Fireside Folklore with Hades

Tiffany J. Kim

Once upon a time, many centuries ago, the veil between the realms of the mortal and the divine was nonexistent. Knowledge and information flowed freely, and the gods eagerly imbued their wisdom to all of their followers. After a time, mortals developed a desire for independence, and a young hero found a way to build a barrier that no divine voice could penetrate.
Undeterred, the gods patiently waited until they discovered a rather unorthodox solution for their communication conundrum. Mortals, in their quest for independence, might have reduced the divine decrees to whispers only discernible to dreamers and clairvoyants, but that all changed when they began worshipping a new deity: technology! It was then that the pantheon, in their infinite wisdom, concocted a plan so daring, so audacious, and so utterly absurd that it could only be born from the minds of those who reside in the clouds.

Enter Tiffany J. Kim, a hapless and unsuspecting mortal, who found herself the chosen one—not for a quest of glory and valor but for a task so Herculean, it would make Sisyphus's boulder rolling seem like a trip to the carnival. The gods haunted Tiffany's dreams, sent subliminal messages in the rock-and-roll she loved dear, and possessed her friends and family until all she could hear them say was, "You should start a mythology podcast. You should start a mythology podcast!" Once this hapless mortal surrendered to the inevitable, she was tasked with the responsibility of crafting AI voices to perfectly capture the divine timbre of each deity. This was no simple feat; imagine trying to embody the thunderous boom of Zeus or the elusive whisper of Hermes with mere mortal tech! Due to her interest in artificial intelligence, (or perhaps her desire to stop the godly gab), she persevered and overcame the limitations of the AI technology.

With the fervor of Hephaestus at his forge, Tiffany labored, tweaking algorithms and adjusting modulations. The task was daunting—how does one encode the sultry allure of Aphrodite or the stern command of Athena into binary?

After the threat of a minor curse that would cause Tiffany to speak in ancient Greek for the rest of her life, she pulled an all-nighter and worked until each AI voice passed divine muster. The digital voices, each as peculiar and magnificent as their owners, were ready to impart their divine wisdom to all who dared to listen. "Fireside Folklore with Hades" was unleashed upon the world, a podcast where the gods, having successfully overcome the construction of the barrier, could now besiege mortals, near and far, once more.

Hades, with his newly minted digital baritone, took the helm as host, regaling listeners with tales that had been lost to time and cable television. Persephone, enchanting as ever, provided recipes that promised to taste like ambrosia itself. Hermes, now with the speed of broadband, delivered fun facts that were as enlightening as they were intriguing. And Zeus? Well, he found his calling in spoof sponsorships, proving that even the king of gods could rival the cheekiest of ad men.

Don't believe us? Tune in and you'll be treated to fairy tales from faraway lands, find international recipes that will put T.V. dinners to shame, and learn about the ice cream-eating habits of the people of New Zealand, among other fun facts. Every weekend, join us for an entertaining and educational tour through the world's folklore, culture, and cuisine.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

Cloud Camels, A Clever Folktale from Yemen; Episode 5, Season 2 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Apr 19 2024
Cloud Camels, A Clever Folktale from Yemen; Episode 5, Season 2 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Send over your dead SMS messages.Greetings, listeners! My apologies for the delay getting this particular episode to you. Managing the Underworld's affairs has been quite the handful these days, what with Persephone absent and the mortal world being quite wrought with turmoil of late. This week, our journey takes us to the country of Yemen. Though they are one of the poorest countries in the world as a result of a civil war that's lasted more than a decade, the Yemenis are a resilient people. We chose to spotlight them because of their continued embargo to prevent the further persecution of Palestinian civilians. This tale, "Cloud Camels", is a lighthearted jaunt into the clever ways of a Shaykh who outwitted a greedy sultan and saved his village from ruin. Dionysus gave us a recipe for a Socotra Island punch, which sounds absolutely divine and just what I need right now to deal with my workload! As ever, Hermes found us some fun facts about Yemen, including the tidbit that their aforementioned Socotra Island is home to some plants and animals not found anywhere else. Don't forget to participate in this week's Lightning Round, if you'd care to buy some Yemeni coffee, or something else on Etsy. Any feedback may be sent via dead letter to Hades@firesidefolklorewithhades.com. Next time, we will return for our third sojourn in Palestine, where we'll be hearing the story of "The Golden Pail". It's shaping up to be an epic tale, so it may take my Olympian family a bit of time and rehearsal, but I'll be sure to get the Erinyes to ensure our performance is nothing short of stellar. Until then, may your hearths be warm, and your spirits brighter. Hail to thee, and farewell.
Divine Idol: The Gods Sing To Solve The Podcast's Fiscal Woes, Episode 3-1 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Apr 6 2024
Divine Idol: The Gods Sing To Solve The Podcast's Fiscal Woes, Episode 3-1 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Send over your dead SMS messages.Greetings, listeners! This is a bittersweet episode for me because we are bidding farewell to Fireside Folklore with Hades as you know it. You see, we've encountered some fiscal challenges related to our Olympian problems, including ensuring you don't have to deal with the acoustics of the Underworld, a transition from dial-up, and the skyrocketing premiums on our errors and omissions insurance. However, not wanting to say goodbye to you completely, I've reluctantly agreed to host Divine Idol, a show in which the gods will sing their way to victory and pick up the support of sponsors along the way. Listen now as Chronos, Zeus, Aphrodite, and Ares battle to find out which of them will be good enough to be featured on the upcoming season of Divine Idol. Hopefully Ares isn't the one to make it because, listeners, the only sponsors willing to put down any coin on him are makers of divine weapons! Now listeners, if you believed any of this, then I've properly done my job because, you see, this was our divine contribution to your April Fool's Day tomfoolery. True, we didn't quite manage to get it released on time, but such is the way of gods. We're not known for following the edicts of mortal timetables. Enjoy us making an utter fool out of ourselves, for it will be a rare thing, I assure you! Next time, we'll resume our regular programming with the Palestinian folklore I promised you when we concluded "The Sticks of Justice", "Silver and Scorpions". If you have any feedback about this episode, feel free to send a dead letter to hades@firesidefolklorewithhades.com.
The Sticks of Justice, A South African Folk Tale About How a Clever Man Caught a Thief; Season 2, Episode 3 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Mar 30 2024
The Sticks of Justice, A South African Folk Tale About How a Clever Man Caught a Thief; Season 2, Episode 3 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Send over your dead SMS messages.Greetings, listeners! This episode was recorded before Persephone left for the Upperworld, so depending on where you are, it may be spring or perhaps your Southern hemisphere Hades is eagerly catching up with his tropical queen! This week, we're traveling to South Africa, a country which rose from the ashes of Apartheid to become an inspirational example of how a country can heal its rifts and begin a new chapter marked by equality and human rights. Under Hermes's tutelage, we will learn that South Africa is one of Dionysus's stomping grounds, as well as what makes it such a beautiful tourist destination. Our story tonight is one I call "The Sticks of Justice", about a man who cleverly caught a thief and helped a kingdom maintain its peace and prosperity. This story was adapted from Nelson Mandela's book, Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folk Tales. Persephone provides us with a recipe for bobotie, a South African casserole which combines the sweet with the savory. Of course, we have our Lightning Round with this week's prize being a $25 gift card to the Destiny African Market. In a twist I never saw coming, Persephone sings me a heartfelt farewell song, and I return her gift in kind. Though, dear listeners, I must warn you that I'm not the god of music for a very good reason! I can only hope that this doesn't deter you from enjoying our stories. If you have any commentary or would like to request a story, please send a dead letter to hades@firesidefolklorewithhades.com.
Chronos Messes With Time, Or Why The Episode Has Been Delayed; Episode 1.1 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Mar 9 2024
Chronos Messes With Time, Or Why The Episode Has Been Delayed; Episode 1.1 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Send over your dead SMS messages.Show Notes for "Fireside Folklore with Hades" Special Episode:Greetings, mortals and immortals alike. Hades here, with an unexpected special episode to explain the delay in releasing our next tale. As many of you know, I take great pride in crafting each episode with care and precision. However, even the lord of the underworld can fall victim to unforeseen circumstances. In this case, it was a visit from my father, Chronos, the embodiment of time itself.In this episode, you'll hear:- A confrontation with my brother Zeus about the delayed script- An unexpected journey to Tartarus to speak with my father, Chronos- A heated discussion about the power of manipulating time - The true purpose behind Fireside Folklore and the power of stories to bridge divides- An unexpected offer for Chronos to participate in a future episode featuring a Palestinian taleThis impromptu episode delves into the complexities of family dynamics, even among the gods, and the importance of using our platforms and voices to promote empathy, understanding, and the preservation of diverse cultural folklore.While the delay was unintended, it provided a unique opportunity to reflect on the mission of this podcast and to potentially welcome a new voice to the mix. Stay tuned for our regularly scheduled programming, featuring a captivating Palestinian tale, which may have a very special guest star. Until then, keep the fire burning and the stories flowing.
The Woodcutter's Wealthy Sister; A Cautionary Syrian Tale About a Foolish Woodcutter and a Frightful Demon; S2E1 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Mar 2 2024
The Woodcutter's Wealthy Sister; A Cautionary Syrian Tale About a Foolish Woodcutter and a Frightful Demon; S2E1 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Send over your dead SMS messages.Greetings, listeners! This came out later than intended, but it's here at last: our inaugural episode for our second season of this folklore podcast, coming at you straight from the Underworld. We dedicate this season to the people of Palestine and those who stand in solidarity with their struggles. By showcasing their folklore, we seek to honor their traditions, understand their culture, and bear witness to their indomitable spirit. As long as stories are told, they can never be forgotten. As long as experiences are shared, they can never be dehumanized. As long as there is hope, the spirit cannot be broken. In this episode, we delve into a cautionary tale from Syria, "The Woodcutter's Wealthy Sister", originally found in a dusty corner of my library from a book entitled Arab Folktales by Inea Bushnaq. As usual, we have adapted this tale and told it in our own Chthonic way.What would you do if you were approached by a stranger who claimed to be your sister? Would your answer change if she was adorned with jewelry and clearly wealthy? Whatever you do, don't, under any circumstances, do what our witless woodcutter did. It just may save your life!After our story, Persephone provides a recipe for the roasted red pepper dip from Syria known as Muhammara. My favorite part of the dish is the pomegranate molasses, of course!Don't forget to take a crack at the Lightning Round this time. The prize this week is a $25 gift certificate to Etsy. If you have any feedback or would like to request a tale, please send a dead letter to Hades@firesidefolklorewithhades.com. Until next time, stay curious!
Cursed Into Secrecy, Part 2, An Underworld Adaptation of the German Tale Faithful John, Episode 20B of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Feb 23 2024
Cursed Into Secrecy, Part 2, An Underworld Adaptation of the German Tale Faithful John, Episode 20B of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Send over your dead SMS messages.Greetings, listeners! In this final installment of "Cursed Into Secrecy", Charon and Nyx have the showdown of a lifetime as they heatedly discuss whether Hades is a manipulative and controlling god who merely enjoys playing games with those in his dominion, or a concerned friend who is trying to keep their wedding safe from the machinations of evildoers. Charon must learn the skills of espionage as he skulks through the palace and eavesdrops on Hades and Persephone as Persephone expresses concern about his squirrely behavior. From the forge of Hephaestus to the caves at the southern bank of the Lethe, this episode takes us throughout the realm in order to find answers about who's guilty and who's just been misunderstood. Of course, those who enjoy happy endings (thank you, Hollywood!), will find that this tale, just like many others we have featured, ends with the bad guy (or lass, in this case), getting her just desserts! And you may be witness to one of the world's weddings where someone objected to the union, or perhaps that was just an objection to holding their peace. If you liked this Underworld twist on the German tale "Faithful John", drop us a dead letter at hades@firesidefolklorewithhades.com. Requests for folklore, questions about what it's like to deal with shades on the ferry, and gossip from the world above may also be sent there, too. Next time, we'll be kicking off our second season with a tale from Syria. If you were suddenly approached by a beautiful wealthy woman who claimed she was your sister, and you knew you didn't have one, what would you do? Hint: don't do what our hapless woodcutter does, or you might end up in a pickle.
Cursed Into Secrecy, An Underworld Adaptation of the German Tale "Faithful John", Fireside Folklore with Hades - Episode 20, Part 1
Feb 20 2024
Cursed Into Secrecy, An Underworld Adaptation of the German Tale "Faithful John", Fireside Folklore with Hades - Episode 20, Part 1
Send over your dead SMS messages.Welcome listeners to this ultimate deception! What we thought would be our final episode before the beginning of Season 2 turned out to simply be the penultimate episode, squared! In this first installment of the Underworld's adaptation of the German tale "Faithful John", Charon and Nyx are getting married, and I nearly decided not to record a podcast, thinking a wedding in the Underworld would be a tedious affair that nobody would want to hear about! Boy was I mistaken, for just when I was about to hit Stop, I overheard Eris muttering in a cave by the Styx about not one, not two, but three curses she wanted to unleash upon the happy couple! Being a long-standing friend of Charon's, (yes listeners, I do have a heart), I couldn't simply sit back and let the foul times roll. Now, my interventions were rather unconventional and I ended up in the doghouse because Nyx thought I was trying to sabotage her wedding. It will take a lot of ingenuity and earnest, heartfelt communication to get out of this pickle, but it's all in a day's work, proving once more that there's no rest, not even for the dead, or rather, the lord of the dead. If you enjoyed this content, or if you're itching to tell me what tale you'd like to hear next, please send me a dead letter to hades@firesidefolklorewithhades.com. Twitter, @MythsMealsFacts is dead out of the water because Hermes, who was managing that, lost interest faster than he delivered his last message. Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/firesidefolklorewithhades gets traffic by whichever gods feel like running the show that day. The best way to keep in touch with us is to simply subscribe, wherever you enjoy listening to your favorite podcasts, or reach out in that old-fashioned way, from one being to another. Until the conclusion of this tale, farewell!
Chaos and Critique in the Realm of Shadows; An Underworld Adaptation of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Aesop's Fable From Greece; Mini-Episode 18 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Jan 27 2024
Chaos and Critique in the Realm of Shadows; An Underworld Adaptation of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Aesop's Fable From Greece; Mini-Episode 18 of Fireside Folklore with Hades
Send over your dead SMS messages.In this whimsical episode of Fireside Folklore with Hades, our host, the ever-stern yet somehow indulgent Lord of the Underworld, finds his tranquil reflections interrupted not by the cries of tormented souls, but by the mischievous antics of Paula the Poltergeist. As the interim ferryman of the deceased, Hades is no stranger to the unexpected, but even he couldn't foresee the chaos that unfolds when Cerberus, his trusty three-headed hound, is falsely accused of breaking loose.Journey with us as Hades navigates the tumultuous waters of the Styx, not once, not twice, but thrice, in response to Paula's cries of "Cerberus! Cerberus!" In a twist of fate that only the Underworld could concoct, discover the true nature of Cerberus's alleged escape and witness how our Lord Hades addresses the poltergeist's playful yet perilous pranks.As the episode unfolds, Hades also shares a poignant letter from Tisiphone, one of the three Furies, who chides him for his leniency towards a certain deceptive soul, reminding Hades and us all of the delicate balance between justice and mercy in the realm of the dead.In a delightful turn of events, find out how Cerberus finds a new "chew toy," leading to an unexpected photo opportunity that's sure to make waves across Godstagram. Amidst the chaos, Hades imparts a modern twist to the classic Aesop fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," leaving listeners to ponder the timeless lessons of truth, trust, and the consequences of deceit.Join us in this episode for a dose of mythological mischief, underworld wisdom, and the whimsical charm that only Fireside Folklore with Hades can provide. It's a tale of canine capers and spectral shenanigans that you won't want to miss. Tune in, if you dare, and remember: in the Underworld, even the wildest tales hold a grain of truth.And, as always, if you have tales to tell, comments to share, or simply seek counsel from the depths of Hades' wisdom, reach out to us at hades@firesidefolklorewithhades.com.Until next time, keep the fire burning and the stories churning. Goodnight from the Underworld!