

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

Jun 28, 2023 • 49min
324-Samurai Legends: Violent Ends
Two young men: a wildman determined to collect 1000 swords from defeated samurai, and a displaced son of a clan leader, who had spent his childhood on the run. Together, these two would find their place in the world, and change it in the process.
The creatures are the Keltémas and Kazna Peri, and they just might help you get rich...or lead you out into a snowstorm straight from the bath.
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The phone umbrella: https://myths.link/phonebrella
Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
Creature book: https://myths.link/cheremiscreaturebook
Disclaimer: https://myths.link/324
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Sponsor:
Attract, Interview, and Hire all in one place with Indeed: https://indeed.com/legends
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Music:
"Cicle DR Valga" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Just the Feeling in the Room" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Micolai" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Disinter" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Solemn Application" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Feather on the Crest" by Blue Dot Sessions

Jun 21, 2023 • 51min
323-Knights of the Round Table: Ladies' Knight
The story of Erec and Enide from Arthurian Legend is a good illustration of why you should try to work out your problems as a couple with empathy, understanding, and communication...and not through a deadly quest filled with pointless, brutal combat.
The creatures are the Elephant Men, the strange visitors you get when you're drinking whiskey with friends down by the river.
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Disclaimer: https://myths.link/323
Myths and Legends membership https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
Book by the person in the creature of the week segment: https://myths.link/elephantbook
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Music:
"Capilla" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Rough Hewn" by Blue Dot Sessions
"The Rampart" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Vulcan Street" by Blue Dot Sessions

Jun 14, 2023 • 35min
322-Norwegian Folklore: Ask Dad
Just ask dad
Two Norwegian tales of asking dad. All seven of them. Who live in the same house. Or might not have a house to go back to, depending on the story.
The creature is the orc! It is both different from the Lord of the Rings orc and very currently a problem!
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Storage Soles: https://myths.link/storagesoles
Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
Billy B's version of the Orc: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orc_(Blake)
If you're on Mastodon, come say hi: https://weiser.social/@jason
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SimpliSafe: There’s no safe like SimpliSafe: https://simplisafe.com/legends
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Music:
"Long Await" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Smooth Edges" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Tell What You Know" by Blue Dot Sessions

Jun 7, 2023 • 59min
321B-Viking Legends: The Peacemaker
On his quest to help princess Ingigerd, Hrolf has become enslaved by the wily William, a con man who wants to be a prince. This episode, they'll come face-to-face with ghost kings, giant walruses, mythological dwarves, and the evil wizard that took down an entire kingdom.
The creature is Biron (びろ~ん)! He's a little gross and weird!
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Biron: https://yokai.com/biron/
Disclaimer: https://myths.link/321b
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Music:
"Our Ears, Deceivers" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Elegant Weasel" by Blue Dot Sessions
"PlainGrey" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Aloscape 1" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Morning Bells" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Luper" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Ask the Sisters" by Blue Dot Sessions

May 31, 2023 • 39min
321A-Viking Legends: Mostly Harmless
This week, it's the Saga of Göngu-Hrolf, from Icelandic folklore. It starts with a king getting one, solitary, five-foot-long, apparently super attractive hair wrapped in a scarf...and only gets better from there. There are evil wizards belching (yes, belching) fire and poison, somber Vikings getting conned, and a deadly honeypot zombie trap for any heroes who might try to be heroes. It's a fun one.
The creature is the Nunui, and you'll see why you want to wear shoes when gardening.
Chicken arms: https://myths.link/armedchickens
Disclaimer (and author quote): https://myths.link/321a
Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
Sponsor:
Indeed! Indeed is the hiring platform where you can Attract, Interview, and Hire all in one place. Start hiring now: https://indeed.com/legends
Music:
"Our Lament" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Step in Step out" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Caverna" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Babble Babble Brook" by Blue Dot Sessions

May 24, 2023 • 43min
320B-Popol Vuh: The Boys
The hero twins will rise...
...and then fall. The underworld calls, and the monsters of their past comes back to haunt them.
The creature is the Obda, from Mari folklore. Yet another hairy naked man who lives in the forest. Who want to tickle you.
Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
Alligator (warning, skinned alligator): https://myths.link/alligator
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Sponsor:
Canva: Collaborate with Canva for Teams! https://canva.me/myths
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Music:
"Caveman" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Pickers" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Huffalo" by Blue Dot Sessions

May 17, 2023 • 38min
320A-Popol Vuh: Origin Story
In the beginning, the gods apparently had an undo button.
And angry tortilla griddles that took out the first humans. Today, it's the beginning of the beginning in the Popol Vuh. We'll meet a macaw who thinks he's the son, a metal band lineup of underworld beings, and see the birth of the hero twins, who are destined to go up against the batman*
*not that batman
The creature is the Snallygaster, the answer to the age-old question of what happens when a Cthulhu bird gets drunk?
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Links!
An excellent translation of the Popol Vuh: https://myths.link/popolvuh
Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership
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Sponsors:
Cerebral: For quality mental healthcare that accessible and affordable, join cerebral today. Go to https://cerebral.com/legends for 50% off your first month of therapy!

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