Tales for our Times Dougie Mackay

As a prequel to my upcoming tour of British Columbia I speak with Tad Hargrave, best known for his Marketing for Hippies movement, but also eloquent in culture making and something of a storyteller, improv actor and street magician. You want this guy at your party!In our conversation we touch upon his own path to discover of the richness of his Celtic heritage, learning from cultural heavyweights such as Stephen Jenkinson, discuss indigenous knowledge, heritage crafts, and trans Atlanti...

In this episode I discuss 'applied storytelling' as well as performance with Glasgow based storyteller Dan Serridge.We dive into story as a tool for community engagement and how it can break down barriers.Dan shares his experience of walking the border between England and Scotland, whilst musing the classic tale of Thomas the Rhymer, and his own experience of loss. How do we return changed from a trip to the underworld?This theme continues, using the greek myth of orpheus as a means to proces...

In this episode I catch up with Lucy O'Hagan about her wilderness programmes in Ireland. We range from local myths of Lugh and Balor of the evil eye, to the Belfast Punk scene, snow shelters in Norway, cave dwelling in Dordogne, and the teepee outside Galway where we met.To find out more about Lucy's work:https://www.wildawake.ie/To stay tuned for more story offerings:https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystoryLynx Vilden's Lithica project:https://www.lithica.earth/

This episode features a live recording of a story told at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 23. It's a version of one of the stories I first fell in love with many years ago and has sublime musical accompaniment from the talented Rachel Newton...aswell as some random audience participation and suggestion!I also comment on various features of the storytelling festival including the Basket of Stories project and finish with a poem from a prominent Palestinian poet.Mentioned in th...

In the episode I give a nod to my recent trip to Norway for a primitive skills gathering by telling a hunting tale from Sierra Leone. I also share a 'Revolting Rhyme' version of the Norwegian folk tale, the Three Billy Goats Gruff, inspired by irreverent British-Danish author Roald Dahl.There is some commentary on my time in Norway and the story too.If you'd like to support this podcast you can make a donation, to the price of a hot drink via my Kofi page:https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackayst...

In this episode I discuss rewilding with Daan Timmers, whom I met at the Lithica ancestral skills gathering in Norway.We reflect upon our experience at the Lithica Gathering highlighting the sense of community and connection and value of reconnecting with nature and each other in a world that often prioritizes individuality. We discuss the joy of learning and practicing ancient skills, as well as the intangible magic that occurs when people come together in such settings. We cover concep...