Episodes

We're back in the stories of the Monkey King on the Journey to the West and we'll see that not everyone who is mean to you is a demon. They might be a murderous bandit! Also, try to make friends that can tell the difference between you and your evil doppelgänger. The creature is the Kongamato, a (maybe?) actual dinosaur. It is truly terrible and annoying and bad, but only slightly murdery! --- Sponsor: Hello Fresh: HelloFresh is farm-fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and seasonal recipes deli...

Two myths and a lie! Two stories this week are tales from world folklore. One is a tale created by us for this episode. Check out the poll in our Instagram stories (https://instagram.com/mythsandlegends) or vote on the site if you're not on Instagram (https://myths.link/348) to let us know which one you think is the lie! -- Sponsors: BetterHelp: This episode of Myths and Legends is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/myths and get on your way to being...

The story of Ketil Trout is about growing up and learning to be your own person. It's a coming-of-age tale with giant fights, dragon slaying, and outlaw who know way to many trout facts. The creature, Nure-onna, is that woman down by the beach who is not-so-secretly also a quarter-mile-long snake. Links! Doorstop buddy: https://myths.link/doorstopbuddy Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Butter in the Middle Ages, because I knew you wanted to know: https://academic.oup.com/b...

Tales of everyone's favorite Olympian in charge of warfare, wisdom (& crafts!): Athena. Well, everyone's favorite except for anyone who has been led to a grisly adventurer fate by her. Or been turned into a monster by her. Or has adopted a snake from her. Or... The creature is Hyena Man! He's way worse than the DC Comics supervillain that shares his name because he will literally eat children. Disclaimer: https://myths.link/346 Hyena men: https://myths.link/hyenas Membership: https://www.mythp...

The story of Culhwch and Olwen is that of a thousand quests and why it's probably ok to name your baby after the place they were born...but maybe not if they were born in a literal pigsty. The creature this week is the Hydrus, who is not the Lernian Hydra, of Heracles fame, but it does get a second act as a Biblical metaphor. Culhwch and Olwen: https://myths.link/fetchquests Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Sponsor: This episode of Myths and Legends is sponsored by Bet...

The story of Mirza, from Armenian folklore, and why it pays to be a heavy sleeper. Also, if you find your incredibly angry, stinky uncle chained up in a closet...it's probably best to leave him there. If you can. The creature this week is Big Bird! If Big Bird ate corpses... The story of Mirza: https://myths.link/mirza Bacon Bandages: https://myths.link/baconbandages --- Music: "Bossa Boa" by Blue Dot Sessions "Crosswire" by Blue Dot Sessions "Halpver" by Blue Dot Sessions "Where we Make o...

A knight learns that generosity for those in need is good. Generosity to the point where you're in a worse spot than those you're helping? Maybe it's time to make a budget. Also, why you should follow that very, very stinky man in the woods. The creature is the Hobyah! Despite their fun sounding name, they're horrible. Their victims, sadly, are not much better. --- Amadas: https://myths.link/amadas The Manatea: https://myths.link/manatea The membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership ...

Lord Long Legs is a spider daimyo with ruthless mantis samurai. Sazaye has an impenetrable shell that will always keep him safe. An eel grilling couple discovers a secret in their midst. Three stories collide on this week's episode. The creature is why hydration might actually be hazardous to your health. --- Sponsors: Uncommon Goods: Whoever you’re shopping for, Uncommon Goods knows exactly what they want. Find it here: https://UncommonGoods.com/legends Bombas: Give more this holiday in mo...

What happens when you mix chastity, violence, and absolutely zero private baths? The history of the Olympian Artemis...and a whole lot of problems. The creature this week is the Heinzelmännchen, the little naked men who live in your walls. Nic Cage spoons: https://myths.link/spooons Disclaimer: https://myths.link/341 Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Sponsors: Indeed! Join more than 3 million businesses worldwide that use Indeed to hire great talent fast at https://In...

A Halloween story about the specter bridegroom. A bridegroom. Who's also a specter...and the bride who's actually really ok with that. The creature is a little piggy with soul. Your soul, to be exact. Disclaimer: https://myths.link/340 Banana injector: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CPSCLSW Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Sponsor: Masterclass! Learn from the best to become your best, with MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/myths --- Music: "Spring Migration" by Cha...

The story of Frithiof and Ingeborg is rife with evil trolls, good trolls, sea witches, land witches, and how to move on when the tragedy of the past has changed you (into an actual troll). The creatures this week are Havman and Havfrue, Danish mer-people who might mer-der you or just give you a nice mer-ssage to relax. Mer. Sources: https://myths.link/339 Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Sponsor: Simplisafe: Protect your whole home with SimpliSafe Home Security. There...

Viking is a Viking. His dad was either not very creative when it came to naming him, or had a very specific plan for his life. In his story we meet evil giants, awesome mythological dwarf dads, and the only Viking ball game that doesn't turn deadly...during the ball game. It kind of does immediately afterward, though. The creature is Hogboy! It's a barrow-wight, and it's actually way more terrifying than it sounds. --- Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Coddies: https://myths...

For the god of healing, Apollo sure does a lot of the exact opposite. Born to a mother on the run from a giant snake, Apollo's life only gets more chaotic and destructive from there. The creature is Half-Chick! He might be only half a chicken, but he's 100% enema. Yes, you just read that correctly. Disclaimer: https://myths.link/337 --- Sponsor: Need to hire? You need Indeed! Start hiring now at https://Indeed.com/legends --- Music: "Unit 34" by Blue Dot Sessions "The Broker" by Blue Dot S...

Xuanzang, the monk leading the Monkey King, Pigsy, and Sandy on their journey to the west doesn't want to get married. The city full of women who want to marry him don't really care. The creature is the Guyascutus, a deadly alligator. Imagine that. What an oddity. --- Disclaimer: https://myths.link/336 Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Nose Flute: https://myths.link/noseflute --- Music: Mountain Road by Blue Dot Sessions When We Set Out by Blue Dot Sessions Constructivi...

Two stories from Indian folklore where we learn that you should always know your exact weight in mangos...because it might help you outrun those eight guys trying to murder you. Also, being a parent is difficult, especially when your clever ideas to punish your kids just make them more awesome. The creature is the Gulon, from Sweden. It'll turn you into farts. Membership! https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Shrimp neck pillow: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ABKKCTW --- Sponsor: SimpliSafe...

The story of Fatima is a long one with many twists and turns. There are genies, evil wizards, massive battles, and a world-wide trek to make sure evil pays for its crimes, but at the center is Fatima, a woman who won't back down no matter the opposition, and who always stands for what she knows is right. The creature is a hairy naked man (another one!) but you actually might want to make this one your friend. --- Disclaimer: https://www.mythpodcast.com/15951/334-arabian-folklore-part-2-the-en...

The epic story of Fatima, Dhat Al-Himma, the warrior woman, princess, mystic begins with the misadventures of her family line where they learn the perils of bad poetry, why you shouldn't marry genies, and it might be a bad thing to constantly rob your enemies when your bank account gets a little low. The creature is Grootslang, a snake with diamond eyes that maybe has an elephant best friend. --- Disclaimer: https://myths.link/333 --- Sponsor: AG1: the daily Foundational Nutrition suppleme...

Slug, frog, snake, shoot! You've heard of rock, paper, scissors, but have you heard of slug, frog, snake? That old man you're trying to rob who lives in the mountains by himself has. Hope you like everything being covered in slime. Apparently these characters were reimagined for the manga/anime Naruto, but I haven't seen Naruto, so please don't sue me, people who own Naruto. The creature is Jasconius. The island that will eat you. --- Links Source for today's show: https://myths.link/frogm...

Two stories from English folklore about the secrets we keep. The first is the story of the Monk of Leicester, Dan Hew, a man who has a few verses of poetry he wants to yell at the married women of the village. All the married women. Humphrey Kynaston likes to party and has made it his life's goal to spend all his dad's money, a goal he'll be able to check off his todo list sooner than he thinks because he's terrible with money. The creature is the Dobhar-Chu, a vicious otter who might just get...

Two stories from Yiddish folklore of taking a chance, making a change, going for a ride on a giant bird's wings, yelling at a classroom full of kids, and marrying a demon. Not necessarily in that order. The creature is the Piskie, from Cornwall. It's hopefully wearing clothing! Links! Grass sandals: https://myths.link/grassflop Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Sponsor: Peace of mind and all the tech. Before your next getaway, protect your home with SimpliSafe Home Sec...

What would you do if you could have anything you could imagine, but it would cost you everything you have? That's not a choice Hans made, but one he was stuck with when his dad made a terrible deal for a wishing box. The creature is why you should help out that unfortunate stranger with their laundry (but not really) --- Links: Washerwoman book bit: https://myths.link/washerwoman That condiment bottle: https://myths.link/condiment Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership --- Spo...

We're back in the story of the Monkey King with the Journey to the West, and we'll see Sun Wukong finally meet his match: a buffalo with a headband. The creature of the week is the yamachichi, a creepy dude who loves morning breath. And also killing you. --- Links! The Yamachichi: https://yokai.com/yamachichi/ The Journey to the West: https://myths.link/journey Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Instagram: https://instagram.com/mythsandlegends --- Sponsor: Audible: Enjoy a...

The story of Finette Cendron is like a greatest hits of fairy tales. A tale of betrayal, sisters, ogres, bad poetry, and haircuts, we see three sisters brave the wilds and everything the fairy tale world can throw at them, to make things right. The creature is Cutty Soams! He'll cut your soams...if he's not a secret Scooby-Doo villain. --- Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Catpaw: https://myths.link/catpaw Disclaimer: https://myths.link/327 --- Music: Alsace by Chad Crouch...

Three brothers. One cousin...who they want to marry. It starts in a weird place this week. Three brothers are sent on a quest: the brother who brought back the strangest, coolest item would get to marry her. A story with magic carpets, genies, fairies, and a man who can wrap his mustache around his head, we learn the value of communication, understanding, and not having people murdered. The creature this week might not be a creature at all, but simply an elderly woman who doesn't want to be at...