Willing & Fable

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, Tracey teaches us about Leprechauns. Turns out, all that green Guinness and Lucky Charms have nothing to do with the lore of these small, shoe-cobbling fae. (Hint: This episode involves way more discussion of deep lake monsters that we ever could have guessed.) Sources World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/ American Civil Liberties Union https://www.aclu.org/ M...

Willing & Fable hosts a double episode this week, with Rowan and Tracey covering “water demons” from around the world - Scottish Kelpies and Japanese Kappa. You do not want to run into this terrifying murder-horse or frog-like turtle creature while out for a swim. Our advice when going near any foreboding bodies of water: don’t touch any horses and always bring a cucumber. Sources Wikipedia ht...

In this week’s episode of the Willing & Fable podcast Rowan tells us what she learned about kitsune - Japanese fox spirits that may or may not be up to some mischief. She tells the story of a farmer in search of a wife, but the woman he loves is not who she appears to be. Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsune https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C5%8Dkai https://en.wikipedia.org/w...

In Chapter 7, Roslyn and Thea have made it to the Library, but now they need to convince a very nervous librarian to help them access the heretical texts (which is easier said than done). To hear the previous Chapter of “The Wizard & The Rogue” join us in Episode 66.

This week Rowan talks about one of the most famous duos in Greek mythology. She tells the tale of Achilles and Patroclus Source Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles_and_Patroclus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Schliemann#:~:text=In%20northwestern%20Turkey%2C%20Heinrich%20Schliemann,of%20British%20archaeologist%20Frank%20Calvert . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_in_a...

To kick off Season 3, the Willing & Fable team explores the true history of the Greek poetess Sappho. Rowan and Tracey discus whether or not she truly fits the “lesbian” and “sapphic love” labels that were named based on her romantic work. (Plus, Tracey may just have written the podcast's most amazing poem!) Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sappho https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O...

For the final episode of the season, we're telling winter stories from the north: Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden, and the troll Gryla (with her 13 Yule Lads and Yule Cat). This episode will get you in the holiday spirit with magically crafted snow-children, scary trolls, mischievous lads, and a giant man-eating Christmas cat. Sources Wikipedia  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Snow_Maiden http...

In this episode, Rowan dives into the science and mythology of the world’s deepest (and possibly scariest) lake. We're not saying there's a dragon at the bottom, but we're not, not saying it. Sources @Geodesaurus on Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@geodesaurus/video/6866240680658816262?lang=en Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comephorus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_King https://en.wi...

This week we’re discussing Inanna, the goddess for the people (and by people we mean the girls, the gays and the theys). Join us to learn about the ancient Sumerian goddess of love and war. Sources Wikipedia  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_themes_in_mythology#Mythologies_of_Africa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gala_(priests) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inanna#Descent_into_the_underworld...

In Chapter 6, our grudging pair make their way to the Library of the Lassera School for Noble Magic where they reconnect with an old friend. Sound effects by ZapSplat

In partnership with Green Leaf Geek, we’re bringing you the real-world mythology behind two of Dungeons and Dragons most famous creatures - golems and djinn. When you shop greenleafgeek.com for all your TTRPG accessories and custom dice, use our coupon code FABLE for 10% off your order (some restrictions apply). Sources Wikipedia  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem https://en.wikipedia.org/w...

To make spooky season last just a bit longer, Rowan and Tracey read some haunted listeners stories (plus, a surprising recipe sent in from Ireland!) If you would like to send your Listener Legend to Willing & Fable, please use our submission form: https://www.willingandfable.com/contact Or email us at: willingandfable@gmail.com

For Halloween, the Rowan and Tracey are telling famous ghost stories: the Tradition of the Theatre Ghost Light and the tale of Mae Nak Phra Khanong. Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_light_(theatre) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_Nak_Phra_Khanong https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongkut https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_theatre https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thespis https...

This week Tracey shares the history behind everyone's favorite spooky pumpkins. Casie joins us once again to discuss the myths behind Jack o Lanterns. Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack-o%27-lantern https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stingy_Jack https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_o%27_the_bowl Nat Geo https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/arti...

Have you ever wondered who the hottest headless horseman of history was? Casie Rospki is here to give you the info you need Rowan is out this week but FEAR NOT because Casie Ropski is back and she has a tale (or three) about the Headless Horseman Sources Horseman https://www.history.com/news/legend-sleepy-hollow-headless-horseman https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/sir-gawain-and-the-green-knight &...

This episode explores a favorite topic of our hosts with two examples of memento mori -- Victorian death photography and the medical mysteries of The Mütter Museum. Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_mori https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCtter_Museum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Dent_Mutter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penicillin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen...

To keep the witch theme going, this week's heavy hitter episode discusses witches' familiars and their roles in witch trials through the ages. Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Familiar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimonic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_trials_in_England https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Witch-Cult_in_Western_Europe https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/daimon Englis...

In this heavy hitter, the hosts discuss the Malleus Maleficarum, or The Hammer of Witches (and the murderous men behind it's creation). Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malleus_Maleficarum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helena_Scheuberin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Sprenger https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Kramer Broedel - Construction of Witchcraft https://archive.org/...

In this heavy hitter episode, Rowan and Tracey explore the history of the Black Death and the subsequent plagues and vaccines that came from it. Sources World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health-topics/plague#tab=tab_1 https://www.who.int/mediacentre/infographic/plague/Plague-October-2017.pdf?ua=1 Dictionary.com https://www.dictionary.com/e/is-the-coronavirus-a-plague/ Live Science http...

Welcome to the best time of year. To kick off Halloween early, our cohosts are discussing the Fear of Clowns and Vanish Hitchhikers. Sources Smithsonian Magazine https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-history-and-psychology-of-clowns-being-scary-20394516/ IHateClowns.com https://www.ihateclowns.com/ NBC https://www.nbcnews.com/healthmain/no-laughing-matter-fear-clowns-serious-issue-725830...

In Chapter 5 of 'The Wizard & The Rogue' we meet Eamon Blacthorn: Justice to the Saint of Sight, High Lord of Rycliff, one of only seven Seats of the Saints, father of the current Sable of Solidarity, Head Judiciary and...certified jerkface. Sound effects from ZapSplat

This week we bring you a special guest to go along with a larger than life story. CK, hosts of the Mirths and Monsters podcast brings us the history and lore behind the big man himself, bigfoot. Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigfoot Merriam Webster Dictionary https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myth Bigfoot Research Organization Map https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/i...

Tracey tells the story of the Slavic witch, Baba Yaga. She's our hosts' favorite proud hag that lives in a hut that walks around on chicken feet and flies around on her mortar and pestle (no kidding!) Sources Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hag#cite_note-etym-4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_Yaga https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babay_(Slavic_Folklore)...

This week, our hosts discuss spycraft from around the world: the true story of Mata Hari , famed French double agent and courtesan, and the notorious 'Moscow Rules' that kept cold war CIA agents safe. Example of Traditional Indonesian Dance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MwDJR1iPuI Indonesian 90s - 2000s Top Songs on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1AA83YxrweNqyiBOxPWU9W?si=bdd360d2b06...

Rowan continues the story of our two favorite fantasy ladies in the fourth chapter of The Wizard and the Rogue. Sound effects from ZapSplat