Willing & Fable

For the 125th episode, Rowan and Tracey go all the way back to the beginning and ask: what is mythology? They discuss the history and science behind storytelling, the chemical effects of religion on the brain, and whether or not trees have their own versions of folklore. Tracey tells us an original love story about the sun and the moon, and Rowan’s tale explores an AI coming to terms with its sent...

This week, Rowan presents the mythologies of goblins from around the world—knockers, red caps, duendes, and dokkaebi (to name a few). We also learn about the ways goblins have been used as harmful antisemitic tropes and discuss other symbols from religion and folklore that have been used to influence public perception. Note: In this episode, we discuss the current genocide of Palestinians being pe...

Our hosts explore a variety of folklore from the Appalachian Mountains. Tracey dives into the folklore of the Bell Witch, the Brown Mountain Lights, and the Flat Woods Monster. Rowan tells a story about the Cryptid Community Convention and discusses some of the reasons why non-indigenous people aren’t welcome to say the name of the W. Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachia http...

Continuing their conversation examining stories about the threads of fate, Rowan and Tracey discuss the Three Fates of Ancient Greek Mythology: Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. Tracey tells a story from the perspective of god experiencing manic love, the pair learn about marriage practices in Ancient Greece and China, and they explore reasons why stories of fated love might be especially important f...

The Red String of Fate is famous online, but where does this myth come from? Join us as we learn more about Chinese mythology, Yue Lao (the god of love and marriage), and Tu’er Shen (the patron of homosexual love between men as far back as the 17th century). Rowan presents a gut-wrenching story about a lifetime of love, and Tracey brings the history and the tropes, so get ready for a mix of fun an...

Continuing their discussion on the Bermuda Triangle, Tracey presents theories about time travel, parallel universes, the lost city of Atlantis, methane gas, and UFOs. Rowan tells her story from the perspective of a god, exploring heaven, hell, and chronic illness. The pair also geek out about one of their favorite poets: the man, the myth, the legend, T.S. Eliot. (What can we say? Sometimes the ep...

This week, the discussion gets pointed (that's a triangle joke) when Tracey and Rowan explore the mythology of the Bermuda Triangle. Stories include the misadventures of Christopher Columbus, wandering ghost ships, ocean farts caused by methane gas, an FBI investigation, and the mysterious disappearance of Flight 19. The pair also reads the last transmissions from military training Flight 19 befor...

In this week’s episode, Rowan explores the lore of lycanthropes–those unfortunate souls who transform into wolves under the full moon. We explore numerous versions of werewolf mythology, the way these stories were used against innocents throughout history, how modern medicine has affected the discussion, and ways someone might gain this transformative power. Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia....

This week Spenser Starke joins us to discuss “Acts of God” from around the world. We talk about the Lake Nyos Disaster, the Carrington Event, and the Tunguska Incident. Instead of a story, Spenser brings in an original TTRPG that gets everyone involved in crafting an archeological adventure. Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_God https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herculaneum https:...

This week Spenser Starke joins us for the second in a three-part series on Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other acts of God. We talk about the history of the sexy history of Pompeii, the Herculaneum Papyri, and scandalous ancient graffiti. Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_God https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herculaneum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herculaneum_papyri https://en.wiki...

This week Spenser Starke joins us for the first in a three-part series on Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other acts of God. We talk about the history of the Pompeii, the science of volcanoes, and the art of archeology Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_God https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herculaneum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herculaneum_papyri https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompeii...

The second half of our two part series on Beauty and the Beast with Kailey Bray! We talk about the authors of Beauty and the Beast, the impacts of its creation on story, and the idea of the woman as a muse. Also, Kailey tells a us her own tale. Sources From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers by Marina Warner Beauty and the Beast, Old and New by Terry Windling La Belle et La...

Kailey Bray joins us once again, this time she brings to light the tale of Beauty and the Beast. We discuss feminism, fairytales, storytelling, and Shrek Sources From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers by Marina Warner Beauty and the Beast, Old and New by Terry Windling La Belle et La Bête by Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve La Belle et La Bête by Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Bea...

This week Tracey dives into the history and mythology behind one of Hell's top demons. The demon Prince of Lust, himself: Asmodeus Join us as we explore the enigmatic world of Asmodeus, Hell's misunderstood bad boy. Discover the depths of his character, debunk the misconceptions, and uncover his potential as a surprising love interest. From mythology to popular culture, we unravel the allure of As...

Casie comes back to the show to share the fascinating story behind the Sacred Band of Thebes. She goes into the queer history behind the most powerful group of gay soldiers in Ancient Greece Sources Britannica  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Boeotian-League   History of War http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/peace_antalcidas.html   The Ancients podcast, The Sacred Band of Thebes...

This week Tracey shares the tale of Aka Manto, a Japanese Urban legend about a toilet ghost. Be careful when walking into public bathrooms… Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aka_Manto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_urban_legends Generasian https://generasian.blog/2020/12/22/deconstructing-japanese-urban-legend-and-its-cultural-integration/ Japan Travel https://en.japantravel....

This week, Tracey answers the age-old question: Why were the Victorians so spooky? The answer includes Rowan’s favorite fact to tell at parties, a bit about women writers, and a scandalizing detail about…naked ghosts? Sources Cambridge https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/cambridge-history-of-the-gothic/genesis-of-the-victorian-ghost-story/BF01E846C601BD0D534B56EBF0E740A6 Interesting Literatur...

This week’s show is all about sadness and sweetness. In her mini myth, Rowan describes the tradition of “telling the bees.” We dive into the grief, bee friendly gardening, and the joy of little outfits. Sources The Bee Conservancy https://thebeeconservancy.org/10-ways-to-save-the-bees/ Planet Bee Foundation https://www.planetbee.org/how-to-help-bees Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telling_...

Mythology, Technology & The Fall of Man This week is our first Mini Myth! Tracey brings us the tale of Adapa and the Food of Life. Rowan and Tracey have conversations about technology, AI (we’re looking at you Chat GPT), zoochosis, and ancient mythology. Sources World history https://www.worldhistory.org/article/216/the-myth-of-adapa/ Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamian_myths#...

In Episode 106, Rowan tells us the history of Hans Christian Andersen and the many people he longed for the course of his life. Our hosts discuss his fairy tales, anxiety, queer identity…and that time he pissed off Charles Dickens. Was he bisexual? Was he ace? Did he compare himself to a snowman in love with a stove? (The world may never know.) Sources  Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...

This week Tracey talks about the (in)famous John Radclyffe Hall, a woman who defied gender norms and wrote a famously banned book: The Well of Loneliness. We also discuss the state of LGBTQ+ youth in America today and what can be done to protect the queer community Sources  Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radclyffe_Hall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_inversion_(sexology) Literar...

For our final Storytime episode in this series we are discussing four of our favorite LGBTQ+ stories that we've written over the last three seasons. This week we talk about out and proud lesbian icon: Anne Lister, the bible’s kinkiest love story: Samson and Delilah, a goddess with gender fluid priests: Inanna, and the definitely-not-just-roommates gay couple from the Trojan war: Achilles & Pat...

In this episode, Tracey is taking us on a tour of her past stories about amazing women from history. This week’s episode includes the stories of groundbreaking baroque painter: Artemesia Gentileschi, iconic Black woman in Georgian society: Dido Elizabeth Belle, “The Terror of the South China Seas” pirate Ching Shih, and CIA’s Moscow Rules made famous by Jonna Mendez. For the full history behind ea...

For our second Storytime episode, Rowan compiled a collection of her stories all centered around the topic of the artistic muse in history and mythology. This week’s episode includes W.B. Yates’ Leanan Sidhe, the Green Fairy of absinthe, the tragic death of the Unknown Woman of the Seine, and the tale of a science fiction unicorn. For the full history behind each story, check out the full Willing...

To start off Season 4, we’re introducing Storytime Episodes! Join Rowan and Tracey for a look back on the last three years of mythology. This week’s episode includes the tales of Pennsylvania’s State cryptid the Squonk, a gargoyle from the Notre Dame, a nurturing kraken mother, and our favorite ‘bro from West Virginia: Mothman. For the full history behind each story, check out the full Willing &am...