Myths and Legends
History Podcasts
Jason Weiser tells 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.
Jason Weiser tells 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.
Location:
NY
Description:
Jason Weiser tells 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.
Twitter:
@mythpodcast
Language:
English
Website:
http://www.mythpodcast.com/
Email:
jason@mythpodcast.com
Episodes
277-1001 Nights: Kiss the Cook
6/28/2022
The story of the cook and the warlock, from 1001 Nights, where you see how a hot tub can change your entire life's course. The creature is the Murghi-i-adami, a buff peacock with a lot to say. -- Disclaimer & vizier bit: https://myths.link/277 Scoundrel! Check out the worst (as in least talented) counterfeiter in US history: https://myths.link/scoundrel -- Sponsors: Check out June's Journey on the Apple App Store or Google Play! Helix Sleep: Go to http://helixsleep.com/myths for up to $200...
Duration:00:41:46
276-Swiss Horror: Along Came a Spider
6/22/2022
An adaptation of a Swiss horror novella "The Black Spider" by author Jeremias Gotthelf (AKA Albert Bitzius), about a town with a knight problem, so they make a deal with a very suspicious man to help them in their time of need. The creature is the Kanbari nyūdō, that creepy hairy guy watching you go to the bathroom on New Year's Eve. -- The disclaimer: https://myths.link/276 -- Music: All music by Blue Dot Sessions -- Sponsors: BOMBAS: Suuuuper comfortable everything. Check it out and get...
Duration:00:58:59
275-Tibetan Folklore: Free Bird
6/15/2022
A prince, chased by seven evil wizard roommates, seeks help from a hermit. This leads him on a journey of discovery that entails ghosts, mythological creature kidnapping, and many, many blisters. The creature is the Lioumere, and you'll see that clowns aren't just for children's birthday parties! They're also for doing dental work on dangerous ogresses. -- The strange, sad life of Bernarr Macfadden: https://myths.link/scoundrel -- Sponsors: Indeed: Go to http://indeed.com/legends to claim...
Duration:00:50:19
274-European Folklore: Murky
6/8/2022
Two stories from Eastern Europe where we see why mythological water monsters aren't a great way to discipline your kids. On the second, if a wizard is mumbling something outside your house, you're in for a bad time unless you talk to a witch. The creatures are the Devil's Dandy Dogs! They're not dandy, not the devil's, and they're barely dogs! -- Disclaimer: https://myths.link/274 Newts! The new PRX podcast I mentioned that has the Vodník, the Czech water monster in the first story. If you...
Duration:00:46:37
273-Robin Hood: The Good Thief
5/31/2022
You would think, if you're the most wanted person in Britain, you would probably want to lie low for a little while and think that the all-too-happy-to-get-kidnapped abbot with the big bags of gold strolling through Sherwood forest might be an obvious trap. The creature is why you don't want to eat a big meal and then go into battle. -- Links! Scoundrel! Check out the story of Sarah Wilson: https://myths.link/scoundrel Our membership! It still exists! https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership...
Duration:00:50:36
VIGILANTE IS AVAILABLE NOW!
5/26/2022
Tim Miller is a famous search-and-rescuer in Dickinson, Texas, who's helped track down more than 300 missing persons. After 38 years of searching, he’s now convinced that he’s finally solved his own daughter’s murder. In the first season of VIGILANTE, Allie Conti (New York Times, Vice) explores the human cost of Tim’s singular obsession with the case—from the people he’s falsely accused in the past, to the current girlfriend he’s put in the crosshairs of a possible serial killer. As Allie...
Duration:00:05:04
272-Egyptian Folklore: Imposter
5/24/2022
The story of a young man who decided that he would do anything to live the life of his dreams...but how far is too far? The creature is the Minata-Karaia, basically ents who snack on their armpit fruit. -- Mitos y Leyendas: https://myths.link/mitos Best of the Worst, another show we have that's basically creature of the week but with comic book villains: https://myths.link/botw Fictional is back, too! https://fictional.fm/subscribe -- Sponsors: Best Fiends! Check it out on the App Store or...
Duration:00:42:22
New Podcast: Myths and Legends, now in Spanish!
5/23/2022
Sonoro and Nextpod (that’s Jason and Carissa Weiser!) present Mitos y Leyendas. The acclaimed podcast about mythology and worldwide folklore, now in Spanish. Listen, learn, and subscribe today on your favorite podcast platform to catch all the episodes every week. Available now! To listen directly on Apple Podcasts: https://play.sonoropodcast.com/LFm7oyx7 Nextpod.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:07:49
271-Korean folklore: A Friend in Need
5/17/2022
Three stories of people helping people from Korea, including helpful monsters, deadly Pictionary, and why you should shove strangers down hills. The creature is the Glashtin, a creature with sticky hands, but in the murdery way and not the stealy way or ice creamy way. -- Sonoro and Nextpod (that's us!) present Mitos y Leyendas. It's this podcast, now in Spanish! Listen to the trailer and first TWO episodes now: https://play.sonoropodcast.com/LFm7oyx7 Check out this week's all-new Scoundrel:...
Duration:00:38:31
270-Greek Myths: Cloud Cuckoo Land
5/11/2022
This week, Olympus will fall. The reign of the Greek gods will come to an ignoble end to an enemy that has been lurking in the shadows the whole time. Hear how it all goes down in this definitely serious story about how the rule of the Olympians was usurped by something you see every day. The creature is the Kickle Snifter! The reason why you should wash your beard! Or don't because who doesn't enjoy having a semi-parasitic friend around all the time? -- Links! That disclaimer:...
Duration:00:48:44
269-Hans Christian Andersen: What We Do With the Shadows
5/3/2022
A story from Hans Christian Andersen about becoming your best self…after that self completely separates from you and leaves you as merely a shadow. The creature this time is the invincible bear monster your ghost grandpa warned you about. — Scoundrel: All new this week! https://myths.link/scoundrel Fictional: All new tomorrow! https://fictional.fm/subscribe — Sponsors: BOMBAS: Suuuuper comfortable everything. Check it out and get 20% off your first purchase. http://bombas.com/legends June’s...
Duration:00:46:08
268-Viking Legends: Hride or Die
4/26/2022
Two stories from Norse myth. The first is about how you should just be you, even if people think you're a fool for doing so...actually, kind of especially if people think you are a fool for doing so. The second is about why you shouldn't go to the bathroom alone at night: Norse toilet zombies. The creature is the Mimick Dog, a dog that will mimic you and maybe put on plays. -- Sherlock Holmes on Fictional! https://fictional.fm/subscribe Best of the Worst, our twice-weekly mini-cast with...
Duration:00:45:41
267-Dragons: The Horse and his Boy
4/19/2022
A story of believing in yourself and finding your own way in the world...by imitating Pokemon and Hodor and wearing flashy suits from your best friend's stone safehouse. From a story from what's now Czech Republic and Slovakia, called "Prince Bayaya." Coming to a garden near you, the creature is the Jidra, from Medieval Europe. You might think you're a fantastic gardener, what with growing a plant bigger than you are...but you might rethink that when the plant tries to eat you. -- Links!...
Duration:00:40:20
266-1001 Nights: Good Night and Good Luck
4/12/2022
A story from One Thousand and One Nights of an incompetent dude, a genie that's more than happy to be used for evil, and how the best legal outcome is one that involves free honey cakes. This is also where we wrap up the framing narrative, and we see if Scheherazade's gambit, of keeping herself alive by telling her husband stories every night for the past 989 days, finally pays off. The creature is Irusan, the Irish king of the cats, and he is tired of listening to your terrible poetry. --...
Duration:00:53:14
265-Monkey King: Out of Your Gourd
4/5/2022
A super-powered monkey from Chinese folklore meets more than he bargained for: a sloshing hollow gourd full of pus. The creature is the Mikaribaba (箕借り婆) from Japanese folklore, a great reason not to shower (because she will literally gouge out your eyes). -- Scoundrel! New episode of Scoundrel this week. Check it out: https://myths.link/scoundrel New episodes of Best of the Worst out, too. They're a lot of fun. https://myths.link/botw -- Sponsors: Headspace: Go to...
Duration:00:53:14
264-Korean folklore: On the Mountainside
3/29/2022
Five stories from Korean folklore all woven together to tell a grand narrative of the lives of normal people (and animals...and trees) on a mountainside in medieval Korea. The creature is the Iara, from Brazil, a vampire mermaid who isn't thrilled to be a vampire mermaid but hey, it was the best her fish friends could do for her a the time. -- Best of the Worst! Check out our (other other) new podcast where we tell funny vignettes of ridiculous heroes and villains from comic book history....
Duration:00:41:28
263-Celtic Folklore: You Can't Take it With You
3/22/2022
Three stories of things worth more than gold from Slavic, Celtic, and Chinese folklore. Also, why you shouldn't eat gold (it will literally kill you), why you should dig into that road cake early on, and why you should remember where you put stuff before getting the authorities involved. The creature is a cow's stomach with bone melting eyes! Who hates it when evil barons are evil! -- New Scoundrel out this week! Check it out at https://myths.link/scoundrel New Fictional out tomorrow! Check...
Duration:00:47:07
262-Japanese Folklore: Fatal Attraction
3/15/2022
Three stories from Japan about love gone wrong. On the first, the fairest youth in all the land is set to marry the daughter of a rich noble. The problem? His father kind of oversold his looks... On the second, we'll see why moths and other nighttime bugs go toward the light, and on the third, a lovelorn samurai meets a woman from his past he thought was long gone. The creature just wants you to chill out and stop trying to kill its friends...or else it will make you swell up in horrifying...
Duration:00:47:41
261-Jewish Folklore: Mirror, Mirror
3/8/2022
Two stories of King David's magic mirror. One actually involves a folklore version of the Biblical king facing off against an enemy from his past...and maybe turning into a balloon? The second involves a rabbi, a murderous sorcerer, and a magic battle dinner party. The creature is what happens when you stay too long as a vampire. You turn into what's basically an angry George Costanza with seven goat tails. -- Links! Scoundrel (new episode out today!): https://myths.link/scoundrel Fictional...
Duration:00:41:18
260-Norse Sagas: Norse Code
3/1/2022
Heidrek the wise...was not actually all that wise. He took ownership of a cursed sword for one. He also got in a riddle battle with Odin, which is never a good idea. In fact, if you want to be wise, it might be a good idea to just look at Heidrek's life, and do the opposite. The creature is the Kaibaan, and he's that guy hanging out with his guitar on the quad trying to meet girls. You can spot him because he's the size of a human baby. -- Links! Fictional is back!...
Duration:00:50:22