Just A Story: Urban Legend Podcast

American tall tales are an odd branch of the folkloric family tree. Younger than fairy tales, but older than urban legends; they seem to have descended into a kind of awkward adolescence around the end of WWII. Yes, they’re stuck at the kids’ table within the collective unconscious, and they totally don’t get their younger cousins’ pop culture references. How did this happen? Who decided we needed tall tales in the first place? What has become of American Mythology today? Join us this week as we set out on a mission to define the American character, and when we are done; we’re going to Disneyland. Guest Story Teller: The Mellomen - Paul Bunyan (1958, Disney) For more on this week's episode, and every episode: justastorypod.com Twitter: @justastorypod Instagram: justastorypod Leave a voicemail on the Urban Legend Hotline 1-(512)-222-3375 Help support the show: https://www.patreon.com/justastorypod

Everything you’ve ever heard about New Orleans Mardi Gras is true. The floats, the beads, the craven apocalypse party - that is all there. What’s more surprising, is that there are parts of Mardi Gras that you haven’t heard of. Join us this week as we explore the secretive culture of the Mardi Gras Indians, and their role in creating the unique character of the city.

Why do we like to imagine that the world was once full of giants? All cultures seem to have a version of a myth or legend that mentions that how much bigger our ancestors were once upon a time. Is it the idea that our human history was once part of something bigger and more fantastic? Sure, that is basically all nostalgia is, when you put it like that. But why have people believed it? Why have generations of people in every region of the globe, at some point in time *believed* that there were giants upon the earth in those days? That’s what we will be exploring this week, the evidence of giants and what people believed about them. Join us as we discuss The Postdam Grenadiers, Greek hero cults, circus giants, a notorious discovery made in Cardiff, New York, and a real life love story of epic proportions. For more on this week's episode, and every episode: justastorypod.com Twitter: @justastorypod Instagram: justastorypod Leave a voicemail on the Urban Legend Hotline 1-(512)-222-3375 Help support the show: https://www.patreon.com/justastorypod

Ever have a blemish that just seems ... weird? Worse than usual? Maybe it hurts or makes the entire area around it red, or it almost itches... whatever the case, once you’ve noticed it; you can’t forget it’s there. You know you shouldn’t pick, but you just can’t help yourself, and when you do ... OUT RUSH A HORDE OF BABY SPIDERS!! OH MY GOD! NO! I LIKED THEM IN CHARLOTTE’S WEB, BUT THIS IS TOO MUCH! AGH!!! - you might say. ‘Can that really happen?’ you might be saying... Lucky for you, we’ve got the answer on this week’s episode, along with stories of Salvador Dali and his ill-fated pet bat, the care and keeping of lepers; and secret government experiments that you’ve probably been subjected to according to the only source you can trust, the internet. Join us as we discuss the creepy crawlies of the world, and why, how, and if, they get under our skin. Guest Story Teller: Sarah Steele from Let's Talk About Sects. Check her podcast out: http://www.ltaspod.com For more on this week's episode, and every episode: justastorypod.com Twitter: @justastorypod Instagram: justastorypod Leave a voicemail on the Urban Legend Hotline 1-(512)-222-3375 Help support the show: https://www.patreon.com/justastorypod.

Most of the authors we meet in school don’t stick with us as personalities. We remember the stories they create more than we remember them. That’s not true for dear Edgar. In fact the lines between fact and fiction become so blurry when he’s nearby that it’s no small task to keep the man and his work separate. And that’s just the way he wanted it. Join us this week as we discuss a plethora of Poe urban legends. From his persona, to his death to the Poe toaster; to all the true stories he molded into legends in his writing. Come on, let’s dive in before something starts rapping at your chamber door. Guest Story Teller courtesy of Libravox For more on this week's episode, and every episode: justastorypod.com Twitter: @justastorypod Instagram: justastorypod Leave a voicemail on the Urban Legend Hotline 1-(512)-222-3375 Help support the show: https://www.patreon.com/justastorypod