Myths and Legends

For over 200 years in western Europe, there was a pervasive belief among large portions of the population that the upper classes in society were hiding something - women horribly cursed with the heads of pigs . Not an insult or a metaphor, no, these were women who were thought literally to be pigs from the neck up. Crowds gathered to harass potential pig-faced women and chase their carriages, and they apparently made appearances at fairs. This is an incredibly bizarre series of events that is all but forgotten in the modern day, but bears were shaved, legacies were tarnished, and there were men from an ocean away proposing marriage to a pig-faced woman. On the creature of the week, it's a bird who can escape from any predator, but after you hear the route it needs to take, you'll wonder if it shouldn't just let itself get caught.   Patreon! Patreon! Say hi on Facebook Find the show on iTunes Pig-faced lady pictures Songs: "The Rain" by Carmelo Costanzo "White City, Black City" by Esther Garcia "Chaos in the Mouse Kingdom" by DDmyzik "Quizitive" by Lee Rosevere "Taking Dark Matter Lightly" by Alan Singley "Something Elated" by Broke for Free "Wandering" by Steve CombsSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Okt 201525min

These are two stories from Japanese fairy tales. I don't want to ruin them, so I can't say too much, but they are amazing. One is about a boy who draws pictures of cats, much to the detriment of his job and a ridiculous amount of ancient books. The other story is about a kind fisherman who saves a turtle and has his whole world turned upside down. On the creature of the week, it's a naked guy who, if he helps you, just thank him and be on your way. Seriously, who cares if he could have cut the grass more? He did it for free, and it's not worth losing your legs over. Patreon! Patreon! Say hi on Facebook Find the show on iTunes   Songs: "Tech Toys" by Lee Rosevere "Ending" by Tadd Euro "Baby Monster" by Music for your Media "Scary Chimes Loop" by Chrisoph Schade Composer "All In All (No Voices)" by VYVCHSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Okt 201534min

Finishing up the twelve labors, Hercules fights way, way too many things: a giant boar, a giant bull, vicious birds, man-eating horses, the three-headed hell hound Cerberus, and more, all as penance for his crime. The creature of the week are invisible weasel brothers that might give you a small cut or two...or might cut off your legs...all without you feeling it. Say hi on twitter (@mythpodcast) e-mail: Jason@mythpodcast.com find the show on iTunes (itunes.mythpodcast.com) That story thing I mentioned Songs: "Direct to Video" by Chris Zabriskie "One Last Sunset" by Alan Singley "Leafless Quince Tree" by Rolemusic "Strange Kiss" by Alasdair Cooper "Tilt" by Avaren "Something Elated" by Broke for Free "Wandering" by Steve CombsSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Sep 201538min

The story of Hercules is one part gritty, serious tragedy and two parts over-the-top monster fights. This week, in the origin story of one of the greatest mythological heroes of the western world, we get to see the human side of the demigod before the story goes completely off-the-rails and it's just one big monster fight topping the next. But don't worry, there are also monster fights this episode. We'll see that Zeus is essentially the Don Draper of the Greek pantheon, only without all that pesky introspection or likability, and that if your husband cheats on you, you should bring down horrible punishments on everyone but him. On the creature of the week, it's a grotesque little piggy that just needs a hug.   Say "hi" on Twitter e-mail: Jason@mythpodcast.com Find the show on iTunes   Music: "Melancholy" by DDmyzik "Offerdal" by Simon Mathewson "Shipwreck in the Pacific Ocean" by Rolemusic "Scientology and the Masses" by statusq "Fine without you (Remix)" by Steve Combs "Something Elated" by Broke for Free "Wandering" by Steve CombsSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Sep 201535min

Instead of one long story, this week I'm telling four stories about canines from folklore from all around the world. We'll go back to the Norse gods and goddesses where Loki will make more poor choices. Then I'll talk about the legend of the black dog of the UK and Ireland. There's the weird and hilarious story of a little dog that was made king of Denmark, and how the people took it surprisingly seriously. Finally, I'll round out the show with the saddest story about a dog you've ever heard.   Also, I know Fenrir is a wolf and not a dog, but his inclusion will fit with the narrative arc of the show, I promise.   On the creature of the week, it's a tiny, angry old man who lives in an anthill and really, really wants you to stay off his lawn.   Say Hi on Twitter: @Mythpodcast Find the show on iTunes E-mail: Jason@mythpodcast.com My miniature dachshund, Abbie! The dog king riddle   Music: "Living Legends" by False Awakenings "Ambient" by Strange Day "In the End" by The Losers "If There's Time" by Odesza "Something Elated" by Broke for Free "Wandering" by Steve CombsSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Sep 201532min

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/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Sep 201513min

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