The Folklore Podcast

It is now 50 years since the infamous horror film 'The Exorcist' made its way into cinemas, creating a rapid reputation which would go on to see it become a cult classic in the genre as well as spawning a raft of other franchise material which was not foreseen or intended.The recent death of the movie's director William Friedkin has brought to the forefront once more the important legacy which 'The Exorcist' has created. It is far more than simply a horror classic. It is a part of our social history, providing a cultural commentary on the world.In terms of folklore, it is based on a series of events which actually happened (whatever they may have been) and as well as drawing on these it shines a light on the often dangerous world of exorcism today.Film historian, broadcaster and author Nat Segaloff joins us to discuss 'The Exorcist' and it role in our society.

On the anniversary of his birth, we delve into the life of the cult American pop culture 'psychic' with a knack for failing to make accurate predictions, The Amazing Criswell. Leading us on this journey is Edwin Lee Canfield, who has spent the last two decades researching Criswell's life and interviewing those who knew him.Find more about Edwin's book on Criswell here.To buy a copy of The Vampire's Tomb Mystery, mentioned at the end of this episode, please visit this link.To support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon and help us to keep producing content into the future, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

We explore the ways in which folklore can sit behind some of the everyday rituals that we perform at home with guest Alise Marie, author of 'The Beauty Witch's Secrets'. Following a pagan path in her work, Alise explores the ways in which plants, in conjunction with traditional beliefs about the cycle of the seasons, can be used in the field of health and beauty.You can visit Alise Marie's website at www.thebeautywitch.comTo support the Folklore Podcast in continuing to create freely accessed folklore content, please consider joining our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Literary correspondent Hilary Wilson chats with Genevieve Cogman, author of the 'Invisible Library' series, about the first book in a new trilogy. 'Scarlet' is a new take on the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the French Revolution, this time with added vampires!Learn more about Genevieve on her website at http://www.grcogman.com/If you enjoy the free folklore content that we create and want to do more to help, please visit our support pages at www.thefolklorepodcast.com/support where you can learn more about things that you can do to support us.

In a new occasional strand of The Folklore Podcast, 'Folklore in the Field', we will be presenting interviews and other items of folklore interest which we have captured on location.This episode, recorded at the 40th anniversary conference of the International Society for Contemporary Legend Research at Sheffield Hallam University, features Mark Norman (host of The Folklore Podcast) and Perry Carpenter (co-host of Digital Folklore Podcast) in conversation with Dr Diane Rodgers of the Centre for Contemporary Legend Research Group.If you enjoy this episode, please consider supporting the Folklore Podcast to help us to keep making content. You can join our Patreon community where you can get exclusive extra content, or just make a small one-off donation. Please visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com/support to do either of these.

We shine a spotlight on some of the folklore and tales of importance in African culture. Guiding us on this path is Helen Nde, writer, artist and the curator of Mythological Africans. She is in conversation with Tracy Nicholas, as part of our occasional series on storytelling and storytellers.Visit Helen's website at https://www.mythologicalafricans.com/To help us to continue producing free content on The Folklore Podcast, and to access a catalogue of exclusive bonus content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The day that Rowena Murray was born, two-hundred-and-fifty starlings dropped dead out of the sky. Or so her mother says. Ever since, she has been marked by Death. First came the visions; then her boyfriend died suddenly. Now Death has taken her father, too.Salvation, Rowena is told, lies to the North: in Culcrith, where her grandmother can save her from the curse...We meet author Nadia Attia who discusses her debut novel 'Verge' and the folklore behind its story.To support The Folklore Podcast with a small monthly donation and receive bonus content and other benefits, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

In this last of three interviews recorded live at the UK Ghost Story Festival in Derby, podcast host Mark Norman chats with author Lauren McMenemy, who was also one of the people helping with the organisation of the festival itself. The pair discuss ghosts, recommendations for spooky fiction and the time that Lauren spent living in the bizarre serial killer capital of Australia!To support the work of the Folklore Podcast and help us to keep producing more folklore content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Following on from our last episode looking at execution ballads, we stick with the subject of the folklore of death. This time, we focus our attention on England in the 19th century. Discussing the topic with podcast host Mark Norman is author and researcher Claire Cock-Starkey whose PHD research covers this subject.To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and access extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

On her website, Execution Ballads, Dr Una McIlvenna writes:"Across Europe, from the sixteenth century until the early twentieth century, the news of the deeds of criminals and their subsequent executions was delivered via song, often printed on cheap, single-sheet broadsides or small, book-like pamphlets, as well as passed on orally or via manuscript. Songs were usually set to a familiar tune (often indicated at the top of the pamphlet), which allowed anyone to easily sing along. They were sold in busy streets and marketplaces by street singers, who usually sang the contents of the pamphlet in order to promote their wares."In the episode of the podcast, Una discusses, and sometimes sings extracts of, execution ballads spanning four centuries of our history. Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of historic execution and torture. Listener discretion is advised.To support our work with folklore and to help us to keep producing content, please visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast