Grimm Reading

Sweet Porridge

19 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How much porridge is too much porridge? Find out as we read the Brothers Grimm's tale 'Sweet Porridge'. From Tom Cruise to giant Vikings, Great Flood ...

The Lambkin And The Little Fish

05 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Witches, siblings, memory games, and magic - join us as we read and review 'The Lambkin And The Little Fish' from The Grimms' Fairy Tales.    An evi...

The Duration Of Life

22 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Four animals negotiate their time on Earth with God. Who will emerge with the most years? And is there a twist awaiting the victor? Join us as we read...

One-Eye, Two-Eyes, and Three-Eyes

08 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Things get weird as we read one of the most tantalisingly titled stories in the Brothers Grimm collection, 'One-Eye, Two-Eyes, and Three-Eyes'.   A y...

The Sparrow And His Four Children

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After a vicious attack on the family nest, four young sparrows are left to fend for themselves. When they return home, their anxious father enquires h...

Death's Messengers

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After an ill-advised street brawl, Death gets back on his feet thanks to a helping hand from a passing young man. As a reward, Death promises to send ...

Christmas Special 2025

21 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Come one, come all to this year’s Grimm Reading Christmas party! We engage in the usual frivolity with presents and festive cheer. And of course, we...

The Dark Side of Christmas – Interview with author Sarah Clegg

14 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Has Christmas always been wholesome? What did Halloween steal from Christmas? And what happens when you bump into a Krampus? Join us for a special int...

Lean Lisa

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

An industrious woman dreams big, but how will her husband, Long Laurence react when she reveals her plans?  An unexpectedly brutal tale leads to an e...

The Glass Coffin

23 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Evil wizards, crying stags, sharp-shooting damsels – prepare for a wild tale as the Grimms go full Indiana Jones with "The Glass Coffin". A poor tai...

The Hurds + Looking For A Bride

09 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a 2-4-1 deal at Grimm Castle today as we read TWO Brothers Grimm tales: “The Hurds” and “Looking For A Bride”. What’s the correct way...

Koshchei The Deathless (Halloween Special 2025)

26 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Things are getting spooky at Castle Grimm as we celebrate Halloween with the story “Koshchei the Deathless”, aka “Maria Morevna”. Prepare to ...

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

12 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back for series 8! Magic beds, secret raves, invisible soldiers - we kick things off with "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" aka "The Shoes That ...

Series 7 Live Quiz

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The series is over, but were you listening? Join us for a live quiz where we ask questions on Series 7 trivia, and three lucky winners receive prizes....

Series 7 Wrap-Up

01 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Season 7 is in the bag! But which stories were the best and worst of the bunch? We reveal the winners and losers of the series, share some porridge up...

Goldilocks And The Three Bears

11 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Three friendly bachelor bears decide to take a walk while their porridge cools. Little do they suspect that an opportunistic young lady called Goldilo...

Old Rinkrank

27 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Creepy villains, elderly princesses, troublesome beards - this is not your average fairy tale. In Old Rinkrank, a princess gets imprisoned in a glass ...

The Owl

13 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When a horned owl takes up residence in a barn, the townsfolk slowly lose their minds as they try to oust the intruder. Will the townsfolk come to the...

Grimmflix: The Princess Bride

06 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the full episode of our latest Grimmflix - a special Patreon series where we review grimmesque movies. We enjoyed it and wanted to share with ...

The Three Sluggards

23 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A king is dying. But which of his three sons shall inherit the kingdom? There’s only one way to decide… Things get sluggardly and etymological in ...

The Turnip

09 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When a farmer grows a giant turnip and is rewarded by the king, his jealous brother plots to murder him. How will he escape his assassins? And does th...

The Fox And The Horse

02 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Reynard is back in action and using his wits for good, unless you're a lion... When an old horse is abandoned by its owner and given an impossible tas...

Dr Know-All

16 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can a charlatan doctor solve a case of missing money? Join us for this week's story Dr Know-All, which somehow features crabs, an ABC book, a man in a...

The Gnome

02 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s a squadron of flying gnomes. Join us for this week’s story The Gnome - a tale of brotherly betrayal, multi-h...

Christmas Special 2024

22 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Merry Christmas to one and all! Join us for another end of year party at Grimm Castle, where we delve deep into The Nutcracker And The Mouse King, alm...

The Devil And His Grandmother

08 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For one last time, the Devil's grandma is back. After three soldiers desert the army, they make a bargain with the Devil for their souls. After seven ...

An Interview With Clare Pollard (Author of The Modern Fairies)

01 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this interview episode, we talk to author and poet Clare Pollard about her latest novel: The Modern Fairies. Set in the Paris and Versailles of Lou...

The Poor Miller's Boy And His Cat

24 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adam's Christmas comes early as we find ourselves in an enchanted cat castle in this week's Grimm story.  When an old miller challenges his apprentic...

Donkey Cabbages

10 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We take on Donkey Cabbages - one of the most bizarre and barmy tales we've heard in a while. Not only do we get witches, giants and magic clouds, we a...

Baba Yaga And The Brave Youth (Halloween Special 2024)

27 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s getting spooky in the castle as we read Baba Yaga and the Brave Youth.   Will our hero escape the clutches of our favourite Slavic witch? Why ...

The Four Skillful Brothers

13 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back with a brand new series and a brand new volume of tales... And we begin with The Four Skillful Brothers, a story of masterly thievery, im...

Grimmbledon: Grand Final Results

21 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We have our winner! Step on into the castle for a glitzy awards night where we reveal the Grimmbledon champion, as well as the results of the Special ...

Semi-Final Results + Grand Final Launch

16 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Find out which four stories survived the Semi-Finals and made it to the finals! Voting for the final is live right now. Cast your vote here: https://f...

Children's Legends: Part 2

02 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The time has arrived to finish off the Grimms’ Children’s Legends, and in this episode we hear the four remaining stories: The Twelve Apostles, Po...

Grimmbledon: Semi-Final 2

19 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the second (and last) of the Semi-Finals. Re-discover the sweeping and strange histories of the four competing stories and then cast your vote! ...

Grimmbledon: Semi-Final 1

12 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the first of the two Grimmbledon Semi-Finals, where four of the stories that survived the Group Stage are battling it out for a place in the Gran...

Grimmbledon: Group Stage Results

28 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Twenty Grimm stories have fought it out in the Group Stages, but only eight have made it through to the Semi-Finals... Find out which tales got the mo...

Children's Legends: Part 1

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This time we take on the Grimms’ Children’s Legends, including the stories: The Three Green Twigs, God’s Food, The Aged Woman, and The Rose. We ...

Grimmbledon: Group D

31 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The initial Group Stage of the tournament concludes with Group D. Group D voting poll link: https://forms.gle/BJSvF6SVVkYGdHcF8 We’re pitting our hi...

Grimmbledon: Group C

24 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The tournament continues with Group C. Group C voting poll link: https://forms.gle/gv5os8j1gEdaNd7L7 We’re pitting our highest-scoring Brothers Grim...

Grimmbledon: Group B

10 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The tournament continues! We’re pitting our highest-scoring Brothers Grimm tales against each other to decide their ultimate story. This episode: Gr...

Grimmbledon: Group A

03 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The tournament begins! We’re pitting our highest-scoring Brothers Grimm tales against each other to decide their ultimate story. First up, we have G...

Grimmbledon Playoff Draw (The Tournament Begins...)

18 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Grimmbledon! We've finished Volume 1 of the Grimms' fairy tales and it's time to decide once and for all which was the best story we read. ...

88. The Princess And The Pea (World Exclusive)

21 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're proud to present The Princess And The Pea by the Brothers Grimm for the first time ever in the English language! Hidden in the Grimms' 5th ed...

Christmas Livestream Quiz

31 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We present our Christmas Livestream in audio form! Expect a quiz, a cake, crackers, listener chats, and a very unusual story.  You can watch the f...

Christmas Special 2023

17 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're back! And back in style. Welcome to our sixth annual Christmas party! Join us round the fire as we get festive in yet another bumper episode. We...

5 Year Anniversary Livestream

16 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We made it to five years! In April we hosted a livestream event to celebrate the milestone - and here it is in audio form. Thanks to everyone who join...

Series 5 Wrap-Up

11 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the end of the series and the end of volume one for us here at Grimm Castle! So join us as we reveal the winners and losers of series 5 of Grimm ...

87. Cinderella (Part 2)

16 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In part two, discover the origins and history of cinderella as we embark on “The Story Of The Story”. First up, we follow the trail of Cinderella ...

86. Cinderella (Part 1)

09 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A plucky young heroine, an avian stylist, and an axe-wielding dad make for a special season 5 ending - join us round the fire for some comically extre...

85. The Old Man And His Grandson

12 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this story, a psychopathic couple get a schooling from their son when the little boy witnesses the harsh treatment of his grandfather. Things get m...

84. Faithful John

26 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On his deathbed, a King commands trusty John, his most loyal servant, to protect his son and heir. But when the boy falls in love with a forbidden pai...

Christmas Special 2022

18 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our fifth Christmas party AND our 100th episode! Join us round the fire as we get festive in a bumper episode. This year we get an American...

An Interview With Nick Jubber, Author Of The Fairy Tellers (Extra Grimm)

11 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we talk to travel writer Nicholas Jubber about his latest book The Fairy Tellers, which unearths the incredible lives of the people be...

83. The Two Brothers

27 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We finally land at the feet of the longest story in the entire collection, The Two Brothers. And this one's got it all. Dragons, witches, heroes, vill...

82. The Tailor In Heaven

13 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Left alone in heaven, Saint Peter hears a knock at the door; a light-fingered tailor wants in. Against the wishes of the Good Lord, Peter lets the tai...

Vasilisa The Beautiful (Halloween Special 2022 ft. Baba Yaga)

30 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our first ever Halloween special! Join us round the fire as we read the famous Russian fairy tale Vasilisa The Beautiful. We then have a fu...

81. Frederick And Catherine

16 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Things are going well for a newly married couple until a dog steals a sausage. Before you know it the house is a wreck and some thieves have stolen al...

80. The Valiant Little Tailor

02 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to series 5 of Grimm Reading! We kick things off with The Valiant Little Tailor, story number 20 in the Grimms’ Fairy Tales. When a little t...

Series 4 Wrap-Up (ft. Red Riding Hood Extras)

12 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We tie a bow on the latest series as we reveal the winning and losing Grimm stories from the season. Who gave out the most points? How many 9s did we ...

79. Little Red Riding Hood

22 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the series four finale so it’s time for a big bad story - join us round the fire for a rendition of the one, the only, Little Red Riding Hood...

78. Little Brother And Little Sister

08 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever been so thirsty you’d risk turning into a tiger? Can you die from an overly hot bath? Is there a dark side of the moon? Discover the ...

77. The Fox And The Geese

24 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This time we read the final story from the first volume of the Grimms' fairy tales: The Fox and the Geese. A tale in which our trusty cunning fox may ...

76. Frau Trude

10 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This time we read the shocking tale of Frau Trude. A young girl is enamoured with her neighbour Mrs. Trude. But her parents absolutely forbid her to g...

An Interview With Dr Jamie Tehrani On The Origins Of Fairy Tales

03 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we talk with Dr Jamie Tehrani of Durham University about his research into the origins of fairy tales. In his 2016 paper, co-authored...

75. The Golden Bird

20 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join the king's youngest son on an adventure of a lifetime, as he seeks the mystical golden bird that's been pinching his dad's apples. Helped by a pa...

74. The Twelve Huntsmen

06 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Twelve hunters, three lovers, and one sexist lion - join us for the Brothers Grimm story The Twelve Huntsmen! A prince and princess are happily enga...

73. The Six Swans

20 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When a king is forced to marry a witch’s daughter, his new bride turns her seven step sons into swans. Now it’s up to their only sister to undo th...

72. Brother Lustig

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In Brother Lustig, a discharged soldier is bankrupted by Saint Peter. The two then team up to start a venture bringing the dead back to life. But when...

71. The Summer And Winter Garden (Beauty And The Beast)

23 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A surprise story this time - the Grimms' version of Beauty And The Beast! 
Called ‘The Summer And Winter Garden’, join us on a breathtaking jour...

Christmas Special 2021

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's once more time to the annual Grimm Reading Christmas party! Get cosy round the fire for another dose of festive joy, complete with presents, pies...

70. The Little Peasant

28 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a village full of rich peasants, one little peasant alone remains destitute. But through a series of cunning and devious tricks, this little guy is...

69. The Good Bargain

14 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In The Good Bargain, a peasant loses all his money and possessions to some animals. Angered, he goes to the king for justice. But instead of helping h...

68. The Three Feathers

31 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In The Three Feathers, an old king tests his three sons to see who will inherit the kingdom after his death. When the youngest brother emerges triumph...

67. Our Lady‘s Child

17 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back for series 4! We open the series with a poor family starving to death and the Virgin Mary abducting their daughter. Years later, the Virg...

Patreon Special Ft. The Tortoise And The Hare

19 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Another mini-special before the new series. This time we shamelessly plug our Patreon! We explain how you can support the podcast through our Patreon ...

Series 3 Wrap-Up (plus Snow White and the trojan war deleted scene)

05 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Greetings from a grim meadow! Massive constitutional changes are afoot in this special episode as we share our roundup of the winners and losers of se...

66. Snow White

13 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the series 3 finale so it’s time for a big one - settle in for an epic adventure as we read Little Snow White!

 Filicide, attempted cann...

65. Hans Married

30 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In Hans Married, Hans’s uncle decides to take matters into his own hands and get his nephew a wife. With his cunning, fool-proof method for securin...

64. Clever Hans

23 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hans is back! In his first starring role since the pilot episode, we follow Hans as he attempts to woo Gretel by demanding presents from her. Will Han...

An Interview With Jack Zipes

09 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Extra Grimm, where we delve a little deeper into the world of the Brothers Grimm for the curious. In this episode, we talk to Brothers Grim...

63. The Fisherman And His Wife

25 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

While out on his daily rounds, a poor fisherman nets an enchanted fish prince. When his wife hears how he let the fish go, she demands he return and a...

62. The Three Sons of Fortune

11 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As a penniless woodcutter’s health fades, he leaves his three sons the only things he has in the world - a cat and scythe and a cock. To find fortun...

61. Fundevogel (a.k.a. Fledgling)

28 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When the family cook plots to kill a foundling boy, his adoptive sister comes to the rescue and the two take flight, shapeshifting their way out of da...

60. The Godfather

14 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Talking dead fingers, aggressive domestic appliances, and a devil under a duvet - prepare yourself for the madness that is the Brothers Grimm's "The G...

59. The Wonderful Musician

28 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Finding himself alone in a forest, a musician decides to play his fiddle and entice a human friend. Before long, several animals approach and ask for ...

58. Clever Gretel

14 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In Clever Gretel, a free-wheeling cook throws a party for herself at her master's expense. After she’s eaten all his chicken and drunk all his wine,...

57. The Twelve Brothers

06 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When the King decides to celebrate the birth of his daughter by sentencing his twelve sons to death, the boys flee to live a feral life in the woods w...

56. Puss In Boots

17 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Grimm new year! We’re kicking things off with a surprise story – the one and only Puss in Boots.  When the family cat suddenly demands a pa...

Christmas Special 2020

20 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for the third annual Grimm Reading Christmas Party! We've got gifts, port, cracker jokes and festive fare for all, before Adam reads us the tr...

55. Mother Holle

29 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A magic well, a prickly spindle, talking bread, and snowy beds - this week’s tale is our latest patron story poll winner, Mother Holle (Frau Holle)!...

54. Jorinda And Joringel

22 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In Jorinda and Joringel, young love is cruelly interrupted when an evil witch kidnaps Jorinda, forcing Joringel into a lonely shepherding career. But...

53. Fitcher's Bird

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In Fitcher's Bird (aka Fowler's Fowl), we join an evil wizard as he kidnaps pretty girls, takes them to his fancy pad, and puts them to the test. But ...

The Extraordinary Lives Of The Brothers Grimm – A Brothers Grimm Biography

18 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A long time in the making, we are delighted to present our super special biography of the Brothers Grimm!
 From humble beginnings to super professor...

52. King Thrushbeard

04 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After a princess insults her suitors, her angry father forces her marry a singing fiddler and she's plunged into a life of poverty. But will their new...

51. The Frog King, Or Iron Henry (aka The Frog Prince)

27 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back for series 3! When a petulant princess loses her golden ball, an overly friendly frog comes to the rescue. But when he tries to hop in he...

50. The Sleeping Beauty (Briar Rose)

14 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

  Evil curses, dangerous spinning, long lie-ins, and daring princes – in our series two finale we tackle one of fiction’s most enduring stories:...

49. Thousandfurs

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

  Taboos abound in this week's episode, Thousandfurs, where things take a decidedly dark turn. On her deathbed, a queen makes an ill-judged demand o...

An Interview With Maria Tatar

17 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Extra Grimm, where we delve deeper into the world of the Brothers Grimm for the curious.  In this episode, we chat to fairy tale expert Ma...

48. The Three Languages

03 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In The Three Languages, a Swiss boy narrowly escapes execution at the hands of his father. With nothing but an expanded linguist repertoire, he sets o...