Digital Folklore
Digital Folklore is an immersive audio adventure that takes place inside a fictional universe, but explores the real-world truths behind various expressions of internet culture and how each holds up a mirror to the society from which they emerge. This podcast is great for audio fiction fans who really really want to enjoy interview-based shows, or for listeners who love expert interviews and insights but long for something unique and unexpected. Join Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus as they explore the wild and wonderful world of online folklore, encountering a wide range of characters—both real and fictional—who provide a wealth of folkloric insight while simultaneously creating new lore. With topics ranging from the absurd to the unsettling, the Digital Folklore podcast is an accessible and entertaining way to learn about folkloric concepts and societal truths. Oh...and be sure to listen carefully—you never know what you might find.
Episodes
March 11, 2024 • 51 mins
Perry & Mason catch up after the production of Season Two!
Alas, Perry's audio track suffered some stuttering - but the gang reconvenes to debrief after a chaotic and wonderful adventure.
Things we mentioned:
How chaotically this episode came together, and we hint vaguely about a bunch of really cool stuff we almost did - and will be doing in the future.
Some insight into details of the season's production, sound design, writing,...
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February 29, 2024 • 44 mins
No-Clipping Reality (Liminal Spaces & Possibility)
Out of the frying pan, and into the... backrooms, I guess? Welcome to the final episode of Digital Folklore's second season! We hope you've enjoyed the ride so far. Perry and Mason wander through endless, yellow, dank, decrepit hallways. Will they find Digby? Will Todd find them? What's going on? Where do we go from here? I don't know, I just write the shownotes.
Speaking of writin...
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February 5, 2024 • 35 mins
Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode!
Things we mentioned:
Perry & Mason discuss their most/least favorite emoji, their favorite contemporary legends, and their own embarrassing browser histories!
Todd is real, and cursed Mason's editing computer.
Mason reveals that he owns PregnantSonic.com, which points to the patreon page for the excellent audio drama podcast Inn Between (which Mason is a character ...
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February 2, 2024 • 47 mins
Unwrapping Our Presence (Folklorist Favorites)
Trapped by local small business owner, Todd, the gang attempts a daring escape. However, the fabric of this reality seems to be unraveling around them. Will they escape? Is this how they ended up driving off a cliff? Is Digby going to set off on his own, or stick with the crew? Tune in for all the answers - or perhaps, just more questions.
In This Episode:
Several familiar voices fro...
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January 25, 2024 • 51 mins
Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts.
On today’s episode, Mason & Perry got to speak with Ian Brodie. Dr. Brodie leads us through a fascinating discussion about humor, absurdism, dad jokes, improv, and the human condition.
Ok, let’s get unplugged…
Guest:
Dr. Ian Brodie (Twitter) (LinkedIn) (YouTube) (Website)
Ad...
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January 15, 2024 • 40 mins
Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode.
Things we mentioned:
We are joined again by our interview editor and all around great guy, Matthew Bliss!
Let's talk about Todd
We forecast the upcoming 'Unplugged Episode' with Ian Brodie
Mason says, "I'm gonna say absolutely nothing useful" and then shares something mildly interesting.
Listener messages and shout outs
Episode editing by Matt Bliss of MBPod.
I...
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January 8, 2024 • 51 mins
The Death of Meaning (Gen Z Humor, Absurdism, & Trust in Platforms)
The gang reconvenes! Perry & Mason venture once again into Todd's Pawn Shop, just in time for "Dada December" - but it would seem that the prices aren't the only unbelievable thing there...
In This Episode:
Two familiar voices!
Why is Gen Z humor so absurd? Or... is it even that unique?
How our trust in online platforms has been eroded.
Expressions of authenti...
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December 25, 2023 • 59 mins
Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged!
Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts.
On this episode, Perry & Mason sit down with Ben Radford to get the lowdown on creepy clowns, media literacy, the influence of folklore, and the psychological aspects of human beliefs. We touch on how misinformation and panic are spread ...
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December 24, 2023 • 8 mins
Happy Holidays!
Everyone here at Digital Folklore wants to extend their holiday well-wishes, as well as a special reading of a classic Christmas poem.
Thank you, for everything. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you!
Happy holidays, happy new year, and to all a good night.
🗣 Join our Discord community
💁♀️ Support us on Patreon
🕸 Sign-up for our newsletter, check our our merch, and learn more about the show at digitalfolklo...
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December 11, 2023 • 56 mins
In this special catch-up episode, Digital Folklore podcast creators Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus have a candid chat about the show so far.
They spill behind-the-scenes secrets about unexpected plot twists, their creative process for audio storytelling, and how they brought this modern folklore to life. You'll also learn some fun and interesting ways their real life circumstances have woven their way into the show's mythos.
The...
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December 4, 2023 • 55 mins
Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged!
Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts.
In this interview Perry and Mason speak with Dr. Andrea Kitta. Dr. Kitta provides her thoughts on the importance of being able to view world events and trends through the lens of folklore. We also hit on how both positive and negative fo...
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December 4, 2023 • 39 mins
Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode.
Things we mentioned:
We formally introduce Matthew Bliss!
Geeking out about audio stuff
Perry and Mason remember being floored by receiving an email from Andrew Peck after the pilot episode
We are in awe of Andrea Kitta
Listener messages
Episode editing by Matt Bliss of MBPod.
If you want to find the extra clips and BTS snippets, join our Discord server using t...
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November 30, 2023 • 62 mins
If Memory Serves (Mandela Effect, Folk Trust, & AI)
We split the party! While Perry is searching for answers to all the inexplicable weird things happening lately, Mason is searching for Digby. Meanwhile, Digby is out to find his place in the world as an artificially-intelligent raccoon - and he just so happens to catch a ride with Andrew Peck. Perry finds something strange in a pre-recorded interview with Andrea Kitta, and as the ...
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November 21, 2023 • 54 mins
Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged!
Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts.
On this episode, Perry got to speak with Dr. Kristina Downs. This was a fun one. We talk about conspiracies at the Dallas zoo, the power of memes and satire accounts, meme warfare, and tons of fun with urban legends.
Ok, let’s get unplug...
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November 15, 2023 • 32 mins
Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode.
Things we mentioned:
We start off way too formal for some reason...
New AI gadgets. A notebook/pen combo and StarTrek like communicator pin.
AI and the human condition.
Mason hates doing sound design for footsteps.
A bit of listener feedback
We feel sad for Digby
Hints at what and who to expect on the next episode
Episode editing by Matt Bliss of MBPod.
If yo...
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November 13, 2023 • 63 mins
Statistically Conscious (Artificial Intelligence)
After the procedure revealed that Digby's implant is essentially running an artificial intelligence, Digby falls into an existential crisis about whether or not he is actually a sapient being. Mason is worried because the podcast is falling behind on production, and Digby is not helping. He and Perry decide to try and kill two birds with one stone by interviewing experts on artifici...
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November 8, 2023 • 51 mins
Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged!
Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts.
On this episode, Perry & Mason sit down with Dr. Jeana Jorgensen. We touch on several key themes in this interview… everything from the multidisciplinary nature of Folklore Studies, to the value of studying folklore, the dark side of fol...
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November 3, 2023 • 36 mins
Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode.
Things we mentioned:
Mason's continued travel adventures and mishaps
Mick West's interview on Perry's other podcast, 8th Layer Insights.
Mason talks about the movie in his head that forms the sound design for the opening scene
Crazy stuff about creepy clowns
Apparently attending the ISCLR event this year was great for finding guests!
Everything connects to Mick...
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October 31, 2023 • 67 mins
Down the Raccoon Hole (Deprogramming Conspiracies & Creepy Clown Lore)
Digby is fully lost in a conspiracy rabbit hole. Perry dreams of an earlier interview he did with Mick West about how people get wrapped-up in conspiracies which shakes loose the memory of an underground 'deprogramming' center. The gang trick Digby into a road trip to the deprogramming center by telling him that the location is actually the enemy's secret headqu...
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October 23, 2023 • 62 mins
Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged!
Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts.
On this episode, Perry & Mason speak with Dr. Sara Cleto and Dr. Brittany Warman from the Carterhaugh School of Folklore & the Fantastic.
You’ll hear early on that we were interviewing them primarily as part of our “Why is Old Tech Creep...
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