Return of the Yokai

Football helmets can prevent devastating injuries, but they may also help make an inherently violent game feel safer than it really is. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podca ... Show More

A closer look at the messy, beautiful bricks hiding across Chicago. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, ... Show More

Comedian, writer, and podcaster Jamie Loftus has always known about Alcoholics Anonymous. As a kid, she loved the album where her dad kept all his AA chips — that little piece of plastic that marks a day, a month, a year of sobriety. Now as an adult, Jamie wanted to understand wh ... Show More

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss Japan’s beloved yuru-chara, corporate and governmental mascots that are undeniably cute but with deeper connections to other aspects of Japanese culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Pete and Chris begin the show with a hijacking, go on to talk about Mascots, and then the Olympics. A mixed bag!Check out this bizarre collection of macots: https://twitter.com/mondomascotsWanna say hi? abroadinjapanpodcast@gmail.comMore Abroad In Japan shows available below, sub ... Show More

It seems the unavoidable fate of all terrifying monsters, doesn’t it? We reduce the most horrifying creatures of myth, legend and folklore to an adorable kids costume or a mega-cute illustration. Why can’t we help ourselves? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and ... Show More

Three stories of monsters from Japan. We have a tanuki, the monsters that lurk in the civilized places, and monsters that might be under your home right now. The creature is a decapitated man who loves hugs. -- Scoundrel! https://myths.link/scoundrel -- Sponsors: Indeed: Start hi ... Show More

<p>It seems the unavoidable fate of all terrifying monsters, doesn’t it? We reduce the most horrifying creatures of myth, legend and folklore to an adorable kids costume or a mega-cute illustration. Why can’t we help ourselves? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert a ... Show More

A mythical shape-shifter? An evil raccoon dog? The Tanuki is one of Japan’s most famous fairy tale creatures, known for being a trickster god lurking in the woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 

<div>Two stories from Japan about samurai (and wannabe samurai) following their dreams. Too bad it takes fights with giant creatures and a little bit of murder to do so.<br> <br> The creature this time is ao nyōbō, and she doesn't want you to stop by her beautiful, horribly dilap ... Show More

<p>Two short stories from Japan. On the first, an old man is in a tree surrounded by demons and faced with a desperate choice. On the second, a man has a pet that his wife is not thrilled about, so she makes that known. With scissors.</p> <p>The creature is a sad cow! Or a vamp ... Show More

Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! Get exclusive Japanese horror merchandise and join the Discord! Japan is the land of 8 million kami, and not all of them are good. People are often warned not to mess around with the sac ... Show More

Spooky cats are an iconic part of Halloween iconography, so in this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe dive into the world of Kaibyō: the various strange and supernatural cats found in Japanese tradition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.