logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2021
57m 50s

The Legend of the Thunderbird

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

For millennia, indigenous communities in North America and other parts of the world told stories of a gigantic, predatory bird with the ability to alter the weather, punish the wicked, and sometimes aid the righteous. In the modern day, most people consider these bits of folklore to be just that -- legends and myths. But could the story of the Thunderbird be based on some grain of truth? Tune in to learn more.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Oct 10
What Comes After Humans? Chapter Two: The Next Dominant Species
Let's imagine the worst scenario for civilization: humans, for one reason or another, go extinct. What will rise from the ashes of the Anthropocene to take their place? In the second part of this two-part series, Ben, Matt and Dylan explore the possible candidates, from various h ... Show More
52m 8s
Oct 9
Listener Mail: Big Tobacco, Kaikōura Lights Theories, Post-Snuff Messages and More
The Chef calls in with a fascinating theory on the Kaikōura lights. Nemesis shares an inside look at Big Tobacco, answering Ben's earlier question about smoking inside (and much more). In the wake of the infamous Snuff episode, multiple Conspiracy Realists reach out with jokes, p ... Show More
55m 39s
Oct 8
What Comes After Humans? Chapter One: A Brief, Brightly Burning Light
Humans! Seems like they're everywhere these days. They've also been great for our show, so thanks! Anyhow, the Age of the Anthropocene has fundamentally altered the natural world -- and, no matter what happens, the legacy of the human will remain long after the actual species is ... Show More
49m 37s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2021
Selects: What is folklore?
What is folklore? Turns out it's just about anything you can think of that's shared by more than two people. Art, literature, stories, dance, music, traditions, even those family heirlooms qualify. Turns out folklore is pretty neat. Learn all about it in this classic episode. Lea ... Show More
42m 17s
Feb 2023
Urban Legends in the Internet Wilderness with the Digital Folklore Podcast
For this episode we chat about the sensational tales of cyberspace, from Slenderman to the Momo suicide game, with the guys behind the new podcast Digital Folklore, an immersive experience that explores online culture, internet monsters, memes, and urban legends as an accessible ... Show More
57m 40s
Jan 2019
Clara, The World's Most Famous Rhinoceros
For centuries most people in Europe thought of rhinos as another form of mythical creature, like unicorns or griffins. However, this all changed when an enterprising sea captain brought a young, orphaned rhino named Clara back to his home country after his travels abroad. It's of ... Show More
44m 9s
Jan 2022
The Trans-Saharan Ostrich Expedition of 1911
Most people haven't met an ostrich in person, but everyone knows what they are: the large, flightless birds have been around since before the rise of humanity, and throughout history people have admired their long, luxurious feathers. Back in the day, any self-respecting socialit ... Show More
50m 52s
May 2020
Hummingbirds: Ornery Helicopters of the Animal Kingdom
If you didn’t already know how amazing hummingbirds are, prepare to learn. Not only do they count among their numbers the smallest bird species, they are also lightning fast and have the endurance of a marathoner and a telethoner put together. Learn more about your ad-choices at ... Show More
46m 23s
Nov 2015
The Dark Origins of Fairy Tales
Fairy tales are for kids right? Well not at first they weren't. They were dark tales of murder, rape, incest, cannibalism and mayhem geared toward adults. What changed? Chuck and Josh will drop that knowledge and more in today's episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https: ... Show More
41m 31s
Dec 2021
Why Do Great Flood Myths Seem To Be Universal?
If look into the mythology of just about any culture in the world, you will find a myth about a great flood that destroyed humanity and submerged the Earth in the distant past. Does this mean that a great flood actually happened? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ih ... Show More
44m 41s
Jul 2020
For the Birds
In the spring of 1958, when the winter snow melted and the warm sun returned, the birds did not. Birdwatchers, ordinary people, everyone wondered where the birds had gone. Rachel Carson, a journalist and early environmentalist, figured it out — they’d been poisoned by DDT, a pest ... Show More
46m 52s
Jul 2020
The Village of Heroes
It looked like any ordinary roll of cloth, but it brought the dreaded plague to the village of Eyam. First it killed the tailor, then resident after resident succumbed. To stop the spread of the disease to neighbouring towns the people of Eyam agreed to isolate themselves and let ... Show More
21m 58s