Forgotten American Folklore
Folktales, Folk Music, Americana- the things that make America uniquely American. We’ll explore the people, tall tales, songs, stories and events that make up the culture of North America. Paul Bunyan, werewolves in Louisiana, John Henry, Daniel Boone, Bigfoot... Everyone will be here. From songs describing murders in Boston to George Washington’s wooden teeth.
Episodes
Aug 9, 2026
Aug 9, 2026
13 min
I used to do a Georgia history podcast called Moving through Georgia- I found some stories in my old notes about the practice of cunjure- kinda like hoodoo or folk magic- from Georgia.
We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com
If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution. You can use:
Venmo
or
Cashapp
Aug 2, 2026
Aug 2, 2026
20 min
A quick history of bank robbery, and a few tips. Butch Cassidy, the Lamm Technique, safe crackers, and a bank robbery gone wrong in 1972. Did you know practically nobody robs banks on Tuesday or Wednesday?
We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com
If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution. You can use:
Venmo
or
Cashapp
Jul 26, 2026
Jul 26, 2026
16 min
The rise and fall of John Dillinger and the rise of the FBI.
We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com
If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution. You can use:
Venmo
or
Cashapp
Jul 22, 2026
Jul 22, 2026
8 min
This is an Americanized version of the Bluebeard story, it could take place pretty much anywhere in the Midwest.
We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com
If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution. You can use:
Venmo
or
Cashapp
Jul 19, 2026
Jul 19, 2026
13 min
In 1925 the city of Nome faced an outbreak of a deadly disease. The only way to have medicine brought in was by dogsled, and a relay of mushers and dogs would eventually bring hope back to Nome.
We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com
If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution. You can use:
Venmo
or
Cashapp
Jul 12, 2026
Jul 12, 2026
13 min
Charles Boles, known as Black Bart, committed 28 stagecoach robberies and built a reputation as a bandit... and a poet.
We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com
If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution. You can use:
Venmo
or
Cashapp
Jul 8, 2026
Jul 8, 2026
3 min
A story told in constellations from the northern Micmac people.
We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com
If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution. You can use:
Venmo
or
Cashapp
Jul 5, 2026
Jul 5, 2026
11 min
So many Western folk heroes were involved in stagecoach robberies, let's take a few minutes and plan one of our own!
We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com
If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution. You can use:
Venmo
or
Cashapp
Jun 28, 2026
Jun 28, 2026
14 min
Sadly, the display of human oddities was part of entertainment in the nineteenth century. This week we meet some of the few who made successuful lives in the sideshow tent.
We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com
If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution. You can use:
Venmo
or
Cashapp
Jun 21, 2026
Jun 21, 2026
12 min
One last highlight in Barnum's career before he starts his famous circus.
We would love to hear your questions or comments: fafolklore@gmail.com
If you enjoy the podcast, maybe you’d like to make a contribution. You can use:
Venmo
or
Cashapp