The Folklore Podcast Past Guests - Seasons 1 to 5
The Folklore Podcast is proud to be able to interview and connect with a myriad of both interesting and knowledgeable guests for our show. If you are interested in finding out more about past guests you can read the list below to find out their particulars. From Season 6 onwards, guest details appear on the episode page for each episode.
Johan Egerkrans - Episode 76 VAESEN
Johan Egerkrans is a Swedish illustrator and concept artist living in Stockholm.
Drawing has always been part of his life - at age two he picked up a pencil and hasn´t been able to put it down ever since.
Johan has worked as a professional illustrator for more than fifteen years producing art for books, games, comics and films. More recently he also wrote and illustrated the popular book "Nordiska Väsen" about scandinavian folklore and three picture books about dinosaurs, monsters and stuff.
Follow Johan on Facebook here
Click here to find Johan's books
Johan Egerkrans is a Swedish illustrator and concept artist living in Stockholm.
Drawing has always been part of his life - at age two he picked up a pencil and hasn´t been able to put it down ever since.
Johan has worked as a professional illustrator for more than fifteen years producing art for books, games, comics and films. More recently he also wrote and illustrated the popular book "Nordiska Väsen" about scandinavian folklore and three picture books about dinosaurs, monsters and stuff.
Follow Johan on Facebook here
Click here to find Johan's books
James Wright - Episode 75 RITUAL BUILDING PROTECTION
- James Wright is an award-winning buildings archaeologist. He has two decades professional experience of ferreting around in people’s cellars, hunting through their attics and digging up their gardens. He hopes to find meaningful truths about how ordinary and extraordinary folk lived their lives in the mediaeval period.
Prof. Ronald Hutton - Episode 74 THE WILD HUNT & THE WITCHES
I was born in India of mixed British and Russian parentage, and mostly brought up in England. I took degrees at Cambridge and then Oxford, and held a fellowship at Magdalen College, Oxford, before moving to Bristol University in 1981. I have remained there ever since. I started my career as a historian of early modern Britain, and remain one, but have branched out to acquire interests in the history of paganism, witchcraft and magic and of attitudes to them. I am presently at work on a study of the witch figure.
Website: https://research-information.bristol.ac.uk/en/persons/ronald-e-hutton(3db1ba2d-46a5-4387-8705-a6a3091b14ac).html
I was born in India of mixed British and Russian parentage, and mostly brought up in England. I took degrees at Cambridge and then Oxford, and held a fellowship at Magdalen College, Oxford, before moving to Bristol University in 1981. I have remained there ever since. I started my career as a historian of early modern Britain, and remain one, but have branched out to acquire interests in the history of paganism, witchcraft and magic and of attitudes to them. I am presently at work on a study of the witch figure.
Website: https://research-information.bristol.ac.uk/en/persons/ronald-e-hutton(3db1ba2d-46a5-4387-8705-a6a3091b14ac).html
Stephen G. Rae - Episode 73 THE BARD OF CUMBERLAND
Stephen G. Rae, the Bard of Cumberland. My role as a Bard continues thousands of years of Druidic tradition and culture. Druidry is a spiritual way and practice that speaks to three of our greatest yearnings: to be fully creative in our lives, to commune deeply with the world of Nature, and to gain access to a source of profound wisdom.
In ancient times a Bard was a poet and storyteller who had trained in a Bardic college. In modern times, a Bard is one who sees their creativity as an innate spiritual ability, and who chooses to nurture that ability partly or wholly with Druidism. In ancient times the Bards were the keepers of tradition, of the memory of the tribe - they were the custodians of the sacredness of the Word.
Click here to find Stephen on Facebook
Link: https://druidry.org/
Stephen G. Rae, the Bard of Cumberland. My role as a Bard continues thousands of years of Druidic tradition and culture. Druidry is a spiritual way and practice that speaks to three of our greatest yearnings: to be fully creative in our lives, to commune deeply with the world of Nature, and to gain access to a source of profound wisdom.
In ancient times a Bard was a poet and storyteller who had trained in a Bardic college. In modern times, a Bard is one who sees their creativity as an innate spiritual ability, and who chooses to nurture that ability partly or wholly with Druidism. In ancient times the Bards were the keepers of tradition, of the memory of the tribe - they were the custodians of the sacredness of the Word.
Click here to find Stephen on Facebook
Link: https://druidry.org/
Edward Parnell - Episode 71 GHOSTLAND
Edward Parnell is the author of the narrative non-fiction Ghostland (Harper Collins, October 2019). He lives in a medieval market town near Norwich and has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. He has been the recipient of an Escalator Award from the National Centre for Writing and a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship. The Listeners (2014) was his folklore-infused first novel, and was the winner of the Rethink New Novels Prize.
Click here to buy Ghostland or click here to visit Edward's website.
Edward Parnell is the author of the narrative non-fiction Ghostland (Harper Collins, October 2019). He lives in a medieval market town near Norwich and has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. He has been the recipient of an Escalator Award from the National Centre for Writing and a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship. The Listeners (2014) was his folklore-infused first novel, and was the winner of the Rethink New Novels Prize.
Click here to buy Ghostland or click here to visit Edward's website.
Anna Mazzola - Episode 70 THE STORY KEEPER
Anna Mazzola is a writer of dark historical fiction. Her debut novel, The Unseeing, which won an Edgar Allan Poe award, is based on the life of a real woman who was convicted of aiding a murder in London in 1837. Her second novel, The Story Keeper, follows a folklorist’s assistant as she searches out dark fairy tales and stolen girls on the Isle of Skye in 1857. It was nominated for the Highland Book Prize and The Sunday Mirror says it 'casts its own profound brand of dark magic.'
Photo credit: Lou Abercrombie
Anna is also a human rights and criminal justice solicitor. She lives in London with her family. To visit Anna's website, please click here.
Anna Mazzola is a writer of dark historical fiction. Her debut novel, The Unseeing, which won an Edgar Allan Poe award, is based on the life of a real woman who was convicted of aiding a murder in London in 1837. Her second novel, The Story Keeper, follows a folklorist’s assistant as she searches out dark fairy tales and stolen girls on the Isle of Skye in 1857. It was nominated for the Highland Book Prize and The Sunday Mirror says it 'casts its own profound brand of dark magic.'
Photo credit: Lou Abercrombie
Anna is also a human rights and criminal justice solicitor. She lives in London with her family. To visit Anna's website, please click here.
Taffy Thomas - Episode 69 TAFFY THOMAS MBE
Taffy Thomas trained as a Literature and Drama teacher at Dudley College of Education. After teaching for several years in Wolverhampton he founded and directed the legendary folk theatre company, Magic Lantern, illustrating traditional stories and songs with shadow puppets and circus skills. He founded and directed the community arts company, Charivari, with their popular touring unit, the Fabulous Salami Brothers, which he fronted and performed in. After a major stroke at the age of 36 Taffy turned back to story telling as self-imposed speech therapy, which turned into a new career.
Taffy has a repertoire of more than 300 stories, collected mainly from traditional oral sources, which he is happy to tell in almost any situation. This repertoire was built by meeting and working with virtually all the great traditional storytellers who were alive in Britain. He is now the most experienced English storyteller, having performed in many countries on four continents.
He is currently artistic director of Tales in Trust, the Northern Centre for Storytelling, based at The Storyteller's Garden in Grasmere. In the 2001 New Year Honours List he was awarded the MBE for services to storytelling and charity and performed a new collaboration for the Blue Peter Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. Taffy is a patron of the Society for Storytelling. In October 2009 Taffy accepted the honorary position of first Laureate for Storytelling which ran for two years from January 2010 to January 2012.
Click here to visit Taffy's website
Taffy Thomas trained as a Literature and Drama teacher at Dudley College of Education. After teaching for several years in Wolverhampton he founded and directed the legendary folk theatre company, Magic Lantern, illustrating traditional stories and songs with shadow puppets and circus skills. He founded and directed the community arts company, Charivari, with their popular touring unit, the Fabulous Salami Brothers, which he fronted and performed in. After a major stroke at the age of 36 Taffy turned back to story telling as self-imposed speech therapy, which turned into a new career.
Taffy has a repertoire of more than 300 stories, collected mainly from traditional oral sources, which he is happy to tell in almost any situation. This repertoire was built by meeting and working with virtually all the great traditional storytellers who were alive in Britain. He is now the most experienced English storyteller, having performed in many countries on four continents.
He is currently artistic director of Tales in Trust, the Northern Centre for Storytelling, based at The Storyteller's Garden in Grasmere. In the 2001 New Year Honours List he was awarded the MBE for services to storytelling and charity and performed a new collaboration for the Blue Peter Prom at the Royal Albert Hall. Taffy is a patron of the Society for Storytelling. In October 2009 Taffy accepted the honorary position of first Laureate for Storytelling which ran for two years from January 2010 to January 2012.
Click here to visit Taffy's website
Morgan Daimler - Episode 67 CELTIC & WESTERN EUROPEAN FAIRIES
Morgan has been a practicing witch since the 1990's and studying Irish folklore and mythology since the mid-90's. Growing up around the Irish-American diaspora contributed to this interest which came to include other Celtic language speaking cultures, such as Scottish and Welsh, and eventually the more loosely connected Norse, with a focus on folklore relating to fairies. Morgan began teaching and writing about fairies in the early 2000's and has presented workshops on related topics in the United States and Ireland as well as presenting as an independent scholar at the University of Ohio's 'Fairies and the Fantastic' conference in 2019.
Visit Morgan's Facebook page here
View Morgan's books at Moon Books here
Morgan has been a practicing witch since the 1990's and studying Irish folklore and mythology since the mid-90's. Growing up around the Irish-American diaspora contributed to this interest which came to include other Celtic language speaking cultures, such as Scottish and Welsh, and eventually the more loosely connected Norse, with a focus on folklore relating to fairies. Morgan began teaching and writing about fairies in the early 2000's and has presented workshops on related topics in the United States and Ireland as well as presenting as an independent scholar at the University of Ohio's 'Fairies and the Fantastic' conference in 2019.
Visit Morgan's Facebook page here
View Morgan's books at Moon Books here
Jemma Nicholls - Episode 65 CHARMS AND CHILDBIRTH
Jemma is a doula, antenatal teacher and a mum of three girls based in Plymouth, Devon. As well as a passion for all things pregnancy, birth and postpartum Jemma has had a lifelong interest in matters supernatural, traditional and occult. In a recent hunt for pregnancy related folk magic practices and traditions Jemma decided to merge the worlds of birth and folklore in her Charms and Childbirth workshop day which she runs alongside her other, more usual, birth services
To visit Jemma's website, please click here
To follow Jemma's page on Facebook, please click here
Jemma is a doula, antenatal teacher and a mum of three girls based in Plymouth, Devon. As well as a passion for all things pregnancy, birth and postpartum Jemma has had a lifelong interest in matters supernatural, traditional and occult. In a recent hunt for pregnancy related folk magic practices and traditions Jemma decided to merge the worlds of birth and folklore in her Charms and Childbirth workshop day which she runs alongside her other, more usual, birth services
To visit Jemma's website, please click here
To follow Jemma's page on Facebook, please click here
Natasha Helvin - Episode 63 SLAVIC WITCHCRAFT
Natasha Helvin is a writer, an occultist, hereditary witch, and priestess in the traditional Caribbean religion as well as an avid scholar of tradition / religion and simply woodland creature who feeds on folklore and magic! Natasha grew up in the Soviet state, in secluded small village, amongst dense woodland and endless rivers, until she was 18. With deep-rooted connection to the natural mysterious world Natasha inherited her passion for magic from her mother and previous generations, she learned from her family the ancient secrets of magic and healing, and the boundless potential of the human spirit. From this long line of metaphysicians and her rich spiritual cultural heritage, the roots of occultism and conscious thinking developed in her rapidly and at a very young age. As a child she saw her grandmother and mother use magic in their everyday lives to help neighbors, friends and anyone simply seeking help. She spent a lot of her time when she was child in the underbrush, searching for wild berries, "befriending" ancient trees and forest spirits, exploring ruins covered in moss and ivy – elements that unsurprisingly Natasha blends into her magical work and are still present today.
Website: https://www.worldofconjuring.com
Instagram: @natasha_helvin
Natasha Helvin is a writer, an occultist, hereditary witch, and priestess in the traditional Caribbean religion as well as an avid scholar of tradition / religion and simply woodland creature who feeds on folklore and magic! Natasha grew up in the Soviet state, in secluded small village, amongst dense woodland and endless rivers, until she was 18. With deep-rooted connection to the natural mysterious world Natasha inherited her passion for magic from her mother and previous generations, she learned from her family the ancient secrets of magic and healing, and the boundless potential of the human spirit. From this long line of metaphysicians and her rich spiritual cultural heritage, the roots of occultism and conscious thinking developed in her rapidly and at a very young age. As a child she saw her grandmother and mother use magic in their everyday lives to help neighbors, friends and anyone simply seeking help. She spent a lot of her time when she was child in the underbrush, searching for wild berries, "befriending" ancient trees and forest spirits, exploring ruins covered in moss and ivy – elements that unsurprisingly Natasha blends into her magical work and are still present today.
Website: https://www.worldofconjuring.com
Instagram: @natasha_helvin
Sophie Anderson - Episode 62 THE GIRL WHO SPEAKS BEAR
Sophie Anderson grew up with stories in her blood, from her mother, who is a writer, to her Prussian grandmother, whose own storytelling inspires Sophie’s novels.
Born in Swansea, but now living in the Lake District with her family, Sophie enjoys reading fairy tales, wandering and daydreaming.
Sophie is represented by Gemma Cooper of The Bent Agency.
Visit Sophie's website by clicking here
To go straight to the page of Sophie's website which links to places to buy her book, please click here.
Author photograph by seenicksphotography.
Sophie Anderson grew up with stories in her blood, from her mother, who is a writer, to her Prussian grandmother, whose own storytelling inspires Sophie’s novels.
Born in Swansea, but now living in the Lake District with her family, Sophie enjoys reading fairy tales, wandering and daydreaming.
Sophie is represented by Gemma Cooper of The Bent Agency.
Visit Sophie's website by clicking here
To go straight to the page of Sophie's website which links to places to buy her book, please click here.
Author photograph by seenicksphotography.
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Anna Howorth & Ashley Thorpe - Episode 61 WORLD OF THE UNKNOWN: GHOSTS
Anna: Usborne is one of the UK’s leading children’s book publishers. Anna Howorth has been with the independent, family business for over 15 years. She runs the UK marketing and publicity team and also oversees global branding, managing the way in which the Usborne brand is represented around the world. |
Ashley: After a number of years working for BBC Manchester & then in London and Athens doing illustration, Ashley returned to his Devon roots in 2005 and created a series of animated short films inspired by neglected English mythology -'THE VAMPIRE' 2002, 'SCAYRECROW' 2008 (winner of the Media Innovation Award 2009), 'THE SCREAMING SKULL' 2008 (nominated Best UK Short film at Raindance 2009) and 'THE HAIRY HANDS' 2010 (A SWS / UK Film Council project featuring VO by Doug Bradley).
In 2010 Ashley was invited by the Editor in Chief to write for 'FANGORIA MAGAZINE' and has since gone on to provide the magazine with numerous Rondo nominated interviews (John Hurt, Peter Sasdy), articles and cover art - often with a Brit-Horror theme.
2010 also saw his first foray into radio - 'THE DEMON HUNTSMAN' - a half hour Dartmoor set script written for Glass Eye Pix's 'Tales From Beyond the Pale' - a series of horror radio dramas - which has since garnered rave reviews aswell as notice in such periodicals as The Wall Street Journal and Entertainment Weekly. His second radio script for the studio 'DEAD MAN'S SHOES' was performed live in New York in October 2012.
In 2015 Ashley animated the Lalo Schifrin scored opening title sequence for the Hollywood horror 'TALES OF HALLOWEEN' for Epic pictures which went on to win a Saturn award.
In 2017 Ashley released his long awaited first animated feature 'BORLEY RECTORY' (a Carrion Film / Glass Eye Pix co-venture) featuring Reece Shearsmith, Jonathan Rigby & Julian Sands. In Nov 17 it won 'Best Animated Feature' at Buffalo Dreams Festival New York and a "Special Achievement in Cinema" accolade and has since gone on to win numerous awards and nominations internationally. It will be release on BluRay by Nucleus films on October 14th.
Ashley is also a painter whose work has appeared in such publications as Fangoria Magazine, Little Shoppe of Horrors, Famous Monsters of Filmland and Headpress / Critical Vision titles and is currently curating a festival celebrating Devon's rich heritage of horrors called the 'Hell Tor Festival'.
Click here to pre-order Usborne World of the Unknown: Ghosts
Click here to pre-order Borley Rectory
Click here to visit Usborne Books
Click here to visit Ashley's website Carrion Films
In 2010 Ashley was invited by the Editor in Chief to write for 'FANGORIA MAGAZINE' and has since gone on to provide the magazine with numerous Rondo nominated interviews (John Hurt, Peter Sasdy), articles and cover art - often with a Brit-Horror theme.
2010 also saw his first foray into radio - 'THE DEMON HUNTSMAN' - a half hour Dartmoor set script written for Glass Eye Pix's 'Tales From Beyond the Pale' - a series of horror radio dramas - which has since garnered rave reviews aswell as notice in such periodicals as The Wall Street Journal and Entertainment Weekly. His second radio script for the studio 'DEAD MAN'S SHOES' was performed live in New York in October 2012.
In 2015 Ashley animated the Lalo Schifrin scored opening title sequence for the Hollywood horror 'TALES OF HALLOWEEN' for Epic pictures which went on to win a Saturn award.
In 2017 Ashley released his long awaited first animated feature 'BORLEY RECTORY' (a Carrion Film / Glass Eye Pix co-venture) featuring Reece Shearsmith, Jonathan Rigby & Julian Sands. In Nov 17 it won 'Best Animated Feature' at Buffalo Dreams Festival New York and a "Special Achievement in Cinema" accolade and has since gone on to win numerous awards and nominations internationally. It will be release on BluRay by Nucleus films on October 14th.
Ashley is also a painter whose work has appeared in such publications as Fangoria Magazine, Little Shoppe of Horrors, Famous Monsters of Filmland and Headpress / Critical Vision titles and is currently curating a festival celebrating Devon's rich heritage of horrors called the 'Hell Tor Festival'.
Click here to pre-order Usborne World of the Unknown: Ghosts
Click here to pre-order Borley Rectory
Click here to visit Usborne Books
Click here to visit Ashley's website Carrion Films
Brian Hoggard - Episode 60 MAGICAL HOUSE PROTECTION
Brian has been studying history, archaeology and folk beliefs since his teens. His undergraduate dissertation focused on folk beliefs and witchcraft and, having previously read Ralph Merrifield's Archaeology of Ritual and Magic (1987), he noticed there was a huge amount of work which could be done to further explore the archaeology of witchcraft. At that point – back in 1999 – his research really escalated into a major project which has culminated in the publication of Magical House Protection: The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft (Berghahn 2019).
Click here to visit Brian's website Apotropaios
Click here for details of Brian's Book, Magical House Protection
Brian has been studying history, archaeology and folk beliefs since his teens. His undergraduate dissertation focused on folk beliefs and witchcraft and, having previously read Ralph Merrifield's Archaeology of Ritual and Magic (1987), he noticed there was a huge amount of work which could be done to further explore the archaeology of witchcraft. At that point – back in 1999 – his research really escalated into a major project which has culminated in the publication of Magical House Protection: The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft (Berghahn 2019).
Click here to visit Brian's website Apotropaios
Click here for details of Brian's Book, Magical House Protection
Caroline Lea - Episode 59 THE GLASS WOMAN
Caroline Lea was born and grew up in Jersey. She gained a First in English Literature and Creative Writing from Warwick University and then realised that she would need to find a job in order to fund her writing. She chose teaching, taught English and drama, and was Head of English at a Birmingham boys’ grammar school.
She now works from home, trying to find the time to write, in between meeting the demands of two, small autocratic boys. (Photo credit: Bill Waters)
Caroline Lea was born and grew up in Jersey. She gained a First in English Literature and Creative Writing from Warwick University and then realised that she would need to find a job in order to fund her writing. She chose teaching, taught English and drama, and was Head of English at a Birmingham boys’ grammar school.
She now works from home, trying to find the time to write, in between meeting the demands of two, small autocratic boys. (Photo credit: Bill Waters)
Yrsa Sigurdardottir - Episode 58 ICELANDIC FOLKLORE
Yrsa Sigurdardóttir is an award-winning, No. 1 best-selling Icelandic crime fiction author. Sigurdardóttir made her crime fiction debut in 2005 with Last Rituals, the first installment in the Thóra Gudmundsdóttir series. She has since gone on to write a number of acclaimed stand-alone thriller novels, and is to date translated into more than 30 languages. With The Legacy, the first novel in the award-winning series about child psychologist Freyja and police detective Huldar, Yrsa Sigurdardóttir has consolidated her position as one of the finest crime writers of our time, and a master storyteller at the top of her game. Follow Yrsa on Twitter here.
Yrsa Sigurdardóttir is an award-winning, No. 1 best-selling Icelandic crime fiction author. Sigurdardóttir made her crime fiction debut in 2005 with Last Rituals, the first installment in the Thóra Gudmundsdóttir series. She has since gone on to write a number of acclaimed stand-alone thriller novels, and is to date translated into more than 30 languages. With The Legacy, the first novel in the award-winning series about child psychologist Freyja and police detective Huldar, Yrsa Sigurdardóttir has consolidated her position as one of the finest crime writers of our time, and a master storyteller at the top of her game. Follow Yrsa on Twitter here.
Jem Roberts - Episode 57 TALES OF BRITAIN
Jem's work has appeared in publications as diverse as The Guardian, Rolling Stone, BBC History, The Independent, Geeky Monkey, History Revealed, GamesMaster, The Telegraph, SFX, Xbox World, Disney & Me, Total Film, BBC News online, ImagineFX and many more, and he has appeared on BBC Radio 4 as an ‘expert’ on innuendo, which made him very proud…
This last gig came courtesy of being the official chronicler of the nation’s favourite radio comedy, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue – and also, the nation’s favourite sitcom, Blackadder. His third book, Douglas Adams: The Frood – the Very Official Story of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – is in some shops too, as is his fourth – the official, authorised Fry & Laurie biography, SOUPY TWISTS! published just in time for the colleagues’ 30th.
To find out more, you can visit Jem's author website here, and also learn more about Tales of Britain on this site.
Jem's work has appeared in publications as diverse as The Guardian, Rolling Stone, BBC History, The Independent, Geeky Monkey, History Revealed, GamesMaster, The Telegraph, SFX, Xbox World, Disney & Me, Total Film, BBC News online, ImagineFX and many more, and he has appeared on BBC Radio 4 as an ‘expert’ on innuendo, which made him very proud…
This last gig came courtesy of being the official chronicler of the nation’s favourite radio comedy, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue – and also, the nation’s favourite sitcom, Blackadder. His third book, Douglas Adams: The Frood – the Very Official Story of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – is in some shops too, as is his fourth – the official, authorised Fry & Laurie biography, SOUPY TWISTS! published just in time for the colleagues’ 30th.
To find out more, you can visit Jem's author website here, and also learn more about Tales of Britain on this site.
Prof. Marion Gibson - Episode 56 REDISCOVERING RENAISSANCE WITCHCRAFT
Marion is Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures at the University of Exeter, teaching Witchcraft and Magic in Literature. Her research investigates the relationships between writings about magic and the supernatural and those about identity (national, local, sexual, religious and so on) in modernity – i.e. from around 1500 to the present day. She is interested in meetings between cultures and disciplines, past and present, and how fiction and scholarly writing impact on and express lived identities today. She is the author of Rediscovering Renaissance Witchcraft (Routledge, 2017), a book examining the ways in which sixteenth and seventeenth century writings on witchcraft have continued to inspire modern literature, especially popular novels, poems and films in Britain and America, and Witchcraft: The Basics (Routledge, 2018), a student guide to the field. She is also the author of Imagining the Pagan Past: Gods and Goddesses in Literature and History since the Dark Ages. (London and New York: Routledge, 2013), Witchcraft Myths in American Culture (New York: Routledge, 2007). Possession, Puritanism and Print: Darrell, Harsnett, Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Exorcism Controversy (London: Pickering and Chatto, 2006), Reading Witchcraft: Stories of Early English Witches (London and New York: Routledge, 1999), with Garry Tregidga and Shelley Trower, Mysticism, Myth and Celtic Identity (London: and New York: Routledge, 2012) and with Jo Esra, The Arden Shakespeare Dictionary of Shakespeare’s Demonology (London: Arden/Bloomsbury, 2014). The link to her staff profile at the University is here.
Marion is Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures at the University of Exeter, teaching Witchcraft and Magic in Literature. Her research investigates the relationships between writings about magic and the supernatural and those about identity (national, local, sexual, religious and so on) in modernity – i.e. from around 1500 to the present day. She is interested in meetings between cultures and disciplines, past and present, and how fiction and scholarly writing impact on and express lived identities today. She is the author of Rediscovering Renaissance Witchcraft (Routledge, 2017), a book examining the ways in which sixteenth and seventeenth century writings on witchcraft have continued to inspire modern literature, especially popular novels, poems and films in Britain and America, and Witchcraft: The Basics (Routledge, 2018), a student guide to the field. She is also the author of Imagining the Pagan Past: Gods and Goddesses in Literature and History since the Dark Ages. (London and New York: Routledge, 2013), Witchcraft Myths in American Culture (New York: Routledge, 2007). Possession, Puritanism and Print: Darrell, Harsnett, Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Exorcism Controversy (London: Pickering and Chatto, 2006), Reading Witchcraft: Stories of Early English Witches (London and New York: Routledge, 1999), with Garry Tregidga and Shelley Trower, Mysticism, Myth and Celtic Identity (London: and New York: Routledge, 2012) and with Jo Esra, The Arden Shakespeare Dictionary of Shakespeare’s Demonology (London: Arden/Bloomsbury, 2014). The link to her staff profile at the University is here.
Tabitha Stanmore - Episode 55 CUNNING FOLK
Tabitha is currently completing her PhD in the history of English magic at the Universities of Bristol and Exeter. Her research explores how practical magic was used in late medieval and early modern England, who practised it, and how magicians were treated in pre-modern society. She is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and supervised by Professor Ronald Hutton and Dr Catherine Rider.
Tabitha is currently completing her PhD in the history of English magic at the Universities of Bristol and Exeter. Her research explores how practical magic was used in late medieval and early modern England, who practised it, and how magicians were treated in pre-modern society. She is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and supervised by Professor Ronald Hutton and Dr Catherine Rider.
Lisa Schneidau - Episode 54 BOTANICAL FOLK TALES
Lisa Schneidau is a storyteller and environmentalist based on Dartmoor. She seeks out stories about the land and our complex relationship with it. Lisa is the author of Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland (History Press, 2018). More information about Lisa’s storytelling performances, projects and writing at http://www.lisaschneidau.co.uk
…Lisa captivates her audience, and makes you ponder whether the land always has a tale to be told and a voice to be heard… Beaford Arts on Tangle of the Commons
….a book of folk tales tailor-made for 21st century environmentalists…. Jini Reddy, Resurgence & Ecologist, reviewing ‘Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland’
Lisa trained as an ecologist and has worked in British nature conservation for over twenty years, in roles as diverse as farm advisor, lobbyist and conservation director. Since 2012 she has worked with Devon Wildlife Trust, leading the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area programme. https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/what-we-do/our-projects/northern-devon-nature-improvement-area …
Lisa Schneidau is a storyteller and environmentalist based on Dartmoor. She seeks out stories about the land and our complex relationship with it. Lisa is the author of Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland (History Press, 2018). More information about Lisa’s storytelling performances, projects and writing at http://www.lisaschneidau.co.uk
…Lisa captivates her audience, and makes you ponder whether the land always has a tale to be told and a voice to be heard… Beaford Arts on Tangle of the Commons
….a book of folk tales tailor-made for 21st century environmentalists…. Jini Reddy, Resurgence & Ecologist, reviewing ‘Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland’
Lisa trained as an ecologist and has worked in British nature conservation for over twenty years, in roles as diverse as farm advisor, lobbyist and conservation director. Since 2012 she has worked with Devon Wildlife Trust, leading the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area programme. https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/what-we-do/our-projects/northern-devon-nature-improvement-area …
Icy Sedgwick - Episode 52 GHOSTS IN CINEMA
Icy Sedgwick is a fiction writer, folklore blogger and film academic based in the north east of England. Her academic interests lie in horror cinema, set design, the Gothic, and the use of space in the built environment. She's written five novels and three short story collections, and in her academic life, she's the co-author of Gothic Dissections in Film and Literature: A Body in Parts. Icy blogs about folklore, favouring those tales related to death culture, the supernatural, or witchcraft.
To visit Icy's website, please click here
Icy Sedgwick is a fiction writer, folklore blogger and film academic based in the north east of England. Her academic interests lie in horror cinema, set design, the Gothic, and the use of space in the built environment. She's written five novels and three short story collections, and in her academic life, she's the co-author of Gothic Dissections in Film and Literature: A Body in Parts. Icy blogs about folklore, favouring those tales related to death culture, the supernatural, or witchcraft.
To visit Icy's website, please click here
Al Ridenour - Episode 50 PERCHTEN
Al Ridenour, author of The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas, is the preeminent English-language expert on the folklore and history of the Krampus. Now in its second printing, The Krampus was described by Dangerous Minds’Christopher Bickel as “the definitive work on Krampus,” and a “must read.” LA Times’ books critic Elizabeth Hand found the book “gleefully erudite,” remarking that it “deserves to become a classic.”
Ridenour’s interest in old world holiday customs while he was living in Berlin as a Fulbright Scholar. After travels in Germany and Austria in 2011, he founded, LA’s annual Krampusfest and Krampuslauf, engaging both local and European performers for these events. He has translated, produced and directed adaptations of traditional European Krampus plays, lectured on the Krampus at the International Goethe-Institut, The San Diego Art Institute, the New Americans Museum, Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art, and The Bowers Museum. He also crafts and sells Krampus masks and teaches workshops for those interested in making their own. In 2018, he was recruited by Geek Nation Tours as onboard consultant for tours of Austria and Germany focusing on Krampus events and traditions.
Ridenour also writes and produces Bone and Sickle, a podcast exploring the intersection of folklore, history, and the horror genre. Every episode offers a bounty of frightful tales, fantastic legends, and macabre histories sourced from musty volumes pulled from the imaginary shelves of an imaginary manor house library. Ridenour is attended in his imaginary study by his impeccable valet Wilkinson (Rick Galiher),an unflinching participant in their deeply passive-aggressive relationship. The whole unfolds within an immersive ever-shifting audio landscape of original music, brooding tones, intricately layered effects, sound bites, and film clips.
Other aspects of Ridenour’s decades-long career as a writer and subcultural artist-impresario can be found on his website.
Al Ridenour, author of The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas, is the preeminent English-language expert on the folklore and history of the Krampus. Now in its second printing, The Krampus was described by Dangerous Minds’Christopher Bickel as “the definitive work on Krampus,” and a “must read.” LA Times’ books critic Elizabeth Hand found the book “gleefully erudite,” remarking that it “deserves to become a classic.”
Ridenour’s interest in old world holiday customs while he was living in Berlin as a Fulbright Scholar. After travels in Germany and Austria in 2011, he founded, LA’s annual Krampusfest and Krampuslauf, engaging both local and European performers for these events. He has translated, produced and directed adaptations of traditional European Krampus plays, lectured on the Krampus at the International Goethe-Institut, The San Diego Art Institute, the New Americans Museum, Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art, and The Bowers Museum. He also crafts and sells Krampus masks and teaches workshops for those interested in making their own. In 2018, he was recruited by Geek Nation Tours as onboard consultant for tours of Austria and Germany focusing on Krampus events and traditions.
Ridenour also writes and produces Bone and Sickle, a podcast exploring the intersection of folklore, history, and the horror genre. Every episode offers a bounty of frightful tales, fantastic legends, and macabre histories sourced from musty volumes pulled from the imaginary shelves of an imaginary manor house library. Ridenour is attended in his imaginary study by his impeccable valet Wilkinson (Rick Galiher),an unflinching participant in their deeply passive-aggressive relationship. The whole unfolds within an immersive ever-shifting audio landscape of original music, brooding tones, intricately layered effects, sound bites, and film clips.
Other aspects of Ridenour’s decades-long career as a writer and subcultural artist-impresario can be found on his website.
Dedra Stevenson - Episode 47 TALES OF THE LANTERN
Dedra L. Stevenson, a former resident of Greensboro Alabama, now resides in Sharjah, UAE, and has been an Instructor at Zayed University, and is now the Co-Founder of the UAE Chapter of Women in Film and Television. She’s now the author of the Hakima’s Tale trilogy, Desert Magnolia, The Skinwalker: Resurrection, Breaking Bread Around the World, and Tales of the Lantern as well as the upcoming titles: Ifreet, The Divine Spark, and the children’s series, The Magic Carpet series. She’s the Co-Managing Director at Blue Jinni Media and the Executive Producer of the award winning short Documentary, Lemonade and the upcoming documentary, Just a Girl.
Holding a BA in Political Science and two Master’s Degrees, one in Library Science and one in Communication, she’s been living in the United Arab Emirates with her psychologist husband, Dr. Hussain Maseeh, and her 4 children for the last 28 years. She’s had a successful career and family life, and speaks at various venues throughout the UAE about fostering creativity and writing, and her books are produced by Rodney W. Harper, her partner at Blue Jinni Media.
Dedra L. Stevenson, a former resident of Greensboro Alabama, now resides in Sharjah, UAE, and has been an Instructor at Zayed University, and is now the Co-Founder of the UAE Chapter of Women in Film and Television. She’s now the author of the Hakima’s Tale trilogy, Desert Magnolia, The Skinwalker: Resurrection, Breaking Bread Around the World, and Tales of the Lantern as well as the upcoming titles: Ifreet, The Divine Spark, and the children’s series, The Magic Carpet series. She’s the Co-Managing Director at Blue Jinni Media and the Executive Producer of the award winning short Documentary, Lemonade and the upcoming documentary, Just a Girl.
Holding a BA in Political Science and two Master’s Degrees, one in Library Science and one in Communication, she’s been living in the United Arab Emirates with her psychologist husband, Dr. Hussain Maseeh, and her 4 children for the last 28 years. She’s had a successful career and family life, and speaks at various venues throughout the UAE about fostering creativity and writing, and her books are produced by Rodney W. Harper, her partner at Blue Jinni Media.
Hasmik Matikyan - Episode 46 HUSH LITTLE BABY
Hasmik Matikyan was born in Leninakan, Armenia in 1987. She holds a degree and Master's in English Language and Literature, and is currently a post=graduate student at Shirak State University. Her research interests are Linguo-folkloristics, Linguo-stylistics and Text Interpretation. She has published 17 articles on folklore, especially lullaby texts.
Hasmik Matikyan was born in Leninakan, Armenia in 1987. She holds a degree and Master's in English Language and Literature, and is currently a post=graduate student at Shirak State University. Her research interests are Linguo-folkloristics, Linguo-stylistics and Text Interpretation. She has published 17 articles on folklore, especially lullaby texts.
Noah Tetzner - Episode 45 AN INTRODUCTION TO NORSE MYTHOLOGY
Noah Tetzner is the host of The History of Vikings Podcast, a weekly podcast dedicated to retelling the history of the Vikings and the gods they worshiped. Noah is a lifelong history buff, and history podcasting is his absolute passion. Every week, Noah is joined by a Viking Age/Norse Mythology related expert to discuss the endlessly fascinating history of the Vikings. Find his podcast here.
Noah Tetzner is the host of The History of Vikings Podcast, a weekly podcast dedicated to retelling the history of the Vikings and the gods they worshiped. Noah is a lifelong history buff, and history podcasting is his absolute passion. Every week, Noah is joined by a Viking Age/Norse Mythology related expert to discuss the endlessly fascinating history of the Vikings. Find his podcast here.
Jeremy Harte - Episode 44 GRIND THE CORN
Jeremy is a researcher into folklore and archaeology, with a particular interest in landscape legends and tales of encounters with the inhabitants of other worlds. His book Explore Fairy Traditions won the Katharine Briggs award of the Folklore Society for 2005, and his other publications include Cuckoo Pounds and Singing Barrows, and The Green Man. He is curator of Bourne Hall Museum in Surrey.
Jeremy is a researcher into folklore and archaeology, with a particular interest in landscape legends and tales of encounters with the inhabitants of other worlds. His book Explore Fairy Traditions won the Katharine Briggs award of the Folklore Society for 2005, and his other publications include Cuckoo Pounds and Singing Barrows, and The Green Man. He is curator of Bourne Hall Museum in Surrey.
Rosalind Kerven - Episode 43 WOMEN AND FAIRIES AT WORK
Rosalind is an independent scholar and the author of over 60 books published in 22 countries, including several bestsellers. She has an academic background in social anthropology and has been collecting and retelling myths, legends, folk and fairy tales for over 30 years. Her many books are published by, among others, The British Library, British Museum Press, Cambridge University Press, Dorling Kindersley and Pearson. She also has her own imprint, Talking Stone. You can visit her website here.
Rosalind is an independent scholar and the author of over 60 books published in 22 countries, including several bestsellers. She has an academic background in social anthropology and has been collecting and retelling myths, legends, folk and fairy tales for over 30 years. Her many books are published by, among others, The British Library, British Museum Press, Cambridge University Press, Dorling Kindersley and Pearson. She also has her own imprint, Talking Stone. You can visit her website here.
Daniel Harms - Episode 42 A LIVERPOOL CUNNING MAN AND HIS MAGICAL MANUAL
Dan Harms is a Librarian and the author of the Cthulhu Mythos Encyclopedia, and, with John Wisdom Gonce III, The Necronomicon Files. He has also edited The Long-Lost Friend and various articles on magic, Call of Cthulhu, and other topics. He can be reached at Hotmail under the user name “vonjunzt” and his website is here.
Dan Harms is a Librarian and the author of the Cthulhu Mythos Encyclopedia, and, with John Wisdom Gonce III, The Necronomicon Files. He has also edited The Long-Lost Friend and various articles on magic, Call of Cthulhu, and other topics. He can be reached at Hotmail under the user name “vonjunzt” and his website is here.
Dr Peter Hewitt - Episode 41 WITCH BOTTLES
Dr. Peter Hewitt is Collections Researcher at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic (MWM) in Boscastle, Cornwall. Before taking up his current role, he was AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Researcher with the Shakespeare Centre, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and University of Birmingham. His research interests include the material culture of religion, magic and witchcraft, and the history of collections and collecting. He is a contributing author to Shakespeare and the Stuff of Life: Treasures from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare, 2016) and The Routledge Handbook of Material Culture in Early Modern Europe (Routledge, 2017). He is also editor of MWM’s own journal, The Enquiring Eye, and a regular contributor to the magazine Paranormal Review published by the Society for Psychical Research.
Dr. Peter Hewitt is Collections Researcher at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic (MWM) in Boscastle, Cornwall. Before taking up his current role, he was AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Researcher with the Shakespeare Centre, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and University of Birmingham. His research interests include the material culture of religion, magic and witchcraft, and the history of collections and collecting. He is a contributing author to Shakespeare and the Stuff of Life: Treasures from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare, 2016) and The Routledge Handbook of Material Culture in Early Modern Europe (Routledge, 2017). He is also editor of MWM’s own journal, The Enquiring Eye, and a regular contributor to the magazine Paranormal Review published by the Society for Psychical Research.
Dr Claudia Schwabe - Episode 39 CRAVING SUPERNATURAL CREATURES
Claudia Schwabe is an Assistant Professor of German and holds a PhD in German Studies from the University of Florida. She teaches German literature, translation, business, culture, and fairy-tale classes at Utah State University. Schwabe has published numerous articles and book chapters on varied subjects, including fairy-tale pedagogy, magic realism, literary fairy tales, German tales of the Romantic period, East German fairy-tale films, and televisual adaptations of classical tales. Her research interests include eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Romantic literature and culture, fairy-tale and folklore studies, German Orientalism, children's literature and film, the cultural evolution of fairy tales, the transmission and dissemination of fairy tales, fairy tales as cultural signifiers, and the uses of fairy tales in the undergraduate and graduate classroom. She co-edited New Approaches to Teaching Folk and Fairy Tales (University Press of Colorado, 2016) and is currently finalizing her monograph Craving Supernatural Creatures: German Fairy-Tale Figures in American Pop Culture to be published in 2019 by Wayne State University Press's Series in Fairy-Tale Studies.
Claudia Schwabe is an Assistant Professor of German and holds a PhD in German Studies from the University of Florida. She teaches German literature, translation, business, culture, and fairy-tale classes at Utah State University. Schwabe has published numerous articles and book chapters on varied subjects, including fairy-tale pedagogy, magic realism, literary fairy tales, German tales of the Romantic period, East German fairy-tale films, and televisual adaptations of classical tales. Her research interests include eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Romantic literature and culture, fairy-tale and folklore studies, German Orientalism, children's literature and film, the cultural evolution of fairy tales, the transmission and dissemination of fairy tales, fairy tales as cultural signifiers, and the uses of fairy tales in the undergraduate and graduate classroom. She co-edited New Approaches to Teaching Folk and Fairy Tales (University Press of Colorado, 2016) and is currently finalizing her monograph Craving Supernatural Creatures: German Fairy-Tale Figures in American Pop Culture to be published in 2019 by Wayne State University Press's Series in Fairy-Tale Studies.
Steve Patterson - Episode 37 ALIEN BIG CATS
Steve Patterson is a writer, Folklorist, Woodcarver and agricultural labourer. He lives and works with his dog in an old quarry in West Cornwall. He has been a student of folklore and the occult for as long as he can remember. Since the mid 1990s Steve has been an active supporter of the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, and has regularly given workshops and talks on the subject.
Steve Patterson is a writer, Folklorist, Woodcarver and agricultural labourer. He lives and works with his dog in an old quarry in West Cornwall. He has been a student of folklore and the occult for as long as he can remember. Since the mid 1990s Steve has been an active supporter of the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, and has regularly given workshops and talks on the subject.
Dr David Clarke - Episode 34 THE CURSE OF THE CRYING BOY
Dr David Clarke was an investigative journalist at The Sheffield Star and Yorkshire Post 1993-2006. His PhD in folklore was completed at the University of Sheffield in 1999. He joined Sheffield Hallam University in 2006 as a founder member of the journalism team and today he teaches Media Law, regulation and investigative techniques on the undergraduate and postgraduate journalism courses. In 2015 he was promoted to Reader in Journalism. His responsibilities include PhD supervision and mentoring colleagues who wish to become research active.
His publications and wide experience as a broadcaster and consultant for The National Archives UFO project from 2008-2013 has brought international recognition to Sheffield Hallam University as a centre of expertise in the study of contemporary legends. His books include The Angel of Mons (Wiley 2004), The UFO Files (National Archives/Bloomsbury 2009, 2nd edition 2012), Britain’s X-traordinary Files (Bloomsbury 2014), How UFOs Conquered the World: the history of a modern myth (Aurum 2015) and UFO Drawings at The National Archives (Four Corners 2017).
His lifelong interest in folklore, urban legends and the media is reflected in the title of his website, Folklore and Journalism:
Click here for David's Sheffield Hallam University profile
Dr David Clarke was an investigative journalist at The Sheffield Star and Yorkshire Post 1993-2006. His PhD in folklore was completed at the University of Sheffield in 1999. He joined Sheffield Hallam University in 2006 as a founder member of the journalism team and today he teaches Media Law, regulation and investigative techniques on the undergraduate and postgraduate journalism courses. In 2015 he was promoted to Reader in Journalism. His responsibilities include PhD supervision and mentoring colleagues who wish to become research active.
His publications and wide experience as a broadcaster and consultant for The National Archives UFO project from 2008-2013 has brought international recognition to Sheffield Hallam University as a centre of expertise in the study of contemporary legends. His books include The Angel of Mons (Wiley 2004), The UFO Files (National Archives/Bloomsbury 2009, 2nd edition 2012), Britain’s X-traordinary Files (Bloomsbury 2014), How UFOs Conquered the World: the history of a modern myth (Aurum 2015) and UFO Drawings at The National Archives (Four Corners 2017).
His lifelong interest in folklore, urban legends and the media is reflected in the title of his website, Folklore and Journalism:
Click here for David's Sheffield Hallam University profile
Christopher Josiffe - Episode 33 GEF! THE EXTRA SPECIAL TALKING MONGOOSE
Christopher Josiffe is a regular contributor to Fortean Times and has also been published in Faunus, Abraxas and The Pomegranate. He has presented lectures at (amongst others) the Ghost Club, the Society for Psychical Research, Senate House (University of London), Alchemical Landscape II (University of Cambridge), the London Fortean Society, and the Fortean Times Unconvention.
Visit Chris's website here.
Christopher Josiffe is a regular contributor to Fortean Times and has also been published in Faunus, Abraxas and The Pomegranate. He has presented lectures at (amongst others) the Ghost Club, the Society for Psychical Research, Senate House (University of London), Alchemical Landscape II (University of Cambridge), the London Fortean Society, and the Fortean Times Unconvention.
Visit Chris's website here.
Shauna Caffrey - Episode 31 OPERA WITCH
Shauna Louise Caffrey is a musicologist and musician currently researching the
appearance of witchcraft on the seventeenth-century musical stage. Having
completed her undergraduate degree in Music Studies at Trinity College Dublin,
she was awarded the Mahaffy Memorial Prize in 2017 for her original research
into the origins and appearance of witchcraft in Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.
She is a founding member of experimental music group Analog On, whose self-
titled début album is available on Spotify and iTunes. Her other research
interests include gender in popular music, film music, and the history of opera.
Shauna is currently continuing her studies at University College Cork, where she
is undertaking a masters in Music and Cultural History.
Contact Shauna on Twitter here.
Shauna Louise Caffrey is a musicologist and musician currently researching the
appearance of witchcraft on the seventeenth-century musical stage. Having
completed her undergraduate degree in Music Studies at Trinity College Dublin,
she was awarded the Mahaffy Memorial Prize in 2017 for her original research
into the origins and appearance of witchcraft in Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.
She is a founding member of experimental music group Analog On, whose self-
titled début album is available on Spotify and iTunes. Her other research
interests include gender in popular music, film music, and the history of opera.
Shauna is currently continuing her studies at University College Cork, where she
is undertaking a masters in Music and Cultural History.
Contact Shauna on Twitter here.
Jon Buckeridge - Episode 29 ONCE UPON A TIME: FOLKLORE AND STORYTELLING
Jon is a classically trained actor, writer, and director based in the West Midlands, characterised by piercing eyes, malleable physicality, and electric stage energy. Since graduating from the University of Wales in 2007 Jon has developed a broad experience of stage and screen performance, as well as establishing himself as an expert storyteller, varied vocal performer, gifted singer, multi-instrumentalist, and performance-combat specialist.
Jon established Parable Arts in 2014, seeking to rediscover and reignite the skills of storytelling. Comprising a collective of ridiculously talented artists from a range of creative backgrounds, Parable Arts specialise in small-scale, intimate storytelling pieces across the spectrum of artistic disciplines; bringing hidden and half-remembered stories to light and providing them a platform to shine. Branding this style "Guerrilla Storytelling" Parable appear anywhere and everywhere; never leaving without making an impact.
Jon is a classically trained actor, writer, and director based in the West Midlands, characterised by piercing eyes, malleable physicality, and electric stage energy. Since graduating from the University of Wales in 2007 Jon has developed a broad experience of stage and screen performance, as well as establishing himself as an expert storyteller, varied vocal performer, gifted singer, multi-instrumentalist, and performance-combat specialist.
Jon established Parable Arts in 2014, seeking to rediscover and reignite the skills of storytelling. Comprising a collective of ridiculously talented artists from a range of creative backgrounds, Parable Arts specialise in small-scale, intimate storytelling pieces across the spectrum of artistic disciplines; bringing hidden and half-remembered stories to light and providing them a platform to shine. Branding this style "Guerrilla Storytelling" Parable appear anywhere and everywhere; never leaving without making an impact.
Cindy Campbell-Stone - Episode 27 GREAT FOLKLORISTS: HELEN CREIGHTON
Cindy Campbell-Stone is a storyteller and singer from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia with family roots in Prince Edward Island. She is a member of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society, Storytellers Circle of Halifax, Cole Harbour Rural Heritage Society and Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada. Cindy is very interested in folklore, local history and community stories, folk songs and ballads. She loves to slip a song or two into a story and conversely to weave a story around a song.
Cindy Campbell-Stone is a storyteller and singer from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia with family roots in Prince Edward Island. She is a member of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society, Storytellers Circle of Halifax, Cole Harbour Rural Heritage Society and Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada. Cindy is very interested in folklore, local history and community stories, folk songs and ballads. She loves to slip a song or two into a story and conversely to weave a story around a song.
Tracey Norman - Episode 25 WITCH
Tracey Norman is an actress, author and historian. She wrote her accliamed play WITCH in 2016, with the original idea that it would run for a summer season and then she would move onto other projects. However, her audiences had other ideas and not only is the play now also used for Theatre in Education but Tracey is greatly expanding on her research into the early modern witch trials as she has a contract to publish a book based on the play and her work. To keep abreast of Tracey's research and the development of the project, please follow:
WITCH website
WITCH Facebook page
WITCH Twitter
by clicking on the links above. An audio verion of the full play is available here along with many other audiobooks on folklore interest, some of which are narrated by Tracey.
Tracey Norman is an actress, author and historian. She wrote her accliamed play WITCH in 2016, with the original idea that it would run for a summer season and then she would move onto other projects. However, her audiences had other ideas and not only is the play now also used for Theatre in Education but Tracey is greatly expanding on her research into the early modern witch trials as she has a contract to publish a book based on the play and her work. To keep abreast of Tracey's research and the development of the project, please follow:
WITCH website
WITCH Facebook page
WITCH Twitter
by clicking on the links above. An audio verion of the full play is available here along with many other audiobooks on folklore interest, some of which are narrated by Tracey.
Benjamin Radford - Episode 21 Tracking the Chupacabra
Benjamin Radford is deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer science magazine and a Research Fellow with the non-profit educational organization the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry; his colleagues there include Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson. He has written thousands of articles on a wide variety of topics, including urban legends, mysterious phenomena, critical thinking, and media literacy. He is author, co-author or contributor to over twenty books and has won awards for his books, films, and podcasts.
Radford regularly speaks at universities, colleges, and conferences across the country. Best known as a science-based investigator into unusual phenomena, Radford is a regular columnist for several outlets including LiveScience.com and Discovery News. Radford also wrote and directed two short films and co-founded an award-winning podcast.
A popular guest on podcasts, Radford has been quoted as an expert by hundreds of media outlets including CNN, ABC News, BBC, CBC, The New York Times, Gizmodo, Forbes, The New York Times Magazine, The (London) Times Literary Supplement, Fortean Times, the Huffington Post, Scientific American, Wall Street Journal, Wired, and Vanity Fair. He has also appeared on dozens of television shows including Good Morning America and on the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, and the National Geographic Channel.
Radford has previously presented on cruises, headlining with eminent biologist Richard Dawkins in 2012. Radford has a Masters degree in Education and a Bachelors degree in Psychology, and is a member of the American Folklore Society. More about Radford can be found on Wikipedia and at www.BenjaminRadford.com.
(Photo courtesy of Susan Gerbic)
Benjamin Radford is deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer science magazine and a Research Fellow with the non-profit educational organization the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry; his colleagues there include Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson. He has written thousands of articles on a wide variety of topics, including urban legends, mysterious phenomena, critical thinking, and media literacy. He is author, co-author or contributor to over twenty books and has won awards for his books, films, and podcasts.
Radford regularly speaks at universities, colleges, and conferences across the country. Best known as a science-based investigator into unusual phenomena, Radford is a regular columnist for several outlets including LiveScience.com and Discovery News. Radford also wrote and directed two short films and co-founded an award-winning podcast.
A popular guest on podcasts, Radford has been quoted as an expert by hundreds of media outlets including CNN, ABC News, BBC, CBC, The New York Times, Gizmodo, Forbes, The New York Times Magazine, The (London) Times Literary Supplement, Fortean Times, the Huffington Post, Scientific American, Wall Street Journal, Wired, and Vanity Fair. He has also appeared on dozens of television shows including Good Morning America and on the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, and the National Geographic Channel.
Radford has previously presented on cruises, headlining with eminent biologist Richard Dawkins in 2012. Radford has a Masters degree in Education and a Bachelors degree in Psychology, and is a member of the American Folklore Society. More about Radford can be found on Wikipedia and at www.BenjaminRadford.com.
(Photo courtesy of Susan Gerbic)
Blake Smith - Episode 18 Monster Talk Crossover
Blake Smith is a writer and researcher of matters cryptozoological and paranormal. He has been interested in the mysterious for decades and has been a “formal” skeptic of such claims since 1997. His conversion from believer to casual doubter to formal doubter was a lengthy process, the first steps of which were reading the works of Jan Harold Brunvand and his highly entertaining works on urban legends. You can find Smith’s articles on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. |
Dr Karen Stollznow - Episode 18 Monster Talk Crossover
Karen Stollznow is the author of Would You Believe It?, Hits & Mrs., God Bless America, Language Myths, Mysteries and Magic, and Haunting America. A host of the popular Monster Talk podcast, she has spent many years investigating psychics, ghosts, Bigfoot and other paranormal claims. A Doctor of Linguistics, she has taught at several universities in the United States and Australia, and was a Researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. Karen was born in Sydney, Australia, and she currently lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and son. |
Carin Marais - Episode 17 Folklore In Fantasy Fiction
Carin Marais is a qualified language practitioner with 8 years’ experience in translation, proofreading, and editing and 5 years’ experience in writing various types of digital and advertising copy. Carin is currently employed at Media24’s Lifestyle Weeklies Advertising Sales Department and have also worked for Ipsos as a language practitioner. Carin’s skills include translation, proofreading and editing, content and copy writing, project and traffic management, and interpersonal communication.
Her interests include the changing media landscape, art, culture, literature and linguistics, archaeology, mythology and folklore, and pop culture. She has a keen interest in the speculative fiction genre and a number of her speculative fiction short stories have been published.
You can visit Carin's work on the following sites:
https://maraiscarin.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @CarinMarais
Carin Marais is a qualified language practitioner with 8 years’ experience in translation, proofreading, and editing and 5 years’ experience in writing various types of digital and advertising copy. Carin is currently employed at Media24’s Lifestyle Weeklies Advertising Sales Department and have also worked for Ipsos as a language practitioner. Carin’s skills include translation, proofreading and editing, content and copy writing, project and traffic management, and interpersonal communication.
Her interests include the changing media landscape, art, culture, literature and linguistics, archaeology, mythology and folklore, and pop culture. She has a keen interest in the speculative fiction genre and a number of her speculative fiction short stories have been published.
You can visit Carin's work on the following sites:
https://maraiscarin.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @CarinMarais
Dr Paul Cowdell - Episode 15 Folklore: More Than Just A Word
After a first degree in Classics, Paul Cowdell worked in theatre for some years as an actor, comic, musician and, latterly, as a community theatre performer/facilitator. Doing this work he became interested in traditional song, and made his first attempts at fieldwork. This got him hooked on folklore. He took an MA in Folklore at the late lamented National Centre for English Cultural Tradition at the University of Sheffield, working mainly on song, and was recruited for fieldwork for the Smithsonian Institution’s 2007 Folklife Festival in Washington DC, which he also attended as a presenter. He subsequently did a PhD at the University of Hertfordshire on ‘Contemporary Belief in Ghosts’ (his thesis is available online at http://uhra.herts.ac.uk/handle/2299/7184 ). Much exercised by the parlous state of recognition for Folklore in England he sees himself, with romantic optimism, as a freelance fieldworker and scholar, happy to talk to anybody about the subject. A Committee member of the Folklore Society, he has taught oral history techniques and introductory folklore, and lectured on ghostlore, as well as giving popular talks on many aspects and blogging occasionally at http://humphreywithhisflail.blogspot.co.uk/ . Apart from ghosts he has also published and spoken on calendar customs, tongue-twisters, folklore about rats, and cannibalism at sea. He was once introduced as ‘an expert in morbid eschatology’, but mostly he just likes folklore a lot
After a first degree in Classics, Paul Cowdell worked in theatre for some years as an actor, comic, musician and, latterly, as a community theatre performer/facilitator. Doing this work he became interested in traditional song, and made his first attempts at fieldwork. This got him hooked on folklore. He took an MA in Folklore at the late lamented National Centre for English Cultural Tradition at the University of Sheffield, working mainly on song, and was recruited for fieldwork for the Smithsonian Institution’s 2007 Folklife Festival in Washington DC, which he also attended as a presenter. He subsequently did a PhD at the University of Hertfordshire on ‘Contemporary Belief in Ghosts’ (his thesis is available online at http://uhra.herts.ac.uk/handle/2299/7184 ). Much exercised by the parlous state of recognition for Folklore in England he sees himself, with romantic optimism, as a freelance fieldworker and scholar, happy to talk to anybody about the subject. A Committee member of the Folklore Society, he has taught oral history techniques and introductory folklore, and lectured on ghostlore, as well as giving popular talks on many aspects and blogging occasionally at http://humphreywithhisflail.blogspot.co.uk/ . Apart from ghosts he has also published and spoken on calendar customs, tongue-twisters, folklore about rats, and cannibalism at sea. He was once introduced as ‘an expert in morbid eschatology’, but mostly he just likes folklore a lot
Jon Kaneko-James - Episode 13 Fairy Lore and the Witch Trials
Jon Kaneko-James is a writer and historian working as a tour guide at Shakespeare's Globe in London. He was two Young Adult Fiction books available from Mogzilla Books, and is in negotiations for two social history titles with emerging publisher Beul Airthis. Jon also keeps (usually) a weekly blog on his website with articles on many aspects of magic and the supernatural, witchcraft in early modern period, folklore and much more. To visit Jon's blog please visit here
Jon Kaneko-James is a writer and historian working as a tour guide at Shakespeare's Globe in London. He was two Young Adult Fiction books available from Mogzilla Books, and is in negotiations for two social history titles with emerging publisher Beul Airthis. Jon also keeps (usually) a weekly blog on his website with articles on many aspects of magic and the supernatural, witchcraft in early modern period, folklore and much more. To visit Jon's blog please visit here
Paul Michael Donovan - Episode 11 Bunyip: Devil Of The Riverbed
Paul Michael F Donovan is a PhD candidate at Federation University, Ballarat specialising in Indigenous and colonial cultural heritage Including artefacts and folklore with a basis in ethnohistory. He completed a Masters in Cultural Heritage from Deakin University in 2014 which followed a Bachelor in Anthropology and History. He has completed Internships in curatorship, Historical research and Archaeology and presented on Australian cultural history and folklore at several conferences and other public events. With a background in historical education consultancy, he was born of Irish heritage in the Goldfields City of Ballarat, Victoria, and is currently living in the Surf Coast Shire. Paul Michael is passionate about local colonial history, especially concerning Indigenous/settler relations. During an internship in history at Ballarat University, Paul Michael published a research project on William Buckley, a convict who escaped from an abortive penal colony in Port Phillip in 1803, lived among the Wadawurrung people and assimilated into their culture until meeting the colonisation party in 1835 at Indented head. Paul Michael’s article on the disappearance of J T Gellibrand and G B L Hesse in the Otways in 1837 has been published in the December issue of the Victorian Historical Journal. Paul Michael can be contacted on Facebook here
Paul Michael F Donovan is a PhD candidate at Federation University, Ballarat specialising in Indigenous and colonial cultural heritage Including artefacts and folklore with a basis in ethnohistory. He completed a Masters in Cultural Heritage from Deakin University in 2014 which followed a Bachelor in Anthropology and History. He has completed Internships in curatorship, Historical research and Archaeology and presented on Australian cultural history and folklore at several conferences and other public events. With a background in historical education consultancy, he was born of Irish heritage in the Goldfields City of Ballarat, Victoria, and is currently living in the Surf Coast Shire. Paul Michael is passionate about local colonial history, especially concerning Indigenous/settler relations. During an internship in history at Ballarat University, Paul Michael published a research project on William Buckley, a convict who escaped from an abortive penal colony in Port Phillip in 1803, lived among the Wadawurrung people and assimilated into their culture until meeting the colonisation party in 1835 at Indented head. Paul Michael’s article on the disappearance of J T Gellibrand and G B L Hesse in the Otways in 1837 has been published in the December issue of the Victorian Historical Journal. Paul Michael can be contacted on Facebook here
Jo Hickey-Hall - Episode 9 Modern Fairy Sightings
Jo Hickey-Hall is a social historian and researcher with a long-held interest in the relationship between supernatural experience, local landscape and oral tradition. Born in Jersey, an island scattered with a network of ancient dolmens and rich in folklore, she is particularly inspired by the survival of oral lore in rural communities. Jo is of Irish heritage and her family have sustained a tradition of handing down fairy stories. As a result, she was recently motivated to base her Masters research on the original depiction of fairy or Sidhe in Medieval Irish literature. Jo currently lives in Bristol with her family.
Visit Jo's website here
Watch the video that was referred to in the podcast here
Jo Hickey-Hall is a social historian and researcher with a long-held interest in the relationship between supernatural experience, local landscape and oral tradition. Born in Jersey, an island scattered with a network of ancient dolmens and rich in folklore, she is particularly inspired by the survival of oral lore in rural communities. Jo is of Irish heritage and her family have sustained a tradition of handing down fairy stories. As a result, she was recently motivated to base her Masters research on the original depiction of fairy or Sidhe in Medieval Irish literature. Jo currently lives in Bristol with her family.
Visit Jo's website here
Watch the video that was referred to in the podcast here
Judith Hewitt - Episode 7 Glitter and Gravedust
Judith Hewitt is curator of the exhibition 'Glitter & Gravedust: Halloween Past and Present' which opened at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle in March 2016. She is also co-manager of the Museum. Her academic background is in History and Local History (BA, MA University of Nottingham). Prior to working at the MWM, she was Head of History at a large secondary school in Lincolnshire. She is currently researching a book on witchcraft ephemera and its relationship to the identities of women in the 21st century.
To visit the website of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, where you can browse a catalogue of many of the artefacts in their collection, please click this link.
Below is a selection of things that you can enjoy in 2017 by visiting the Museum:
2017 at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
Tickets for all events are available now and can be purchased from the Museum shop
January 6th Old Christmas Chalking the Mock festivities with guisers and music (more details to be announced soon)
January 28th “Nearly Imbolc celebration” including a chance to make Bride’s crosses, wool workshop during the day. In the evening, a talk on the Bridgit “Goddess of Imbolc” by Cheryl Straffon, bonfire, Bride’s girdle blessing, bed of Bride ritual and performance by Inkubbus Sukkubus. £20 per person for evening event, £30 to take part in the workshops during the day as well.
April 1st Museum re-opens for the season and will be open every day until October 31st. New exhibition: Poppets, pins and power: the Craft of Cursing opens.
May 6th Weekend Conference at the Wellington Hotel to coincide with and augment the exhibition on the theme of cursing. Speakers to be announced. Tickets available now: £20 or £15 for Friends of the Museum. Includes an evening of talks and music by Folklore Tapes.
June 24th Midsummer Day celebration. Serpent Dance in the Harbour with other events to celebrate Midsummer. No need to book, more details to be announced nearer the time.
All Hallow’s Eve Dark Happening A chance to celebrate Halloween or Samhain at the Museum. Morris dancers, osses, the Museum open late and by candlelight.
The Museum holds many events throughout the year including witchcraft workshops, candlelit evenings and straw craft workshops. We announce these through our website and social media pages as and when they are arranged.
Stay involved with the Museum:
Follow us on Facebook or twitter @witchmuseum
And keep an eye on website for our latest blogs and events.
Join Friends of the Museum of Witchcraft
www.friendsbmw.org.uk or email [email protected]
-Free admission to the Museum and twice nearly newsletters
-Help support the Museum and ensure its continued survival by raising money for Museum projects
-Opportunities to volunteer at the Museum
-Invitations to special Friends events and discounted entry to certain Museum event
Judith Hewitt is curator of the exhibition 'Glitter & Gravedust: Halloween Past and Present' which opened at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle in March 2016. She is also co-manager of the Museum. Her academic background is in History and Local History (BA, MA University of Nottingham). Prior to working at the MWM, she was Head of History at a large secondary school in Lincolnshire. She is currently researching a book on witchcraft ephemera and its relationship to the identities of women in the 21st century.
To visit the website of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, where you can browse a catalogue of many of the artefacts in their collection, please click this link.
Below is a selection of things that you can enjoy in 2017 by visiting the Museum:
2017 at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
Tickets for all events are available now and can be purchased from the Museum shop
January 6th Old Christmas Chalking the Mock festivities with guisers and music (more details to be announced soon)
January 28th “Nearly Imbolc celebration” including a chance to make Bride’s crosses, wool workshop during the day. In the evening, a talk on the Bridgit “Goddess of Imbolc” by Cheryl Straffon, bonfire, Bride’s girdle blessing, bed of Bride ritual and performance by Inkubbus Sukkubus. £20 per person for evening event, £30 to take part in the workshops during the day as well.
April 1st Museum re-opens for the season and will be open every day until October 31st. New exhibition: Poppets, pins and power: the Craft of Cursing opens.
May 6th Weekend Conference at the Wellington Hotel to coincide with and augment the exhibition on the theme of cursing. Speakers to be announced. Tickets available now: £20 or £15 for Friends of the Museum. Includes an evening of talks and music by Folklore Tapes.
June 24th Midsummer Day celebration. Serpent Dance in the Harbour with other events to celebrate Midsummer. No need to book, more details to be announced nearer the time.
All Hallow’s Eve Dark Happening A chance to celebrate Halloween or Samhain at the Museum. Morris dancers, osses, the Museum open late and by candlelight.
The Museum holds many events throughout the year including witchcraft workshops, candlelit evenings and straw craft workshops. We announce these through our website and social media pages as and when they are arranged.
Stay involved with the Museum:
Follow us on Facebook or twitter @witchmuseum
And keep an eye on website for our latest blogs and events.
Join Friends of the Museum of Witchcraft
www.friendsbmw.org.uk or email [email protected]
-Free admission to the Museum and twice nearly newsletters
-Help support the Museum and ensure its continued survival by raising money for Museum projects
-Opportunities to volunteer at the Museum
-Invitations to special Friends events and discounted entry to certain Museum event
Dr. David Waldron - Episode 5 Playing The Ghost
After having been engaged in manual labour for several years David finished his degree full time and completed his Bachelors from Deakin University in 1998 majoring in International Relations and Philosophy, with a particular focus in economics. David completed Honours first class from Ballarat on a history of Free Market Economic policy a comparative case study of Ghana, South Korea and Mexico in 1999.
At the end of this degree David was offered a doctoral scholarship and decided to change his research focus to history. In particular, in the course of his honours he had been exposed to post-colonial theory, particularly that of Edward Said and decided to explore the way in which the past is romantically reconfigured in religious movements on a case study of the neo-Pagan movement. This later became modified into his book "Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival.
Currently David is examining folklore, urban legends and ghost stories in relation to the growing "dark tourism" industry in Australia with a focus on the notion of ghost stories as a vehicle for memorialising community trauma through the ritual of storytelling.
Check out David's full bio over at Federation University site.
After having been engaged in manual labour for several years David finished his degree full time and completed his Bachelors from Deakin University in 1998 majoring in International Relations and Philosophy, with a particular focus in economics. David completed Honours first class from Ballarat on a history of Free Market Economic policy a comparative case study of Ghana, South Korea and Mexico in 1999.
At the end of this degree David was offered a doctoral scholarship and decided to change his research focus to history. In particular, in the course of his honours he had been exposed to post-colonial theory, particularly that of Edward Said and decided to explore the way in which the past is romantically reconfigured in religious movements on a case study of the neo-Pagan movement. This later became modified into his book "Sign of the Witch: Modernity and the Pagan Revival.
Currently David is examining folklore, urban legends and ghost stories in relation to the growing "dark tourism" industry in Australia with a focus on the notion of ghost stories as a vehicle for memorialising community trauma through the ritual of storytelling.
Check out David's full bio over at Federation University site.
Dr. Ceri Houlbrook - Episode 3 Concealed Revealed
Ceri Houlbrook is a folklore archaeologist, whose primary interests include the materiality of post-medieval magic and ritual, contemporary folkloric practices, and the heritage of deposits and assemblages. She attained her doctorate in Archaeology from the University of Manchester in 2014, having written her thesis on the British custom of coin-trees, and is currently a postdoctoral research assistant on the ‘Inner Lives’ project, University of Hertfordshire. This role sees her mapping concealed objects across the British Isles and engaging with their contemporary finders. You can find out more about Ceri's projects at Concealed Revealed website.
Ceri Houlbrook is a folklore archaeologist, whose primary interests include the materiality of post-medieval magic and ritual, contemporary folkloric practices, and the heritage of deposits and assemblages. She attained her doctorate in Archaeology from the University of Manchester in 2014, having written her thesis on the British custom of coin-trees, and is currently a postdoctoral research assistant on the ‘Inner Lives’ project, University of Hertfordshire. This role sees her mapping concealed objects across the British Isles and engaging with their contemporary finders. You can find out more about Ceri's projects at Concealed Revealed website.
Dr. Andrea Kitta - Episode 1 Slenderman
Andrea Kitta is a folklorist with a specialty in medicine, belief, and the supernatural. She is also interested in Internet folklore, narrative, and contemporary (urban) legend. Her current research includes: vaccines, pandemic illness, contagion and contamination, stigmatized diseases, disability, health information on the Internet and doctor/patient communication. She is co-editor for the journal Contemporary Legend, a scholarly journal published annually by the International Society for Contemporary Legend Research.
Dr. Kitta is the recipient of the Bertie E. Fearing Award for Excellence in Teaching (2010-2011), and her monograph, Vaccinations and Public Concern in History: Legend, Rumor, and Risk Perception, won the Brian McConnell Book Award in 2012. She also participated in the 2012 US-China Exchange Program between the American Folklore Society and the China Folklore Society. Her research on vaccines won the Bernard Duval Prize at the Canadian Immunization Conference and she received the Graduate Student Union's Award for Teaching Excellence for 2008.
She is currently working on The Kiss of Death: Contamination, Contagion, and Folklore (Utah State University Press). To find out more about Dr. Kitta please visit East Carolina University
Andrea Kitta is a folklorist with a specialty in medicine, belief, and the supernatural. She is also interested in Internet folklore, narrative, and contemporary (urban) legend. Her current research includes: vaccines, pandemic illness, contagion and contamination, stigmatized diseases, disability, health information on the Internet and doctor/patient communication. She is co-editor for the journal Contemporary Legend, a scholarly journal published annually by the International Society for Contemporary Legend Research.
Dr. Kitta is the recipient of the Bertie E. Fearing Award for Excellence in Teaching (2010-2011), and her monograph, Vaccinations and Public Concern in History: Legend, Rumor, and Risk Perception, won the Brian McConnell Book Award in 2012. She also participated in the 2012 US-China Exchange Program between the American Folklore Society and the China Folklore Society. Her research on vaccines won the Bernard Duval Prize at the Canadian Immunization Conference and she received the Graduate Student Union's Award for Teaching Excellence for 2008.
She is currently working on The Kiss of Death: Contamination, Contagion, and Folklore (Utah State University Press). To find out more about Dr. Kitta please visit East Carolina University
