392: 1001 Nights: The Unthinkable (part 1 of 2)

The real story of the Little Mermaid is way more violent and grim than the Disney version, and does not have a happy ending. It's the story of a teenage mermaid who falls in love with a human and makes a deal to get legs, but that's where the similarities end. The original includes bald mermaids, daggers, and a great way to blackmail your kids into being good. If you've ever wanted to know way, way too much detail about a mermaid society, but hate it when your characters have names or plausible motivations, this story is for you. But really, it's very weird, and it makes you wonder why it has not only survived to the modern day, but is incredibly popular and has inspired multiple retellings. In the creature of the week, an ape man you can't hide anything from, but who has an extremely short attention span. Connect with me on twitter: @mythpodcast My e-mail: jason@mythpodcast.com Find the show on iTunes! Songs: “The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan” by Chris Zabriskie "Hypnic Jerk" by Smith Comma John "La Valse de Marian" by Marian Badoi "Keep on Moving" by Ton "Rewound" by Chris Zabriskie "Archimedes" by Jason Staczek "Something Elated" by Broke for Free "Wandering" by Steve CombsSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Sep 201530min

Wrapping up this current run of King Arthur episodes, we find a kingdom in shambles. We'll see the final(ish..for now at least) battle between the Saxons and the Britons, and then the rule of King Arthur's uncle and father. Uther then decides to risk this extremely tenuous peace to woo a woman who isn't into him at all. And by woo, I mean declare war against her and her husband and use your fancy magician friend's fancy magic to trick her into...well, you'll see. Then, the sword in the stone! Also, the definitely true origins of Stonehenge! The creature of the week carries an impractically large bowl of blood with him at all times - just sloshing around everywhere he goes - that he will dump on you if he catches you on the road at night. Talk to me on twitter Find the show on iTunes Music: "Reveries" by Eracilon "Gymnopedie" by Erik Satie "Taking Dark Matter Lightly" by Alan Singley "Love and Mystery" by Oursvince "Max Flashback" by Lee Rosevere "Something Elated" by Broke for Free "Wandering" by Steve CombsSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Aug 201534min

This is where we meet Merlin, a son of a demon who uses his evil powers for good. But he's not yet the bearded sorcerer we all kind of know and love. No, he first enters our story as a serious seven year-old with power over magic, the ability to prophesy, and knowledge of the past, present, and future. The only problem? He's about to be executed by Vortigern's magicians. Luckily, his life will be saved by not one, but two dragons. Its the origin story of the world's most famous legendary wizard. Then, on the creature of the week, you'll hear me embarrass myself trying to pronounce the name of this big, stupid dog. Talk to me on twitter Find me on iTunes Music: "Let's Ride" by Alasdair Cooper "Cheap Suit" by Jason Staczek "You Know Who You Are" by Alan Singley "Rivers and Mountains" by The Losers "Something Elated" by Broke for Free "Wandering" by Steve CombsSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Aug 201530min

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 Twitter Transcript (and pictures) for this episode Find this on iTunesSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Aug 201531min

As it turns out, Koschei the Deathless is very, very hard to kill, a fact one could probably guess from his name. This episode explores his tragic origins, as well as the ludicrously complex way he's hidden his soul (a Russian nesting doll situation that's unpleasant for everyone involved). He'll prove his name incorrect as he finally meets his demise in what amounts to the most heart-wrenching egging of all time. In the creature this week, despite forests being kind of the only place where forest fires can take place, this sticky giant thinks nothing of tapping the ashes from his giant cigars into the dry leaves. Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Aug 201532min

In this story of a dangerous magician from Russian folklore, you'll learn that you should maybe believe your spouse if she says you definitely don't want to know what's behind that door in the dungeon. It's the bizarre, sad, and kind of hilarious story of Koschei the Deathless, a man who seems like a much more serious and dangerous version of the Ice King from Adventure Time. Really, if you're horrible sorcerer who's a little lonely, maybe stop kidnapping princesses and just get a cat. Or a hobby. I hear podcasting is fun? Really, though, this is exactly the type of story I love doing on this podcast. I doubt you've heard it, but it is scary, ridiculous, and a little sad, and I hope you enjoy it. The creature of the week is the Boo Hag, a morning breath vampire, and she's a great reason for you to chew an onion before going to bed.   Link to iTunes for reviews/subscriptions: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/myths-and-legends/id990897842 Link to the site: https://www.mythpodcast.com Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Juli 201536min

The story of Mulan, the woman who took her aging father's place in the army, does not mean what you think it means. The original character is almost completely awesome and very different from many retellings. Unfortunately, the inspiring central message of the story is a modern interpretation of something that was actually very insulting. Also, villain is less of a looming, hulking Hun, and more a bandit with a name of a spandex print. This is the story of Mulan as it was originally told. The creature of the week is why you'll want to make sure you're very drunk before going into the woods alone at night. Link to iTunes for reviews/subscriptions: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/myths-and-legends/id990897842 Link to the site: https://www.mythpodcast.com Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Juli 201527min

The final chapter of the Saga of the Volsungs follows Sigurd as he finds that navigating relationships with the in-laws is way, way more hazardous than fighting a dragon. He finds the famliy he never had, but generations of betrayal and murder finally catch up with what has been perhaps the most honorable of the Volsungs...you know, minus that one tiny murder he committed. Also, if someone with nothing to gain from it tells you a ring is cursed, you should absolutely believe them. In the creature of the week, you'll see why funeral homes should be surrounded by catnip and toy mice in order to keep this giant, spectral Celtic cat from stealing souls. (link to the website) (iTunes link for reviews/subscriptions)Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Juli 201533min