Mytholadies

We're back from our (semi-unplanned) January hiatus with a new themed episode! Today we discuss goddesses who played a role in creating the world and/or humanity, including Estsanatlehi from Navajo mythology, Papatuanuku from Māori mythology, the Djanggawul Sisters from Yulengor mythology, Mawu from Dahomey mythology, Woyengi from Ijo mythology, Amamikyu from Ryukyuan mythology, and Neith from Egyptian mythology. We also talk about why it's necessary for humans to have myths about the creation of the world. 

While recording, we experienced some technical difficulties. For this reason, the audio quality from our mics is not up to our usual standards. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.   

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies. 

To subscribe, go to https://anchor.fm/mytholadies/subscribe  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In our first solo Halloween-themed episode of the year, Lizzie discusses Yamauba, a frightening old woman spirit from Japanese folklore. We talk about the different stories surrounding her, as well as what she as a folk character can say about society overall.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux. You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's Halloween-themed episode, we welcome the spooky season by discussing a few witches from mythology and folklore. We first discuss the antisemitic origins of the popular depiction of the witch. Then, we talk about Black Annis from English folklore, Muma Pădurii from Romanian folklore, Louhi from Finnish mythology, Angitia from pre-Roman mythology, and Sebile and Annowre from Arthurian legend. 

This episode has a TRIGGER WARNING for extensive discussions of antisemitism.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies. 

You can check out our new bonus episode on Strega Nona from children's fiction for a small donation on both Spotify and Ko-fi!

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux. You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode, we talk about Draupadi from the Sanskrit epic the Mahābhārata. We discuss her role in the famous epic, her multiple husbands and their relationships, and her importance today. 

This episode has a TRIGGER WARNING for sexual assault.

EDIT: In the original release of this episode, Zoe described the Bhagavad Gita as a literary poem. This is inaccurate, as the Bhagavad Gita is one of the most holy scriptures in Hinduism. We have since edited the episode to remove this inaccurate description of such an important text, and Zoe apologizes for their insufficient research and oversimplification on the subject. 

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com. 

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies.   

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode, we discuss the famous water goddess Yemoja from Yoruba mythology. We talk about the many different aspects of her worship throughout the world, the different forms she takes, and how her importance has lasted to this day.

This episode has a TRIGGER WARNING for mentions of the slave trade and sexual assault.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In our second Pride Month episode, we get into gender politics with the story of China's famous cross-dressing poet, Huang Chonggu! We dive deep into the various theatrical texts that depict her story, and examine what they have to say about sexuality and the performance of gender in society.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music,  check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode, we talk about the legendary Somali queen, Arraweelo. We discuss how her story has been used as an argument against female leadership, the feminist movement to reclaim her story, and the similarities between her and Aristophanes' Lysistrata.

This episode has a trigger warning for a brief discussion of sexual assault, as well as mentions of castration throughout. 

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music,  check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode themed episode, we discuss moon goddesses from different cultures around the world. We talk about the Maya Moon Goddess, Selene (Greek mythology), Mayari (Filipino mythology), Coyolxāuhqui (Aztec mythology), Huitaca (Muisca mythology), Kuutar (Finnish mythology), and Mama Killa (Inca mythology).

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's Easter-themed episode, we discuss Mary Magdalene from the Bible. Zoe (who was raised Catholic) explains biblical lore to Lizzie (who was not raised Catholic). We discuss her depiction in the Gospels, her relationship to Jesus, and the origins of the Madonna-whore complex.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode we discuss La Siguanaba, a frightening, horse-headed spirit found in folklore all throughout Central America. We explore the many, many different iterations of her story, talk at length about the symbolism of horses, and delve into colonial influences found in the legend.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

Today, we celebrate our fiftieth episode with one of Lizzie's favorite Mytholadies ever, Medusa herself! We discuss how the depictions of her have changed throughout the years, whether or not Medusa is really a monster, and why her image has stayed with us for so long.

This episode has a TRIGGER WARNING for mentions of sexual assault.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode we discuss Manimekalai, the heroine of another Tamil Epic. We compare and contrast it with the Silippatikaram (previously covered in Episode 17), examine the story of two minor characters within the narrative, and express our love for epics as a whole.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

For our first themed episode of 2022, we look at goddesses of the hearth from around the world. We discuss Gabija from Lithuanian mythology, 조왕신 (Jowangsin) from Korean mythology, Kamui Fuchi from Ainu mythology, Chantico from Aztec mythology, Emoinu from Sanamahism, and Vesta from Roman mythology.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

To donate, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies.  

To fill out our listener survey, go to https://forms.gle/WN47gkUq1gtMSaFNA

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music,  check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode we discuss the Gwich'in story of Ch'idzigyaak and Sa', as told in the book Two Old Women by Velma Wallis. We discuss oral tradition, forgiveness in a story, and the importance of recognizing a story as not universal.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.

Support the Gwich’in people and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge:

Gwichin Steering Committee:
https://ourarcticrefuge.org/

Donate to Gwich'in Steering Committee - Patagonia Action Works
https://www.patagonia.com/actionworks/grantees/gwichin-steering-committee/donate/

Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge | NRDC
https://www.nrdc.org/protect-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge

Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic Refuge | Gwich'in and Iñupiat
https://www.protectthearctic.org/indigenous-peoples-arctic-refuge-gwichin-and-i%C3%B1upiat

Gwich'in Tribal Council
https://www.gwichintribal.ca/

To donate to the podcast, please go to ko-fi.com/mytholadies. 

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music,  check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode we celebrate Hanukkah by discussing the woman most associated with Hanukkah, Judith! We discuss the importance of Judaism to her story, delve into the Renaissance Power of Women art movement, and may or may not ruin your favorite Artemisia Gentileschi painting. 

This episode has a CONTENT WARNING for mentions of sexual assault, incest, and antisemitism.

Support us on ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/mytholadies

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music,  check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In this early winter episode, we discuss the archetype of the old crone, as well as several crones in mythology and folklore. We talk about Elli from Norse Mythology, Cailleach Béara from Celtic mythology, Kikimora from Slavic folklore, Frau Holle from Germanic folklore, and several English water hags.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode, we talk about the Bell Witch from Southern United States folklore, a spirit that haunted a family in Tennessee in the 19th century. We discuss horror as a way to talk about abuse, the demonization of independent women, and the problematic nature of the "Indian burial ground" trope.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's giant of an episode, we delve into the classic tale of Bluebeard's Bride. We cover three different versions of the story, including La Barbe Bleue from France, Knight Goldbeard from Switzerland, and Zerendac and Abu Freywar from Palestine. We also discuss how Bluebeard has influenced the modern-day horror genre, how its message is still very applicable to this day, and Lizzie also blows Zoe's mind by revealing specific works that were inspired by the tale.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music,  check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In our eighth themed episode, we discussed the supernatural Japanese creatures and phenomena known as yōkai (妖怪). We  discuss eight different yōkai ladies (or types of yōkai ladies),  including Kuchisake-onna (口裂け女), Nikusui (肉吸い), Ubume, Jorōgumo, Hanako-san (のはなこさん),  Datsueba (奪衣婆), Yama-uba (山姥), and Shikome (醜女).

For more information about today's episode, please go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode we discuss Durga, the fierce warrior goddess of Hindu mythology. We discuss the symbolic nature of her fight against demons and the duality of love and war. We also reflect on how mythology can be weaponized in a nationalistic and oppressive way.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music,  check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode, we discuss La Llorona, a spirit from Mexican folklore. We discuss the prevalence of female ghosts wearing white across world folklore, the varied interpretations of folktales, and the merits of modern retellings.

For more information about today's episode, please go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode we discuss Tiamat, the mother goddess of primordial chaos from the Babylonian epic the Eluma Elish. We talk about the importance of translation, the making of a monstrous woman, and how misogynistic culture influences depictions of women.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music,  check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode, we discuss Grendel's Mother from the Old English epic poem Beowulf. We discuss cycles of violence, the subjective experience of grief, and the ways in which translation matters in the way we interpret epics.

For more information about today's episode, please go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode, we discuss mermaid legends from around the world. We discuss La Sirena Chilota (Chilote), Suvannamaccha (Thailand/Cambodia), Sirena (Philippines), Merrows (Ireland), Lumpeguin (Wabanaki), Nibiinaabe (Anishinaabe), and Selkies (Celtic). 

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode we discuss La Difunta Correa, the beloved Argentinian folk saint. We discuss misogynistic Christian narratives, our perspectives on mythology, and parallels to the Virgin Mary.

This episode has a trigger warning for discussions alluding to sexual harassment and assault.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com. 

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux. You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode, we talk about the flesh-eating Māori thunder goddess known as Whaitiri! We discuss the conception of good versus evil figures, the importance of doing rituals properly, and the role of older women in mythology and society.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode we discuss Yennenga, legendary mother of the Mossi Kingdom. We talk about the significance of finding one's own path and her importance today, as well as reflect on the meaningfulness of apologies in legendary narratives.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music,  check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In our sixth themed episode, we talk about faerie ladies from five out of the six Celtic Nations! We discuss whether or not faeries and humans can ever live together, Christian-influenced morality, and how beliefs in faeries have changed over time. We discuss Margot la Fée from Brittany, Joan the Wad from Cornwall, Nicnevin from Scotland, Aibell from Ireland, and the Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach from Wales.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux. You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode, we talk about Sky Woman from Haudenosaunee mythology. We discuss creation stories, the concept of good vs. evil, and humanity's relationship with nature.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode we expose Zoe as a The Decemberists nerd as we discuss the Crane Wife, a tragic and fascinating figure from Japanese folklore. We talk about the animal-wife tale type, the messages about healthy and unhealthy relationships within these stories, and compare it to similar stories from other cultures.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her  work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was  composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music,  check out icarust.bandcamp.com.

In today's episode, we discuss Tlazolteotl, the Aztec goddess of vice, purification, lust, and filth. We discuss gender roles, the Aztec concept of sin, and the way colonization led to fundamental misunderstanding and narrowing of her role as a goddess.

For more information about today's episode, go to mytholadies.com.  

Our cover art is by Helena Cailleaux.  You can find her and more of her work on Instagram @helena.cailleaux.illustratrice. Our theme song was composed and performed by Icarus Tyree. To hear more of their music, check out icarust.bandcamp.com.