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PODCAST

Once Upon a Podcast

Joe Nay, Matthew Christensen, and Emma Porter

Once Upon a Podcast is the ultimate destination for anyone who loves fairy tales, myths, and folklore (or just a good story!). In each episode, we take a deep dive into classic tales, explore their often twisted origins, and uncover the dark, macabre themes lurking beneath the surface. Joe and Matthew explore why these stories were written the way they were, what they reveal about the time they came from, and how they continue to shape our world today. It's a perfect blend of casual

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All Episodes

39:42

Episode 20: The Stone-cutter

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/10/28

A humble worker, a mountain spirit, and a chain of wishes that goes way too far. In this episode, Joe and Matthew break down The Stonecutter, a Japanese folktale that might actually have Dutch roots.It’s a story of ambition and discontent, where one man wishes his way from stonecutter to everything from a prince to a cloud, only to discover that happiness doesn’t come from power, it comes from perspective.Along the way, we trace how Andrew Lang’s Crimson Fairy Book spread the tale worldwide, talk

en-US

63:18

Episode 19: The Forest Bride

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/10/14

Joe, Emma, and Matthew discuss The Forest Bride from Mighty Mikko: Finnish Fairy Tales Retold by Parker Fillmore (1922). The trio explores the tale’s origins, parallels to The White Cat (Madame d’Aulnoy, 1698), and what makes Fillmore’s storytelling so distinct from his playful narration to his gentle, "certified non-toxic" characters. Expect tangents on Nordic bread culture, animated mice, and why this might just be the most wholesome love story involving a rodent ever told.

en-US

19:17

Read Aloud 01: Billy Beg and His Bull (Told by Danny...

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/10/07

This is our first-ever Read Aloud episode, a new series from Once Upon a Podcast that brings you full, unabridged fairy tales told the old-fashioned way: out loud.Today’s tale is an Irish whirlwind: talking bulls, magical ear-napkins, fire-breathing giants, a secret identity, and a dragon that gets exactly what’s coming to it. Billy Beg and His Bull is told here by Danny Oaks and originally comes from Irish collector Seumas MacManus.Let us know — do you like this kind of storytelling? Want more

en-US

72:52

Episode 18: The Little Mermaid (pt. 2)

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/09/30

The tragic conclusion of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, The Little Mermaid, is here. Joe, Matthew, and Emma wade through sea witches, knife-blade footsteps, heartbreak, and Andersen’s unexpected ending. Along the way, they dig into the Little Mermaid’s impossible choices, the prince’s questionable treatment of her, and the strange “daughters of the air” twist that closes the tale. Is this one of Andersen’s greatest stories—or his most brutal?

en-US

69:43

Episode 17: The Travelling Companion

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/09/23

Hans Christian Andersen’s The Traveling Companion is one of his strangest early fairy tales (if you can even call it that): a road trip, a horror story, and a Sunday-school parable packed into one, we break down its bizarre mash-up of goblins, puppets, riddles, and skeleton gardens, and debate whether Andersen was telling a Christian allegory, a comedy, or just having fun throwing every motif at the wall. We had so much fun in this episode so we hope you enjoy!Audio/music credits:"Ashton

en-US

61:20

Episode 16: The Little Mermaid (pt. 1)

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/09/16

We begin Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid; a fairy tale of longing, mortality, and sacrifice that looks very different from the singing crabs and bright seashells you might expect. Along the way, we explore Andersen’s inspirations, the statue in Copenhagen, mermaid symbolism, and the spiritual readings of the tale. This is Part One of our two-part dive into one of Andersen’s most enduring stories.

en-US

30:32

Episode 15: The Naughty Boy

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/09/09

Hans Christian Andersen's The Naughty Boy (1835) isn't your typical fairy tale, it's Cupid gone mischievous. We unpack this strange little story published alongside Thumbelina, trace Cupid's origins from Greek Eros to Victorian matchmaker in a diaper, and explore how Andersen may have written his own struggles with love right into the tale. Along the way, we have some laughs, discuss Andersen's continuous self-inserts, and dig into why Cupid’s arrows might sting more than they

en-US

64:32

Episode 14: Thumbelina

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/09/02

Hans Christian Andersen’s Thumbelina isn’t borrowed from folklore; it’s one of his true originals. In this episode, we explore its strange journey: kidnapped by toads, mocked by beetles, nearly married to a mole, and finally crowned queen of the flowers. Along the way, we ask what Andersen really meant about beauty, virtue, and kindness (and whether he slipped a bit of himself into this tale). No need for a bird to tell the tale, we've got it, and we'll also take a look at Thumbelina’s film

en-US

63:24

Episode 13: The Laughing Prince

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/08/19

What do you get when you cross a princess on a hunger strike, a wholesome farm boy, and the most stubborn Tsar ever to shout "Wow wow"? Parker Fillmore’s The Laughing Prince delivers one of the most delightfully absurd and heartfelt tales we’ve read. Joe and Matthew dive into this whimsical Yugoslav folk tale, unpacking its layers of humor, feminism, and the magic of joy for joy’s sake. Plus: the origin story of "freaking Jakov," the charm of Stefan, and why laughter might just be a

en-US

59:25

Episode 12: Billy Beg and the Bull

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/08/05

Hold onto your horns! This week, we tackle Billy Beg and the Bull, an Irish folktale where talking animals, head-chopping giants, and a magic belt collide in a story that's part Cinderella, part fever dream. Joe and Matthew break down the chaotic charm of Seumas MacManus’s tale and the storytelling legacy he left behind. Spoiler: The bull might be a vampire.

en-US

27:24

Episode 11: The Princess and the Pea

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/07/29

The bed is stacked high, the pea is tiny, and the logic? Completely missing. In this short episode, Joe and Matthew dive into Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and the Pea, a literary fairy tale that’s as iconic as it is absurd. From royal imposters to overly sensitive sock seams, we unpack why this weird little story has stuck around for nearly 200 years and what it might argue about class, logic, and magical bruises.

en-US

54:10

Episode 10: The Emperor's New Clothes

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/07/22

The Emperor has no clothes… but boy, does he have confidence. In this episode, Joe, Matthew, and (introducing!) Emma break down Hans Christian Andersen’s The Emperor’s New Clothes, from its literary origins to its place in everyday language and pop culture. Along the way for this fairy tale, we unpack pride, status, and why sometimes the biggest swindle is the one we play along with ourselves.

en-US

59:26

Episode 9: The Tinderbox

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/07/15

In this episode of Once Upon a Podcast, we dive into Hans Christian Andersen's first published fairy tale, The Tinderbox. Join us as we break down this bizarre tale of soldiers, witches, giant-eyed dogs, questionable morals, and the surprising lack of actual fire-starting. We explore the literary origins, dark undertones, and some unintended comedy of a fairy tale where the real magic might just be a villain getting away with everything.

en-US

55:15

Episode 8: Who are The Brothers Grimm?

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/07/08

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm: folklore collectors, German cultural rebels, and possibly the most committed set of desk buddies in history. In this episode, we dive into the real story behind the Brothers Grimm—their fairy tale obsession, their awkward meeting with Hans Christian Andersen, and why Jacob thought he might've been happier studying botany (but instead rewrote the rules of language).

en-US

37:46

Hans in Luck

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/07/01

Is Hans the luckiest man alive... or the most gullible? In this episode, we dive into the Brothers Grimm story Hans in Luck, a tale of bad trades, questionable life choices, and maybe—just maybe—the secret to true happiness (hint: it involves getting rid of literally everything you own). We break down the story, debate whether Hans reached Nirvana or just lost his mind, and share some fun history behind this odd little fairy tale.As always, for questions, comments, or to tell us how much gold you’d

en-US

48:16

The Handless Maiden (or, The Girl Without Hands)

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/06/24

What do you get when you have a devil, a miller, and an apple tree? That's right! A girl without hands. This tale by the Brothers Grimm is a classic that you need to hear. And if it's one you know, you'll still want to listen to know the real name of a poor soul named "Filled-with-Grief" we're sure.Thank you for listening!To tell us how your Tuesday is going, or for comments or suggestions for a future episode, you can email us at joe.onceuponapodcast@gmail.com

en-US

45:40

The Fisherman and His Wife

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/06/17

What you've all been waiting for is finally here. The world-renowned story of the talking, wish-granting fish is in for your enjoyment. Oh, you haven't heard of it before? Well, you're going to love this fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm.Mandje! Mandje! Timpe Te!For that joke no one has laughed at yet, or comments and suggestions, you can email us at joe.onceuponapodcast@gmail.com

en-US

58:03

The Robber Bridegroom (and Mr. Fox)

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/06/10

Let's do something scary! This fairy tale (if you can even call it that) is practically a horror film from the 1800s by the Brothers Grimm. Get ready for some blood, gore, and fun with this episode as we cover the idea of being brave and being brave... but not too brave. If you're more into the old tale of Mr. Fox (not the so-called-Fantastic one), you'll want to listen in as well.As always, for a suggestion of a fairy tale or folk story you'd love to hear us cover, you can email us

en-US

48:47

Little Red Cap (and Little Red Riding Hood)

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/06/03

Little Red Cap, Little Red Riding Hood, The False Grandmother (what???). The story, as old as time and with many names, is discussed by your favorite fairy tale amateurs in this episode. Even if you've heard this fairy tale before, you may not know (one of) the original endings where things may not end well for Little Red or Granny. We dive into the stories by Charles Perrault and The Brothers Grimm, and let us know if you'd like an episode on other variants!The themes for this episode are

en-US

53:12

Little Claus and Big Claus

Once Upon a Podcast ·

2025/05/27

It is time to jump into Hans Christian Andersen! Little Claus and Big Claus is a Danish tale from 1835 about two guys named Hans who both like money and are willing to do almost anything to get it. It feels more like a violent cartoon at times than a fairy tale. If you are into weird tales of history, we think you will love this one.As always, for questions, general contact, or to tell us how amateur we are, you can reach us at joe.onceuponapodcast@gmail.com

en-US

22 results

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