The Folklore Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 83: ALL ABOUT UFOs Sep 21, 2020

Show notes

One year on from the phenomenally popular re-release of the classic Usborne book 'All About Ghosts', we return to the stable as Usborne reprint the equally iconic 'All About UFOs' from their World of the Unknown series.

Joining host Mark Norman to discuss the topic are TV impressionist and astronomer Jon Culshaw (who wrote the foreword for the new printing) and returning guest Dr David Clarke, who was the official spokes-person when the Ministry of Defence declassified many of their UFO documents at the National Archives.

Musical guest: Polly Preacher

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Episode 82: GHOST DAYS Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

Journalist and author Asher Elbein and illustrator Tiffany Turrill join Folklore Podcast host Mark Norman to look at the folklore of the Appalachian regions of the United States. How did Cherokee and incoming tales and beliefs combine to forge the stories that we find in this area of the world? As a springboard for this discussion, we use Asher and Tiffany's book 'Ghost Days'. The stories of protagonist Anna O'Brien are set in the region and feature many of the characters and creatures from Appalachian lore.

Tiffany's website: www.tiffanyturrill.com

Asher's website: www.asherelbein.com

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Episode 81: FOLK-A-PA-LORE-ZA PART 2 Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

We present the second part of our mass recording session with 11 other folklore and mythology themed podcasts, trying to decide who has the best and most entertaining folklore tale. Last week you heard the stories. This week ... it's the free-for-all discussion and voting. Who will come out on top?

Featuring musical guests Strangefolk

We are putting out an episode a week through September. If you would like to see more content coming out permanently, please consider helping us to reach our next support goal by signing up for our Patreon. You can access a whole back catalogue of exclusive extra content there too.

www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast to keep us free and viable!

Episode 80: FOLK-A-PA-LORE-ZA Part 1 Aug 31, 2020

Show notes

Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman invites 11 more of the world's great folklore and history podcasts - from America, Australia and the UK - to join a mass recording session to discuss their favourite folklore stories.

In this episode you will hear stories from all 12 of the podcasts. Some of the tales are well known. Others far more obscure. But which one is the ultimate folklore story?

In the next episode, you will get to hear the discussion and see which story was voted into the top slot.

During September, the Folklore Podcast will be releasing an episode every week. If you would like to see more content as a permanent fixture, please help us to reach our next Patreon support goal. Visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast to sign up and receive extra content and rewards.

Episode 79: THE HARP IN FOLKLORE Aug 10, 2020

Show notes

There can be little doubt that, of all the instruments in the orchestra, the harp is the most beautiful and ethereal sounding of them all. Its religious connections with the angelic host are widely known, but not discussed as often are its appearances in folklore.

On this episode of the podcast, recorded in the open-air, host Mark Norman talks with professional harpist Elizabeth-Jane Baldry, the world's only silent movie harp accompanist and a composer whose unique research into fairy harp music led to a West End play with Simon Callow and a performance at Prince Charles's unveiling of the Elfin Oak in Kensington Gardens.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and keep the project viable, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

To hear Elizabeth-Jane's radio interview on Fairy Harp music, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeQoIO7uyc0

Bonus Content 03: Folklore in Gaming Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

Following on from our foray into roleplaying games with bonus content adventures for the folk horror games of Solemn Vale and Shivering Circle, we explore the subject in more detail.

How is folklore represented in the tabletop gaming environment? Is it all monsters and creatures, or are there other approaches which look more into our social history? What makes for a strong narrative dynamic and do these techniques draw on the oral storytelling which transmitted folklore in the first place?

In an interview recorded for the 2020 Archaeogaming Convention hosted by the Archaeological Fantasies podcast, we are joined by game developer Matthew Dawkins and GM storyteller Tom Murr to examine this area.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and get uncut access to video versions of our interviews as well as much more extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Episode 78: EXORCISM Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

Sensationalised by Hollywood, the reality behind the rituals and practices of exorcism is somewhat different. Historian Dr Francis Young joins podcast creator and host Mark Norman to discuss the approach taken in medieval times, representations of the rituals in folklore and more.

Francis also offers the following book recommendations for further reading:

A History of Exorcism in Catholic Christianity, and A History of Anglican Exorcism (by himself)

The Devil Within (Brian P. Levack)

The Haunted: A Social History of Ghosts (Owen Davies)

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to keep the show free and to allow us to create more content: www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Episode 77: MIDSUMMER THROUGH MIDSOMMAR Jun 24, 2020

Show notes

Released on Midsummer Day 2020, Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman introduces a look at the festival through the lens of the folk horror film Midsommar. Mark discusses some aspects of the festival and presents two pieces by volunteer researchers Joana Varanda and Pola Schiavone. The first of these discusses a theory that the narrative construction relates to the cards presented in the Major Arcana of the Tarot. In the second, the role of food as a ritual within both the film and the festival is examined.

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and receive the transcript of this episode and other exclusive content and rewards. Click here to visit the Patreon page.

The Austringer Episode 4 Jun 16, 2020

Show notes

Our adventure at The Shivering Circle concludes, and you get to hear what happened after the team left Hoddesham.

Storyteller: Howard David Ingham

Guest Players: Hjalmar Norden and Jenny Bremberg

Produced in collaboration with Red Moon Roleplaying

Music written and performed by Kai Engel. Used under a Creative Commons Licence from freemusicarchive.org

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to keep our content free and the show viable. www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The Austringer Episode 3 Jun 09, 2020

Show notes

The penultimate episode of our Folk Horror storytelling game, The Austringer. Eric Higginson, the presenter of 'World of the Strange' arrives to film his segments for the programme on The Shivering Circle. And things continue do, indeed, get strange.

Please note that this content is not suitable for children.

Storyteller: Howard David Ingham

Produced in collaboration with Red Moon Roleplaying

Music by Kai Engel, under a Creative Commons License from freemusicarchive.org