The Folklore Podcast

Dr David Waldron, lecturer at Federation University, Australia, and folklore researcher gives an exclusive talk to The Folklore Podcast on the phenomenon of ghost hoaxing and guising in Victorian Times. How did figures such as Springheeled Jack come about. Why did people do this and how has it continued into our modern folklore?  Visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com to download the supplementary magazine for this episode.

Host of the Folklore Podcast, Mark Norman, is one of a few researchers specialising in the field of Black Dog ghosts and holds what is thought to be the UKs largest archive of sightings and traditions. In this episode, Mark draws on his extensive archive to examine ghostly apparitions of Black Dogs in folklore and specifically how the relate to the wider European folklore of the Wild Hunt legend. An electronic magazine supplement accompanies this show with more information on the subject matter included. Visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com and click on Episodes.

Cats ... shoes ... bottles ... coins. At first glance these objects don't seem to have much in common. But these, and many other objects, are all items which have been found concealed within the fabric of old buildings during renovations or other works. Why were they placed there? Joining host Mark Norman on this episode of The Folklore Podcast is Dr Ceri Houlbrook, an historical ethnographer and archaeologist who works as research assistant on the Concealed Revealed project, which is asking just this question. A 16-page electronic magazine supplement is available to complement this edition, featuring a full episode transcript, more information, suggested reading and galleries of images relating to the finds. Visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com and click on Episodes to find this.

Ghosts are undoubtedly one of the most popular aspects of folklore stories. But in folklore there are two distinct types of ghost: the folk (or legendary) ghost or the haunting. In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, regular host Mark Norman examines two particular folk ghost motifs, the 'Cockstride' ghost, which serves some form of penance for evil, and the Phantom Coach. The talk is illustrated with many examples from the South West of the United Kingdom, where these folk ghosts occur a lot in traditional accounts. An episode supplement is available to download for this episode from the Folklore Podcast website. The supplement is a full 16-page fully designed e-zine featuring many more case studies, additional notes, comparisons of folk ghosts with stories in fictional literature and suggested reading.

The inaugural episode of The Folklore Podcast examines the recent development of the Slender Man phenomenon, with folklorist and associate professor, Dr Andrea Kitta. It is a rare event indeed to be present at the birth of a Folklore motif or symbol and see it enter into a cultural environment. Is that what we are seeing with Slender Man? Andrea discusses her work and research on the subject. Please visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com and click on Episodes for more information and to download the Supplement. Like us on Facebook at TheFolklorePodcast. Follow on Twitter @folklorepod