This is an episode of paranoia, jealousy, desperation, and self-fulfilling-God-given-prophecy. This is the story of King Saul and the Witch of Endor. What could have led the first king of Israel to the decision to visit a necromancer (that he himself banished)? Was it a mistake or a sin? Where is the line? Don't ask Saul, he has no idea.

Stay tuned for a VERY happy ending with Betsy, where we share our joy over our friend's wedding we attended over the weekend!

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Well, our girl did it. She became part of that power couple, and they joined forces, had lots of babies, and lived happily ever after: the end.

Nope. It’s so much more than that. We’re talking her new husband and ex-husband meeting face to face, her sons starting a literal rebellion against their father the king, and being a prisoner for literal years… the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine is not for the weak.

She is the true Medieval Queen, and the legacy she leaves behind is loud. Long Live Queen Eleanor.

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Well HoneyBees, it's time. After literal YEARS of waiting, Chris Riley is FINALLY giving us the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Blessed day.

In part one, we discuss the origins of Eleanor (the name and the woman) and her life through her first marriage. So you know, just becoming the queen of France, the Crusade, the pirate kidnapping, and the INSANE rumors started about this women.

And this is just the first half of her life.

We also get a Happy Ending with Betsy where we go over the scary movies coming out this spooky season!

The Madams of the Wild West were some of the richest people in the entire country. In this episode, we explore what life would have been like for "soiled doves" of the gold rush era.

The west was lawless and DANGEROUS. These women were brave, intelligent, and just as hard (no pun intended) as the men. We not only look at what life would have been like for the Good-Time-Girl in the Old West, but the legacy they left behind. The biggest cities in the Western USA today were funded by the charities, fines, fees, and good wills of these Madams.

These women lived extraordinary lives in a treacherous time, and their stories should be told, not hidden from history.

Come one, come all... Come big, come small... Just come, come for Folktales.

Three absolute BANGERS for this week from all over the world, AND WITH A NEW FORMAT. So listen up!

Story 1: The Knight of Fishes - Spain

Listen, don't get attached to the cobbler in the beginning, but DO get ready for an EPIC tale featuring 2 hot twins (hiiiiii....) What do you name your fish-knight? We went with Lance Bass, but if you've got something equal or better, write us and we'll send you a sticker! Anyways, this one is long and strong, and you're going to love it... it... it...

Story 2: The Big Turtles War Party - the Skidi Pawnee

HoneyBees, you're in for a treat because this is the tale of the tiniest war that ever raged in the modern-day Nebraskan region. Turtle is on the War Path and he's choosing his team... Will he go with the coyote, fox, hawk, or rabbit? Or the flint knife, hairbrush, and awl? The choice is obvious, but the punchline is not. This is one of our all-time favorites.

Story 3: Cutting the Elephants Hips - Uganda

Ok... well, it wouldn't be Folktales if we didn't f- your world a little bit. This story is as dark as it sounds, and features THE MOST SINISTER CHARACTER ever encountered in Folktales, or possibly any Spill the Mead episode honestly... DONT. TRUST. ANYONE.

We are sure you know the story of Snow White. The fairest in the land, crazy step-mom, seven short kings and a prince who fell in love with a corpse. But you haven’t heard Coco read you the Brother’s Grimm version, and you don’t want to miss it.

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We start with a brief history of the Snow White story, discussing several different versions from different countries, even an origin story (dubiously) rooted in truth! Then we dive right into the tale of a no-talent, inefficient evil queen he’ll-bent on murdering a seven year old. Heartwarming.

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Follow us through the woods and over the seven mountains to the little cottage where the dwarves generously allow Snow White a home, in exchange for slave labor. Listen in dismay as the evil queen, whose only skill seems to be applying makeup, dupes this poor child (yeah, we think she’s still seven) repeatedly, using the same line each time.

Rejoice each time the dwarves save her, despair each time they fail to protect her, and listen to the end for the big, hot, dance finish!

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Follow that up with a Happy Ending with Betsy… you know you want to.

The prophecies (PLURAL) foretold it all. And he believed it. And then... he made them ALL believe it.

Not only does Madi tell you the story of how "The Lonely One" united the Hawaiian Islands in one lifetime (and ALL OF THE DRAMA that brings... you have no idea), but we also talk about Hawaiian warfare, the return of an ancient Hawaiian artifact, AND Hawaiian burial practices.

Kamehameha was a force, and his story deserves to be heard. Raised in isolation into a warring island nation, this man was put on this planet to bring them all together. Listen to it all unfold against all odds in this first-but-not-last episode of Hawaiian History.

Brook Kapukuniahi Parker's Lecture (Part 1/4) on Kamehameha the Great

https://youtu.be/oGX6dUAikFQ?si=KGzhK0GCGlMIHGZ0

Keoni Kealoha Alvarez's Documentary "Kapu"

https://www.youtube.com/live/2MLWBLmpSOI?si=4moM8LxEOEP2pQPu

The link to the GORGEOUS video by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs

Hawaiian Chief's Cloak and Helmet Repatriated After 241 Years

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You can purchase Spill the Mead merchandise https://www.etsy.com/shop/SpilltheMeadPodcast/

Find us on Instagram, and Facebook @spillthemeadpodcast

Find Madi @myladygervais on Instagram

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Find Gabby @so_dym_gabulous on Instagram

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Find Taylor @tjonesarmoredamma on Instagram

Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Once upon a time, 2 c*nts sat down to read some folktales from around the world. These are these stories:

Tale 1: Tanuki's Gold (Japan)

A tanuki is a Japanese racoon dog that shape shifts from time to time and brings good fortune. Now we will say, the one in this story doesn't necessarily shape shift (that we know of anyways) but he does bring fortune and most importantly. FRIENDSHIP! This one is really sweet, you guys.

Tale 2: Horse-Dew and the Witch (Turkey)

Say it out loud before you listen: what do you think "Horse-Dew" is!!?? How wrong were you? We've got a classic double-life story going on here, and unless you have Islamic Folklore knowledge, this one will keep you guessing. A royal, 3 daughters, a witch, a couple with magical powers that is still somehow struggling... this one has everything.

Tale 3: The Mitten (Ukraine)

This one is VERY sound effect and voice acting heavy, so you are WELCOME for that. How many animals can fit into a single mitten? Let's see....