PBS
The SCP Foundation: Declassified
Unlocking the Mysteries of SCP: From Secure, Contain, Protect to Unearth, Expose, Fascinate! Dive deep into the shadowy world of the SCP Foundation as we peel back the layers of secrecy surrounding these enigmatic entities. Discover the...
PBS
Uncovering the Enigma: Sasquatch Sightings
North America’s most famous cryptid, Sasquatch is a bipedal hairy humanoid with history pre-dating European colonization with numerous sightings even up to the present day. From cave paintings to video documentation, Sasquatch is a...
PBS
The Untold Secrets of Pokémon’s Monster Mythology
Pokémon are inspired by flora and fauna, science, religion, yokai and other supernatural beings. But the series is teeming with not just Japanese folklore, but versions of monsters from across the globe made cute with softened features.
PBS
Hero, Beast, or Both? The Complex Lore of the Centaur
Humans have domesticated animals as beasts of burden for thousands of years and the vital role horses play in the evolution of culture in particular has inspired countless equine folklore, but none are quite like the centaur.
PBS
Unicorns: Magical Icons or Violent Beasts?
Unicorns are all over the place in popular culture these days - movies, TV shows, toys, clothing and books for children and adults alike. But you might be interested to learn that the majestic, all-white horse with a spiralized horn on...
PBS
Was Púca the Nightmare Bunny That Inspired Donnie Darko?
Existing somewhere between boogeyman, scapegoat, and temperamental fae, the known trickster called Púca is an animal-spirit that was once dreaded across Ireland, the Channel Islands, and England.
PBS
The Wicked Feline Murder Floof, a Yule Cat Story
Christmas isn’t just a time for presents, cookies, and holiday cheer, but the hunting period of Iceland’s murderous monster feline, the Yule Cat. This giant, fluffy cat towers over buildings, roaming the snowy countryside for human...
PBS
How Chimaera Mythology Became Reality
The impossible, three-headed monster of Ancient Greek mythology, the Chimaera, may have started off as a fantasy, but today, the word “chimera” can be used to refer to anything that seems impossible. This includes the real-life,...
Curated Video
ChatGPT for Creatives - A Ghost Story
In this video, the instructor shares his personal experience of writing a ghost story and the challenges he faced while researching. He talks about how he overcame his fear of the unknown and explored different aspects of the story to...
Curated Video
Popular Words Invented by Authors
Authors often create words just for a one-time usage... but a special few will gain traction and become full-fledged parts of our shared lexicon!
Curated Video
It’s Never Turtles All the Way Down
Several mythologies from around the world imagined that the world sits on the back of a turtle. Centuries later, we end up with the whimsically iconic phrase “it's turtles all the way down.” Let's explore the origins of the phrase, some...
Curated Video
The Book of the Dead May Not Be What You Think It Is
We reveal the true purpose of the ancient text, discover more about the ancient Egyptian people and their relationship with death and the afterlife and dispel misconceptions about the use of this piece of ancient history. Join us as we...
Curated Video
Hawaii's Fiery Lovers to Enemies Myth
Not all marriages are love stories, and some of them are meant to end. The Hawai’ian volcano goddess Pele was briefly and disdainfully married to the half-pig demigod Kamapua’a before their ugly breakup. This story will allow us to...
Curated Video
Were These Mythical Warriors Real?
Ancient tales of this tribe of warrior women who fought epic battles and established great cities continue to inspire storytellers in modern times. The legend challenges traditional gender roles and inspires narratives of female...
Curated Video
Music of the Gods
In many mythologies, music is associated with the explosion of life and bursts of creativity. But it’s also used to explore the dark side of human nature: the desire to manipulate our surroundings, or to control others.
Curated Video
The Many Gods of Yoruba Lore
In recent years we have seen a very welcome uptick in the number of fantasy books inspired by West African folklore. The Afrofuturism and Africanfuturism movements have paved the way for Black authors across the diaspora to build worlds...
Curated Video
Gaia: The Mother of Creation
Imagine being the mother to every single living thing. What would you do if one of your children threatened the safety of the others? Would you kill or imprison your progeny to save the world? Gaia would know. As Greek mythology’s...
Curated Video
The War in Heaven
What happens when angels and demons battle in heaven? Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all have a story of cosmic conflict—some depict all-out war, while others are more courtroom drama. Their differences give us insight on each faith's...
Curated Video
The 2 Sides of Gawain: Hero vs. Antihero
This episode explores the legend of Gawain, a noble knight of King Arthur's Round Table who embarks on a perilous quest where he must confront his fears, uphold his knightly virtues, and face the Green Knight, exploring themes of...
Curated Video
How Every Heroic Story Is Really Just Gilgamesh
We delve into the epic tale of Gilgamesh, the legendary Mesopotamian king. From his incredible strength and bravery to his quest for immortality, the episode explores the timeless themes of friendship, mortality, and the search for meaning.
Curated Video
Why Does Every Culture Have Myths About Trees?
Cultures around the world have venerated trees for thousands of years, often seeing them as gifts from or manifestations of Gods. With their impressive size, longevity, and ability to support life, it’s hard not to see trees as divine....
Curated Video
The Unbelievably Tragic Story of Cú Chulainn
In Irish folklore, Cú Chulainn was one of the greatest warriors ever to live. From his first battle against a vicious hound at the age of 6 to his last against an entire army just two decades later, Cú Chulainn lived a legendary, but...
Curated Video
The Surprising Centuries-old Origins of the Unicorn
Unicorns aren’t all pretty white horses, some of them have scales, fangs, or ox tails. It turns out, cultures around the world have tales of mythical one-horned creatures who often rule over the other beasts of their land. Over time,...
Curated Video
Why Prometheus Risked Everything For Humans
Greek Gods are notorious for petty squabbling, brutal punishments, and meddling in people’s love lives. But in the myth of Prometheus, an immortal makes the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of humankind. A wily Titan who stole fire from...