

Myths and Legends
Jason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod
Jason Weiser and Carissa Weiser tell stories from myths, legends, and folklore that have shaped cultures throughout history. Some, like the stories of Aladdin, King Arthur, and Hercules are stories you think you know, but with surprising origins. Others are stories you might not have heard, but really should. All the stories are sourced from world folklore, but retold for modern ears. These are stories of wizards, knights, Vikings, dragons, princesses, and kings from the time when the world beyond the map was a dangerous and wonderful place.
Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 52min
418: French stories: Our Son, Ourson, the Bear
Dive into a whimsical tale of Orson, a boy cursed to appear as a hairy bear due to a toad's wrath. His struggles with isolation take a turn when Violet, a compassionate girl, enters his life. As fairies weave magic and memories, they navigate the complexities of curses and true love. Meanwhile, the Ga-Gorib monster tempts people toward self-destruction. The story beautifully explores sacrifice, identity, and the moral dilemmas posed by benevolent yet manipulative fairies.

Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 9min
417: Guy of Warwick: Don't Be That Guy
🛡️This Guy?🛡️
This guy is Guy of Warwick, and he's your guy. But only if you need someone to be the best guy in the world at fighting and killing. It's just too bad Guy hates being that guy.
😈 The Creature: Freybug and the Barguest
Two black dogs who might give you wounds that will never heal, or maybe just stand there awkwardly until you leave.
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Links:
📚️ Fictional is back!: https://fictional.fm/subscribe
💬 Discord: https://myths.link/discord
📷️ Instagram: https://myths.link/instagram
✍️ Bluesky: https://myths.link/bluesky
📼 YouTube:https://myths.link/youtube
📖 Source 1: https://myths.link/guypt1
📖 Source 2: https://myths.link/guypt2
⚠️ Disclaimer: https://myths.link/417
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📢 Sponsors
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ButcherBox: As an exclusive offer, our listeners can get free protein in every box for a year PLUS $20 off your first box when you go to https://ButcherBox.com/LEGENDS
BetterHelp: Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://betterhelp.com/myths
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🎵 Music Credits
"Vessel Five" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Junca" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Brek PKL" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Bask VX" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Dawn in Vennik" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Third in Line" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Walking Shoes" by Blue Dot Sessions

Aug 27, 2025 • 44min
416: Hans Christian Andersen: Humbugs
🪲They're not so different🪲
One is the king of the world, and the other is a beetle. One wants to fight God, the other wants to wear golden horse shoes. When it comes to being completely arrogant and insufferable, though, they have more in common than you might think. It's two fairy tales of pride and power from Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen.
😈 The Creature: The Elle-folk
They're NOT elves. They just look and act like them and have a very similar name but if you say they're elves hope you enjoy your VERY sick cow.
---
Links:
📚️ Fictional is back!: https://fictional.fm/subscribe
💬 Discord: https://myths.link/discord
📷️ Instagram: https://myths.link/instagram
✍️ Bluesky: https://myths.link/bluesky
📼 YouTube:https://myths.link/youtube
📖 Source 1: https://myths.link/wicked-king
📖 Source 2: https://myths.link/beetle
⚠️ Disclaimer: https://myths.link/416
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📢 Sponsors
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🎵 Music Credits
"Lonely Stairwell" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Sal's Place" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Tropicazia" by Blue Dot Sessions

Aug 13, 2025 • 47min
415: Aesop's Fables: Bray it Ain't So
🫏One little rent-a-donkey, one big journey🫏
Actually he's a full-grown rental donkey but the journey is a big one because, when you're a poorly treated rental donkey and you have a chance to escape, you take it. Then, spend the rest of the time trying to get back to captivity because the world is dangerous and scary.
😈 The Creature: Eikthymir
The giant stag from Norse myth that makes it rain...rain. He's not as cool as his friend, who has alcohol constantly flowing out of her udders.
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Links:
📚️ Fictional is back!: https://fictional.fm/subscribe
💬 Discord: https://myths.link/discord
📷️ Instagram: https://myths.link/instagram
✍️ Bluesky: https://myths.link/bluesky
📼 YouTube:https://myths.link/youtube
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📢 Sponsors
Betterhelp: This is an ad by Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://betterhelp.com/myths.
Boll & Branch: to save 15% and unlock free shipping, go to https://bollandbranch.com/myths.
Mint Mobile: Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just $15 a month at https://mintmobile.com/legends.
Quince: Go to https://quince.com/legends for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
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🎵 Music Credits
"Hesper" by Chad Crouch
"The Killjoy Brothers" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Fog Interlude" by Chad Crouch
"Sewer King" by Blue Dot Sessions

Jul 30, 2025 • 43min
414: Monkey King: Ham-bushed
🐷Sun Wukong is a bad friend🐷
But, to be fair, he never said he and Pigsy were friends...because you don't send your friends to dinner parties where everyone is trying to murder you.
😈 The Creature: Each Tened
A horse committed to justice. If the punishment for every crime was searing thigh fire.
---
Links:
📚️ Fictional is back!: https://fictional.fm/subscribe
💬 Discord: https://myths.link/discord
📷️ Instagram: https://myths.link/instagram
✍️ Bluesky: https://myths.link/bluesky
📼 YouTube:https://myths.link/youtube
---
📢 Sponsors
Home Chef: For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners 50% and free shipping for your first box PLUS free dessert for life! https://homechef.com/legends.
Pacagen: Go to https://pacagen.com/LEGENDS and use promo code LEGENDS for 15% off your order plus an exclusive gift for our listeners at checkout.
Betterhelp: This is an ad by Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://betterhelp.com/myths.
Outschool: If you want to try Outschool, you can get your family’s first month for only $1 a limited time when you use my link: https://outschool.com/legends.
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🎵 Music Credits
"Low Coal Camper" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Morning Antic" by Chad Crouch
"Our Digital Compass" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Titter Snowbird" by Blue Dot Sessions

Jul 16, 2025 • 49min
413: European folklore: Justice
🔔Ring the bell for justice🔔
Want justice? Ring the bell. Doesn't matter if you're a horse or a snake or a merchant or a peasant but if you're one of the latter two probably don't get caught ringing the bell of justice. King Charlemagne puts of a bell of justice and consequences ensue.
😈 The Creature: The Dun Cow
A giant cow that just wants to give your free groceries. Just don't try to take more than your fair share.
---
Links:
📚️ Fictional is back!: https://fictional.fm/subscribe
💬 Discord: https://myths.link/discord
📷️ Instagram: https://myths.link/instagram
✍️ Bluesky: https://myths.link/bluesky
📼 YouTube:https://myths.link/youtube
📖Source 1: https://myths.link/damonpythias
📖Source 2:https://myths.link/bellofjustice
---
📢 Sponsors
Smalls: For a limited time only, get 60% off your first order PLUS free shipping when you head to Smalls.com/LEGENDS.
Betterhelp: This is an ad by Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://betterhelp.com/myths.
Quince: Go to https://quince.com/legends for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Mint Mobile: Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just $15 a month at https://mintmobile.com/legends.
---
🎵 Music Credits
"Collapsing Slo-mo" by Chad Crouch
"Darning the Night" by Blue Dot Sessions
"De-Facto" by Chad Crouch
"Simple Aside" by Blue Dot Sessions
"The Cost of All Things" by Blue Dot Sessions

Jul 2, 2025 • 55min
412: Indian folklore: Dicey
Delve into a mesmerizing tale where love and gambling lead to a king losing his kingdom in a dice game. Explore the compelling journey of Nala, Damayanti, and the supernatural forces at play. Discover the chilling legend of the Drekavac, a creature with tragic origins tied to unbaptized children, and its eerie connection to humanity. The intertwining narratives highlight the themes of love, loyalty, and the consequences of poor choices, leaving listeners both entertained and enchanted.

Jun 18, 2025 • 57min
411: Celtic folklore: The Wake
Join Maelduin on a wild quest for revenge as he navigates treacherous seas and magical encounters. His journey reveals the complexities of family legacy and the darker side of folklore. Along the way, he faces absurd challenges on strange islands, encountering the remorseful Donestre—part lion, part conscience. Themes of eternal youth, personal growth, and the struggle between desire and duty add depth to this captivating tale. Laugh and reflect on the whimsical and the profound as you dive into Celtic myths and legends.

Jun 4, 2025 • 59min
410: Japanese folklore: Provincial
Dive into enchanting tales from the Japanese countryside, filled with purpose and justice. Meet the Dinny Mara, a whimsical merman aiming to change perceptions of water creatures, despite his pesky habit of drowning humans. Explore the emotional struggles of a laborer torn between love and duty, and join a samurai on a mystical pilgrimage with a hefty chest. Discover absurdities in bureaucracy alongside heartwarming moments with nature and cats, all while witnessing the gravity of revenge and divine justice in this captivating tapestry of folklore.

7 snips
May 21, 2025 • 50min
409: Reynard: Nasty, Brutish, and Short
Join Reynard the fox as he cleverly navigates a chaotic animal kingdom filled with unlikely allies and foes. Meetings turn absurd when survival is a constant concern, especially for Reynard, who faces off against Isengrim the wolf. The narratives weave humor with dark themes of power struggles among the critters. From a sheep’s perspective on political tension to the impact of online learning, the tales explore how cunning creatures adapt to their bizarre and dangerous world. Prepare for wit and whimsy in the wild!