Episode 95: The Once and Future King

What is the secret of the Grail? Who does it serve? In this long-awaited podcast, Derek and Laurel explore the legends surrounding King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. Tracking the legend from its inception in the early middle ages to the definitive Hollywood adaptation, John Boorman’s dreamy Excalibur, we’ll seek the answers to the most important questions in Arthuriana. What does it mean to be king? What does it mean to be a people? What is the true quest, the true frontier? From Lancelot and Guinevere to Percival, Gawain, Morgan le Fay, and of course Merlin, this podcast leaves no sword in its stone.

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Episode 94A: Locksley

We have all heard the stories, seen the movies, read the children’s books, about Medieval England’s daring outlaw, who steals from the rich to give to the poor. Join us for part one of a two episode series, as we discuss the folk origins of Robin Hood. From the beer guzzling Friar Tuck to the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham, Derek and Laurel explore the long history of this enigmatic folk hero. How did a few ballads and festivals of Medieval England become one of the most prolific heroes of all time? Head to Sherwood Forest, put on your green hoods, and notch an arrow as you don’t want to miss this stunning deep dive into this bonafide legend. 

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Episode 93: I Defy You, Stars

Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us! To celebrate the spirit of the day of love, The Midnight Myth goes back to the middle ages and the Renaissance. That’s right, it’s a Shakespeare episode. We’re dishing up historical context and analysis for one of the most important pieces of literature ever written: Romeo & Juliet. An early work in the bard’s long line of tragedies, comedies, and histories, Romeo & Juliet can be viewed as the work that invented our modern understanding of love. And the poet himself may be the man who invented modern man. All this and more in a very special Midnight Myth episode for lovers, fools, poets, and madmen.

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Images are Amazon affiliate links, meaning if you buy the item through our link, a small percentage will go to the podcast. Thank you for your support!

Episode 85: The Lady of Winterfell

Winter has most certainly come, and it’s time to revisit Westeros on our mission to understand and analyze the major players in the Game of Thrones. This week, we’re looking at the eldest Stark daughter Sansa, who, against all predictions, has shown one of the most transformative and triumphant character arcs on the series. From a naive child to a Lannister hostage to the queen in the North, Sansa’s journey has been fraught with trauma, abuse, and tragedy—yet she’s proven herself a survivor (and deeply empowered one). Listen for our thoughts on what makes Sansa tick—and why we think she has as good a shot as anyone at claiming the Iron Throne.

Episode 84: It Belongs in a Museum

This week Derek and Laurel are back at it discussing the 1981 classic action adventure move, Indian Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. While the movie retains its iconic classic feel, listen as your hosts discuss the real world implications of archaeology and ethics. As Indy always says, “It belongs in a museum” we ask, does it? What is the nature of an artifact and who really owns them? Tune in and let us know what you think as there are no easy answers.

Episode 80: Season of the Witch

Autumn is upon us, and as we wrap our sweaters around our shoulders, sip on warm cider, and spend our weekends apple- and pumpkin- picking, the chill in the air reminds us of the rich mythological and historical tradition that makes the Halloween season so spookily sweet. So for this year’s Halloween special, sit back with a candied apple and join us on a journey to ancient myth as we untangle a long and complicated history—that of the witch. We’ll question the contemporary renaissance witches enjoy and follow the breadcrumbs to her origins in Greek, Roman, and Ancient Near East mythology. We’ll trace the line from Lilith of the Talmud to the Salem witch trials, from Medusa to the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. All that and more on this week’s Midnight Myth.

Episode 62: These Violent Delights

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Have you every questioned the nature your reality, or podcast? Per chance you should…Listen this week as The Midnight Myth applies its thoughtful analysis to the HBO hit series West World. Central to West World is the idea of the "west", a frontier, a lawless land ripe for civilized folk to come and claim— if they are tough enough to keep it. Amid the moral questions of artificial intelligence and a world created where humans can cater to every lustful wish and violent desire, is a narrative of America. This week Derek and Laurel seek to understand the narrative, from Ancient Rome, to Enlightenment Politics, and everything in between and hereafter. 

Episode 52: In Love and War

Here’s looking at you, podcast. Listen as Derek and Laurel examine the politics, tragedy and love, of cinema’s greatest love story, Casablanca. Inspired by Valentine’s day, and the notion that society’s greatest virtue is love, Casablanca asks if the problems of little people amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Maybe as Rick says, they don’t. Or Maybe its the only thing that does matter. Maybe beauty will save us. Maybe we are doomed. One thing that is certain, this is a podcast you don’t want to miss!