Spirits: Mythology, Legends, & Folklore

In the past, we’ve talked about bird husbands and seal wives, but today we’re diving deep into Animal Spouses with the Japanese folk tale, the Crane Wife!Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of animal endangerment/death, abusive relationships, arranged/forced marriages, illness, urination, pregnancy, childbirth, blinding, rape, sexual assault, child abandonment, sex, bestiality, and virginity. Housekeeping- Recommendation: This week, Amanda recommends Leverage: Redemption.- Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Check out Join the Party: A collaborative storytelling and roleplaying podcast, powered by the rules of Dungeons and Dragons. It’s a party, and you’re invited! Search for Join the Party in your podcast app, or go to jointhepartypod.com.Sponsors- Brooklinen delivers luxury bed sheets, pillows, comforters, & blankets straight to your door. Go to Brooklinen.com right now and use promo code “spirits” to get $25 off when you spend $100 or more, PLUS free shipping.- Doordash is a fast, convenient food delivery app. Get 25% off and zero delivery fees on your first order of $15 or more when you download the DoorDash app and enter code creepycool. - Skillshare is an online learning community where you can learn—and teach—just about anything. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/spirits and get a free trial of Premium Membership. This week Amanda recommends “Finding Fulfillment: Using Pivots to Power Your Creative Career” by Emma Gannon.Find Us OnlineIf you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us @SpiritsPodcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon (http://patreon.com/spiritspodcast) to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. We also have lists of our book recommendations and previous guests’ books at http://spiritspodcast.com/books.Transcripts are available at http://spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to http://spiritspodcast.com.About UsSpirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode is full of creepy shenanigans, don’t worry. We talk viral Tiktok ghosts, respecting funeral directors and undertakers, and what was definitely a Hot Topic teen ghost. Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of teeth, surgery, cadavers, imprisonment, capital punishment, fire, death, ableism, funeral homes, death of family members, bodily functions, and post-surgery depression. Here’s a link to Tammy the Face Ghost. Housekeeping- Recommendation: This week, Julia recommends The Imperial Radch series by Ann Leckie. - Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Check out Meddling Adults: A whodunnit game show charity hosted by Mike Schubert. Search for Meddling Adults wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit meddlingadults.comSponsors- Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service that finds and delivers clothes, shoes, and accessories to fit your body, budget, and lifestyle. Get started at stitchfix.com/spirits for 25% off when you keep your whole box!- Function of Beauty is hair care formulated specifically for you. Save 20% off your first order at functionofbeauty.com/spirits- ThirdLove is on a mission to find a perfect bra for everyone. Get 20% off your first order at thirdlove.com/spirits.Find Us OnlineIf you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us @SpiritsPodcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon (http://patreon.com/spiritspodcast) to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. We also have lists of our book recommendations and previous guests’ books at http://spiritspodcast.com/books.Transcripts are available at http://spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to http://spiritspodcast.com.About UsSpirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The gods have given more advice, and we’re sharing it with you. We trick imposter syndrome with a trickster, making new houses and apartments into a home, and tackling to-do lists. Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of fire, urination, relationships, patriarchal expectations, mental health, queerphobia, death, battle, and sacrifice. GuestDr. Moiya McTier is a New York-based astrophysicist who studies planets outside of our solar system. She’s also a folklorist who specializes in using science and logic to build fictional worlds. You can hear all about the worlds she’s built on her podcast, Exolore, where she imagines, discusses, and reviews fictional worlds, often with expert guests. You can learn more about Moiya and her work on her website, moiyamctier.com.Housekeeping- Recommendation: This week, Amanda recommends Always Only You by Chloe Liese, and If the Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon . - Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Check out Exolore: Helping you imagine other worlds, but with facts and science! Every other week, astrophysicist/folklorist Moiya McTier explores fictional worlds by building them with a panel of expert guests, interviewing professional worldbuilders, or reviewing the merits of worlds that have already been built.Sponsors- Calm is the #1 app to help you reduce your anxiety and stress and help you sleep better. Get 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at calm.com/spirits.- Skillshare is an online learning community where you can learn—and teach—just about anything. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/spirits and get a one month free trial of Premium Membership. This week Julia recommends “Storytelling 101: Character, Conflict, Context & Craft” with Daniel Jose Older.   - She’s Birdie is a personal safety alarm. Get 15% off your first purchase at shesbirdie.com/spiritsFind Us OnlineIf you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us @SpiritsPodcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon (http://patreon.com/spiritspodcast) to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. We also have lists of our book recommendations and previous guests’ books at http://spiritspodcast.com/books.Transcripts are available at http://spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to http://spiritspodcast.com.About UsSpirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We chat with award-winning science fiction author Becky Chambers! We define space opera, talk about building big worlds without confusing your audience, and creating “cozy science fiction”.Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of colonialism, imperialism, military, environmental disaster, climate change, and ableism.  GuestBecky Chambers is a science fiction author based in Northern California. She is best known for her Hugo Award-winning Wayfarers series. Her books have also been nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Locus Award, and the Women's Prize for Fiction, among others. She has two new works coming out in 2021: The Galaxy, and The Ground Within (the fourth and final Wayfarers novel), and A Psalm for the Wild-Built (the first of her Monk and Robot novellas).Housekeeping- Recommendation: This week, Julia recommends Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee. - Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Check out HORSE: A podcast about ridiculous stories, internet drama, and some of the biggest and baddest personalities out there today—all from the world of basketball.Sponsors- Brooklinen delivers luxury bed sheets, pillows, comforters, & blankets straight to your door. Go to Brooklinen.com right now and use promo code “spirits” to get $25 off when you spend $100 or more, PLUS free shipping.- Doordash is a fast, convenient food delivery app. Get 25% off and zero delivery fees on your first order of $15 or more when you download the DoorDash app and enter code creepycool. - She’s Birdie is a personal safety alarm. Get 15% off your first purchase at shesbirdie.com/spiritsFind Us OnlineIf you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us @SpiritsPodcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon (http://patreon.com/spiritspodcast) to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. We also have lists of our book recommendations and previous guests’ books at http://spiritspodcast.com/books.Transcripts are available at http://spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to http://spiritspodcast.com.About UsSpirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ahoy! Is that the return of Sinbad the Sailor? It is! We’re judging the luckiest/unluckiest man in folklore this week, as well as talking about the economics of coconuts and monkeys. Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of xenophobia, drug use, natural disaster, drowning, cannibalism, death, murder, violence against women, illness, being buried alive, starvation, animal death, strangulation, slavery, poaching, and graverobbing. Housekeeping- Recommendation: This week, Amanda recommends Full Bloom HBO Max- Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Have you heard about the MultiCrew?! This is our membership program that lets you help us invest in Multitude as we try weird new stuff. Plus, you get a members-only weekly podcast: Head Heart Gut, our weekly friendly debate show. This month, Amanda, Brandon, and Eric Silver debate best day of the week. It gets heated.Sponsors- Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service that finds and delivers clothes, shoes, and accessories to fit your body, budget, and lifestyle. Get started at stitchfix.com/spirits for 25% off when you keep your whole box!- Rothy’s makes stylish and sustainable shoes, bags, and masks.- Function of Beauty is hair care formulated specifically for you. Save 20% off your first order at functionofbeauty.com/spiritsFind Us OnlineIf you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us @SpiritsPodcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon (http://patreon.com/spiritspodcast) to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. We also have lists of our book recommendations and previous guests’ books at http://spiritspodcast.com/books.Transcripts are available at http://spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to http://spiritspodcast.com.About UsSpirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Would you eat the cursed Cheez-its? It’s important that we know if you would. Also, we talk about being trained by a ghost on how to be a good adult, and rate some theatre ghosts.Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of death, divorce, fire, religious persecution, illness, organized religion, blasphemy, gore, explosions, racism, and murder. Housekeeping- Recommendation: This week, Julia recommends Persephone Station by Stina Leicht.- Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Check out our previous virtual live shows, and information about our future virtual live events at multitude.productions/live. Sponsors- Calm is the #1 app to help you reduce your anxiety and stress and help you sleep better. Get 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at calm.com/spirits.- Skillshare is an online learning community where you can learn—and teach—just about anything. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/spirits and get a free trial of Premium Membership. This week Amanda recommends “Video for Instagram - Tell an Engaging Story in Less Than a Minute” with Hallease Narvaez.  - ShipStation is the fastest, easiest way to get products to your customers. Visit shipstation.com and use promo code Spirits for a 60-day free trial. Find Us OnlineIf you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us @SpiritsPodcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon (http://patreon.com/spiritspodcast) to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. We also have lists of our book recommendations and previous guests’ books at http://spiritspodcast.com/books.Transcripts are available at http://spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to http://spiritspodcast.com.About UsSpirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here comes the podcast, with its myths like always. We’re covering the origins of the classic, Beauty and the Beast, and decide that if we try, we can all be disembodied himbos. Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of Stockholm syndrome, family abuse, death, imprisonment, institutionalization, illness, misogyny, infertility, birth, marriage, spousal murder, poverty, animal marriage, explosions, unrealistic beauty standards, and arranged marriages. Housekeeping- Recommendation: This week, Amanda recommends The Upward Spiral Workbook. - Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Check out our previous virtual live shows, and information about our future virtual live events at multitude.productions/live. Sponsors- Brooklinen delivers luxury bed sheets, pillows, comforters, & blankets straight to your door. Go to Brooklinen.com right now and use promo code “spirits” to get $25 off when you spend $100 or more, PLUS free shipping.- Doordash is a fast, convenient food delivery app. Get 25% off and zero delivery fees on your first order of $15 or more when you download the DoorDash app and enter code creepycool. - ThirdLove is on a mission to find a perfect bra for everyone. Get 20% off your first order at thirdlove.com/spirits.Find Us OnlineIf you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us @SpiritsPodcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon (http://patreon.com/spiritspodcast) to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. We also have lists of our book recommendations and previous guests’ books at http://spiritspodcast.com/books.Transcripts are available at http://spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to http://spiritspodcast.com.About UsSpirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re joined this week to talk with author Bethany C. Morrow about her novels, using “speculative” fiction to tell the truth, how Black sisterhood is lifesaving, and decentralizing fantasy and mythology. A Song Below Water spoilers from 54:33 to 57:02. Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of racism, violence against women, doxing, inciting violence, white supremacy, ableism, self-harm, transphobia, QAnon, doctors/medical treatment, medical racism, death, homelessness, imprisonment/the prison industrial complex, stereotypes, respectability politics, and slavery. GuestBethany C Morrow is an Indie Bestselling author who writes for adult and young adult audiences, in genres ranging from speculative literary to contemporary fantasy to historical. She is author of the novels MEM and A SONG BELOW WATER, and editor/contributor to the young adult anthology TAKE THE MIC, which was the 2020 ILA Social Justice in Literature award winner. Her work has been chosen as Indies Introduce and Indie Next picks, and featured in The LA Times, Forbes, Bustle, Buzzfeed, and more. She is included on USA TODAY’s list of 100 Black novelists and fiction writers you should read. Her upcoming releases include A CHORUS RISES (June 2021), SO MANY BEGINNINGS: A Little Women Remix (September 2021), and CHERISH FARRAH (2022).Housekeeping- Recommendation: This week, Julia recommends the podcast Hey Riddle Riddle.- Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Check out our previous virtual live shows, and information about our future virtual live events at multitude.productions/live. Sponsors- Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service that finds and delivers clothes, shoes, and accessories to fit your body, budget, and lifestyle. Get started at stitchfix.com/spirits for 25% off when you keep your whole box!- Skillshare is an online learning community where you can learn—and teach—just about anything. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/spirits and get a two week free trial of Premium Membership. This week Julia recommends “Artivism: Create Inspiring Art for Change” with Nikkolas Smith. - Function of Beauty is hair care formulated specifically for you. Save 20% off your first order at functionofbeauty.com/spiritsFind Us OnlineIf you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us @SpiritsPodcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon (http://patreon.com/spiritspodcast) to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. We also have lists of our book recommendations and previous guests’ books at http://spiritspodcast.com/books.Transcripts are available at http://spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to http://spiritspodcast.com.About UsSpirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An episode with a framing device, within a framing device. We’re getting meta here with the One Thousand and One Nights story, Sinbad the Sailor. We discuss whether or not Sinbad is the luckiest or unluckiest guy in the world, his buckwild plans, and befriending eccentric rich guys. Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of xenophobia, death, drowning, infidelity, misogyny, wealth disparity, peril, starvation, cannibalism, and violence.  Housekeeping- Recommendation: This week, Amanda recommends Top Chef: Portland.- Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Subscribe today to one of the other fantastic shows on Multitude! Just click that link or search for Multitude in your podcast player.Sponsors- Calm is the #1 app to help you reduce your anxiety and stress and help you sleep better. Get 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at calm.com/spirits.- Rothy’s makes stylish and sustainable shoes, bags, and masks.- She’s Birdie is a personal safety alarm. Get 15% off your first purchase at shesbirdie.com/spiritsFind Us OnlineIf you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us @SpiritsPodcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon (http://patreon.com/spiritspodcast) to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. We also have lists of our book recommendations and previous guests’ books at http://spiritspodcast.com/books.Transcripts are available at http://spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to http://spiritspodcast.com.About UsSpirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Haunted woods, haunted schools, and creepy kids. We’re hitting all of the classics in this Urban Legends episode, including the return of a familiar figure...Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of child death, murder, childbirth, death, Covid-19, and insomnia. Housekeeping- Recommendation: This week, Julia recommends The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis.- Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests’ books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Have you heard about the MultiCrew?! This is our membership program that lets you help us invest in Multitude as we try weird new stuff. Plus, you get a members-only weekly podcast: Head Heart Gut, our weekly friendly debate show. This month, Schneider, Schubes and Amanda debate the best video game protagonist. Join now for $5 at multicrew.club!Sponsors- Brooklinen delivers luxury bed sheets, pillows, comforters, & blankets straight to your door. Go to Brooklinen.com right now and use promo code “spirits” to get $25 off when you spend $100 or more, PLUS free shipping.- Doordash is a fast, convenient food delivery app. Get 25% off and zero delivery fees on your first order of $15 or more when you download the DoorDash app and enter code creepycool. - Skillshare is an online learning community where you can learn—and teach—just about anything. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/spirits and get a two week free trial of Premium Membership. This week Amanda recommends “Watercolor in the Woods: A Beginner's Guide to Painting the Natural World” with Rosalie Haizlett. Find Us OnlineIf you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us @SpiritsPodcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon (http://patreon.com/spiritspodcast) to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. We also have lists of our book recommendations and previous guests’ books at http://spiritspodcast.com/books.Transcripts are available at http://spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to http://spiritspodcast.com.About UsSpirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, an independent podcast collective and production studio. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.