Chulainn won. Of course he did. He's Cú Chulainn. Today's story picks up years later. As it turns out, killing people indiscriminately for all of your adult life (and pretty much all of your childhood) has consequences. Today, we'll learn what those are. The creature is lady Kiya, from Japan, and she's a great reason to be honest with people about your feelings. -- Sp...
Apr 03, 2019•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Swan hunting, demon horde fighting, and marriage counseling: we’re back in the stories of Cú Chulainn, the hound of Ulster, after he won the war. He’s at a party, celebrating, but then his wife hints that she’d like one small thing, and that snowballs into him going to battle in fairy land against Senach the Spectral, shadow king. Really, though, if you’re a legendary hero, pretty much any todo list can end up with you fighting a shadow king. The creature is Master Stoorworm, and he's still arou...
Mar 27, 2019•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gawain, Kay, and Bishop Baldwin are road tripping, but it's starting to rain. Kay won't camp out in the rain, so that only leaves one option: Carl's house. The knights are in for one of the strangest nights of their life. The creature this week is the mantindane, from Kenya, maybe an evil poison monkey...or an alien trying to create a race of alien-human hybrids. -- Sponsors: Pet Cemetery comes out in theaters April 5th! Squarespace is the perfect tool for your passion project. Check out our pho...
Mar 20, 2019•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Young Dionigi is an apprentice to the master tailor, Maestro Lattantio. It’s a good job and, frankly, the best one he could get. The problem? He wants a better one. He wants to be a wizard. His boss wants him to get back to work. The mamlambo is the reason why you don’t want to date the guy you grew in a jar. -- Sponsors: Go to SimpliSafe.com/LEGENDS to check out an awesome home security system Want to help out the show? Go to http://podsurvey.com/myths -- Check out Hello from the Magic Tavern a...
Mar 13, 2019•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s the long awaited, frequently requested return of Pecos Bill, and we’ll see the aftermath of the incident with the twister, watch him pitch the devil as an investor in his new startup, and fall in love...all while thinking that he’s secretly a coyote. The creature is Mama Dlo, from Trinidad and Tobago, and she will love you and leave you (at the bottom of the river, for you to slowly and painfully heal so she can love you again). -- Sponsors: Check out Breach season 2, which investigates the...
Mar 06, 2019•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast The jig is up, the news is out, they finally found Tristan and Isolde. They were renegades who had it made, but they were caught red-handed...mainly because of the blood...when Tristan and Isolde fell into the dwarf's trap and attempted a late night tryst. The executioners are already building their pyre, and they will be thrown atop it in the morning. The creature is a horse with gross little noodle legs. Oh and also he might try eat you, but really, which mythological creature won't try to eat...
Feb 27, 2019•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tristan and Isolde have a problem: they can't get enough of each other. After they inadvertently drank the love potion, they couldn't control their love...and it is looming like a snare, one that will destroy them and everything they love if they let it. The creature is the loup garou, from Caribbean folklore and it's the reason to carry around a keyhole with you and collect your dog's eye boogers. -- Sponsors: Turo: Get $25 off your first trip when you sign up for Turo and use promo code LEGEND...
Feb 20, 2019•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast I don't want to spoil anything for someone who doesn't know this story, but this three-parter has everything: sneering villains, valiant heroes, monster fights, love, loss, betrayal, and someone shoving dragon tongues down their pants despite that not remotely being the best way to transport dragon tongues. It's the long-requested original story of Tristan and Isolde. The creature is just a hungry snail...who also happens to be four stories tall and in possession of mouth tentacles. Sponsors: Ch...
Feb 13, 2019•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast For once, the king is dead and the queen is alive, and she's going to make sure her daughter avoids the dangers that many princesses have to face. Or, she tries. The creature is a balding, adorable werewolf with a love of fuzzy slippers. Sponsors: Robinhood: The simple, straightforward way to start investing without commission fees straight from your smartphone. Go to http://myths.robinhood.comto get started with a free stock to start building your portfolio. Squarespace is the best way to make ...
Feb 06, 2019•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, it's a fable from the Philippines with a monkey, a turtle, and Game of Thrones level violence and retribution when something is stolen (don't worry, though. We don't get graphic with it). The creature of the week is (yet another) reason why you want to kiss that dragon on the mouth. I don't make the rules, I am just confused and bewildered by them. -- Sponsor: Simplisafe! Make your New Years resolution to rest easy knowing that your home is safe and secure. Check out http://simplisafe...
Jan 23, 2019•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is the episode. This is the episode where Helen of Sparta becomes Helen of Troy, and an event happens that launches 1000 ships toward the city in the east. This is where it all begins. The creature of the week has a dorky smile and a retainer and will absolutely eat you. -- Sponsors: Check out season two of Siren on Freeform, Thursday January 24th at 8pm. Squarespace is the best way to make a website. Try it for free at https://www.squarespace.com/mythsand , when you’re ready, use the code ...
Jan 16, 2019•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this prelude to the Trojan War, we learn the origin of the most famous Greek hero, and maybe the most reviled Trojan prince. Also, you shouldn't let Hera plan your wedding because a bitter decade-long war might break out because of it, and if you invite Poseidon, you're going to get an immortal horse as a gift to your wedding so, you know, invite Poseidon. The creature this week is the Lady of the Land. There are way safer and easier ways to make money than killing dragons. Like kissing drago...
Jan 09, 2019•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last week, Hera hid that she was pregnant. This week, we learn who the father isn’t, and see the births of two more important figures from Greek mythology. Also, if you’re going for the whole totalitarian dictator thing, make sure you don’t take your wine naps right next to all the people that hate you. Just saying. The creature this week is the pipe fox. A fun little fox friend who will learn all your friends’ secrets and also rob you and everyone in your life. -- Sponsors: Squarespace is the b...
Jan 02, 2019•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast The origin stories of the Olympians. The creatures this week are the Yule Lads, their mom, stepdad, and murderous cat. -- Sponsors: Check out Bird Box on Netflix! Casper: Ready for a good night of sleep for once? All you have to do is go to http://casper.com/legends and use the offer code LEGENDS and your next favorite mattress will be delivered to your door. -- Music: “Rainday” by Blue Dot Sessions “Pitho Magnus” by Blue Dot Sessions “Min” by Blue Dot Sessions “Betrayal” by Lee Rosevere “Everyw...
Dec 26, 2018•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mowgli is hiding among the humans to stay safe from Shere Khan after burning and shaming the tiger at the showdown at Council Rock. The problem? The tiger knows where Mowgli is, and he is coming for the man cub. The Myths and Legends store: https://shop.bardic.fm -- Sponsors: Check out the best podcasts of 2018 on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/genre/podcasts-page -- Music: “Where it all happened” by Blue Dot Sessions “Illa Villardo” by Blue Dot Sessions “Darkened Treeline” by Blue Dot Sessio...
Dec 19, 2018•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast We catch up with Mowgli after he’s been tossed in a pit of cobras while his friends fight countless vicious monkeys outside. We’ll also see what Shere Khan has been up to for the past seven years…and what his plan is to finally get his claws into Mowgli. The creatures are sentient umbrellas, because who hasn’t looked at an umbrella and thought, “yeah, I’d like this to be a hairy man leg with a greasy tongue?” — Sponsors: Bombas. They are fantastic. Go to http://www.bombas.com/legends (code LEGEN...
Dec 12, 2018•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast A boy is lost. A tiger hunts. The wolf pack takes on a new cub. The story of the Jungle Book begins -- Sponsors: Audible! Audible is my favorite way to listen to audiobooks. Go to http://www.audible.com/myths or text MYTHS to 500-500 to start your free 30-day trial and get a free audiobook. Omaha Steaks are a great gift for anyone on your list. For a limited time, you can get 74% off the Omaha Steaks Family Gift Package. Go to http://omahasteaks.com and use the code LEGENDS in the search bar. --...
Dec 05, 2018•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rostam embarks on his quest to free his king, taken captive in the land of the demons, where he'll not only have to free his stupid, stupid ruler and end the war, but embark on seven labors which will include: letting his horse do a lot of the heavy lifting, a dragon fight, a new friend, and tossing a demon's head like a bride throws a bouquet. The creatures this week are the kakamora, from Polynesian mythology and, yes, from Moana. Unlike Moana, however, they are way less violent, way more nake...
Nov 28, 2018•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast The story of Rostam from the Shahnameh, an important book in Iranian Mythology. It starts out in a weird place, with a strange little Benjamin Button-type baby being raised by a mythological peacock dog, and only gets stranger, but it explores themes of loyalty, fealty, and power, even if a leader is not deserving. The creature this week is the Jackalope, from Wyoming, and you can only hunt them one day a year. Unfortunately, that day doesn't exist. -- Music: "Softly Villainous" by Blue Dot Sess...
Nov 21, 2018•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast A fairy tale from Ireland with a genre savvy queen who has one request for her husband: don't let his surely evil next wife get anywhere near her three sons. Of course, things don't really go as planned. The creature this week is hook girl! Don't bug hook girl, or hook girl will bug you...and by "bug you" I mean "tear you to tiny pieces." -- Music: "Building the Sled" by Blue Dot Sessions "Flashing Runner" by Blue Dot Sessions "Awaiting an Arrival" by Blue Dot Sessions "Bauxite" by Blue Dot Sess...
Nov 14, 2018•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast A story from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala, about revenge, letting go, and moving on. Also why you shouldn't mess with babies that can whisper threats at three months old and survive way more things than you could. -- Music: "Alphabet Soup" by Podington Bear "Thin Passage" by Blue Dot Sessions "Readers do you Read?" by Chris Zabriskie "Vik Fenceta Lan" by Blue Dot Sessions "Another Version of You" by Chris Zabriskie "Vik Fenceta" by Blue Dot Sessions "NirvanaVEVO" by Chris Zabriskie Su...
Nov 07, 2018•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast On our annual Halloween episode, it's stories of a monstrous creature who stalks the north woods...and how they might be sitting right next to you. The creature is a vampire that's super scary...only it can't actually walk...and moreso bounces everywhere...and hates messy rooms. -- Music: "Traffic" by Kai Engel "Somnolence" by Kai Engel "Delirium" by Kai Engel "Nothing (Bonus Track)" by Kai Engel "Mare" by Kai Engel Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership...
Oct 31, 2018•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast We're back in Norse Mythology. It's set before Ragnarok (obviously), and it's a story we never got to of Freyja, Odin, Loki, and four dwarves. Freyja makes a lot of new friends, and Loki gets completely out of control at a party and tells all the Aesir exactly what he thinks of them. The creature of the week is the invunche, a very sad, hairy, contorted baby -- Music: "Catching Feathers" by Ketsa "Midnight" by Ketsa "The Confrontation" by Podington Bear "Direct to Video" by Chris Zabriskie "Walk...
Oct 24, 2018•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Theseus has had a long and storied life, but now he faces his greatest challenge: after you've accomplished everything you set out to do and your name will live on for generations, what comes next? The creature is the, impundulu environmentally-conscience bird who only uses alternative fuels for its tiny plane. Unfortunately, the alternative fuel is human blood. --- Theseus episodes: 17A: https://www.mythpodcast.com/3329/17a-theseus-its-dangerous-to-go-alone/ 17B: https://www.mythpodcast.com/333...
Oct 17, 2018•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast A game turns dark as a child disappears. Her brothers must follow her into a land that's like a mirror image of our own to get her back from the king who lives in the dark tower. Oh and also Merlin is barely any help at all. The creature this time is the ilomba, from Zambia, and it's a terrible reason to collect your fingernail clippings. -- The Stephen King Quote: https://blogs.loc.gov/catbird/2017/08/how-did-stephen-king-to-the-dark-tower-come-through-robert-brownings-childe-roland/ -- Support...
Oct 10, 2018•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast A king fighting against fate. A young man surviving the impossible. A hermit reading the future from his toilet. This week, it's the long road to becoming who you were always meant to be. -- Music: "Raven" by Chad Crouch "CGI Snake" by Chris Zabriskie "We Always Thought the Future would be Kind of Fun" by Chris Zabriskie "Nuthatch" by Blue Dot Sessions "Petaluma" by Blue Dot Sessions "Releasing the Sculpture" by Podington Bear "Nocturne" by Podington Bear "New Skin" by Podington Bear "Cloudbank"...
Oct 03, 2018•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast A man loses everything except for his children and his field, but it's while he's in that field with his children that he receives a visit from a mythological creature...and makes a deal that will change all of their lives forever. The creature of the week is a mythpodcat! She just loves to dance! And set you on fire! -- Music: "Red-winged Blackbird" by Chad Crouch "Clear and Present" by Ketsa "Divider" by Chris Zabriskie "Lope and Shimmer" by Podington Bear "That Kid in the Fourth Grade Who Rea...
Sep 26, 2018•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Seven people have been informed that they will be pivotal in the quest for the greatest holy object that has ever existed: the Holy Grail. First, they have to get it to England. That, of course, will involve angelic post-it notes, ships with ejector seats, attacking giants, and, the most unbelievable thing of all (to some of our characters): multi-colored wood. We'll see how the Grail comes to Britain and that the end of Joseph's quest is just the beginning. -- "Svela Tal" by Blue Dot Sessions "...
Sep 19, 2018•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Holy Grail: The greatest legendary item of all time and the focal point of the Arthurian legends. This is its origin. Beginning as the humble cup of a crucified savior, the Grail will take on legendary status. We'll see how it moved from Jerusalem to a far-flung province on the edge of the world, and we'll meet the people tasked with protecting it, whose great, great, great, great grandchildren will become the heroes of the Arthurian legends. This is a Grail story unlike any you've ever hear...
Sep 12, 2018•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
