The Story Apothecary

Join me is this special episode as I talk to Vanessa Woolf and George Hoyle from Connection with Wonder about stories, community and our values as storytellers; as well as witches, ghosts and Baba Yaga!  Vanessa shares the fun Russian story of Marusia and the Hedgehog, both of which find themselves in Baba Yaga's soup! Story Prescription: A story of looking out for each other and being kind. Story...

Here are two online events that I think you would love if you have been enjoying listening to this podcast. The first one is called The Dance of the Wild Woman on the 4th October 2026 online. There will also be an unperson version in the Scottish Highlands in Forres .  You can find out more about The Dance of the Wild Woman here .   You can also join the popular and rich course WILD WOMEN that's r...

Story Prescription: A story for always following your thread. A tale of hope, that it doesn't matter where you come from, life is full of possibilities. A sweet folk tale from Romania about a king who poses an impossible task, and a young woman who rises to the challenge. To support this podcast, you can ' ⁠⁠buy me a coffee'. ⁠⁠ You can also tell your friends, which is free but means a lot. If you...

A humorous but very gory Scottish myth about a giant called Thrim and how through unforeseen circumstances, the midges- small biting flies- came to existence. Story Prescription: A story about how people react in the face of adversity; a story of meeting your oppressor; a story of unexpected consequences from our actions; and of course a bit of humour about those vicious insects of the Scottish Hi...

My guest today is Daniel Allison, a Scottish oral storyteller, USA Today best selling author and host of the House of Legends podcast, who has focused on making Celtic mythology accessible and alive for modern audiences. In this podcast we talk about being a storyteller; Celtic mythology; Muay Thai and its parallels to the Fianna - Ireland's legendary band of warriors, balanced masculinity, the st...

Story Prescription: Story medicine for stories themselves.  A story from Korea, about a greedy boy who demands stories from everyone he meets, stuffing them into a “story bag” and never sharing them. But the stories plan revenge! Today is when my book Bulgarian Folk Tales is born into the world! Illustrated by the incredible Rima Staines. You can order your copy here : If you are in Bulgaria, then...

Story Prescription: A story of hopes and dreams. For when you're lacking enchantment in your life, and need reminding that things might not be what they seem, and that there is some magic in the world. A beautiful Scottish tale from the Isle of Skye about the place where dreams are made of.  I have a book of Bulgarian Folk Tales out on the 4th June 2026. You can find out more about it and pre-orde...

Story Prescription: For anyone who finds themselves in difficulty. A reminder that every challenging journey starts with a single step. A story from Georgia about a young woman called Svetlana, who walks towards the light in attempt to save someone she loves. I have a book of Bulgarian Folk Tales out on the 4th June 2026. You can find out more about it and pre-order it here for delivery worldwide....

Story Prescription: A women's initiation journey from girlhood to womanhood.  Story Caution: This story contains adult themes, some gore, and some strong language. It is suitable for children age 12+ and adults. A young girl goes into the forest and on the way to her grandmother's house meets a wolf. If you think you know this story, think again. This is the women's oral version, centuries old. In...

Story Prescription: A tale of women's wisdom, and the healing power of music. Story Caution: This story contains descriptions of imprisonment. A beautiful and humorous story rom Russia, where a wise Tsarista (a queen) plays music to save a life.   To support this podcast, you can ' ⁠⁠buy me a coffee'. ⁠⁠ You can also tell your friends, which is free but means a lot. Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathe...

Story Prescription: A favourite tale that shows us that after darkness there is light, that after winter there is spring, that after grief, there is hope.   Story Caution: This story contains contains themes of rape within a paradigm of mythic narrative.   A story from Ancient Greece, about a daughter called Persephone's abduction, and her mournful, wrathful and unrelenting search by her mother, D...

Story Prescription: To know love, we also must know that it may not last forever. To appreciate life, we must know that it cannot stay for eternity. This is a story about love and about death, and how the two are interlinked. Mostly it's a story about life and love, from Armenia. Thank you to InFeathers for the Music. Get your ticker to join me for A Damsel Not In Distress - Untamed Tales for Inte...

​Story Prescription: A Christmas story about hope ​ ​A story from the Ukraine about a poor family at Christmas, but miracles do happen! ​ ​Stories of ⁠Vampires, Ghosts & Creatures of the Night:⁠ Saturday 4th January on Zoom. If you're interested in hearing some wonderfully dark stories for the Bulgarian 'Dirty Days' join me and musician In Feathers. ⁠More information here.⁠ ​If you enjoy this...

Story Prescription: A story for jealousy. It's easy for it to be all-consuming, but sometimes it devours us. A story from Bulgaria about the ruler of the wild cats, Bashakote. It's a humorous, slightly dark and wonderful tale. Stories of Vampires, Ghosts & Creatures of the Night: Saturday 4th January on Zoom. If you're interested in hearing some wonderfully dark stories for the Bulgarian 'Dirt...

Story Prescription: A story for Hallowe'en, All Hallow's Eve, when the souls of those past are remembered. An ethereally spooky story from Scotland, about two sisters who love the same man. It doesn't end well, but it does end with a song of a harp that sings of sorrow. If you are listening from the Scottish Highlands, or know someone who might enjoy Stories and Harp, join us on Saturday 16th Nove...

Story Prescription: A story that shows us that it's possible to keep the inner fire burning no matter the challenging circumstances. Story Caution: This story contains domestic violence as a central theme. If you choose to listen, take care of yourself. A story from Russia about a woman who loves fairytales, and who only lets guests stay if they can tale a tale. Her husband however, does not agree...

Story Prescription: A story for relationships, with significant others and also with ourselves. It takes many transformations, a life-death-life cycle to make a relationship work. It is also a story about overcoming difficult experiences, and the journey it takes to do this. A story full of courage. A Baltic story from Lithuania, where a hardworking hedgehog wishes to marry none other than the Kin...

Story Prescription: A story about the greed and the dangers of prioritising gold over the real treasure of the land. A sweet story from the Ural Mountains about a young man who gets given a sieve and three feathers by his grandmother and the advice about where to find real treasure. To support my work financially can ' buy me a coffee' as a one-off way of supporting me if you enjoy listening.  Mus...

Story Prescription: A story about freedom. A story about overcoming fear, asking the right questions and speaking your longing aloud. A story from Armenia, where a controlling king locks his daughter away so that she may never leave his side. .... To support my work financially you can ' ⁠buy me a coffee' ⁠ if you enjoy listening.  Music: Thank you to ⁠In Feathers ⁠ for the beautiful music. For mo...

Story Prescription: A story about love, and that if we open our hearts to feel the fire, we take a risk. But if we don't then we live in the shadows of the basement, where life is grey. A story from Russia, where a snow child becomes alive. But she wants to feel the fire in her heart, even if that comes at a price. .... To support my work financially you can ' buy me a coffee' if you enjoy listeni...

Story Prescription: A reminder to live in the present to embrace each season of life as it arrives. A magical story from Bulgaria about the time that all the twelve months gathered together, and what happened when a brave young girl saw them in the midst of winter searching for snowdrops, for new hope. I wish you all very merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year! _To support my work financially you c...

Story Prescription: A prescription about the moon and the Northern lights. A Saami story of love and loss, of hope and light. A story for the autumn and winter, so that we may find the light in the skies.  If you wanted to join my Wild Women course, a 6 Months Journey into the Wild Feminine through Stories, starting on the 9th November, then find out more  ⁠here.⁠   To support my work financially...

Story Prescription: A story for those who stay at home and don't have their work valued. For women whose labour doesn't get appreciated. A story for the equality and appreciation of women. A story of hope. - A humorous story from Bulgaria (and all over Europe) about a husband who thinks that his wife's work at home is meaningless and easy. Then one day the husband stayed at home... - To see my fut...

-Story Prescription: A story for naming something which you fear by its true name; a story which cautions those who make promises in haste; a story about giving up that which you treasure the most . A story from Germany, collected by the Grimm brothers about a miller's daughter who needs to spin straw into gold to save her head. She gets help from an other worldly creature, but the helps comes at...

Story Prescription: A story for grief, loss, longing and hope. Story Caution: This story deals with loss and death. Like many other stories, this is a tale for older humans. Recommended age 14+ A traditional Cinderella variant from Bulgaria. A story of Mara who becomes Cinderella (Pepelashka). We all know the story of Cinderella, or do we only know one sanitised, Bourgeoisie version made famous by...