Fabric of Folklore

Can you imagine the fear of losing the sun every winter? Would it ever come back?

In episode 21 of Fairy Tale Flip we journey into the snowy landscapes of Finnish mythology to explore the enigmatic sorceress of Louhi from the Kalevala. Together we unpack the cultural and historical significance of Finland’s national epic and how it helped shape Finnish identity and independence.

We dive deep into Louhi’s char...

Beware the shape-shifting man-eater.
Jorōgumo, the seductive spider woman of Japanese folklore, lures her victims with beauty before revealing her true form. In this Fairy Tale Flip episode, we dive into Japan’s religious and cultural history—Shintoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and the rise of the samurai—to understand how power, belief, and sacred spaces shaped this terrifying legend. We explore themes of deception, seduction,...

This is one of the most famous versions of the Jorōgumo, the Japanese shapeshifting spider spirit. Part love story, part horror, it is a wonderful folktale you wont want to miss!

Known for transforming into a beautiful woman to lure unsuspecting travelers. By day, she appears as an elegant, enchanting maiden—often near waterfalls, forests, or abandoned houses—drawing people in with her beauty and gentle voice. But once her victim is...

Forget Dracula. Australia has its own vampire story—and it’s stranger than you think. Have you heard of the bloodsucking creature that hides in Australia’s fig trees? In episode 19 of Fairytale Flip, we dive into the Aboriginal Australian myth of the Yara-Ma-Yahoo: a toothless, red-skinned, frog-like vampire that preys on those resting beneath fig trees, draining their blood and slowly transforming them into the very monster they f...

Have you heard of the vampiric predator roaming the Australian Outback in search of unsuspecting victims? In this storytelling mini-episode, I share a chilling tale from the fig groves of Australia: the story of the Yara-Ma-Yha-Who. This eerie, red-skinned, toad-like creature lurks in the treetops, draining the blood of wanderers before its terrifying queen appears to finish the job.

Poachers shouldn’t be poaching, but did he deserv...

In this mini storytelling episode, we share and reflect on the classic Aesop fable, "The Frogs Who Wished for a King." The story follows a community of frogs living peacefully in their pond, who become dissatisfied with their simple lives and ask Jupiter, the king of the gods, for a ruler. Their wish is granted—first with a passive king (a log), then with a dangerous one (a crowned crane). In the original tale it was a wa...

In this STORYTELLING episode of Fabric of Folklore, Vanessa Y Rogers narrates the classic Aesop's fable, 'The Belling of the Cat.' The story revolves around a group of mice trying to outsmart a stealthy cat threatening their lives. A young mouse proposes the ingenious solution of belling the cat, but the older, wiser mouse raises the crucial question: who will bell the cat? We delve into the inherently cautionary nat...

What hidden messages lie within the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty? In Part 2 of our deep dive, we explore the layers of meaning in this timeless story—examining the prince’s motivations, the surprising motif of cannibalism, and the moral and spiritual lessons woven throughout.

Building on Part 1’s look at the earliest origins, we turn to the influence, propaganda, and messaging behind the versions of Charles Perrault and the Brothers G...

Do you know the dark and hidden origins of Sleeping Beauty? In Episode 18 of Fairy Tale Flip, we dive into the evolution of this classic story and the political messaging woven into its earliest versions.

While today’s Sleeping Beauty feels like a simple romantic tale, its European roots stretch back nearly 700 years—and the oldest versions are far more unsettling. We explore the Arthurian romance Perceforest and Giambattista Basile...

You may have heard of Poseidon, the Greek god of the seas—but have you heard of Sedna, the Inuit sea goddess of marine life? In this episode, we dive into the mythological story of the mermaid-like goddess who is transformed from a young woman into a powerful deity without hands.

We discuss the story’s various versions and cultural significance, as well as Sedna’s role as steward of the natural world. Themes of betrayal, sacrifice, ...

Ep 16: Persephone and Hades: Love, Power, or Possession?

Persephone and Hades, love story or horror story? That is the question we ask in Fairytale Flip episode 16. Is the ancient Greek myth of these gods a myth about romance or captivity? The story, although often used to explain the different seasons, is about so much more than how spring and winter came to be. We explore controversial themes of abduction, power and marriage, the ...

Buckle up, fairy tale enthusiasts! We're kicking off this magical episode with some thrilling news – we're launching a Fairytale Journal! Its in draft mode so we want your input! But that's just the beginning of our enchanted journey. Today, we're diving headfirst into the mesmerizing world of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Wild Swans." 

Episode 15 is nothing short of a wild ride as we unravel the ...

Why Are Festivals Culturally Important? In Episode 72, we sit down with Jacob Quijas, host of the Viva La Festiva podcast, to explore the vibrant world of festivals. From the evolution of iconic events like Burning Man to the unexpected charm of the Wife Carrying Championship—a quirky tradition originating in Finland but celebrated worldwide—we cover it all. We also dive into lesser-known but fascinating festivals like The Blob fes...

How have fairies evolved in their representations from pre-Christian times to the modern day? In Episode 71, Ivy Lewis—veteran, war artist, novelist, and folklore specialist—explores the roles of fairies across cultures, their liminal existence, and their modern portrayals in contemporary literature. We also discuss demonic possession and how medieval Christian views of the afterlife have shaped modern interpretations of fairies. A...

Did you know that many of the stories we recognize as Western, likely have origins in the Middle East? In episode 70 we are joined by author and scholar Ulrich Marzolp as we explore the rich tapestry of folklore across cultures, particularly focusing on narratives originating in Persia. Ulrich shares his extensive research on how these tales, including the classics like Arabian Nights, have influenced Western oral traditions and ho...

What is the power of a name? In this episode, we sit down with Alexandra Aikhenvald, Professor at the Jawun Research Centre at Central Queensland University (Cairns) and an Australian Laureate Fellow. Alexandra shares her extensive fieldwork experiences in north-west Amazonia (Brazil) and the Sepik region of New Guinea, diving into the significance of 'blessing names' within Amazonian cultures and reflecting on the devast...

Have you ever wondered why some folktales stand the test of time, captivating generation after generation? Join me, Vanessa Y Rogers, and my insightful co-host Donna Lee Fields from Scaffolding Magic, as we unravel the enchanting legend of La Befana, Italy's beloved witchy gift-giver. This episode of Fairytale Flip takes you on a journey through the intriguing story of Old Bafana—a tale wrapped in Christmas, Epiphany tradition...

Is Krampus a villain we should fear, or is he Santa's sidekick?

In episode 68, we speak with Jeff Belanger—author, podcaster, storyteller, and explorer of the unexplained who specializes in paranormal phenomena, folklore, and legends. His latest book, The Fright Before Christmas: Surviving Krampus and Other Yuletide Monsters, Witches, and Ghosts, explores the darker aspects of Christmas folklore.

We delve int...

In Episode 67, Tony Walker—author, narrator, and host of the popular YouTube channel Classic Ghost Stories—delves into the fascinating tradition of Christmas ghost stories. Known for his weekly podcast where he reads ghost stories, horror tales, and weird fiction, Tony takes us on a journey through the cultural significance and evolution of this unique holiday custom.

In this episode, we examine three iconic Christmas ghost stories:...