Lexicons Unbound: Where Folklore Meets Your Algorithm

Melanie Mason and Molly Wiant Cummins

From medieval monsters to modern memes, Lexicons Unbound traces the folklore in your feed. Hosted by two narrative explorers with a day job in education, we explore how legends shape our lives—online and off. With a blend of research, curiosity, and a bit of irreverence, each episode dives into tales that haunt, humor, or hold a mirror to who we are. Pull up a chair and press play.

Episodes

  1. Faith, Folklore and the Lessons They Left Us

    11/01/2025 · BONUS

    Faith, Folklore and the Lessons They Left Us

    In Faith, Folklore, and the Lessons They Left Us, Melanie reflects on the legacy of women healers often labeled “Granny Witches,” weaving personal memories of her grandmother with the broader folklore of women’s faith, care, and community wisdom. This conversation explores how practicality and learned expertise shaped their work—long before modern healthcare systems recognized such knowledge. Together, Melanie and Molly consider how these traditions continue to influence the way we understand healing, intelligence, and women’s authority today.

    19 min
  2. The Witch Next Door

    10/21/2025

    The Witch Next Door

    This October, Lexicons Unbound steps into the world of witches—not as broomstick caricatures, but as figures of power, resistance, and folklore. From Ozark “granny witches” to pop culture icons like Bedknobs and Broomsticks’ Eglantine Price and Bewitched’s Samantha, Melanie and Molly trace how the word witch has shifted from fear and persecution to reclamation and empowerment. Blending personal stories, folklore, women’s history, and cultural commentary, they ask: what does it mean to be called a witch? How do accusations reflect social tensions? And why does the archetype continue to haunt, inspire, and empower women today? Because maybe the witch we feared… was simply the woman next door. Want sources, book lists, and more conversation? Visit our Podpage: Lexicons Unbound

    44 min
  3. Trust the Bear

    08/05/2025

    Trust the Bear

    Folklore, Fear, and the Viral “Man vs. Bear” Debate What do fairy tales, survival instincts, and a viral social media debate have in common? In this episode of Lexicons Unbound, we unpack the question that took over timelines: Would you rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear? We explore the bear as a powerful symbol in folklore—protector, predator, and primal force—and examine how it connects to modern conversations about women’s safety, autonomy, and survival instincts. From Goldilocks and Winnie the Pooh to viral memes, we trace how stories shape our perceptions of danger and trust. Along the way, we discuss:Why the bear (and other large predators) looms large in folklore and cultural imaginationHow gender dynamics and survival strategies have evolved How women today reclaim storytelling to challenge old tropes This isn’t just about bears—it’s about the enduring stories we tell to navigate fear, find power, and rewrite the narratives handed down to us. Whether you’re a folklore enthusiast, a meme scholar, or just curious why the internet keeps asking about bears, this episode is for you. Resources and Links: Episode blog + transcripts on Podpage

    33 min
  4. Welcome to our Podcast

    08/05/2025

    Welcome to our Podcast

    This short intro episode is your invitation into our world—a podcast where folklore meets your algorithm. We’re Melanie (writer, performer, and digital folklore translator) and Molly (researcher and professor specializing in storytelling and culture), two educators and lifelong story nerds who can’t stop asking: What old patterns hide in the stories we tell today?Why do viral memes feel like modern myths?And how is folklore alive in the feeds we scroll every day? In this episode, you’ll get to know who we are, why we started this show, and what you can expect: Deep dives into modern folklore and digital culture Mini episodes with quick folklore reflections and curiosities Smart, accessible conversations If you’ve ever wandered down a folklore rabbit hole, secretly love origin stories, or can’t resist saying “Actually, did you know…”—this podcast is for you. Subscribe now and join us as we unpack viral fairy tales, TikTok trends, meme cycles, and the timeless stories hiding in plain sight. Find transcripts, links, and extras at: https://www.podpage.com/lexicons-unbound/

    4 min

  5. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Lexicons Unbound - Coming Soon

    What do TikTok hauntings, monster memes, and bedtime stories have in common? They’re all part of the folklore that lives in our feeds. This is just the beginning—subscribe now and join us for stories that surprise, unsettle, and connect us.

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

From medieval monsters to modern memes, Lexicons Unbound traces the folklore in your feed. Hosted by two narrative explorers with a day job in education, we explore how legends shape our lives—online and off. With a blend of research, curiosity, and a bit of irreverence, each episode dives into tales that haunt, humor, or hold a mirror to who we are. Pull up a chair and press play.

Information