Cultureverse

If you enjoyed Cultureverse, you'll love Mija Podcast, an audio drama that tells immigrant stories from around the world through immersive sound design. The show is available in English, French, Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic versions and is recommended by Common Sense Media for kids and families!

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CREDITS: 

This show was produced by Studio Ochenta. Our executive producer is Lory Martínez. 

Story, sound design and original music by Luis López

Editorial direction by Lory Martínez, with editorial assistance from Maru Lombardo and Jeremías Juárez

Our project coordinator is Catalina Hoyos

Art by William Guevara

Hey it’s the Cultureverse production team here again with another amazing show recommendation for you!

Hey Cultureverse fans!

In this episode of our cultural adventure series, Sefi channels the great Samoan warrior goddess: Nafanua.

This tale is based on the legendary oral history of Nafanua, the daughter of Saveasi'uleo, the king of the underworld, who once stepped in to end a great battle between eastern and western tribes of Samoa. Nafanua has 3 special tools that she uses: one was for herself, the TaFesilafa'i; one was for her adopted family, Fa'auli'ulito, and the other was called Ulimasao which was used for victory, to end war and bring peace. She is a historic figure that is often cited as being one of the great leaders of Samoa. 

Transcripts and additional resources to learn more about Samoan folklore and oral history at ochentastudio.com/cultureverse.

Hi Cultureverse Fans! We’re off this week but we wanted to share a brand new show that you might enjoy: Milky Way Underground!

Milky Way Underground is a heartfelt journey of self-discovery fit for the whole family. Inspired by the films of Hayao Miyazaki and books like A Wrinkle in Time and The Giver, Milky Way Underground is about both the difficulties and the joy of growing up and becoming yourself.

Journey further into the world of the show with bonus interactive episodes, where listeners can truly become a part of Lydia and Elijah’s multiple worlds.

Cultureverse and Milky Way Underground are part of the TRAX network from PRX. You can listen to both shows on TRAX.FM and wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of our cultural adventure series, Dwayne, Obi, and Tiffanie encounter an ancient Pan African water spirit called Mami Wata.

This story is inspired by the Pan-African folktale of the Mami Wata, a water goddess known for protecting seaside towns by sending fishermen calm waters. Africans who were displaced from their continent believed that the Mami Wata guided & protected them as they were taken to the West. Even today, for many Africans in the Western world, the deity is said to have traveled with them from Africa on the Atlantic Ocean protecting them from harm.

This podcast was produced by Studio Ochenta for TRAX on PRX and is hosted by Yara Shahidi. Obi was voiced by Owen Nnamdi Aguh. Dwayne was voiced by Kevin Thelwell. Tiffanie was voiced by Marion Toro, Aunt Ngozi by Florence Mafomemeh, and Mami Wata by Janet Onye with Anooj Bhandari as crowd member and Cherie B. Tay as Sandy Poplore.

Transcripts and additional resources to learn more about Nigerian and Pan African oral history are available at ochentastudio.com/cultureverse.

In this episode of our cultural adventure series, Amita meets the Loyal Mongoose from the ancient Indian tale of the same name.

This story is inspired by the Indian morality folktale about the Loyal Mongoose. An ancient tale from the Panchatantra collection, an enormously influential group of stories from ancient India. In this particular story, a farmer couple has a pet mongoose. One day, the couple leaves the mongoose with their baby, assured that he would guard their baby well. While they’re gone, a snake enters the house and tries to attack the baby. The loyal mongoose attacks the snake to protect it. But, when the mother arrives home, she sees the mongoose with bloodstains. She thinks the mongoose tried to harm the baby. In her anger, she kills the loyal mongoose. When she enters her house, she sees her baby is fine with a dead snake beside him. She realizes what happened and regrets her actions.

This podcast was produced by Studio Ochenta for TRAX on PRX and hosted by Yara Shahidi. Amita was voiced by Sakshi Sharma. Mongoose was voiced by Jacob Lukose. Vinit was voiced by Aaryan Arora. With Salim Mohammed as Mr. Singh.

Transcripts and additional resources to learn more about Indian folklore are available at ochentastudio.com/cultureverse.

In this episode of our cultural adventure series, Juan visits his family in Puerto Rico and loses a very valuable watch in this homage to the classic Puerto Rican folk character: Juan Bobo.

Transcripts and additional resources to learn more about Puerto Rican folklore are available at ochentastudio.com/cultureverse.

What happens when you step into the Cultureverse?

In this episode of our cultural adventure series, Kevin celebrates the Korean ceremony of Jesa and travels through a sacred cosmic tree. 

This episode was produced by Studio Ochenta for Trax on PRX. Hosted by Yara Shahidi. This podcast was produced by Studio Ochenta for TRAX on PRX. Kevin was voiced by Jonathan Kim. Kevin’s Dad was voiced by G-Su Paek. Halmeoni was voiced by Patty Sang, and Harabeoji was voiced by June Yoon. Special thanks to the CultureVerse editorial team for this episode, Dr. Kiona, David Yi and Ji-Youn Kim for advising on elements from Korean culture.

Transcripts and additional resources to learn more about Korean folklore are available at ochentastudio.com/cultureverse.

In this episode of our cultural adventure series, Sarah creates her own Golem in this homage to the ancient Hebrew folk creature of the same name.

This podcast was produced by Studio Ochenta for TRAX on PRX. Hosted by Yara Shahidi. Sarah was voiced by Dylan Tanzer. Deborah was voiced by Azriela Jaffe, Aaron was voiced by Xavier Geneste and Greg was Luis Raúl López Levi. Special thanks to our Cultureverse editorial team for this episode: Jamie Bourne and Liz Kleinrock, who brought their Jewish experiences to this story.