Best Devon Wesley Podcasts (2025)

1
The Wesley Poltergeist and the Bishopwearmouth Poltergeist Go Head-to-Head 27:59

3d ago27:59

27:59

Last week, we looked at some poltergeist definitions and whether such definitions are even helpful. Can something as truly bizarre as a 'knocking spirit' be boiled down to a series of checkboxes on a form? Yet they're also not the invention of the 20th century. Nor are they the preserve of ghost hunters or psychics. Poltergeist accounts stretch bac…

1
Poltergeists: Noisy Ghosts or Household Spirits? 19:16

10d ago19:16

19:16

This episode of Fabulous Folklore begins with a reading of the Poltergeist entry from my new book, Ghostlore, before we explore the problem with poltergeists - how do you define one?! From deciding what phenomena to include to picking a name, the poltergeist proves to be a flexible yet elusive figure in historical accounts. Is that spontaneous fire…

1
White Ladies, Ghost Nuns & Spectral Children in Haunted Madrid 20:50

17d ago20:50

20:50

People have lived in the Madrid area since prehistoric times. Occupied by Romans, Moors, and then the Spanish, it has quite the history. Over 6.8 million people live in Madrid. That's less than Paris and London but more than Berlin. Of course, a capital city will boast a few ghost stories. The ghosts of those executed for heresy and witchcraft in t…

1
Murder Ballads and Dark Folk Music with Katy Horan 50:12

19d ago50:12

50:12

In this chat, I'm talking to illustrator Katy Horan about murder ballads, discussing what they are, how they work within folk music, how contemporary musicians have tried to reclaim the tradition, and the issues with examining ballads when all you might have is the lyrics! Katy Horan is an illustrator and interdisciplinary artist whose work has bee…

1
The Venetian Legend of the Carvings of Castello 16:25

24d ago16:25

16:25

If you head away from the hustle and bustle of the Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square), you’ll head into the stranger, more magical part of Venice. It’s in the tangle of narrow streets and courts that you enter the realm of Venetian legend. It's difficult to know how many of them have any basis in fact. One legend sees the Devil face off with legen…

1
Dublin Ghost Stories of Phantom Dogs and Mysterious Figures 17:40

1M ago17:40

17:40

Dublin is a beautiful city that straddles the River Liffey, famous as the home of Guinness and the National Leprechaun Museum. What you might not expect from the Irish capital is a series of Dublin ghost stories. Though why not? The city enjoys a millennium of history, including Viking settlement, economic hardship caused by the Dissolution of the …

1
Folk Traditions and Strange Sights in Florence 23:54

1M ago23:54

23:54

Florence was founded in the 1st century BCE as a Roman military outpost, although it came to prominence as a centre of commerce and the arts in the 14th to 16th centuries CE. The Florentine method of speech even became the Italian language. Some of the city's most famous exports are Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, Michelangelo, and Niccolo Machiavelli,…

1
Witches in Devon and Witchcraft Trials in Theatre with Tracey Norman 1:05:53

1M ago1:05:53

1:05:53

Tracey has written fiction for as long as she can remember, covering a variety of genres and subjects. Her first stage play WITCH, a historical drama based on original English witch trial transcripts, premiered in 2016 and has been performed more than 80 times to date. Tracey’s most recent publications were Dark Folklore (2021), co-written with her…

1
The Newcastle Witch Trials and Northern Cunning Men with Dave Silk 52:36

2M ago52:36

52:36

Dave Silk is a storyteller and historian from Newcastle upon Tyne and co-author of Tyne and Wear Folktales for Children. He collects and retells traditional tales and ancient stories from around these isles and further afield and enjoys rearing pet leeches and practicing the Dark Arts. In the daytime, he is usually found doing his ‘normal job’ of l…

1
Margery Jourdemayne and the Coggeshall Witch with Deborah Hyde 43:37

2M ago43:37

43:37

In this third episode of our Witches, Cunning Folk & Magic theme, I'm talking to Deborah Hyde, an author, presenter and producer who has written for periodicals such as The Guardian and The Fortean Times, and who specialises in the subject of weird belief. For ten years, Deborah was Editor-in-Chief of The Skeptic and is a fellow of The Committee fo…

1
Witches in History and Superstition with Willow Winsham 48:30

2M ago48:30

48:30

In this second episode of our Witches, Cunning Folk & Magic theme, I'm talking to Willow Winsham, an author and historian specialising in folklore, and the history of the English witch trials. Her books include the highly popular Treasury of Folklore series from Batsford Books, and Accused: British Witches Throughout History from Pen and Sword Book…

1
Cunning Folk and Practical Magic with Dr Tabitha Stanmore 52:30

2M ago52:30

52:30

In this first episode of our Witches, Cunning Folk & Magic theme, I'm talking to Dr Tabitha Stanmore! She's a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Exeter on the Leverhulme-funded Seven County Witch Hunt Project, investigating the people affected by the 1640s witch trials in eastern England. Her doctoral research was funded by the South, We…

1
Finding the Lort Burn, One of Newcastle's Buried Rivers 28:08

2M ago28:08

28:08

Much is often made of London's lost rivers, like the Tyburn, Fleet, and Walbrook. Yet Newcastle upon Tyne also has rivers we cannot see. Ours are not lost, rather they're simply buried. The Skinnerburn, Erick Burn, Pandon Burn, Lam Burn, and Lort Burn all continue to flow beneath the city, down to the mighty Tyne. The Lort Burn is perhaps the most …

1
#98: 100k Months? Morgan Gillis on Mentorship, Sales, & Building a Life You Want 1:04:42

2M ago1:04:42

1:04:42

Morgan Gillis - Instagram: @iammorgangillis What does it really take to become the person you’re meant to be? In this episode, T Rex sits down with Morgan Gillis, a business coach, entrepreneur, and former motocross rider whose path to success came from bold decisions and dedication. From solo trips across the U.S. in search of mentorship, to build…

1
Ghosts, Lantern Men, and Treasure in the Norfolk Broads 17:41

3M ago17:41

17:41

The Broads National Park, often known as the Norfolk Broads, is one of the UK's 15 National Parks. Seven rivers and over sixty waterways called Broads comprise the park. In the medieval era, locals dug peat from the land for fuel. By the 14th century, these channels flooded and created the Broads. They'd become a popular boating destination by the …

1
Geomany & Practical Divination with Dr Alex Cummins 1:06:31

3M ago1:06:31

1:06:31

Dr Alexander Cummins is a contemporary cunning-man and historian of magic. His magical specialities are the dead (folk necromancy), divination (geomancy), the cunning-crafts of traditional British service magic, and the grimoires. His published works include The Black Raven with Brian Johnson, Nazarth: Pillars of Gladness, The Art of Cyprian’s Mirr…

1
Haunted Canals of England, Scotland & Wales 20:00

3M ago20:00

20:00

Canals occupy a strange place in the cultural imagination. They're manmade, yet offer a connection to nature, and they offer a means of transport, but one that's only accessible by boat. Some cities depend on canals, like Amsterdam or Venice, while in the UK, canals are often overlooked or forgotten spaces that have long outlived their original pur…

1
Healing Springs and Wells at Glastonbury, Carrawburgh and Lourdes 19:56

3M ago19:56

19:56

We've no doubt seen plenty of content online about water's power to be a great healer. We need to drink it (this is your reminder for today), while people swear by cold water baths for their wellbeing. Then we think about how much water appears in nature, somewhere we're often counselled to go to improve our mental health. I think of how often I fi…

1
Following the route of the Walbrook, one of London's lost rivers 24:07

3M ago24:07

24:07

A sense of mystery gathers around London's lost rivers, with their names whispered like forgotten deities from an ancient cult. Fleet, Tyburn, Walbrook, Effra, Westbourne, Neckinger. In some cases, they aren't so much lost, as buried. Sometimes, they break ground, appearing where you least expect them. Take the grey duct that carries the Westbourne…

1
Church Curiosities: Finding Folklore in Carvings and Statues 23:20

4M ago23:20

23:20

Visiting churches might not sound like everyone's idea of a great time. Yet the buildings are stuffed with strange carvings, peculiar graffiti, interesting artwork, and even sassy memorials. These church curiosities tell us a lot about what mattered to people in centuries past. They also preserve folklore, legends, and the beliefs of the congregati…

1
Telling and Preserving Ghost Stories with W.J. Gilbert 1:10:41

4M ago1:10:41

1:10:41

W.J. Gilbert is a writer, storyteller, and creator of the YouTube channel Eerie Edinburgh. Based in Edinburgh, he’s the author of the best-selling Hidden Haunts: Scotland, Hidden Haunts: England, and Ghostly Tales of the NC500 — a haunted journey through Scotland’s most legendary road trip route. His next book, Hidden Haunts: Ireland, is currently …

1
Holy Cross Church and the Witches of Wallsend 16:09

4M ago16:09

16:09

Churches can be sites of divination, haunted locations, and important community hubs. Yet in Wallsend, Holy Cross Church is notorious for a tale of witches and heroic derring-do. The ruin might not look like it now, but appearances can be deceptive. It's not just a chapel. Throw in a midnight ritual, grotesque women, a desecrated corpse and an infa…

1
#97: Don’t Panic, Prepare: How to Start Investing in a Shaky Economy 58:12

4M ago58:12

58:12

Confused by all the stock market headlines and tariff talk lately? Let’s make it make sense. In this episode, the guys break down what’s really going on with Trump’s tariffs, the impact on the global economy, and why smart investors aren’t panicking, they’re preparing. Instead of focusing on the noise, they zero in on the opportunity: why this migh…

1
The Tale of Enon Chapel: London's Most Notorious Burial Site 19:53

4M ago19:53

19:53

Here in the 21st century, death and burial often occur as part of a sanitised process. Death happens away from home, often in hospitals, and funerals are usually tidy, respectful affairs. We can forget that this wasn't always the case, and that our quaint, inner city gardens were sometimes putrescent burial grounds, crammed with rotting remains. Ev…

1
The Folklore of Lychgates and Popular Burial Monuments 23:17

4M ago23:17

23:17

You would absolutely know a lychgate if you saw one. They make popular backdrops for wedding photos, and provide a quaint air of rustic charm to country churchyards. They're the wooden or stone gateway, complete with tiled roof, that marks the entry into the churchyard. Not all churches have them, and they're far more common outside churches in the…

1
Folklore and Church Names: Preserving Local History 20:40

5M ago20:40

20:40

I started out with the intention of looking at unusual church names. The problem was, this offered the potential to accidentally poke fun at their congregations. It also didn't help that most churches in the UK have pretty similar names. They're named for individual saints, like St Nicholas' Cathedral in Newcastle, or even all saints like, funnily …

1
#96: Reset Your Goals, Reclaim Your Year 41:12

5M ago41:12

41:12

Feel like your year’s off to a slow start? Let’s get back in the game. After a short hiatus, the guys are back and getting real about where they’re at—mentally, emotionally, and in their personal growth. Whether you’ve felt off-track, stuck, or just late to the game this year, this episode will give you the mindset shift and motivation you need to …

1
Origins of Sports Team Names: Preserving Folklore and History 23:03

5M ago23:03

23:03

Looking at the origins of sports team names might seem antithetical to folklore. Yet sport forms part of the ritual calendar for many people, whether on a personal or a mass scale. Look at the good luck rituals people follow before they watch their team play. Or how about the sporting events that become part of the folk tradition of a place through…

1
Cader Idris Lore and Writing Folklore with Victoria Male 1:00:03

5M ago1:00:03

1:00:03

Victoria Male is an internationally recognized screenwriter, earning accolades from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, film festivals, and major industry lists. Her prose has been published worldwide in fifteen literary magazines and she’s written op-eds for major publications. She worked in creative development for The Montecito Pictur…

1
The Folklore of British Pub Names Linked to Local History 19:34

5M ago19:34

19:34

There is no shortage of bizarre pub names in the UK. Some of them appear to be a combination of random objects, like the Frog and Nightgown. Others have a local story behind their odd name. I've covered unusual pub names before, so consider this Part 2. Yet when I started researching these examples, it became apparent that pub names didn't have to …

1
Strange Street Names: From The Philog to Dog Leap Stairs 19:58

5M ago19:58

19:58

Unlike place names, which often give us information who once lived somewhere, street names can be a different case entirely. Sometimes they bear the names of notable (and often now infamous) people. Other times they refer to long-gone industries performed in the area - you can guess what happened on Cock Lane in London, site of the Cock Lane Polter…

1
From Coven to Hot Coffee: The Folklore of Place Names Part 2 21:25

5M ago21:25

21:25

Place names are important and pass on a lot of valuable information, even if we no longer understand how to interpret it. Within them, they tell us who used to live in an area, or what natural features were important. Some of them even end up with a range of legends to explain names that might otherwise seem random or bizarre. Folklore attempts to …

1
Goats in Folklore: From the Farmyard Doctor to the Devil 21:46

6M ago21:46

21:46

When I decided to write about goats in folklore, I thought I would find plenty of content. After all, they appear in mythology. Look at Amalthea, the goat reputed to have raised Zeus in Greek myth. Or the goats associated with the goatherd in the Auriga constellation. That's before we get anywhere near the sign of Capricorn. Yet in terms of actual …

1
Race and the European Fairy Tale with Prof Kimberly Lau 51:15

6M ago51:15

51:15

Kimberly J. Lau is a professor of literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is the author of Erotic Infidelities: Love and Enchantment in Angela Carter's "The Bloody Chamber" (Wayne State University Press), Body Language: Sisters in Shape, Black Women's Fitness, and Feminist Identity Politics, and New Age Capitalism: Making Money …

1
Pigs in Folklore: From Piggy Banks to Spectral Sows 18:59

6M ago18:59

18:59

Pigs appear in folklore in somewhat unusual ways. Sometimes, they choose the location where a church should be built. Or they appear as phantoms, haunting misty moorland. Sailors or fishermen considered pigs unlucky, and wouldn't even say 'pig' at sea. If they met a pig on their way to the boat, they would postpone sailing. Some of them went so far…

1
Cows in Folklore: From Fairy Cattle to Spectral Calves 23:24

6M ago23:24

23:24

Certain animals might spring to mind when it comes to folklore. Hares, horses, deer, cats - they all have an otherworldly quality to them. Would you consider the same of cows? There's a surprising amount of folklore about cows. They can be death omens, fairy cattle, consumption cures, or even the guardians of treasure. That's not even considering t…

1
From the Archives: 10 Turn-Ons & 10 Turn-Offs That Captivate or Repel Men 29:40

6M ago29:40

29:40

Have you ever wondered what truly turns a man on and the deal-breakers that can leave him cold? In this episode, we delve into the laws of attraction, exploring what truly captivates men and what quickly extinguishes their interest. From the 10 biggest turn-ons to the top 10 turn-offs, we uncover the factors that attract men the most and those that…

1
Sheep in Folklore: From Medical Remedies to Good Luck Charms 19:05

6M ago19:05

19:05

Following on from 2024's theme of the Folklore of Animals, this month we'll examine the Folklore of Agricultural Animals. This week, we'll explore the folklore, legends, and even folk medicine associated with sheep. Sheep are not native to the UK. Neolithic settlers brought them to Britain from southwest Asia in around 3000 BCE. Sheepskin and other…

1
#95: Why Going Back to School in Your 30s, 40s, or Beyond Can Be a Game-Changer for Your Career 37:16

6M ago37:16

37:16

Is it ever too late to go back to school? In this episode, B.I.G Dreamz and T Rex dive into the decision to return to education later in life and why continuous learning could be key to long-term success. B.I.G Dreamz shares his journey of going back to school after a decade in the six-figure income bracket—why he made the choice, what he’s studyin…

1
Sámi Myths and Legends with Niina Niskanen 44:27

6M ago44:27

44:27

Niina Niskanen is a Finnish artist, writer and a folklorist who specialises in Finnish, Baltic and Sámi Mythology. She is an online educator and hosted “Heart of Mielikki,” one of the first online courses about Finnish mythology for non-Finnish speaking audiences. Niina is also an artist with a BA in illustration. Her work has been displayed in num…

1
Mourning Folklore: From Giving Rings to Wearing Black 27:22

7M ago27:22

27:22

If you think of the phrase "to be in mourning", you'll probably imagine a Victorian scene. Perhaps a black-clad widow ushers similarly black-clad children to a desolate graveyard in the depths of autumn. Or maybe you picture a grand house, shuttered up against the world that continues outside, while life is paused for those inside as they grieve th…

1
From the Archives: From Dreams to Reality: Travel Hacks & Tips with Seasoned Traveler Jacki Mercer 53:30

7M ago53:30

53:30

Are you dreaming of starting your travel adventure but don’t know where to begin? In this episode, T Rex and J Dragon are joined by Jacki Mercer, a seasoned traveler who has spent the past 18 years living around the world. Jacki, a transformational coach, podcast producer, and podcast co-host, shares her journey from where she started to her curren…

1
The Green Children of Woolpit: Fairies, Aliens, or Something Else? 18:58

7M ago18:58

18:58

According to legend, two green children wandered into a village in 12th-century Suffolk. No one knew who they were or where they came from. Their refusal to eat and unfamiliar language made locals wary. Over time, they gradually assimilated and told a fantastic story of their origins. Were they fairies? Lost children with big imaginations? Extrater…

1
From the Archives: Part 2: Actor, Producer, & Oncologist Dr. Roy Vongtama with Strategies for a Balanced, Happier Life 44:50

7M ago44:50

44:50

We are back for Part two with Dr. Roy Vongtama, a board-certified radiation oncologist, actor, and producer, as he continues with transformative stories from his patients that have profoundly shifted his perspective. He explores the keys to genuine happiness, providing practical tips for a balanced, fulfilling life. Sharing his definition of health…

1
From the Archives: Dr. Roy Vongtama: Oncologist, Actor, & Producer on Mind-Body Health & Integrating Western & Eastern Medicine 42:39

7M ago42:39

42:39

Ever wondered what practices you can do that will leave you with a healthier, happier body and mind? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Roy Vongtama, a board-certified radiation oncologist, actor, and producer. Dubbed the real-life Dr. McDreamy, Dr. Roy brings a unique perspective on health, mental well-being, and the integration of …

1
The Folklore of Dowsing, aka Water Witching 21:18

7M ago21:18

21:18

Dowsing is a fascinating form of divination since it is often used to find water, minerals, or even lost items. While other forms of divination like tarot or botanomancy seek to provide information, here the information is often of a tangible sort. Rather than telling a fortune, or providing a prophetic dream that must be interpreted, dowsing appea…

1
The Geordie Dialect: Its History and Some Basic Phrases 26:28

7M ago26:28

26:28

There can be a tendency to view folklore as antiquated customs, old legends, or outdated practices. Yet folklore is not disconnected from contemporary life, and is an ever-evolving part of our lived experience. Folk music and folk art are two obvious branches, yet dialect and language is another. Louise Pound refers to dialect as "a species of folk…

1
From the Archives: Part 2 with Dr. Mike Frazier MD: Mastering Communication for Stronger Relationships 45:57

7M ago45:57

45:57

Are you interested in mastering communication in your relationship? Join us for part two of our conversation with Dr. Mike Frazier MD, host of the "Strong Men, Strong Marriages" podcast. As a renowned psychiatrist specializing in neuroscience, Dr. Mike offers invaluable insights into fostering intimacy and effective communication within relationshi…

1
The Loch Ness Monster: Kelpie, Legend, or Giant Eel? 19:58

8M ago19:58

19:58

The Loch Ness Monster is perhaps one of the world's most enduring mysteries. Does a giant reptile really lurk in a Scottish loch? Has it somehow survived for millennia on its own? Or is it something darker and more dangerous? It is, after all, a monster. Its legend dates to the 7th century, although recorded sightings really begin in earnest in the…

1
#94: Wrapping Up the Year & Winning 2025—Mindset, Goals, & Growth 44:30

8M ago44:30

44:30

Are you ready to step into the new year and make it your most intentional one yet? In this episode, the guys catch up on their past month—celebrating big wins like filming a documentary, wrapping up a first semester, and making moves on socials—while sharing the lessons and challenges that came with it. But the real focus is on looking ahead and se…

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