Mythical Monsters

Mythical Monsters

The great heroes of myth are known throughout the world. Their deeds are legendary. But what would these champions be without obstacles in their path? Without monsters to challenge them… Dragons, sea serpents, giants, demons...they aren't merely foils to the hero. They are primal symbols reflecting ancient truths. The new Parcast original, Mythical Monsters, tells the stories of these beasts and asks what they represent to mankind. New episodes released every Monday.

Parcast Network Fiction 78 rész
Fairy Godmother
42 perc 78. rész Parcast Network
The Fairy Godmother is a classic character who solves children’s problems with sparkles, magic, and whimsy. But some children have issues that are far more disturbing than finding the perfect prince… and it takes a fairy with edge and attitude to save the day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Tooth Fairy
39 perc 77. rész Parcast Network
She’s charmed her way into the hearts and piggy banks of children across America… But instead of asking how much money she’ll give them for their teeth, perhaps kids should be asking instead: Why does the Tooth Fairy need all those teeth? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Wicked Fairy
42 perc 76. rész Parcast Network
No one likes a Wicked Fairy who crashes a christening and curses a princess, but maybe she has her reasons. Perhaps the Wicked Fairy is a mother herself, who’s only fighting for her own daughter’s future… and will do anything to prove her love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Puck (Robin Goodfellow)
41 perc 75. rész Parcast Network
You may know Puck as the impish sprite from Shakespeare’s tales, but he also lurks in the English countryside and offers help to people with household chores… for a price. As one overwhelmed, newly married housewife learns, a deal with Puck may bring bad luck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bái Hǔ
38 perc 74. rész Parcast Network
The Bái Hǔ is a celestial deity in ancient Chinese mythology who takes on the form of the majestic White Tiger. Those who worship Bái Hǔ can count on his blessings and protection… but those who thumb their noses at him may find themselves fleeing the claws and jaws of this ferocious beast.
Tatzelwurm
39 perc 73. rész Parcast Network
High up in the Alps lives a creature that is part-snake, part-cat, and fully terrifying. The Tatzelwurm’s venomous bite can kill a man on sight, but it’s still a target for the Alps’ bravest hunters… especially Heinrich, a wrongly imprisoned man who learns that killing the beast will earn him his freedom.
Wampus Cat
41 perc 72. rész Parcast Network
The Wampus Cat is a human-feline hybrid that stalks the woods of Appalachia and terrorizes young and old alike. But while legends of the Wampus have been around since the 19th century, its true origins may lie in the tale of the Ewah — a mythical Cherokee creature who is both predator and protector.
Bakeneko
49 perc 72. rész Parcast Network
From Japanese folklore, the Bakeneko is a cat with supernatural powers. Unlike its benevolent cousin, the magical Maneki Neko, Bakeneko terrorized medieval Japan — but it has also been known to avenge cruel injustice.
Tezcatlipoca
51 perc 71. rész Parcast Network
The Jaguar is the animal embodiment of Tezcatlipoca, the Aztec god of chaos. While the Aztecs fear and celebrate him, their Spanish conquerors brush him off as a pagan myth… until the Jaguar returns to avenge his worshippers with sharp claws and madness-inducing magic.
Frau Perchta
47 perc 70. rész Parcast Network
She’s no Santa Claus: Frau Perchta is a Germanic Christmas witch who punishes lazy, unproductive people in sadistic ways. When a flax spinner named Anna spends a year mourning a loss, a visit from the Frau brings sharp clarity… and impending wrath.
Fossegrim
46 perc 71. rész Parcast Network
A Norwegian water spirit will bestow the gift of musical talent upon desperate pupils — for a price. But a barter with this bard can be treacherous: Fail to uphold your end of the deal, and pay more dearly than you ever intended.
Dwarf
49 perc 70. rész Parcast Network
A brew of blood and honey bestows knowledge upon Fjalarr and Galarr, dwarf brothers in Norse mythology who begrudge their lowly status among the gods and their creations. But enlightenment brings its own set of troubles.
Jólakötturinn
45 perc 68. rész Parcast Network
Jólakötturinn is the Icelandic Yule Cat, but this massive feline is anything but cuddly. He emerges from the dark mountain woods once a year to feast on lazy children… and this Christmas, a rude little girl named Margrét is on Jólakötturinn’s wish list.
Huldra
49 perc 66. rész Parcast Network
In the dense woodlands of Scandinavia, a beautiful maiden walks amid the pines. Her melodious song murmurs through the branches — and lures wandering men into her clutches.
Jörmungandr
48 perc 65. rész Parcast Network
Colossal fangs filled with venom. A body so large it encircles the world. Jörmungandr is the sea serpent middle child of Loki and Angrboda, and a Norse monster so menacing, his mere existence is a threat to humanity.
Unexplained Mysteries Crossover: The Bunny Man
43 perc 64. rész Parcast Network
Today we’re bringing you a special episode from another Spotify Original from Parcast. If you enjoy it, check out Unexplained Mysteries on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!  Not all monsters originate from myths… The mysterious Bunny Man was said to run amok in the forests of Fairfax County, Virginia, eating live rabbits and displaying their corpses on an overpass known as Bunny Man Bridge.
Fenrir
49 perc 63. rész Parcast Network
The gods of Asgard use deception and wiles to betray the fearsome Fenrir, courting their own doom even as they make the giant wolf their prisoner.
Phoenix
47 perc 60. rész Parcast Network
Reborn again and again from ashes, with brilliant red and gold feathers and wisdom to dispense, the phoenix is a guide through the ages. And when a young apprentice spies the magnificent bird in a forbidden temple, he undergoes a reinvention of his own.
Satyr
44 perc 59. rész Parcast Network
From ancient Greece comes a mischievous hybrid of human and animal, with a penchant for parties and wine. The satyr is often used as comedic relief in myths… but its lecherous behavior also acts as a warning against unbound inhibitions.
Vampires
47 perc 58. rész Parcast Network
In the 1700s, a Serbian soldier encountered a bloated corpse with a hunger for human flesh, known as a Vrykolakas. But when he tried to break the creature’s power over him, he created a monster even more terrifying.
Werewolf
47 perc 57. rész Parcast Network
The Wolfman is more than just a Universal Monster — it’s a representation of man's capacity for evil. Today's story retells one of the original werewolf stories from Norse mythology's The Saga of the Volsungs.
Cerberus
49 perc 56. rész Parcast Network
When the demi-god Heracles is tasked with defeating the three-headed guard dog of Hades, we see what happens when the world’s greatest hero meets the underworld’s greatest monster.
Zombies
49 perc 55. rész Parcast Network
Their ubiquity in pop culture suggests zombies are a recent creation, but the ideas animating these cannibalistic cadavers originated in a 16th century French colony. Enslaved Africans conceived of a soul in unrest, occupying the ether. In Western culture, zombies transformed into flesh-eating ghouls.
Santa Muerte
46 perc 54. rész Parcast Network
She’s the queen of death, a folk saint known as the champion of lost souls. Those who pray to Santa Muerte are granted what they desire without judgement. But her generosity comes with a dark side.
Dragons
50 perc 53. rész Parcast Network
Before “Lord of the Rings” and “Game of Thrones,” dragons stalked the pages of mythology across the world. The European version became a powerful metaphor for the evils that supposedly stalked mankind. And that's where we get the most iconic European Dragon Story, featuring a man known as Saint George.
Dybbuk
50 perc 52. rész Parcast Network
From Jewish mythology, a dybbuk is a ghost with the power to enter and seize control of the body of a living person. While they are often the malicious soul of a particularly sinful person, possession by even the most well-meaning dybbuks can have disastrous consequences.
Ammit
57 perc 51. rész Parcast Network
To the ancient Egyptians, Ammit was known as the Devourer of the Dead and the Eater of Souls. A hybrid creature and a demon of the underworld, she plays a vital role in the Final Judgment of souls, doling out deadly punishment to those found unworthy.
Djinn
52 perc 50. rész Parcast Network
The Djinn that appear in the Qu'ran and throughout Arabic mythology are far more terrifying and dangerous than the wish-granting entities known as genies. They’re complicated spirits with incredible powers and free will, able to grant immense fortune… or gruesome death.
Roc
43 perc 49. rész Parcast Network
The Roc is an enormous bird of prey from Arabic mythology that was said to be large enough to carry elephants in its huge talons. It was once the ultimate symbol of adventure, and featured heavily in the adventures of Sinbad the Sailor.
Will O’ the Wisp
45 perc 48. rész Parcast Network
They’re mysterious ghost lights, lurking in swamps and marshes. In European folklore, the Will O’ the Wisp, or Ignus Fatuus, are said to be the spirit of a sinful man, using his lantern to lure travelers to their deaths…
Unicorn
47 perc 47. rész Parcast Network
It’s known the world over as a symbol of innocence and purity… But the unicorn has a history as dark as any other beast in the mythological menagerie. Through its evolution from dangerous and deadly to noble and majestic, its story has always been one of blood, sacrifice, and transformation.
Questing Beast
55 perc 46. rész Parcast Network
Hailing from Arthurian Legend, the Questing Beast is not so much a horrific predator or a noble creature… It’s an enigma, layered with symbolism and competing interpretations. With a bizarre appearance—and even more confounding purpose—the barking animal conjures a sense of immense strangeness.
Manticore
51 perc 45. rész Parcast Network
It’s a symbol of chaos and destruction. A chimeric beast with the body of a lion, the tail of a scorpion, the face of a human man… and an appetite for human flesh. But is the manticore’s horrific visage a mirror for humanity’s own evil propensities?
Chupacabra
48 perc 44. rész Parcast Network
Vampiric and reptilian, the Chupacabra first appeared in Puerto Rico in the 1990s. It’s known for sucking the blood of goats, but its true victims are the communities it destroys. Its thirst is so great, it will feed and feed until nothing is left…
Thunderbird
50 perc 43. rész Parcast Network
In some legends, this elemental creature is considered a sacred force for good, while in others, it is a dangerous figure with the power to create unparalleled chaos and destruction. In every telling, it’s clear: the Thunderbird inspires equal amounts of awe and terror.
Leviathan
51 perc 42. rész Parcast Network
The Leviathan is an enormous sea monster, often depicted as a serpent or dragon. While best known for its appearances in the Old Testament of the Bible, its story is part of a mythological tradition that stretches all the way back to the very first civilizations.
Cthulhu
52 perc 41. rész Parcast Network
An ancient alien goliath slumbers at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, awaiting the day when he will rise again to destroy humanity. From the mind of weird fiction author H.P. Lovecraft comes Cthulhu, a cosmic entity of almost unimaginable scale and power.
Changeling
46 perc 40. rész Parcast Network
In Medieval Europe, parents lived in fear of the Fae-folk, who liked to steal sleeping infants from their crib. Whenever they did this, the faeries would replace their human child with one of their own. These Changelings would take the shape of the human child, so that the parents would have no way of knowing that it was an imposter.
Centaur
46 perc 39. rész Parcast Network
This half-man, half-horse creature from Greek mythology combines the wisdom associated with civilization and the wildness of nature. We'll look at the stories of several of the worlds' most famous centaurs, each of which shines a light on the bestial elements of human nature.
Qalupalik
42 perc 38. rész Parcast Network
It is a mermaid-like creature from Inuit folklore that makes its home in the icy-cold waters of the arctic. The qalupalik pounces on any children foolish enough to stray into its path.
Púca
39 perc 37. rész Parcast Network
It’s a mischievous, shape-shifting trickster from Celtic folklore, often appearing in the guise of a demonic horse. Though the Púca can bring good or bad fortune, its ability to hold a grudge has made it an enemy of Irish farmers for centuries.
Typhon
48 perc 36. rész Parcast Network
Part man, part monstrous amalgamation—his thighs are said to have been made of snakes, and his back covered in feathers and wings. A denizen of pure evil, Typhon was created for the sole purpose of sowing chaos, and has often been called the father of all monsters.
Griffin
49 perc 35. rész Parcast Network
Part eagle, part lion, these formidable creatures have commanded respect for centuries. Today, the griffin is used as a symbol of strength. But hundreds of years ago, its incredible size and power instilled true dread.
Abaddon’s Locusts
53 perc 34. rész Parcast Network
They are an obscure but truly disturbing army of monsters found in the Book of Revelation. While the description for Abaddon’s Locusts is less than 12 lines long, these hybrid creatures make a real impression—torturing everyone they see who isn’t marked for safety by God.
Nephilim
49 perc 33. rész Parcast Network
They’re a mysterious race of giants mentioned in the Book of Genesis. The non-canonical Book of Enoch tells the story of the Nephilim’s conception—sired by rebellious angels and human women, they were one of the most destructive forces in the world before the Great Flood covered the earth.
Beelzebub
49 perc 32. rész Parcast Network
He is a demon prince of hell, often depicted as the right-hand man of Satan. But long before Beelzebub appeared in the Bible or Paradise Lost, he was the pagan god Ba'al Zebub, the "Lord of the Flies."
NEW: The Behemoth
43 perc 31. rész Parcast Network
We are thrilled to bring you a brand new episode of Mythical Monsters today and for the foreseeable future. We thank you for your patience during this unprecedented time. Appearing in Abrahamic mythology, the Behemoth is a gargantuan beast of chaos. Its steps shake the earth and drive livestock insane. At the end of the world, it will face its sister Leviathan where the land meets the sea.
Crossover Week: Tales (The Sandman Pt. 2)
53 perc 30. rész Parcast Network
If you enjoy the stories told in Mythical Monsters, check out this episode from our series Tales: An adult Nathanael attempts to overcome the traumatic experiences of his childhood. But he knows, deep down, that Coppelius will always return, ready to take his eyes.
Crossover Week: Tales (The Sandman Pt. 1)
45 perc 29. rész Parcast Network
If you enjoy the stories told in Mythical Monsters, check out this episode from our series Tales: Young Nathanael fears the one who comes in the night, who takes the eyes of children. His fear only grows when his father's co-worker, Coppelius, begins to show signs of being the boogeyman himself.
Succubus
54 perc 28. rész Parcast Network
Prevalent in medieval European folklore, the Succubus is a demonic entity that assumes a female form and seduces men as they sleep. She was said to drain her victims of vitality, bringing fatigue, mental illness, and even death.
Scylla & Charybdis
48 perc 27. rész Parcast Network
They were two sea monsters from Greek mythology that represented real-life hazards in the Strait of Messina. One was a jagged, rocky cliff wall, and the other, a deadly whirlpool. Greek sailors who tried to pass through the strait found themselves caught between a rock and a hard place...literally.
Parcast Classic: Ogre
49 perc 26. rész Parcast Network
Due to the unfortunate spread of COVID-19, Parcast has decided to halt recording for the time-being. This is a precautionary measure taken to ensure the safety of our hosts and staff. In the meantime, we're excited to share one of our classic episodes that we know you'll enjoy! He’s not the loveable guy you’re used to seeing in animated films: These 12th century monsters were usually depicted as large, hideous, man-like beings that ate humans—especially infants and children.
Mermaids
47 perc 25. rész Parcast Network
They’re one of history's most pervasive mythological creatures, appearing in the folklore of cultures from around the world. From the temples of Ancient Assyria to the epic poems of Ancient Greece, mermaids have endured the test of time to make a big splash in pop culture.
Banshee
44 perc 24. rész Parcast Network
Known as the “Irish harbinger of death,” this female fairy appears before the death of members of the oldest families of Ireland. If the Banshee appears to you, it means that before the day is over, some unlucky soul will perish.
Lamia
50 perc 23. rész Parcast Network
Before Lamia was a monster, she was a queen. Her children were sired by Zeus, and her life was perfect. But then, Hera, the queen of the gods, became jealous.
Yumboes
45 perc 22. rész Parcast Network
Pearly white and standing no more than two feet tall, Yumboes have been described as Senegal’s Wolof counterpart to the European fairy. Unlike fairies, however, Yumboes are the chosen form of the spirits of the dead, who haunt the hills of the woodland savannah.
Inkanyamba
41 perc 21. rész Parcast Network
For years, Zulu people living near Howick Falls in South Africa have reported encounters with the Inkanyamba—a giant water-dwelling serpent with a horse-like head. 
Grootslang
44 perc 20. rész Parcast Network
It’s a legendary creature said to live in the Richtersveld, a desert region of South Africa. Was the Grootslang an abomination from the dawn of the Earth, or a mythological warning against the dangers of man’s greed?
Kongamato
41 perc 19. rész Parcast Network
The Kongamato is a legendary winged creature first described by the Kaonde tribe of modern Zambia, formerly Northern Rhodesia. Sightings of the Kongamato have continued well into the 21st century, leading some cryptozoologists to believe that it might actually exist.
Narasimha
49 perc 18. rész Parcast Network
In Hindu Mythology, Narasimha was the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu took the form of the half-lion, half-man to face the evil Asura Hiranyakashipu—adopting Narasimha’s fierce lion appearance to fight evil, injustice, and to protect the earth.
Draugr
50 perc 17. rész Parcast Network
A walking corpse with inhuman strength and the power to change its shape and size, the Draugr was a true outcast. In death, it preyed upon the society it had scorned in life.
Ymir
45 perc 16. rész Parcast Network
Long before the Vikings, before the first man, and even before the Gods, there was Ymir—a primordial giant who figures prominently in the Norse creation myth. As the first being to exist in Norse cosmology, Ymir gets to the very heart of their culture and belief system.
Nosferatu & Dracula
53 perc 15. rész Parcast Network
Vampires have sucked on our attention for centuries, thriving on our fears. But they reached a new height in 1897, when Irish author Bram Stoker published his novel, Dracula.
Chimaera
47 perc 14. rész Parcast Network
It had the head and body of a lion, as well as a goat’s head protruding from its back, and a long tail that ended in the head of a serpent. Chimaera is one of the most fearsome legendary beasts in the Greek pantheon.
The Abominable Snowman
49 perc 13. rész Parcast Network
Also known as the Yeti, the Abominable Snowman has purportedly stalked the mountainous areas of Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan for hundreds of years. Often reported, but never caught, the Yeti is the spirit of the harsh conditions of the Himalayas, where death is a constant companion.
Jorōgumo
48 perc 12. rész Parcast Network
According to Japanese legend, when a golden orb-weaver spider turns 400-years-old, it grows horrifically large and becomes capable of transforming into a beautiful woman known as the Jorōgumo. Their shape-shifting abilities enable them to lure young, virile men into their webs to devour.
Tengu
55 perc 11. rész Parcast Network
A powerful and mischievous shape-shifter from Japanese mythology, Tengu was known as a mythological trickster. Its depiction ranges from a fierce demonic dog in Chinese folklore to a modern half-man-half-bird creature that permeates Japanese art and ceremony.
Argus
49 perc 10. rész Parcast Network
In Greek mythology, Argus Panoptes was a giant with 100 eyes spread over his entire body. Unlike most of the giants, who rebelled against the gods, Argus was one of Queen Hera’s most loyal servants.
Medusa
56 perc 9. rész Parcast Network
Instantly recognizable by her venomous snake hair, and for the ability to turn mortals to stone with a single glance, Medusa is one of the three Gorgon sisters and an iconic monster from Greek Mythology. 
The Qilin
49 perc 8. rész Parcast Network
A chimeric beast from Chinese mythology—the Qilin has an appearance that ranges from resembling a unicorn to a dragon-headed, ox-tailed, tiger-bodied creature. But in all its forms, it is considered the lord of the four-footed creatures, and always a symbol of good things to come.
The Basilisk
47 perc 7. rész Parcast Network
Born from an egg laid by two roosters—and hatched by a toad—Basilisks were hybrid monsters who terrorized ancient and medieval Europe with their deadly gaze and even deadlier breath.
Gargoyle
46 perc 6. rész Parcast Network
Demonically possessed or merely architectural design? While they were believed in mythology to frighten away evil spirits, the idea of Gargoyles physically coming to life is a more recent notion.
The Grim Reaper
58 perc 5. rész Parcast Network
Hooded and scythe-wielding, he walks the living world collecting the souls of the recently departed. Signifying death, the Grim Reaper is one of the most recognizable mythical figures in the western world.
Ogre
49 perc 4. rész Parcast Network
Not the loveable guy you’re used to seeing in animated films...these 12th century monsters were usually depicted as large, hideous, man-like beings that ate humans—especially infants and children.
Tanuki
45 perc 3. rész Parcast Network
A mythical shape-shifter? An evil raccoon dog? The Tanuki is one of Japan’s most famous fairy tale creatures, known for being a trickster god lurking in the woods.
The Nemean Lion
54 perc 2. rész Parcast Network
Greek mythology’s vicious monster with golden fur. Impervious to attack by mere mortals.
The Kraken
45 perc 1. rész Parcast Network
Under the oceans of ancient Scandinavia lurked a monster that nobody quite understood. Was it a crab? A massive squid? An incredibly large starfish? One thing was certain, the beast had an incredible size and was a threat to all seafarers. Over time, it came to be known as the Kraken, and tales of its destructive tendencies spanned centuries.
Welcome to Mythical Monsters
2 perc 1. rész Parcast Network
The great heroes of myth are known throughout the world. Their deeds are legendary. But what would these champions be without obstacles in their path? Without monsters to challenge them… Dragons, sea serpents, giants, demons...they aren't merely foils to the hero. They are primal symbols reflecting ancient truths. The new Parcast original, Mythical Monsters, tells the stories of these beasts and asks what they represent to mankind. New episodes released every Monday.
Speed:
Access and control your IntoRadio Cast compatibility devices on your local network!
You need to install a browser extension!
Chrome web store