Fabric of Folklore

Fabric of Folklore

Folktales can be strange, mystical, macabre and intriguing. Join us as we explore the stories, culture and people behind the folklore. We go beyond retelling the legends, myths and fairy tales of old. We look at the story behind the lore, behind the songs and traditions to understand more about what they mean, and their importance. These stories, many originating as oral histories, inform us of what it means to be human; what it means to be an integral part of this Earth. Stories of magic and wonder bind us. They connect us through invisible strands, like the gossamer fibers of a spiders web. Folktales have the power to demonstrate how, although we live in drastically different locals, our hearts and minds beat as one human race. We are weaving the fabrics of our past and present stories, to help us better understand ourselves and to awaken us to a more compassionate and caring world community. As we explore the meaning of existence through folklore we hope to inspire future generations to lead with love and understanding.

  1. Louhi Steals the Sun, Moon and Fire- Fairy Tale Flip EP: 21

    1D AGO

    Louhi Steals the Sun, Moon and Fire- Fairy Tale Flip EP: 21

    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 character—her motivations, her power, and the consequences of her actions—challenging the traditional “villain” label and examining her through multiple lenses. Along the way, exploring the powerful symbolism of fire and light, the stark geography that informs Finland’s folklore, and the ever-present tension between darkness and illumination—especially in the shadow of the winter solstice. We also draw fascinating parallels between Louhi and other mythic and modern figures—from Demeter to the Grinch—revealing common archetypes that echo across cultures. The conversation widens to consider themes of colonization, wealth distribution, power dynamics, and how ancient stories continue to reflect contemporary issues. At its heart, this episode is a meditation on storytelling itself—how myths preserve cultural identity, how they help us navigate cycles of loss and renewal, and why the return of the light still matters. Tune in for a rich exploration of myth, meaning, and the enduring power of stories to transform how we see both the past—and ourselves. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Finnish Mythology 01:03 The Epic Kalevala and Its Significance 04:11 Geographical Context of the Story 05:16 Cultural Beliefs and Animism in Finland 09:32 The Role of Fire and Light in Finnish Folklore 11:34 Parallels with Modern Stories 12:22 Historical Context of Finnish Literature 16:39 The Importance of the Kalevala in Finnish Identity 19:14 Character Analysis: Louhi and Vainamoinen 24:46 Transformation and the Nature of Power 32:04 The Duality of Female Characters in Mythology 34:20 The Complexity of Female Characters in Mythology 37:26 Power Dynamics and Female Leadership 40:28 Themes of Abundance and Hoarding 43:18 The Symbolism of Light and Darkness 46:14 Reflections on Winter Solstice Myths 49:18 Cultural Interpretations of Light and Shadow 52:13 Empowerment Through Storytelling 55:27 Controversies in Mythical Narratives 58:21 The Role of Perspective in Storytelling Follow us: Fabric of Folklore website Youtube channel Facebook Page Facebook Group Instagram Twitter Linkedin

    1h 1m
  2. Jorōgumo: The Seductive Shapeshifting Spider of Japanese Folklore - Fairy Tale Flip Ep: 20

    12/13/2025

    Jorōgumo: The Seductive Shapeshifting Spider of Japanese Folklore - Fairy Tale Flip Ep: 20

    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, and control, compare Jorōgumo to spider myths across cultures, and examine the real spider thought to have inspired the tale. Creepy, fascinating, and surprisingly complex—this is an episode you won’t forget. Introduction (0:05)Hosts and Podcast Overview (0:32)Jorogumo Folktale Introduction (1:14)Cultural Experiences in Japan and Korea (3:48)Japanese Society and Customs (8:34)Religions in Japan (12:14)Confucianism and Gender Roles (20:14)Samurai and the Jorogumo Story (22:48)Themes and Symbolism (29:36)Spider Folklore and Real Spiders (44:43)Comparisons to Other Myths (48:59)Gift-Giving Customs (52:14)Final Thoughts and Outro (55:03)Music Credit Celtic Impulse - Celtic · Kevin MacLeod Provided to YouTube by http://incompetech.com Celtic Impulse - Celtic ℗ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0  https://creativecommons.org/licenses Follow us: Fabric of Folklore website Youtube channel Facebook Page Facebook Group Instagram Twitter Linkedin

    59 min
  3. Yara Ma Yha Who: Fairy Tale Flip Ep 19

    09/30/2025

    Yara Ma Yha Who: Fairy Tale Flip Ep 19

    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 feared. We compare this chilling tale to European fairy tales and folktales, uncovering cultural differences in storytelling, the sacred role of fig trees in Aboriginal traditions, and the enduring power of ritual and oral history. We also explore possible origins of the Yara-Ma-Yahoo, from the Malayan tarsier to the long-extinct Australian marsupial lion. Along the way, we reflect on our own cultural biases and the challenges of interpreting deeply spiritual traditions that carry strikingly different views of time, nature, and community. TimeStamps Summary of Yama Yahoo Myth — 1:06 Cultural Significance and Comparisons — 2:03 Australian Culture — 5:16 Aboriginal Connection to the Land — 9:06 Historical Migration and Time Perception — 18:51 Aboriginal Mythology and the Sacred Fig Tree — 22:51 The Significance of Water in Folktales — 29:27 Blood as a Symbol of Life and Death — 32:08 The Rituals and Beliefs of Aboriginal Culture — 34:48 Theories on the Origin of the Yara-ma-yha-who — 42:21 Dreamtime in Aboriginal Culture — 51:08 Reflections on Cultural Differences and Storytelling — 55:58 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics — 1:01:39 Celtic Impulse - Celtic · Kevin MacLeod Provided to YouTube by http://incompetech.com Celtic Impulse - Celtic ℗ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Follow us: Fabric of Folklore website Youtube channel Facebook Page Facebook Group Instagram Twitter Linkedin

    1h 4m
  4. Yara Ma Yha Who: Storytelling Mini-Episode 3

    09/15/2025

    Yara Ma Yha Who: Storytelling Mini-Episode 3

    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 deserve the toe-curling, blood-sucking encounter with these monstrous creatures? If only his torture ended with the draining of his blood... but unfortunately for him, that was just the beginning of his horror story! Part monster story, part cautionary tale, this legend whispers ancient warnings and cultural truths. Stay tuned for this month’s Fairytale Flip with Donna Lee Fields, where we’ll dig deeper into the roots of this unsettling folktale, exploring its hidden meanings, history, and the cultural context that gave rise to one of Australia’s most chilling legends. 00:00 Yara-Ma-Yha-Who 00:26 The Poacher's Encounter 01:53 The Queen's Arrival 03:50 The Poacher's Transformation 04:58 About the Podcast 05:10 Upcoming Episode Teaser Alex Productions - Lands" is under a Creative Commons (BY 3.0) license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...    / @alexproductionsnocopyright   Music powered by BreakingCopyright:    • ⚗️ Medieval & Celtic (Free Music) - "LANDS...  Follow us: Fabric of Folklore website Youtube channel Facebook Page Facebook Group Instagram Twitter Linkedin

    6 min
  5. Belling the Cat, An Aesop Tale: Mini episode Storytelling Ep2

    09/02/2025

    Belling the Cat, An Aesop Tale: Mini episode Storytelling Ep2

    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 nature of Aesop's fables, explaining why their endings often feel incomplete and unsatisfactory from a modern perspective. For those intrigued by the origins and significance of these ancient tales, the episode also points listeners to episode 18 featuring Dr. Laura Gibbs, who offers in-depth insights into the enduring popularity of Aesop's fables. Don't forget to subscribe for more storytelling adventures! Aesop Fables with Dr. Laura Gibbs  Aesop Fables Youtube Episode 00:00 The Belling of the Cat 00:05 Introduction to Fabric of Folklore 00:28 The Story of the Belling of the Cat 02:28 The Moral of the Story 02:38 Discussion on Aesop's Fables 03:48 Conclusion and Further Learning "Alex Productions - Lands" is under a Creative Commons (BY 3.0) license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...    / @alexproductionsnocopyright   Music powered by BreakingCopyright:    • ⚗️ Medieval & Celtic (Free Music) - "LANDS...   Follow us: Fabric of Folklore website Youtube channel Facebook Page Facebook Group Instagram Twitter Linkedin

    5 min
4.2
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Folktales can be strange, mystical, macabre and intriguing. Join us as we explore the stories, culture and people behind the folklore. We go beyond retelling the legends, myths and fairy tales of old. We look at the story behind the lore, behind the songs and traditions to understand more about what they mean, and their importance. These stories, many originating as oral histories, inform us of what it means to be human; what it means to be an integral part of this Earth. Stories of magic and wonder bind us. They connect us through invisible strands, like the gossamer fibers of a spiders web. Folktales have the power to demonstrate how, although we live in drastically different locals, our hearts and minds beat as one human race. We are weaving the fabrics of our past and present stories, to help us better understand ourselves and to awaken us to a more compassionate and caring world community. As we explore the meaning of existence through folklore we hope to inspire future generations to lead with love and understanding.