House of Legends: World Myths & Legends
Episodes
Episode 100: Anniversary Special with Sorcha & Aron Hegarty, Danica Boyce & Sam Gillespie
01 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
House of Legends is 100 episodes old! I decided to celebrate by having a hangout with my co-facilitators from the Oak & Ash retreat. We talk abou...
Episode 99: Half Boy
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ain initiation tale from Borneo.My new series of online Cave of Dreams events with Danica Boyce runs October 2025 to February 2026. Learn more here. S...
Episode 98: Hyena Husband
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A village tale of predatory men and feminine secrets from Ghana, told by Daniel Allison.My new series of online Cave of Dreams events with Danica Boyc...
Episode 97: The Jaguar King
25 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode I tell the Amazonian story of The Jaguar King.My new series of online Cave of Dreams events with Danica Boyce begins 25th October 2025...
Episode 96: Midir & ÉtaÃn: Part Three read by Aidan Kelly
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is the sixth in a series celebrating the audiobook release of Irish Mythology: The Children of Danu, narrated by Aoife McMahon and Aidan ...
Episode 95: Midir & ÉtaÃn: Part Two read by Aoife McMahon
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is the fifth in a series celebrating the audiobook release of Irish Mythology: The Children of Danu, narrated by Aoife McMahon and Aidan ...
Episode 94: Midir & ÉtaÃn: Part One read by Aidan Kelly
21 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is the fourth in a series celebrating the audiobook release of Irish Mythology: The Children of Danu, narrated by Aoife McMahon and Aidan...
Episode 93: Irish Mythology Special: The 1st Battle of Moytura read by Aidan Kelly
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is the third in a series celebrating the audiobook release of Irish Mythology: The Children of Danu, narrated by Aoife McMahon and Aidan ...
Episode 92: Irish Mythology Special: Fire in the Sky read by Aoife McMahon
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is the second in a series celebrating the audiobook release of Irish Mythology: The Children of Danu, narrated by Aoife McMahon and Aidan...
Episode 91: Irish Mythology Special: The Landing read by Aidan Kelly
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is the first in a series celebrating the audiobook release of Irish Mythology: The Children of Danu, available exclusively from Audible. ...
Episode 90: The Red Woman
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episodes features a story taken from my book Finn & The Fianna, a retelling of the Finn MacCool stories which originated in Ireland, and whic...
Episode 89: The Fire Spirit
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s story comes from the Selkup people of Siberia. It’s one I recorded a few years back for my patrons and wanted to share with you this Janua...
Episode 88: Thomas the Rhymer with Kat Houghton
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kat Houghton is a storyteller, author, wilderness rites of passage guide, transformational coach and forest farmer. Originally from the Scottish Borde...
Episode 87: Whuppity Stoorie with Dougie Mackay
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is Dougie Mackay. Dougie hails from the Scottish Highlands and draws on his background in nature connection and ancestral skills in his...
Episode 86: Lughnasa Special with Danica Boyce
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is a joint release with Danica Boyce of Fair Folk Podcast to mark Lughnasa. It’s been a few years since Danica and I last guested ...
Episode 85: Auld Croovie
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're a bit past midsummer but it's such a great story, I couldn't resist!This is another Celtic story taken from my new book Scottish ...
Episode 84: Fair Maid's Tresses with Angus King
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode is a special one as it marks the release of my new book, Scottish Myths & Legends Volume II.For this episode I wanted to share w...
Episode 83: The Edgewell Tree with Stephen McCabe
13 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is Stephen McCabe of Green Temple Therapy. A former student on my Myth Singers course, Stephen is a storyteller, author, Zen Buddhist, ...
Episode 82: Davey Boy & The Devil with Jess Smith
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is Jess Smith. Jess is a storyteller, author and singer from the Scottish travelling people. She spent much of her childhood living on ...
Episode 81: Keeping Out The Sea Man
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I share a Scottish story taken from my forthcoming book, Scottish Myths & Legends Volume II.The story comes from Orkney, an archip...
Episode 80: Calling Spirits with Judith-Kate Friedman & featuring the late Daniel Deardorff
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is a very special episode!My guest on today’s episode is Judith-Kate Friedman. Judith-Kate inhabits the flinty places where art, activism, ritu...
Episode 79: The Hounds of Actaeon
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode I share my interpretation of a classic Greek myth.Support House of Legends by becoming a patronLearn about Myth Singers, my online Cel...
Episode 78: The Voyage of Bran with Aron Hegarty from Candlelit Tales
25 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
My guest on this episode is Aron Hegarty. Aron is an Irish born Actor and Storyteller, and the cofounder of Candlelit Tales. Through Candlelit Tales...
Episode 77: The Mustard Seed with Siobhan Asgharzadeh
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
My guest on this episode is Siobhan Asgarzadeh. Siobhan is a storyteller and grief pilgrim based in Colorado. She holds grief pilgrimages both in pers...
Episode 76: To the Sea with Tamar Eluned Williams
27 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a collaboration with Pathways, a podcast by Welsh storyteller Tamar Eluned Williams. After a brief chat with Tamar you’ll hear an ep...
Episode 75: Puss in Boots with Emily & Leo Hanna-Grazebrook
05 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
My guests on the episode are Emily Hanna-Grazebrook and her son Leo, who tells stories together on their wonderful Dragonfly Tales podcast. Here they ...
Episode 74: The Smith & The Fairies
05 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Apologies for the lower sound quality on this episode, I had trouble finding a quiet space to record for this one. Normal service will resume soon.Get...
Episode 73: The Golden City with Nicholas Jubber
29 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on the episode is Nicholas Jubber, author of the new book The Fairy Tellers. I talk to Nick about the book and we hear Nick tell the story o...
Episode 72: The Crow's Wife
21 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our story on this episode is The Crow’s Wife, which you can also find in my book Scottish Myths & Legends. Get access to every House of Legends...
Episode 71: The Gods are All Here with Phil Okwedy
29 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode my guest is Phil Owedy, a Welsh-Nigerian storyteller based in Pembrokeshire. He draws deeply on his dual heritage and multiple culture...
Episode 70: The Coming of Lugh
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode I share an early draft of the Irish story of The Coming of Lugh from my forthcoming book, The Children of Danu.Get access to every Hou...
Episode 69: Two Brothers, Two Boats with Ian Stephen
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
My guest on this episode is Ian Stephen. Ian is a a writer, poet and storyteller from the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. He worked for 15 years ...
Episode 68: The Greedy Padshah with Sef Townsend
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Sef Townsend, a brilliant storyteller and musician who has worked on peace and reconciliation projects throughout the world, in...
Episode 67: The Birth of Athena with Jay Leeming
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Jay Leeming, a performance storyteller whose poetic way of bringing traditional stories alive has captivated audiences in theat...
Episode 66: Mallie & the Trow with Tom Muir
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Orcadian storyteller Tom Muir. Tom was born on a small farm by the sea on the Orkney Mainland and now works as an engagement o...
Episode 65: Re-release: Where Music Comes From
01 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week I'm re-releasing a previous House of Legends episode: the haunting tale from the Isle of Skye which I call Where Music Comes From. I&a...
Episode 64: The Love Spot with Clare Murphy
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Clare Murphy.Clare has been a storyteller for 14 years. She has performed in more than 20 countries, telling stories for all ki...
Episode 63: The Hand in the Dark (Part 3 of The Mabinogion)
28 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The final chapter of the first branch of the Mabinogion.Get access to every House of Legends episode and patron-only worksheets by becoming a patron a...
Episode 62: the Fairy Lake with Csenge Zalka
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Csenge Zalka.Csenge is a professional storyteller and author from Hungary. She got her MA in Storytelling at East Tennessee Sta...
Episode 61: Pwyll & Rhiannon (Part 2 of The Mabinogion)
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We continue our Mabinogion series with the tale of Pwyll & Rhiannon, from the first branch of the Mabinogi. Get access to every House of Legends ...
Episode 60: Fierce Creatures with Donna Washington
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is multiple-award winning US storyteller Donna Washington. The first story starts at 24:55.Learn more about Donna’s work at:htt...
Episode 59: Pwyll & Arawn (Part 1 of The Mabinogion)
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The first part of our Mabinogion series. The Mabinogion is a collection of Welsh legends. It is the earliest prose literature of Britain and one of th...
Episode 58: Mary & The Seal with Kirsten Milliken
12 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A Scottish selkie story with emerging storyteller Kirsten Milliken.Learn more about selkies in my article 'What is a Selkie?' here:https://w...
Episode 57: Bran & Sceolan (Part 5 of the Tales Of The Fianna series)
29 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Part 5 of our Tales Of The Fianna series to celebrate the launch of my new book, Finn & The Fianna (available January 2021). Find out about the R...
Episode 56: Samhain at Tara (Part 4 of the Tales Of The Fianna series)
18 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Part 4 of our Tales Of The Fianna series to celebrate the launch of my new book, Finn & The Fianna (available January 2021). Find out about the R...
Episode 55: The Salmon of Wisdom (Part 3 of The Tales of The Fianna Series)
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Part 3 of our Tales Of The Fianna series to celebrate the launch of my new book, Finn & The Fianna (available December 2020). Find out about the ...
Episode 54: The Boyhood of Finn (Part 2 of The Tales of The Fianna Series)
28 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2 of our Tales Of The Fianna series to celebrate the launch of my new book, Finn & The Fianna (available December 2020). Find out about the ...
Episode 53: The Fate of Coull (Part 1 of The Tales of The Fianna Series)
24 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Part 1 of our Finn MacCoull series to celebrate the launch of my new book, Finn & The Fianna (available December 2020). Find out about the Roundh...
Episode 52: Salt Is The Dearest with Nana Tomova
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Nana Tomova, host of The Story Apothecary Podcast. Nana is a storyteller, poet, photographer, as well as a mental health specia...
Episode 51: The Flight of Merlin with Lisa Schneidau
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s guest is Lisa Schneidau. Based in Dartmoor in England’s west country, Lisa is a storyteller, author and environmentalist. She is the a...
Episode 50: Midnight Matchmaker with Kamini Ramachandran
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For our 50th episode (!) we feature one of the world's finest oral storytellers, Kamini Ramachandran. Note: There is some background humming noi...
Episode 49: When Things Fall Apart with Sharon Blackie
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Sharon Blackie. Sharon is an award-winning writer and internationally recognised teacher whose work sits at the interface of ps...
Episode 48: The Three Causeless Blows with Angharad Wynne
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we feature a fantastic Welsh storyteller and teacher, Angharad Wynne.You can learn more about Angaharad's work with pilgrimages at Drea...
Episode 47: The Shepherd's Dream
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s story is The Shepherd’s Dream from Ireland.Event link for Wd 13th May: https://www.facebook.com/events/950184208666216/?event_time_id...
Episode 46: The Cailleach
04 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A bonus episode featuring a story from my new book, Scottish Myths & Legends.Get the book at Amazon UK:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scottish-Myths-Leg...
Episode 45: Nancy May with Maria Gillen
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The story of Nancy May, told by Irish storyteller Maria Gillen.Keep up to date with Maria at https://twitter.com/mgillen?lang=enhttps://www.facebook....
Episode 44: The King of Lochlann's Brown Horse: Part IV
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The final part in a four part mini-series. This story comes from J.F Campbell's 'Popular Tales of the West Highlands'.You can get a cop...
Episode 43: The King of Lochlann's Brown Horse: Part III
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The third part in a four part mini-series. This story comes from J.F Campbell's 'Popular Tales of the West Highlands'.You can get a cop...
Episode 42: The King of Lochlann's Brown Horse: Part II
30 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The second part in a four part mini-series. This story comes from J.F Campbell's 'Popular Tales of the West Highlands'.You can get a co...
Episode 41: The King of Lochlann's Brown Horse: Part I
17 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The first part in a four part mini-series. This story comes from J.F Campbell's 'Popular Tales of the West Highlands'.You can get a cop...
Episode 40: Celtic Myths & Legends with Sian Esther Powell
18 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We’re back!I took a break from the podcast over the last couple as I’ve been grieving a loved one whom I lost recently. I’m glad to be back now,...
Episode 39: Tam O' Shanter
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The tale of Tam O' Shanter, written in 1790 by Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns. Check out my new Youtube channel and see me performi...
Episode 38: The Tree of Life with David Novak
21 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today I speak to David Novak, one of the world's most talented storytellers. Described as ‘the brothers Grimm meet Carl Jung and Monty Python’...
Episode 37: The Land In The Sky with Mara Menzies
14 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we meet one of the world's finest storytellers, Mara Menzies, and hear a story from her show Blood & Gold.Find Mara at:https://www....
Episode 36: The Most Beautiful Song In The Forest
07 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week's story comes from the pygmy people of the Congo. I heard it told by Joseph Campbell in an interview he gave with Bill Moyers. You can ...
Episode 35: Sources: Norse Mythology with Noah Tetzner of The History of Vikings Podcast
24 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I interview Noah Tetzner, the host of The History of Vikings Podcast. Noah gives an overview of the Norse cosmology and then we discus...
Episode 34: The Cruel Mother with Danica Boyce of Fair Folk Podcast
17 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk to Danica Boyce, the host of Fair Folk, an outstanding folklore podcast. Clarification from Danica: The version of the Cruel M...
Episode 33: Taming the Kelpie
10 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week's story is from Scotland. It's a tale of the kelpie, one of our most famous and fascinating otherworld creatures. I heard it from ...
Episode 32: The Snow Maiden
03 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for snowy stories! We kick off the season of wintry tales with a perennial favourite of mine, The Snow Maiden. This is a Russian folk t...
Episode 31: A Close Tongue Keeps A Safe Head
26 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We remain in Orkney for a tale which introduces us to the strange beings known in Orkney as the finfolk. You can learn more about the finfolk n Tom M...
Episode 30: The Bone Flute
19 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A special episode featuring a reading from my new novel, The Bone Flute, set in Iron Age Orkney and drawing on Scottish and Orcadian mythology.The Bon...
Episode 29: The Mermaid Bride
12 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We kick off our mini-series of Orcadian stories with The Mermaid Bride.You can find this story in two books by Orcadian storyteller Tom Muir. The firs...
Episode 28: Bonus episode: In Conversation with Jan Blake
03 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I sit down to talk with world-renowned storyteller Jan Blake, who came to perform at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2019. Jan shares...
Episode 27: Bonus Episode with Robert Seven Crows Bourdon
01 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Another bonus episode from the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2019. This time I sit down for a chat with Robert Seven Crows Bourdon, a s...
Episode 26: Bonus episode: The Hummingbird with Giovanna Conforto
28 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode from the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2019 I talk to Giovanna Conforto. Giovanna is the creative director of the...
Episode 25: Bonus episode: The Two Warriors with Michael Williams
22 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Another episode from the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2019, this time with Canadian storyteller Michael Williams, who tells us about h...
Episode 24: Bonus episode: Cree cultural leader Joseph Naytowhow
21 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A bonus episode recorded during the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, featuring Cree elder and cultural leaderJoseph Naytowhow.Learn more ...
Episode 23: The Chain of Memories with Liz Weir
14 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Liz Weir, a veteran storyteller from Northern Ireland who is known throughout the world and has received an MBE for her work. ...
Episode 22: Zombie Farmers
07 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A pre-Halloween special! This week we have a Haitian voodoo story. Not for childrenA good introduction to voodoo:https://www.ranker.com/list/history-a...
Episode 21: Raven & Whale
01 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This is an Inuit story which I first told in 2010, from a retelling by New York-based storyteller Laura Simms.You can read about this story and its us...
Episode 20: Thor's Journey To Utgard
24 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
By popular demand... it's time to go a-viking!This is one of the most popular Norse tales. It comes from the Prose Edda, the main source of Norse...
Episode 19: The Widow of Ephesus with Daniel Morden
16 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week our guest is leading international storyteller Daniel Morden. I saw Daniel perform at Beyond the Border in Wales and was enraptured by his s...
Episode 18: Vasalisa the Beautiful
10 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week we have the story of Vasalisa the Beautiful, the most famous Russian folk-tale.The story was collected by Alexander Afanasyev for his Russia...
Episode 17: Branwen with Michael Harvey
06 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
House of Legends is back!Our guest this week is Michael Harvey. Michael Harvey is an internationally performing storyteller and a recipient of the pre...
Episode 16: Where Music Comes From
13 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The story comes from the Isle of Skye in Scotland, and the version I based my telling on is called 'The Dark Doctor' in 'Celtic Sea Sto...
Episode 15: The Kitchen Gods with Charlotte Elizabeth
06 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was recorded at Storyfest Singapore in June 2019, where I was fortunate enough to see a group of young storytellers perform. The group ha...
Episode 14: Stone Soup
30 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A European folk-tale that feels absolutely universal. In some versions, there is an axe in the soup, instead of stones.No source for this - I've...
Episode 13: The Flying Head with Ana Maria Lines
23 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A Brazilian tale from storyteller Ana Maria Lines.Get access to every House of Legends episode and patron-only worksheets by becoming a patron at:http...
Episode 12: Kiss of the Crow Queen
16 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
An episode from the Tain Bo Cauilgne, The Cattle Raid of Cooley, the great epic of Irish & Celtic oral literature.A great translation of the Tain ...
Episode 11: Fox & Dog
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A tale from the legendary Scottish Traveller storyteller, Duncan Williamson.I heard this on an audio recording of Duncan. The same story can be found ...
Episode 10: The Makers of Dreams
02 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A story from the island of Skye, on Scotland's west coast. It can be found in my book, Scottish Myths & Legends.Skye also plays a part in the...
Episode 9: Why We Tell Stories with Martina Pisciali
25 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Our first guest on House of Legends is Martina Pisciali, a young storyteller from Italy whom I was fortunate enough to work with at Storyfest in Singa...
Episode 8: Do Not Weep Yet
18 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A classic Russian tale, taken from Men and The Water of Life by Michael Meade.Dedicated to Mon, Head Trainer at Diamond Muay Thai, Koh Phangan.Learn m...
Episode 7: Town of Cats
10 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A literary, pseudo-folk tale by the Japanese author Haruki Murakami, featured in his novel IQ84.My new series of online Cave of Dreams events with Dan...
Episode 6: The Corpse Bride
04 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This story is taken from:'The Creative Fire: Myths & Stories on the Cycles of Creativity' by Clarissa Pinkola EstesEstes is best known f...
Episode 5: The Prince Of Wolves
28 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A gorgeous wintry Tsimshian tale, taken from Winter Tales by Lari Don.Discover more of Lari's work here.Learn more about the Tsimshian culture he...
Episode 4: The Fairy Lover
21 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I heard this story from Ian Stephen, a storyteller, author and poet from the Isle of Lewis. Learn more about Ian's work here.My new series of onl...
Episode 3: Seventy Languages
11 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we visit Siberia for the story of Seventy Languages. This story was taken from ‘Singing Story, Healing Drum’ by Kira Van Deusen. ...
Episode 2: Ossian & Niamh
11 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The classic Celtic legend of Ossian and Niamh, in which the son of Fionn Mac Cumhaill travels to Tir Nan Nog, Land of the Ever Young.My new series of ...
Episode 1: The Hunter's Tears
11 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode welcomes you to the House of Legends before taking you to the Kalahari Desert for the story of the Hunter’s Tears.If you would like to ...