

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 15, 2020 • 45min
178-Tanuki: Changes
An episode about the Tanuki, the notorious raccoon-dog trickster from Japan with giant...well...you'll see.
The creature is the Tote Road Shagamaw, and a ManBearMoose who is really good at headstands. Like, it can walk a quarter mile doing a headstand.
Show post, with all those pictures (and the disclaimer): https://www.mythpodcast.com/14180/178-tanuki-changes/
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Music: “Lina my Queen” by Blue Dot Sessions “Detailing” by Blue Dot Sessions “The Callow” by Blue Dot Sessions “Fermin Canyon” by Blue Dot Sessions “Tillis County” by Blue Dot Sessions “True Blue Sky” by Blue Dot Sessions “Slimheart” by Blue Dot Sessions
Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Apr 8, 2020 • 1h 2min
177D-Trojan War: Horsin' Around
The Greeks finally find a way into Troy and while, yes, it's exactly the way you think they get in, there are so many ridiculous side quests on the way, including a cameo from one of Greek myth's most famous hero.
The creature is nice unicorn who will play music for you and definitely won't eat you the moment your guard is down.
Want more? We did two member episodes with about four additional stories about the Trojan War. Check them out here: https://www.mythpodcast.com/member-episode-list/ (scroll down the bottom to become a member if you want)
Disclaimer: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14169/177d-trojan-war-horsin-around/
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Music: “Moving Emotional Piano hero track” by Daniel Bordovsky “Escaping forever” by Michael Vignola “Scallat” by Blue Dot Sessions “Foreign” by Marshall Usinger “The Journey” by Adrian Berengue “Holding On” by Keith Anthony Holden “We are nowhere” by Sander Kalmeijer "The Temperature of the Air on the Bow of the Kaleetan" by Chris Zabriskie
Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Apr 1, 2020 • 53min
177C-Trojan War: When I am Gone
Achilles is back and it's god vs. god, Greek vs. Trojan, Achilles vs. Hector in the most epic battle of the Trojan War.
The creature this week, the Seto taishō, will absolutely come after you with a sharpened spoon. His weakness? Light kicks.
Episode post: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14155/177c-trojan-war-when-i-am-gone/
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Music: “Watercool Quiet” by Blue Dot Sessions “Thunder Comes” by Will Van De Crommert “Gilroy Solo” by Blue Dot Sessions “Feel the Tension” by Bobby Cole “Order of Entrance” by Blue Dot Sessions “War Action Orchestra” by Denis Kotenko “Battle on the Beach” by Bobby Cole “Lady Lupine” by Blue Dot Sessions “Broken” by Michael Vignola “Places” by Michael Vignola
Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 25, 2020 • 47min
177B-Trojan War: Storm of Spears
The episode starts with Menelaus sparking the biggest battle of the war so far and ends with an even bigger battle. A lot happens as the Trojan War, with the absence of Achilles, takes its darkest turn yet.
The creature is Amabie! A mermaid with great hair who just wants to help you out.
Episode post (with Amabie links): https://www.mythpodcast.com/14149/177b-trojan-war-storm-of-spears/
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Music: "Paper Boat" by Podington Bear "Secret Pocketbook" by Blue Dot Sessions
Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Mar 18, 2020 • 49min
177A-Trojan War: Rage
“Sing, O muse, of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans.”
We're here.
The culmination of a dozen episodes and twice as many stories has led to this. Achilles. Helen. Agamemnon. Menelaus. Hector. Odysseus. There's a reason these names are still with us after thousands of years. This is the story of the Trojan War.
The creature is pretty much the opposite of an epic, brutal war. It's the not-epic, not-intimidating little Tofu boy!
The episode post with the listening list: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14142/177a-trojan-war-rage/
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Music: “Darkened Treeline” by Blue Dot Sessions “Throughput” by Blue Dot Sessions “Roadside Bunkhouse” by Blue Dot Sessions “Illa Villardo” by Blue Dot Sessions “Only Lara” by Blue Dot Sessions “Pedalrider” by Blue Dot Sessions “Late Night Reading” by Blue Dot Sessions
Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Mar 11, 2020 • 38min
176-The Emperor's New Clothes: Matchless
Three stories this week from the Danish fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen about people that are matchless. The first is the tale of the emperor and his new clothes, where an emperor who needs a new coat every hour gets an offer he can't refuse.
The second is about a boy who wants to marry the daughter of a monarch and all the cool gadgets and racially insensitive cosplaying he'll do to win her hand, and the third is the story of the little match girl. That one literally has matches in it. I still do puns.
The creature is the scariest couch potato in the world. If the seas have couches. I mean, they probably have lots of couches with how much trash we throw into them. Ok, I'm sad now.
The post on mythpodcast.com: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14116/176-the-emperors-new-clothes-matchless/
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Music: “Symphony No. 1: II. Truth” by Steve Combs “Thom York (At Home)” by Podington Bear “Symphony No. 1: IV. Hope” by Steve Combs “Delican’t” by Podington Bear “Twosome” by Podington Bear “Introduction to Part 1” by Steve Combs “Despite my Empathy” by Steve Combs “Sex and Death and God” by Steve Combs “April” by Kai Engel
Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Mar 4, 2020 • 49min
175-Thor: Surprises
Thor’s daughter is getting married to a dwarf, and Thor is the last person to find out about it. Also he punted a dwarf onto a burning ship for fun at his brother’s funeral, so things might get awkward.
The creature is the Segbin, and it’s a smelly goat that bites. Don’t worry though, it doesn’t want to eat you. It wants to kill you, but it doesn’t want to eat you. The
The post on mythpodcast.com with all the names: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14036/175-thor-surprises/
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Music: “An Unknown Visitor” by Blue Dot Sessions “Baroque” by Blue Dot Sessions “Blood Petal” by Blue Dot Sessions “Slow Toe” by Blue Dot Sessions “Thread of Clouds” by Blue Dot Sessions
Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Feb 26, 2020 • 35min
174-Medieval Knights: Take Your Time
The story of Sir Isumbras, a knight from the high Middle Ages, includes talking birds, epic battles, unicorns, and a quest for redemption where the redemption includes the knight's participation in the crusades...
The creature is the sealah (pronounced SHE-la), a genie that just wants to go out dancing and get dinner...and by that it means it wants you to dance for it before turning you into its dinner.
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Music: "Four and Fourteen" by Blue Dot Sessions "In the Box" by Blue Dot Sessions "San Diego Sunday" by Blue Dot Sessions "Stack Me Up" by Blue Dot Sessions "Vela Vela" by Blue Dot Sessions
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Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Feb 19, 2020 • 38min
173-Tunisian Folklore: Fortune
Fortune favors the bold. Or people willing to put up with a decade of junk. Or the best liars. On this episode, there are two stories: one from Tunisia, and the other from Italy, about people who take their fate into their own hands to varying, oftentimes disastrous results.
The creature is a sad sea goat who just wants to be with all of his other sad sea goats but, because the Greek gods are the Greek gods, he’s doomed to a life of tragedy. Sorry, sad sea goat.
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Music:
“Blur and Coalesce” by Podington Bear “Cake” by Podington Bear “Senseless” by Podington Bear “Sorrento” by Podington Bear “Trickledown” by Podington Bear “Fantasy and Denoument” by Podington Bear
Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Feb 12, 2020 • 36min
172-Norwegian Folklore: Adventure!
The story of the master thief, from Norwegian folklore, which will have you wondering what the difference is between a master thief and someone who exploits the laziness and ignorance of strangers in incredibly basic ways for their own gain. Also, being a good parent apparently means abandoning your kid in the forest?
The creature this week is the skolopendra, and it…might just be real.
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Music: “Chainlink Melody” by Podington Bear “Shines Through Trees” by Podington Bear “Kitty in the Window” by Podington Bear “Pinky” by Blue Dot Sessions “Samara” by Podington Bear “Talltell” by Blue Dot Sessions “Seashore” by Podington Bear
Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership