Join the Wyrdo's as they welcome renowned travel writer Nicholas Jubber for a fascinating conversation that goes far beyond the typical spooky story. Nick takes us on a journey through the pages of his book, Monsterland, revealing how the monsters we've created are not just things to be feared, but are powerful reflections of our society, our history, and the darkest parts of ourselves.
In this deep dive into folklore, we explore a wide array of creatures, from magnificent dragons to sympathetic giants, and the hidden meanings behind their myths. We hear first-hand accounts of Nick’s travels, including his audacious decision to spend a night in a mill said to be haunted by a Serbian vampire, and his encounters with the real-life mysteries that breathe life into these ancient legends.
Topics Covered:
- The Psychological Purpose of Monsters: Nick delves into why monster stories are so compelling, arguing that they are a way for us to explore the "dark places within ourselves." He discusses the allure of becoming a monster—the desire to be unbridled and break the rules—and how this is a recurring theme from werewolves to the Incredible Hulk.
- Sympathy for the Devil: We discuss the human side of monsters and why we often feel more sympathy for creatures like Frankenstein's monster and the Cornish giant Bolster, who was tricked and defeated in love. This leads to a discussion on how folklore reveals that the real monsters might, in fact, be human.
- Monsters as Guardians of Nature: The episode explores the concept of monsters as defenders of the natural world, such as the ancient Babylonian giant Humbaba, who protected the Cedar Forest from human destruction. This challenges the traditional narrative and reframes heroes as villains.
- A Brush with the Undead: Nick shares the captivating tale of his time in Serbia, where he explored the legend of Sava Sivanovic, a vampire miller. In a true test of his journalistic spirit, he camped out in the very mill said to be haunted by the vampire, and lived to tell the tale.
- The Uncanny in Our Own Backyard: Craig and Andy share their own unnerving experience on Dartmoor, where they discovered they had inadvertently camped next to Vixen Tor, a site with its own sinister folklore of a witch named Vixiana who lured travellers to their doom with a supernatural mist.
- Monster Q&A: The conversation wraps up with some light-hearted questions for Nick, including his personal favourite cryptid, the monster he wishes didn't exist , and the creature he'd have as a companion.
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Written & hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens
Edited by Craig Brooks
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
