In today's episode, we discuss the pontianak, a frightening female vampire from Southeast Asian folklore. We discuss the meaning of civilization vs. nature in monster stories, the symbolism of female vampires, and why we love monstrous women so mu…
Today's episode features our very first guest star as we learn about the heroine of ATU tale type 510A, most commonly known as Cinderella. We roast the Grimm brothers, fangirl over Baba Yaga, and ponder how so many different cultures can have such…
In our twenty-third episode, we finally cover our first Egyptian goddess - the powerful and two-sided Hathor. We discuss her dualistic nature, the importance of livestock to ancient religions, and our surprise that neither of us had heard much abo…
In today's episode we discuss Brigid, a significant female figure in both pagan and Catholic Irish history. We talk about Christian syncretism, the transformative powers of women's grief, and touch on some LGBT+ themes. Sources: Brigid: Goddess,…
In today's episode, we discuss Xiwangmu, or the Queen Mother of the West. We talk about the influence of folk religions, the Mandate of Heaven, and the dangers of nationalist spins on mythology. Sources: Handbook of Chinese Mythology by Lihui Ya…
In our fifth themed episode, we talk about love goddesses! We discuss Astghik from Armenian mythology, Turan from Etruscan mythology, Prende from Albanian mythology, Xochiquetzal from Aztec mythology, Cliodhna from Irish mythology, Qetesh from Egy…
In today's episode, we discuss Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes. We talk about veneration of nature, the distinction between folklore and mythology, and how a goddess can have a place in history. Sources: Pele, Volcano Goddess of Hawai'i …
In today's episode, we talk about the Brazilian siren known as Iara. We discuss the powers of the moon, whether immortality is a blessing or a curse, and the mythological influences on names. Sources: ,Iara ,Iara (mythology) ,Scientists Discov…
In our seventeenth episode we discuss Kannaki, the heroine of the earliest Great Tamil Epic, The Cilappatikāram. We talk about karma, the power of women's rage, and what makes a virtuous woman. Sources: ,The Cilappatikāram: The Tale of an Anklet…
In our 4th themed episode, we discuss an array of fortune, fate, and luck goddesses. We talk about the different ways fate and luck are viewed through different cultures, the common theme of groups of three, and a surprising amount of snakes! We …