Mythical Monsters

The Titans have been torn apart, their limbs scattered across multiple realities. They'll never be whole again. But in the Underworld, another kind of brokenness has taken root in the heart of young Zagreus, the brooding son of Hades and Persephone. From Mythology, a Parcast Original from Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this tale from Iceland, undying love is anything but romantic… Enjoy this episode from Tales!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For skeptics and believers alike, the Mothman is a phenomenon that's not going away. Today we explore the most compelling theories surrounding the famous cryptid. This episode originally aired on Unexplained Mysteries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Angel of death? Harbinger of doom? In the late 1960s, countless people in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, saw a strange creature on the outskirts of town. Soon afterward, witnesses had prophetic dreams of a deadly disaster. This episode originally aired on Unexplained Mysteries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stories of ghost ships are as old as mythology itself… Now we're bringing life to one of the most famous of them all: the Flying Dutchman. It vanished sometime in the 1600s, only to reappear as a specter that foretells doom for anyone sailing along South Africa's Cape of Good Hope — once known as “The Cape of Storms.” This episode originally aired on Mythology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He's the swashbuckling fox of Southern California, a masked bandit who fights injustice with skill and swagger. In our Thanksgiving Special, meet the Curse of Capistrano, the lion-hearted legend himself, as he outwits his ruthless enemies and falls in love! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even expert primatologists can't agree on whether Bigfoot exists. Is it all a hoax, or is the creature more intelligent — or cosmic — than we give it credit for? This episode originally aired on Conspiracy Theories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the most-glimpsed creature that doesn't exist. A mysterious ape-man whose legends date back centuries. But while the stories shift and morph, some elements remain the same: The giant footprints. The rancid smell. The hairy, humanoid shape. And the lingering question — if Bigfoot isn't real, why does he keep showing up? This episode originally aired on Conspiracy Theories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Day of the Dead, a shrouded monster stalks Mexico City — hiding in plain sight, watching for disobedient children. And in the stillness of the night, as the darkness becomes boundless, El Coco appears to snatch its victims away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Baba Yaga lives in a hut mounted on chicken legs. If she finds you, she'll force you into doing endless chores… until she decides she's ready to eat you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the king's sword and brother, Set had a duty to protect the crown. He used his strength to ward off monstrous threats, and took pleasure in getting his hands bloody. But after learning of his brother's affair with his wife, Set developed an insatiable rage. Taking the shape of a creature he would typically fight, he set out to enact revenge — and no one would be able to protect his brother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During the last five days of the rainy season, Sekhmet's demons stalk the streets looking for non-believers. They're said to shoot diseased arrows from their mouths, and the only way to fight them off is through prayer and ritual. But sometimes, even that isn't enough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A strange beast once stalked the desert between Egypt and the Hittite Empire. It could be mistaken for a leopard, if not for its serpentine neck. And while its true name has been lost to time, its viciousness is still legendary... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In ancient Egypt, the sun god Ra was worshiped as all-powerful. But he had a counterpart — an anti-god who dwelt in the Underworld. Apep is a primordial force, locked in eternal conflict with his life-giving rival. And he holds a secret too delicious to keep to himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have reached the end of our Icelandic journey with one of our most frightening monsters yet. The Skuggabaldur is small but deadly. It doesn't even need to move a muscle. Just one look, and you fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Icelandic Elves are everywhere you look, but not necessarily seen. Hidden, watching, waiting behind every rock and blade of grass. If you don't disturb them you'll be fine, but beware when they come to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Beneath the northern lights of Iceland lives an evil amphibious horse. Your fingers want to touch its glistening mane, but resist the urge! Once you do, you're bound to its evil intent, and the only way to break free is by screaming its name. Can you be so quick? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You cannot kill what is already dead. Thorgeirsboli is said to be both a monster and a ghost — brooding in the dark Icelandic fog. Created for vengeance, it does not need to touch you to make you bleed. It only needs to get close. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Long-necked and massive, the Mokele-mbembe is said to be a living dinosaur hiding out in the Congo Basin. With so much territory to inhabit, it's no wonder the creature is elusive. If you happen to catch sight of it, best to turn heel — before it catches you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the waters of the northwest Pacific, a tentacled sea creature explores the depths. And when it breaches the surface? Chaos and terror. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The hunter becomes the hunted in this story about a screeching cryptid in the forests of Indonesia. With a 10-foot wingspan, the Ahool invites the awe and terror of a scientist determined to get out from under his father's shadow, and make his own name. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Ph.D. student named Cat is accompanied by their mother on a research expedition in Loch Ness. They aren't there to find the ancient creature rumored to be lurking beneath the water… but they find it nonetheless. And it's a full-blown predator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He's hairy, deadly, and maybe even prehistoric. The Pangkarlangu strikes a fearsome image with a tangle of heads hanging from his belt. But in today's story, we see a softer side. Instead of eating one of the children that toddled away from its camp, he raises it as his own. What could go wrong? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A blood-sucking maneater lurks in the treetop, waiting for the unfortunate lone child it can swallow whole, digest, regurgitate, and swallow up again.  Parcasters, we have exciting news! Our first book hits bookshelves July 12th. Don't miss this chilling summer read that takes you deep into the darkest sides of human nature. Learn more at www.parcast.com/cults! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the outback, the sands sizzle with heat... and hide a cannibalistic society that can make monsters out of men.  Countdown to the CULTS book release! Parcast's first book hits shelves July 12th. It's an unflinching exploration of shame, secrecy, power, exploitation, and destruction. Learn more at www.parcast.com/cults!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An evil aquatic predator lurks in the swamps and billabongs of Australia, said by Aboriginal Australians to lie in wait for its prey: humans.  Parcasters, we have exciting news! Our first book hits bookshelves July 12th. Don't miss this chilling summer read that takes you deep into the darkest sides of human nature. Learn more and grab your copy at www.parcast.com/cults! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An unorthodox folk saint named Maximón is always up for debauchery, even if he has to create a ruckus himself. In today's story, a puritanical missionary vandalizes Maximon's effigy and meets the wily figure face to face — along with some of his guiltiest fantasies.  Parcasters, we have exciting news! Our first book hits bookshelves July 12th. Don't miss this chilling summer read that takes you deep into the darkest sides of human nature. Learn more and grab your copy at www.parcast.com/cults! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Legend goes, a scarlet-faced imp appears before misfortune strikes in Detroit. It might be a fire, blizzard, or riot that he attends, reveling in the unfolding disaster. In August 1812, it was the incredible military blunder of the Siege of Detroit that drew his cackling countenance.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Flying knives. Exploding flower pots. A boggart's mischief can get deadly — fast. But how do you subdue a monster that can't be killed, banished, or bribed?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A grotesque demon in the Amazon is a powerful defender of the jungle, and a wily shapeshifter with two simple rules. Disobey them, and you'll lose much more than your path. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cobbled together from corpses, the Tokoloshe is a South African monster that is particularly wicked. Night after night, Nomble is terrorized by the goblin-like creature, whose bag of tricks runs from deadly... to dreamlike.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Megabats aren't the only massively winged creatures you'll find on the Zanzibar Archipelago. The Popobawa is a bat-like shapeshifter that sows terror in times of political turmoil. It doesn't matter if you don't believe in it. It will find you anyway.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The vetala is a winged corpse, a necromancer, and in today's story... a stowaway. Lieutenant Lambton has just arrived home to England, and his daughter Viola couldn't be more excited to reunite — until she realizes her father's brought something back with him.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a cautionary tale from ancient Greece, a weaver declines to join the wine-soaked revelry of the Bacchanalia… and gets a surprise visit from the daughters of King Minyas.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Aboriginal Australia, Balayang is a powerful bat deity who exists outside of linear time. But that doesn't make him invincible… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lurking in the sewers of a German town, the Bahkauv is a hybrid monster that's lured out by loud noises and the smell of alcohol. So revelers, beware. If you make a ruckus on your way home from a night out, you could lose your wallet… or your life.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In turn-of-the-century France, an artist's muse meets the beguiling Green Fairy after tasting absinthe for the first time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lurking in the cellars of Ireland's noble families, the clurichaun is a red-clothed, ruddy-cheeked terror. He offers his services in exchange for wine. But when the stores run dry, misfortune follows.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Greek mythology, Silenus is the adoptive father of Dionysus – the god of wine. And despite having a taste for the drink himself, Silenus's mind is keen and cunning. Which makes it all the harder for King Midas to use him as a pawn in his schemes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Appearing in Indigenous stories all across America, the Deer Woman is a beautiful stranger who keeps your eyes on her at every moment. Even when she's about to kill you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Ireland, a supernatural muse appears to artists of great talent, promising to be a wellspring of new ideas. But her help comes with a catch. She won't just earn your devotion. She'll feed on it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On an island off the coast of Chile, in the darkest part of the rainforest, lives a troll named Trauco and his wife Fiura. You don't want to meet them… But if you hear three knocks in the woods, it's already too late.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices