
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

May 10, 2023 • 43min
319-Indian folklore: Tricks and Illusions
Can you beat fate?
Subramanya has learned something terrible about two people who are practically siblings to him. Can he use his deep wisdom to beat the life that's laid out before them?
The creature is maneki-neko, the waving cat, and we'll see how cats can be very lucky...if they can be bothered to help you in the first place.
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Links!
Disclaimer: https://myths.link/319
Source: https://myths.link/fate
Pooping clock: https://myths.link/sandclock
Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
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Sponsors
Bombas: Find your outer peace in socks, underwear, and t-shirts from Bombas! https://bombas.com/legends with code: legends
Simplisafe: There’s no safe like SimpliSafe. https://simplisafe.com/legends
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Music
"Vienna Beat" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Plaque" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Mogul" by Blue Dot Sessions
"In the Box" by Blue Dot Sessions

May 3, 2023 • 47min
318-Greek Mythology: Sad Lad
Hephaestus has his day
Who is the smith god of Olympus? Why is he married to Aphrodite, and why can't he catch a break? This week, it's all about Hephaestus and his journey of self discovery where he (hopefully) doesn't fall off a mountain. Again.
The creature is the Sea Hare. It's a hare that lives in the sea and also is relentlessly vicious.
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Links
That disclaimer: https://myths.link/318
Membership, anyone? https://mythpodcast.com/membership
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Sponsors
Olive and June: Salon-worthy nails at home are possible with the Olive and June Mani System!
https://oliveandjune.com/legends
Indeed: Let Indeed do the hard work for you. Start hiring now! https://indeed.com/legends
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Music
"Pink Skies" by Chad Crouch
"Soft Light" by Chad Crouch
"Evening Overture" by Chad Crouch
"Among the Reeds" by Chad Crouch
"Grand Caravan" by Blue Dot Sessions

Apr 26, 2023 • 44min
317-Monkey King: Make it Rain
We're back in the story of the Monkey King, and monkey finds a noble new calling: freeing enslaved monks. Does this noble calling include the ignoble murdering of his enemies and/or tricking them into drinking his urine? Yes. Yes it does.
The creature is the Stcemqestcint, the stinky naked man watching you in the forest.
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Extended cut and other membership stuff: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
I can't remember if I've mentioned this, but a PHENOMENAL source of the complete Monkey King story (Journey to the West) is this book translated by Anthony Yu: https://myths.link/journey
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Sponsors:
Babbel: Babbel. Language for life. https://babbel.com/myths
Athletic Greens: AG1 by Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/legends
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Music:
"American Crow" by Chad Crouch
"Delmendra" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Black Cosmos Ring" by Chad Crouch
"Fuscia" by Chad Crouch
"Negentrophy" by Chad Crouch
"Operatives" by Chad Crouch

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:
Simplisafe! Customize the perfect system for your home in just a few minutes:
https://SimpliSafe.com/legends
Olive & June! Salon-worthy nails at home with the Olive and June Mani System: https://oliveandjune.com/legends
Athletic Greens! Looking for an easier way to take supplements? Athletic Greens: https://AthleticGreens.com/legends
Socks, shirts, and underwear that feel good for many reasons. We love our Bombas: https://bombas.com/legends with code: legends

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
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