It's Probably a Folk Thing

<p>Why does it matter so much where your blood comes from? And what happens when the DNA doesn't match the story?</p><p>In 2012, archaeologists pulled King Richard III out from under a parking lot in Leicester, England...

<p>Why do we say someone "passed away" instead of "died"? And why does it matter so much which words we choose?</p><p><br>In this episode, host Aaron Crawford explores the folklore behind death euphemisms — the...

<p>Christmas Eve at midnight feels magical, like you could just reach out and, like Adam in the Sistine Chapel, touch the finger of God. It's magical and meaning-fraught for children and adults alike. Drawing on...

<p>Why does everyone lose their collective mind when Christmas music shows up “too early”? In this episode, we dig into the folk social control behind holiday soundtracks: How communities quietly regulate behavior with...

<p>Treat or treating isn't just a fun way to gather enough candy to make a child ill for three days. It's a ritual inversion: A deliberate role reversal, where the tiny become powerful. Join host Aaron Crawford as we...

<p>When the air still feels like July but the store shelves smell like October, you know it’s happened: the pumpkin spice has returned. But why does that scent and that flavor have such a grip on us?</p><p>In this...

<p>When tragedy strikes, we don’t grieve alone. We light candles, stand in silence, leave flowers, and gather in public places: turning private sorrow into shared ritual. In this episode, host Aaron Crawford explores...

<p>The Pittsburgh Left: where courtesy outruns the rulebook. Discover how this neighborly traffic quirk became folklore - and why Mr. Rogers would’ve waved you through. </p>

<p>Why do we put fire on cake, make a wish, and then blow lung air all over dessert? From moon goddesses to magical forcefields to Betty Crocker, birthday cake has a surprisingly weird backstory. And yes: it’s...

<p>There you are, standing in the grocery store, surrounded by bins of green watermelons. You knock. You thump. You lift one like it’s a newborn and whisper, “Are you the chosen one?”</p><p>Someone next to you is doing...

<p>Why do we celebrate the birth of the United States by blowing up a bunch of pretty stuff in the sky? In this episode, we look at how fireworks became our go-to celebratory technique. America: It's a Boom-tiful...

<p>Ever wonder how an annual backyard barbecue turns into a three-day weekend? In this episode, we trace the journey of holidays from folk traditions to federal recognition. With Thanksgiving and Juneteenth as our...

<p>Did your dad rule the thermostat like an ancient deity? He might be playing out the archetypical sky father motif from folklore.</p><p>This episode tackles the father of all tropes - the complicated dad. From sky...