Lexicons Unbound

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,...

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 word witch has shifted from fear and persecution to reclamation and empowerment.Blending personal stories, folklore, women’s history, and cultural commentary, they ask: what does it mean to be call

Folklore, Fear, and the Viral “Man vs. Bear” DebateWhat 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 explore the bear as a powerful symbol in folklore—protector, predator, and primal force—and examine how it connects to modern conversations about women’s safety, autonomy, and survival instincts. From Go

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 can’t stop asking:What old patterns hide in the stories we tell today?Why do viral memes feel like modern myths?And how is folklore alive in the feeds we scroll every day?In this episode, yo

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, ...