You may have heard of Poseidon, the Greek god of the seas—but have you heard of Sedna, the Inuit sea goddess of marine life? In this episode, we dive into the mythological story of the mermaid-like goddess who is transformed from a young woman into a powerful deity without hands.

We discuss the story’s various versions and cultural significance, as well as Sedna’s role as steward of the natural world. Themes of betrayal, sacrifice, and empowerment are explored throughout.

We also look at the history of the Inuit people—including how they came to inhabit four separate countries—along with other creation myths, the role of challenges in stories, and the journey of Inuit souls.

Don’t miss this fascinating discussion.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Fairytale Flip
00:50 Introduction to Sedna's Creation Myth
01:42 Diving into the Story of Sedna
03:48 Exploring Variants of Sedna's Tale
09:14 Understanding Inuit Culture and Migration
16:22 The Role of Women in Inuit Society
25:58 Sedna's Transformation and Symbolism
27:46 The Role of Villains in Transformation
28:16 The Importance of Challenges in Stories
29:01 Symbolism in Myths and Legends
29:45 The Journey of the Soul in Mythology
33:07 Betrayal and Sacrifice in Folklore
35:20 Depictions of Sedna in Inuit Mythology
38:19 Sedna's Underwater World and Its Guardians
40:15 The Significance of Loneliness and Isolation
43:47 Sedna in Modern Contexts
45:45 Creation Myths Across Cultures
50:13 Takeaways and Reflections on Mythology
52:20 Looking Ahead: Exploring New Cultures
53:46 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

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Ep 16: Persephone and Hades: Love, Power, or Possession?

Persephone and Hades, love story or horror story? That is the question we ask in Fairytale Flip episode 16. Is the ancient Greek myth of these gods a myth about romance or captivity? The story, although often used to explain the different seasons, is about so much more than how spring and winter came to be. We explore controversial themes of abduction, power and marriage, the empowerment of women in modern retellings, and the intersection of myth and cultural memory. We discuss the traditional interpretations with a modern lens, highlighting issues of consent, identity, agency, grief and trauma. Through our discussion, we urge listeners to rethink familiar tales, and how their past messages hold different meanings today.

Persephone and Hades Story
FREE JOURNAL EXAMPLE
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01:23 Summary of Persephone and Hades Myth

05:24 Analyzing the Myth: Romance or Abduction?

07:07 Modern Retellings and Feminine Power

21:38 Power Dynamics in the Myth

27:56 Addressing the Past and Moving Forward

28:18 The Role of Retellings in Modern Times

28:40 Abuse and Dominance in Fairy Tales

29:33 Rumpelstiltskin and Persephone: A Comparative Analysis

33:57 The Duality of Persephone's Existence

34:50 Exploring Shadow Work and Healing

40:08 The Significance of the Pomegranate

46:17 Mythic Memory and Historical Events

48:41 Respecting Boundaries and Autonomy

56:19 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

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Buckle up, fairy tale enthusiasts! We're kicking off this magical episode with some thrilling news – we're launching a Fairytale Journal! Its in draft mode so we want your input! But that's just the beginning of our enchanted journey. Today, we're diving headfirst into the mesmerizing world of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Wild Swans."

Episode 15 is nothing short of a wild ride as we unravel the threads of this captivating tale, exploring its hidden depths and shimmering symbolism. We chat about the power of silence (who knew being quiet could be so intense?) and the surprising role of stinging nettles – ouch!

But trust me, it's all part of the fairy tale magic. We're making a splash by discussing how water isn't just wet – it's a symbol of epic proportions in fairy tales. And speaking of epic, wait until you hear about the swan symbolism. These aren't your average park pond dwellers; we're talking Greek mythology, cultural significance, and transformations that'll blow your mind!

But wait, there's more! We're time-traveling through literary history, touching on Arthurian legends (hello, Morgana!), and uncovering how "The Wild Swans" has shape-shifted through the ages. We'll even peek into Hans Christian Andersen's brilliant mind and see how his beliefs colored this timeless story.

So, grab your favorite listening snack, settle in, and prepare to be swept away on a current of fairy tale wonder. This episode is a magical rollercoaster you won't want to miss!

WILD SWANS TALE
DRAFT JOURNAL for WILD SWANS-

00:00 Introduction to Fairytale Flip

01:07 Exciting News: Launching a Fairytale Journal

04:33 Summary of 'The Wild Swans' by Hans Christian Andersen

06:46 Themes and Symbolism in 'The Wild Swans'

10:09 The Power and Complexity of Silence

22:18 Pain and Purification: The Role of Nettles

26:09 Water as a Symbol in Fairytales

27:50 The Importance of Water in Fairy Tales

28:09 The Journey and Transformation of the Swans

32:18 Symbolism of Swans in Various Cultures

34:01 Greek Mythology and the Swan Connection

36:47 Arthurian Legends and the Role of Morgana

42:25 Historical Context and Variations of the Wild Swans

49:39 Hans Christian Andersen's Influence and Beliefs

51:54 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

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Why Are Festivals Culturally Important? In Episode 72, we sit down with Jacob Quijas, host of the Viva La Festiva podcast, to explore the vibrant world of festivals. From the evolution of iconic events like Burning Man to the unexpected charm of the Wife Carrying Championship—a quirky tradition originating in Finland but celebrated worldwide—we cover it all. We also dive into lesser-known but fascinating festivals like The Blob fest, Krampus parades, Pickle Fest, and Renaissance Fairs, uncovering their unique cultural significance. Plus, no festival chat is complete without food! We discuss the delicious (and sometimes bizarre) dishes that define these celebrations. Whether you're a festival fanatic or just curious about the hype, this episode is your ultimate guide to the world of festivals!

Jacob's podcast

Timestamps:
01:18 Today's Topic: Festivals Around the World
02:38 Ohio's Festival Scene
04:07 Food and Festivals: A Perfect Match
05:02 Jacob's Podcast Journey
05:40 The Pickle Festival Experience
09:25 Virtual Interviews and Festival Insights
11:02 The Essence of Festivals
15:57 Burning Man: A Unique Festival
33:31 The Symbolism of Burning Man
37:51 The Quirky Wife Carrying Championship
41:14 The Origins of the Festival
41:33 The Obstacle Course Challenge
41:57 Carrying Techniques and Rules
43:48 Prizes and Rewards
45:57 Festival Atmosphere and Activities
46:13 Unique Festival Foods
49:33 Exploring Other Festivals
53:35 International Festival Highlights
56:51 The Magic of Fairy Festivals
58:49 Mermaid and Krampus Festivals
01:04:06 Renaissance Festivals
01:07:06 The Joy of Festivals

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How have fairies evolved in their representations from pre-Christian times to the modern day? In Episode 71, Ivy Lewis—veteran, war artist, novelist, and folklore specialist—explores the roles of fairies across cultures, their liminal existence, and their modern portrayals in contemporary literature. We also discuss demonic possession and how medieval Christian views of the afterlife have shaped modern interpretations of fairies. Additionally, we examine the connection between the natural world and fairy tales, as well as Ivy’s debut novel, Ferrishyn, a reimagined folklore romance. Don't miss this fascinating episode!

Find Ivy's books here: www.ivylewisauthor.co.uk

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Did you know that many of the stories we recognize as Western, likely have origins in the Middle East? In episode 70 we are joined by author and scholar Ulrich Marzolp as we explore the rich tapestry of folklore across cultures, particularly focusing on narratives originating in Persia. Ulrich shares his extensive research on how these tales, including the classics like Arabian Nights, have influenced Western oral traditions and how they act as cultural bridges. We discuss his recent book, "101 Middle Eastern Tales and Their Impact on Western Oral Tradition" which which aims to highlight the shared heritage between Eastern and Western narratives while offering insights into specific tales like "The Fox and the Fleas" and "Belling the Cat."
Links:

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Eastern-Western-Tradition-Fairy-Tale-Studies/dp/0814347738

Website: https://wwwuser.gwdguser.de/~umarzol/Fables.html

The Encyclopedia is in German. It is called the “Enzyklopädie des Märchens.” The formerly active website is preserved at https://adw-goe.de/enzmaer/

Notes
•Ulrich Marzolp devoted energy to Persian popular literature
•Conducted research on Middle Eastern tales and their impact on Western oral tradition
•Joined Encyclopedia of Fairy Tales team in 1986
Encyclopedia of Fairy Tales(12:15 - 21:19)
•Comprehensive handbook of historical and comparative folk narrative research
•Covers folk narratives worldwide in various languages and cultures
•15 volumes with about 3,000 different entries
•Example: Cinderella versions found globally
Middle Eastern Narratives(21:20 - 32:15)
•Ulrich's passion for Middle Eastern narrative culture
•Importance of Iran as a bridge between India and Western countries
•Persian folktales similar to Western tradition
•Published books in Persian translation, appreciated in Iran
Arabian Nights and Persian Literature(32:15 - 41:46)
•Collected Persian folktales from British scholar L.P. Elwell-Sutton
•Discussed the history and impact of Arabian Nights
•Originated from Persian tales, translated to Arabic, then to French and English
101 Middle Eastern Tales Project(41:47 - 52:58)
•Ulrich's project to summarize Middle Eastern narrative heritage
•Aimed to objectify Western perspective on Middle Eastern culture
•Explored connection between Middle Eastern and Western narratives
•Book contains 600 pages and 101 tales
The Fox and the Fleas Tale(52:58 - 01:01:45)
•Simple story of fox ridding itself of fleas using clever method
•Tale has been around for over 1000 years
•Became part of natural history and school curriculum
•Now found in various languages and cultures worldwide
Belling the Cat Tale(01:01:45 - 01:10:07)
•Originally from Persian literature, not Aesop's fables
•Traveled through Arabic literature to Western tradition
•Demonstrates how tales travel between cultures
Impact of Middle Eastern Tales(01:10:07 - 01:18:39)
•Middle Eastern tales often lack explicit morals, unlike Western fables
•Ulrich's work aims to counteract xenophobia by showing shared narrative heritage
•Importance of understanding Middle Easterners as

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What is the power of a name? In this episode, we sit down with Alexandra Aikhenvald, Professor at the Jawun Research Centre at Central Queensland University (Cairns) and an Australian Laureate Fellow. Alexandra shares her extensive fieldwork experiences in north-west Amazonia (Brazil) and the Sepik region of New Guinea, diving into the significance of 'blessing names' within Amazonian cultures and reflecting on the devastating effects of colonial invasion on traditional knowledge.

She also opens up about her personal journey into linguistics, inspired by her experiences of discrimination in the Soviet Union, and highlights the incredible linguistic diversity in Amazonia, where approximately 350 languages are spoken today.

Our conversation explores fascinating topics such as:

• Naming practices and their cultural importance.
• The concept of 'evidentiality' in language.
• The challenges of preserving languages in culturally rich yet unstable regions like Papua New Guinea.

We also discuss Alexandra's book, I Saw the Dog, which underscores the importance of linguistic diversity and why protecting it matters.

This is a thought-provoking episode packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Links: http://www.aikhenvaldlinguistics.com/;

https://staff-profiles.cqu.edu.au/home/view/25682

https://www.ae-info.org/ae/Member/Aikhenvald_Alexandra

And here are the links to my popular-type book I saw the dog: how language works. Profile books 2021 -https://profilebooks.com/work/i-saw-the-dog/

https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Alexandra-Aikhenvald-I-Saw-the-Dog-9781781257715

facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alexandra.aikhenvald.98/

Notes
•Alexandra shares superstitions from Amazonia, like eating crocodile causes forgetfulness
Names and Linguistics in Amazonia(12:37 - 20:56)
•Explanation of 'blessing names' in Amazonian cultures
•Discussion on how colonial invasion affected traditional knowledge
Linguistic Diversity and Personal History(20:56 - 31:05)
•Alexandra's journey into linguistics due to discrimination in Soviet Union
•Estimation of about 350 languages in Amazonia currently
Naming Practices and Language Characteristics(31:07 - 40:42)
•Explanation of multiple naming systems in Amazonian cultures
•Discussion on the importance of kinship terms in languages
Linguistic Fieldwork and Cultural Practices(40:42 - 50:25)
•Explanation of naming practices in Manambu community
•Importance of names as spiritual wealth and land ownership tokens
•Discussion on name debates and their cultural significance
Language Preservation and Challenges(50:25 - 59:23)
•Challenges facing linguistic diversity in Papua New Guinea
Book Discussion and Closing Thoughts(59:23 - 01:09:16)
•Introduction of Alexandra's book 'I Saw the Dog'

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Have you ever wondered why some folktales stand the test of time, captivating generation after generation? Join me, Vanessa Y Rogers, and my insightful co-host Donna Lee Fields from Scaffolding Magic, as we unravel the enchanting legend of La Befana, Italy's beloved witchy gift-giver. This episode of Fairytale Flip takes you on a journey through the intriguing story of Old Bafana—a tale wrapped in Christmas, Epiphany traditions, and the enduring themes of redemption and transformation. As we explore the cultural significance of La Befana and compare her to other global gift-bringers like Austria's Perchta, and the three Magi you'll discover how these narratives resonate with personal experiences and highlight the universal values of giving and renewal.

Our conversation delves into the portrayal of La Befana in literature and culture, sparked by the children's book of author Tommy dePaola. Together, we explore the evolving representation of older women in today's media, as well as the dual nature of La Befana as both a cherished and satirical figure to the symbolic significance of rituals like wood burning in various cultures, our discussion invites you to rethink and reimagine these rich narratives.

As we journey through Epiphany traditions worldwide, our exploration uncovers intriguing cultural interpretations and symbolism, such as the of sweeping and the mysterious chimneys through which La Befana delivers her gifts. These themes are woven into a broader tapestry of renewal and transformation—a reminder that even the most old-fashioned tales can offer fresh insights. So, join us as we celebrate these timeless stories, questioning and reshaping our understanding of them, while embracing the power of redemption, generosity, and cultural diversity.

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