Myths and Legends

A short supplemental on one of the inspirations for Merlin, a man named Myrddin the Wyllt,  a Welsh warrior bard who went insane after seeing his friends die on the battlefield and ran off to a life in the forest. It would have been fine if people didn't keep dragging him back to civilization...or if he had thought at all about what he would do during the winter. You'll see that "insane" in this story is kind of a loose term for "I just want a little 'me' time in the forest."On the creature of the week, you'll meet that thing that yells all night in your kitchen and shatters all your good plates, and I'll guess at what she's doing with all that evil linen thread she's spinning.Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membershipSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The podcast delves into the original story of the Little Mermaid, discussing its violence and cautioning parents. It explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the dangers of unsupervised children. The underwater society and anticipation of the surface are also explored. The little mermaid's transformation into a human and her heartbreak when the prince chooses someone else are covered. Finally, the podcast discusses the Satori, a mind-reading creature from Japanese mythology.

Wrapping up the King Arthur saga, we witness the final battle between the Saxons and Britons, Uther's risky pursuit of a woman, the sword in the stone, and the true origins of Stonehenge. The creature of the week is a blood-sloshing menace.

Meet the origin story of Merlin, the legendary wizard, as a young boy with magical powers. Discover the heroics that saved his life from execution. Explore the tale of Lud and the battle against dragons. Lastly, learn about the terrifying Qui Quern, a giant bald dog from Inuit Mythology.

The King Arthur legends don't actually start with Arthur, but with several years of war, intrigue, and betrayal among the Britons, and a slippery earl by the name of Vortigern not-so-subtly engineering the deaths of two kings to become king himself. We'll start at the very beginning, with Arthur's grandfather being murdered and his father fleeing across the channel to protect himself from assassins working for a usurper king. We'll also meet Merlin as a child, as he's being hunted by the king's men in the Welsh highlands.On the creature of the week, if you're thinking about a career change into the medical field, forget all that annoying education and just become a Fairy Doctor. This somehow completely real profession from the middle ages doesn't involve any of that pesky schooling that a boring old MD requires, but allows you to heal people from this week's creature, an extremely dangerous and extremely adorable fairy from Gaelic folklore.Talk to me on TwitterTranscript (and pictures) for this episodeFind this on iTunesSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membershipSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn about the tragic origins of Koschei the Deathless and his complex soul hiding tactics. Discover the heart-wrenching demise of Koschei. Explore the story of a giant, sticky brown chain smoker who taps his ashes into dry leaves. Embark on Prince Ivan's quest to rescue Princess Vasalisa with the help of Boulat the Brave. Encounter various animals and the soul of Koschei on an unknown island. Delve into interpretations of the Kashi the Deathless story and get a sneak peek of next week's episode on King Arthur's father and the Capre mythological creature.

Joining us in this episode is Koschei the Deathless, a dangerous magician from Russian folklore. We dive into the bizarre, sad, and hilarious story of Koschei, a sorcerer with a captive princess problem. Along the way, we encounter the legendary Baba Yaga and learn about the Boo Hag, a morning breath vampire. This story is both scary and ridiculous, and we guarantee you'll enjoy it!

Discover the original story of Mulan, a woman who defied traditional gender roles. Explore the misconceptions surrounding the tale and the true nature of the villain. Also, beware of a dangerous creature lurking in the woods at night. Dive into the origins and adaptations of Mulan, her decision to protect her father, the horrifying practice of foot-binding, her journey to join the soldiers, and the evolving messages of the story.

The final chapter of the Saga of the Volsungs reveals the perils of navigating in-law relationships. A cursed ring proves its power and betrayal catches up with the honorable Volsungs. Plus, discover the spectral Celtic cat that steals souls and the legends of Vikings' violent actions.

Sigurd rides with Vikings to reclaim his father's kingdom, fights the dragon Fafnir, and falls for the temptations of a magical ring. The creature of the week warns about treating footwear with respect. Sigurd faces betrayal, takes drastic measures, seeks wisdom from Brindhild, and proposes before embarking on a journey.