Myths Your Teacher Hated Podcast

This week on MYTH, it’s the epic conclusion to the harrowing tale of Raiko and the Goblin King.  You’ll see that gods have a different definition of poison, that you shouldn’t count your goblins before they hatch, and that it always pays to be careful.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, we’ll visit one of the most iconic mountains in all of Japan, if not the world.

Hey folks. As the title suggests, I am indeed going on a little hiatus so there won’t be a new episode this week as scheduled. I’ve got an absolute bear of an exam looming over me - a two-day, 16-hour licensing extravaganza coming up in April. I’ve been able to balance work, studying, life, and the podcast up until now but, as the exam nears, I’m finding that harder and harder to do. For my own sanity, something has to give and unfortunately, the podcast is the only thing that can. Have no fear, intrepid listener - I’m not about to leave you dangling from a cliffhanger episode forever. MYTH will be back on May 6th with part 2 of Raiko and Shutendoji. See you all then!

This week on MYTH, we’re climbing up the mountains of ancient Japan for a monstrous encounter.  You’ll see that not all goblins are as sexy as David Bowie, that ronin travel in packs, and that you shouldn’t trust wandering monks.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, a magical cloak gets stolen. This is Part 1 of 2 of the Raiko story. Source: Japanese Folklore

This week on MYTH, we’re having a new variation on an old familiar story.  You’ll discover that selling children can be profitable, that strange old women can definitely be trusted, and that trolls can’t clean.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, we’ll meet the selfish king and the powerful women who left a permanent mark on the oceans of the world. Source: Norwegian Fairy Tale

This week on MYTH, it’s our more or less annual Valentine’s romance special.  You’ll meet the sexier cousin of Frosty the Snowman, an old school mean girl, and a wandering spirit with a taste for vengeance.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, we’ll look for love out under the pine trees at sunset. Source: Algonquin Folklore

This week on MYTH, we’re going to break in this new year with a creation myth from a new pantheon - the Yoruba people of western Africa.  You’ll learn how much gold it takes to reach the sky, how much sand it takes to fill the ocean, and how much clay it takes to build a person.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, we’ll fight over colors with a new trickster god.

This week on MYTH, we’re celebrating the New Year with a mix of light and darkness that feels appropriate to this time of year.  You’ll see that it’s tough to be a door-to-door match salesperson, that there is magic in flames, and that you should be careful of the cold.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, out with the old and in with the new - it’s the Little New Year. Source: Danish Folklore

This week on MYTH, it’s once again that special time of year - the annual holiday special.  You’ll find love in a hopeless place, find a ring in an unexpected place, and find hubris in a disappointing place.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, get in losers - we’re riding brooms and delivering candy. Source: German Fairy Tales/Italian Folklore

This week on MYTH, we’re headed to the woods of Armenia for a unique spin on a classic fairy tale trope.  You’ll see that you should always part an old woman from her walking stick, that some animals deserve to be punished, and that orphans don’t always grow up to be heroes.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, the cat’s got your tongue, but who has the cat’s tail?

This week on MYTH, we’re bound for South Australia.  You’ll see that little old ladies are dangerous, that it rarely pays to be bait, and that sometimes the killer is who you most medium suspect.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, shifting shadows creep in the darkness in search of blood. Source: Aborigine Folklore

This week on MYTH, love is in the air, but so are some eight-legged creepy crawlies.  You’ll learn how to make a spider house out of bread, how to pilot a rooster, and how to get rich in the shoe business.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, spiders aren’t the only arachnids in search of love. Source: Portuguese Folklore

This week on MYTH, it’s our annual Halloween Spooktacular!  You’ll discover that demons can really bust a move, that being a miser never seems to work out on holidays, and that you should be careful about what invitations you accept.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, it’s the devilish origin story of a Halloween classic: the jack-o’lantern. Source: Czechoslovakian Folklore, Irish Folklore Halloween Special

This week on MYTH, we’re donning a red cloak for some variations on a classic fairy tale.  You’ll see that you shouldn’t make pancakes out of donkey dung, that falling asleep on the toilet can get you killed, and that you should be careful with someone’s skillet.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, putting snail eyes on your face doesn’t make you someone’s grandmother. Source: Italian Folklore, Taiwanese Folklore

This week on MYTH, we’re sailing out to one of the most isolated communities on the planet.  You’ll see that meeting the Europeans is usually a bad thing, that you can totally navigate the open ocean with vague directions, and that you need to hide your traps better.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, it’s the origin story for some of the most iconic statues in the world. Source: Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Mythology

This week on MYTH, a young man is going on a journey across ancient Korea in search of some answers.  You’ll find that straw sandals aren’t durable, that some people are just cursed, and that being a dragon has some weird prerequisites.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, it’s the ancient origin of the dragonballs that spells bad news for rich people. Source: Korean Folklore

This week on MYTH, it’s off to the Czech Republic for a twist on a classic tale.  You’ll see that you should be nice to all your kids, that you should always let a stranger take you to a cave, and that you can be too good at questing.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, a fox befriends a senior kitty. Source: Slavic Folklore

This week on MYTH, we’re riding back to ancient Britain for the origin story of one of the most famous wizards ever.  You’ll see that you shouldn’t build on a dragon, that history used to be a lot more fun, and that mercenary armies usually aren’t your friend.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, we’re traveling even farther back in time to follow one of the fleeing heroes of ancient Troy.  Source: Arthurian Legend See the link for the fantastic History of Rome podcast referenced in today's episode. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-rome/id261654474

This week on MYTH, we’re going to meet the owner of one of the most famous heads of hair.  You’ll discover that judging can be very hands-on, that killing a lion is a right of passage for folk heroes, and that not all riddles are good.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, two best buddy beasties learn the true meaning of the Safety Dance.

This week on MYTH, we’re going to answer the question raised by William Blake - Tyger Tyger burning bright, in the forests of the night: what immortal hand or eye, dare frame thy fearful symmetry?  You’ll see that you shouldn’t trust a weretiger, that your neighbors probably suck, and that carrying water is hard.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, sometimes the best athlete is a frog.

This week on MYTH, we’re visiting picturesque Romania to find the oddest twins you’ve ever met.  You’ll see why you shouldn’t eat someone else’s leftovers, why you should always have a magic sword handy, and why you should always follow your dreams.  Then, in Gods and Monsters, it’s very, very hard to cheat death even when he’s just a voice.