A look into folk wisdom and myth and an exploration into the real world implications.
Atlantis
Is the ancient sunken city fact or fiction?
6/24/2021 • 18 minutes, 50 seconds
The Great Flood
Let's talk about the great flood, also often referred to as Noah's Flood or the story of Noah's Ark. The origins are surprising, but there are some questions we may never have answers to.
6/3/2021 • 22 minutes, 27 seconds
Baphomet
If you've ever wondered about that goat-headed creature called Baphomet, you might be surprised to know about its origins.
5/7/2021 • 18 minutes, 41 seconds
Liches
Thanks for joining me for the 25th episode of Wise! Let's talk about one of the spookiest bad guys in the D&D world and what their connection to the real world is.
4/5/2021 • 18 minutes, 26 seconds
Persephone
To celebrate the beginning of spring, here's an episode all about the Greek goddess of spring...and how she ended up that way.
3/21/2021 • 18 minutes, 18 seconds
Thunderbird
Lore, legend, cryptid, or remnant of a long extinct species? This week I delve into the lore of Thunderbirds and some of the modern-day sightings of them.
3/14/2021 • 20 minutes, 58 seconds
Pukwudgie Intro
I took a mental health day today (highly recommended!), so I don't have a new full-length episode for you guys tonight. What I do have for you, though, is a snippet of a newly released Patron-only episode of Wise. Patrons get two extra episodes per month and get regular episodes a day before everyone else. If you're interested in helping me continue to create content, become a patron at patreon.com/wisepodcast
3/7/2021 • 3 minutes, 15 seconds
Goblins
An exploration of the roots and cultural beliefs surrounding goblins, and all the other names they go by as well.
2/28/2021 • 22 minutes, 21 seconds
Sodom and Gomorrah
Two ancient cities went up in flames, but it's probably not for the reason you think. Let's talk about the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
2/21/2021 • 19 minutes, 15 seconds
Cupid
Episode 20! Here's a special Valentine's Day episode for all of you about the god turned weird little cherub with heart-shaped arrows.
2/14/2021 • 20 minutes, 58 seconds
Pazuzu
Are demons really as bad as we think they are? Pazuzu is an example of why we might be wrong about demons...kind of.
2/7/2021 • 20 minutes, 9 seconds
Changelings
On a slightly darker note than normal, let's talk about changeling lore and how it harmed children and adults alike.
1/31/2021 • 23 minutes, 49 seconds
Janus
After a month of uncertainty and change in the US, we swore in a new president this week. We're in a transition period, so it only felt appropriate to cover the Roman god of transition and beginnings and endings.
1/24/2021 • 16 minutes, 33 seconds
Black Dogs
Dogs may be man's best friend, but the lore of menacing Black Dogs runs deep, especially in England. Black Dog lore even led to the name "Black Dog Syndrome", the anecdotal "syndrome" that causes black animals to be adopted at lower rates than other animals.Sorry I'm a day late posting!
1/18/2021 • 21 minutes, 33 seconds
Huitzilopochtli
Huitzilopochtli was a bloodthirsty war god, but he wanted nothing but the best for the Aztec people, who became the Mexica people and founded modern-day Mexico City under his watchful eye and protection. The stories of Huitzilopochtli are a fascinating look into the beliefs of the Aztecs and answers the question you may have asked yourself, "Were the Aztecs actually how Hollywood depicts them?"
1/10/2021 • 21 minutes, 48 seconds
Jezebel
The name "Jezebel" invokes negative connotations and has been hurled at women as an insult for centuries, but why? Was Jezebel as wicked as the stories would have you believe? Or was she a woman who stood her ground against religious extremists and got her memory tarnished for it?
1/3/2021 • 28 minutes, 52 seconds
Aurora Borealis
One day late, let's talk about a naturally occurring phenomenon and how many different cultures have all interpreted it in their own unique ways.
12/21/2020 • 18 minutes, 22 seconds
Qilin
While the Qilin has been compared to the Unicorn, it didn't quite feel right putting it into the Unicorn episode last week. So this week we'll talk about the benevolent Qilin and why it doesn't really live up to the "Eastern Unicorn" moniker.
12/13/2020 • 17 minutes, 42 seconds
Unicorns
Let's talk about everyone's favorite mythological creature: unicorns. The myth, the history, the art, and the modern-day unicorns we've created.
12/6/2020 • 27 minutes, 2 seconds
Thanksgiving
We're long overdue for a chat about one of the most popular American holidays.
11/29/2020 • 24 minutes, 43 seconds
Jinn
Genie, jinni, jinn, djinn, genius are all different words for very similar concepts and beings. Let's explore what they are, what they do, and what it means to humans.
11/22/2020 • 30 minutes, 15 seconds
Kaiju
While not truly myth or folklore, kaiju carry heavy cultural significance and are often steeped in allegory and symbolism. Let's talk about Godzilla, Gamera, King Kong, and others and how they relate to our world.
11/15/2020 • 23 minutes, 56 seconds
Bes
Bes was an ancient Egyptian deity you may have never heard of. He was so popular that he even made it outside of Egypt, though. Bes taught people to be joyful and not let differences hold them back while paving the way for fluidity in traditional gender roles.
11/7/2020 • 23 minutes, 54 seconds
Wise/Spooky Gals Crossover Halloween Episode
Join Wise and the ladies from Spooky Gals for an exploration of spooky cursed objects to celebrate Halloween. Make sure to check out Spooky Gals anywhere you listen to podcasts and check out the second crossover Halloween episode at Spooky Gals! Katrina and Jasmine are a blast. For a special Halloween episode, make sure to become a Wise patron at patreon.com/wisepodcast
10/31/2020 • 23 minutes, 53 seconds
Slender Man
Let's discuss what caused photographs from a photoshopping challenge to turn into a new myth, born before our eyes. Be sure to check Wise out on Twitter and Instagram @awisepodcast and help support the creation of new episodes by becoming a patron at patreon.com/wisepodcast
10/25/2020 • 21 minutes, 51 seconds
Medusa Sculpture Bonus Episode
A statue of Medusa holding the head of Perseus has been installed across from the New York County Courthouse. Let's talk about it. Find me at @awisepodcast on Twitter and Instagram and let me know what you think.
10/18/2020 • 3 minutes, 18 seconds
Teke Teke
The onryo Teke Teke is terrifying, but the social implications for Japan are even worse.
10/18/2020 • 19 minutes, 46 seconds
Headless Horseman
The Headless Horseman is more than a piece of Americana, it's an enduring myth told across multiple countries with their own cultural influences.
10/10/2020 • 19 minutes, 6 seconds
Wendigo
An exploration of the evil winter spirit that has haunted First Nations peoples for thousands of years.
10/4/2020 • 19 minutes, 30 seconds
Medusa
A look into the legend of Medusa and an exploration of the implications of her story in our modern world. This episode contains discussions of rape and sexual assault, listener discretion is advised.
9/27/2020 • 19 minutes, 2 seconds
Medusa
A look into the legend of Medusa and an exploration of the implications of her story in our modern world. This episode contains discussions of rape and sexual assault, listener discretion is advised.