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Artwork for The Folklore Podcast

The Folklore Podcast

Mark Norman
Folklore
Witchcraft
Folk Horror
Storytelling
Children's Literature
Ghost Stories
Mythology
Witch Trials
Scottish Folklore
Horror Genre
Stories From the Hearth
Paganism
Proverbs
Matthew Hopkins
Herbalism
Gatherings
The Three Ravens Podcast
Gothic Fiction
GAST
Mistletoe Bride

Folklore: Beliefs, traditions & culture of the people. Traditional folklore themes from around the world. An accessible podcast ranked in the top 0.5% of shows globally, bringing free access to many of the world's experts in folklore, authors, broadcasters and more.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes275Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Folklore Podcast

Latest Episodes

The Ancient Ways: A Year of Folklore, Traditions and Rituals to Reconnect with Nature is a debut book from second generation new-age traveller and hedgewitch Seren Hawley-Plows.

In the book Seren explores how, in the past, humans' lives centred aro... more

We visit the circus in this episode of The Folklore Podcast. Specifically, we are guests of Paulo's Circus where, after watching a traditional circus performance, we interview Kenny Darnell, son of the current circus owner and part of a family with c... more

We explore folk medicine of two different historical periods, the tenth and the seventeenth century, in this episode of The Folklore Podcast.

I am joined by special guest, author Danielle Giles, whose first two novels have this focus and provide our... more

In this special episode of The Folklore Podcast, recorded live on location at The Bookery, a community-owned bookshop in Crediton, Devon, host Mark Norman talks with BBC Radio 6 Music's Zakia Sewell about her book Finding Albion. Longlisted for the W... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Seren Hawley-Plows
Author of The Ancient Ways; hedge witch; New Age traveller
Bluebird (publisher)/The Folklore Podcast
Episode: Episode 198 - THE ANCIENT WAYS
Kenny Darnell
Son of Paulo's Circus owner, part of a family with a long heritage in circus
Paulo's Circus
Episode: Episode 197 - CIRCUS FOLKLORE
Danielle Giles
Author of Mere and Gentle Things, folklorist
Episode: Episode 196 - APOTHECARY FOLKLORE
Zakia Sewell
BBC Radio 6 Music DJ and broadcaster, writer
BBC Radio 6 Music
Episode: Episode 195 - FINDING ALBION
Bar Fridman-Tell
Author of Honeysuckle
Tor Nightfire / Pan Macmillan
Episode: Episode 194 - BLODEUWEDD MEETS FRANKENSTEIN
Melanie Atkinson
Horror writer from the South Coast; author of short stories and novels
Independent author
Episode: Episode 193 - TALKING GHOSTS PART 2
Susannah Wise
Actor, novelist and screenwriter
Independent/Film & TV
Episode: Episode 193 - TALKING GHOSTS PART 2
Tamsin Rosewell
Illustrator, former bookseller, historian, broadcaster
Episode: Episode 192 - FAIRY IMAGERY
Dan Webber
Author/Presenter, talks about Dracula and Derby connection
Unspecified
Episode: Episode 191 - TALKING GHOSTS PART 1

Host

Mark Norman
Folklorist and host focused on folklore, literature, and history.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 612 ratings
  • Smart and well written

    Podcast Addict
    5
    @patrickjones
    a year ago
  • Fantastic!

    Saw this on Bluesky the other day and decided to take a listen- I was surprised that it’s been around for a while but now understand since it’s so well done.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MerryBross
    United States2 years ago
  • Terrible reading.

    What a pity. I so wanted a podcast of classic tales but the readers are so bad that it’s like sitting in six grade again listening to my poor friends struggle flatly through sentence after sentence in English class.

    Absolutely pointless.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Going
    United States2 years ago
  • Podcast Addict
    Squeeenie
    3 years ago
  • By far the best folklore podcast out there. I greatly enjoy how thoroughly researched everything is.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Squeeenie
    3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate accessible yet scholarly discussions and the breadth of topics.
Some listeners critique pacing or episode formats when interviews dominate, but overall feedback is positive and loyal.
Listeners praise rigorous research and clear delivery, often noting high-quality guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#222
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#131
Finland/History
Apple Podcasts
#209
Netherlands/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 197 - CIRCUS FOLKLORE
Q: Why is it still relevant in the modern world?
The respondent highlights circus as both an art form and fitness practice, showing how it integrates with contemporary life through aerial classes and modern performance while preserving traditional craft.
Episode 194 - BLODEUWEDD MEETS FRANKENSTEIN
Q: What was your research process for blending folklore with your fiction, especially regarding plants, birds, and seasonal changes?
My research started from the canonical version of Bledewyd and expanded into bird folklore, forests, and plant biology. I walked and observed in a nature preserve, studied seasons and anatomy, and used those observations to build a plausible, immersive world that still feels timeless and flexible in location.
Episode 193 - TALKING GHOSTS PART 2
Q: Do you still favor a creeping dread approach for a screen adaptation, or do you think the format invites different techniques?
She argues for keeping the dread through suggestion and the unseen, rather than relying on quick scares, so the audience remains unsettled long after the moment passes.
Episode 193 - TALKING GHOSTS PART 2
Q: What works for you in this genre? What makes a good ghost story as far as you're concerned, and how do you bridge the prose and screen adaptations without losing the core emotional impact?
Melanie explains that lasting impact comes from stories that linger after the immediate tension fades; she favors subtle creep and emotional resonance over jump scares, and notes that adaptations should preserve the emotional core rather than rely on shocks.
Episode 187 - WICKED STRANGE: GHOSTS AND LEGENDS OF NEW ENGLAND
Q: Could you tell us a little bit more about this project and your collaboration with a photographer?
Jeff describes how he collaborated with photographer Frank Grace on a calendar of New England haunts that led to the creation of their book 'Wicked Strange'.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Folklore Podcast

What is The Folklore Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dive into folklore as living culture, blending scholarly research with storytelling across episodes. Topics span historical medicine, folk rites, ghost lore, fairy imagery, and modern reinterpretations of classical tales, often featuring experts, authors, and practitioners who illuminate how myths shape identity, rituals, and creative work. The show tends to pair rigorous context with accessible narrative, offering practical writing and research insights for enthusiasts and professionals alike, while highlighting inclusive storytelling and archival access as recurring strengths. A standout trait is the ability to connect ancient beliefs to contemporary culture through diverse guests and interdisciplinary perspectives, making it a val... more

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How many subscribers and views does The Folklore Podcast have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Folklore Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Folklore Podcast:

1. MonsterTalk
2. Myths and Legends
3. Dark Histories
4. Lore
5. Haunted UK Podcast: History, Hauntings and the Unexplained

How many episodes of The Folklore Podcast are there?

The Folklore Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 275 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Folklore Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Folklore Podcast?

Recent guests on The Folklore Podcast include:

1. Seren Hawley-Plows
2. Kenny Darnell
3. Danielle Giles
4. Zakia Sewell
5. Bar Fridman-Tell
6. Melanie Atkinson
7. Susannah Wise
8. Tamsin Rosewell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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