Best Icy Sedgwick Podcasts (2024)

1
Devils, Cats, Tiny Streets & Witches: York Folklore At Its Best 19:11

8h ago19:11

19:11

While York is often considered one of England's most haunted cities, other strange and unusual tales lurk in its narrow snickleways. There are stories of premature burial, printer's devils, cats that are either lucky or cursed, depending on your perspective, highwaymen, and an inevitable tale of witchcraft. Let's find out more in this week's episod…

1
The Dark Side of Sheffield Folklore: Spectres and River Spirits 16:26

7d ago16:26

16:26

There is much of the strange and haunting in Sheffield's folklore. Does that make it a haunted place? There are stories of water gods in the River Don, demanding annual sacrifices, boggards in boggard lane, spectral visions of highwaymen, ghosts, and even Spring-Heeled Jack! Let's find out more in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore! Find the …

1
Rue Folklore: Warding off Poison, Plague and Pestilence 17:34

15d ago17:34

17:34

Rue was cultivated in England for its medicinal use, having been introduced by the Romans! It appears in folk remedies to ward off evil spirits, poison, and plague, It also works in prophecy and hexes. Let's find out more in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore! Find the images and references on the blog post: https://www.icysedgwick.com/rue-fo…

1
Episode 39: Reading Cozy Robin Hood Fiction with Jenny Kane & Jennifer Ash 45:16

18d ago45:16

45:16

This week I'm joined by a fiction writer who has delved deeply into the world of Robin Hood fiction through her work on the Robin of Sherwood audio dramas as well as the world of medieval outlaws through her academic studies and the Folville Chronicles, a historical fiction series centered around the very real Folville gang of the 14th century. Jen…

1
St John's Wort: The Folk Magic of the Midsummer Plant 16:43

22d ago16:43

16:43

St John's Wort often flowers around Midsummer's Day, or the Feast of St John, hence its strong links with St John. It's one of the most important plants in European folk magic! It's used for protection, warding off nightmare, and even love divination. Let's find out more in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore! Find the images and references on…

1
Romanian and Irish Fairy Lore with Daniela Simina 1:10:03

26d ago1:10:03

1:10:03

Daniela Simina is native of Romania, granddaughter of a Fairy Seer and medicine woman. She became acquainted with fairies through the local lore and folklore and through direct personal experience. Daniela teaches courses, classes, and workshops on various modalities of energetic rebalancing and of course, fairies. She is the author of Where Fairie…

1
Lemon Balm Folklore: Sweet Smells & Folk Remedies 15:27

29d ago15:27

15:27

Lemon balm, or Melissa officinalis, is a member of the Lamiaceae family, along with mint, rosemary, marjoram, sage, basil, and lavender. Its popular name comes from the fact the leaves smell of lemon when crushed. In contemporary witchcraft, balm makes a popular ingredient in incense used for healing, reducing grief, or boosting the memory. It's al…

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Episode 38: Splitting Arrows- Getting High on Trickery but Low on Heists with Tales of Robin Hood in 1951 1:46:33

1M ago1:46:33

1:46:33

Jumping back in time to cover an overlooked short film from 1951. Since 'Tales of Robin Hood' is supposedly composed of episodes from a proposed television show, we brought back Ben Curley who had joined us for episode 32 when we covered Wolfshead, another attempted television show that saw a brief second life with a limited theatrical release. The…

1
Poppy Folklore: The Symbol of Sleep, Death, War, and…Love? 16:19

1M ago16:19

16:19

Poppy folklore isn't just full of Remembrance Sunday or sleep charms. It even has links to love and honouring the dead! Let's find out more in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore! Find the images and references on the blog post: https://www.icysedgwick.com/poppy-folklore/ Get your free guide to home protection the folklore way here: https://ww…

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Iris Folklore: Perfume, Remedies, and a Rainbow Goddess 17:52

1M ago17:52

17:52

The iris is one of those instantly recognisable flowers, showy and bright with its voluminous petals, able to add a splash of colour to any garden. They've been beloved by humans for millennia, apparently favoured as far back as ancient Egypt as a decorative device. So how does the iris show up in folklore? Let's find out more in this week's episod…

1
Milan Legends of Dragons, Ghosts, and the Devil 19:28

2M ago19:28

19:28

As we've seen with these European cities, ancient settlements often produce a range of ghosts and legends. It's unsurprising, with so many people living out their lives in close proximity across such a span of time. Milan's folkloric side includes traditional cuisine, dragons, ghostly women in black veils, and even a column defaced by the Devil - a…

1
Episode 37: Bringing Robin Hood Back to the People with Philip Hickman, Adrianna Quinones, and Sean Taylor 1:10:27

2M ago1:10:27

1:10:27

Robin Hood has been a popular subject for plays dating back for at least 600 years and the production put on last year by Actor's Theater of Columbus exemplifies how modern authors continue to find ways to keep these characters and themes relevant, and entertaining, for audiences today. This episode includes my interview with playwright and directo…

1
Animism and Animistic Witchcraft with Althaea Sebastiani 1:03:42

2M ago1:03:42

1:03:42

Althaea Sebastiani is a spiritworker and religious educator whose work focuses on helping people navigate the realities of deep spiritual practice. Their work is punctuated by strong emphasis on doing the work and encourages learning through direct experience. A spirit-led witch with nearly 30 years’ experience, their personal practice is land-base…

1
What was the Dancing Plague of 1518 in Strasbourg? 22:33

2M ago22:33

22:33

When it comes to plague outbreaks in Europe, your mind probably doesn't immediately jump to a so-called dancing plague. Yet that's precisely what seemed to grip Strasbourg, France in the summer of 1518. Townspeople started dancing, seemingly against their will, and couldn't stop for almost a month. Hundreds died of exhaustion, with contemporary com…

1
Episode 36: Splitting Arrows - Long Live the Scalawag of Fire in 1971 2:04:22

2M ago2:04:22

2:04:22

Towards the end of this episode we grapple with this film's strange identity crisis. Which is appropriate as the main character seems to be having a bit of an identity crisis as well. Join us as we watch the charming and exuberant Guliano Gemma beat Russel Crowe to the punch in terms of stealing the identity of Robin Hood from a dead man. With Rich…

1
Pacific Legends and Folklore with Kamuela Kaneshiro 1:02:23

2M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

As May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I'm pleased to introduce you to Kamuela Kaneshiro, who was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and is host of the Legends from the Pacific podcast. Legends from the Pacific utilises Kamu’s cultural knowledge, and television/film background to craft stories of people, beliefs, and traditi…

1
Vienna Legends: Mozart, Elisabeth Bathory & Restless Ghosts 18:28

2M ago18:28

18:28

Austrian capital Vienna has a long history, dating back to the 1st century CE Roman military camp of Vindobona. It's been home to some pretty big names over the centuries. Mozart, Beethoven, Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt, Hedy Lamarr, Marie Antoinette and Erwin Schrödinger, among many others, have all lived in the city. Yet it's also got a darker sid…

1
Helsinki Legends: Haunted Theatres and Restless Ghosts 17:35

2M ago17:35

17:35

Helsinki has a lengthy history, dating back to at least the Bronze Age. Parts of the city even stand on old cemeteries. It's bound to have a few ghost stories and folklore, surely? Indeed it does! We're talking haunted theatres, headless ghosts, ghosts with habits, and Finnish epics. Let's find out more in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore! …

1
Episode 35: A Storied Collection of Rebels with Icy Sedgwick 44:36

3M ago44:36

44:36

As an author, blogger, and podcaster, Icy Sedgwick has been making a name for herself with all things folklore-related across the internet. Her recent book, Rebel Folklore, from DK Press with vivid illustrations by Melissa Jarram, is a journey around the globe to look at folk heroes, terrifying monsters, agents of death, and all manner of beings th…

1
Meet Robin Hood, the Legendary Rebel of English Myth 21:19

3M ago21:19

21:19

Robin Hood is perhaps the most recognisable figure in English folklore, darting through legend in Sherwood Forest. Yet discussions in the past tried to claim Robin as an ancient god, recast as a literary outlaw, or as one of the Good Folk, whether a local sprite or Robin Goodfellow himself. How did these writers draw the conclusion that Robin Hood …

1
Who is Queen Mab? Queen of the Fairies in Folklore or in Literature? 19:35

3M ago19:35

19:35

The Queen of the Fairies is sometimes named Queen Mab, depending on the source material. She's also known as the Queen of Elfland, the Queen of Elphame, and Titania. So who is Mab? Does she come from English folklore, or is Mab the name given by playwrights and poets to the Queen in folklore? Let's find out in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklo…

1
Episode 34: Splitting Arrows- Chasing the Bird of Paradise with Robin Hood and the Pirates in 1960 1:35:33

3M ago1:35:33

1:35:33

How does Robin Hood fall in with a group of pirates? Will the pirates One Eye and Hook find love? Where exactly is Sherwood supposed to be anyway? How will the international film star and war hero known as "Sexy Lexy" fall in our ranking of Robin Hoods? Listen to the episode to find the answers to some of those questions! With Richard Hopkins-Lutz …

1
Elves in Germanic Folklore with Rose Aurora 1:01:37

3M ago1:01:37

1:01:37

For this month's episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I'm thrilled to bring you a chat with Rose Aurora! Rose is a fairy seer & sorceress, specializing in Faery, Elf, and Troll-related issues & spiritual needs. She is honoured to be part of a spiritual lineage of Celtic origin, but she is also trained in other spiritual traditions including Troll…

1
Meet Herne the Hunter: Fact, Fiction, or Folklore? 17:32

3M ago17:32

17:32

To some, Herne the Hunter is a ghost associated with Windsor Great Park. He haunts the tree where he died, rattling his chains and raging against...well...something. Elsewhere, Herne is portrayed as a demonic force tearing through the forest at speed, scooping up souls in the Wild Hunt. Some tales see him riding a coal-black horse with burning eyes…

1
King Arthur in Folklore: A Sleeping King Or A Giant? 21:13

3M ago21:13

21:13

Few figures loom as large in British legend as King Arthur. Noble king, fair-minded monarch, mighty warrior - Arthur ends up taking on all of these roles at various points, and often a few more besides. How did ordinary people relate to him? How does he appear in folklore and the popular imagination outside of the world of the Arthurian stories? Le…

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Episode 33: Building a Hero with Tomasz Stajszczak 1:04:48

3M ago1:04:48

1:04:48

February of 2024 saw the release of a brand new Robin Hood-centric computer game developed with the Unreal Engine and released on Steam. It is an open world role playing game, which means that your character gains new skills and abilities as you navigate them through an explorable digital world. Additionally, the game utilizes base building and cra…

1
The Folklore of Hill Figures: White Horses and Naked Giants 25:15

4M ago25:15

25:15

The hill figures of southern England are enigmatic artworks, standing out with their stark white lines against the green grass of their home slopes. They're mostly found on chalk hills, where the chalk provides the white outlines. Countless figures have been lost. Yet four in particular remain famous even now, while a fifth is famous precisely sinc…

1
Folklore of Barrows: Tales of Fairies, Gods, Ghosts, & the Devil 23:02

4M ago23:02

23:02

Whether we're looking at barrows, cromlechs, or dolmens, ancient burial sites hold a certain fascination. They're linked with all manner of supernatural beings, from giants to fairies, gods and ghosts, and naturally, the Devil. Let's find out what kind of folklore is attached to these prehistoric grave sites in this week's episode of Fabulous Folkl…

1
The Myth of Atlantis and Lemuria with Sian Ingham 1:17:02

4M ago1:17:02

1:17:02

For this month's episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I'm thrilled to bring you a chat with Sian Ingham! Sian Ingham is a writer and editor, best known for writing We Don't Go Back: A Watcher's Guide to Folk Horror. Find their work at https://www.patreon.com/Room207Press, https://bsky.app/profile/parthenoid.bsky.social and https://www.room207pres…

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Folklore of Stone Circles: Petrified Dancers and Countless Stones 21:39

4M ago21:39

21:39

Mention stone circles to many people, and they'll think of people gathering at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise. Or hulking megaliths looming out of the mist on a lonely moor, the sheep being careful to only graze outside the circle. They're certainly evocative, if nothing else. As with the standing stones that we covered last week, we know very lit…

1
Episode 32: Splitting Arrows- Getting Grim and Gritty with Wolfshead: The Legend of (Young) Robin Hood in 1969/73 1:48:37

4M ago1:48:37

1:48:37

Rick and Thaddeus are joined by Mike Nichols and Ben Curly to discuss a TV Pilot turned short film that, while now quite obscure, marked a real turning point in Robin Hood adaptations going forward. Most directly, the Robin of Sherwood television series from the 1980s. The entire film on YouTube: Wolfshead Into the Greenwood is produced by Thaddeus…

1
The Folklore of Standing Stones, Megaliths, and Menhirs 21:23

4M ago21:23

21:23

There's something awesome yet eerie about encountering a standing stone in the landscape. Why is it there? Who put it there? And how did they put it there? The fact we can't often answer these questions helps add to their mystery. That absence of knowledge creates a vacuum that folklore is only too happy to fill. Speculation runs rife with these st…

1
The Folklore of Wells: Healing, Wishing, Divining, and Cursing 21:32

4M ago21:32

21:32

Archaeological evidence reveals a close relationship between people and the spiritual world back to the Bronze Age, often enacted through water. Springs often reveal ritual deposits, such as those found at the head of the Seine. It’s unsurprising that humans would continue this water-based relationship via wells. For some scholars, wells had either…

1
Episode 31: Discovering the Gay Chaotic Druid with J Tullos Hennig 52:34

5M ago52:34

52:34

This episode is the second part of our look at how and why creators have begun incorporating supernatural elements into their Robin Hood tales. In this interview with novelist J. Tullos Hennig, we examine the different elements that define her Robin and how another, nearly forgotten medieval outlaw tale, became an integral part of her five part nov…

1
The Folklore of Forest Protectors and Guardians 19:56

5M ago19:56

19:56

Forests are ambivalent places, both beautiful and tranquil, yet also dangerous to the unwary. They've always been a source of resources for people, which is either embraced or exploited. As a result, there is a whole class of folklore involving forest protectors, spirits who guard the woods and all the animals within. These protectors ensure that h…

1
Episode 30: Finding the Mythic Archetypes with Andy Mark Simpson 1:09:52

5M ago1:09:52

1:09:52

A discussion with writer, filmmaker, and podcaster Andy Mark Simpson about why and how creators are sometimes drawn towards incorporating supernatural elements into their Robin Hood adaptations. For more on Andy's work: https://www.dreamswarm.org/ For episodes of Robin of Sherwood on YouTube from Family Central: Ep 1 Robin Hood and the Sorcerer For…

1
Fungi Folklore, Or the Mysterious Forest Fruit 25:40

5M ago25:40

25:40

Mushrooms have captured humanity's attention for thousands of years. But they still confuse us. Mushrooms spring up overnight, many of them are dangerous if you confuse them for their safer cousins, and they have an array of fantastical names. Witness the Destroying Angel, Spit Devil, Satan's Bolete, Witches' Butter, and Death Cap. Let's learn more…

1
Legends of Love from Pakistan with Komal Salman 29:11

5M ago29:11

29:11

In this month's Valentine's Day-themed episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I'm thrilled to bring you a chat with Komal Salman! Komal Salman is a creative professional and Founder at Folkloristan, where technology meets storytelling to preserve oral Pakistani heritage. With a background in media studies, Komal is also the Content Strategist at At…

1
An Ending and a Beginning 10:36

5M ago10:36

10:36

So, some big news about changes to the podcast plus a wonderful story: Davey & The King of the Fishes. You can find out and get updates about my new podcast at my new website: A Question of Death You can find more about me and Folklore, Food and Fairytales via my ⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠ which will continue as purely as storytelling podcast with a monthly folk…

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The Folklore of Woodland Trees: Alder, Birch & Blackthorn 25:24

5M ago25:24

25:24

Trees are some of humanity's best friends, providing oxygen, storing carbon, and even improving the soil where they grow. Some are flashy and famous in folklore, like the oak or the hawthorn. Others are perhaps less well-known, but that doesn't mean they're any less important to folklore! Let's learn more about alder, birch, and blackthorn in this …

1
Folklore of Woodland Plants: Cowslips, Forget-Me-Nots, Lily of the Valley, Primroses & Red Campion 20:19

5M ago20:19

20:19

Certain plants evoke particular areas, like grasslands, meadows, hedgerows, or gardens. Others are full of the mystery of the forest, splashing colour across the woodland floor. Bluebells are famous for turning ordinary woods into a stunning scene in late March until early May. So in this post, we're going to look at the folklore of woodland plants…

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The Ambiguous Nature of Fairies with Morgan Daimler 1:12:02

6M ago1:12:02

1:12:02

In this month's episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I'm thrilled to bring you a chat with Morgan Daimler! Morgan is an independent folklorist who studies and writes about fairies in historic and modern folk belief. She has written a variety of books on the topic, as well as on Irish mythology, and is an amateur translator of old/middle Irish. Mo…

1
The Ghosts of Culloden Moor: Lost Soldiers on the Battlefield 19:28

6M ago19:28

19:28

Culloden Moor is perhaps one of the saddest sites in the British Isles, the battlefield that played host to a massacre. It was also the last battle to take place on mainland Britain. The Battle of Culloden took place on 16 April 1746. It marked the end of the Jacobite Rebellion. It's also apparently given rise to ghosts of its own, and contributes …

1
Legends of Denbigh Moors: Ghosts, Snow and the Tylwyth Teg 19:40

6M ago19:40

19:40

The Denbigh Moors, or Mynydd Hiraethog, lie in north Wales. At its highest point, it's higher than Exmoor. The moors are a wild, desolate place, home to various types of wildlife. Yet if you believe the tales, they're also a place of ghosts and the Tylwyth Teg. A Roman Centurion apparently stalks the moors, and a ruin slowly disintegrates into the …

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Exmoor Folklore: Witches, Ghosts, and Fantastic Beasts 29:51

6M ago29:51

29:51

The name 'Exmoor' conjures mental images of ponies, undulating moorland, and Lorna Doone, R D Blackmore's 1869 novel. It crosses the Somerset and Devon border, hugging the north Devon coast, and takes its name from the River Exe. A wild and beautiful place, designated a national park in 1954, Exmoor is home to a whole range of folklore. Witches, gh…

1
Newcastle's Town Moor: Fairs, Witches, and Common Land 19:28

6M ago19:28

19:28

If you say 'moor' to most people, they might think of Wuthering Heights, Dartmoor, or Bodmin. You probably won't immediately think of the Town Moor that lies immediately north of Newcastle upon Tyne's city centre. While it's not filled with ghost stories, fairy legends, or tales of the Devil creating local landmarks, the Town Moor does play a role …

1
50 Berkeley Square: The Most Haunted House in London 18:10

7M ago18:10

18:10

If I asked you to name "the most haunted house in London", you probably wouldn't pick Berkeley Square as your location. Yet for almost a century, No. 50. Berkeley Square had quite the supernatural reputation. It's part of the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, built in the mid-18th century by architect William Kent. Famous residents of the square have in…

1
A Welsh Christmas Story with Owen Staton 16:32

7M ago16:32

16:32

Merry Christmas Eve Eve! In honour of the festive season, it's my absolute pleasure to welcome Owen Staton of the Time Between Times podcast to Fabulous Folklore. He's a master storyteller par excellence, and he's got a Welsh Christmas tale to share. So get comfy, settle in, and enjoy... Nadolig llawen! Find Owen on X: @Owensgriffiths or find his p…

1
Herbalism & the Plant Path with Sarah Corbett 1:27:45

7M ago1:27:45

1:27:45

I’m thrilled to be speaking to Sarah Corbett from Rowan + Sage is this special extra edition of Fabulous Folklore Presents! Sarah (she/her) is a Clinical Herbalist, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and traditional astrologer who is passionate about helping others come into relationship with the natural world. …

1
Tales of Frost and Snow 40:23

7M ago40:23

40:23

A collection of wintery and festive tales for the season: Why the Sea is Salt, The Christmas Bear and Twelve Brothers. The first is 'Why the Sea is Salt' a Norwegian tale adapted from Christmas Fairytales colled by Neil Phillip. The story begins on a bitterly cold Christmas Eve when a poor and hungry man finds himself unable to provide for his fami…

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