Old Wives

A devil, a warlock, a soldier, and a fiddler walk into Russia's unluckiest wedding. The fiddler plays while the devil waits, and the soldier and the warlock drink and dance all night long. But when the rooster crows at sunlight, chaos erupts. Will the soldier save the bride and groom? Can the fiddler escape hell and keep his promises? And why do you call them steamed hams despite the fact that they are obviously grilled? Tune in to find out!

For sources and links, support us on Patreon, or follow on Twitter. Our theme music is from Carnaval des Animaux, performed by Aitua.

It is Tuesday, we are in Russia, and hell is empty because all the devils are in an abandoned castle near the tavern. A retired soldier may have what it takes to scatter them back to the underworld, but not without causing some serious complications for himself. Is his magic flour sack enough to get him into heaven? Will he spend the rest of his doomed life in walking laps around his apartment, unable to truly live or die? Is this all a little too on the nose? Maybe so—but not today, Satans.

For sources and links, support us on Patreon, or follow on Twitter. Our theme music is from Carnaval des Animaux, performed by Aitua.

Today's story is about a piece of paper and a little man named Lars who's here to help you do rich guy stuff. After a cottage transforms into a castle, it's a battle between the old king and the new guy to see who gets the kingdom—and, of course, the princess. Was the real piece of paper inside him all along? When you bury something, where does it go? And, is this Cottagecore? Join us for these answers and more.

For sources and links, support us on Patreon, or follow on Twitter. Our theme music is from Carnaval des Animaux, performed by Aitua.

A mermaid queen grants our Fish Heroine magical abilities, but she must batter herself to access them. The queen sends her to confishcate a crown from a giant, and she's able to worm her way into his castle. After some carping, the giant decides to trade with her. But will she flounder on her quest? Can she hook a prince as a fish, or will he sea her for who she reely is? And who's this wizard guy we keep herring about? Something something catch of the day.

For sources and links, support us on Patreon, or follow on Twitter. Our theme music is from Carnaval des Animaux, performed by Aitua.

This week, we meet Ferko, the world's prettiest son, as he scrambles to outrun his older meaner brothers. Lost and wounded, Ferko overhears some gossipy crows who point him towards magical healing, and he's back on his feet in no time. But, when Ferko finally reaches the castle, his mean brothers have beaten him there. Will he prevail against the Final Boss, The King? Or will the wolves forever be at Ferko's heels? Join us for all this and more!

For sources and links, support us on Patreon, or follow on Twitter. Our theme music is from Carnaval des Animaux, performed by Aitua.

Happy St. John's Eve, listeners! We're in Ukraine this week for a get-rich-quick scheme gone terribly wrong. On the only night of the year when the ferns bloom, a young laborer travels deep into the hills on a quest to make himself worthy of the woman he loves. But a surreal sequence of events in a pitch-dark field of wildflowers leaves him reeling for years to recover the memories he lost that night. And even when that's over: does the devil still walk in his village? Join us for a special midsommar episode for all this and more.

For sources and links, support us on Patreon, or follow on Twitter. Our theme music is from Carnaval des Animaux, performed by Aitua.

This week we're in Naples to visit two houses, each with seven children, one with only sons and one with only daughters. As their rivalry spurs a race to steal a robe and scepter, we contend with such difficult questions as: How does a woman hunt a quail? Why is this horse always lurking? And, what the heck kind of profession is A Carver? Join us as we learn that having a crush is awkward and humiliating for all genders.

For sources and links, support us on Patreon, or follow on Twitter. Our theme music is from Carnaval des Animaux, performed by Aitua.

When the thing you want the most—since your very birth—finally comes to you, will you even notice? Will you stop to feel it, to know it? Or will it pass you right by? Will you find a way to want something else? Join us this week in The Valley of Lamentation, as we discuss whether you can ever really go home again.

For sources and links, support us on Patreon, or follow on Twitter. Our theme music is from Carnaval des Animaux, performed by Aitua.

This week in Iceland, we meet a good boy who's afraid of nothing. He lives in his haunted house, simmering his mutton soup for ghosts. He makes the bed and does the chores, and never hesitates to fling himself into battle. He even walks, drunk, headlong into death, all for the love of his friends. But that's where things take a turn. Will his fearlessness prevail? Can we join this fraternity? Join us as we stare fear directly in the backwards face.

For sources and links, support us on Patreon, or follow on Twitter. Our theme music is from Carnaval des Animaux, performed by Aitua.

In the fjelds of Norway this week, Casey and Amy meet a cheeky twin named Peik, who is attempting to prank his way up the social ladder. Unfortunately for Peik's nemesis The King, a little trickery can be a gateway drug to much darker fare. Will Peik get away with it forever, or will The King finally get his vengeance? And does anyone know where Rod Stewart got that nickname? All this and more on today's episode.

For sources and links, support us on Patreon, or follow on Twitter. Our theme music is from Carnaval des Animaux, performed by Aitua.