Bedtime Stories for the End of the World

Jay Bernard, Simran Uppal and Rhian Edwards dive into some of the world's most iconic compendiums of myth: The Arthurian Legends, the Ramayana and the Mabinogion. This week we bring you stories about the Hijra, third-gender people blessed by Rama for their loyalty and devotion. We revisit the myth of Blodeuwedd, a woman crafted from flowers to be the wife of the hero Lleu Llaw Gyffes. And we excavate a little-known myth in the Arthurian canon: Sir Morian, the Moorish son of one of the Knights of the Round Table.  Find out more: endoftheworldpodcast.com twitter.com/goodbyeworldpod

Kate Denereaz revisits the story of Melusine: a half-woman, half-serpent hiding her curse from her human husband and their children. Leke Oso Alabi brings Menelik I into modern London, asking what the offspring the Queen of Sheba and the biblical King Solomon would make of our divided times. Rachel Long explores the uses of storytelling and survival through her own family mythology. Find out more: endoftheworldpodcast.com twitter.com/goodbyeworldpod  

This week we're roaming around the borderlands, where towns and cities meet the wild. Miriam Nash pulls up a seat at the fire with the Nine Mothers of Heimdallr. Leonardo Boix leaves gifts of rum and cigars for the forest-dwelling spirit Pombero, Señor De La Noche. The story of Baucis and Philemon teaches Nick Garrard to be kind to strangers, just in case they're vengeful gods in disguise.  Find out more: endoftheworldpodcast.com/episode-four twitter.com/goodbyeworldpod

This is the week of wicked women. S. Niroshini faces down the goddess Kali. Lucia Dove visits Baba Yaga in her chicken leg hut at the edge of the forest. Joelle Taylor talks to the Furies, vengeful spirits who drive men insane. The hags and crones come out to play.    Find out more: endoftheworldpodcast.com @goodbyeworldpod

SYMPATHY FOR WILD HORSES This week Kayo Chingonyi, Phoebe Stuckes and Kandace Siobhan Walker are take long walks with lonely monsters. Nyami Nyami looks out on a modern Zambia, Cassandra rips her fishnet stockings, and Boo-Hags stalk the wetlands of the Deep South Find out more:endoftheworldpodcast.com/episode-twotwitter.com/goodbyeworldpod

Inua Ellams, Laurie Ogden and Alycia Pirmohamed unpack stories of travel and the heartbreak of homesickness. Featuring a mercenary Little Mermaid, a Persephone tale for third-culture kids, and Icarus fighting to survive in the refugee camps at the margins of Europe. Find out more: endoftheworldpodcast.com/episode-one@goodbyeworldpod

Welcome to Bedtime Stories for the End of the World - where we ask poets to rewrite their favourite myths, folk tales and fairy stories. First episode 18/06/18