सर्वश्रेष्ठ Figment पॉडकास्टस (2024)

In today’s episode, we’ll be looking at Huli Jing, Chinese nine-tailed foxes. According to mythology, these creatures are fox spirits that are capable of shapeshifting. There’s a belief that— under the right circumstances— all things are capable of taking on a human form, and Huli Jing are no different. They go around searing for human skulls, and …

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A Brief Upate 1:28

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3+ y ago1:28

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There’s been a delay with the upcoming episode, but— not to fear!— it’s in the works. The next episode will be released next Wednesday, January 27th. Apologies for the delay, and I appreciate your support!द्वारा Fab Figmentals

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Sugar Plum Fairy 19:57

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The Sugar Plum Fairy is a funny character. Despite being one of the primary figures in The Nutcracker, we don’t get to know much about her. What’s her deal? What’s her connection to sugar plums? What does she want? None of these questions are answered, really. So, for this episode, I’m going to give our favorite Christmas candy queen the spotlight …

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Mermaid 24:28

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Today, we’ll be looking at mermaids. You’ve probably heard plenty of stories about them, and I’m certain I don’t need to paint you a picture of their human-top, fish-bottom bodies. But if you’re like me, and you grew up with Disney or Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale-take on these famous creatures, you might only know part of the story. Not all…

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Somnolites 26:54

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I’ve long been fascinated by mesmerism, and in today’s show, I’m going to focus on those who are on the receiving end of this practice. I’m talking of somnolites, the fancy name for those in a state of hypnotic sleep. This week’s story is called “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar,” and it was written by Edgar Allan Poe. This episode was research…

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Momotarō 16:21

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This week we’re going to look at a famous Japanese folktale: Momotarō, the story of the “peach boy.” This week’s story is called "The Peach's Son,” and it was first published in a book called Myths and Legends of Japan, by F. Hadland Davis. This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Our theme music was composed by Graeme Ronald. Addi…

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Bana-bhuidseach 22:34

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Here in the states, we talk a lot about the witch trials in Salem, but Scotland has a vast and dark history with witches, too. Today, we’re going to zero in on the folklore and history of witches in Scotland, known as bana-bhuidseach. Niall Cooper joins the show to read an excerpt from Robert Burns’ “Tam O’Shanter.” This episode was researched and …

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Zombie 22:04

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It’s been months and months since our last episode, but we’re back. And today, in honor of Halloween (and our show being resurrected from the dead), we’ll be looking at zombies. Today’s episode features an excerpt from William Seabrook’s The Magic Island. This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Our theme music was composed by Grae…

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Gryla & the Yule Lads 19:40

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In Iceland, you won’t find much talk of Santa Claus or St. Nicholas. Instead, the holidays are ruled by a child-eating giantess named Gryla, her 13 sons - trolls collectively known as the Yule Lads - and their bloodthirsty feline, the Yule Cat. Today’s episode features an original story written by Niall Cooper. This episode was researched and writt…

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Krampus 16:25

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This week we’re feeling the holiday spirit here at Figmentals headquarters. In honor of the upcoming holidays, today’s episode is going to be Christmas-themed. But we’re not going to be talking smiling, rosy-cheeked bringers of yuletide cheer. Oh, no. Instead, today we’re going to take a look at the darker side of the season. So, let’s venture into…

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Corn Mother 17:06

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Each episode, we dive into the folklore and history of a different legendary creature and share a story about it, and this week, in honor of Thanksgiving, we’re taking inspiration from well-stocked tables and harvest bounty to look at a figure known to some North American indigenous agricultural tribes as being responsible for the origin of maize: …

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Changeling 21:14

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Today we’re going to be looking at a creature that’s always given me a mad case of the heebie jeebies— The Changeling. Picture this: your young child, who has always been happy and healthy, all of the sudden one day seems… different. Once content and carefree, the little one is now irritable and grouchy. As time passes, the poor youngster doesn’t s…

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Jikininki 18:02

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The subject of our show today might just be the creepiest so far: jikininki. Unlike a lot of the monsters from legend, Japanese jikininki aren’t scary because of the danger they pose. If you come face to face with one, it’s likely to freeze with fear— the old saying, it’s more afraid of you than you are of it rings true in this case— and if you’re …

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Arachne 17:35

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This week, we’re going to be looking at my favorite weaver from classical mythology, Arachne. Arachne was a mortal weaver, famous for her skill and innovation— she is credited with the invention of linen and nets. But Arachne was a proud woman, and boasted that her talent was greater than that of any other weaver, even Athena, goddess of wisdom and…

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Count Dracula 23:12

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Over the course of the last several weeks, we’ve looked at Frankenstein’s Monster, the Headless Horseman, mummies, and werewolves, and today we’re rounding out our Halloween-themed episodes by looking at a monster that’s captivated audiences for over a hundred years— Count Dracula. Count Dracula is the invention of Bram Stoker, who featured the fam…

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Mummy 22:03

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In this episode, we’re traveling to Egypt, land of the pyramids and the ancient stomping ground of the pharaohs, to look at a monster that’s perhaps more real than any creature we’ve explored so far on this show— the mummy. As early as 2800 bc, deliberate mummification became an integral part of Egyptian death rituals, and was a key aspect of relig…

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Headless Horseman 19:15

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This week, we’re taking inspiration from one of my favorite Halloween classics: Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” As you probably already know, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” follows the misadventures of Ichabod Crane, a superstitious schoolmaster who comes face-to-face with the Galloping Hessian of the Hollow— better known as the H…

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Werewolf 18:30

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Today, we’re going to talk about a shape-shifter whose widespread legend has captivated minds for centuries, the werewolf. It’s a story we all know well: an unlucky someone is bitten or cursed and becomes a slave to the lunar cycle. Every full moon, he transforms into a wolf and roams the night, hunting. Try as he might to avoid the inevitable tran…

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Frankenstein's Monster 18:22

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We’re kicking off our Halloween-themed October episodes by looking at Frankenstein, or— more accurately— Dr. Frankenstein’s monster. If you took a random poll asking people what Frankenstein’s monster looks like, I’m certain most people would immediately start describing the large, green-hued creature with neck bolts and a flat-top black & white ha…

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Golem 15:50

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This week, we’re talking about the golem, a creature found in Jewish folklore that’s built out of inanimate material— often mud or dirt— and brought to life by magic. The golem can be traced all the way back to ancient times, and it even makes an appearance in the Old Testament. We are told that Adam’s first 12 hours of existence are spent as a gol…

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Medusa 17:11

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Medusa’s horrible, snake-framed visage has made an indelible imprint on history, and even though her legend has been around for 3000 years or more, her’s is still a household name. She’s most famous for her mane of living, venomous snakes, which sit atop her head in place of hair. And her ability to turn onlookers to stone is legendary. This week’s…

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Huldufólk 19:01

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In this episode, we’re going to explore the hidden world of the huldufólk, a race of elves found in Icelandic and Faroese folklore. Legends of the huldufólk have been around since the time of the Vikings. These elven creatures are said to live alongside mankind, though they remain invisible to the average person. This week’s episode features an ori…

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Thunderbird 17:00

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In this episode, we look at the thunderbird, an extremely large supernatural creature of great power and strength, best known for its ability to control the weather. The legend of the thunderbird is widespread throughout the traditions of native people throughout America and Canada, but it is especially important and most frequently depicted in the…

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Thlen 18:24

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In today’s episode, we’re peeking into the caves of Northern India to visit U Thlen, an evil spirt that exists in the form of a giant, man-eating snake. Under normal circumstances, I think it’s safe to say that most people would do their darnedest to avoid the lair of a known demon snake, but— unfortunately— that wasn’t an option for certain reside…

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Charybdis & Scylla 16:56

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Smack dab in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, at the southern tip of the Italian peninsula, the toe of the Italian boot very nearly meets the island of Sicily. These two land masses are separated by a narrow section of water called the Strait of Messina, a busy little waterway regularly traversed by cruise ships, fishing boats, cargo vessels, a…

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Unicorn 18:50

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In this episode, we look at one of the most famous legendary creatures of all time— the unicorn. Unicorns are an interesting study, because pretty much everyone knows what they look like and *thinks* they know a thing or two about them. But, I can assure you, there’s more to the history and lore of this incredible beast than pinterest-friendly cake…

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Rakshasa 16:38

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In today’s episode, we look at Rakshasas, man-eating goblins from India. Rakshasas have long, curling fangs that protrude from the corners of their lips, wickedly long claws, and- sometimes- sharp horns. The strongest and most powerful might even have glowing eyes, extra limbs, and a few additional heads. But the danger doesn’t stop there. Rakshasa…

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Rukh 17:41

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In today’s episode, we’re heading to the Middle East to visit the Rukh, a gigantic bird of prey big enough to block out the sun. Said to resemble an eagle, but much larger and stronger, the Rukh is believed to hail from the island of Madagscar, and is said to feast on elephants, giant snakes, and— sometimes— even men. It has a forked, snake-like to…

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Baku 18:58

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This week, we’re traveling to Asia to visit the baku, a Japanese chimera who feasts on nightmares. Legend has it that baku were created from leftover parts when the gods were finished making all the other animals. As you might suspect, this means baku are quite a sight to behold. A mishmash of species, baku are said to have a bear’s body, an elepha…

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Baba Yaga 19:43

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In this episode, we take a look at Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga is a supernatural, wicked witch-type character from Slavic folklore who is most often depicted as a deformed old hag. She lives deep in the forest in a hut that stands on chicken legs, and she can fly around using a broom or a mortar and pestle. This week’s story: “Baba Yaga” by Verra Xenophon…

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Bunyip 19:28

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This week, we’re going to look at the bunyip, a large mythical creature— sometimes described as a spirit— from Australian Aboriginal mythology, which is said to lurk in swamps, billabongs, creeks, riverbeds, and waterholes. This week’s story: “The Bunyip” by Andrew Lang This episode also included an excerpt from the poem:“The Bunyip” by Oodergoo No…

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Kelpie 18:23

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The kelpie is a shape-shifting water spirit that is said to inhabit the lochs, rivers, and pools of Scotland. Underneath the surface of the water, the kelpie lives in its true, monstrous form, but passers-by beware… the malevolent kelpie can transform at will into a beautiful human or a majestic horse. In these guises, the kelpie does it’s best to …

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Fab Figmentals Launches July 10th! 1:38

5y ago1:38

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The show launches Wednesday, July 10rd with three episodes to download. The first episodes will feature: the kelpie, a malevolent water-dwelling creature that haunts Scotland’s lochs, the bunyip, an Australian Aboriginal spirit, and Baba Yaga, the slavic “wicked witch.” New episodes drop every Wednesday, and you’ll find the podcast on iTunes, Stitc…