Episodes

In this very special milestone episode of The Folklore Podcast, we reunite the key cast members from the 1989 Nigel Kneale TV adaptation of Susan Hill's classic ghost story, THE WOMAN IN BLACK to discuss the production and their memories of it. You'll hear from the two main actors - Adrian Rawlins (Arthur Kidd) and Pauline Moran (The Woman) as well as Fiona Walker, who played Margaret Toovey and is the widow of the director Herbert Wise. They are joined by Susannah Wise (Herbert's daughter and ...

This episode of The Folklore Podcast is sponsored by Moon and Bird Books. On the day of its release, we welcome author and illustrator Denise Gallagher onto The Folklore Podcast to discuss her new book of folk tales 'How to Calm a Rain Bull'. The book looks at stories from cultures all over the world that relate to the changing seasons, which Denise retells with the colour of those cultures at their heart. You can hear one of the stories exclusively recorded for this podcast, as well as Denise...

The Ancient Ways: A Year of Folklore, Traditions and Rituals to Reconnect with Nature is a debut book from second generation new-age traveller and hedgewitch Seren Hawley-Plows. In the book Seren explores how, in the past, humans' lives centred around the rhythms of the natural world and how doing the same can help you to lead a more connected and fulfilled life. The Ancient Ways is structured around the seasons and pagan festivals and aims to be an empowering guide to reconnecting with the nat...

We visit the circus in this episode of The Folklore Podcast. Specifically, we are guests of Paulo's Circus where, after watching a traditional circus performance, we interview Kenny Darnell, son of the current circus owner and part of a family with circus heritage going back many generations. Kenny talks about circus heritage, the importance of the art form in the modern world, and some of the myths and superstitions attached to the circus, its workers and performers. We also find out about an ...

We explore folk medicine of two different historical periods, the tenth and the seventeenth century, in this episode of The Folklore Podcast. I am joined by special guest, author Danielle Giles, whose first two novels have this focus and provide our lens. 'Mere', set in the Norfolk marshes in the 10th century, explores the work of a convent infirmarian, and Danielle's new novel 'Gentle Things' is located around an apothecary's shop. We look at older pagan beliefs and practices and their adopti...

In this special episode of The Folklore Podcast, recorded live on location at The Bookery, a community-owned bookshop in Crediton, Devon, host Mark Norman talks with BBC Radio 6 Music's Zakia Sewell about her book Finding Albion. Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, the book is an exploration of British identity, folk culture and myth and grew out of a documentary series Zakia made for BBC Radio 4. Find Zakia online at www.zakiasewell.co.uk Support The Folklore Podcast and join a ...

In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman is joined by special guest Bar Fridman-Tell about her debut novel 'Honeysuckle'. Part horror, part fantasy, part magic but completely engaging, the story in an unholy alliance between the flower woman of Welsh mythology and a creation of Victor Frankenstein! Bar talks about her inspirations, the treatment of the original story and the ways in which she combines real-world folklore with her own imagination. You can also hear a short extr...

The second of two episodes featuring interviews recorded live at the UK Ghost Story Festival in Derby in February 2026. In this second part, host Mark Norman meets two more of the presenters from the event. You will hear: MELANIE ATKINSON: On horror and ghost story writing SUSANNAH WISE: On the tangential way that ghosts appear in her writing, and writing from screen as well as novels. Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and get free exclusive bonus material. Join as a free member or on ...

Folklorist and author Mark Norman, the creator of The Folklore Podcast, looks at the imagery of the fairy, in conversation with illustrator and folklore enthusiast Tamsin Rosewell. As well as chatting with Tamsin about her past, and her interest in folklore and the fairy world more generally, the episode takes a close look at the fairy in art, literature and culture. We also want your views! What are your early memories of fairy images? How do you think the fairy will change over time? Please ...

The first of two episodes featuring interviews recorded live at the UK Ghost Story Festival in Derby in February 2026. In this first part, host Mark Norman meets four presenters from the festival to discuss their particular areas of interest. You will hear: DAN WEBBER discussing queer readings of Dracula and theatrical adaptations of ghost stories TRACY FAHEY on Irish ghosts and the idea of ghost estates ANTHONY KERRIGAN talking about fairy folklore and its links to abduction cases RICHARD ...

In this episode, recorded on location, host Mark Norman meets members of the Turning Tides Project to talk about their Arts Council funded project AND 'OTHER' STORIES which presents the work of a group of artists with and without 'learning disability' and 'autism' labels. And 'Other' Stories reworks fairy tales and folktales in different ways to challenge our ideas about disability. It invites you to: Consider the human tendency to exclude and create "Other". Look for ways we can value our ri...

A very special feature length episode of The Folklore Podcast, with a panel consisting of the cream of those people associated with the classic children's title THE BOX OF DELIGHTS. Podcast host Mark Norman discusses the enduring love for Box in all its forms with an amazing line-up of guests, consisting of: PHIL ERRINGTON - John Masefield expert and author of 'Opening the Box of Delights' PIERS TORDAY - Children's author and playwright responsible for adapting the Box of Delights for the sta...

In this episode we visit the 2025 UK Ghost Story Festival, which was held at the Museum of Making in Derby. Host Mark Norman meets some of the presenters from the festival and chats to them about ghost stories and their work. Children's author ALEX FOULKES discusses her middle-grade books, and talks about writing vampires for children. Author and editor TEIKA MARIJA SMITS talks about the darker side of fairy stories and her own short ghost fiction Academic DR SAM HIRST tell us all about her p...

Folklore Podcast host Mark Norman chats with special guest, broadcaster and author Jeff Belanger, about some of the ghosts, folklore and other legends found in New England, in the north-eastern corner of the United States. Jeff is the host of 'New England Legends' on Amazon Prime Video, co-host of a podcast of the same name, and has written for and appeared on 'Ghost Adventures'. His book, 'Wicked Strange' provides a coffee-table collection of the stories covered on this episode and much more. ...

Mark Norman is joined by broadcaster, author and medievalist Dr Eleanor Janega to look at the role of the ghost in the medieval period. What elements of the behaviour of the ghost might we still recognise today? What was the view and the role of the church when it came to ghosts? Did people use ghosts for entertainment as we do now? You can find out more about Eleanor, her broadcasting and her writing on her website at https://eleanorjanega.com/ Support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon to get ...

The Folklore Podcast returns to its original first principles for the first show of Season 11, with an episode written and presented by creator and host Mark Norman. The episode is a short exploration of the role of proverbs in folklore, and its writing was inspired by a new music track, 'Breadcrumbs' by artist Amy Hopwood which you can hear at the end of the show. Watch a video version of this podcast on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Rn6R_FnqV-Y You can visit Amy's website and get links to her...

Want to know what to expect from the show as we head to 2026, and where to find the content you enjoy? Listen to this short announcement from creator and host, Mark Norman.

Welcome to the 2025 Folklore Podcast Christmas Special. Folklorist Mark Norman, the creator and host of The Folklore Podcast for the last 10 years, relates the legend of the Mistletoe Bride and provides a rare look at a very obscure reference to what is probably the earliest version of the tale in print, from 1809, placing the story in Germany and not England at all. The episode is rounded off with a performance of the song which popularised the legend, 'The Mistletoe Bough' given exclusively ...

In this episode of the podcast, host Mark Norman discusses some points relating to the folklore of rivers, with a particular focus on their perceived need for sacrifice and to 'claim a heart' each year. This is followed by a discussion with writer Darren Simpson, the author of a new folk horror book for young adults, 'Thirst', which uses similar themes in its plot. And finally, the show is closed with a new single from folk duo Lunatraktors, 'Yarrow', based on a Child Ballad. You can find Dar...

I chat with author Michelle Paver about all things ghost story. What makes a good haunt? Which are her favourites and which doesn't she like? And what do ghosts mean to her? For the second part of the interview we take a look at Michelle's new novel 'Rainforest', a ghost story set in the Mexican rainforest. Having previously placed her ghosts in the isolation of the Arctic and high up a mountain, Michelle once again shows that you can have an effective haunt in an unexpected location. We explor...

The British ritual year is full of fascinating public events, sports, games, processions and festivals. Whether long-running or modern, revival or continuous, there is something for everyone and a rich background of folklore and tradition behind them all. A new 6-part documentary series, "Gatherings", shines a light on some of these, but in an unusual way. No presenter. No celebrity. No narrative. Gatherings presents the events as the onlookers would see them, along with interviews with organis...

I gather together a gaggle of witchcraft historians to discuss the cult TV gameshow 'The Traitors'. To what extent do the machinations of the contestants in the show, whichever version that might be, draw parallels with the witch-hunts of the Early Modern Period? Joining me to debate this are: Professor Marion Gibson Dr Tabitha Stanmore Tracey Norman All of whom are returning guests to the show. Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon for extra content at http://www.patreon.com/thefolklore...

While there are many famous names associated with the ghost story, some are less commonly linked, and even fewer are women. In the episode of the podcast we focus on one of those in particular, Edith Nesbit. Best known as a children's writer under the name E. Nesbit, Edith wrote some effective spooky tales for adults. Many of these have not seen much light of day. A new one-woman theatre show - HAUNTED SHADOWS - performed by Claire Louise Amias and directed by Jonathan Rigby shines a light on ...

Returning guest to the podcast, witchcraft historian Professor Marion Gibson, discusses her book 'Witchcraft: A History in 13 Trials'. The book, and this interview, explores the history of witchcraft accusation and persecution through a number of key trials at different points in history - some well known and some more obscure. You can visit Marion's website at https://mariongibson.co.uk/ Support the work of The Folklore Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast where yo...