The Podgoblin - Podcast Details

Shows

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #12 MaryIn a podcast first, we are interviewing a Moomin fan who is still a teenager and discovered the Moomins through Pinterest! Mary talks us through the cottagecore appeal of the Moomins and the popular but non-mainstream place they occupy in the USA. There's a fair bit of chat about the Japanese animated cartoon adaptations. We talk about the way we love queer-coded things but wish that the queerness could be explicit in these beloved texts. Mary gives out excellent advice as Little My. Check out our instagram to see pictures of Mary's shrinkydink keychain and h...2025-07-2244 min

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #11 Mendel SkulskiThis episode's special guest is Mendel Skulski, a podcaster, mushroom-enthusiast and musician who wore an excellent Snufkin costume to a fancy dress party. We chat about climate collapse as depicted in Comet in Moominland, and the different characters' attitudes to it. We also chat about the different mushrooms Little My picks in The Invisible Child, and how one might go about identifying and preparing them for eating. Mendel is wonderfully enthusiastic about free food growing all around is and recommends the Falling Fruit maps to find foraging opportunities near you. Nina has added the fig trees she...2025-07-1553 min

Conditional MaterialsCancer SeasonLike it or not, star sign or just what's in your prostate cancer has had a big week and the gang sits down to weigh in on it. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-05-261h 29

Conditional MaterialsBraving the Pod Wastes Part 2: Escape to (from) JacksonvilleThis week the gang is back on that gamer grindset with another thrilling tale of Conan O'Brian kicking more kids in the head as he and Logan Stranger and Rough Catfish brave the pod wastes and deal with the dreaded Jacksonville Jaguars, who are just people and not anything else, probably. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.coo...2025-05-192h 06

Conditional MaterialsAmericano PopeThis week the gang sits down, talks about Chicago Pope (Better Episode Title?), how a weird old guy gets his ideas from a PBS affiliate's classic movies and how much swag does every tech bro really have? Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-05-121h 03

Conditional MaterialsFavorite Things Bracket - AstridThis week we rip off, I man pay homage to a podcast by doing the first installment of our "Favorite Things bracket" Starring the fan favorite (we suppose) Astrid. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-05-051h 38

Conditional MaterialsLosing the Will to PopeThis week the gang attempts to avoid the soul killing gaze of JD Vance and makes a list of sports from most autistic to least autistic, number 3 will surprise you. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-04-281h 24

Conditional MaterialsBraving the Pod WastesThis week the gang gets together on wrestle weed Easter to do a TTRPG thing. Will 3 podcasters in the wastes make it to the fabled Echo Chamber CityPodcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-04-211h 54

Conditional MaterialsForest vs. TrainThis week is an episode and a half, mostly because John was replaced by an evil robot or something and Astrid refused to speak for a while so Anna really had to carry things on their back. Also the gang talks about what they'd do if they had unlimited resources, spoiler, its weird. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our web...2025-04-141h 31

Conditional MaterialsTariff Deez NutsTear if you're feeling lonely, tear if you're worried about everything, tear if you're trying to visit the an island where they don't want you, terrif these nutsPodcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-04-071h 19

Conditional MaterialsEdging the R WordSpring has sprung, allergies are out of control, and so is the signal channel where we plot our war crimes. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-03-311h 00

Conditional MaterialsThe Ice Must FlowThis week we talk about strange names, some theories that are so true, so real, so brave bestie. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-03-241h 29

Conditional MaterialsPodcaster Brain DrainThis week Astrid and John fight Ann who has become some sort of mind flayer but for bad food takes and Temu, but none of that was actually in the pod so uh...news?Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-03-031h 27

Conditional Materials200 ObservedThis week Astrid and John are on an adventure to make sure Anna doesn't freak out when Bigfoot steals our car, thats right news smooze, we're out here playing TTRPGs to make ourselves sane. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-02-241h 21

Conditional MaterialsNumbers Station to What to?Happy episode....huh we defiantly forgot what number it was, and did a normal show even though John defiantly brought it up last week, we're so on top of podcasting. Anyways, we talk about the news, its good. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-02-171h 28

Conditional MaterialsMothman Showed Up at the TerrordomeI think the episode title speaks for itself but this week we decided to dig deep and play a silly little game and you will not believe the ending, I barely believe it and I listened to the whole episode Ah, Dang! Mothman won't move out (he said it was just for the weekend)is by Paul Matijevic, based on an idea by William Carpenter of Long Beach Comics,MSPodcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.cool...2025-02-101h 47

Conditional MaterialsCrashing OutThis week we sit down for a round table discussion about...wait is the table round, has there ever been ConMat lore about the studio that contradicts this, no? You mean I could make up any...wait I'm typing all of this, ok getting back to the episode summary: news, planes, a cult, a plan, Conditional Materials. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon G...2025-02-0354 min

Conditional Materials100 Percent Loam Based GesturesThis week the gang talks about alternative lifestyles, new ways to nurture yourself and where your arms should be during a public speaking event. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-01-281h 31

Conditional MaterialsHot Doggin It or New Hot Dog CondimentThis week the gang pays respect to a fallen hero, pays disrespect to the worst gamer with the most money and talks about some silly stuff along the way including new ways to enjoy old meat/meat substitute. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-01-201h 17

Conditional MaterialsHam Hock TuahThis week the gang's sync rate is too high and they fuse to be come Jostna the supreme avatar of bad jokes and puns, but the gang defuses to talk about what the best and worst stupid things of the week would be and how silly it would be to have president Northern Lion. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go t...2025-01-131h 11

Conditional MaterialsNew Year New UsThis week the gang is back and we promise no crazy stuff, no high concept openings, no clones or doppelgangers, no sock puppets becoming sentient, that's for real life. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2025-01-061h 12

Conditional MaterialsWhat, a year? aka HeelTurn.exeIn this.....193rd episode of the podcast (wow really 1293 of these things for real?), Anna has some drama, Astrid is a priestess to a serpent, and John....has gone evil, or good we can't tell. But if you've ever wondered what it would be like to listen to a podcast, any podcast, this would be one you could listen to if you're so inclined. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check ou...2024-12-231h 01

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #10 Helen ZaltzmanFor this Christmas-adjascent bonus, we're welcoming Helen Zaltzman, a podcaster and thinker about words. Helen came to the Moomins as a young child while she was devouring the entire contents of her local library and volunteered to re-read Moominland Midwinter for us. We talk about how lovely the writing is, the art of translation, and what a relief it is when you revisit a beloved childhood story and find that it's still good. So many good quotes are pulled up and lovingly read aloud. The praises of Too-Ticky are lavishly sung. We also asked Helen...2024-12-2253 min

Conditional MaterialsFeels So Good with LuigiWow, sometimes you give it a week and you get surprised by everything that's in the news. What are said news items? I don't know, I forgot to listen to the episode to find out and nobody will tell me so I'm making a complete guess and there will be at least 3 Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul references and uhhhh talk about the tall Mario Brother Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to...2024-12-161h 07

Conditional MaterialsSlowly Burning Buried LeadsSo there I was, reading comic books when I looked up and saw it was after 4 and the podcast hadn't been posted, I asked myself, was it that thing, was it the other thing, and nope it was me forgetting to hit the button and upload this gold mine of a podcast where John promises to be glorious leader in perpetuity. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi an...2024-12-0954 min

Conditional MaterialsMajor Magica 3This week the gang stuffed to the gills with meat and meat substitutes decides to sit down and give ya'll a thanksgiving helping of podcast with a majorly big episode of Major Magica in which things happen and there are wizard duels. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2024-12-022h 28

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #9 Hanna WołoszynOur guest for this out-of-season bonus episode is Hanna: a lifelong Moomins fan and reader of the books in Polish! We talk about faithfulness in adaptation, the differences between the Polish and English translations, and being out on the raw shore of the Baltic sea. Hanna has a unique perspective on the Hemulen Who Loved Silence, which we read last season. A case is made for quiet people who don't want to have to bite to be heard. Hanna's Spirit recommendations are bang on topic! Her Spirit of the Moomins is London Drawing...2024-11-2646 min

Conditional MaterialsThe Only Cure is FailureThis week....is wild, if you think you'll be able to look at your parents, a table or The Onion in the same way after the barn burner of an episode, well....you're stronger than I am. Podcast - @podgoblin.coolAnna - DinkensteinsmonsterAstrid- @TOOTHJohn - @The_YamKing Email us at:Conditional@podgoblin.coolIf you'd like to support us check out our Ko-Fi and our Patreon Go to our website Podgoblin.cool 2024-11-251h 10

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Bonus Episode 8: Ali BakerThis is the 8th bonus episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. Our guest Ali Baker is a researcher in children's literature with a particular interest in children's voice and children's rights, so it's no surprise she chose to come on and talk to us about The Invisible Child! Ali makes a strong case for Bjork as a Spirit of Little My and reminisces about finding the Moomins in her local library as a kid. We situate the Moomins as a type of fantasy, and...2024-11-0543 min

The Podgoblin’s HatCedricAnd just like that, it's the end of the season! We're going out on a story that actually shows us what happens when someone has a problem and wonders "What would Snufkin do?" Sniff is inconsolable over the loss of his favourite toy, a small dog called Cedric, with bejewelled eyes (?!). Even Moominmamma can't help him, so he wanders down to Snufkin's camp and gets told a story. It's a very classic story-shape about belongings not making you happy, but you know what we say? There's nothing wrong with playing the hits well! This story...2024-10-221h 17

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Secret of the HattifattenersHow many times has Moominpappa gone off with the Hattifatteners? Are they really as wicked as they're cracked up to be? What does the birch bark scroll mean? Hop along and find out none of the answers to these questions! This is supposed to be a story about the Hattifatteners, but it might more appropriately be named: The Feelings and Projections that Moominpappa has about the Hattifatteners. Which is a bit disappointing for Hattifattener fans but it's still a pretty good story! Dave's done some 2024-10-151h 22

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #8 Ali BakerOur guest Ali Baker is a researcher in children's literature with a particular interest in children's voice and children's rights, so it's no surprise she chose to come on and talk to us about The Invisible Child! Ali makes a strong case for Bjork as a Spirit of Little My and reminisces about finding the Moomins in her local library as a kid. We situate the Moomins as a type of fantasy, and Ali recommend's Dr Farah Mendlesohn's Rhetorics of Fantasy. We talk about the mixed up class elements of the Moomin family, and go on a l...2024-10-0843 min

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Invisible ChildThis week we're reading one of Tove's most famous short stories: The Invisible Child. It's a pretty bright and funny story with very dark themes. We both like it, but it doesn't quite live up to the hype, for us. Little My is picking poisonous mushrooms (what else is new?), Moomintroll is an ass, and Moominmamma is a confirmed witch. It's a good one for cameos of Too-Ticky, and vengeance on fathers. We've got quite the fungus-based Natural History/Translation chat. We talk about whether bashing coldly ironical types in the head is even any use. Justice...2024-10-011h 34

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #7 Lou SutcliffeOur guest Lou has been a Moomin fan since childhood, and the character ey relate to is the Groke (iconic). This chat is lots of things, and one of the things is a couple of autistics marvelling over the Hemulen Who Loved Silence, with a sideshoot through Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising sequence. It's also Brian Blessed as Edward the Booble impersonations. It's a really good time! Lou's Spirit of the Moomins is My Neighbour Totoro. Eir Spirit of the Podgoblin's Hat is Saga Thing. Their most recent audio drama is Eeler's C...2024-09-2451 min

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Hemulen Who Loved SilenceIs this the underrated best story in this collection? We really think it might be. What can a Hemulen tell us about work under capitalism? Will any of us ever get to be pensioned off? This is a beautiful story about introversion, access needs and the dangers of sharing your most secret desires with your relatives. IT BANGS LIKE A DRUM. And it generated a lot of conversation for us, during which we referenced Shy Radicals by Hamja Ahsan, Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber, and The World Is Not Ending by Sophie From Mars. Our...2024-09-171h 23

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Last Dragon In The WorldThis story's title promises so much in terms of dragon content! In actuality there is hardly any dragon in this story, but what there is, is very good. Nina likes this story a lot anyway, Dave's more on the fence. How understandable to want a small pet of your own, who would be attached just to you! How impossible to guarantee this outcome in any way, especially when said small pet is actually a wild thing and an endangered species to boot! We revisit some familiar themes: love triangles, the impossibility of having a secret, and the...2024-09-101h 19

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #6 Ruby MillerThere's so much to say about The Fillyjonk Who Believed in Disasters that we invited Ruby on to say some of it for us! We ponder on the exquisite combo that is cosy and creepy, lament the missed connection between Gaffsie and Fillyjonk and scribble all over our copies of Tales From Moomin Valley in pencil. Ruby's Spirit of the Moomins is the folkloric art of John Bauer, and her Spirit of the Podgoblin's Hat is the Waterlands Podcast. She sings in the Ouseburn Folk Choir. 2024-09-0350 min

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Fillyjonk Who Believed in DisastersThis week we're reading The Fillyjonk Who Believed in disasters, certified banger no matter who you ask! It's a melancholy, funny, poignant story that feels almost too real. Join us as we relate a little too closely and discuss the anxiety and depression of this poor Fillyjonk. We talk about the beauty and liberation of destruction, bombed out cathedrals, and monastic lifestyles. Do we ever really learn from these experiences, or is it an endless cycle? Plus special Natural History Investigations. Our Spirits of the Moomins are Stories by Firelight by Sh...2024-08-271h 07

The Podgoblin’s HatA Tale Of HorrorCarrying on with our read-through of Tales from Moomin Valley, our story this week is A Tale of Horror! But don't get too excited. The scariest thing about it is the Whomper's daddy. This story, despite not being our favourite, gave us lots to yap about. We talked about how stories about lying affect children's truthfulness (see article here for more on Kang Lee's experiment, or read the abstract here), shifting standards in kid lit regarding discipline, in particular corporal punishment, and shared some stories about our own flexible relationships to the truth as children. ...2024-08-201h 09

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Bonus Episode 5: Matt MillerThis is the 5th bonus episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. To round off our spring miniseason we've got a final (for now) look at The Spring Tune, with special guest Matt Miller, a poet and theatre maker. Matt's take on this story is fairly different from all the other takes we've heard so far! It's about smoking, doing the washing up, procrastination. We play a round of our unofficial but recurring game: which Moomin character do you feel painfully called out by? And...2024-05-2940 min

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Bonus Episode 4: Martin Zaltz AustwickThis is the 4th bonus episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. This week we've got a special guest in to talk all about the music of Tove Jansson, and the game we talked about last week (Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley) AND the short story that kicked off this miniseason (the Spring Tune). Martin is a musician, a podcaster, a player of games, so he is ideal for all this! If you would like to listen along to the music, you'll want to start with...2024-05-291h 07

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Bonus Episode 3: Melody of MoominvalleyThis is the 3rd bonus episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. We're popping in with something a little different for you this week, it's a video game review! That's right, we're almost topical! Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a beautiful, relaxing, not quite open world exploration of Moomin Valley through the eyes and musical instruments of Snufkin. We discuss the way it feels, the way it looks, the way it sounds. Dave has some nitpicks. We wonder how canon the good ship SnufMin is...2024-05-2958 min

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #5 Matt MillerTo round off our spring miniseason we've got a final (for now) look at The Spring Tune, with special guest Matt Miller, a poet and theatre maker. Matt's take on this story is fairly different from all the other takes we've heard so far! It's about smoking, doing the washing up, procrastination. We play a round of our unofficial but recurring game: which Moomin character do you feel painfully called out by? And have a think about what kind of participant Little My would be, if you put her in school and made her be i...2024-05-2840 min

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #4 Martin Zaltz AustwickThis week we've got a special guest in to talk all about the music of Tove Jansson, and the game we talked about last week (Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley) AND the short story that kicked off this miniseason (the Spring Tune). Martin is a musician, a podcaster, a player of games, so he is ideal for all this! If you would like to listen along to the music, you'll want to start with this advert composed by Robert Farnon. Then visit this lovely Autumn Song by Tove Jansson and Erna Tauro. Henry Kathman's translation and c...2024-05-211h 07

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #3 Snufkin: Melody of MoominvalleyWe're popping in with something a little different for you this week, it's a video game review! That's right, we're almost topical! Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a beautiful, relaxing, not quite open world exploration of Moomin Valley through the eyes and musical instruments of Snufkin. We discuss the way it feels, the way it looks, the way it sounds. Dave has some nitpicks. We wonder how canon the good ship SnufMin is to these game developers. Did the Groke really break Nina's Switch?! Our Spirits of the Moomins this week ar...2024-05-1458 min

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Spring TuneThe crocuses are up, the cherry trees are in bloom, and Snufkin is tramping back to Moomin Valley - it must be time for our spring miniseries! We're kicking off with this beautiful, perfectly formed gem of a short story from the collection Tales from Moomin Valley. It's a story about creativity, inspiration, song writing, and how big you need to be to get a name. We namecheck a lot of books in this one! A non exhaustive list: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, A Th...2024-05-071h 06

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 15: The Fir TreeThis is the fifteenth episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. We're wrapping up this year on the Podgoblin's Hat with Tove's Christmas offering: The Fir Tree. It's got everything you want from a Christmas story: the light and the dark, the fear and the wonder. There's even a little cameo from the Moomin family gun. We chat about different translations of this story, we exchange presents and talk at length about egg nog. Our Spirits of the Moomins this Week are The Father Christmas...2023-12-251h 15

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Fir TreeWe're wrapping up this year on the Podgoblin's Hat with Tove's Christmas offering: The Fir Tree. It's got everything you want from a Christmas story: the light and the dark, the fear and the wonder. There's even a little cameo from the Moomin family gun. We chat about different translations of this story, we exchange presents and talk at length about egg nog. Our Spirits of the Moomins this Week are The Father Christmas Letters by JRR Tolkien, the Muppets Christmas Carol, and Christmas Days by Jeanette Win...2023-12-241h 15

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 14: Moominland Midwinter (part 2)This is the fourteenth episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. We're wrapping up Moominland Midwinter this week, and despite being only three chapters, it's 70% of the words in this book, so do strap in for a mammoth episode. There's a whole raft of new characters: the lonely and the rum, a flock of small creep, a very melancholy dog and a jock Hemulen. Misunderstandings and unrequited longings abound. Moomintroll finally gets to grips with the snow. Little My invents ice skating. And we finally...2023-12-191h 37

The Podgoblin’s HatMoominland Midwinter (part 2)We're wrapping up Moominland Midwinter this week, and despite being only three chapters, it's 70% of the words in this book, so do strap in for a mammoth episode. There's a whole raft of new characters: the lonely and the rum, a flock of small creep, a very melancholy dog and a jock Hemulen. Misunderstandings and unrequited longings abound. Moomintroll finally gets to grips with the snow. Little My invents ice skating. And we finally get to hear what Mamma thinks about it all. Perhaps the real winter was the friends we made along the way. O...2023-12-191h 37

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 13: Moominland Midwinter (part 1)This is the thirteenth episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to series 3! We're back with a banger: Moominland Midwinter. Nina has had this book hyped up by everyone who knows she's doing this podcast, and despite all the hype it doesn't disappoint. In this first half of the book, the unthinkable happens: Moomintroll awakes from his hibernation and finds himself alone in a world of winter. It is as if he has rolled out into outer space. This is such a beautiful meditation...2023-12-161h 25

The Podgoblin’s HatMoominland Midwinter (part 1)Welcome to series 3! We're back with a banger: Moominland Midwinter. Nina has had this book hyped up by everyone who knows she's doing this podcast, and despite all the hype it doesn't disappoint. In this first half of the book, the unthinkable happens: Moomintroll awakes from his hibernation and finds himself alone in a world of winter. It is as if he has rolled out into outer space. This is such a beautiful meditation on loneliness, and change, and uncertainty. We've got a great new character in Too-Ticky, and of course th...2023-12-121h 25

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 12: The Dangerous Journey & Villain In The MoominhouseThis is the twelth episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. To wrap up season two we are bringing you the last two picture books set in the Moomin universe written by Tove Jansson. Both of these books are a bit difficult and inaccessible! They're very interesting to Moomin fans in that they show the later stages of Tove's journey with her little trolls, and how she felt about them towards the end of her life. The Dangerous Journey is a portal fantasy that sees...2023-09-261h 06

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Dangerous Journey & Villain In The MoominhouseTo wrap up season two we are bringing you the last two picture books set in the Moomin universe written by Tove Jansson. Both of these books are a bit difficult and inaccessible! They're very interesting to Moomin fans in that they show the later stages of Tove's journey with her little trolls, and how she felt about them towards the end of her life. The Dangerous Journey is a portal fantasy that sees human girl Susanna enter the Moomin world and travel through a series of gorgeously bleak watercolor landscapes. Th...2023-09-261h 06

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My & Who Will Comfort ToffleWe're breaking from our normal format for these next two episodes to bring you Tove Jansson's picture books. The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My is really ahead of its time in terms of interactivity and the use of holes cut out of the pages. It's a simple enough journey story, and a vehicle for some really gorgeous art. We compare the translation from the 1960s with the more modern text in our newer editions. There's very creative versification and some brand new Hattifattener lore! And if it's true to sa...2023-09-191h 13

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 10: Moominsummer Madness (part 2)This is the tenth episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. Content note: discussion of suicidal thoughts in the What Would Snufkin do part of the podcast This book splits three ways on Midsummer Eve: Snufkin is enacting revenge on a Park Keeper, Moomintroll and the Snork Maiden are having a party with a Fillyjonk, and the rest of our crew are still aboard the floating theatre. There's so much about theatre in this book: a play within a play, a lion being played by...2023-09-121h 12

The Podgoblin’s HatMoominsummer Madness (part 2)Content note: discussion of suicidal thoughts in the What Would Snufkin do part of the podcast This book splits three ways on Midsummer Eve: Snufkin is enacting revenge on a Park Keeper, Moomintroll and the Snork Maiden are having a party with a Fillyjonk, and the rest of our crew are still aboard the floating theatre. There's so much about theatre in this book: a play within a play, a lion being played by two beavers, a disastrous dress rehearsal and happy endings all round. We talk about the effects of responsibility on S...2023-09-121h 12

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 9: Moominsummer Madness (part 1)This is the ninth episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. It's summer in Moominvalley and this book truly hits the ground running. There's a volcano casually going off in the background, and another flood, and the Moomin family has to relocate to a strange floating house. Also, Snufkin is nowhere to be found and Moomintroll is pining away. We've got a bunch of cool new characters, some magical midsummer traditions, and a lot of theatrical superstitions. Dave is taking a new occasional rubrik out...2023-09-061h 04

The Podgoblin’s HatMoominsummer Madness (part 1)It's summer in Moominvalley and this book truly hits the ground running. There's a volcano casually going off in the background, and another flood, and the Moomin family has to relocate to a strange floating house. Also, Snufkin is nowhere to be found and Moomintroll is pining away. We've got a bunch of cool new characters, some magical midsummer traditions, and a lot of theatrical superstitions. Dave is taking a new occasional rubrik out for a spin: it's the Clothes Corner!... Nina's usual Botany Corner is also here, and it's all about mosses and lichens....2023-09-051h 04

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 8: The Exploits (or Memoirs) of Moominpappa (part 2)This is the eighth episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. We're back with the second half of Moominpappa's memoirs, in which our brave hero becomes the subject of a country run by an Autocrat, starts a colony and meets his wife. Moomintroll has some very sensible notes for his Pappa in this half of the book, Sniff has some very good questions, but alas, we will never know why Moominmamma was in the sea. Our question for Snufkin this week comes from Helen Zaltzman. ...2023-08-291h 13

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Exploits (or Memoirs) of Moominpappa, part 2We're back with the second half of Moominpappa's memoirs, in which our brave hero becomes the subject of a country run by an Autocrat, starts a colony and meets his wife. Moomintroll has some very sensible notes for his Pappa in this half of the book, Sniff has some very good questions, but alas, we will never know why Moominmamma was in the sea. Our question for Snufkin this week comes from Helen Zaltzman. Our Spirits of the Moomins are Edward Carey's The Swallowed Man and Alice Tarbuck's A Sp...2023-08-291h 13

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 7: The Exploits (or Memoirs) of Moominpappa (part 1)This is the seventh episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back to a new season of the Podgoblin's Hat! This week, Nina is reading the Exploits of Moominpappa and Dave is reading the Memoirs of Moominpappa. Our theme for these books is Memoir. This episode is all about unreliable narrators, self mythologising and the fundamental mystery of our parents. Moominpappa has finally finished his memoirs and is reading them out to the children. Did he really build a Moomin house, or did he...2023-08-231h 16

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Exploits (or Memoirs) of Moominpappa (part 1)Welcome back to a new season of the Podgoblin's Hat! This week, Nina is reading the Exploits of Moominpappa and Dave is reading the Memoirs of Moominpappa. Our theme for these books is Memoir. This episode is all about unreliable narrators, self mythologising and the fundamental mystery of our parents. Moominpappa has finally finished his memoirs and is reading them out to the children. Did he really build a Moomin house, or did he just draw it? How much of this story is true? We have a question for Snufkin from upcoming guest M...2023-08-221h 16

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode Bonus #2 Dr Eleanor JanegaOur special guest for this episode is Medieval historian Dr Eleanor Janega. Eleanor joins us to shout about how much she loves Comet in Moominland, share her Moomin memes of choice and talk about how Tove Jansson draws on medieval storytelling tropes like weird little guys you find in the woods, comets, and really good food writing. There is a case made for Moominmamma as an agony aunt and a scathing burn for Ian Fleming. You can find Eleanor's on twitter @GoingMedieval, buy her new book The Once and Future Sex here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-once-and-future-sex-going-medieval-on-women-s-roles-in-society-eleanor-janega/18507010?ean=9780393867817 and...2023-06-2943 min

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #2 Dr Eleanor JanegaOur special guest for this episode is Medieval historian Dr Eleanor Janega. Eleanor joins us to shout about how much she loves Comet in Moominland, share her Moomin memes of choice and talk about how Tove Jansson draws on medieval storytelling tropes like weird little guys you find in the woods, comets, and really good food writing. There is a case made for Moominmamma as an agony aunt and a scathing burn for Ian Fleming. You can find Eleanor's on twitter @GoingMedieval, buy her new book The Once and Future Sex here and her comic T...2023-06-2743 min

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode Bonus #1: Heidi the translatorThis a bonus episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. It's also the last episode of the first series of the show. In this first guest episode, we're talking to Heidi Gilhooly, a lifelong Moomin fan and translator. Heidi did a comparative study of three versions of the Trollkarlens Hatt: in Swedish, Finnish and English. She shares some juicy insider knowledge about what Elizabeth Portch left out when adapting it for an English audience, and what she changed. We chat about the Thingumy and Bob...2023-06-0628 min

The Podgoblin’s HatBonus #1 Heidi the translatorIn this first guest episode, we're talking to Heidi Gilhooly, a lifelong Moomin fan and translator. Heidi did a comparative study of three versions of the Trollkarlens Hatt: in Swedish, Finnish and English. She shares some juicy insider knowledge about what Elizabeth Portch left out when adapting it for an English audience, and what she changed. We chat about the Thingumy and Bob, a gutsier Snorkmaiden and the origin of Moominmamma's proficiency with an axe. Many thanks to Heidi for being our first ever guest! You can find out more about he...2023-06-0628 min

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 6: Finn Family Moomintroll (part 2)This is the sixth episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. It's also the last episode of the first series of the show. It's the end of Finn Family Moomintroll, and the end of series 1! The Hattifatteners have their barometer back, Snufkin gets around to telling the others about the Hobgoblin and his hat, and we meet Thingumy and Bob, the lesbian-inspired non binary couple of your dreams. This book has more bumps in the road for us as modern readers than those that went...2023-02-141h 12

The Podgoblin’s HatFinn Family Moomintroll (part 2)It's the end of Finn Family Moomintroll, and the end of series 1! The Hattifatteners have their barometer back, Snufkin gets around to telling the others about the Hobgoblin and his hat, and we meet Thingumy and Bob, the lesbian-inspired non binary couple of your dreams. This book has more bumps in the road for us as modern readers than those that went before. #JusticeForTheSnorkmaiden It also contains some really positive representations of what we might call non-monogamy and queerness. Truly a mixed bag. Our question for Snufkin co...2023-02-141h 12

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 5: Finn Family Moomintroll (part 1)This is the fifth episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. This week we're reading the first half of Finn Family Moomintroll. Spring has sprung and the children have discovered a very interesting hat on top of a hill. The hat starts to transform everything that sits inside it, from eggshells, to outlandish words, to Moomintroll himself. Moominmamma is in the mood for a change of scene and leads an expedition to the Hattifatteners' lonely island. Snufkin catches sight of a terrific villain in the...2023-02-071h 01

The Podgoblin’s HatFinn Family Moomintroll (part 1)This week we're reading the first half of Finn Family Moomintroll. Spring has sprung and the children have discovered a very interesting hat on top of a hill. The hat starts to transform everything that sits inside it, from eggshells, to outlandish words, to Moomintroll himself. Moominmamma is in the mood for a change of scene and leads an expedition to the Hattifatteners' lonely island. Snufkin catches sight of a terrific villain in the heart of a storm. Our theme for this book is ALCHEMY, and we're looking at transformations and all things golden. Also, c...2023-02-071h 01

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 4: Comet in Moominland (part 2)This is the fourth episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. This week we're reading the second half of Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson, and what a rip roaring adventure it is! Moomintroll meets the fabled Snorkmaiden and falls in love on the spot, our brave adventurers attend not one but two end-of-the-world parties, and the philosopher gets stuck into something gooey. We talk about war and climate catastrophes (again! why is Moominland always threatened by climate change?) and discuss the heteronormativity of the...2023-01-3157 min

The Podgoblin’s HatComet in Moominland (part 2)This week we're reading the second half of Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson, and what a rip roaring adventure it is! Moomintroll meets the fabled Snorkmaiden and falls in love on the spot, our brave adventurers attend not one but two end-of-the-world parties, and the philosopher gets stuck into something gooey. We talk about war and climate catastrophes (again! why is Moominland always threatened by climate change?) and discuss the heteronormativity of the Snorkmaiden and Moomintroll's relationship, but also the ways in which they break that mould. This week, our qu...2023-01-3157 min

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 3: Comet In Moominland (part 1)This is the third episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. This week we're reading Comet in Moominland, the first fully fledged chapter book. There's lots of to discuss! The Little Creature from last week has become Sniff, a full member of the Moomin family by adoption. A philosopher comes knocking at the door in the middle of the night. But most importantly, Snufkin joins the cast. We talk about the way this book is structured, the ways in which it calls back to Flood...2023-01-2554 min

The Podgoblin’s HatComet In Moominland (part 1)This week we're reading Comet in Moominland, the first fully fledged chapter book. There's lots of to discuss! The Little Creature from last week has become Sniff, a full member of the Moomin family by adoption. A philosopher comes knocking at the door in the middle of the night. But most importantly, Snufkin joins the cast. We talk about the way this book is structured, the ways in which it calls back to Flood, and we make another fruitless attempt to discover how big Moomins are. Our #WhatWouldSnufkinDo question this week is...2023-01-2454 min

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 2: The Moomins and the Great FloodThis is the second episode of The Podgoblin's Hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. It's our first read-along and we're reading The Moomins and the Great Flood. We summarise this fairytale of Tove Jansson's, chat about her influences and make a first attempt at a taxonomy of the broader Moomin bestiary. This week our question for Snufkin is: Things keep stealing my time, and I can't manage to do the things I want to do. What would Snufkin do? If you've got a question for Snufkin, catch us...2023-01-1750 min

The Podgoblin’s HatThe Moomins and the Great FloodIt's our first read-along and we're reading The Moomins and the Great Flood. We summarise this fairytale of Tove Jansson's, chat about her influences and make a first attempt at a taxonomy of the broader Moomin bestiary. This week our question for Snufkin is: Things keep stealing my time, and I can't manage to do the things I want to do. What would Snufkin do? If you've got a question for Snufkin, catch us on Twitter and Instagram @ThePodgoblin or email us at thepodhat@gmail.com O...2023-01-1750 min

Getting Better AcquaintedThe Podgoblin's Hat Episode 1: IntroductionsThis is the first episode of the Podgoblin's hat, with Nina and Dave. You can find it on it's own feed wherever you get your podcasts. We will be introducing ourselves, our relationship with each other, and our relationships with the Moomins. Check out our twitter @ThePodgoblin and our Instagram @thepodgoblin to see pictures of the tattoos, cuddly toys and dog eared books we mentioned.2023-01-1126 min

The Podgoblin’s HatIntroductions!This is the first episode of the Podgoblin's hat, with Nina and Dave. We will be introducing ourselves, our relationship with each other, and our relationships with the Moomins. Check out our twitter @ThePodgoblin and our Instagram @thepodgoblin to see pictures of the tattoos, cuddly toys and dog eared books we mentioned. Related media The Japanese cartoon BBC Tove Jansson documentary Mentioned in this episode, our other projects: Getting Better Acquainted Even the Trunchbull Down to a Su...2023-01-1026 min

The Podgoblin’s HatTeaser trailerA little trailer to let you know what is to come on The Podgoblin's Hat, with Dave and Nina. 56d4fb04e48206ee3aeb937518d1aac955bba021 2022-12-2701 min