Macabre… Exciting… Beautiful…
These are not your grandma’s fairy tales…
On September 17, Ancient Faith Media and Nicholas Kotar (me!) present…
In a Certain Kingdom
This is a podcast where I retell famous and not-so-famous Slavic fairy tales. Then I explore what it is about these tales, and fairy tales in general, that makes them so relevant for our everyday, so-called “real lives.”
Here is the first episode as a tease for tomorrow’s launch, which will feature the first three episodes of the first season.
Synopsis
Many of us know the Grimm tales, the standards of a Western education. But not so many have read the weird and wonderful fairy tales of the Slavs. They are often dark, sometimes morbid, and not always happily-ever-after. But they have some of the most colorful characters you’ll ever meet.
A hag who travels in a flying pestle. An immortal villain who keeps dying… and always comes back to life again. Women warriors who put their superhero-boyfriends into their pockets. Literally!
But at the heart of these stories is profound, even spiritual meaning that makes them worth hearing again and again. They are indispensable for those of us who have lost our ability to see and appreciate the beautiful and transcendent in life.
“In a Certain Kingdom” is a podcast of 10-episode seasons, featuring some of the classic characters and stories from Slavic mythology.
Stars of the Show
Ivan the Prince: He may be a prince, but he’s not your typical hero. He makes mistakes worst that the biggest idiot. But it’s his humility that often saves the day.
Baba Yaga: Half-dead, half-alive, she’s the guardian of the land of the dead. She rides around the countryside in a massive mortar, propelling herself with a pestle. If you’re a good girl, she might help you get your wish. But if you’re a selfish boy, expect to be baked in a pie and eaten.
Koschei the Deathless: The guardian of the land of the dead. The kidnapper of all princesses. The secret power at the heart of all dark sorcery. He can’t be killed. Not unless you find his death, which is on the edge of a needle, inside an egg, inside a duck, inside a falcon, inside a fox, inside an impenetrable chest, on top of the largest tree in the world.
Vasilissa the Beautiful: Hardly a damsel in distress, Vasilissa forges her own fate by braving the worst dangers. Her purity and bravery pave a path to happiness, but not before she wins the heart of the prince and lives happily ever after.
Ivan the Idiot: He may be lazy, he may be dirty, he may have snot all over his face. But when push comes to shove, he always wins the day.
Core Themes
- Don’t look for truth on the surface of things; don’t believe everything you see; trust your heart to find the true path
- Relying on your own power and strength gets you in trouble. Humility, kindness, and friendship win the day.
- Anyone, even an idiot, can become a hero
- Injustice is always present, but always, even in the darkest times, good triumphs over evil
- You don’t have to be content with your lot in life. Go on a quest, and with bravery and humility both, you might just find your treasure.
(updated September 17)
We are now live!
Click here to listen to episodes 1-3 of In a Certain Kingdom!
Did you know that I created an exclusive audio miniseries on the power of stories? Give it a listen!