TRIGGER WARNING ON ALL THIS! It's a scary one... well, except for the absolute DELIGHT of a story at the very end. Get there.

Tale 1(ish): SKINWALKER TALES. Yes, that is right. Gabby found us a collection of modern day Skinwalker stories, which is reeeaaally just some modern-day folktales if you really think about it. She begins by giving a run down on just what a Skinwalker is, and then we go through a few CHILLING sightings of these creatures. We also learn a lot about Native American Culture along the way!

Tale 2: Grimm's the Rober Bridegroom. In this story, a young maiden travels to visit her (wealthy) groom-to-be's house for the first time. She followed a trail of ashes into the dark forest only to stumble upon the most BRUTAL scene and get a glimpse into her own fate. With the help of a new friend (and her entire family eventually) they escape and bring this man to justice... literally.

Tale 3: How Corn Came into the World. *PLEASE IGNORE THE OUTDATED LANGUAGE IN THIS ONE!!!! This is the sweetest story, which we need to be ok after this episode. It tells of the sweetest young man, and his journey to help feed his people for generations to come. Through a test of strength, he leaves us with a golden sweet story to end on.

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

The modern vampire is depicted as sophisticated, sexy, dangerously charming - a masterful seductive force of superhuman strength, thirsty for blood.

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But did you know vampires didn’t start out this way? From ancient soul-sucking succubi to hopping spirits that drained your life force, to grotesque plague spreaders and dead men walking, the vampire legend has evolved from the truly disgusting to the downright sparkling.

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Come with Madi and Coco as they trace the vampire myths and legends back through time. Learn a little bit about Bram Stoker and his affinity for the occult, and the random travel guide that inspired the classic novel Dracula. Compare and contrast the real life Vlad the Impaler with the fictional character Bram created. Discover how scientific developments shifted the myth of the vampire into the sexy creature we now love AND fear.

Also rehash some 90’s childhood movie trauma with us because what even were those frogs in Thumbelina all about, you guys?!

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Follow that up with a Happy Ending with Betsy… which is arguably darker than the episode content as she discusses a real life monster.

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AD FREE LISTENING on Patreon as well as tons of extra content!

https://www.patreon.com/c/spillthemead

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

Find Betsy @betsy.hegge on Instagram

Find Coco @spill_it_coco on Instagram

Find Gabby @so_dym_gabulous on Instagram

Find Chris @chrisrileyhistory on Instagram

Find Taylor @tjonesarmoredamma on Instagram

Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Not many names invoke as much fear and/or dread as Vlad the Impaler - and this guy had TWO super sick nicknames. Why is a lame title like “The Handsome” when you could terrify people with “The Impaler”?

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But how exactly does one earn such a name? Well unfortunately Coco is going to tell you in very specific detail EXACTLY how this particular Wallachian prince did, and a whole lot of other things about a guy who led a fascinating and terrible life.

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From the palaces of the Ottoman Empire, to the forests of Transylvania - from biological and psychological warfare, to feasts with unhappy endings - from the fall of Constantinople to Isabel and Ferdinand, and everything in between, this one has it all!

Get ready to be horrified by the life story of a man who became a terror in his own lifetime, and a monster inspiring countless other legends after - the one and only Vlad Dracul.

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Follow that up with a Happy Ending with Betsy… you might need it after this one!

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AD FREE LISTENING on Patreon as well as tons of extra content!

https://www.patreon.com/c/spillthemead

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

Find Betsy @betsy.hegge on Instagram

Find Coco @spill_it_coco on Instagram

Find Gabby @so_dym_gabulous on Instagram

Find Chris @chrisrileyhistory on Instagram

Find Taylor @tjonesarmoredamma on Instagram

Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com