Probably Improbable Podcast
37 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 18 ratingsA discouraged artist and discouraged actress tell each other about things that don't exist. Carly Swenson and Samantha Veldhouse Papke take you on an impressively delightful and distracted journey of mythical creatures, legendary beings, paranormal entities and...clowns? (Good job, Sam.) They’re not historians or educators, they're two smartass women who are curious and know how to use Google. It’s a lot like other folklore podcasts, (but less reliably researched, less well-written, and with more jokes about penises, cursing, occasional feminist rants, and adorable pets.)
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Episodes
Season 2 Ep. 6: El Sombreron (Don't braid your dog's fur)
February 07, 2021 17:24 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBCarly tells Sam about a mysterious man who travels with a menagerie of animals, seduces women and has an unusual hobby? Fetish? Sam does another amazing cold-read of a poorly translated story, which is delightful.
Season 2 Ep. 5: Hairy Man of Vergas (Grandpa put candy in trees for the bears)
January 18, 2021 00:30 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBSam's shares a legendary cryptid from right here in Minnesota with the Hairy Man of Vergas. You'll also learn of Sam's small-town-party-bus-bachelorette CRIMES, and her grandpa's bear-baiting techniques. It's a delightful rural adventure!
Season 2 Ep 4: Rokurokubi (I'm getting lint on my kidneys)
January 02, 2021 17:00 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBThis week Sam indulges Carly with another imaginary trip to Japan! Sam discovers a curse for adultery (and apparently murder) as Carly examines tales of the mischievous rokurokubi and the blood thirsty nukekubi.
Season 2 Ep 3: Mother Goose (The moon ate them)
December 17, 2020 20:45 - 44 minutes - 41 MBSam's childhood nostalgia returns as she delves into Mother Goose, and a couple of the weird nursery rhymes from childhood that we've never thought too deeply about. Was Mother Goose a real goose? Why were three men of various careers in a tub out to sea? Who is Gill? Does the moon eat children? What does "rub-a-dub-dub" mean, exactly? Do we answer these questions? Yep, Some! Show notes: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2020/12/17/s-2-ep-3-mother-goose/
Season 2 Ep 2: Vampires (He's smarter than a net, right?)
December 03, 2020 18:00 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MBSam is still feeling spooky season for her first episode of Season 2. Sam tells Carly about vampires. Discover why they have to wait seven years before starting their own vampire hunting adventures. (You can't kill what you can't find.) Also, Sam is probably married to a vampire. Show notes: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2020/12/09/s-2-ep-2-vampires-hes-smarter-than-a-net-right/
Season 2 Ep 1: The Graeae (This is why you have a back-up eye, ladies!)
November 17, 2020 23:40 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MBWelcome back! It's Season 2! Carly tells Sam about The Graeae, three sisters from Greek mythology THAT SHARE ONE EYEBALL! They're real! Well, as real as anything else from Greek mythology. We also discuss the 1981 classic, Clash of the Titans, and it's sexy sexy mechanical owl, Bubo. Show notes: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2020/11/18/s-2-ep-1-the-graeae/
Season 2 Coming Mid-November! (Is this a Film Noir because Carly is a werewolf?)
November 05, 2020 02:46 - 47 minutes - 43.2 MBWe're coming back! In the meantime, here's some weird tangentially related information, games, a quiz? It's moderately enjoyable. We promise. Show notes: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2020/11/04/season-2-coming-mid-november-is-this-a-film-noir-because-carly-is-a-werewolf/
Episode 29: The Fisherman & His Wife (Samantha's Bonkers Storytime 3)
February 12, 2020 21:36 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBProbably Improbable, episode 29: Samantha reminds us of the importance of talking fish. That sh*t is magic, yo! If you're an intensely unpleasant and greedy human, you can have it all! Fact. No moral to this story! Or is there? Find out, as Sam takes Carly back to her favorite land of weirdo Grimm's fairy tales. Show notes: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2020/02/12/episode-29-the-fisherman-his-wife-samanthas-bonkers-storytime-3/
Episode 28: Apep (You can't defeat space)
January 29, 2020 14:07 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MBIn this week's episode, Carly and Sam go back to Egypt to learn a little about the Great Snake of Chaos! Show notes: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2020/01/30/episode-28-apep-you-cant-defeat-space/
Episode 27: The Missouri Monster, Momo (It smells like flat yeti)
January 07, 2020 21:49 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBSam returns to her favorite source for inspiration, Coast to Coast, and tells Carly about the most-adorably-named-giant-hairy-bigfoot-type-thing, Momo the Missouri Monster! Join Sam as she takes you back to the 1970s in Louisiana (the city, not the state), when locals briefly experienced a shag-carpet-muscular-mustache-headed-monster that reportedly (according to Sam's report) "smelled like ass." What's not to love?! Journey down south, and solve the illusive Momo footprint mystery. (Hint: H...
Episode 26: Jolakotturinn (Yule cat wants you to fall in line)
December 24, 2019 15:26 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBHappy Winter Holiday of Choice! Carly delves into "Christmas monsters" with Iceland's Jolakotturinn, (or Yule Cat, because 'Yule Cat' is much easier to say if you're an American unfamiliar with Icelandic pronunciation). Join the ladies as they discuss the most adorable monster! Sam perfects her various kitten sounds, and Carly figures out all of the ideal work-arounds to not get devoured by the cutest beast. Sources, show notes and reference images: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home....
Episode 25: Bluebeard (Just ignore the anthropomorphic wardrobe)
December 17, 2019 23:59 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBSam is enjoying her slightly new direction with her episodes by again recounting an old folktale. This time it's the mysterious wealthy landowner, and multi-widower, Bluebeard. Join this discouraged actress and discouraged blood-ologist in a time, long ago, when women were viewed primarily as currency, property, or simply a huge inconvenience, where Sam weaves an unforgettable tale of Bluebeard. Show notes, sources, and reference images can be found here: https://probablyimprobablepodcast....
Episode 24: Mami Wata (dead sailors are not sea trash)
December 10, 2019 18:16 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBGet ready for a badass black mermaid from over 4,000 years ago! That's right! On this week's episode, Carly wins over Sam's icy cold Minnesotan heart with Mami Wata, an African goddess of the ocean. The ladies also ponder the universal truths of human experience, like laughter, joy, dance, and our fascination with the beautiful vastness of oceans, and the fact that IT CAN TOTALLY KILL YOU
Episode 23: Bearskin, Bird, Mouse, and Sausage (Sam's Bonkers Storytime 1)
December 04, 2019 12:53 - 34 minutes - 31.2 MBSam takes some delightful liberties with our podcast premise as she explores a couple of lesser-known and utterly bonkers Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Of course, these tales are presented in an endearingly Sam-fashion as the devil wears a top hat, a guy wears a bear carcass for years, and a bird, a mouse, and a sausage are all roommates! Yep, you read that right--roommates. Show notes, reference images, and sources: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2019/12/04/episode-23-bearskin...
Episode 22: Likho (I'm bleeding five peoples of blood)
November 26, 2019 13:28 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MBIn this week's episode the ladies venture back into Slavic fairy tale lore and discuss the Likho, it's a creature of bad luck, the very embodiment of misfortune. It's a wicked old lady and a malicious goblin. It's hiding your keys and killing your cattle. Sam shares her "worst" online dating experience, and enjoy Creepy Pasta Storytime with Carly!
Episode 21: Unicorn (and a Chinese giraffe named Karen)
November 13, 2019 21:51 - 45 minutes - 42 MBSam turns to our theme song for inspiration this week. That's right! Sam tackles the illusive unicorn! And it's more intriguing than you might expect! Sam delves into uses for their magical horns as well as some history of the fantastical monster, including how to set a unicorn trap. Hint: It involves virgins. (And no, we aren't making that up.) Curious how long a unicorn's horn is in ax-handles? Find out in this week's episode! Show notes, reference images, and links here: http://probably...
Episode 20: La Cegua (gruesomes, agonizing and terribles death)
October 31, 2019 02:21 - 38 minutes - 34.8 MBIn this episode Carly teaches Sam about La Cegua, a bone-chilling creature from Central American folklore. This mysterious and fantastical woman can be found on isolated roads in Nicaragua waiting for ill-intentioned men willing to give her a ride or a ride (in the sexual innuendo way). But this beautiful woman isn't all she seems! Because of course not! Where is the interest in that? No. She's secretly an evil spooky monster who will make men insane! What does she look like? How does she ma...
Episode 19: Black-eyed Children (Did you drive over a Satan?)
October 22, 2019 02:02 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBSam briefly delves into one of the topics that most gives Carly the hebee-jeebes (as her mother would say), Black Eyed Children. Sam tells us about David Weatherly and his expertise in this not-at-all-real-thing, that still irrational terrifies Carly. It's October. It's spooky season. And it's time to be very careful about which drably-dressed-monotone-sclera-less-children you invite into your home. Hint: None! Don't invite any of those creepy-creepers into your home! Come on! You should kno...
Episode 18: Hel (Is it evil? Is it dead? Yes? Then yes.)
October 16, 2019 12:13 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MBIf you don't like distractions from the main topic, you should probably skip this one. However! If you're a delightful human who appreciates the rambunctious banter of your PI cohosts, then settle in as Carly invites you and Sam to Helheim! Learn about the Norse goddess of the underworld, Hel, she's the giantess daughter of Loki, and her siblings are a serpent and giant wolf. So come learn more about Hel and Carly's middle school track experience, and the general trepidation associated with ...
Episode 18: Hel (Is it evil? Is it dead? Yes? Than yes.)
October 16, 2019 12:13 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MBIf you don't like distractions from the main topic, you should probably skip this one. However! If you're a delightful human who appreciates the rambunctious banter of your PI cohosts, then settle in as Carly invites you and Sam to Helheim! Learn about the Norse goddess of the underworld, Hel, she's the giantess daughter of Loki, and her siblings are a serpent and giant wolf. So come learn more about Hel and Carly's middle school track experience, and the general trepidation associated with ...
Episode 17: Wendigo (Your guide vanished and you had mystery talking wind)
October 10, 2019 11:55 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBThis week Sam reminds us that winter is just around the corner, with everyone's favorite cannibalistic-supernatural-monster-being! The wendigo! This was a topic both ladies expected to be boring. They. Were. Wrong. This creature is bonkers! And metaphorical! Sam also delves into every 90s child's favorite horror series, "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark". Join us! Or don't, it's up to you. Just, whatever you do--DON'T EAT YOUR FRIENDS. Sources, reference images, and links here: https:...
Episode 16: Sphinx (I know, she's extra pubes)
October 02, 2019 11:11 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBSam tackles the clever and enigmatic sphinx! In this episode Carly demonstrates her badass riddle prowess as well as her impressive riddle ineptitude. Sam makes everyone, including Carly's cat uncomfortable with her--unique--perspective on pet fur. And you'll learn about Sam's childhood man-cat named Kate. Honestly, the description of her cat is...umm...definitely description? Show notes, reference images, and sources here: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2019/10/02/episode-16-...
Episode 15: Mikoshi-nyudo (Revenge of the talls)
September 25, 2019 01:03 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBThis week the ladies zag on you! In this m-night-shyamalan-ian twist, Carly picks the topic (because, normally, Sam chooses for odd-number episodes). And that's right, bitches! She's taking you back to Japan! Last time you met the charming and pretty much non-existent, BetoBeto, this time you'll be introduced to a far more deadly creature, who is more than meets the eye! Will Sam survive this imaginary journey back to old-timey Japan? (Spoiler alert, she totally doesn't. This creature make h...
Episode 14: Nut (Don't think about the incest in the garden of eden)
September 17, 2019 00:52 - 46 minutes - 43 MBCarly tells Sam about Nut (pronounced Nuit). She's the Egyptian sky goddess who has mastered down-dog, eats the sun-boat every night, and can't get enough of making love to her brother-husband. She's a pretty intriguing deity. This is one of the first episodes where the ladies are enjoying a beer, or two. They didn't share one beer, because they're adults and can finish their own beers. Sam provides some pretty hip craft tips about improving the glow-in-the-dark stars for your 90s middle sch...
Episode 13: Doppelgängers (Did I give birth to a horn baby?)
September 09, 2019 16:11 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MBSam keeps it spooky as she explores the impressively extensive topic of doppelgängers. The idea of doubles have existed across cultures and generations for thousands of years. How bonkers is that?! And Sam reveals a deep-seated resentment that could destroy the ladies' friendship forever. And more! Show notes, reference images, and sources found here: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2019/09/09/episode-13-doppelgangers-did-i-give-birth-to-a-horn-baby/
Episode 12: Nokken (I should stop period-shaming cats)
September 04, 2019 17:01 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBProbably Improbable Podcast, Episode 12: In this week's episode, Carly explains why it's important to stay out of the water--rivers, lakes, swamps, waterfalls, you name it. If it's water, stay away. Because almost every culture seems to have some water-dwelling entity that super wants to drown you. Carly, however, is focusing on the Nokken. He's a sexy shape-shifter that plays the violin, naked--probably. Find out why Sam spat in a man's face, and the useful (not useful) skills Carly learned...
Episode 11: The Green Children of Woolpit (A poison painting is the worst way to murder))
August 26, 2019 16:19 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBThis week Sam explores the legend of the Green Children of Woolpit. Were they mysterious beings from another dimension? Aliens? Malnourished Flemish immigrants? The possibilities are endless! Join us as we fondly remember about Bury Saint Edmunds, Abby Gardens, an awful non-magic magic show, and Sam laments her missed opportunity to reenact this vague historic event with her niece and nephew. Thank you England for fun village names and appreciation of hi-vis. The ladies also start their own ...
Episode 10: La Ciguapa (If you trap her you get a magic show)
August 19, 2019 12:01 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBCarly stumbled upon a delightful creature from the Dominican Republic. In this week's episode the ladies discuss La Ciguapa, an alluring, chirping, naked, human-esque, wild being who lives in mountains and forests. Oh! And is magic! Oh! And she has backwards feet! How f--king bonkers is that?! Sam shares her impressive songbird abilities, and the ladies start the most awkward and uncomfortable sex line ever. So that's fun. Show notes and reference images here: https://probablyimprobabl...
Episode 09: Shadow People (Ghost cats make the best pets)
August 10, 2019 00:00 - 36 minutes - 33 MBProbably Improbable Podcast, episode 09: This week, Sam covers a topic that terrifies Carly. So, she's glad she didn't have to research it. Shadow people. Are they ghosts? Are they interdimensional beings? Tricks of the mind? Find out with Sam Papke, Used Car Salesman! You'll also get to hear our brand new theme song demo, and enjoy our first special guest! Sources & Show Notes here: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2019/08/13/episode-09-shadow-people-ghost-cats-make-the-best-pets/
Episode 08: Baba Yaga (And the haunted vagina)
August 02, 2019 00:00 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBFor episode eight, Carly shares what she's learned about the Baba Yaga of Russian folklore, a supernatural with a chicken feet house. Sam realizes she would have made a perfect Baba Yaga, had she not done that whole falling-in-love-and-getting-married-thing because she'd love to hang out with a cat on her back (Sam's ideal future pictured below). We also learn about the time Carly had cat-litter-brain-virus. Show notes and sources: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2019/08/03/episo...
Episode 07: Pied Piper (The flash mob gone wrong)
July 28, 2019 00:00 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBThis week Sam shares the fascinating (genuinely) potential truths behind the tale of the Pied Piper. Did you know there was a kid’s Crusade? (And it’s much less adorable than it sounds. Wait? Does that even sound adorable? You’re right, it doesn’t.) You also get to learn about Sam’s love of cake frosting videos on YouTube, and Carly’s dabbling in Christianity in college. Sources, notes, and reference images here: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2019/07/30/episode-07-pied-piper-a-...
Episode 06: Betobeto San (The honorable clomp clomp)
July 20, 2019 00:00 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBFor episode six we head to the land of Japan for the most delightful and least menacing monster we’ve met thus far. Carly explores the yokai, Betobeto San, the formless, genderless, monster who is only sound. (Clomp, Clomp) Sam and Carly share their love of animal-noise onomatopoeias in other languages. And we also discover how young Carly saved herself from the nightly threat of witches, vampires, and ghosts. (Clomp. Clomp.) And both ladies find out how enjoyable it is to say “Clomp. Clomp....
Episode 05: Clowns (And the let's-make-fun-of-dead-people-guy)
July 12, 2019 00:00 - 52 minutes - 47.8 MBOn this week's episode, Sam takes us on a brief journey into the land of clowns. Sam explains the epic war between Good vs Bad clowns (clown-flict?), as well as her first clown encounter. I know what you're thinking, "Buy, um? Aren't clowns real?" And to you we say-- "Well, yes, they are real. But are they? (They are.) We're still nailing down some of the finer details about this podcast, and we can justify clowns as a topic by claiming we are discussing the folklore regarding creepy clown s...
Episode 04: Banshee (Put leeches and mud on it and you'll be fine)
July 06, 2019 00:00 - 34 minutes - 31.7 MBCarly regales Sam with the Banshee. Is she young? Old? Beautiful? Wearing a cloak? Half naked headless and holding a bowl of blood? (It's not that one.) But one thing we know for sure is that a Banshee won't have duck feet. Also, there was one time an owl almost crashed into Sam's car. Sources & Notes here: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2019/07/11/episode-04-banshee-put-leeches-and-mud-on-it-and-youll-be-fine/
Episode 03: Bloody Mary (I left the screensaver of your face on)
June 30, 2019 00:00 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MBOur sound quality is better! So if you couldn’t make it through the first two episodes due to the poor sound quality, it gets better here. This week, Sam tells Carly about the potential origins of Bloody Mary (Psssssst…it’s Mary the First….Nah, it’s not. Just kidding! It is. Or is it?) The real Bloody Mary is sort of a choose-your-own-adventure type mystery. Also, Sam shares an educational paper mansplaining the symbolism of Bloody Mary as a menstruation ritual. Sources & Show notes here: ht...
Episode 02: Medusa (And a monumental birdbath)
June 25, 2019 00:00 - 56 minutes - 51.5 MBCarly delves, shallowly, into the Land of Victim-Blaming in Greek mythology. Sam learns she likes Greek mythology as long as she doesn’t have to put any work into researching it. Oh, and Perseus is kind of a dick. Show notes here: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2019/06/21/episode-2-medusa-a-monumental-birdbath/
Episode 01: Paul Bunyan (And the 2000 lb. giant trained ants)
June 24, 2019 00:00 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MBSam tells us the odd history of the midwest’s most popular giant, and his ox buddy, Babe–and Babe’s lady friend, Bessie! She also delights us with unrelated tales of her sexually-liberated cat, Hans. Show notes here: https://probablyimprobablepodcast.home.blog/2019/06/16/episode-01-paul-bunyan-2000-giant-trained-ants/