Best Raven Davis Podcasts (2025)

1
Local Legends #41: Dr Owen Davies and Dr Ceri Houlbrook 1:14:20

13d ago1:14:20

1:14:20

On this week's episode of Local Legends, the penultimate for Series 6, Martin is joined around the campfire by folklorists, academics, and Folklore Society big-wigs, Dr Owen Davies and Dr Ceri Houlbrook. They are the masterminds behind, the University of Hertfordshire’s Masters degree course in Folklore Studies. It’s a one of a kind qualification, …

1
Cinderella 16:56

19h ago16:56

16:56

The sixth tale in our "Fairy Book Project" is one of the most iconic of all: Cinderella - complete with glass slippers, mean sisters (again!) and a particularly strict rule related to midnight... If you are unfamiliar with the Lang Fairy Tales, these seminal collections were assembled between 1889 and 1913 by a married couple, folklorists and trans…

1
The Master Maid 36:57

4d ago36:57

36:57

The fifth tale in our "Fairy Book Project" is The Master Maid - a deeply twisted romance about how mean troll sisters are, the mountain-growing power of salt, and how great it is to be the king's son... If you are unfamiliar with the Lang Fairy Tales, these seminal collections were assembled between 1889 and 1913 by a married couple, folklorists an…

1
Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, scientist 50:58

5d ago50:58

50:58

Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu is Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience at University College London and President of Wolfson College, University of Cambridge. She has devoted her career to harnessing the potential of nanoparticles – which are less than a thousandth of the width of a human hair - to take medicines to hard-to-reach areas of the bod…

1
Local Legends #42: Hugh Lupton 1:20:23

6d ago1:20:23

1:20:23

On this week's episode of Local Legends, the very last episode of Series 6, Martin is joined around the campfire by award-winning storyteller, performer, author, poet, lyricist, and very nice man, Hugh Lupton! Hugh’s career spans over 40 years, both in terms of his solo projects and his partnerships with other artists, writers, musicians, illustrat…

1
The Lovely Litha Midsummer Super Solstice Special! 1:06:13

8d ago1:06:13

1:06:13

On this week's Bonus Episode - the last one of Series 6 - we're talking all things Midsummer! Folding in the history of the term 'Litha' which is sometimes also applied to the day, we're talking Gerald Gardner and the birth of Wicca, the parts Aleister Crowley, the Druids, and the Rosicrucians had to play in the revival/creation of pagan traditions…

1
Series 6 Episode 13: Norfolk 2:11:14

11d ago2:11:14

2:11:14

In today's episode of Three Ravens, it's series finale time, and Martin is guiding us through the history and folklore Norfolk! We begin by acknowledging quite what an extraordinary journey we have been on in just over two years, and then discuss Appleby Horse Fair which is happening right now - get along to it if you can! Then, we navigate to Norf…

1
Danny Dyer, actor 49:54

12d ago49:54

49:54

Actor Danny Dyer became a household name when he joined the cast of EastEnders as Mick Carter, landlord of the Queen Victoria pub. He recently stole the show from some stiff competition playing Freddie Jones in the television adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel Rivals which won him a Royal Television Society Award for Best Supporting Actor. Danny wa…

1
Magus #4: Morgan Le Fay 1:13:11

15d ago1:13:11

1:13:11

On this month's episode of Magus we are peering back through the mists of time, to a time of myth and belief in myths, to investigate the origins, theoretical biography, and the symbolic meanings of an Arthurian icon: Morgan Le Fay! From the first mention of Morgan Le Fay in writing, care of Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century, we explore how …

1
Series 6 Episode 12: Hertfordshire 1:59:40

18d ago1:59:40

1:59:40

On this week's episode - the penultimate of the series - Eleanor is luring us out into the rolling farmland and woodlands of Hertfordshire, to dig deep into its history and folklore, and wake the ghost of a fiery, horse-riding highway-woman! We start off chatting about the relative 'Nothing Day' that is the 2nd of June, running through some broader…

1
Classic Desert Island Discs - Jack Thorne 35:41

19d ago35:41

35:41

Jack Thorne, screenwriter and playwright, shares the eight tracks, book and luxury item he would want with him if cast away on a desert island. With Lauren Laverne.By BBC Radio 4

1
Local Legends #40: Jack Raven 1:58:13

20d ago1:58:13

1:58:13

On this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined around the campfire by folklorist, YouTuber, and all-round champion for Staffordshire, Jack Raven! As anyone familiar with his documentaries and video essays will know, 'Jack Raven' is a character - a talking, animated corvid - inspired by the 20th century Staffordshire folklorist and musici…

1
Forgotten Melodies #4: Villain Songs 1:17:26

22d ago1:17:26

1:17:26

Cover your faces and wield your flintlocks with care, as on this month's Forgotten Melodies bonus episode we're talking all about Villain Songs - in particular, Van Diemen's Land, The Female Highwayman, and The Lincolnshire Poacher! As ever, the episode contains new takes on all three of these songs from Eleanor and Ben, as well as plenty of chat a…

1
Series 6 Episode 11: Staffordshire 2:03:17

25d ago2:03:17

2:03:17

On the week's episode of Three Ravens we're mining out the black gold of history and folklore of Staffordshire - a county with some pretty dark parts, and some very silly ones, too. We start off discussing the tradition of Rogationtide, a week-long celebration that would have started today, which basically involved smacking the ghosts out of your v…

1
Classic Desert Island Discs - Dame Joan Plowright 35:13

26d ago35:13

35:13

Sue Lawley talks to the actor Dame Joan Plowright in a programme first broadcast in 2006. Dame Joan died in January at the age of 95.By BBC Radio 4

1
Local Legends #39: Dr Rory Waterman and Dr Anna Milon 1:31:33

27d ago1:31:33

1:31:33

On this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined around the campfire by Dr Rory Waterman and Dr Anna Milon of the Lincolnshire Folk Tales Project! Rory leads the Lincolnshire Folk Tales project, and is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing and Modern & Contemporary Literature at Nottingham Trent University. Anna, meanwhile, is a postd…

1
Three Ravens Bestiary #17: Hellhounds 1:14:14

29d ago1:14:14

1:14:14

For this week's Bonus Episode we're padding through mists on silent paws and peering, with eyes of flame, at the history and folklore of Hellhounds! With so much to talk about, there's no mucking around: we dive straight into prehistory, discussing how humankind's domestication of the dog set the stage for conceptions of the Hellhound. From our ear…

1
Series 6 Episode 10: Lincolnshire 2:18:13

1M ago2:18:13

2:18:13

On the week's episode we're digging into the history and folklore of Lincolnshire, and disturbing a monster in the woods that lives beside a half-forgotten well... We start off discussing St Dunstan's Day, including Dunstan's life as an English folk hero, and what the historical record tells us he actually did, all before we advance to Lincolnshire…

1
Local Legends #38: Emma Heard 1:12:43

1M ago1:12:43

1:12:43

On this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined around the campfire by Emma Heard, the creator of perhaps the country's preeminent folklore blog, Weird Wiltshire! As Emma and Martin discuss during this conversation, Emma launched Weird Wiltshire during the pandemic. Originally intended as a means for Emma to explore her interests in folkl…

1
Magic and Medicines #17: Alchemy 1:17:19

1M ago1:17:19

1:17:19

On this month's episode of Magic and Medicines, Eleanor is guiding us through the history of Alchemy, from turning base metals into gold to the truth behind the Philosopher's Stone to much more besides! We start off talking about how several traditions we might recognise as 'Alchemy' grew up in isolation in the ancient world, including in Ancient C…

1
Series 6 Episode 9: Wiltshire 2:21:21

1M ago2:21:21

2:21:21

This week, on the first of the 'Final Five' episodes in our second lap around England's 39 historic counties, we're digging into the sacred ritual landscape of Wiltshire, and getting weird! We start off discussing St Pancras Day, including Pancras' martyrdom in 4th century Rome when he was a mere teenager, before his bones went on tour with St Augu…

1
Three Tragedies 1:29:10

1M ago1:29:10

1:29:10

We’re on a break at the moment to get married and enjoy a bit of time either side of our wedding, but, to fill the gap, this is the second of two new compilation episodes containing a trio of stories from across our earlier series. We have entitled this episode Three Tragedies, because these stories all involve the impacts of loss – be that the los…

1
The Yellow Dwarf 47:51

1M ago47:51

47:51

In the fourth episode of our "Fairy Book Project," Martin tells The Yellow Dwarf - a picaresque adventure about fire-breathing basilisks, how mermaids champion the course of true love, and the dangers of indulging children... If you are unfamiliar with the Lang Fairy Tales, these seminal collections were assembled between 1889 and 1913 by a married…

1
The Tale Of A Youth Who Set Out To Learn What Fear Was 25:58

2M ago25:58

25:58

In the third episode of our "Fairy Book Project," Eleanor tells The Tale Of A Youth Who Set Out To Learn What Fear Was - a surprisingly macabre ghost story about stampeding beds, how older people can often be quite rotten to younger ones, and the benefits of bravery... If you are unfamiliar with the Lang Fairy Tales, these seminal collections were …

1
Three Weird Tales 1:50:10

2M ago1:50:10

1:50:10

We’re on a break at the moment to get married and enjoy a bit of time either side of our wedding, but, to fill the gap, this is the first of two new compilation episodes containing a trio of stories from across our earlier series. We have entitled this episode Three Weird Tales because these are tales about such strange folkloric concepts, there’s …

1
Prince Hyacinth And The Dear Little Princess 16:43

2M ago16:43

16:43

In the second episode of our "Fairy Book Project," Eleanor tells Prince Hyacinth And The Dear Little Princess - a story about the bliss of ignorance, dubious fairy wisdom, and about how truly enormous noses can obstruct the path of true love... If you are unfamiliar with the Lang Fairy Tales, these seminal collections were assembled between 1889 an…

1
The Bronze Ring 26:27

2M ago26:27

26:27

In this first episode in what we have been calling our "Fairy Book Project," Martin tells The Bronze Ring - a story about the nature of nobility, talking mice, evil sorcerers, and why you should always be nice to old ladies... If you are unfamiliar with the Lang Fairy Tales, these seminal collections were assembled between 1889 and 1913 by a marrie…

1
Lindsey Hilsum, journalist 50:59

2M ago50:59

50:59

Lindsey Hilsum is a multi-award-winning journalist who has been a foreign correspondent for the past four decades. She has been Channel 4’s international editor for the past 22 years and has reported on every continent except Antarctica. After studying French and Spanish at University, she worked as an aid worker in Mexico and Kenya before becoming…

1
Local Legends #37: Pete Castle 59:29

2M ago59:29

59:29

On this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined by folk musician, editor of Facts & Fiction magazine, and author of books including Derbyshire Folk Tales, Pete Castle. If you’re part of the storytelling world then you will likely know of Pete already. Likewise, if you are an English folk musician, as, after a career spanning almost 50 yea…

1
Magus #3: Giordano Bruno 1:33:34

2M ago1:33:34

1:33:34

On this month's episode of Magus we are travelling all about Renaissance Europe and up through the layers of the heavens to undertake divine revelations into the life, times, and accomplishments of Giordano Bruno! From Bruno's early life as a Dominican priest, forced to flee one of six popes he thoroughly annoyed, right up to his horrid execution i…

1
Series 6 Episode 8: Derbyshire 1:47:00

2M ago1:47:00

1:47:00

On this week's episode of Three Ravens we're off to the land of the Dark Peak and the White, exploring to history and folklore of Derbyshire! We start off by chatting through traditions associated with Easter Monday festivities, and the live of St Anselm, who we conclude ought to be the Patron Saint of Jerks, all before we depart for Derbyshire in …

1
Donna Ockenden, midwife 50:58

2M ago50:58

50:58

Donna Ockenden is a former clinical midwife who led the Ockenden Review which revealed, at the time, the biggest maternity scandal in NHS history. Published in 2022, the review highlighted serious failings in maternity care at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust which contributed to the deaths of more than 200 babies and nine mothers. Don…

1
Local Legends #36: The Herefordian Historian 1:03:00

2M ago1:03:00

1:03:00

On this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined by blogger, museum worker, tour guide, and all-round champion for Herefordshire, The Herefordian Historian. Real name Tom Quinsey, The Herefordian Historian was born in Swansea and is an identical twin. His parents, who are both from Herefordshire, eventually settled back there before Tom tu…

1
Forgotten Melodies #3: Fair Songs 1:02:54

2M ago1:02:54

1:02:54

For this month's Forgotten Melodies bonus episode we're talking all about Fair Songs - in particular, Scarborough Fair, Brigg Fair and Widecombe Fair - and the histories behind these iconic tunes. The episode of course features new takes on all three of these songs, 'Scarborough Fair,' 'Brigg Fair' and 'Widecombe Fair,' and this time it's not just …

1
Series 6 Episode 7: Herefordshire 2:51:56

2M ago2:51:56

2:51:56

On this week's episode of Three Ravens we're heading into disputed territory: Herefordshire in the Welsh Marches, which is a county with so much history and folklore! We start off by going over all Queer Eye and giving April 14th a makeover, concluding that, while we could make this 'Nothing Day' about gardening, or ice skating on bone-bladed skate…

1
Professor Carl Jones, conservation biologist 52:52

2M ago52:52

52:52

Professor Carl Jones is a conservation biologist who is best known for saving the Mauritius kestrel from extinction. He is the scientific director of Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, chief scientist at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and an honorary professor in ecology and conservation biology at the University of East Anglia. He was born in Car…

1
Local Legends #35: Matthew Vaughan 1:06:48

2M ago1:06:48

1:06:48

On this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined by storyteller, library manager, and Secretary of the Leicestershire and Rutland Guild of Storytelling, Matthew Vaughan. Matt has been a storyteller for well over a decade. Since 2011 he has also worked in East Midlands’ Public Library Services, and, in addition to working as a storyteller i…

1
Three Ravens Bestiary #16: Mermaids 1:04:28

2M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

For this week's Bonus Episode we're basking on slippery rocks, swishing our tails, and looking into the magic mirror of Mermaid history and folklore, combing our hair all the while! We start off chatting about the plethora of 19th century Mermaid-themed media, from paintings and plays to poems and songs, all of which paved the way for our modern pe…

1
Series 6 Episode 6: Rutland 2:00:22

2M ago2:00:22

2:00:22

On this week's episode of Three Ravens we're off to Rutland to explore the history and folklore of England's smallest county - on the back of a dinosaur! We start off chatting about a couple of beautifully obscure traditions that take place around this time each year, including one involving a jacket on a flagpole and another relating to a Secret S…

1
Cyndi Lauper, singer-songwriter 49:15

2M ago49:15

49:15

Cyndi Lauper is a multi-award winning singer and songwriter. She has sold more than fifty million records, won an Emmy for acting and her musical Kinky Boots earned her a Tony and an Oliver award. Born in 1953, Cyndi grew up in a blue collar neighbourhood in New York. Her mother loved music and art and took her children to free exhibitions in New Y…

1
Local Legends #34: Ailsa Clarke and Bethan Briggs-Miller 1:12:22

3M ago1:12:22

1:12:22

On this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined by the hosts of the Eerie Essex podcast, Ailsa Clarke and Bethan Briggs-Miller! Ailsa and Bethan have been at this here podcasting malarkey since the pandemic, and it’s highly likely that you are already familiar with Eerie Essex. If you’ve never had the pleasure to listening to them though,…

1
Magic and Medicines #16: Leech Books and Early Medical Texts 1:11:00

3M ago1:11:00

1:11:00

On this week's Bonus Episode, Eleanor leads us through the libraries of early medical history to guide us through Leech Books and early medical texts! We start off talking about the book generally thought to be the oldest 'English' medical text, Bald's Leech Book, discussing how the Medieval mind perceived of ailments - namely as issues interlinked…

1
Series 6 Episode 5: Essex 2:00:55

3M ago2:00:55

2:00:55

On this week's episode of Three Ravens we're off to Essex, exploring the history and folklore of a county that has everything. Apart from mountains... We start off discussing April Fool's Day, which has a surprisingly long legacy, after which we embark for Essex! We begin by talking about a bunch of strange historical quirks in the county, includin…

1
William Boyd, writer 50:52

3M ago50:52

50:52

William Boyd is the author of eighteen novels, five short story collections and numerous screenplays. His first published novel, A Good Man in Africa, was inspired by his childhood in West Africa. He is well known for writing ‘whole life’ novels including Any Human Heart which he adapted as a BAFTA-winning television series. He was born in Accra in…

1
Local Legends #33: Tom "The Tale Teller" Phillips 54:27

3M ago54:27

54:27

On this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined by author and storyteller Tom “The Tale Teller” Phillips. Leicestershire born and raised, Tom is the county's most celebrated storyteller - even the Leicestershire Guild of Storytellers told us, directly, that he is the person to talk to about Leicestershire's lore. And just a fraction of hi…

1
Magus #2: Mother Shipton 1:26:23

3M ago1:26:23

1:26:23

For our second episode of Magus, we are delving into the deep dark cave of history to the unravel the mysterious life of Mother Shipton, a Tudor era prophetess with links to folkloric sites all over England, from Knaresborough to the Rollright Stones to Somerset and beyond. Our journey starts in the English Renaissance, where we explore how the con…

1
Series 6 Episode 4: Leicestershire 1:41:02

3M ago1:41:02

1:41:02

On this week's episode of Three Ravens, we are diving deep into the pink river of Leicestershire's history and folklore - and Eleanor has written a real weepy story, so brace yourself for that one! We start off discussing the Nothing Day that is the 24th March - a day which used to be something, all before the Julian calendar happened, and the Arch…

1
Sir Jony Ive, designer 51:41

3M ago51:41

51:41

Sir Jony Ive is a designer who is best known for his pioneering work at Apple alongside his friend and colleague, the late Steve Jobs. Jony’s creative vision is behind some of the company’s seminal products which have transformed the way we live today including phones, music players and watches. He was born in Chingford in east London and loved dra…

1
Local Legends #32: Dr Terrie "Red Phoenix" Howie 1:22:26

3M ago1:22:26

1:22:26

For this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined by academic, storyteller, author, and bona fide expert in Buckinghamshire’s folklore, Dr Terrie “Red Phoenix” Howie. Terrie, who performs as “Red Phoenix” when she’s leading workshops or telling stories, would be an absolutely worthwhile guest for this episode just from a storytelling persp…

1
Forgotten Melodies #2: Sea Shanties 1:12:20

3M ago1:12:20

1:12:20

For this week's bonus episode, we have something very special for you - the second installment of our new series, Forgotten Melodies, which is all about folk music, featuring explorations of types of folk song and original recordings which put fresh spins on trad tunes! In this episode we are talking all about Ben's absolute favourite kind of folk …

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