Lexicons Unbound
From medieval monsters to modern memes, Lexicons Unbound traces the folklore in your everyday digital journey. Hosted by two narrative explorers with a day job in education, we talk about how legends shape our lives—online and off.
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Faith, Folklore and the Lessons They Left Us
In Faith, Folklore, and the Lessons They Left Us , Melanie reflects on the legacy of women healers often labeled “Granny Witches,” weaving personal memories of her grandmother with the broader folklore of women’s faith, care,...
The Witch Next Door
This October, Lexicons Unbound steps into the world of witches—not as broomstick caricatures, but as figures of power, resistance, and folklore. From Ozark “granny witches” to pop culture icons like Bedknobs and Broomsticks’ Eglantine Price and Bewitched’s Samantha, Melanie and Molly trace how the …
Trust the Bear
Folklore, Fear, and the Viral “Man vs. Bear” Debate What do fairy tales, survival instincts, and a viral social media debate have in common? In this episode of Lexicons Unbound, we unpack the question that took over timelines: Would you rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear? We ex…
Welcome to our Podcast
This short intro episode is your invitation into our world—a podcast where folklore meets your algorithm. We’re Melanie (writer, performer, and digital folklore translator) and Molly (researcher and professor specializing in storytelling and culture), two educators and lifelong story nerds who c…
Lexicons Unbound - Coming Soon
What do TikTok hauntings, monster memes, and bedtime stories have in common? They’re all part of the folklore that lives in our feeds. This is just the beginning—subscribe now and join us for stories that surprise, unsettle, ...
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Recent Blog Posts
Folklore Sparks Curiosity: The Tale of the Kensington Runestone
The story goes that in 1898, Olof Öhman was walking through his farm near Alexandria, Minnesota, when he came upon something entangled in aspen tree roots. Turns out, he had found an ancient artifact, circa 1362, now called the Kensington Runes…
Stepping on Cracks: Folkloric Superstitions
You’ve probably heard the saying. You may have even tested the theory. “Step on a crack, you’ll break your mother’s back.” Perhaps you jumped on the cracks when mad at your mother. Or maybe, you treaded ca…
Witch Balls: Beautiful decoration or Protective Charm?
Walking into a beautiful hand-blown glass shop, you might see a glass ball hanging in the window, especially if that window faces east. One glass shop sign explains that this “witch ball” is the first item created in a new glass studio t…