From Jason and Carissa Weiser, the hosts of Myths and Legends, comes Scoundrel: History's Forgotten Villains. History consists of heroes and villains (and, I suppose everything in between)... but it's usually the villains who are the most interesting: Their flaws, their quirks, the voids in their hearts that force them to do the unthinkable. These are the characters that fascinate us, that pull us in, that compel us to watch and don’t let us look away. And these are the characters that Scoundrel...
Feb 23, 2022•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast NEW SHOW NEW SHOW! We have a new show out. We've partnered with Kast media to make a history podcast called Scoundrel: History's Forgotten Villains. Carissa and I host it and we really think you'll love it. Please check it out here: https://myths.link/scoundrel -- This story has a little bit of everything: genies, sorcerers, insecure kings, true love (with two practice marriages beforehand that the king insists do not count don't count those), and, of course, dancing houseplants. All of this set...
Feb 23, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two stories from Iceland. On the first, Signy has a shot at the good life. Unfortunately, that shot involves camping out in a cave with giants, tone deaf swans, and magic flying beds. Oh, and some light kidnapping. On the second the pastorage servant just wants to kiss that dead guy and does not care who knows it. The creature is stuck between two dimensions, and they're going to take out their anger about that on you. With their club. -- Links: Not-a-pocketknife: https://myths.link/notpocketkni...
Feb 16, 2022•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's (almost) Valentine's Day, and we have two stories from Chinese folklore about love, loss, and marrying all sorts of things you shouldn't be marrying, like ghosts and livestock! The creature is a sleazy alligator man who's looking for love* in all the wrong places** -- Links: Cereal Killer: https://myths.link/cerealkiller Store: https://shop.bardic.fm Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership -- Music: All music by Blue Dot Sessions -- Sponsors: Simplisafe: Go to http://simplisafe.c...
Feb 09, 2022•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast A story from India that's like a more awesome version of two different Grimm fairy tales. A woman is promised in marriage to a stranger and we learn that, yeah, that's actually a pretty terrible idea. The creature is the reason why you don't want pigeons to pity you. -- Sponsors: Check out Vanished, the new Wondery show! Bombas: Get 20% off any purchase by going to http://bombas.com/legends Grove: Go to http://grove.com/legends and get a free giftset worth up to $50 with your first order! Truebi...
Feb 02, 2022•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast A story from China where we see a young man embark on a dangerous journey for love that definitely isn't a knock-off version of "The Journey to the West" and/or "The Hobbit". Then, we learn how the world's first selfie resulted in kind of more death than you'd think. The creature his a demon from Japan...who's working through a bad breakup. -- Sponsors: Honey: Get the browser extension and start saving money at http://joinhoney.com/myths Best Fiends: Download the app on the App Store or Google P...
Jan 26, 2022•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast A story from Spanish folklore of three brothers, a crafting competition, a smelly Trojan parrot, and a lesson that it's never too late to start on the Hero's Journey. I mean, you might end up in jail, but it's still inspiring? The creature this week is the Gohonga, a creature that will take your child, educate them, and return them as a forty-year-old -- Links: The earbags: https://myths.link/earbags Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Store: https://shop.bardic.fm -- Sponsors: Si...
Jan 19, 2022•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Monkey has been fired. Sandy has been captured. Pigsy is fleeing in terror, and the monk is about to be cut to pieces by a room full of angry guys. Things are not going well. The creature is a buff angry dude whose solution to everything is hitting it with a spiky club. -- Disclaimer: https://myths.link/253b Giant Hoodie Snuggie: https://myths.link/snuggiehoodie Store: https://myths.link/store Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership -- Sponsors! June's Journey: Download June’s Journey...
Jan 12, 2022•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast We're back on the road on the Journey to the West and our heroes are starving. The solution? Some murders, some personnel changes, and human buns. The creature is a devil fish, a not-so-friendly businessfish. -- Sponsors: Best Fiends: Download Best Fiends on the App Store or Google Play! Simplisafe: Get 20% off your entire new system. http://simplisafe.com/legends Bombas: Get 20% off any purchase by going to http://bombas.com/legends Grove: Go to http://grove.com/legends and get a free giftset w...
Jan 05, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Fighting your own fate: it's a theme nearly as old as human civilization. We'll hear two stories of people who both lament their fate...and see that they are profoundly bad at doing anything about it. The first has a sack maker with a one-hit wonder...and a friend who wants to help him change...and who's also a super-rich king. The second is about a man who goes to look for Chance to try to change his own lot in life...and discovers that he might just be his own worst enemy. The creatures are th...
Dec 29, 2021•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two stories of Christmas in Iceland. So that apparently means wizards and zombies? The creature is the Cuegle! It's like a walking great white shark with terrible self-esteem -- Sponsors: June's Journey: Check it out on the Apple App Store or Google Play! Grubhub: This holiday season, give the gift of Grubhub. http://grubhub.com Quip: Go to http://getquip.com/myths and you'll get your first refill free! Quip, the good habits company. -- Music: All music by http://www.sessions.blue Support the sh...
Dec 22, 2021•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two stories of absolutely real and definitely not fake doctors! The first is a Grimm tale where a guy goes to medical school and opens a practice! Never mind that his medical school is just a white coat and a bone saw! The second is a bit more legit with one cure-all elixir that really does cure all...and it may or may not be yule ale. The creatures are the buschfrauen! And they will hunt you to the ends of the earth if you mess with their pets or teach you great knitting techniques if you give ...
Dec 15, 2021•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two stories from Giambattista Basile, Neapolitan writer, of angry sisters, busted Mario pipes, and she-bears that are only mad if you try to force them into marriage. The creature is the wiffenpoof, who only wants to eat fancy cheeses and not get your chewing tobacco in his eyes. -- Sponsors: Indeed! Get started right now with a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post at http://indeed.com/legends Bombas! Get 20% off any purchase during their big holiday sale by going to http://bombas.c...
Dec 08, 2021•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Two stories of sorcerer's apprentices. The first picks the wrong major at wizard school. The second finds a creative way into school...by becoming a dangerous sorcerer's BFF. The creatures are the elle maids, definitely not suspicious women offering wine to strangers on the road. -- Simplisafe: Get 40% off your entire new system. http://simplisafe.com/legends Olive and June: go to http://oliveandjune.com/myths and use code myths for 20% off your first Mani System! Quip! Quip is the good habits c...
Dec 01, 2021•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, it's the story from Argentina about Senorita Maldonado. We'll learn that sometimes the beasts of the woods might be better than your cruel, micromanaging boss. The creature is a shapeshifting water monster who has one rule for her spouse. Just one. Think he can go without breaking it? Yeah, neither do I. -- Sponsors: Simplisafe: Get 50% off your entire new system. http://simplisafe.com/legends Olive and June: go to http://oliveandjune.com/myths and use code myths for 25% off your firs...
Nov 24, 2021•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast The legendary story of Olga of Kiev, a 10th century queen who's always four steps ahead of her enemies. For the creature of the week, when you're the dogai, you always have a sleeping bag handy. Because they're your ears. -- Sponsors: Best Fiends: Download Best Fiends on the App Store or Google Play! Simplisafe: Get 50% off your entire new system. http://simplisafe.com/legends Grubhub: Order through the grubhub app or by going to http://grubhub.com ! Shopify: Go to http://shopify.com/legends for...
Nov 17, 2021•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast The story of a pirate princess from Jewish/Polish folklore, we'll see how many fiancees is too many fiancees (the answer, of course, is however many try to marry you at sword-point), and that you really, really don't want to mess with a team of pirate princesses. The creature is a foot umbrella and yoga instructor that doesn't skip leg day. -- Links: Yodeling pickle: https://myths.link/pickle Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership -- Bombas: Get 20% off any purchase during their big ...
Nov 10, 2021•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast A story from Georgian folklore about a king who needs a cure for his condition, the prince who decided that cure was going to be his new pet, and all the problems that come from an animal blood eye wash so maybe don't do an animal blood eye wash. If you give the creature of the week the moon, he's going to want the sun to go with it. Then, we're all pretty much doomed. -- Links: Disclaimer: https://myths.link/244 Lightsaber chop sticks: https://myths.link/lightsabers Membership: https://www.myth...
Nov 03, 2021•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Arthur has been kidnapped. Guinevere's evil twin is at large. The kingdom is thrown into chaos. Their hope rests with a bunch of knights putting others first and doing the right thing. Yeah, they're pretty much doomed. The creature is a soft-bodied, vampire hunter with crazy black hair. Finally, a Halloween costume I can pull off. -- Sponsors: Zocdoc: Go to http://zocdoc.com/myths and download the Zocdoc app to sign up for free and book a top-rated doctor. Butcherbox: Get a 10-16 pound turkey FR...
Oct 27, 2021•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast The story of Queen Guinevere as she goes from princess, to queen, to convict. The creature is the Ciguapa, from Haitian and Dominican folklore, and you'll see that if you're asking which monsters to follow into the dark forest, you're kind of already making questionable decisions. -- Sponsors: [Gravely voice] Check out The Sandman: Act Two on Audible by going to http://audible.com/dreaming Best Fiends: Download Best Fiends on the App Store or Google Play! Olive and June: go to http://oliveandjun...
Oct 20, 2021•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast The story of Zjermi, Handa, the dragon Kuchedra, and about a hundred naked armpit angels from Albania. When it comes to the creature this week, look, we all need our "me" time, just don't transform your children into sleepy foxes to get it. -- Sponsors: Headspace: Get one month free of their entire meditation library at http://headspace.com/legends ! Bombas: Get 20% off your first order at http://bombas.com/legends Simplisafe: Get 20% off your entire new system and your first month of monitoring...
Oct 13, 2021•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a story from the folklore of the Sorko people who lived along the Niger river in West Africa, a hippo is causing all sorts of trouble. I mean, hippos are dangerous, but ones that can sprout ovens on their back and shoot fire streams like some kind of final-evolution Pokemon mean this village needs a hero. The creature is Babamik! She's a deranged murderer who had it all...until her daughter started dating. -- Sponsors: Indeed ! Get started right now with a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade ...
Oct 06, 2021•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast The conclusion of "A Heart of Stone" by Wilhelm Hauff, where we see what happens when Peter Munk, out of options after threatening the Little Glass Man, turns to the devil to help himself through dire circumstances. The creature, the okuri-inu (送り犬) is a dog that might help you out when you need it most...because when it comes to killing you, this dog has dibs. -- Links: Disclaimer and source: https://myths.link/240b Store: https://myths.link/store Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/members...
Sep 29, 2021•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast A German fairy tale about striving, falling short, and then seeking help from dangerous mythological creatures to help you pick up the slack. The creature is Azrail, the giant who is terrible at fighting. -- Sponsors: Butcherbox: Get free ground beef for life! Sign up at http://butcherbox.com/myths and get two pounds of ground beef free in every order for the life of your membership. Grubhub: check them out online ( http://grubhub.com ) or through the app! Audible: Go to http://audible.com/dream...
Sep 22, 2021•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Three stories from the Grimm brothers of people helping someone out. Sometimes that goes well. Other times you end up with an indescribable urge to bury your nose in filth and hunt for truffles. The creatures are three generations of sleazy Irish water creatures on a redemption arc. -- Post/disclaimer: https://myths.link/239 Shakespeare bandages: https://myths.link/insult-bandages Twitter: https://myths.link/twitter Store: https://myths.link/store Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membersh...
Sep 15, 2021•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast A story from India about what happens when a murder cult who turns intruders into dogs moves in across the river and why you should get as far away as possible...because of the murder cult that turns people into dogs. The creature is Bolster the giant! He has fun festivals celebrating him (dying)! -- Sponsors: Simplisafe ! Save 20% off your Simplisafe system and get your first month free when you sign up for Interactive Monitoring Service by going to http://simplisafe.com/legends Grubhub ! Check...
Sep 08, 2021•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Odysseus confronts the suitors, and our long journey comes to its end. The creatures (Bakwas and Dzunukwa) just want to make you a roommate in their strange, invisible house. Or kill you. Or both. -- Sponsors: Halo Collar: Go to http://shophalocollar.com/myths to save 20% on your Halo Collar! Grubhub: Check it out! Order through the Grubhub app or online at http://grubhub.com Butcherbox: Right now, new members can get three pounds of chicken breast, two pounds of burgers, and one pack of hotdogs...
Sep 01, 2021•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Odysseus finally landed on Ithaca, but, with 120 angry, armed men in his house who want his wife and life, can he survive his homecoming? The creatures are Black Annis and Gentle Annis. Black Annis is a pale blue and Gentle Annis wrecks boats. -- Sponsors: Simplisafe ! Save 20% off your Simplisafe system and get your first month free when you sign up for Interactive Monitoring Service by going to http://simplisafe.com/legends Helix Sleep ! Get up to $200 off a mattress order ad two free pillows ...
Aug 25, 2021•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we're in French fairy tales with queen who prepared her daughter for the world a little too well, and to the queen's despair she doesn't want to marry, choosing to rely instead on her own strength and judgement. Oh, and also there are griffin fights, dragons, sphinxes, giant turkey chariots, evil fairies, and cat-riding mythological dwarves. It's a big week. The creature is a toad full of hate. And also full of rainbow breath. -- Sponsors: Athena Club: Sign up today and you'll get 20%...
Aug 18, 2021•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Three stories from Korean folklore! On the first, a boy loves collecting stories, but no one really taught him proper story care, so they went the way of so many carnival goldfish. On the second, a young man protests his unfair (and kind of murdery) working conditions...by turning his boss's lunchbox into a toilet. On the third, there are people, there are cows, and no one can tell the two apart. The creature is the ziz, and it wrecks cities by accident. -- Twitter: https://myths.link/twitter Sh...
Aug 11, 2021•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
