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The Story Apothecary

Nana Tomova

The Story Apothecary is a podcast filled with medicinal and healing stories. Nana Tomova, a Storyteller and a Mental Health Pharmacist dispenses stories for sadness and anxiety, and shares tales for loss, happiness and love. Here you will find her prescriptions of stories for the body, mind, heart and soul, and for the Earth. Come into the Story Apothecary as we enter the healing world of stories together.

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20 episodes
monthly
Avg 30 min
English

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September 11 · 4 min
Announcement of Exciting Upcoming Story Events
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 running for the fourth year. Early bird tickets are available until the end of September and it will start in November 2026. May you have a beautiful month, and see you again soon for another story prescription very soon.
#61
September 6 · 22 min
61. How the King Chose a Daughter in Law
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 enjoy this podcast, please leave me a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music.
#60
August 21 · 25 min
60. How the Midges Came to Scotland
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 Highlands. Story Caution: There is a lot of violence in this tale, so if you are of a sensitive temperament, please listen as you choose. Recommended age 10+
#59
July 12 · 1 hr 5 min
59. Auld Cruivie with Guest Storyteller Daniel Allison
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 strong female figures of Celtic mythology and more. Daniel shares the story of the Auld Cruivie, also known as Jack and the Dancing Trees. It is a Scottish tale about Jack who works for a greedy laird. One Midsummer's Night, the ancient trees of the forest pull their roots from the soil to dance by the river. Story Prescription: an animistic story about the magic nature, against greed, and about the beauty of the landscape. You can find more about Daniel on his website: https://www.houseoflegends.me/ You can follow his writing on Substack: https://danielhouseoflegends.substack.com/about You can follow him on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielallisonauthor/ _ To support my work financially you can 'buy me a coffee' as a one-off or regular way of supporting me if you enjoy listening. _ Music: Thank you to In Feathers for the beautiful music.
#58
June 4 · 30 min
58. The Story Bag
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 you can find them here. If you wish to join me for the book launch, on the 4th or 7th June, you can find the details at: https://www.nanatomova.com/events 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 enjoy this podcast, please leave me a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music. Story Sources: The Story-Bag: A Collection of Korean Folk Tales, 1957. So-un, Kim. Translated by Setsu Higashi; https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/story-bag
#57
May 1 · 32 min
57. The Dream Makers
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-order it here for delivery worldwide. Find out more about it here. 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 enjoy this podcast, please leave me a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music Story Sources: I have read and heard the following storytellers tell this tale: Daniel Allison in his book Scottish Myths and Legends; Joanna Gilar during our Rewinding Sleeping Beauty project; Beverley Bryant via Map of Stories; Graeme Johncok via Folklore Scotland; Sarah Hobbs from Strathspey Story Walks.
#56
April 1 · 29 min
56. Svetlana and Davit
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. Find out more about it here. 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 Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music
#55
March 1 · 25 min
55. Grandmother's Tale (Little Red Riding Hood - the Women's Version)
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 it, women can think on their feet and can ask the right questions. 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 Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music
#54
February 1 · 31 min
54. The Tsaritsa Harpist
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 Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music, and to Megan Sahara for the harp music. Story Sources: Russian Folktales (1915); Fearless Girls, Wise Women, and Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World (2000).
#53
January 1 · 38 min
53. Persephone in the Underworld
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, Demeter. To support this podcast, you can '⁠⁠buy me a coffee'. ⁠⁠You can also tell your friends, which costs nothing. Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music. Story Sources: Homer; Ovid; Myths of the Sacred Tree
Feb 14, 2025 · 30 min
52. The Power of Love
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 International Women’s Day. It will be a great night.
Dec 25, 2024 · 10 min
51. The Christmas Spiders
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 podcast, you can '⁠buy me a coffee' ⁠as a one-off way of supporting me if you enjoy listening. Music: Thank you to ⁠In Feathers ⁠for the beautiful music.
Dec 16, 2024 · 37 min
50. Bashakote - the Chieftain of the Wild Cats
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 'Dirty Days' join me and musician In Feathers. More information here. If you enjoy this podcast, you can 'buy me a coffee' as a one-off way of supporting me if you enjoy listening. Music: Thank you to In Feathers for the beautiful music.
Oct 27, 2024 · 26 min
49. Song of the Sorrowing Harp
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 November for Love in the Underworld. If you are not local to Scotland, but would like to join me online, then Wild Women, a six months journey into the wild feminine through stories starts on the 8th November.
Oct 11, 2024 · 28 min
48. How a Husband Weaned his Wife from Fairytales
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. WILD WOMEN starts in November 2024, for more information go to ⁠⁠https://www.nanatomova.com/wildwomen⁠⁠ To support this podcast, you can '⁠⁠buy me a coffee'. ⁠⁠You can also tell your friends, which costs nothing. Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music.
Aug 7, 2024 · 43 min
47. The Hedgehog and his Bride
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 King's daughter. How will he succeed? What does his future bride think of this? And how does an unequal marriage such as this one work? For lovers of the story East of the Sun and West of the Moon. If you enjoy this podcast, and wish to find another story, head over to https://www.nanatomova.com/story-prescriptions to listen to a story for the ailment you are looking for. If you wish to contribute you can 'buy me a coffee' as a one-off way of supporting me if you enjoy listening. Music: Thank you to In Feathers for the beautiful music.
Jul 5, 2024 · 41 min
46. The Blue Baba of the Marsh
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. Music: Thank you to In Feathers for the beautiful music.
#45
May 18, 2024 · 35 min
45. Nature’s Ways
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 more Story Medicine, following this link to my website where each prescription is linked to a story of this podcast. https://www.nanatomova.com/story-prescriptions
Jan 16, 2024 · 29 min
44. The Snow Maiden
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 listening. Music: Thank you to In Feathers for the beautiful music. Links for events which are coming up: https://www.nanatomova.com/events
Dec 23, 2023 · 30 min
43. The Twelve Months
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 can become a a regular patron on Patreon, and you will receive the gift of stories and folklore. .You can also 'buy me a coffee' as a one-off way of supporting me if you enjoy listening. _Music: Thank you to In Feathers for the beautiful music.

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