The Folk Podcast

The Podcast is returning with Jacob Toddson and a rotating selection of guest with topics ranging from paganism, shamanism, plant medicine, ancient religions, and everything in between!  The Glastonbury Tourist (New Book!): https://amzn.to/3Y7MWLY Support this Channel on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/thewisdomofodin Four Visions Products: https://fourvisions.com/discount/JACOB15 (Use code JACOB15 at check out to get 15%) (Shamanic/Healing Retreats) My Website: http://www.jacobtoddson.com (Pagan Events) Community Website: https://www.northerntraditions.org My Books: https://amzn.to/3V35IE3

We return to our three topics: Ian is obsessed with red deer, Caleb is finding joy in the laughter of his children, and Jacob is navigating the pagan community in Scotland.  Learn more about the community:  https://www.northerntraditions.org/ Graphics provided by Valhyr: www.valhyr.com 

Today we invite Elin (@mooselady_) to discuss her research into Estonian archeology. Ever want to know why ancient people put "cup" shaped makers onto stones from Estonia, Sweden, and Scotland? Great! So did we!  Support/Join The Fellowship of Northern Traditions: www.northerntraditions.org  Support Elin on instagram @mooselady_ or through www.valhyr.com 

With our break behind us, The Folk Podcast is back with a new name, The Northern Traditions Podcast. Be sure to check out the podcast on YouTube to see our beautiful faces!  Learn more about the community:  https://www.northerntraditions.org/

We celebrate our 100th episode by answering community submitted questions. We also reflect on 2+ years of podcasting and the many topics and guests we've had along the way.  We also announced we will be taking a break, but will be returning! We just need some time to focus on ourselves, the community, and to plan some new guest and topics. Expect to see us after the yule season, and until then be sure to check out our past 99 episodes you may have missed!  All upcoming gatherings for the Fellowship of Northern Traditions on our website:  www.northerntraditions.org 

With Ian and Jacob just coming back from Heilung, we decided to discuss how ritual practices continue to evolve and change. 

This is the full interview based on the latest video on The Wisdom of Odin Youtube channel. I am joined by Mirjam and Anthony as I ask them questions on Shamanism and how to practice it in our modern day.  Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lN6BAXsj9g Spirit of Wolf Links:  Website: https://www.spiritofwolf.net Instagram @spiritofwolfshamans Mirjam @izih_deer_kam Anthony @wolfpackhealer Their Podcast @woedwolf.podcast 

With the upcoming shamanism video, many people have asked about mentorship within pagan practices today. So today Caleb and I, discuss the complicated nature of establishing new mentors in beliefs that used to rely so heavily on them. 

We have several topics to discuss today, including Estonian Paganism, Reputation and its importance, as well as gift giving. As always grab a warm or cold drink, and enjoy the conversation around various pagan subjects!  Community website: https://www.northerntraditions.org/

Ian had a dream, that dream was to host an episode and talk about spooky things. This episode is letting Ian live that dream. 

We decided to have an interest talk today on whether or not heathenry is becoming too soft in this modern age. Has our fear of scrutiny, judgement, and harassment made us too scared to practice our faith more honestly? Check into this episode to hear our conversation on this very question.  Link to The Fellowship of Northern Traditions Website: https://www.northerntraditions.org

Ian and Jacob discuss the difference of being pagan in the summer vs the winter. And how living by the seasonal cycles may benefit you now even in our modern age. 

In this episode we talk about the modern obsession with DNA test, and ancestor websites and how they relate to paganism. We also talk about our own experiences discovering our ancestors and how we honor them today. 

After our short break, we return with an episode on the differences between spirits. Specifically we are talking about North American spirits vs European, but we also discuss how different environments can effect spirituality.  If you want Ian to grow back the stache, then sign this petition. 1000 signs and he does it! https://www.change.org/p/ian-horn-bring-back-the-stache?recruiter=1163137036&recruited_by_id=f17125b0-22a3-11eb-b935-5f15eb00fea0&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard

Our three topics today include Jacob finally telling his mother about his job and religion. Caleb dealing with two children, working, and getting little sleep all while still trying to maintain his spirituality. And then Ian talking about different kinds of sacred (legal) plants.  Here are the stores Ian mentions in the episode:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/1067425519/ https://www.etsy.com/shop/BodhiExtracts

We continue out three topics, talking today about three things that are good for those getting into the faith for the first time. 

Our topics today include drinking culture in paganism, and around the world. How fitness can connect you in different ways with the faith. And daily routines that can help you maintain your faith when life gets busy. 

We are changing our format a little on he podcast, we are now going to try and focus on several subjects throughout an episode to give you more variety in our content. So today we discuss our thoughts on Heilung's new album, as well as the differences between christian funerals and what we want pagan funerals to become. 

Last year we recorded an episode called "The Wolf, The Raven, and The Bear: The Many Pathways of Odin." This episode is a follow-up showing how much our lives can change in a year, and what lessons we learn along the way no matter what path you take. 

We bring back on Claire from 60 episodes ago to discuss what it has been like for her to be pagan while growing up in Europe. While sharing our experiences as Americans and what it has been like to practice in the "new world." 

We bring back on Lauren to discuss the ever growing issue of internet Viking Bros, and wanna be shield maidens. We tackle both sides of the issue from the popularity of Viking media, to the importance of respect when getting interested in new topics. 

Today we bring on 30 year Navy Seal Veteran, Jason Gardner, to discuss his career in the military. We also discuss what he has been up to since his retirement, and raising a daughter with the warrior mindset. 

We bring back on James to discuss the new movie, The Northman, and make our cases for why every norse pagan should go and see this movie. This is a spoiler review, and meant to continue on the review already posted to the Wisdom of Odin YouTube. 

We discuss the nature of ragnarok, and what conclusions can be made from the global cultural obsession with the end times. A more light hearted episode than you'd expect as we put on our tin foil hats for some rabbit hole conversations.  Wanna come to a gathering? Check out our community website: https://www.northerntraditions.org

We welcome Caleb back to the podcast after his paternity leave just in time to discuss spring. We crack some good laughs, and talk about how we connect to spring as norse pagans living in this modern world. 

Today we bring on James Alofs a true international man of mystery, he is a Canadian born, Chinese super star, who is also a norse pagan who just made a YouTube channel on bushcraft/survival. We talk about an incredibly wide range of topics in this episode ranging from his new channel, all the way to ancient pubic hair and the Last Kingdom.  Be sure to follow James at his channel THOR'S OUTDOORS:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClgyZr2eKE68yDzLDN2JJMQ   And follow our community at:  https://www.northerntraditions.org  

We bring on an author, Johanna Wittenberg, to discuss her historical fiction series The Norsewomen. We ask what historical influences inspired her to create this story, as well ways she filled in the blanks spiritually. Be sure to check out her website for all of he writings: https://johannawittenberg.com And check out our community website for all upcoming events:  https://www.northerntraditions.org

We bring on Tom Rowsell from his channel, Survive the Jive, and we discuss his YouTube career spanning over 10 years. Get your notebooks and pens out for this informative episode of history, myth, and faith.  Survive the Jive Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAENaOaceQUMd84GDc26EA Community Website: https://www.northerntraditions.org

This episode will be available for video on The Wisdom of Odin YouTube. If you want to see our poorly lit zoom faces, head over to YouTube to see the faces behind the podcast! 

Today we bring on Lauren (@lildragonwitch) to discuss her connection with Dragons and Serpents within the faith today. We also discuss global dragon legends and how they relate to us. All while making fun of Ian, as he deserves. 

Ian, Jacob, and Caleb get together to discuss the first episode of Vikings Valhalla, and their initial impressions. We also discuss our expectations for the show (good and bad). What did we think? Where will the show go? And should you watch it as a pagan? All questions we explore in this entertaining and thought provoking episode. Interested in attending one of our gatherings? Head over to our community website: https://www.northerntraditions.org/

We tackle a heavy subject today, as many of us in our lives will experience hardship and loss. And dealing with those times is difficult for everyone, so we discuss how we have handled these situations as believers in the old ways, and what wisdom those who came before have for us. 

Social media used to be called a social network, and the networking benefits are definitely the positive of having a social account. In this episode we discuss sharing your spiritual journey online, and share tips on how to maintain your soul despite the analytics. 

Today we sat down and recalled some of our stories about giving offerings. From our first time, our most recent, and even where we feel like we messed up. We also cover some of the beginner questions that get asked about giving offerings by people getting into the faith for the first time. 

In the last 10 years interest in Northern Spiritualities has skyrocketed, In this episode we discuss the growing interest in the old ways. While also looking at some of the reasons we believe that this growing interest is happening right now. 

Caleb and I have returned from our travels west, and have some catching up to do on our experiences there. We also discuss the importance of living life simply, and enjoying the "big fire" moments.

Caleb and I discuss our recently preformed Odin ritual from the Yule Gathering 2021, and howe plan on evolving the ritual as we preform it again this very weekend. Additionally we talk about the importance of constantly working on your own personal practice. 

In the first episode of 2022 we talk about the importance of setting personal goals within the cycles, as well as sharing our own personal goals moving into this next year. 

We discuss the duality of living life as heathens in this modern age, where one minute you are dancing around a fire, and the next you are around a christmas tree with your christian family. 

We bring on Sean Kratz, the lead for the band Osi and the Jupiter, to discuss his connections with the hills and mountains of Appalachia. We also discuss various folklore we have learned about the region that Jacob, Caleb, and Sean have heard throughout their lives. 

In one of the most unique episodes we have had, we dig through the stories buried in Heimskringla. Sharing some truly bizarre and magical tales that include a kingly visit from Odin, Spirits of Iceland, and a Yule Dolphin! 

With Thanksgiving behind us, the co-host sit-down to reflect on the importance of Family and tradition. We turn into old men complaining about "the youth" for awhile during this podcast! But you know what? Sometimes the youth deserve to be complained about. Hope you enjoy this laugh of an episode, full of good fun, and deep talks. 

We bring on Steven Sweeney (@sweeneymma513) a MMA fighter who has had some close connections with Thor while training. We also discuss his time living in Nevada, as well as the importance of fitness, and honoring your family. 

We have quite the packed podcast today. We bring on 2 people from the community to discuss their recent, and past, and experiences with Tyr. 

We bring on a very special guest today, Tragoe. He is most known for his popular instagram account @tragoe but he is also a creator of music under the same name. Tragoe also produces videos on his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW-gw582beyDmuGn3GldkcQ) We talk about his experience growing up pagan in Greece, as well as his many projects now and in the future!

With the fundraisers huge success on Wednesday we wanted to reflect and dream on what is to come in this amazing community. 

This episode is quite the roller coaster, we cover the topic of fate, as well as the what that means in our very confusing world. We talk about the eddas, video games, Nostradamus, revelations, and a women named Freydis who slapped her breast with a sword; all in this wild episode! 

No matter who you are, you will struggle at times in your practice. We here at the Folk Podcast are no different, so today we share with you things we have personally struggled with following the path of old.

In this episode we discuss the importance of oaths, and also discuss the very popularized oath rings, and what they mean to the faith today.

After a year of podcasting we are finally talking about Celtic Paganism! We brought on a member of our community, Kevin, to discuss his experience and to help answer our questions on the ways of the Celts.

Ian, Baker, and myself discuss our recent experiences at the Fall Gathering 2021 in Pennsylvania. We also discuss gatherings, past, present, and future in this light hearted episode full of laughs and good stories.