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The Folklore Podcast

Mark Norman

Folklore: Beliefs, traditions & culture of the people. Traditional folklore themes from around the world. An accessible podcast ranked in the top 0.5% of shows globally, bringing free access to many of the world's experts in folklore, authors, broadcasters and more.

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21 episodes
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Avg 48 min
English

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August 20 · 43 min
Episode 197 - CIRCUS FOLKLORE
We visit the circus in this episode of The Folklore Podcast. Specifically, we are guests of Paulo's Circus where, after watching a traditional circus performance, we interview Kenny Darnell, son of the current circus owner and part of a family with circus heritage going back many generations. Kenny talks about circus heritage, the importance of the art form in the modern world, and some of the myths and superstitions attached to the circus, its workers and performers. We also find out about an exciting new plan to bring a new addition to a very rare piece of circus history - the permanent indoor circus. You can visit Paulo's circus online at https://www.paulos.co.uk/ Support The Folklore Podcast and enjoy extra exclusive content and other rewards on our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast
July 16 · 47 min
Episode 196 - APOTHECARY FOLKLORE
We explore folk medicine of two different historical periods, the tenth and the seventeenth century, in this episode of The Folklore Podcast. I am joined by special guest, author Danielle Giles, whose first two novels have this focus and provide our lens. 'Mere', set in the Norfolk marshes in the 10th century, explores the work of a convent infirmarian, and Danielle's new novel 'Gentle Things' is located around an apothecary's shop. We look at older pagan beliefs and practices and their adoption into the Christian church, some of the plants and healing techniques used, and pay more than passing service to the subject of medical cannibalism. This one is perhaps not teatime viewing! You can find Danielle on the web at https://www.daniellegileswriter.com/ Find the 100 Ballads Project, which is referred to in this episode, online at https://www.100ballads.org/ To support the Folklore Podcast in its goal of providing excellent free folklore content each month, please visit http://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast
June 29 · 1 hr 2 min
Episode 195 - FINDING ALBION
In this special episode of The Folklore Podcast, recorded live on location at The Bookery, a community-owned bookshop in Crediton, Devon, host Mark Norman talks with BBC Radio 6 Music's Zakia Sewell about her book Finding Albion. Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, the book is an exploration of British identity, folk culture and myth and grew out of a documentary series Zakia made for BBC Radio 4. Find Zakia online at www.zakiasewell.co.uk Support The Folklore Podcast and join a community of like-minded others at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast where there is plenty more free and paid content available.
June 9 · 38 min
Episode 194 - BLODEUWEDD MEETS FRANKENSTEIN
In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman is joined by special guest Bar Fridman-Tell about her debut novel 'Honeysuckle'. Part horror, part fantasy, part magic but completely engaging, the story in an unholy alliance between the flower woman of Welsh mythology and a creation of Victor Frankenstein! Bar talks about her inspirations, the treatment of the original story and the ways in which she combines real-world folklore with her own imagination. You can also hear a short extract from the audiobook, courtesy of the publisher. You can find Honeysuckle wherever books are sold, and visit Bar on the web at https://www.barfridmantell.com/ To support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon (for free or for a small donation) and get access to extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast
May 19 · 27 min
Episode 193 - TALKING GHOSTS PART 2
The second of two episodes featuring interviews recorded live at the UK Ghost Story Festival in Derby in February 2026. In this second part, host Mark Norman meets two more of the presenters from the event. You will hear: MELANIE ATKINSON: On horror and ghost story writing SUSANNAH WISE: On the tangential way that ghosts appear in her writing, and writing from screen as well as novels. Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and get free exclusive bonus material. Join as a free member or on a paid tier at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast
May 10 · 1 hr 9 min
Episode 192 - FAIRY IMAGERY
Folklorist and author Mark Norman, the creator of The Folklore Podcast, looks at the imagery of the fairy, in conversation with illustrator and folklore enthusiast Tamsin Rosewell. As well as chatting with Tamsin about her past, and her interest in folklore and the fairy world more generally, the episode takes a close look at the fairy in art, literature and culture. We also want your views! What are your early memories of fairy images? How do you think the fairy will change over time? Please fill out our micro survey which will inform a future episode on this subject. You will find a short form on this link: https://forms.gle/RQ2C8KiX5XDpDAfz5 Thank you for giving us your views. To support The Folklore Podcast and get extra exclusive content, please join our Patreon page. You can subscribe as a free member for some content, explore the site, and choose a paid tier if you want to see and hear more. Please visit: https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast
April 19 · 55 min
Episode 191 - TALKING GHOSTS PART 1
The first of two episodes featuring interviews recorded live at the UK Ghost Story Festival in Derby in February 2026. In this first part, host Mark Norman meets four presenters from the festival to discuss their particular areas of interest. You will hear: DAN WEBBER discussing queer readings of Dracula and theatrical adaptations of ghost stories TRACY FAHEY on Irish ghosts and the idea of ghost estates ANTHONY KERRIGAN talking about fairy folklore and its links to abduction cases RICHARD FARREN BARBER answering the question 'What mkaes an effective ghost?' Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and get free exclusive bonus material. Join as a free member or on a paid tier at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast
March 19 · 48 min
Episode 190 - AND 'OTHER' STORIES
In this episode, recorded on location, host Mark Norman meets members of the Turning Tides Project to talk about their Arts Council funded project AND 'OTHER' STORIES which presents the work of a group of artists with and without 'learning disability' and 'autism' labels. And 'Other' Stories reworks fairy tales and folktales in different ways to challenge our ideas about disability. It invites you to: Consider the human tendency to exclude and create "Other". Look for ways we can value our rich heritage of traditional stories in a way that respects everyone, as equal. Immerse yourself in multi-sensory approaches to storytelling. Experience an approach to presenting information that gives everyone equal access to that information. Mark discusses the project with facilitators Abi and Jane from Turning Tides, along with two of the participants.
March 6 · 1 hr 25 min
Episode 189 - OPENING THE BOX OF DELIGHTS
A very special feature length episode of The Folklore Podcast, with a panel consisting of the cream of those people associated with the classic children's title THE BOX OF DELIGHTS. Podcast host Mark Norman discusses the enduring love for Box in all its forms with an amazing line-up of guests, consisting of: PHIL ERRINGTON - John Masefield expert and author of 'Opening the Box of Delights' PIERS TORDAY - Children's author and playwright responsible for adapting the Box of Delights for the stage, including the RSC production CHRIS CHAPMAN - BBC documentary maker and director of 'Time and Tide: Making the Box of Delights' for the BluRay edition You can support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and access even more content for free, or with a donation, at http://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast
February 19 · 52 min
Episode 188 - UK GHOST STORY FESTIVAL CHATS
In this episode we visit the 2025 UK Ghost Story Festival, which was held at the Museum of Making in Derby. Host Mark Norman meets some of the presenters from the festival and chats to them about ghost stories and their work. Children's author ALEX FOULKES discusses her middle-grade books, and talks about writing vampires for children. Author and editor TEIKA MARIJA SMITS talks about the darker side of fairy stories and her own short ghost fiction Academic DR SAM HIRST tell us all about her project Romancing the Gothic and the wide range of areas in which that particular genre can take you. Learn more about the guests on their websites: Alex: https://foulkeswrites.wordpress.com/ Teika: https://teikamarijasmits.com/ Sam: https://romancingthegothic.com/ Join The Folklore Podcast Patreon community at: https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast You can support the podcast with a small monthly donation, or elect to be a FREE member.
February 9 · 1 hr
Episode 187 - WICKED STRANGE: GHOSTS AND LEGENDS OF NEW ENGLAND
Folklore Podcast host Mark Norman chats with special guest, broadcaster and author Jeff Belanger, about some of the ghosts, folklore and other legends found in New England, in the north-eastern corner of the United States. Jeff is the host of 'New England Legends' on Amazon Prime Video, co-host of a podcast of the same name, and has written for and appeared on 'Ghost Adventures'. His book, 'Wicked Strange' provides a coffee-table collection of the stories covered on this episode and much more. This episode is rounded off with a folk music recording from the archives of American folklorist and singer Ellen Stekert. This previously lost recording of 'Golden Apples of the Sun', performed by Dave Van Ronk, was recorded in 1966 and has been recently remastered as part of the Ellen Stekert Project. Find out more about Jeff on his website at https://jeffbelanger.com/ Learn more about Ellen and the project to digitise her archives at https://ellenstekert.com/ Join the Folklore Podcast Patreon page at https://www/patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast to access extra content and support the show. There is plenty of free content available, and enhanced material for those who want to sign up for a small monthly amount to support the work of the show.
January 20 · 54 min
Episode 186 - MEDIEVAL GHOSTS
Mark Norman is joined by broadcaster, author and medievalist Dr Eleanor Janega to look at the role of the ghost in the medieval period. What elements of the behaviour of the ghost might we still recognise today? What was the view and the role of the church when it came to ghosts? Did people use ghosts for entertainment as we do now? You can find out more about Eleanor, her broadcasting and her writing on her website at https://eleanorjanega.com/ Support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon to get extra content at https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast - free and paid tiers available.
January 12 · 16 min
Episode 185 - THE FOLKLORE OF PROVERBS
The Folklore Podcast returns to its original first principles for the first show of Season 11, with an episode written and presented by creator and host Mark Norman. The episode is a short exploration of the role of proverbs in folklore, and its writing was inspired by a new music track, 'Breadcrumbs' by artist Amy Hopwood which you can hear at the end of the show. Watch a video version of this podcast on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Rn6R_FnqV-Y You can visit Amy's website and get links to her music and art at https://amyhopwood.co.uk/ Visit the Folklore Podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast where you can join as a free member for additional episodes. Upgrade to a paid membership later and access even more bonus material.
Dec 29, 2025 · 5 min
Folklore Podcast 2026 announcement
Want to know what to expect from the show as we head to 2026, and where to find the content you enjoy? Listen to this short announcement from creator and host, Mark Norman.
Dec 22, 2025 · 13 min
Christmas Special 2025 - The Mistletoe Bride
Welcome to the 2025 Folklore Podcast Christmas Special. Folklorist Mark Norman, the creator and host of The Folklore Podcast for the last 10 years, relates the legend of the Mistletoe Bride and provides a rare look at a very obscure reference to what is probably the earliest version of the tale in print, from 1809, placing the story in Germany and not England at all. The episode is rounded off with a performance of the song which popularised the legend, 'The Mistletoe Bough' given exclusively for the audience of the podcast by critically acclaimed English folk singer Jackie Oates. Visit Jackie's website at www.jackieoates.co.uk Support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon for extra content at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast
Dec 15, 2025 · 52 min
Episode 184 - THIRST: RIVERS AND FOLKLORE
In this episode of the podcast, host Mark Norman discusses some points relating to the folklore of rivers, with a particular focus on their perceived need for sacrifice and to 'claim a heart' each year. This is followed by a discussion with writer Darren Simpson, the author of a new folk horror book for young adults, 'Thirst', which uses similar themes in its plot. And finally, the show is closed with a new single from folk duo Lunatraktors, 'Yarrow', based on a Child Ballad. You can find Darren Simpson online at https://darrensimpsonwrites.co.uk/ Lunatraktors have a website at https://www.lunatraktors.space/ To support The Folklore Podcast, please visit https://wwwpatreon.com/thefolklorepodcast
Nov 29, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Episode 183 - GHOST STORIES WITH MICHELLE PAVER
I chat with author Michelle Paver about all things ghost story. What makes a good haunt? Which are her favourites and which doesn't she like? And what do ghosts mean to her? For the second part of the interview we take a look at Michelle's new novel 'Rainforest', a ghost story set in the Mexican rainforest. Having previously placed her ghosts in the isolation of the Arctic and high up a mountain, Michelle once again shows that you can have an effective haunt in an unexpected location. We explore Mayan folklore, shamanism and the cultural roles of that civilization on the story. The episode includes an extract of the audiobook version of Rainforest, read by Richard Armitage. You can visit Michelle's website to find our more about her work at https://michellepaver.com/ Please support the work of The Folklore Podcast on the Patreon page. You can join as a free member and, even if you cannot support financially, help to grow the audience and access even more content. Go to https://www.patreon.com/c/thefolklorepodcast
Nov 12, 2025 · 40 min
Episode 182 - GATHERINGS
The British ritual year is full of fascinating public events, sports, games, processions and festivals. Whether long-running or modern, revival or continuous, there is something for everyone and a rich background of folklore and tradition behind them all. A new 6-part documentary series, "Gatherings", shines a light on some of these, but in an unusual way. No presenter. No celebrity. No narrative. Gatherings presents the events as the onlookers would see them, along with interviews with organisers, participants and visitors. In this episode of the podcast, I meet with the director Dave Brewis to learn more about how the series came about, the ethos behind it and, of course, the events themselves. You can learn more about Gatherings, and find out how to watch, at https://gatherings.tv/ Support the Folklore Podcast and get extra content, as either a free member or on a supporter's tier, at https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast The Folklore Podcast is an independent podcast. Please help to spread the word by sharing episodes and other content.
Oct 31, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
Episode 181 - THE TRAITORS: WHIMSY OR WITCH-HUNT?
I gather together a gaggle of witchcraft historians to discuss the cult TV gameshow 'The Traitors'. To what extent do the machinations of the contestants in the show, whichever version that might be, draw parallels with the witch-hunts of the Early Modern Period? Joining me to debate this are: Professor Marion Gibson Dr Tabitha Stanmore Tracey Norman All of whom are returning guests to the show. Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon for extra content at http://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast
Oct 21, 2025 · 35 min
Episode 180 - EDITH NESBIT'S GHOST STORIES
While there are many famous names associated with the ghost story, some are less commonly linked, and even fewer are women. In the episode of the podcast we focus on one of those in particular, Edith Nesbit. Best known as a children's writer under the name E. Nesbit, Edith wrote some effective spooky tales for adults. Many of these have not seen much light of day. A new one-woman theatre show - HAUNTED SHADOWS - performed by Claire Louise Amias and directed by Jonathan Rigby shines a light on Edith and her gothic stories. I meet Claire to discuss Edith Nesbit's work, and of course her new show. Haunted Shadows is a production of A Monkey With Cymbals theatre company. Find out more on their website at https://www.amonkeywithcymbals.co.uk/haunted-shadows Follow them on social media: Instagram: @AMonkeyWithCymbals Facebook: @AMonkeyWithCymbals X: @Monkeywithcymb Bluesky: @ClaireLouiseAmias.bsky.social To support the work of The Folklore Podcast in creating free folklore content for everyone, please join our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast - you can also join the free member community there too.

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