Spirits: Mythology, Legends, & Folklore

A whole year has come and gone, and we’ve told a lot of stories. So why not DOUBLE IT? To celebrate Spirits Podcast’s first birthday, we’re giving you 30 myths in as many minutes - we hit almost every continent (fuck you, Antartica), tell stories of warrior goddesses, magma monsters, creepy bears, and why Wario definitely isn’t a Maori deity. And hey, we want to take a minute to thank you all. We made it a year because of you, our amazing listeners. So, stay creepy & stay cool.Want to give us an anniversary gift? Take our audience survey! spiritspodcast.com/surveyMyths discussed: Clytie (Greece), Chinnamasta (Hinduism), Huitaca (Colombia), Pazuzu (Babylon), Ammit (Egypt), San Pascualito (Guatemala and Mexico), Kuebiko (Japan), Kumugwe (Native American), Whiro (Maori, New Zealand), Olokun (West Africa), Varuna (Hinduism), Winalagalis (Canada), Polyphemus (Greece), Tammuz (Sumeria), Deer Woman (Native American), Bake-kujira (Japan), Bugbear (UK), Cheval Gauvin (France and Switzerland), Drop Bear (Australian), Grootslang (South African), Al-mi’raj (Arabia), The Zaratan (multiple), Salmon of Knowledge (Ireland), Cherufe or Mapuche (Chilean), Leshy (Russia), Shellycoat (Scotland), Domovoi (Russia), Preta (India and China), Myling or Utburd (Scandinavia), Wolpertinger (Germany).Want our second year to be even better than our first? Help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, & Goodreads, and review us on iTunes to help new listeners find the show. Plus, check out our Patreon for bonus audio content, director’s commentary, custom recipe cards, and more. We can also be reached at spiritspodcast@gmail.com.Our music is "Danger Storm" Kevin MacLeod (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.

All stories have the same roots - or, at least, that’s what our boy Joseph Campbell says. This week, we enter into the cycle of The Hero’s Journey with special guest Mischa Stanton. We’ll talk Basic Hero Bitches, the archetype behind grumpy Obi-wan Kenobi, stories of our theatre school dropout days, and just how to get past self-loathing when fighting the forces of evil.Mischa Stanton is creator of Ars Paradoxica and audio producer of The Bright Sessions. Find them on Twitter @DoGudSnd. Our Time Travel audio extra is at Patreon.com/SpiritsPodcast.If you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, & Goodreads, and review us on iTunes to help new listeners find the show. Plus, check out our Patreon for bonus audio content, director’s commentary, custom recipe cards, and more. We can also be reached at spiritspodcast@gmail.com.Our music is "Danger Storm" Kevin MacLeod (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.

It's time to get a little abstract! (Get it? Because it's about Time?) With dad jokes galore, we dive into the New Year head-first with deities and spirits who control what is to come in the next year. Nail down a funny, tipsy future full of pop culture flubs, Pokémon goofs, and weird holiday films with Episode 25, Time!If you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, & Goodreads, and review us on iTunes to help new listeners find the show. Plus, check out our Patreon for bonus audio content, director’s commentary, custom recipe cards, and more. We can also be reached at spiritspodcast@gmail.com.Our music is "Danger Storm" Kevin MacLeod (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.

After 24 episodes and many many drinks, there is a LOT of tape on our cutting room floor. We thought it was only fair to share some of these good, good spooky goofs, gags, and bloopers with you as the end of the year approaches. Tweet us your favorite! @SpiritsPodcast If you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, & Goodreads, and review us on iTunes to help new listeners find the show. Plus, check out our Patreon for bonus audio content, director’s commentary, custom recipe cards, and more. We can also be reached at spiritspodcast@gmail.com. Our music is "Danger Storm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Record Scratch Sound Effect by audiosoundclips.com. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

He's made a list, and we've gotten smashed. This week, we stumble through the story of Krampus, the half-goat, half-demon, anti-Santa Claus. Unique traditions, questionable origins, and weird pop culture surround Europe's favorite chain-wielding holiday figure. End the year in style with a creepy/cool holiday story and a side of (a lot) of eggnog.Follow Eric on Twitter @ImEricSchneider.If you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, & Goodreads, and review us on iTunes to help new listeners find the show. Plus, check out our Patreon for bonus audio content, director’s commentary, custom recipe cards, and more. We can also be reached at spiritspodcast@gmail.com.Our music is "Danger Storm" Kevin MacLeod (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.

There's nothing quite like a fairy tale. Heroes on quests, helpful magical animals, and… hidden sex dungeons?! We break down the famous Russian folktale of Koschei the Deathless, which defies the conventions of all the fairy tales we've heard and read before this! (Except the Little Mermaid. That's still messed up.) Hear our take on Bird Husbands, Russian Gary Stus, a turducken of death, and a badass warrior princess that deserved more air time, all with the help of special guest Ivan Plis (@ivanplis, ivanplis.com).If you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, & Goodreads, and review us on iTunes to help new listeners find the show. Plus, check out our Patreon for bonus audio content, director’s commentary, custom recipe cards, and more. We can also be reached at spiritspodcast@gmail.com.Our music is "Danger Storm" Kevin MacLeod (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.

Your hometown defines you - the stories you hear end up being the stories that you tell through the rest of your life. This week, in honor of heading home for Thanksgiving, we bring you the urban legends we grew up with! From haunted asylums, to spooky roads, to demonic possessions, hear the stories that got us into the creepy & cool early on. Hear our take on Sweet Hollow Road, Kings Park Psychiatric Center, and the Amityville Horror, classic stories from our childhood home of Long Island, New York. For more creepiness check out these haunting and beautiful photos of Chernobyl.If you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and review us in iTunes to help new listeners find the show. Plus, check out our Patreon for bonus audio content, behind-the-scenes photos, custom recipe cards, and more. We can also be reached at spiritspodcast@gmail.com.Our music is "Danger Storm" Kevin MacLeod (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.

What makes a monster? This week, we take a well-known myth and turn it on its (snake) head. Everyone knows Medusa’s image and ability to turn people to stone, but we dive into her tragic origins and fearsome legacy. Also featuring translation issues, our favorite fictional pigs, and the do’s and don'ts of Greek dating.Our first ever sponsor is Central Curios! Listener Aaron produces gorgeous, handmade, one-of-a-kind wands that all come with certificates explaining that wand’s unique lore. Check him out on Instagram @CentralCurios, and send him a message on his website to place an order. Mention Spirits for 10% off!And as mentioned, here are some deeply cool dinosaur skull earrings. Let’s all wear 3D-printed skull jewelry. If you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and review us in iTunes to help new listeners find the show. Plus, check out our Patreon for bonus audio content, behind-the-scenes photos, custom recipe cards, and more. We can also be reached at spiritspodcast@gmail.com.Our music is "Danger Storm" Kevin MacLeod (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.

How many times do we have to tell you - Stay out of graveyards! Unless you're into tragic lives, mysterious deaths, and long-lasting urban legends. Our guest Grace McCreight (@lizardtruth_) brings the myth and the wine; we bring pizza recommendations, burial advice, and New England jokes galore. Keep it spooky this Halloween with the legend of Midnight Mary!If you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and review us in iTunes to help new listeners find the show. Plus, check out our Patreon for bonus audio content, behind-the-scenes photos, custom recipe cards, and more. We can also be reached at spiritspodcast@gmail.com.Our music is "Danger Storm" Kevin MacLeod (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 couldn't resist bringing you a special bonus minisode on the spooky topic of Jack O'Lanterns! Where did this tradition come from? Were they always pumpkins, and always faces? How about that odd name? Join us for a short, info-packed dive into the gooey history of this Halloween classic. If you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and review us in iTunes to help new listeners find the show. Plus, check out our Patreon for bonus audio content, behind-the-scenes photos, custom recipe cards, and more. Our music is "Danger Storm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.