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Wise Crone Cottage Podcast

Kathy Shimpock

Welcome to the Wise Crone Cottage podcast with storyteller, Kathy Shimpock. Here we'll meet the crone and uncover her wisdom as found, in fairy tales, folktales and myths. New episodes are released each month. All rights reserved.

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S6 · E6
Monday · 34 min
"The Birth of Finn MacCumhail" - an Irish Myth (S6, #6)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock will take you into the world of Irish mythology. Together we’ll share the stories of Finn MacCumhail whose stories first appeared in the 7th century. Story: Jeremiah Curtin, “The Birth of Finn MacCumhail” in Myths and Folk-Lore of Ireland (Boston, MA: Little Brown, 1906), pp.204-220. (At “Project Gutenberg,” https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/36540). Illustration: Beatrice Elvery (Illustrator). from Heroes of the Dawn by Violet Russell (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1914). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Copyright 2026 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S6 · E5
August 5 · 22 min
"The Silver Cane" - an Armenian tale (S6, #5)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will share a story from the Langs’ Olive Fairy Book. It’s an Armenian tale entitled “The Silver Cane.” The life of this crone takes an unexpected turn. We see how even the oldest, smallest and weakest of us can still speak truth to power. Story: Macler, Frederic, "The Steel Cane," in The Olive Fairy Book, ed. Andrew Lang (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1907). Illustration: Pixaby.com. This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Copyright 2026 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S6 · E4
May 27 · 26 min
“The Three Crones” – an Italian Folktale (S6, #4)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will read her version of the story, the Three Crones. It’s an Italian folktale that speaks of obsession, deception and gullibility. What will we do and what cost are we willing to bear for our own obsessions? This story offers up a warning. Story: Created from: Italian Folktales by Italo Calvino (1956), Italian Popular Tales, by Thomas Frederick Cane (1885) and Andrew Lang’s Pink Fairy Book (1897). Illustration: Pixaby.com. This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Copyright 2026 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S6 · E3
March 23 · 25 min
A Storm is Brewing - Three Legends to Tell (S6, #3)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller Kathy Shimpock will be exploring three legends of sacrifice and heroism. One is the "Burning of the Rice Fields," a legend from Japan. The second is "St. David's Hood" from England and the third is "Tante Tina" from Germany. In each, we'll see how the "little old woman's" or the "little old man's" actions saved the day. Story: "The Burning of the Rice Fields," in How to Tell Stories to Children and Some Stories to Tell, ed. by Sara Cone Bryant, 1918. "St. David's Flood," in Wise Women, retold and ed. by Suzanne I. Barchers, 1990. "Tante Tina," in A Piece of the Wind and Other Stories to Tell by Ruthilde Kronberg and Patricia C. McKissack, 1990. Illustration: Pixaby.com. This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Copyright 2026 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S6 · E2
January 31 · 27 min
Delila the Trickster - 1001 Nights (S6, #2)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode we’ll discuss a story from the “Arabian Nights” collection. It is entitled “Delila the Wily.” This is a long story, so long in fact, that we’ve covered it in two previous episodes. (Please listen to those episodes if you wish to hear the actual story. Here I will only share a summary.) Delila is a trickster figure who brings chaos wherever she goes. But she is much more than that. Her acts of cunning cause the listener to reflect on justice, law, morality and the ability of women to be the author of their own lives. In Delila’s world actions are not black or white, but a multitude of shades of gray. In this episode, we’ll discuss her world and why tricksters are needed now more than ever. Story: "The Wiley Dalilah and Her Daughter Zaynab," in Arabian Nights: Volume I, trans. Jack Zipes (New York: Penguin Books, 1991). Illustration: Edmund Dulac, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. National Library NZ on The Commons, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2026 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S6 · E1
Dec 22, 2025 · 31 min
On the Longest Night - Cailleach Beira (S6, #1)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, shares a Scottish story about the changing seasons. It comes as we reach winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere. This is a story of the Cailleach Beira, the Queen of Winter. She may be frightening but she has much to tell us about our role as elders and how we should best approach the winter season. She’s a very wise crone indeed! Story: Donald Alexander MacKenzie, "Beira, Queen of Winter," in Wonder Tales from Scottish Myth and Legend (London, Blackie & Son, 1917). Illustration: "Beira" from a drawing by John Duncan (from book). Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Copyright 2025 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S5 · E12
Dec 5, 2025 · 43 min
"Delila the Wily" Arabian Nights - Part II (S5, #12)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will continue reading from the Arabian Nights collection, “Delila the Crafty/Wily.” Delila is a trickster figure who brings chaos wherever she goes. In this episode, we'll discover how this wise old woman's story ends. Is she punished or rewarded for her acts? Her acts of cunning cause the listener to reflect on justice, law, morality and the ability of women to be the author of their own lives. In Delila’s world actions are not black or white but a multitude of shades of gray. Be ready to enter that world as you hear the story. Story: "The Wiley Dalilah and Her Daughter Zaynab," in Arabian Nights: Volume I, trans. Jack Zipes (New York: Penguin Books, 1991). Illustration: Edmund Dulac, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2025 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S5 · E11
Oct 14, 2025 · 44 min
"Delila the Wily" Arabian Nights - Part I (S5, #11)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will read a story from the Arabian Nights collection. It is entitled “Delila the Wily.” This is a long story that will be completed over the next three episodes: two for the actual story and one for our discussion of this tale. Delila is a trickster figure who brings chaos wherever she goes. But she is much more than that. Her acts of cunning cause the listener to reflect on justice, law, morality and the ability of women to be the author of their own lives. In Delila’s world actions are not black or white but a multitude of shades of gray. Be ready to enter that world as you hear the story. Story: "The Wiley Dalilah and Her Daughter Zaynab," in Arabian Nights: Volume I, trans. Jack Zipes (New York: Penguin Books, 1991). Illustration: unknown vintage etching. This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2025 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S5 · E10
Aug 3, 2025 · 33 min
“The Three Sisters and Their Glass Hearts” – a Russian Folktale (S5, #10)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will read to you a Russian folktale: “The Three Sisters and Their Glass Hearts.” It’s a poignant story, nonetheless, and one you’ll long remember. Story: "The Three Sisters and Their Glass Hearts," in The Golden Fairy Book, H.R. Millar, illus. (London: Appleton & Co., 1894), 195-206. Illustration: "The Three Sisters and Their Glass Hearts," illustration by H.R. Millar (1894). Other Resources: Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2025 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S5 · E9
Jun 14, 2025 · 41 min
Bride of Prince Lindworm (S5, #9)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will continue her discussion of the Danish folktale, “Prince Lindworm.” We began our analysis in the last episode, but there is much more to share. This story is filled with metaphors and symbols. It can be viewed in many ways. That fact alone emphasizes the power of folktales to bring understanding and healing to issues we deal with today. Story: East of the Sun and West of the Moon: Old Tales from the North, illus. Kay Nielsen (New York: George H. Dorwan Co., 1922). "Strong Fairy Tale Heroines #21: Prince Lindworm" in Seven Miles of Steel Thistles: a blog by Katherine Langrish (July 14, 2020). Illustration: "She Saw the Lindworm for the First Time as He Came In and Stood by Her Side," illustration by Kay Nielsen (1922). Other Resources: "Prince Lindworm," "Tatterhood," and "The Handless Maiden." This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2025 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S5 · E8
Apr 2, 2025 · 21 min
"Prince Lindworm" - a Danish Folktale (S5, #8)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will share the Danish folktale, “Prince Lindworm.” It’s a story of shadow and light, female agency and transformation. It’s also a story with a sequel. This mash-up or compilation of folktales is filled with metaphors and symbols. There is so much to discuss that will carry this on to the next podcast. Story: East of the Sun and West of the Moon: Old Tales from the North, illus. Kay Nielsen (New York: George H. Dorwan Co., 1922). "Strong Fairy Tale Heroines #21: Prince Lindworm" in Seven Miles of Steel Thistles: a blog by Katherine Langrish (July 14, 2020). Illustration: "The Maiden Amidst the Lindorm's Shed Skins," illustration by Henry Justice Ford for Andrew Lang's The Pink Fairy Book (1897). This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2025 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S5 · E7
Feb 21, 2025 · 27 min
"The Vampire Skeleton Corpse" an Iroquois Folktale (S5, #7)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, shares the story of "The Vampire Skeleton Corpse." This is a frightening tale from the Iroquois tradition. Although there is never a single meaning for any story, this one has an important teaching for the days ahead. Story: This story is a conflation of early Iroquois variants and my version of the story as told by Joseph Bruchac. Iroquois Stories: Heroes and Heroines, Monsters and Magic as told by Joseph Bruchac (Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press, 1985). Illustration: Birch bark longhouse. Fungus Guy, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. "The Subject and his Skeleton" in Magic: Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions, 1897 (public domain worldwide). This podcast is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2025 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S5 · E6
Dec 24, 2024 · 58 min
"A Christmas Carol" - Read Along - Chapter 4-5 (S5, #6)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will be reading Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, A Christmas Carol. The work is a novella, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843. Because of the story's length, it will be read over four episodes. This is chapter four and five (or what Dickens called Stave Four, The Last of the Spirits and Stave 5, The End of It). In this story Scrooge will have a visit from "Christmas Future." He will again visit the home of Bob Cratchit and discover the fate of Tiny Tim and of himself too. You'll find a link in the credits to the tale, so you can read along. At the end of each reading, there will be questions for you to journal and reflect on. My comments on A Christmas Carol can be found on my blog entitled, "Why We Remember A Christmas Carol." Although Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol long ago, this story is relevant for today. Story: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas by Charles Dickens (1843). A Christmas Carol Study Questions, East Tennessee State University. Illustration: Arthur Rackham, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Music: The Snow Queen Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2024 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
Dec 23, 2024 · 1 hr 6 min
"A Christmas Carol" - Read Along - Chapter 3 (S5, #5)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will be reading Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, A Christmas Carol. The work is a novella, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843. Because of the story's length, it will be read over four episodes. This is chapter three (or what Dickens called Stave Three, The Second of the Three Spirits). In this story Scrooge will have a visit from "Christmas Present." He will visit the home of Bob Cratchit and his nephew Fred. You'll find a link in the credits to the tale, so you can read along. At the end of each reading, there will be questions for you to journal and reflect on. Although Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol long ago, this story is relevant for today. Story: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas by Charles Dickens (1843). A Christmas Carol Study Questions, East Tennessee State University. Illustration: Arthur Rackham, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Music: The Snow Queen Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2024 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S5 · E4
Dec 16, 2024 · 50 min
"A Christmas Carol" Read Along - Chapter 2 (S5, #4)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will be reading Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, A Christmas Carol. The work is a novella, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843. Because of the story's length, it will be read over four episodes. This is chapter two (or what Dickens called Stave Two, The First of the Three Spirits). In this story Scrooge will have a visit from "Christmas Past." He will visit his childhood, time when he was apprenticed, and his failed relationship with Belle. You'll find a link in the credits to the tale, so you can read along. At the end of each reading, there will be questions for you to journal and reflect on. Although Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol long ago, this story is relevant for today. Story: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas by Charles Dickens (1843). A Christmas Carol Study Questions, East Tennessee State University. Illustration: Arthur Rackham, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Music: The Snow Queen Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2024 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S5 · E3
Dec 13, 2024 · 57 min
"A Christmas Carol" Read Along - Chapter 1 (S5, #3)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will be reading Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, A Christmas Carol. The work is a novella, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843. Because of the story's length, it will be read over the next four episodes. This is chapter one (or what Dickens called Stave One, Marley’s Ghost). You'll find a link in the credits to the tale, so you can read along. At the end of each reading, there will be questions for you to journal and reflect on. Although Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol long ago, this story is relevant for today. Story: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas by Charles Dickens (1843). A Christmas Carol Study Questions, East Tennessee State University. Illustration: Arthur Rackham, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Music: The Snow Queen Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2024 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S5 · E2
Nov 11, 2024 · 36 min
"Stribor's Forest": A Croatian Tale (S5, #2)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will be reading “Stribor’s Forest.” It’s a Croation literary tale written by Ivana Brlic-Mazuranic. It is a tale longer than most, so grab some tea and your journal before we begin. After listening to this story, you might have some thoughts to jot down and ideas to explore. Story: "Stribor's Forest" by Ivana Brlic-Mazuranic in Croation Tales of Long Ago, trans. by F.S. Copeland (New York: Frederick A. Stokes Co. Pub., 1924). (In Project Gutenberg.) Illustration: Vladimir Kirin. Music: The Snow Queen Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2024 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S5 · E1
Oct 2, 2024 · 27 min
"Abandoning the Old Woman"; Elder Abuse & Grief (S5, E1)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will explore elder abuse, as seen in stories, folklore and actual life. We'll start our exploration with a practice found in Japanese stories called ubasute or "abandoning the old woman." Then we'll shift to modern day America and the recent death of my friend who was killed by a family member in an unspeakable act of "elder abuse." Story: Uchida, Yoshiko, The Wise Old Woman. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 1994. Illustration: By Yoshitoshi ( Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12303980muian04/04yoshitoshi05037.jpg ) For more information: National Center for Elder Abuse (https://ncea.acl.gov) Music: The Snow Queen Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2024 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S4 · E12
Sep 1, 2024 · 25 min
"The Old Woman and the Tiger" - A Chinese folk tale (S4, E12)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock, will explore the Chinese folktale, “The Old Woman and the Tiger.” The story is retold by Mary Hemingway who grew up in northern China. In this story, we’ll see a different side of the wise crone archetype. No longer a side character, she is now the protagonist. And rather than serving as the “helper,” this old woman puts herself first. She shows us that one person can make a difference and achieve justice to boot. It’s an old message but especially relevant today. Story: Mary Hemingway, “The Old Woman and the Tiger,” vol. XI, no. 9 Story Parade (Sept. 1946): 11-14. Richard Marshall, "Jack Zipes and the Many Subversions of the Fairy Tale." Illustration: Photo from Pixabay. Music: The Snow Queen Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2024 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).
S4 · E11
Jul 26, 2024 · 24 min
Cackling and Crackling: “Frau Trude” Starts a Fire (S4, E11)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the storyteller, Kathy Shimpock explores the Grimm tale “Frau Trude.” It’s a short didactic story that allows for many surprising interpretations. Whether she be a witch or a crone, there’s a lot of cackling and crackling going on. Hopefully, we can stay out of the fire without getting burnt! Either way, she's a friend you'll want to have. Fingers crossed! My latest blog post discusses the color implications in this story. Check it out to learn even more! Story: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Frau Trude, Kinder- und Hausmärchen (Children's and Household Tales -- Grimms' Fairy Tales), no. 43, 1837. Translation by D. L. Ashliman. © 2001. Sancinetti, Raquel, "The Wisdom of Living in the Present According to My 107-Year-Old Best Friend," New York Times, Nov. 14, 2023. Illustration: Photo from Pixabay. Music: The Snow Queen Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/. Sound effects from my finch "Tweedles." Copyright 2024 Kathy Shimpock. Support the show For more crone tales, visit the "Wise Crone Cottage in the Woods" (http://www.wisecronecottage.com).

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