The Folklore Podcast

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Folklore: Beliefs, traditions & culture of the people. Traditional folklore themes from around the world. One episode each month features a special guest from the field of folklore. Recalling our forgotten history, recording the new. The Folklore Podcast

Mark Norman


    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 46m AVG DURATION
    • 247 EPISODES

    4.6 from 244 ratings Listeners of The Folklore Podcast that love the show mention: great material, partly, academic, essential listening, guest speakers, professionally, well researched, presented, never heard, fascinating, accessible, subjects, excellent podcast, sense, analysis, well done, audio, full, recommended, unique.


    Ivy Insights

    The Folklore Podcast is an incredibly enjoyable and educational podcast that explores folklore from various cultures around the world. Hosted by Mark Norman, each episode is professionally done and highly entertaining. The podcast covers a wide range of topics and brings in expert guests to provide insights into the often strange and fascinating beings, beliefs, and forces of folklore.

    One of the best aspects of The Folklore Podcast is its thorough research. Mark Norman goes above and beyond to ensure that each episode is well-researched and presents accurate information about folklore. This attention to detail adds credibility to the podcast and allows listeners to trust the information being provided. Additionally, the episodes are presented in a straightforward manner, making them easy to follow and understand.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is the variety of topics covered. From witchcraft to mythical creatures, each episode delves into different aspects of folklore that are both intriguing and informative. The inclusion of guest speakers who are experts in their respective fields adds depth and insight to the discussions. The podcast also puts folklore into historical and social context, providing a deeper understanding of its significance.

    However, one aspect that some listeners may not enjoy is the "Family Matters" roleplaying segment. While it may not necessarily be bad, it can feel out of place within the overall vibe of the podcast. Some listeners have found it inappropriate at times and believe it would be better suited for its own separate platform.

    In conclusion, The Folklore Podcast is a highly valuable resource for anyone interested in learning about folklore from around the world. It offers well-researched episodes with interesting guest speakers who provide insights into various cultural beliefs and stories. While there may be aspects that some listeners do not enjoy, overall it is a top-notch podcast with educational value and entertainment factor. Whether you're a folklore enthusiast or just curious about these subjects, The Folklore Podcast is definitely worth a listen.



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    Latest episodes from The Folklore Podcast

    Episode 174 - FOLKLORE AND HERBALISM

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 72:00


    This episode of The Folklore Podcast is an interview of two halves, as host Mark Norman sits down to chat with herbalist and writer Su Bristow.In an interview recorded live at Su's dining table, the first half of the show explores her work as a herbalist. We chat about the history of using plants in folk medicine, the approaches used and how valuable or otherwise volumes such as Culpeper's Herbal are in the modern world. Su discusses her techniques and dispels some of the myths about herbal treatments and plants in folklore.Moving on from this, the conversation turns to Su's writing. As well as two non-fiction books on herbalism, Su is also the author of two folklore-themed novels. The conversation begins with her prize-winning first novel 'Sealskin' which is a reimagining of the Scottish selkie legends, before turning to 'The Fair Folk' and a foray into fairy folklore.Finally, Su discusses the novel that she is currently working on, and reads a short extract from her work in progress.Find Su on the internet at https://subristow.weebly.com/To help to keep The Folklore Podcast going and producing even more folklore content, please consider joining the Patreon page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast with a small monthly donation from just £1. A small contribution makes a massive difference. Thank you.

    A History of Paganism: Folklore Podcast Rewind with Liz Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2025 38:26


    Award winning author, historian and occultist Liz Williams discusses her book 'Miracles of our own Making: A History of Paganism', published by Reaktion Books.The interview takes in the history of paganism and Liz's work in Druidry as well as her writing.Read the review of the book on the Folklore Podcast website at https://www.thefolklorepodcast.com/miracles-of-our-own-making.htmlSupport the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to access extra content (free and paid tiers are available) at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 173 - BROKEN FOLK

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2025 63:33


    Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman delves into the topic of folk music and performance with special guests Lunatraktors. The duo, formed in 2017 and made up of Carli Jefferson and Dr Clair Le Couteur aim to strip folk back to the bare essentials of rhythm and voice, and use in-depth research methods to investigate Anglo-Celtic music, to which they then apply a modern twist.Carli and Clair also discuss their latest release Wassail, which you can also hear in the episode.To support the work of The Folklore Podcast and help to keep the show going, please visit https://www.patreon.com/c/thefolklorepodcast where you can sign up as either a free or paid supporter and access bonus content.Explore the Lunatraktors website at https://www.lunatraktors.space/Watch Lunatraktors performances on their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/LunatraktorsWatch the Lunatraktors TEDx Talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v-5QB1QQpM&t=605s

    Meet the Author: Kailey Tedesco

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 53:57


    In this 'Meet the Author' bonus episode of The Folklore Podcast, creator and host Mark Norman introduces a conversation between literary correspondent Hilary Wilson and university lecturer and poet Kailey Tedesco.Kailey discusses her poetry collection 'Motherdevil' which takes the story of the Jersey Devil and the Pine Barrens as its inspiration for an exploration of folklore and motherhood.Kailey Tedesco is a university lecturer delivering courses in horror writing and gothic literature. This episode is part of the 'Folklore Podcast Rewind' strand, and was recorded at Halloween, 2024.Visit Kailey's website at www.kaileytedesco.comTo support The Folklore Podcast as well as accessing extra bonus content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 172 - DRACULA AND THE WESTCOUNTRY

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 31:01


    Folklore Podcast creator and host, Mark Norman, explores the rumours that the author of 'Dracula', Bram Stoker, found inspiration for his famous count in the rural backwaters of the county of Devon, in the South-West of the United Kingdom. Could there by any truth to the ideas that Count Dracula emerged as much from the Devon countryside as he did from the Carpathian mountains?This episode of The Folklore Podcast is written and presented by Mark Norman. To support the podcast, and help to facilitate the creation of more episodes featuring new research, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Folklore in the Field - RONNIE TURNER

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 32:48


    Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman meets with Ronnie Turner. author of the gothic and folk horror novel 'Small Fires' in this episode of the podcast, recorded on location during Ronnie's recent book signing tour.To support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Special Edition - CYNTHIA PELAYO

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2025 72:44


    We chat with Bram Stoker and International Latino Award Winning horror author Cynthia Pelayo as her latest book, 'Vanishing Children' is released.Cynthia's writing intersects with the world of fairy tales, with Charles Perrault's story of Sleeping Beauty providing inspiration for 'Vanishing Children'.Please note that this interview deals with themes of parental loss, and touches on suicide.To support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon and help us to keep making the show, and to get extra content, please visit http://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Bonus Episode: FOLK HORROR IN GAMING - GAST

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 36:40


    Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman chats with Kat the Lore Mistress about using folklore and folk horror themes in tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs). In particular, we look at a new Zine based folk horror game called GAST for which Kat is part of the development team.To find out more about GAST and the creators Hatched Games, visit their website at https://www.hatchedgames.co.uk/Visit Kat's website at https://www.theloremistress.co.uk/Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and get extra content at https://www.patreon.com/c/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 171 - NORDIC FOLK

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2025 69:22


    We welcome back onto The Folklore Podcast musician and composer Einar Selvik, founder of the band Wardruna and expert in Old Norse music and culture. Einar discusses his beliefs and connections with nature, the way he goes about composing his music through the use of old Norse runes, and his latest work Birna, named for the old Norse she-bear.To support The Folklore Podcast, please consider making a small donation via our website, or visit https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast where you can find exclusive bonus content.

    Meet the Author: Alexandra Beaumont

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 51:53


    We meet British fantasy author Alexandra Beaumont, who specializes in utilizing folklore and the gothic in her writing. She discusses themes of Cornish folklore and her novel 'Dissonance of Bird Song' which was voted the Independent Press Award Distinguished Favourite for 2025.Visit Alexandra online at https://www.alexandrabeaumontauthor.com/Support The Folklore Podcast at https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 170 - SCOTT COHEN

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2025 53:51


    RETURN TO 10th KINGDOM:We chat with actor Scott Cohen, who played Wolf in the mini-series 'The 10th Kingdom' about possible plans for a sequel, his thoughts on the show and its characters and genre fiction more broadly, as well as discussing his career as an actor and theatre producer.Visit our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast where you can join as a free member and listen to our storytelling show 'Stories from the Hearth', or support the podcast on one of our paid tiers and access a back catalogue of bonus material.

    Bonus Episode: THE MAIDEN AND THE DRAGON

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 32:13


    In this bonus episode of The Folklore Podcast we shine a light on another fantastic folklore audio project as we meet Charlie Dobres, the writer and creator of audio drama The Maiden and the Dragon. This 6-part production takes a well-known folk tale that we have covered on this show before, The Lambton Worm, and retreats it with a female protagonist in the lead role. You can access more content from The Folklore Podcast, as well as supporting the show and helping it to continue, by visiting the Patreon page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcastVisit Charlie's website at https://goodintentmedia.com/

    dragon maiden lambton worm
    Episode 169 - SLAVIC VAMPIRES

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 52:43


    We return to the subject of vampires on The Folklore Podcast, a subject which we last covered in detail way back in Season 2 with a two-part investigation into the folkloric vampire.This time, we focus on the vampire as it is found in the Slavic regions, with our guest Sam Grant. Sam, who travelled to the area to research the subject, is also the author of a currently unpublished novel, 'Bunika' which fuses actual Slavic vampire lore with fictional elements. In discussion with Mark Norman, the creator and host of The Folklore Podcast, Sam explains the fundamentals of Slavic lore as it relates to the image of the vampire.You can visit Sam's website at www.bunikanovel.comJoin the Folklore Podcast Patreon, either as a free member or for a small monthly amount, to access a wealth of exclusive extra folklore content and support the show.

    Folklore Podcast Rewind - CHRIS ALLAUN

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2025 47:17


    In this new strand of The Folklore Podcast, we delve into the archives and pull out old interviews from previous seasons that never made it to air.Today, pagan author Chris Allaun discusses his writing and in particular two of his books, 'The Black Book of Johnathan Knotbristle' and 'Whispers from the Coven', both of which are an interesting mix of a fiction novel with useable spells incorporated into the text.Support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon and access extra bonus content at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 168 - THE SEANCE

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 39:17


    It all starts when two friends are invited to the home of a mysterious spiritualist medium to experience a seance in their search for evidence of the paranormal. But the medium's home used to belong to a girl who died there. And that's never a good combination.So starts the story of 'The Seance', a piece of live theatre written and directed by the guest on this episode of The Folklore Podcast, Chris Stagg.Chris talks with Mark Norman, creator and host of The Folklore Podcast, about his writing and interest in horror, and specifically about the logistics of placing a seance live on stage in front of an audience.You can find Chris on social media:Twitter/Instagram @cw_staggBluesky @cwstagg.bsky.socialTo support The Folklore Podcast in producing more content, please consider joining the Patreon page to access more content at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Special Edition - GRADY HENDRIX

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 64:01


    In this special edition release of The Folklore Podcast, we chat with the New York Times Bestselling horror author Grady Hendrix about his fiction and non-fiction writing, and about his new book 'Witchcraft for Wayward Girls' which is released on the same day as this episode - January 14th, 2025.Support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon and get extra exclusive content at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Folklore in the Field - CLAIRE BARKER

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2025 26:39


    Folklore in the Field is the bonus episode strand of The Folklore Podcast where we chat with people out on location about their work and interests. No frills. No heavy production. Just conversation.In this episode, Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman chats with children's author Claire Barker about her interests in folklore and her writing, including 'Knitbone Pepper, Ghost Dog', 'Picklewitch and Jack' and her forthcoming book 'Hettie Nettle's Handbook for Hedgewitches'.Visit Claire online at https://clairebarkerauthor.com/Support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon to access exclusive extra content at https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 167 - The 10th Kingdom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2025 69:22


    In this episode, the first show of the 10th anniversary season of The Folklore Podcast, we look at the classic TV mini-series 'The 10th Kingdom' which is celebrating its 25th birthday.Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman gives an overview of some of the content that you can expect during the season. This is followed by an interview with special guest Simon Moore, who wrote the screenplay for 'The 10th Kingdom'.Simon gives some insights into his writing and the show and discusses the subjects of fairy tales and folklore. The interview also gives some information about the potential for a possible return to 'The 10th Kingdom' through new novelization and the options for a new TV series.To support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon and get exclusive bonus material, please visit https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcastFind The Folklore Podcast on the web at http://www.thefolklorepodcast.com

    Episode 166 - LOST IRISH FOLKLORE: LIFTING STONES

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 52:38


    The old Irish tradition of using enormous stones in the landscape, sometimes known as testing stones, as a feat of strength has been all but lost for generations. Such stones were lifted to honour the dead at funerals, as a rite of passage to adulthood, as a test of suitability for particular jobs or roles, and for many other purposes.There are many such stones still lying in the Irish landscape, the purpose forgotten, until recently. Thanks to the diligent research and investigation of the guest on this episode of The Folklore Podcast, David Keohan, these stones are gradually being rediscovered, mapped, and lifted once again.In this episode, we learn about the Irish traditions behind the Lifting Stones, and David's efforts to rediscover them.You can follow David on his Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/_indiana_stones_If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing to our Patreon page. You can do this for free to access our storytelling podcast, Stories from the Hearth, or for a subscription from just £1 a month, you can access a whole catalogue of exclusive member only content. Visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast for more details

    Folklore in the Field - Dr Megan Kenny

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2024 20:09


    In this bonus interview from The Folklore Podcast, recorded live at the International Society for Contemporary Legend Research 40th anniversary conference at Sheffield Hallam University, Dr Megan Kenny sits down to chat with Folklore Podcast host Mark Norman and Perry Carpenter from the Digital Folklore Podcast.Megan is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Sheffield Hallam and talks about power and psychology in folklore.You can listen to Megan's own podcast Monstrous Flesh, which looks at women in horror, wherever you get podcasts. The website is at https://www.monstrousflesh.co.uk/podcastSupport the work of The Folklore Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Bonus Minisode: THANKSGIVING

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 7:04


    As listeners in the US celebrate Thanksgiving, this bonus minisode takes a look at what we actually know about the history of this celebration versus the popular myth.Support the Folklore Podcast via our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast for additional content.

    Episode 165 - SIDESHOW GEEKS

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2024 44:06


    In this episode of The Folklore Podcast we enter the secretive world of the circus and the carnival sideshow - a community with much tradition and folklore but at the same time many secrets.Our guest Nathan Wakefield, himself a variety performer, uncovers the world of the Sideshow Geek - controversial and eccentric acts which shocked many an audience member in the sideshows of the past. But how much of the act was genuine, and how much was just that - an act?Nathan's book, 'The Rise and Fall of the Sideshow Geek' offers an in-depth look at this fascinating topic, aspects of which are touched on in this interview. Please note that this episode carries a content warning for stories of acts which may have involved abuse of animals.Useful links:Nathan's performing website: https://nathanmcscary.com/Nathan's publisher's website: http://outsidetalkerpress.com/Book softcover: https://outsidetalkerpress.bigcartel.com/product/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-sideshow-geekBook hardcover: https://outsidetalkerpress.bigcartel.com/product/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-sideshow-geek-snake-eaters-human-ostriches-other-extreme-hardcovereBook Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/38YOewTo support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon and access extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolkorepodcast

    Episode 164 - SPELL BOOK: FREYA WALEY-COHEN

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2024 46:39


    We meet musician and composer Freya Waley-Cohen to talk about her work and the ways in which folklore and the occult have inspired her music. In particular, we look at 'Spell Book', a dramatic song cycle which sets spell-poems from Rebecca Tamas' book WITCH to original music.You can visit Freya on the web and learn more about her work at https://www.freyawaleycohen.com/To support the work of the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and access extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 163 - LEMURIA

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024 59:06


    There can be few people who don't have at least a passing awareness of the legend of the lost continent of Atlantis. But probably a significantly smaller number don't know much about Lemuria, another alleged land mass which sunk to the depths and which has since been seized upon by occultists to posit theories about our ancestral past.In this episode of the Folklore Podcast we sort the aquatic wheat from the chaff with special guest Justin McHenry whose latest book provides an in-depth look at the stories of Lemuria.You can visit Justin's website at https://www.justinjmchenry.com/To support The Folklore Podcast and help us to keep going into our 10th season, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 162 - KATE YOUNG

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024


    In this episode of the podcast, we explore the use of folklore as an inspiration for the creation of music, with award-winning musician, composer and songwriter Kate Young.At the time of release, Kate has just released her much-anticipated debut album, Umbelliferæ (pronounced ‘um-bell-ifer-aye'), a captivating record inspired by plantlore and the ancient medicinal uses of wildflowers from the British Isles. Drawing from world traditions, chamber music, and indie/pop influences with a stunning song-led string quintet collection, each track is a unique journey through soundscapes inspired by specific plants, which Kate has woven together with stories and melodies that capture the essence of their characteristics and historical uses. You can find out more about Kate and her music, and get a copy of her album, from her website at https://kateyoungmusic.com/Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to help us to keep producing the content you enjoy. You can join as a free listener and access our storytelling podcast there, or from a small amount each month access our back catalogue of bonus materials. Visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast to sign up.

    Episode 161 - ZOMBIE COW

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 70:20


    Folk tales have been important to us for centuries, but in the grand span of their existence we only started writing them down relatively recently. In this episode of the Folklore Podcast, we are joined by Scottish storyteller Allison Galbraith, who is one of those who not only tells in person, but also commits stories to print.Amongst these is the tale Zombie Cow, which she performs as part of this episode and which we couldn't resist using as an episode title.This episode is a rich investigation into the art of storytelling, the written word and much more.Visit Allison's website at www.voiceandstory.comSupport the Folklore Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    zombies scottish cows folk allison galbraith
    Haunted Television - Folklore in the Field

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2024 32:39


    In one of our occasional Folklore in the Field episodes, recorded live at events, Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman is joined by Bronte Schiltz for a discussion of representations of the ghost on television.This interview was recorded at the UK Ghost Story Festival 2024 at the Museum of Making in Derby, UK.To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    ANNOUNCEMENT: Some new changes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2024 4:11


    A quick interruption to your lives with some news about the podcast!

    Episode 160 - LAURA PACKER

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 49:16


    In another of our occasional series looking at the work of American storytellers, we meet the award winning Laura Packer. Based in Minnesota, Laura has over 25 years of storytelling experience and was recently inducted into the United States National Storytelling Network's Circle of Excellence - a select group of storytellers determined by their peers to be standard bearers of the art, and masters at the craft. You can find Laura online at https://laurapacker.com/Please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast where you can join our Patreon support page for free or pay a small amount each month to help our work.

    Episode 159 - ZOINKS!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 30:36


    To coincide with his new book 'Zoinks - The Spooky Folklore Behind Scooby-Doo' going to pre-order, Folklore Podcast creator Mark Norman presents a special episode looking at the way that folklore and the paranormal are represented in Scooby-Doo through the lens of Shaggy and Scooby's favourite thing - food.To pre-order a copy of Zoinks and receive an exclusive set of collector's cards with your order, please visit https://auk.direct/product/zoinks/To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and receive extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 158: WRITING GHOSTS

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 57:48


    In terms of folklore, ghostly encounters are not about the proof of existence of the supernatural so much as they are about the meaning of the experience to the individual. Folklore is about examining the story, the meaning that it has for the witness, and the way in which that narrative is both transmitted and recorded.We discuss the recording process of ghostly encounters, the 'writing of ghosts' with our guest Amelia Cotter, who has dome precisely this across different genres, including non fiction, fiction and poetry. Amelia is in conversation with correspondent Tracy Nicholas.Visit Amelia online at www.ameliacotter.comTo support the work of the Folklore Podcast and to help us to keep making content, please visit our Patreon pages at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Folklore and Magic Roundtable

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 56:37


    An episode of 'Folklore in the Field' presenting interviews and discussions recorded live at events we attend.This episode features a roundtable discussion on the topic of folklore and magical practice, recorded in association with Crossed Crow Books.Folklore Podcast creator Mark Norman hosts guests:Blake and Wycke Malliway - owners of Crossed Crow Books and Malliway Bros occult shopJac D Hawkins - author of Elemental SpiritsAlbert Bjorn Shiell - author of Icelandic Plant MagicThis discussion was recorded in Reading, UK in March 2024.Support the Folklore Podcast in producing more free folklore content by visiting our Patreon Page

    Episode 157: LINCOLNSHIRE FOLKLORE

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 56:39


    Wherever we might be in the world, we find that folklore will always take on very specific regional variations: any area will have both its own unique stories and versions of other tales which have been shaped by local knowledge or events.In the UK, where the country is divided into counties, records vary very much from place to place. The country of Lincolnshire has some fascinating folklore and yet, historically, it has been quite overlooked in terms of collecting and recording these stories.A new project, based at Nottingham Trent University, seeks to redress the perceived imbalance. On this episode of the podcast, creator and host Mark Norman is joined by Dr Anna Milon and Dr Rory Waterman to discuss the folklore of Lincolnshire and The Lincolnshire Folk Tales Project.You can visit the project website at https://lincolnshirefolktalesproject.com/To support The Folklore Podcast and help us to keep going, as well as getting access to extra member content, please consider joining our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 156: TRAUMA AND THE PARANORMAL

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2024 41:32


    In this episode of the Folklore Podcast we explore the psychology of trauma and its intersection with alleged paranormal phenomena, with guests Bill and Jaci Kousoulas.For some, paranormal occurrences can be a precursor to later trauma, either on a personal level or on a larger scale. For others, trauma may act as a catalyst from paranormal events and they find after suffering a personal loss or other tragedy that they become susceptible to what we might term supernatural happenings. But what is the psychology between this intersection of trauma and the paranormal? We explore the answer to this question with particular focus on the tragedy of the Point Pleasant Bridge collapse and its connection to the Mothman sightings.To support The Folklore Podcast and access extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 155: THE FOX IN ASIAN FOLKLORE

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 71:03


    The image of the fox appears in many cultures as a trickster figure, but in Asian folklore there are some subtle differences. The Chinese fox is a symbol of intelligence, and has the ability to shapeshift for example.Exploring the folklore of the Asian countries, with particular reference to foxes, in this episode creator and host of the podcast Mark Norman is joined by New York Times bestselling author Yangsze Choo. Yangsze's novel 'The Ghost Bride' was serisalised and broadcast as a Netflix original series and her latest work 'The Fox Wife' draws on the Asin fox folklore that we explore.Find Yangsze online at https://yschoo.com/To support The Folklore Podcast in all of its work and access additional content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Stories from the Hearth 6: The Sun

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 20:42


    Story: The Sun, or the Three Golden Hairs of the Old Man VsevedeReader: Natosha LyonSource: Slavic Fairy TaleEpisode produced by Tracy NicholasMusic by Al SeegerTo support the work of The Folklore Podcast, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcastFor the whole back catalogue of content from The Folklore Podcast, please visit the website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

    Stories from the Hearth 5: Alosha Popovic

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2024 10:56


    Story: Alosha PopovicReader: Al SeegerSource: Russian folk taleEpisode produced by Tracy NicholasMusic by Al SeegerTo support the work of The Folklore Podcast and to help us keep going, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcastFor the whole back catalogue of content from The Folklore Podcast, please visit the website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

    Stories from the Hearth 4: The White Wolf of the Hartz Mountains

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 31:38


    Story: The White Wolf of the Hartz MountainsReader: Nicole C. DittmerSource: Short story extracted from Frederick Marryat's novel The Phantom Ship (1839)Episode produced by Tracy NicholasMusic by Al SeegerTo support the work of The Folklore Podcast, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcastFor the whole back catalogue of content from The Folklore Podcast, please visit the website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

    Episode 154: MONSTROUS WOMEN

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 48:25


    In the field of Gothic literature, from the Penny Dreadful and Chapbook through the Penny Bloods and novels. whether it a classic like Bronte or something less well known, there are many ways in which the female characters may as monstrous.We explore the landscape of 'mad', murderous and shape-shifting women with Gothic scholar Dr Nicole C. Dittmer, author of 'Monstrous Women and Ecofeminism in the Victorian Gothic'.After listening to this episode, seek out Story 4 of 'Stories from the Hearth', our storytelling show, in your podcast feed for a reading of 'The White Wolf of the Hartz Mountains' narrated by Nicole.To support our work creating free folklore-related content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Stories from the Hearth 3: The Brown Bear of Norway

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 18:40


    Story: The Brown Bear of NorwayReader: Liefke CarwynSource: Irish fairy taleEpisode produced by Tracy NicholasMusic composed by Al SeegerPlease help to support the work of the Folklore Podcast in making folklore freely available for everyone by visiting www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcastFor the whole back catalogue of content from The Folklore Podcast, please visit the website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

    Stories from the Hearth 2: King Tongue

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 18:25


    Story: King TongueReader: Ori KaganSource: Traditional Middle Eastern folk taleEpisode produced by Tracy NicholasMusic composed by Al SeegerIf you would like to help The Folklore Podcast in its work to make folklore content free for everyone to enjoy, please consider visiting our Patreon support page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcastFor the whole back catalogue of content from The Folklore Podcast, please visit the website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

    Stories from the Hearth 1: The Unlooked for Prince

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 20:07


    Story: The Unlooked for PrinceReader: Melissa DawSource: Slavonic fairy tale, of Polish originEpisode produced by Tracy NicholasMusic composed by Al SeegerTo support The Folklore Podcast in its work making folklore materials free to everyone to enjoy, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcastFor the whole back catalogue of content from The Folklore Podcast, please visit the website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

    Episode 153: EVERYDAY FOLKLORE

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 63:29


    We welcome writer and folklore graduate Liza Frank to the Folklore Podcast for an episode looking at the many different ways in which you might be able to combine a bit of folklore into your daily life.In conversation with Mark Norman, creator and host of The Folklore Podcast, Liza looks at divination, calendar customs, food folklore and lots more ideas which came out of the Everyday Lore Project which she ran for a year through lockdown. Liza also discusses how this material then went on to form the basis of her book Everyday Folklore. Visit Liza's website at www.liza-frank.comTo support the Folklore Podcast and its work creating and producing accessible folklore content for everyone, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 152: NICK MEDINA - Native American lore

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2024 36:17


    Nick Medina's debut novel from 2023, 'Sisters of the Lost Nation', describes the hunt for answers as a Native girl searches for information about women who have been mysteriously disappearing from her tribe's reservation. As she searches for clues, she learns more about the myths and stories of her people and how they may offer help.In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, we chat with Nick about various aspects of Native American folklore, his inspirations for this particular plot from the real world and other aspects of indigenous culture.Visit Nick's website at www.nickmedina.netExplore the Folklore Podcast website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com or sign up to the Patreon page to offer support at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 151: RAT HOLES, POTHOLES AND MANHOLES

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 31:56


    Folklorist Mark Norman, the creator and host of The Folklore Podcast, returns to write and present an individual episode of the show.Spurred on by the recent viral sharing of the Chicago Rat Hole, Mark takes a look at the history of this simulacrum as well as other folk art and belief associated with our roads from flacking to the Virgin Mary, and from holes in the ground to manholes in space. Maybe.To support The Folklore Podcast and help us to keep writing and creating free folklore content, please consider signing up to our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast or making a one-off donation on our website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

    Episode 150 - AISLING: VISIONS OF IRELAND

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 46:59


    Aisling is the Irish for dream or vision, and it may take the form of a vision poem. The genre was developed as a part of the wider Irish language poetry field at the end of the 17th century, going into the 18th. More broadly, aisling is a vision which is said to connect the seer strongly with the landscape and identity of Ireland and its sacred sites.Our guest today, author Jeremy Schewe is considered to be connected in exactly this way. In 2017, Jeremy completed 21 years of study in Celtic alchemy and traditional ecological knowledge and he now helps other people with their own similar paths of discovery. He is a certified herbalist and record keeper of traditional Celtic ecological lore.In the episode of the podcast, Jeremy talks about his connections to sacred Ireland, his new book Aisling, and his wider views of landscape, identity and place.Visit Jeremy's website at https://www.inchantedjourneys.com/Find Jeremy's book at www.crossedcrowbooks.comSupport the work of The Folklore Podcast at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 149 - LOKI: A BAD GOD?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2024 58:33


    Season 9 of The Folklore Podcast kicks off with another examination of folklore writing for a younger audience.Special guest on this first episode of a new season, Louie Stowell, discusses Norse Mythology, gods, writing folklore for children and much more as we examine her ongoing book series "Loki - A Bad God's Guide".There's also a chance to hear an extract from the first audiobook in the series, painting a picture of what a Norse God might be like in the body of a mortal 11-year-old child.You can visit Louie's website at www.louiestowell.comSupport the work of The Folklore Podcast in bringing free access to the world's experts in folklore by joining our Patreon page for extra content at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcastAudiobook extract: Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good © 2022 Louie Stowell. ℗ 2022 W. F. Howes Ltd. Used with permission of the publisher.

    Episode 148 - REDISCOVERED PRATCHETT

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2023 55:56


    The Folklore Podcast Christmas Special for 2023.In an interview recorded live at the science fiction and fantasy convention Armadacon, we chat with Pat and Jan Harkin, the husband and wife team responsible for rediscovering all of the Terry Pratchett short stories published together for the first time in the new anthology 'A Stroke of the Pen'.The episode closes with a reading of one of these stories, 'How it all Began' by actor David Tennant.To support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon and help us to keep producing content for the next season, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

    Episode 147 - THE SNOW GIRL

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2023 48:43


    We welcome award-winning children's author Sophie Anderson back onto the podcast to celebrate the launch of her latest book, 'The Snow Girl'.Sophie researches and works closely with Slavic and Russian folk stories, using them as inspiration for her own stories. We talk about this rich vein of lore as well as her thoughts on using folklore more generally in fiction writing. There's also a chance to hear an extract from the audiobook version of 'The Snow Girl', courtesy of Usborne Books.To support the work of The Folklore Podcast in bringing many hours of free folklore content to the public,please visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast or make a small donation via our website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

    ANNOUNCEMENT: Stories from the Hearth

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 4:16


    A short trailer for our new storytelling podcast, 'Stories from the Hearth', where you - the Folklore Podcast listeners - narrate old folk and fairy tales.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts by searching for 'Stories from the Hearth (A Folklore Podcast Production)

    Episode 146 - AMERICA'S FEMALE GHOSTS

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2023 76:10


    It seems strange that there have been very few quality studies undertaken of female ghosts in America. On this episode of the podcast, we meet two researchers who have happily redressed this balance in their book 'A Haunted History of Invisible Women', Leanna Renee Hieber and Andrea Janes.The episode also features a preview of a track from the new album Solstice Wyrd, performed by Lunatraktors.Support the work of The Folklore Podcast on our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

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