Mythology, Folklore, Urban Legends
Podcast episodes on mythology, folklore, and urban legends, discussed by two tipsy history nerds. Every episode, co-hosts Julia and Amanda mix a drink and discuss a new story or character from a wide range of places, eras, and cultures. Learn brand-new stories and enjoy re-tellings of your favorite myths, served over ice every two weeks, on Spirits.
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Transcripts are available for every new episode. We're working our way through the back catalog at a rate of 2-3 episodes per week (oldest transcribed episode is currently #69). Just click the episode title to read the transcript!
We’ve all heard of the Loch Ness Monster, but what about all of the other lake-dwelling creatures? We do a deep dive (Get it? Because lake monsters?) into what lurks in the deep around the world. Hear about the motivation of monsters, what our ideal Thai supernatural soap opera would look like, and our hypothesis on ocean vs. lake creatures.
Read MoreWe’re all out enjoying the holidays, but we also wanted to celebrate with you! So we did a quick round up this week about a bunch of different ways the Winter Solstice is celebrated around the world. We got recipe ideas, talked about death and darkness a lot, and talked about poetry. Y’know, all the Spirits classics.
Read MoreWe’ve done it. 100 episodes. And to celebrate, we are tackling our most requested topic: The Fae! We touch on several different fae stories from across Europe, have some revelations about Santa Claus and business schools, and find out why the Grimm Brothers weren’t just fucked-up grandpas.
Read MoreIt’s Shark Week, but we’re not here for shots of Great Whites (mostly because we’re an audio medium). We’re joined by Melissa Marquez, who specializes in the intersection of shark folklore and conservation. We chat about making scientific education accessible, human infested beaches, and what a shark-filled Big Brother house would look like!
Read MoreSummer is finally here, which means one thing: BEACH BABES TIME! We’re celebrating with a roundup of the best mermaids and fish folk the world has to offer. From buff mermaid moms to outcast mermaid communities to the types of mermaids that prevent disease and bring long life, we’ve got it all! Also featuring reflections on human sacrifice, crushing on wrestlers, and our favorite moments from Alan Menken movies.
Read MoreWelcome to Fake or Folklore, the game show sensation that’s SWEEPING the nation! Hosted by Charles the Gamesman, aka Eric Silver of Join the Party, Amanda and Julia are put to the test to see if they can parse actual folklore from a morass of weird stuff from Eric’s brain, the internet, and beyond! The best part is, you can play along at home—download your scorecard on our Patreon.
Read MoreWARNING: Don’t listen to this episode while hungry, because these stories are utterly delicious. We travel the world in this roundup, giving you stories of how Capitalism ruins everything, how not to serve your guests by vomiting, our favorite corn recipes, and just what positions we would play in Quidditch.
Read MoreSometimes on Spirits we get stories that just have everything - action, monsters, romance, actual history, and empowering depictions of women. The story of Lạc Long Quân and Au Cơ is one of those lucky legends we’ve stumbled upon. We discuss amicable conscious uncoupling, Pokemon inspiration, Taco Bell’s new stolen slogan, and rage against (certain) Shakespeare productions. And hey, remember, you ARE the box.
Read MoreThe Arthurian Canon is sacred to some people—so you know we’ve got a lot of jokes about it. We dive into the nitty gritty with special guest Christian Madera as we talk about why self-insert fanfiction is questionable, even in the Middle Ages; how OT3s can solve all problems; how freaky historians can get; and why “whiskey” is a word that transcends language.
Read MoreWinter is here, and with it blows the cold wind of something spooky. We tell the sad tale of the Yuki-onna, a spirit of a woman who froze to death in the icy cold, who comes back seeking the warmth that will destroy her. We spin a tale of Amanda’s future bed & breakfast, redefine what a terrible Hallmark card would be, talk pre-blizzard strategies, and more!
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