The Folklore Podcast

1686, Iceland. A wild, isolated landscape that can swallow a man without so much as a volcanic gasp, where superstitious Icelanders are haunted by all-too-recent memories of witch trials. Such is the setting for the novel "The Glass Woman", written by the special guest on this episode of The Folklore Podcast, Caroline Lea. The book is variously described as 'rich in superstition and mystery' and 'both chilling and beguiling'. Caroline joins podcast creator and host Mark Norman to discuss her research into the folklore and superstition of historic Iceland, how she came to weave it into her novel, and more general thoughts on landscape and tradition. Help to keep The Folklore Podcast freely available by supporting us on Patreon with a small monthly donation at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The country of Iceland is both bleak and beautiful in equal measure, and is also home to some of the darker aspects of folklore and belief. In this first of two episodes of the podcast looking at Icelandic Lore through the lens of popular authors, host Mark Norman is joined by bestselling Icelandic crime novelist Yrsa Sigurdardottir. Yrsa has lived in Iceland her whole life and has woven many aspects of its folklore into her award-winning crime novels. She discusses her memories of folklore as a child and those stories which resonate today. To support The Folklore Podcast and access extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

In this episode of the podcast, host Mark Norman is joined by comedian and author Jem Roberts to discuss his new book, 'Tales of Britain'. A number of years in the compiling and producing, Tales of Britain takes 77 well known and more obscure folk tales from around the country and retells them for the 21st century, along with a unique travel guide which allows the reader to visit the locations in which they were set. To support the Folklore Podcast and access extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The second of two interviews examining themes of witchcraft. Following on from the last episode of Cunning Folk, in this episode of the podcast Mark Norman is joined by Marion Gibson, Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures at the University of Exeter. Marion discusses her latest book, 'Rediscovering Renaissance Witchcraft' and the unique degree course on magic and witchcraft that she teaches at the University. To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

PhD researcher Tabitha Stanmore joins the Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman, and historian Tracey Norman, to discuss her research into the role of the service magician in history. Spanning the years from c. 1350 to c. 1650, Tabitha researches how magic was practiced and by whom, whether this changed over the period, and how magical practice was affected by perspectives on gender. She also explores the extent to which magic was tolerated at different social strata, from the employment of village cunning folk to magic's use at the English royal court. To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The landscape that surrounds us is rich in folklore connected with the plants and flowers that dwell within it. Some of these are old and connect with the world of fairy. Some are more modern and relate to invasive species. All are fascinating. In this episode of the Folklore Podcast, storyteller and environmentalist Lisa Schneidau discusses the research which went into her book "Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland" and tells some of the stories related to our plant-based beliefs. To support the Folklore Podcast please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

In this episode, Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman takes a look at some of the old (and a few of the modern) customs and traditions associated with Valentine's Day. From the medieval period, by way of early house visiting traditions and love divination, the episode explores many of the UK practices before travelling around the world to look at a selection of other ways that Valentine's is celebrated

Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman is joined in this episode by folklore blogger and film academic Icy Sedgwick to discuss the genre of horror and supernatural in film. The discussion explores the research being undertaken by Icy as part of her PhD on the representation of hauntings on the movie screen and particularly looks at the tropes we find in folkloric accounts of ghosts. Do these translate to the portrayal of the ghost in film, and do the films themselves create their own folklore and mythos which works its way back into our own cultures? To keep the Folklore Podcast running and providing free content each month, please consider a small monthly donation at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

To kick off Season 4 of The Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman examines traditional New Year customs and celebrations around the world, noting the many similarities in different cultures as well as the unique aspects found from place to place. To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon, and keep the show running, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The Krampus has become a big folkloric figure at Christmas time in recent years. But less discussed and of equal interest are the female figures of the Perchten from the alpine regions. On this, the final episode of Season 3 of the Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman redresses the balance in an interview with alpine folklore expert Al Ridenour, the creator of the Bone and Sickle podcast. To support the Folklore Podcast, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast