

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

Apr 19, 2023 • 44min
316-French Fairy Tales: Right Meow
What happens when you see something you can't live without? A thing you desire so strongly that you can't stop thinking about it. Do you give up everything to try to get it?
Maybe? But if what you're willing to give up is your child and the thing you desire is fruit from the garden...maybe rethink your priorities. It's the story of "The White Cat" by Madame d'Aulnoy, and in addition to questionable parenting, there are quests, dwarves that are just doing their job, evil fairies, and cat ballet.
The creature this time is Adar Llwch Gwin, a pet that's probably too obedient
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Links:
Tomato Brave Weiser: https://myths.link/bigbeautifulboy
Disclaimer, source, and Tomato picture for the Instagram-averse: https://myths.link/316
Chilled Rabbit: https://myths.link/rabbitcorpse
Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
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Sponsors:
Rocket Money! Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way:
https://RocketMoney.com/legends
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Music:
"Feeling Fine" by Blue Dot Sessions
"On our own again" by Blue Dot Sessions

Apr 12, 2023 • 39min
315-Korean folklore: Mountain Magic
A story from Korean folklore about friendship, kindness, moving on, and why magicians are terrible actors.
The creature is the Silver Lake Serpent, and it's not actually in Silver Lake, near Perry, NY, but hanging out in a nearby hotel.
Links:
Allll the stuff about the Silver Lake Serpent: https://myths.link/315
Want ridiculous villains? Because this is how you get ridiculous villains: https://villains.lol
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Sponsors:
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Apr 5, 2023 • 37min
314-Greek Myth: Baby Steps
The story from Greek mythology of how Hermes became an Olympian by killing a turtle and eating some barbecue.
The creatures are the heikegani (平家蟹), that angry crab that might just be a deceased samurai who has waited at the bottom of the sea for centuries...to snap at your toes a little.
Best of the Worst! https://villains.lol
Everything becomes a crab: https://myths.link/crabs
The show post with the disclaimer and crab pictures: https://myths.link/314
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Sponsor:
Indeed: Attract, Interview, and Hire all in one place. Start hiring now: https://indeed.com/legends
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Music
"Pintle" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Jillian Bridges" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Golden Grass" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Again in the Spring" by Blue Dot Sessions

Mar 29, 2023 • 43min
313B-1001 Nights: Night Shift
We wrap of the stories of the dervishes (and the mysterious visitors to the party who are DEFINITELY NOT the caliph and Jafar) and then the hostess and her sisters find the tables have turned...because, yes of course, they have been threatening the life of their ruler, but more because...why were they beating those dogs and weeping??
The creature is Napf-Hans! A German version of the butter cat who is neither butter nor cat...but who loves cake and beer.
Squirrel underpants! https://myths.link/squirrelunderpants
Best of the Worst! https://villains.lol/listen/
Disclaimer! https://myths.link/313b
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Sponsor:
Rocket Money! Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses the easy way. https://rocketmoney.com/legends

Mar 22, 2023 • 36min
313A-1001 Nights: Party Down
A party no one can speak of under threat of death. Genie fights, wizard battles, and grocery shopping. Yes, we're back in One Thousand and One Nights.
The creature is haakapainizi, a folksy grasshopper! Who is also a cannibal!
The membership! https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
The Best of the Worst! https://villains.lol/listen
Tiny Lobster Hands! https://myths.link/lobsterhands
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Sponsors:
Athletic Greens:
AG1 by Athletic Greens is an easier way to take supplements. https://athleticgreens.com/LEGENDS
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Music:
"The Records" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Black Ballots" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Union Hall" by Blue Dot Sessions

Mar 15, 2023 • 40min
312-Norwegian Folklore: Let's Dance
A Norwegian tale about why you should pay your employees a living wage (or at least not beat them and try to have them executed), or else you could end up in a never-ending dance party.
The creature is why you should avoid home improvement projects like the plague...because you could be literally plagued with wood and earth imps.
Membership! Want ad-free and bonus episodes? Check out Myths and Legends Plus in Apple Podcasts or go to https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
Best of the Worst! Check it one of our other shows, which is like if the creature of the week segment was about ridiculous comic book villains: https://villains.lol/listen/
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Sponsors:
Simplisafe: There’s no safe like SimpliSafe: https://simplisafe.com/LEGENDS
Canva: Collaborate with Canva for Teams: https://canva.me/MYTHS
Bombas: Ready to get active? Think Bombas: https://bombas.com/legends
Babbel: Babbel: Language for life. https://babbel.com/myths
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Music:
"Chai Belltini" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Pedalrider" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Single Still" by Blue Dot Sessions
"The Yards" by Blue Dot Sessions

Mar 8, 2023 • 52min
311-Samurai: Lost and Found
A Ronin (a masterless samurai) goes on a quest to find a stolen sword and restore the honor of his family's name, but, when it comes to pushing the limits of what is right in order to see his mission through, how far is too far?
The creature is Rübezahl, a turnip counter, and we'll see why you shouldn't trust people who love vegetables.
Best of the Worst! https://villains.lol/listen/
The disclaimer and source: https://myths.link/311
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Sponsors:
Rocket Money: Stop throwing money away. Cancel unwanted subscriptions. https://rocketmoney.com/legends
Indeed: Need to hire? You need Indeed. https://indeed.com/LEGENDS
Olive and June: The Olive & June Mani System is everything you need for a salon-quality manicure in one box. https://oliveandjune.com/legends
Athletic Greens: Comprehensive nutrition in one simple scoop. https://athleticgreens.com/LEGENDS
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Music:
"Gra Hovedvei" by Blue Dot Sessions

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
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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.
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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?
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Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
Assorted insects: https://myths.link/insectassortment
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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
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Music:
"Villano" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Dust Digger" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Kalsted" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Capering" by Blue Dot Sessions