Mythology

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

Terrified by a vision of Camelot's doom, Merlin plots to put an end to Lancelot and Guinevere's affair — and unwittingly steps into his own downfall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Arthurian lore, their affair is infamous — the gallant Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere. They wrestle with their desires before a quest pulls the White Knight away. But defeating one enemy will reveal another... and this time, the whole kingdom may be at stake. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Pixar's Coco, you may think you know The Day of the Dead. But the roots of this holiday can be traced back centuries, long before Mesoamerica spoke Spanish. Today, we'll follow a king's descent through the hellish levels of the Aztec underworld… until at last, he meets face-to-skull with the Lady of Death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stories of ghost ships are as old as mythology itself… This Halloween, 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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hanuman volunteers to rescue Sita from her prison high up in the mountains — but only Rama can defeat the evil that lurks there. He prepares to face off against the demon Ravana and his horde of Rakshasas in a battle of epic proportions, where only one can survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana arrive in the forest that is to be their home for the next 14 years. But they are not its only residents. Demons walk these woods. And when one falls in love with Rama, his rejection spurs her to call upon a greater evil: her big brother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was the son born to defeat evil. She was the princess shackled by a curse. Together, Rama and Sita would rule a kingdom — if not for a promise made long ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hades' story continues as we turn our attention from the Lord of Shades to the underworld he ruled — starting at its very bottom: the dreaded prison pits of Tartarus. This episode originally aired in October 2021. We'll be back with a new episode next week — but in the meantime, enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listeners, this week we're sharing a classic episode from the Mythology archive on the Lord of Shades himself. Hades is one of the most famous gods in the Greek Pantheon, and possibly its most misunderstood. Today, we descend into the underworld, piecing together disparate stories and long-forgotten myths in an attempt to understand this grim ruler of the dead. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Decades have passed since Fafner walked out of Valhalla with the Ring of Power. He has since transformed into a dragon, and holds the ring in his hoard. Wotan is playing the long game, scheming to take back the ring — whether to use it or destroy it, even he isn't sure. This is our second episode on Richard Wagner's epic opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before there was Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, there was Richard Wagner's The Ring of Nibelung. Infused with ancient Norse and Germanic myths, the composer's epic opera cycle deals in power, corruption, and uncontrollable destruction. At its center is a ring forged from the enchanted riches of the Rhine river. All who look upon it will do anything to possess it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plotting to save Camelot puts Morgana head-to-head with King Arthur. Believing he has grown mad with power, Morgana embraces her abilities to become a magical force feared across Britannia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sexy, scheming, and filled with magic, Morgana le Fay is one of the most infamous characters of Arthurian lore. Often using her powers for good and evil, she sets out to save Camelot — even if it means going against her half-brother, King Arthur. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blood spills in the Garden of Eden. Sin and Death have merged the worlds of Chaos and Paradise, unleashing horrors never seen before. As Satan enjoys the fruits of his labor, Adam and Eve are guided out into a fallen world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Angels of Paradise are called upon to protect the Garden of Eden — and its two innocent occupants — from an intruder: none other than Satan himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Hell. Satan has fallen, imprisoned alongside his treacherous allies. His arduous journey to escape will reunite him with Sin and introduce him to his progeny, Death. And then it's out of Hell — and into Chaos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

High up in the heavens, a kingdom celebrates a new creation. But there is one who won't partake in the revelry. Instead, he plots. Lucifer has a curiosity he can't ignore, and he'll do anything to satisfy it. Even if it takes a rebellion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Princess Guinevere enters the fray, Merlin reveals dark family secrets, and King Arthur chooses the Knights of the Round Table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eshu is a sly trickster who craves chaos. But when he finds himself without any gods to dupe, he convinces the Sun and Moon to switch houses — and reverse the order of the day. Unfortunately for Eshu, his move makes the Supreme God supremely unhappy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For centuries, scholars have debated the nature of Achilles and Patroclus' relationship. The 2004 movie “Troy” cast them as cousins. What if they were actually lovers? This week, their rivalry-romance heats up, and a mysterious enemy reveals themselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before he was a great warrior of Greek mythology, Achilles was a boy still learning his own strength under the tutelage of the centaur Chiron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two monks are cursed after drinking from the mystical Child and Mother River. The Monkey King faces off against his demon impostor.  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

King Arthur leaves the world of men to travel to the land of the Fae, where the Lady of the Lake imparts her steely wisdom. Merlin hunts for Morgause and glimpses a deep evil we've only just begun to uncover.  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

They set out to avenge their father. By the end, they'll discover their cosmic destiny.  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

A ballgame with the ancient Lords of Death will determine the fate of the Hero Twins, two teen gods from Mayan legend who are still discovering the limits of their power.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Glittering structures, rare wildlife. The extraordinary beauty of Atlantis was guarded over by Poseidon and his kin. One man's misguided quest for glory will bring it all down. In its place, a legend will arise about a city lost beneath the waves. This is the story of the greatest civilization in the world… before its fall.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The end of the war is just one battle away, but even a victory can't dissolve the heaviness that hangs over King Arthur. The seductive Lady Morgause offers her friendship... and more. Merlin interprets a terrible dream. And the Knight of the Fountain chases glory. The decisions our young king makes now will shape his world forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In legends from Hawaii and New Zealand, a powerful beast tries to force marriage upon Hina of Hilo — goddess of the moon and mother to Maui.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The plagues are growing more terrible, and still Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites go. His fury is met with God's wrath. The angel of death is coming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After forty years apart, Moses and Aaron reunite as brothers and set out on their mission. But convincing the defiant Pharaoh to see things God's way will take more than a couple miracles.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the banks of the Nile, a servant girl picks up a basket cradling an infant boy. He's bestowed a name, Moses, by the Pharaoh's daughter, and raised as her own son. This is part 1 of our 3-part series on the Exodus, a biblical epic that sees an enslaved people led to freedom... with some help from the divine.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The adventures of the Monkey King continue! Facing a dangerous mountain range, Sun Wukong must use his wits to find safe passage through. Standing in his way? An old enemy with a vicious grudge and power unlike anything he's seen before.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this retelling of the Crow Tribe's creation myth, the world is shaped by the first being to ever exist. Old Man Coyote crafts a paradise, but his manipulative brother has more malevolent plans for Earth's creatures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The co-hosts of And That's Why We Drink are teaming up with Parcast Network! Every week on Rituals, Christine and Em take a tour through the dark arts. They're summoning historical tales and contemporary accounts of mystical objects, perverse events, and people who had an appetite for the occult. Hear a clip from the first episode, then follow Rituals for a new episode every Monday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the eve of Samhain, Fionn makes a deal with King Conn that has him facing off with Aileen the Burner — a destructive god whose only agenda is destroying everything in her path.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Long before he led a band of fighters sworn to defend Ireland, Fionn Mac Cumhaill was a boy of ten dead-set on settling a score with his father's enemy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arthur may have just fulfilled a prophecy, but not everyone's on board with the boy-king's coronation. Merlin sends Morgana to offer protection, and they make their escape from Londinium — straight into the royal armies of six kings.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A loose dog leads a knight's squire into the forest, where he crosses paths with an old magician. Later, a bit of improvisation leads him to an enchanted sword… and his destiny. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trapped in the Sea Kingdom, Hoori can't help having strange dreams about returning to the surface. But are they dreams, or memories?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a second-born prince, Hoori enjoys all the privileges of royalty without the pressure of ruling. But when he swaps royal duties with his brother, Hoori loses something precious — and is on the hook for getting it back. Can he take on a sea monster with an appetite for vengeance? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices