Mythic U

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Join hosts Erin Branham and Karen Foglesong as we set the stage for Norse myths. In this introduction to Norse mythology we discuss how the Scandinavian people of the 8th to the 11th centuries CE left an inedible mark on the history of Western culture. Who were the Vikings and why do they go viking about Europe? We explore the Eddas, go over the Norse mythological cosmology, and cover influences still echoing in modern society today.

SHOW NOTES

Poetic Edda - wikipedia

Beginner's Guide to Norse Mythology - Life in Norway, user-friendly intro 

Happily Heathen: Know Your Lore - the Poetic Edda - Patheos website article on the Poetic Edda for modern day practitioners 

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Join hosts Karen Foglesong and Erin Branham as we discuss the enduring significance of fairy tales. We explore how fairy tales differ from myths, and delve into their dream-like quality and non-linear narrative. As always, we take a Jungian look, especially through the work of Maria von Franz who emphasized fairy tales as a path of individuation, representing archetypes and the unconscious. The conversation examines Beauty and the Beast as an allegory for individuation. We also take a look at the evolving nature of fairy tales, from traditional stories to modern adaptations that remix and reverse traditional roles. Finally, we explore how much change has occurred by contrasting Snow White and Moana, and remind our listeners to revisit powerful stories from their childhood.

SHOW NOTES

The Interpretation of Fairy Tales by Maria von Franz - Dr. von Franz begins with a history of the study of fairy tales and the various theories of interpretation. By way of illustration, she presents a detailed examination of a simple Grimm’s tale, The Three Feathers, followed by a comprehensive discussion of motifs related to Jung’s concept of the shadow, the anima, and the animus. 

How to be Eaten by Maria Adelmann - This darkly funny and provocative novel reimagines classic fairy tale characters as modern women in a support group for trauma.

Stories Podcast

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Join us as we take a look at the mythic metaphorical goodness of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We discuss the hoped for, then canceled, Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, directed by Chloe Zhao. After our disappointment of that terrible news we take a look at the original Buffy series' cultural impact, including its influence on other series and creators. The conversation also explores the thematic depth of the original series, focusing on Buffy's journey from a reluctant hero to a mature adult, her relationships, and the symbolic significance of her battles. We touch on the show's exploration of adulthood, intimacy, and the struggle with societal expectations, emphasizing its enduring relevance and influence and taking a look at the feminist and inclusive themes of Buffy. Buffy's journey is a metaphor for autonomy and breaking societal norms, and Buffy's impact on female empowerment and the struggle against patriarchal structures means its mythic themes continue to resonate today.

SHOW NOTES

Why was the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reboot “new Sunnydale” canceled? - NME article

How Buffy the Vampire Slayer Redefined TV Storytelling - The Atlantic

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Myth, Metaphor, and Morality - book by Mark Fields

Passion of the Nerd Season One Analysis of Buffy the Vampire Slayer - search his playlists for subsequent seasons

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Join us as we explore the ethical dilemma of enjoying art created by people who have done bad things. We discuss the tension we experienced after we had recorded an episode on The Sandman by Neil Gaiman and then discovering serious allegations about Gaiman from several women. The conversation delves into the concept of the "great artist," the impact of social media on artist-audience relationships, and the complexity of separating art from the artist. We reference Claire Dederer's book "Monsters" (highly recommended for those interested in this topic) and the concept of ethical consumption, acknowledging the humanity of artists, and the need for grace in navigating these moral quandaries.

SHOW NOTES

Neil Gaiman's wikipedia page outlines his extensive artistic work as well as the allegations against him, and the legal proceedings that have occurred in relation to them to this date.

Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer

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Join us as we discuss Lord Ganesha, a popular Hindu deity known for his role in removing obstacles. We explore the history and diverse myths of Ganesha's origins, his widespread worship across Asia, and his significance in Hinduism. Ganesha's stories, including his birth, his battle with Shiva, and his broken tusk, are examined for their symbolic meanings. We also examine Ganesha's wide appeal and his association with wisdom and learning and Ganesha Chaturthi, a significant festival celebrating his birthday, as well as its historical context in India's struggle for independence.

SHOW NOTES

Ganesha on mythopedia

A Quick Overview of Ganesha 

All About Ganesha Chaturthi on HinduAmerican.org

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Join hosts Karen Foglesong and Erin Branham as we discuss the quote by Francis Weller, "The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them." We explore the balance between grief and gratitude, and how grief keeps the heart fluid and soft, enabling compassion. We take a look at how modern society's avoidance of grief and discuss the lack of collective mourning for COVID-19 victims. The conversation touches on the importance of empathy, creativity, and rituals in processing grief and gratitude, and how these practices can foster a deeper understanding of human experience and connection.

SHOW NOTES

Living a Soulful Life: Francis Weller's website

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Hosts Karen Foglesong and Erin Branham discuss the beliefs about money in our culture. We look at the history of money, how various religions have dealt with wealth and wealth inequality, and provide contexts for our listeners to examine their own beliefs about money and material success.

9 Gods and Goddesses of Wealth and Prosperity from World Mythology - The Scribbling Geek blog

History of Usury: The Transition of Usury Through Ancient Greece, the Rise of Christianity and Islam, and the Expansion of Long Distance Trade and Capitalism - The Gettysburg Economic Review

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong book by James W. Loewen

Note: The Great Courses is back to being The Great Courses Plus and is no longer Wondrium.

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Join us as we discuss the concept of "torture culture," exploring why humans inflict pain on each other and themselves. From schadenfreude and laughing at friends falling down to the banality of evil, we take a look at where the human capacity to do harm (and enjoy it!) comes from. We explore the division in America and the competing mythologies of our nation and the importance of facing ourselves and our personal pain. The discussion concludes with a reflection on the role of stories in shaping individual and collective realities.

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Join us as we discuss Clarissa Pinkola Estes' "Women Who Run with the Wolves," emphasizing its depth in Jungian psychology and storytelling. We explore the feminine perspective in myths, using Baba Yaga as an example of a reinterpreted heroine. The conversation delves into the historical and cultural significance of wildness and civilization, especially the differences in how Wild Men of myth are treated versus Wild Women. We discuss the societal pressures on women and men, the importance of transgressing social norms, and the psychological benefits of embracing one's wildness. The discussion also touches on the cultural diversity brought by Estes' Hispanic heritage.

SHOW NOTES

Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Voices on Independence: Four Oral Histories about Building Women's Economic Power - Smithsonian American Women's History Museum

Wild Men & Women of the Forest - Myth & Moor website by Terri Windling

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Join hosts Karen Foglesong and Erin Branham as we discuss the origins of the field of comparative mythology, from Frazier's Golden Bough to post-modernist critiques of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. We explore how modernist and post-modernist ideas have impacted the study of the world's religions, mythologies and philosophies and what it means for spiritual seekers in the West today as we try to avoid the colonialist mistakes of the past.

SHOW NOTES

The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion full text - Project Gutenberg

Bronislaw Malinowski - Encyclopedia Britannica

Jung's "Psychology with the Psyche" and the Behavioral Sciences

The Man Behind the Myth: Should We Question the Hero's Journey - LA Review of Books

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