Spirits: Mythology, Legends, & Folklore

Ghost Stories w/ Paul Bae

26 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, you just want to sit down and have your friends tell you scary stories. Luckily, we have Paul Bae of The Big Loop and The Black Tapes to te...

Izanami & Izanagi

19 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Marriage is a hot topic in Julia’s life, which is why we’re talking about Izanami & Izanagi - a marriage that helped create the world, introdu...

Mostly Outtakes Really | Your Urban Legends 13

12 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s get right to it: This episode has EVERYTHING. Eric attempts to do an old timey voice. Julia freaks out over a Blair Witch style game. Amanda d...

Divination

05 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve looked into the future and we’ve seen… a roundup episode! Julia leads Amanda through the foggy future with some of her favorite divinatory...

Fakelore w/ David Rheinstrom

29 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined this week by David Rheinstrom, who helps us parse through the history of fakelore in the USA! How do we feel about Paul Bunyan being inv...

Pele

22 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we take a trip back to the Pacific to tell the story of Madame Pele, the Earth-Eating Woman, and Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes. We chat abo...

Tim the Yowie Man | Your Urban Legends 12

15 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Not only do we have listener stories, we have the tale of Tim the Yowie Man! This episode features big cat stories, Mirror Boys, and elementary school...

Šauška

08 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Hurrian, Hittites, and Anatolia, oh my! We look at the story of the goddess, Šauška, who spread her influence throughout the world. We also talk abo...

Sharks w/ Melissa Marquez

01 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Shark Week, but we’re not here for shots of Great Whites (mostly because we’re an audio medium). We’re joined by Melissa Marquez, who spe...

Horses

25 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This is it. The lost, cursed episode of Spirits. We never thought it would see the light of day. But now you get to learn about all the CREEPY HORSES ...

Stay Creepy, Stay Cool, Stay... Pasta? | Your Urban Legends 11

18 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the Witching Hour 24/7 here at Spirits Headquarters, especially when we’re reading your creepy cool stories! This episode features high level...

Brigid & Áine

11 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It’s summer and it is TOO HOT, but it doesn’t mean we’re not grateful for the seasons. So we’re talking about the seasonal Irish goddesses, Br...

Talking Badgers w/ Adal Rifai

04 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined by Adal Rifai of the amazing Hello From the Magic Tavern podcast to chat about improv, Dungeons & Dragons, talking badgers, hungry g...

Mermaids

27 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Summer is finally here, which means one thing: BEACH BABES TIME! We’re celebrating with a roundup of the best mermaids and fish folk the world has t...

The Third Spaghetti Fighter | Your Urban Legends 10

20 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

You send them, we read them, everyone gets scared! This week we dive into stories about creepy kids, kids being creeped on, young blood, full ghost na...

Bathala and His Daughters

13 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

That’s right, we’re heading BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES! We chat about creation myths, supreme deities, and more importantly, the badass women goddess...

Genderfuck the Gods w/ Andrea Lam

06 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Pride! We’ve invited our friend Andrea back to do a revamp of our FlameCon panel from last year, discussing myths and legends from around the ...

Jiutian Xuannü

30 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Take a moment and picture this: You’re hanging out, minding your own business, when suddenly the sky opens and a Dark and Mysterious Woman emerges r...

The Beer Sweats | Your Urban Legends 9

23 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A hell dimension was opened, and once again, we go off the rails in this week’s Your Urban Legends! We battle over who deserves the title King of Cr...

Kalevala w/ Elena Varg

16 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We’re joined this week by Finnish podcaster, Elena, who shares the story of Kalevala - an epic tale of magic, trickery, heroes, and just… a lot of...

Yowie

09 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We love a Bigfoot story, but we’re going across the world for this one! The Australian Yowie has a lot of great stories; from backwards feet, ancien...

Fake or Folklore? w/ Eric Silver

02 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Fake or Folklore, the game show sensation that’s SWEEPING the nation! Hosted by Charles the Gamesman, aka Eric Silver of Join the Party, ...

Grandma Extravaganza | Your Urban Legends 8

25 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It’s GRANDMAS GRANDMAS GRANDMAS. All the grandmas! From demon grandmas in Texas, motivational ghosts (You Only Ghost Always), to helpful anti-murder...

Orishas

18 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we get excited about religious traditions and physics, which is… on-brand for us. Julia teaches Amanda about the Orishas of the Yoruba tr...

Tolkien Mythology w/ Emma Sherr-Ziarko

11 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We thought we knew all about Tolkien and Middle Earth. We were WRONG. Guest Emma Sherr-Ziarko (Wolf 359, Pairing Podcast) schools us on the creation o...

Hierarchy of Angels

04 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we cover things that Amanda loves: angels, organization, and of course, so many eyes. Just. All the eyes. We wax poetic about how the Fast ...

Heck Puppers | Your Urban Legends 7

28 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Your stories this week were buck WILD. From fires and the mafia, to demon hunting internships, and secret government projects with some secret canniba...

Succubus Roundup

21 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We know how numbers work - we embrace the sex number, talk about succu-kisses, sleep paralysis, demon chinchillas, and where to draw the line when it ...

Hollywood Urban Legends w/ James Oliva

14 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Hollywood: Stars and Glamor, but also murder and curses? It’s more likely than you think. We’re joined by audio drama creator, James Oliva, to do ...

Maya Creation Story

07 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we break down the Maya creation story, as told by the Popol Vuh and learn that actually, the fourth time's the charm. Amanda asks the impor...

Yule Lads | Your Urban Legends 6

28 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

YULE LADS, ASSEMBLE! It’s time for some ridiculous and spooky tales that you, our listeners, have sent to us. Amanda asks you to adopt a phantom fel...

Inanna

21 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Take a journey down to the underworld with us and our new favorite goddess, Inanna. Listen to how the Queen of Heaven got her start, got a man, got ki...

Jane Eyre w/ Vanessa Zoltan

14 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined by the amazing Vanessa Zoltan of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text to talk about personal mythos, secular sacred reading, and of course, ...

Food Gods

07 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: Don’t listen to this episode while hungry, because these stories are utterly delicious. We travel the world in this roundup, giving you sto...

The Confrontation | The Spaghetti Warehouse Chronicles

02 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This has gone on long enough. We’re getting our Eric back!Featuring Kristen DeMercurio as the Spagghost. Series written by Eric Silver.Find Us Onlin...

The Inside Man | The Spaghetti Warehouse Chronicles

01 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We reach out to a secret contact in Akron, Ohio—Amanda’s cousin Chad.Featuring David Rheinstrom as Chad. Written by Eric Silver.Find Us OnlineIf y...

Your Spaghetti Warehouse Stories | The Spaghetti Warehouse Chronicles

31 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We are on the road to Ohio, so we cut together some of your spooky experiences inside the spaghetti-belly of the beast.Featuring Sara, Mike Schubert, ...

The Expert | The Spaghetti Warehouse Chronicles

30 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A ghost stole Eric and we need an expert, stat. Luckily we got in touch with the greatest ghost academic in the city (who would agree to an interview ...

Ouija Boards | The Spaghetti Warehouse Chronicles

29 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we read up on Ouija boards and try one out in Amanda’s apartment. What could possibly go wrong?Written by Eric Silver.Find Us OnlineIf yo...

Deer Woman

24 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we read some first-person accounts about the Deer Woman, a spirit in several indigenous North American cultures that punishes the wicked an...

Tarot w/ Jolie Kerr

17 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Spread out the deck and think about your intentions. You flip a card. Jokes ensue. We’re joined this week by cleanliness expert and Tarot lover, Jol...

Lạc Long Quân and Au Cơ

10 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes on Spirits we get stories that just have everything - action, monsters, romance, actual history, and empowering depictions of women. The sto...

The Ideal Ghost Roommate | Your Urban Legends 5

03 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

You sent us some great stories this week: protective women spirits, murderous otters, toe-crunching bear grannies, and so many more! Amanda explains w...

Language

27 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

What’s that? AMANDA is leading an episode? It’s the gift that keeps on giving—and naturally, we go full nerd. We talk linguistics, Julia gets so...

King Arthur w/ Christian Madera

20 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The Arthurian Canon is sacred to some people—so you know we’ve got a lot of jokes about it. We dive into the nitty gritty with special guest Chris...

Yuki-onna

13 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Winter is here, and with it blows the cold wind of something spooky. We tell the sad tale of the Yuki-onna, a spirit of a woman who froze to death in ...

Spaghetti Warehouse: Origins | Your Urban Legends 4

06 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Spaghetti Warehouse makes its return, along with some spaghetti conspiracies. Grandpa comes back with a Bloody Bones follow up. A fan from Shropshire ...

Sedna & Inuit Shapeshifters

29 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Bundle up from the cold as we tell you some of our favorite stories from Inuit mythology. We tell the relatable story of how a woman goes from a horri...

NBA Conspiracies w/ Mike Schubert & Eric Silver

22 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We’re busy cooking and prepping for family coming into town, so our good goofy friends volunteered to take over the podcast for the week! Even if yo...

Zeus

15 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve heard us mention Zeus, but today you’re going to know why we consider him the Fuckfather of all Fuckboys. We talk about how Hera’s just d...

The Haunted Trolley Problem | Your Urban Legends 3

08 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back with another round of your Urban Legends! From werewolves to werepanthers to haunted trolleys, we have a few drinks and happily stumble t...

La Lechuza

01 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

#Creeptober might be over, but that doesn’t mean we’re done telling scary stories. Driving along the dark highways on the border of the United Sta...

College Ghost Stories w/ Jeffrey Gardner

25 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Just in time for Halloween, we’re delivering some of the creepiest college ghost stories we’ve ever heard. With Jeffrey Gardner of Our Fair City f...

Sekhmet

18 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

There’s something in the distance, coming closer. Blood is in the air. You know what that means—it’s time to get drunk and talk about Ancient Eg...

Meet Me at the Dinglehole | Your Urban Legends 2

11 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We’re telling your creepy stories this week! From haunted theatres to farms and rivers to something called a Dinglehole, we bring you listener stori...

Creepy Kids

04 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s face it - from Irish changelings to the creepy twins in the Shining, humankind has found kids to be super creepy for generations. This week, J...

Circe w/ Jess Zimmerman

27 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

#Creeptober is just around the corner, but we’re starting the season out right with one of our favorite creepy-cool witches: Circe. From turning men...

Javanese Mermaid Queen

13 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Down the cliffs overlooking the Southern Sea of Java, plunging into the depths of the rough ocean, you’ll find the kingdom of Kanjeng Ratu Kidul. Mo...

Werewolves

30 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We’re not just talking werewolves of London! We’ve got cannibals, whole cities of wolf-people, and some big ol’ cat folks as well. This week we ...

Reptilians & Cults w/ Kelly Weill

16 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We’re kicking folklore into the 21st century to bring you this #kindacultykindacool episode. We’ve brought in reporter Kelly Weill to discuss Rept...

Laumes

02 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

What makes you you? Is it the way people see you? Or who you are and the actions you pursue? For the Laumes, it’s a little bit of both. We discuss t...

Toyotama-Hime

19 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

You may have heard some great breakup stories in the past, but we bet you haven’t heard one as good as Toyotama-hime’s. From a gem-spitting meet c...

Swedish Year Walk w/ Soha

05 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The path might have a lot of twists and turns (and good goofs), but at the end of the Årsgång (Swedish Year Walk), you’ll be able to see into the ...

Rainbow Serpent

21 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Pride! Now, let’s talk about the heat death of the universe. ...okay, it’s not THAT dark, but we go a little nuts talking about the Australi...

The Spooky Beginnings | Your Urban Legends 1

07 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

You sent them, we read them! In this episode of Spirits, we read out your creepy, vaguely horrifying, usually fascinating hometown urban legends and f...

Wonder Woman and the Amazons w/ Greg Rucka

24 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We leave the world of men and enter Paradise as we sit down with Greg Rucka, head writer of Wonder Woman for DC. We discuss comic books as mythology, ...

Beaivi the Sun Goddess

10 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This Sami Sun goddess has our back as we celebrate both the start of summer and Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn how Beaivi brings light to those ...

Egyptian Afterlife

26 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The road to the afterlife is dangerous, but good thing we’re all going together! We take you down the path past animal-headed gods, competent women ...

The Butterfly Lovers w/ Linda

12 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Doomed love has never been so fun to talk about! Special guest Linda takes us through one of the most famous love stories in the Chinese cultural cano...

Mami Wata

29 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Meet the badass mermaid ruler of the rivers and coasts of Western Africa: Mami Wata, who knows how to exact revenge and how to enjoy the finer things ...

The Morrigan

15 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Creepy ravens, death rituals, and battlefield curses abound in this episode on the Celtic goddess trinity of doom and destruction. Hear A+ cursing, te...

Our Lady of Guadalupe w/ Catherine Addington

01 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

As guest star supreme, Catherine Addington, tells us, Our Lady of Guadalupe is “a thing that is both.” Mexican and Catholic, native and foreign, w...

Kali

15 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’ll cut you in the face. Then behead you and wear it as a necklace. That’s right, we’re talking about Hindu go...

Bonus Episode: Seductress Roundup

08 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Dating can be treacherous, even without skeletal girlfriends, spider wives, child-eating mistresses, and crazy vengeance monsters. But don’t worry! ...

30 Myths in 30 Minutes (ANNIVERSARY BONANZA)

01 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A whole year has come and gone, and we’ve told a lot of stories. So why not DOUBLE IT? To celebrate Spirits Podcast’s first birthday, we’re givi...

The Hero’s Journey w/ Mischa Stanton

18 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

All stories have the same roots - or, at least, that’s what our boy Joseph Campbell says. This week, we enter into the cycle of The Hero’s Journey...

Time

04 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to get a little abstract! (Get it? Because it's about Time?) With dad jokes galore, we dive into the New Year head-first with deities and sp...

Blooper Reel #1

28 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After 24 episodes and many many drinks, there is a LOT of tape on our cutting room floor. We thought it was only fair to share some of these good, goo...

Krampus w/ Eric Schneider

21 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

He's made a list, and we've gotten smashed. This week, we stumble through the story of Krampus, the half-goat, half-demon, anti-Santa Claus. Unique tr...

Koschei the Deathless w/ Ivan Plis

07 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

There's nothing quite like a fairy tale. Heroes on quests, helpful magical animals, and… hidden sex dungeons?! We break down the famous Russian folk...

Hometown Urban Legends

23 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Your hometown defines you - the stories you hear end up being the stories that you tell through the rest of your life. This week, in honor of heading ...

Medusa and the Gorgons

09 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a monster? This week, we take a well-known myth and turn it on its (snake) head. Everyone knows Medusa’s image and ability to turn people...

Midnight Mary w/ Grace McCreight

26 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

How many times do we have to tell you - Stay out of graveyards! Unless you're into tragic lives, mysterious deaths, and long-lasting urban legends. Ou...

Bonus Episode: Jack O'Lanterns

19 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We couldn't resist bringing you a special bonus minisode on the spooky topic of Jack O'Lanterns! Where did this tradition come from? Were they always ...

Japanese Urban Legends

12 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A popup ad gone wrong. A fatal taxi ride. A host of vengeful ghosts. Present-day Japan has so many creepy-cool urban legends to offer, we just had to ...

South African Rain Queens

28 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We feel a storm coming! Find out what the X-Men, tempests, and royal succession debates have in common as we learn about the Modjadji, the long line o...

Stonehenge w/ Lauren Shippen

14 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Across the misty moors of Wales and England, we stumble across the Druids' most mysterious landmark: Stonehenge. Follow us into the shadowed origins o...

Bird Ladies of Russia

31 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Who knew Russian mythology includes so many half-bird, half-woman creatures?! They run the gamut from prophets to sirens to companions for very emo hu...

Maui

17 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Before you see Disney’s upcoming movie Moana, learn all about the badass demigod Maui, origin stories of the Pacific Islands, and very human mytholo...

Ghosts of Orlando w/ Matt A.

03 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Something is in the water. Follow us down a one-lane road through hills and swamps to uncover the mysteries of Cassadaga, Florida. Special guest Matt ...

Chinese Demonology

20 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Dive with us into the treacherous waters of Chinese Demonology, where giant clam monsters and sea serpents lurk. We encounter everything from zombies,...

Erzulies and Haitian Voodoo

06 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Feel the love as we explore Haitian Voodoo and its unique family of love spirits, the Erzulie. We look at three Erzulie who specialize in romantic lo...

Golem w/ Eric Silver

22 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Kicking it old school in Dark Age Eastern Europe this week with special guest Eric Silver! We missed out on the manischewitz, but we have lots of Jewi...

Norse Mythology Part II - Ragnarok

08 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Break out the REM karaoke, because it's the end of the world as the Norse gods know it. Hear all about Ragnarok, apocalypse, rebirth, and more fantasy...

Norse Mythology Part I

25 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Follow us into Asgard and beyond with our crash course on Norse mythology! Thor, Loki and Odin are just the beginning. Plus, stick around to the end f...

Bigfoot w/ Jake M.

11 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Bigfoot. Sasquatch. Yeti. Menk. This week we tackle one of the most notorious folk legends of all time with the help of special guest Jake! Learn all ...

Great Floods

27 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Go beyond Noah and the Ark with great flood myths from Mesopotamia, China, Native North America, and more. We dig into flood origin stories, survival ...

Gameunjang the Korean Goddess

13 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This classic myth from Korean folklore has an ending that we didn’t see coming! Universal motifs in a uniquely Korean context make for a great episo...

Tailypo w/ Eric Schneider

30 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the Tailypo, a.k.a. “The Sphinx of West Virginia,” from our first ever guest star! Eric Schneider, also our editor and all-around righ...

Eros and Psyche

16 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week, a truly epic tale of love, betrayal, jealousy, and a quest literally to Hell and back. Episode four dives into the dramatic relationship be...