LilWeird Podcast

(00:00:00) Mind Beyond Matter- Part 1: Minds Without Brains (00:03:34) Mind Without Brains (00:04:30) Slime Mold (00:07:23) Mimosa Pudica (00:09:17) Mushrooms (00:11:57) Outro 🎙️ Part 1: Mind Without Brains  ✨ Series: Mind Beyond Matter Ever met a genius blob? In this mind-bending premiere of Mind Beyond Matter, we meet creatures that think without a brain. From slime molds that can design subway...

(00:00:00) Part 2 - Beware the Dancing Lights: Tricksters of the West and the Americas (00:00:14) Europe's Will-o’-the-Wisp (00:05:14) Latin America's Duende (00:10:44) North America's Coyote (00:16:04) The Psychology (00:19:29) Trickster Archetype (00:22:02) Modern Echoes of Ancient Tricksters The journey continues westward, where deceptive spirits flicker across continents. In this second part,...

(00:00:00) Part 1 – Beware the Dancing Lights: Philippine and Asian Legends of Deceptive Spirits (00:06:02) Santelmo - St. Elmo's Fire (00:08:55) Tikbalang (00:10:15) Engkanto (00:12:44) Kitsune (00:14:47) China’s guǐhuǒ (00:15:30) Korea's dokkaebi bul Ever wondered what lurks in the dark when the path ahead flickers with light? In this first part of our two-episode journey, we explore the Philipp...

This isn’t your usual LilWeird episode, it’s more like a journal entry. In this catch-up, I share some reflections on past episodes (The Cosmic Compass and Philippine Star Lore) and how uncovering ancient knowledge of the skies inspired me to return to something I’ve always loved: writing stories. Somewhere between rambling thoughts and quiet confessions, I offer a glimpse into my newest project,...

(00:00:00) Ghost Month 101: Myths, Taboos & the August Slowdown (00:02:01) Part 1 - Where Ghost Month Comes From (00:03:09) Customs and Beliefs (00:05:35) Story 1 - The Front Row Seat (00:06:12) Story 2 - The Taxi Passenger (00:06:48) Story 3 - The Shore that Pulls (00:07:27) Story 4 - The Red Envelope (00:08:00) Some of the Lesser Known Beliefs this Month (00:11:02) What are the Practical Reasons...

What if a single word could hold the heart of a culture? In the Philippines, “Loob” is more than “inside”. It’s the core of your being, the spirit that shapes how you feel, connect, and live. In this episode of the LilWeird Podcast, we explore the Filipino concept of loob, its ties to values like kapwa and pakikiramdam, and why it’s almost impossible to translate into English. We’ll uncover how th...

Long before telescopes, the night sky was a living map. In the Philippines, constellations like Balatik and Moroporo told when to plant, when to fish, and when to prepare for change. In this episode of the LilWeird Podcast, we dive into Philippine star lore and the field of ethnoastronomy. How ancient communities read the stars, the myths they wove, and the rituals tied to celestial movements. You...

(00:00:00) The Cosmic Compass: Ancient Wisdom of the Stars (00:01:29) Part 1: Finding Their Way: The Original GPS (00:04:45) Part 2 (00:09:04) Part 3: Sacred Skies: Spiritual Connections Between Heaven and Earth (00:11:47) Part 4: Stories Written in Stars: Myths, Meaning, and Memory (00:15:08) Closing Before GPS and smartphones, our ancestors turned to the stars. In this episode of LilWeird, we tr...

She’s been our light in the dark for millennia, but where did the Moon come from and who, if anyone, put her there? This episode of the LilWeird Podcast explores myths and legends of the Moon, from Philippine folktales to cosmic stories from around the world. We’ll wander through ancient sky lore, supernatural moon-eaters, and even strange modern theories searching for meaning in her eternal glow....

Episode Description: Valentine’s Day—a celebration of love, romance, and sweet gestures… but did you know its origins are far from roses and chocolates? Before Hallmark cards and candlelit dinners, this day had ties to ancient rituals, mysterious gods, and even a rebellious king lost in history. In this episode of LilWeird, we dig deep into the shadowy past of Valentine’s Day, exploring: 🩸 The Ro...

What happens when the night sky is no longer safe? This week on LilWeird, we explore the haunting tale of the Bakunawa, the mythical sea dragon from Filipino folklore, known for devouring the moon. Dive into a world where ancient myths meet cosmic wonders, revealing how early Filipinos explained lunar eclipses and their connection to the cycles of nature and time. From the Bakunawa’s shimmering, s...

In this Halloween special, we dive into the eerie legends of some of the Philippines’ oldest universities, where ghost stories have thrived for generations. From Ateneo de Manila’s mysterious infinite staircase to the restless spirits of De La Salle University, these tales take us through shadowy hallways, haunted staircases, and spine-chilling apparitions. Discover what secrets lie within the hal...

In this eerie Halloween special, we dive into some of the most spine-chilling omens of death from Filipino folklore and beyond. What does it mean when you dream of losing teeth ? Could encountering your doppelgänger actually signal your final days? And what should you do if you see someone you know without a head ? These unsettling experiences have haunted generations, but are they just coincidenc...

In this episode of LilWeird Podcast , we explore the concept of liminality, that strange in-between state where you're no longer where you were, but not yet where you want to be. From eerie empty spaces and ghostly balete trees to the unsettling phenomenon of sleep paralysis, we dive into the mysteries that lie on the edges of reality. Join me as we journey through liminal spaces, time, and life t...

Join us in this captivating episode of the LilWeird Podcast as we delve into the fascinating world of pre-colonial Philippine mythology. Discover the second generation of deities and demigods, including Dumangan, Anagolay, Mayari, Tala, and Hanan. Learn about their unique roles, intriguing myths, and how these stories shape our cultural heritage. Perfect for mythology enthusiasts, cultural explore...

Join me, Jane Bee, on this captivating episode of the LilWeird Podcast as we delve into the mystical world of Philippine mythology with "Exploring the Ancient Deities of the Philippines: The First Generation Gods." Discover the fascinating stories of Bathala, Amanikable, Mapulon, Lakapati, and Idiyanale—gods and goddesses who shaped the Filipino spiritual landscape. From creation myths to tales of...

Join me on this intriguing episode of the LilWeird Podcast as we delve into the extraordinary tale of Gil Pérez, the 16th-century Spanish soldier who mysteriously teleported from Manila to Mexico City overnight. Was it an act of the supernatural, a case of bilocation, or simply an elaborate legend? Discover the different perspectives from historians, folklorists, and scientists as we unravel this...

In this episode of the LilWeird Podcast, we continue our exploration of the miraculous events at Lipa, Batangas. Following the divine apparitions experienced by Teresita Castillo, we now turn our attention to the miraculous shower of rose petals that captivated the faithful in 1948. These petals, some said to bear holy images, sparked awe and devotion, but also intense scrutiny and controversy. Jo...

In this episode of the LilWeird Podcast, I take you on a captivating journey into one of the most extraordinary tales of faith and mystery from the Philippines. Discover the miraculous apparitions experienced by Teresita Castillo in 1948 at the Carmelite monastery in Lipa, Batangas. Unveil the profound connection between Teresita and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, as we delve into th...

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the shadowy and tumultuous history surrounding Yamashita's treasure. Journey with us as we uncover the labyrinth of secret tunnels and hidden vaults that crisscross the Philippines, said to contain untold riches looted during World War II. We explore the intricate web of power, secrecy, and betrayal that characterized the Golden Lily operation, orche...

In the mysterious jungles of the Philippines, an extraordinary legend has captured the imaginations of treasure hunters and historians alike: Yamashita's Treasure. As World War II drew to a close, the retreating Japanese forces, led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita, allegedly buried a vast hoard of looted gold, diamonds, and priceless artifacts. Join me, Jane, your host of the Lil Weird Podcast, as I...

In the second part of this episode, we shift our focus to personalistic and naturalistic causes of illness. We explore the supernatural and environmental factors that Filipinos believe can affect health. For personalistic causes, we discuss: Engkanto: Elusive nature spirits believed to cause illness when disturbed. Kulam: The dark art of sorcery, where curses and hexes bring about physical and men...

Join me, Jane Bee, on the LilWeird Podcast as we dive into the fascinating world of Filipino health beliefs. In this two-part episode, we uncover the rich tapestry of traditional practices and supernatural explanations that shape how many Filipinos understand health and illness. From mystical forces to personalistic and naturalistic causations, discover how these age-old beliefs still hold signifi...

Join us on a journey through time as we delve into the fascinating world of ancient Filipino beliefs about the afterlife. In this episode, we explore the rich tapestry of beliefs that shaped early Filipino views on life after death, drawing insights from cultural sources and traditional wisdom. From the concept of the soul to the diverse realms of the underworld, we unravel the mysteries and nuanc...

Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the cosmos according to Philippine folk religion in this episode of Lil Weird Podcast. Delve into the enchanting world of ancient beliefs and mythical narratives that have shaped the cultural landscape of the Philippines. Key Topics Covered: The Earth and the Cosmos: Explore how ancient Filipinos perceived the world, from flat Earth concepts to layered inter...