The Folklore Podcast explores folklore, beliefs, traditions, and culture of people, looking at traditional themes from around the world. Hosted by Mark Norman, it offers accessible insight into folkloric topics. The show features interviews with leading experts, authors, and broadcasters in the field. It is recognized as a top-ranked podcast globally and provides free access to folklore scholarship.
Episodes
Episode 201 - SCREAMING SKULLS
In this episode of the Folklore Podcast, based on a talk written for the UK Ghost Story Festival, creator and host Mark Norman discusses some of the examples of Screaming Skulls from British Folklore.How many are there? What are their meaning? And do they actually scream?If you enjoy this and other episodes of the podcast and you want to show your support, and unlock extra bonus content, please vi
Episode 200 - THE WOMAN IN BLACK CAST REUNION
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
Episode 199 - HOW TO CALM A RAIN BULL
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 thei
Episode 198 - THE ANCIENT WAYS
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 aro
Episode 197 - CIRCUS FOLKLORE
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 myth
Episode 196 - APOTHECARY FOLKLORE
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 l
Episode 195 - FINDING ALBION
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 fo
Episode 194 - BLODEUWEDD MEETS FRANKENSTEIN
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
Episode 193 - TALKING GHOSTS PART 2
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 writingSUSANNAH WISE: On the tangential way that ghosts appear in her writing, and writing from screen as well as novels.Support the Fol
Episode 192 - FAIRY IMAGERY
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 ar
Episode 191 - TALKING GHOSTS PART 1
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 storiesTRACY FAHEY on Irish ghosts and the idea of ghost est
Episode 190 - AND 'OTHER' STORIES
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
Episode 189 - OPENING THE BOX OF DELIGHTS
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 TORD
Episode 188 - UK GHOST STORY FESTIVAL CHATS
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
Episode 187 - WICKED STRANGE: GHOSTS AND LEGENDS OF NEW ENGLAND
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
Episode 186 - MEDIEVAL GHOSTS
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 writ
Episode 185 - THE FOLKLORE OF PROVERBS
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 podc
Folklore Podcast 2026 announcement
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.
Christmas Special 2025 - The Mistletoe Bride
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
Episode 184 - THIRST: RIVERS AND FOLKLORE
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 wi
Episode 183 - GHOST STORIES WITH MICHELLE PAVER
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, M
Episode 182 - GATHERINGS
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.
Episode 181 - THE TRAITORS: WHIMSY OR WITCH-HUNT?
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 GibsonDr Tabitha StanmoreTracey NormanAll of whom are returning guests to the show.Support
Episode 180 - EDITH NESBIT'S GHOST STORIES
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 - HAUN
Episode 179 - WITCHCRAFT: A HISTORY IN 13 TRIALS
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 th
Episode 178 - HETTIE NETTLE'S HANDBOOK FOR HEDGEWITCHES
Folklore Podcast creator Mark Norman once again meets up with children's author Claire Barker, this time to discuss the final version of her new book 'Hettie Nettle's Handbook for Hedgewitches'.Described in the episode as a groundbreaking book, and not without good reason, Hettie Nettle introduces children to the subjects of solitary witchcraft, seasonal workings, our relationship with nature and
Episode 177 - LORE OF THE LAND: BRITISH ACADEMY
In May of 2025, I was honoured to be asked by the British Academy to chair the final panel in their 'Folklore Reimagined' series, 'Lore of the Land'. This panel was titled 'Stories of wetlands, woods and weather'.How have landscapes been represented and perceived throughout time? What do the stories we tell about our environments reveal about ourselves? And how can our historical relationship with
Episode 176 - THE WHITE WITCH OF EXETER
In this episode of the podcast, host Mark Norman takes an in-depth look at the White Witch of Exeter. Most times, when we speak of 'white witches' we are talking about a particular person, but in the case of the Devon city of Exeter, the White Witch was something a little different.Mark discusses the history of this character from the mid-nineteenth century onwards, and looks and some of their pra
Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.6 - ARCHIVE HIGHLIGHTS
The Seven County Witch Hunt Project podcast mini-series collaboration comes to a close. In this final episode, Professor Marion Gibson and Dr Tabitha Stanmore once again join folklorist and author Mark Norman to discuss some of their favourite stories from the three years of research they have undertaken, before reflecting on the podcast as a whole and where it will go next.The Seven County Witch
Folklore in the Field - MEDICAL HERBALISM
Mark Norman is in conversation with medical herbalist Jenny Carden, who practices as The Dartmoor Herbalist.In an interview recorded live in Jenny's workshop in the courtyard of the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton, Devon, Jenny discusses her work and the differences between a medical herbalist legally dispensing herbal blends and other forms of herbalism, both current and historic.Find out a
Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.5 - ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND WITCH TRIALS
Our six part mini-series examining the seventeenth-century witch hunts across the eastern counties of England continues with a discussion looking at a topic not generally explored in this context: the environment.Professor Marion Gibson and Dr Tabitha Stanmore of the Leverhulme Foundation funded Seven County Witch Hunt Project join folklorist and host Mark Norman once again. Topics include the inf
Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.4 - WITCH FAMILIES AND GHOST FAMILIARS
In this episode, Professor Marion Gibson and Dr Tabitha Stanmore turn their attention to the families involved in the witch hunts. Were all family members tarred with the same brush? How did dynamics work when families were accusing each other of witchcraft?Moving on from this, we also look at the role of familiars - not necessarily the animal familiars which are more well recognized, but ghostly
Folklore in the Field - FOLK HORROR with Prof Bob Edgar
In this mini-episode of The Folklore Podcast, recorded live at the UK Ghost Story Festival 2025 in Derby, UK, I chat with Professor Bob Edgar about the theme of Folk Horror.With specialisms in scriptwriting, adaptation, music memoir and genre fiction, Bob has notably published widely on folk horror and hauntology. He is one of the editors of the Bloomsbury Academic series 'Spectres, Hauntings and
Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.3 - GENDER AND WITCHCRAFT
The third episode of our mini-series looking at the witch hunts headed up by Matthew Hopkins and John Stearne looks at the most stereotypical of subjects - that of gender. Just how many of the accused were women and how did gender figure in the hunts and the ways in which they were carried out?The Seven County Witch Hunt Project podcast series is produced by The Folklore Podcast, and host Mark Nor
Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.2 - WHAT WERE 'WITCHES' ACCUSED OF
In the second episode of the Seven County Witch Hunt Project podcast mini-series, we look at the accusations that were being levelled against people accused of witchcraft in the English witch hunts of the 17th century. Were these people in league with the Devil, or did the accusations reflect other tensions within the community? We also dispel some myths about the witch hunters themselves, particu
Episode 175 - SCOTTISH FOLKLORE
Scotland has a broad mix of folklore. Some is found elsewhere, or has variations in other areas, and some is unique to the country. Some is well-known and some is much more obscure.In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman is in conversation with Scottish writer Lyndsey Croal about the subject. Lyndsey often works with elements of Scottish lore, most recently that connected with th
Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.1 - METHODS AND STORIES
In the years 1645–1647, when England was embroiled in a traumatic and bloody Civil War, roughly three hundred people in the South East were accused of witchcraft. Received wisdom — and some shameless self-promotion on the part of the chief investigators — has dictated that the largest witch-hunt in English history was driven by the obsessive enthusiasm of two men: John Stearne and Matthew Hopkins,
Episode 174 - FOLKLORE AND HERBALISM
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
A History of Paganism: Folklore Podcast Rewind with Liz Williams
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 Folk
Episode 173 - BROKEN FOLK
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 Cla
Meet the Author: Kailey Tedesco
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
Episode 172 - DRACULA AND THE WESTCOUNTRY
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 in the Field - RONNIE TURNER
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
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 supp
Bonus Episode: FOLK HORROR IN GAMING - GAST
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
Episode 171 - NORDIC FOLK
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
Meet the Author: Alexandra Beaumont
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/
Episode 170 - SCOTT COHEN
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 liste
Bonus Episode: THE MAIDEN AND THE DRAGON
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 f
Episode 169 - SLAVIC VAMPIRES
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' w
Folklore Podcast Rewind - CHRIS ALLAUN
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
Episode 168 - THE SEANCE
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, Chr
Special Edition - GRADY HENDRIX
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/thefolklorep
Folklore in the Field - CLAIRE BARKER
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', 'Pickle
Episode 167 - The 10th Kingdom
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
Episode 166 - LOST IRISH FOLKLORE: LIFTING STONES
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,
Folklore in the Field - Dr Megan Kenny
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
Bonus Minisode: THANKSGIVING
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
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 mu
Episode 164 - SPELL BOOK: FREYA WALEY-COHEN
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 F
Episode 163 - LEMURIA
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 whe
Episode 162 - KATE YOUNG
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 Brit
Episode 161 - ZOMBIE COW
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 th
Haunted Television - Folklore in the Field
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/thefolk
ANNOUNCEMENT: Some new changes
A quick interruption to your lives with some news about the podcast!
Episode 160 - LAURA PACKER
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
Episode 159 - ZOINKS!
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 or
Episode 158: WRITING GHOSTS
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
Folklore and Magic Roundtable
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
Episode 157: LINCOLNSHIRE FOLKLORE
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
Episode 156: TRAUMA AND THE PARANORMAL
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 o
Episode 155: THE FOX IN ASIAN FOLKLORE
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
Episode 154: MONSTROUS WOMEN
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 th
Episode 153: EVERYDAY FOLKLORE
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
Episode 152: NICK MEDINA - Native American lore
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
Episode 151: RAT HOLES, POTHOLES AND MANHOLES
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. May
Episode 150 - AISLING: VISIONS OF IRELAND
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 consi
Episode 149 - LOKI: A BAD GOD?
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
Episode 148 - REDISCOVERED PRATCHETT
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 stor
Episode 147 - THE SNOW GIRL
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
