The Folklore Podcast

Writer and broadcaster Danny Robins talks about his investigative docu-drama "The Battersea Poltergeist" which examines in detail a major forgotten poltergeist case from 1950s Britain. The series, starring Dafne Keen and Toby Jones in the dramatised elements, and with Ciaran O'Keeffe and Evelyn Hollow representing the parapsychologists, was released via BBC Radio 4 and used original case materials as well as throwing up some new details.​To support all of the work of The Folklore Podcast in bringing world-class presenters and folklore resources to a global audience, please consider joining our Patreon page

Audio version of the YouTube based Folklore Podcast Book Club. Dr Sharon Blackie discusses her anthology collection, published by September Publishing. Foxfire, Wolfskin features positive and powerful reworkings of folk tales from around the world featuring shapeshifting women at their heart. Sharon's website: https://sharonblackie.net/​ September Publishing: http://www.septemberpublishing.org/​ Follow Sharon on Twitter @sharonblackie To support the Folklore Podcast please visit our Patreon page or make a small donation at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

We take a deep dive into the world of urban legends, internet memes and more to try and make a case to legitimise the world of Digital Folklore. Does all folklore have to be old? What is digital folklore anyway? We explore the subject with assistant professor of folklore at Utah State University, and co-founder of the Digital Folklore Project, Dr Lynne McNeill. Content warning: Please be aware that this episode features discussion of suicide cult legends. Music guest: Helen Bell. Find her work at www.helenbell.co.uk Support the Folklore Podcast to help us keep making content on our Patreon page

Episode 4 of the Folklore Podcast Book Club, originally made as a video for the podcast YouTube channel. Folklore Podcast creator Mark Norman speaks to author Roger Clarke about his classic book 'A Natural History of Ghosts'. Watch the original interview on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/FolklorePodcast Support the preservation of folklore and creation of folklore content at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Creator and host of The Folklore Podcast Mark Norman is joined by highly regarded musician Einar Selvik, founder of the band Wardruna, to discuss Old Norse music - how it was created and what it meant to the people who played and listened. Einar is one of the world's leading experts in this field and his work is regularly accessed by scholars the world over. We also feature some music from the Wardruna back catalogue. To support all of the work of The Folklore Podcast in bringing world-class presenters and folklore resources to a global audience, please consider joining our Patreon page, or making a one-time donation via the Folklore Podcast website.

Audio only version of the original You Tube interview for episode 3 of the Folklore Podcast Book Club. Podcast host Mark Norman discusses the book 'Medieval Folk Tales for Children', published by The History Press, with the author Dave Tonge. Dave also performs one of the tales from the book. To support The Folklore Podcast and keep us producing regular, free content, please either: Join our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast Click the donate button: www.thefolklorepodcast.com

Season 6 of The Folklore Podcast kicks off with a special feature length interview. Lecturer and historian Dr Thomas Waters discusses some of the research which comprises his book 'Cursed Britain - a history of witchcraft and black magic in modern times'. Having spent 12 years trawling the case records in order to write this book, Thomas discusses some fascinating aspects of witchcraft belief and accusation which took place far later in our history than we might at first think. The conversation also looks at some of the famous practitioners and researchers in the field and covers both tragic and positive events in our history. This episode carries a content warning for its discussion of modern day witchcraft and abuse cases. To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and access extra content, please click here

Tracey and Mark Norman discuss the book Lanny, by Max Porter, published by Faber and Faber. This is an audio version of an episode originally filmed for YouTube. To see the original please visit www.youtube.com/FolklorePodcast and choose the Book Club playlist. To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and access bonus content and discussion, please click here

In the final episode of Season 5 of The Folklore Podcast, released on December 31st, 2020, we are joined by Swedish folklorist Tommy Kuusela to discuss the unique divinatory ritual of the Year Walk, which traditionally took place on this date. We also cover some of the Swedish forest spirits which may be encountered whilst undertaking the walk. To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and access bonus content, please click here

Folk song holds a vital place within everybody's culture. From political songs to work songs, lyrics record our feelings, our traditions and, of course, our stories across the ages. In the episode of the podcast, folk singers and writers Sandra Kerr and John Faulkner talk about their thoughts on the subject, developed over many years from their early careers being taught by such names as Lonnie Donegan and Peggy Seeger to university lecturing and 21st century performances. Plus, of course, we discuss the children's TV classic Bagpuss and its use of folk song and influence on culture even today - Sandra and John having written all the music and songs for this, as well as voicing Madeleine the Rag Doll and Gabriel the Toad. To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and access extra content, please click here.

Due to listener demand, we are releasing audio only versions of the Folklore Podcast Book Club, which is originally made for YouTube. In this episode of The Folklore Podcast Book Club, author and storyteller Tom Phillips discusses his book 'Forest Folk Tales for Children'. Tom's Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TomtheTaleTeller Tom's Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TaleTellerTom Tom's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj2-... Storytelling Cafe: https://worldstorytellingcafe.com/tom...

Mark Norman, the creator of The Folklore Podcast presents an investigation into the legend of the White Bird of the Oxenhams - a death portent said to be attached to a family in Devon which spanned many hundreds of years. This episode was written by Tracey and Mark Norman. Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to access extra exclusive content for supporters. Visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Japanese culture and folklore is very distinctive, but not always as dissimilar from our own as we might think in the West. Podcast creator and host Mark Norman is joined by bestselling author Natasha Pulley to discuss the culture represented in two of her books - The Watchmaker of Filigree Street and The Lost Future of Pepperharrow - and Japanese ritual and belief more generally. The episode is closed by a track from musical guests Foxtails Brigade, who took the internet by storm recently with their unique video for the track 'My Favourite Things'. Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon for extra content and rewards.

A free ghost story for Halloween. "The Diary of Mr Poynter" by MR James. Performed by Circle of Spears Productions. Learn more about the performers at www.circleofspears.com Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon

Bestselling author Joanne Harris joins Mark Norman, the creator of The Folklore Podcast in a discussion of the importance of folklore, storytelling and her brand new book Orfeia - the third in a series of folklore-rich novellas constructed as reworkings of some of the Child Ballads. At the end of the episode, as a bonus feature, Joanne herself reads the first chapter of Orfeia. To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and help us to keep producing content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast where you can also access a whole catalogue of exclusive extra material.

We talk to the Welsh Children's Laureate Eloise Williams and children's authors P.G. Bell and Matt Brown about a really important new project to bring out the first ever dual Welsh/English language reworking of 'The Mabinogion' aimed specifically at children. The project, being realised through Unbound, will involve 11 of the best Welsh children's writers and will also include packages and teaching materials for schools. Musical guest: Sharron Kraus To support the project being discussed in this episode, please click here. To access exclusive bonus content and help keep The Folklore Podcast running, please click here.

Creator and host of The Folklore Podcast, Mark Norman, is joined by Carnegie shortlisted children's author Zana Fraillon, whose latest book 'The Lost Soul Atlas' deals with the folkloric trope of a passage through the afterlife. Zana also discusses her love of folklore generally and some of the Australian influences from her own culture in her writing. Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to help us to keep making new episodes.

One year on from the phenomenally popular re-release of the classic Usborne book 'All About Ghosts', we return to the stable as Usborne reprint the equally iconic 'All About UFOs' from their World of the Unknown series. Joining host Mark Norman to discuss the topic are TV impressionist and astronomer Jon Culshaw (who wrote the foreword for the new printing) and returning guest Dr David Clarke, who was the official spokes-person when the Ministry of Defence declassified many of their UFO documents at the National Archives. Musical guest: Polly Preacher Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon for extra material and to keep the show going.

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

We present the second part of our mass recording session with 11 other folklore and mythology themed podcasts, trying to decide who has the best and most entertaining folklore tale. Last week you heard the stories. This week ... it's the free-for-all discussion and voting. Who will come out on top? Featuring musical guests Strangefolk We are putting out an episode a week through September. If you would like to see more content coming out permanently, please consider helping us to reach our next support goal by signing up for our Patreon. You can access a whole back catalogue of exclusive extra content there too. www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast to keep us free and viable!