The Story Apothecary

A humorous but very gory Scottish myth about a giant called Thrim and how through unforeseen circumstances, the midges- small biting flies- came to existence.
Story Prescription: A story about how people react in the face of adversity; a story of meeting your oppressor; a story of unexpected consequences from our actions; and of course a bit of humour about those vicious insects of the Scottish Highlands.
Story Caution: There is a lot of violence in this tale, so if you are of a sensitive temperament, please listen as you choose. Recommended age 10+

My guest today is Daniel Allison, a Scottish oral storyteller, USA Today best selling author and host of the House of Legends podcast, who has focused on making Celtic mythology accessible and alive for modern audiences.
In this podcast we talk about being a storyteller; Celtic mythology; Muay Thai and its parallels to the Fianna - Ireland's legendary band of warriors, balanced masculinity, the strong female figures of Celtic mythology and more.
Daniel shares the story of the Auld Cruivie, also known as Jack and the Dancing Trees. It is a Scottish tale about Jack who works for a greedy laird. One Midsummer's Night, the ancient trees of the forest pull their roots from the soil to dance by the river.
Story Prescription: an animistic story about the magic nature, against greed, and about the beauty of the landscape.
You can find more about Daniel on his website: https://www.houseoflegends.me/You can follow his writing on Substack: https://danielhouseoflegends.substack.com/aboutYou can follow him on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielallisonauthor/_To support my work financially you can 'buy me a coffee' as a one-off or regular way of supporting me if you enjoy listening. 
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Music: 
Thank you to In Feathers for the beautiful music.

Story Prescription: Story medicine for stories themselves. 
A story from Korea, about a greedy boy who demands stories from everyone he meets, stuffing them into a “story bag” and never sharing them. But the stories plan revenge!
Today is when my book Bulgarian Folk Tales is born into the world! Illustrated by the incredible Rima Staines. You can order your copy here: If you are in Bulgaria, then you can find them here.
If you wish to join me for the book launch, on the 4th or 7th June, you can find the details at: https://www.nanatomova.com/events
To support this podcast, you can '⁠⁠buy me a coffee'. ⁠⁠You can also tell your friends, which is free but means a lot. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave me a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music.
 
Story Sources: The Story-Bag: A Collection of Korean Folk Tales, 1957. So-un, Kim. Translated by Setsu Higashi; https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/story-bag

Story Prescription: A story of hopes and dreams. For when you're lacking enchantment in your life, and need reminding that things might not be what they seem, and that there is some magic in the world.
A beautiful Scottish tale from the Isle of Skye about the place where dreams are made of. 
I have a book of Bulgarian Folk Tales out on the 4th June 2026. You can find out more about it and pre-order it here for delivery worldwide. Find out more about it here.To support this podcast, you can '⁠⁠buy me a coffee'. ⁠⁠You can also tell your friends, which is free but means a lot. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave me a 5* review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music
Story Sources: I have read and heard the following storytellers tell this tale: Daniel Allison in his book Scottish Myths and Legends; Joanna Gilar during our Rewinding Sleeping Beauty project; Beverley Bryant via Map of Stories; Graeme Johncok via Folklore Scotland; Sarah Hobbs from Strathspey Story Walks.
 
 

Story Prescription: For anyone who finds themselves in difficulty. A reminder that every challenging journey starts with a single step.
A story from Georgia about a young woman called Svetlana, who walks towards the light in attempt to save someone she loves.
I have a book of Bulgarian Folk Tales out on the 4th June 2026. You can find out more about it and pre-order it here for delivery worldwide. Find out more about it here.To support this podcast, you can '⁠⁠buy me a coffee'. ⁠⁠You can also tell your friends, which is free but means a lot.Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music

Story Prescription: A women's initiation journey from girlhood to womanhood. 
Story Caution: This story contains adult themes, some gore, and some strong language. It is suitable for children age 12+ and adults.A young girl goes into the forest and on the way to her grandmother's house meets a wolf. If you think you know this story, think again. This is the women's oral version, centuries old. In it, women can think on their feet and can ask the right questions. 
To support this podcast, you can '⁠⁠buy me a coffee'. ⁠⁠You can also tell your friends, which is free but means a lot.
Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music

Story Prescription: A tale of women's wisdom, and the healing power of music.
Story Caution: This story contains descriptions of imprisonment.
A beautiful and humorous story rom Russia, where a wise Tsarista (a queen) plays music to save a life.
 
To support this podcast, you can '⁠⁠buy me a coffee'. ⁠⁠You can also tell your friends, which is free but means a lot.
Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music, and to Megan Sahara for the harp music.
 
Story Sources: Russian Folktales (1915); Fearless Girls, Wise Women, and Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World (2000).

Story Prescription: A favourite tale that shows us that after darkness there is light, that after winter there is spring, that after grief, there is hope.
 
Story Caution: This story contains contains themes of rape within a paradigm of mythic narrative.
 
A story from Ancient Greece, about a daughter called Persephone's abduction, and her mournful, wrathful and unrelenting search by her mother, Demeter.
 
To support this podcast, you can '⁠⁠buy me a coffee'. ⁠⁠You can also tell your friends, which costs nothing.
Music: Thank you to ⁠⁠In Feathers ⁠⁠for the beautiful music.
 
Story Sources: Homer; Ovid; Myths of the Sacred Tree

Story Prescription: To know love, we also must know that it may not last forever. To appreciate life, we must know that it cannot stay for eternity. This is a story about love and about death, and how the two are interlinked. Mostly it's a story about life and love, from Armenia.Thank you to InFeathers for the Music.Get your ticker to join me for A Damsel Not In Distress - Untamed Tales for International Women’s Day. It will be a great night.

​Story Prescription: A Christmas story about hope​​A story from the Ukraine about a poor family at Christmas, but miracles do happen!​​Stories of ⁠Vampires, Ghosts & Creatures of the Night:⁠ Saturday 4th January on Zoom. If you're interested in hearing some wonderfully dark stories for the Bulgarian 'Dirty Days' join me and musician In Feathers. ⁠More information here.⁠​If you enjoy this podcast, you can '⁠buy me a coffee' ⁠as a one-off way of supporting me if you enjoy listening. ​Music: Thank you to ⁠In Feathers ⁠for the beautiful music.