
Myths and Legends
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.
Latest episodes

Mar 1, 2023 • 46min
310-Norse Sagas: The Maiden King
The story of Sigrgarthr and the Maiden King, from Icelandic folklore has Viking male models, ruthless princesses, people shoving metal down their pants to make unbeatable weapons, dragons, trolls, witches, and monsters. There's a lot going on this week.
The creature this week is the Pope Lick Monster, who shows that the most dangerous thing of all is our own superstition. And also being hit by trains.
Show post and article: https://myths.link/310
Best of the Worst is back! https://villains.lol/listen
Music:
"Caseco" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Garrucha" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Inspector F" by Blue Dot Sessions
"La Naranja Borriana" by Blue Dot Sessions

Feb 22, 2023 • 39min
309-Scandinavian Folklore: The Enemy of my Enemy
This week, there are three stories of people bargaining: with the devil, with that angry lady who owns too many cats, and with...rocks, and we'll see that the person you need...might be the one you least suspect.
The creature this week is a forest creature who won't lope lazily past your out-of-focus camera...because he'll fly past. He's Batsquatch!
Show post and Batsquatch article: https://myths.link/309
Best of the Worst is back! https://villains.lol/listen
--
Sponsors:
PIA VPN: An awesome, super fast, super private VPN service. Check it out for an incredible discount: https://www.piavpn.com/Legends.
BetterHelp: The episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Thinking about giving therapy a try? Try out BetterHelp. https://betterhelp.com/myths.
--
Music:
"Jemma" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Mr. Mole and Son" by Blue Dot Sessions
"TwoPound" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Delicates" by Blue Dot Sessions

Feb 15, 2023 • 41min
308-Tricksters: Food Chain
Stories of tricksters from the folklore of the Hopi, Northern Pueblo, and Algonquin people. Coyote makes an enemy when he steals Fox's best friend...and eats him. We meet Rabbit Boy and learn how to get a free ride from your worst enemy. Then, we see how that guy who keeps trying to bite your tail off...might not be your friend?
--
Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
Assorted insects: https://myths.link/insectassortment
--
Sponsors:
Babbel: https://babbel.com/myths for up to 55% off your subscription.
Bombas: Get 20% off your first purchase at https://bombas.com/legends and use code: legends at checkout.
HelloFresh: Go to https://hellofresh.com/myths60 and use code: myths60 for 65% off
--
Music:
"Villano" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Dust Digger" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Kalsted" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Capering" by Blue Dot Sessions

Feb 8, 2023 • 35min
307-Dragons: Pie Hard
The story of why, no matter how good of an idea it sounds like after a few drinks, you shouldn't steal church bells and drop them into a nearby pond. You might awaken an ancient evil. Because of course you will. This is the tale of the Knucker.
The creature this week is Bunny Man! He throws axes at cars!
--
The post with the disclaimer and pictures and all that: https://myths.link/307
Crayfish: https://myths.link/cray
The membership! https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
--
Sponsors:
Indeed! Visit https://indeed.com/legends to start hiring now.
Simplisafe! https://simplisafe.com/legends There’s no safe like SimpliSafe.
--
Music:
"Dim" by Chad Crouch

Feb 1, 2023 • 36min
306-Latin American Folklore: Payback
Two stories from Latin America folklore about people (and animals?) getting payback. The first is a story about why you shouldn't bite strangers. The second is about a man who can make the dead rise...but for a small fee will make sure that they stop.
The creature is the magician's monster from Castle Frankenstein, a living lesson of why you shouldn't brag about your elixir of life and then die a year later.
--
Cat Butt Key Caps: https://myths.link/catbuttcaps
--
Music:
"Drama Queen" by Podington Bear
"Dutiligi" by Podington Bear
"Haze" by Chad Crouch
"In My Head" by Podington Bear
"LA" by Podington Bear

Jan 25, 2023 • 36min
305-Turkish Folklore: Angry Bird
The story of the Bird of Sorrow, from Turkish folklore, has love, loss, gratitude, people messing up coffeehouses, genie girlfriends, and elaborate pranks involving not being able to take off your pants. It's a big week.
The creature is the neugle, a handsome little horse that gives Lil' Sebastian a run for his money.
--
Music:
"Among the Reeds" by Podington Bear
"Caprese" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Chel Taza" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Enter on Bull Lake" by Podington Bear
"Nesting" by Podington Bear
"Confluence" by Podington Bear

Jan 18, 2023 • 38min
304-Celtic Folklore: Among Us
Two stories from Celtic folklore of the things that lurk among us: witches that live in our home town, trolls that hold dance parties on the frozen wastes, and tiny, 1000-year-old fairy creatures who are buying drinks after work.
The creature this week is the Giant of Smeeth, who would really like you to watch your language, please.
***Slight correction***
I mention that it is 9th century Scotland in the first story. It's...probably not? The stories are just kind of vaguely Medieval or Early Modern and it likely takes place in the late Middle Ages since witchcraft wasn't a capital offense in England until the 1500s.
The 9th century bit was part of a throwaway joke about margaritas at girl's night, but I thought it would be better to be more accurate.
--
Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
--
Sponsor:
This episode of Myths and Legends is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/myths and get on your way to being your best self.
--
Music:
"The Ascent" by Chad Crouch
"Down and Around" by Chad Crouch
"October Shuffle" by Chad Crouch
"Filesharer's Lament" by Chad Crouch
"Running on Empty" by Chad Crouch

Jan 11, 2023 • 42min
303-Japanese Folklore: Rice and Means
Two stories from Japan about samurai (and wannabe samurai) following their dreams. Too bad it takes fights with giant creatures and a little bit of murder to do so.
The creature this time is ao nyōbō, and she doesn't want you to stop by her beautiful, horribly dilapidated mansion.
--
Creature page: https://yokai.com/aonyoubou/
Fart spray: https://myths.link/ohfarts
Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
--
Sponsors:
BOMBAS! https://bombas.com/legends with code LEGENDS at checkout for 20% off your first purchase.
SIMPLISAFE! https://simplisafe.com/legends for 20% off your order with interactive monitoring.
--
Music:
"Engine Flicker" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Silver Lanyard" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Weathervane" by Blue Dot Sessions

Jan 4, 2023 • 35min
302-Jewish Folklore: Losing Hares
This week, we learn where you shouldn't kiss a rabbit (it's exactly where you think), and how a dance party can save a city.
The creature is B.O.B., the Beast of Blattenboro, and he's here to do two things: exsanguinate dogs and scare people...and there is a lot of dog blood to suck and people to scare, so it's going to be around for a while.
--
Links! Links here! Get your links!
Creepy baby hand candles: https://myths.link/babyhandles
The Beast of Blattenboro newspaper article: https://myths.link/302
Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
--
Music:
"Andelo" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Chrome and Wax" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Our Only Lark" by Blue Dot Sessions

Dec 28, 2022 • 19min
301-Japanese Folklore: After Sundown
The story of a family and the monsters that hunt them. The twist? These are monsters that they might know better than they realize.
The creature is snow snake! It's a snake that lives in the snow, and if you're thinking, "that's ridiculous, snakes are cold blooded!" Well, while you were thinking about that it bit you and you died. Congrats.
--
Links!
Reuter's fact-check on Snow Snakes (2021): https://myths.link/snowsnakesreuters
Snopes on Snow Snakes (2014): https://myths.link/snowsnakessnopes
Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.