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 episode. Just click the episode title to read the transcript!
Not sure where to start? You don’t need to listen in order! Click a tag that interests you or search our archive below.
What happens when the very real fear of wildfires meet folklore and urban legends? You get something like The Char Man of Ojai. We’re joined by Jess from WTF Is That Podcast to talk about this prescient urban legend, why cryptids love bridges, and why shouting for help in the woods is a bad idea!
Read MoreSorry to tell you, but you just lost The Game. In our first ever crossover episode with American Hysteria, we do a deep dive into the mind game with origins in Cambridge, early internet culture, and other memes of the age like the Cool S.
Read MoreAnimal attacks on the French peasantry, a mysterious beast, and a years long hunt. We’re joined by author Gigi Griffis as we discuss The Beast of Gévaudan, her book We Are The Beasts, and re-writing monsters as saviors.
Read MoreTrees of life, magical trees, immortal trees! We’re joined by horticulture expert and podcast extraordinaire, Dr. Vikram Baliga, as he walks us through the fascinating world of plants and their importance in mythology and folklore!
Read MoreWe are digging into urban legends near and far with our guest, Chelsey Weber-Smith of American Hysteria. We chat about the cross section of poetry and moral panic, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and where fear comes from.
Read MoreWas Shakespeare writing about zombies? What if Romeo & Juliet were transformed at the end of the play rather than just dying? We’re joined by playwright and creator Melody Bates to talk about her love and frustration with Shakespeare, her acting origins, and translating fashion and folklore into performance.
Read MoreMushrooms and horror go together like peanut butter and jelly, and we’ve brought on our local horror expert, Jenna Stoeber to talk us through the history of mushrooms, horror, video games, and more!
Read MoreWe’re joined by cartoonist and author of Other Ever Afters, Mel Gillman to chat about growing as an artist, how allegories of fairy tales grow over time, and breaking the structures to write good horror. Also, the premiere of our new favorite segment: Foraging Corner.
Read MoreWe’re joined by editor extraordinaire and podcast pro, Mischa Stanton. And we brought a bunch of stories that are Mischa-coded: LARPing, summer camps, and unknowable pronouns. And of course, the logical conclusion to any story: Giant Doorknob.
Read MoreHey Time Travelers, we’re diving back in time with the help of author Sacha Coward to talk about the intertwined history of queerness, monsters, and mythology!
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