Myths and Legends

Two stories of just terrible, terrible fathers from Greek mythology. The first is really only in the story for a few minutes, but helps to bring about two giants that could end his reign. The second is one who admits his mistake and takes pity on the boy before trying to do right by him. And it ends much, much worse than if he had done nothing at all. The creature this time is an elephant unicorn who has one weird trick to make you feel strong. Hydras hate him. --- Music: "Beautocracy" "Lullaby" "Plum" "Rarified" "Aim is True" "Tortoise Shell" "Uptown" by Podington Bear "Hammer and Damper" "Line Exchange" "Slow Driver" by Blue Dot SessionsSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

The land of giants. Jotunheim. The realm of the monstrous "other" from Norse myth. Thorstein grew up being told it was only a legend, and he probably thought as much...until he walked into it. This is the epic saga of Thorstein Mansion-Might, a legendary Viking who is bigger than doors. The creature this time is Dr. Big Bird. He's a big bird who is an ancient world doctor. That sounds impressive until you think that probably anyone alive today is qualified to be an ancient world doctor. --- Music: "Direct to Video" by Chris Zabriskie "Cases to Rest" by Blue Dot Sessions "Aim is True" by Podington Bear "Boardwalk" by Podington Bear "Chrysalis" by Podington Bear "Degradation" by Podington Bear "March" by Podington Bear "Miss You" by Podington Bear "Rubber Robot" by Podington Bear "Tarnish" by Podington Bear "These Times" by  Blue Dot Sessions "Well Water" by Blue Dot SessionsSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Maui. Trickster. Demigod. Sometimes-fish. Abandoned at birth but in the possession of great power, the story of Maui is the story of an underdog that came to help the human race in immeasurable ways: giving them fire, pulling up islands, making the day longer, killing monsters to give coconuts, and convincing the sun to give us some more time in the day...by beating him mercilessly with a fishhook. The creature is a square hedgehog. It's yellow, and makes a terrible pet, because not only does it like to get your horses sick, but it's not remotely housebroken and enjoys urinating basically everywhere.  -- Music: "Am Trans" "Cake" "Ice Pack" "Rubber Robot" "So it Goes" "Spring Comes Early" "Surface Tension 1" "Swing Lo" "The Confrontation" all by Podington Bear Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

The Day of the Wolf. The Doom of the Gods. The end of all things. It has many names, but one word encapsulates it all: Ragnarok. It's what Odin has been dreading and fighting. It's what Loki has been planning. It's the dark end of days where the worlds will drop into eternal night, giants will battle gods, and all will burn. Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Werewolves are people that turn into wolves. Or they don't. Maybe they just wear a fancy wolf belt. Or maybe part of a wolf skin. Or maybe they just like to think they're a wolf. Or maybe they're just people that like killing. Werewolf stories are simple ones, but there's no simple answer as to why this thing happens. And it did. A lot. All throughout history there are stories of Werewolves, stretching back as far as Ancient Greece. As it turns out, humans being monstrous is as old as humanity itself.  The creature this time is the reason you'll want to avoid the river if you see a ghostly woman crying out for her children. But if you're not already doing that, a podcast description won't save you.  Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Discover the clever and comedic tales of Hans from German folklore, including unusual gifts, misadventures, and failed friendship attempts. From carrying goats in pockets to following voices underground, these stories offer a humorous twist on fairy tales.

The conclusion to the dwarf with the long beard, a story about a dwarf. And a long beard. And entering the ear canals of magic horses for fun and profit. We'll see the epic struggle between brothers come to an end, as well as a powerful argument in favor of facial hair. The creature this time is big, warm cat named Big Ears! He has Big Ears! And an army of demonic cats to do his will! --- Music: "Remember Trees" by Chris Zabriskie "I Should have been more human" by Chris Zabriskie "Shake It" by Jahzzar "Denouement" by Kai Engel "Warbled Reflection" by Podington Bear "Den" by Podington Bear "The Telling" by Blue Dot Sessions "White Limit" by Blue Dot SessionsSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Today's story comes from Slavic folklore and it was so much fun. It's surprisingly complex and full of magic, love, and a sleazy little kidnapper who just can't catch a break. Did you know cotton balls were vegetarian friendly snacks? I mean, they're also living things, but they are primarily plants. They taste like old fish and/or honey, but they are low cholesterol so, you know, there's that. --- Music: "Vanagon" by Podington Bear "Qi" by Blue Dot Sessions "Waypoint 7" by Blue Dot Sessions "We Drive Three Days" by Blue Dot Sessions "Old Regrets" by Lee Rosevere "The Secret to Growing Up" by Lee RosevereSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Threes are everywhere in folklore, and today we look at stories where they feature the most prominently: The three bears, the three little pigs, and Cinderella. The tales told and adapted for children children, the three pigs and Cinderella,  are extremely bloody and unforgiving, while the one that was originally for adults - the three bears - is about three very chill best bear friends enjoying a fun afternoon before dealing with a deeply psychologically troubled intruder.  The creature this time adds to our list of mythpodcats...and it's further proof that, given half a chance at victory, your cat wouldn't hesitate to kill you.   ---  Music: "Associations" by Podington Bear "Don't Go" by Podington Bear "In My Head" by Podington Bear "Rope Swing" by Podington Bear "As I was Saying" by Lee Rosevere "More on That Later" by Lee Rosevere "Alphabet Soup" by Podington Bear "Relinquish" by Podington Bear Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

The "Tale of Tales" is a very famous, moderately deranged collection of folklore from 16th century Italy. It's by the author Giambattista Basile, a storyteller who traveled the Mediterranean region collecting stories. The collection known as "Tale of Tales" follows a similar framing narrative to "1001 Nights", with the storyteller telling the king stories in a very loosely-connected fashion. I'm not even going to say the titles for today's stories, but they are two of the most famous in the collection and wildly unpredictable. They're gross, violent, weird, and interesting - so, basically like everyday life. The creature is a man...who is a bat. But he's not Batman, because Batman can't handle this little guy's intensity. ----- Music: "Sad Marimba Planet" by Lee Rosevere "Are we Loose Yet?" by Blue Dot Sessions "August (Summer Nights)" by Kai Engel "November Mist" by Blue Dot Sessions "Shiny" by Podington Bear "Yellow Dust" by Rolemusic "Swapping Tubes" by Blue Dot Sessions "In the Back Room" by Blue Dot Sessions "Petaluma" by Blue Dot SessionsSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership