About FolkTales set to Music from Around the Globe
The WMI FolkTales podcast is an original award-winning production that features improvised re-imaginings of classic folk tales from around the world, hosted by acclaimed storyteller Bill Gordh. Each episode features a guest artist who joins Bill for a musical re-telling of a beloved story from their culture. Recommended for children of all ages.
WMI Folk Tales podcasts are supported by music lovers like you. We thank you!
Podcast producer: Kate Winn
Audio courtesy of Cliff Hahn Sound
Podcast artwork courtesy of Cody Hudson - https://www.struggleinc.com
Palestine - Thuraya and the Ghoul - Firas Zreik and Bill Gordh
Send us Fan Mail In this Palestinian folktale featuring our storyteller Bill Gordh and qanun master Firas Zreik, Thuraya is whisked away to a mysterious palace tower by a hungry ghoul—but she’s no helpless prisoner. With music, quick thinking, a little magic, and a daring new friend, Thuraya cooks up an escape plan full of surprises. A thrilling, funny, and enchanting tale about courage, creativity, and outsmarting monsters. Learn more about Firas Zreik: https://www.firaszreik.com WMI Plus At...
30 Apr 2025
Japan - The Dancing Tea Kettle with Kaoru Watanabe and Bill Gordh
Kaoru Watanabe and Bill Gordh explore the Japanese folk tale "The Dancing Tea Kettle" through music, offering a unique cultural experience.
11 Nov 2024
India - A Flowering Tree with Saraswathi Ranganathan and Bill Gordh
Saraswathi Ranganathan and Bill Gordh explore the magical tale of sisters saving their mother by selling enchanted blossoms in this interview episode.
17 Apr 2024
West Africa - Why Sun and Moon Are Up in the Sky with Yacouba Sissoko and Bill Gordh
Malian kora master Yacouba Sissoko and musician Bill Gordh share the West African folktale of why Sun and Moon are up in the sky in this engaging interview.
5 Dec 2023
Ukraine - A Garment for the Moon with Lisa Gutkin and Bill Gordh
Grammy Award-winning fiddler Lisa Gutkin and Bill Gordh share the Ukrainian tale "A Garment for the Moon," exploring creative solutions to an impossible problem.
22 Oct 2023
Persia - Parinaz and the Golden Lamp with Mehrnam Rastegari and Bill Gordh
Storyteller Bill Gordh and Iranian composer Mehrnam Rastegari share the Persian folk tale of Parinaz and the Golden Lamp, exploring themes of love and escape.
4 Aug 2023
China - The Dragon's Eye with Zhou Yi and Bill Gordh
Pipa master Zhou Yi and storyteller Bill Gordh share the Chinese folktale "The Dragon's Eye" in this captivating interview.
30 Jul 2023
Morocco - The Sultan's Horse with Samir LanGus and Bill Gordh
Gnawa artist Samir LanGus and storyteller Bill Gordh interview each other, improvising the Moroccan tale of The Sultan's Horse, revealing a journey of spiritual discovery.
1 May 2023
Finland - The Enchanted Kantele with Kardemimmit and Bill Gordh
Storyteller Bill Gordh and Finnish ensemble Kardemimmit bring "The Enchanted Kantele" folktale to life through improvised music and narration.
18 Jan 2023
Tibet - The Gathering Tree with Techung and Bill Gordh
Storyteller Bill Gordh and Tibetan artist Techung interview each other, sharing the folktale "The Gathering Tree" and its lessons on wisdom and jealousy.
2 Jun 2022
South America - The Two Girls with Harpist Edmar Castaneda and Bill Gordh
Storyteller Bill Gordh and harpist Edmar Castaneda bring the South American folktale "The Two Girls" to life, exploring themes of compassion and consequence in this interview.
21 Mar 2022
Brazil - Night Comes to the Rainforest with Cyro Baptista and Bill Gordh
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Storyteller Bill Gordh and percussionist Cyro Baptista improvise the Brazilian folktale "Night Comes to the Rainforest". The story follows a farmer's wife, the daughter of the mighty Snake King, who tells her husband about night, which he has never experienced. They decide to send three friends on a mission to fetch darkness from the Snake King. He hands them a nut containing night, with strict instructions not to open it until they return to his daughter, but temptation gets the better of them.
More about Cyro Baptista (https://www.cyrobaptista.com/)
sound editing courtesy of Iuri Oriente
WMI FolkTales podcasts are supported by a grant from Con Edison and world music lovers like you. We thank you!
Support the Show. (https://ci.ovationtix.com/35721/store/donations)
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16 Mar 2022
Ireland - Red Rory and the Fairies with Seamus Egan and Bill Gordh
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Storyteller Bill Gordh and multi-instrumentalist Seamus Egan improvise the Irish folktale "Red Rory and the Fairies". Red Rory likes showing off and telling stories - especially about the fairies. When he takes his fibbing a step too far, the fairies strike back with their playful wrath, throwing a wrench in his plans to head home for dinner with a trail of tricks and hurdles.
More about Seamus Egan (https://seamuseganproject.com/)
Listen to WMI Plus At Home with Seamus Egan and Stephen Winick (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1349317/9236225-irish-multi-instrumentalist-seamus-egan-and-stephen-winick.mp3?download=true)
Sound editing courtesy of David Klym
WMI FolkTales podcasts are supported by a grant from Con Edison and world music lovers like you. We thank you!
Support the Show. (https://ci.ovationtix.com/35721/store/donations)
Keep in touch with us! Join our newsletter (https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=00127YQAJfP6X8pL3L9xYg1dtqRMQu4O8jisXPE8SjZLl-5484y3CotVX10tiZpjbf7VM4wyU97iNb5LxRIlR-vRbdS_cP9uFzr4GqZI0Z4FoYrd4aw-lf1vQEO8HdWSgjSBL3a_E-tMiE9BbbgWJWLuVfqJizGehz0iG6Sh4pHuwU%3D)
14 Feb 2022
India - Grandmother Rabbit and the Elephant King with Saraswathi Ranganathan and Bill Gordh
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Storyteller Bill Gordh and veena player Saraswathi Ranganathan improvise the Indian folktale "Grandmother Rabbit and The Elephant King", an enchanting story that dives into the drama between two ponds, one ruled by rabbits and the other by elephants. When the elephant's watering hole dries up, they barge into the bunny's pond, causing chaos. But wise Grandmother Rabbit has a plan to reclaim their turf.
More about Saraswathi Ranganathan (https://saraswathiveena.com/)
WMI FolkTales podcasts are supported by a grant from Con Edison and world music lovers like you. We thank you!
Support the Show. (https://ci.ovationtix.com/35721/store/donations)
Keep in touch with us! Join our newsletter (https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=00127YQAJfP6X8pL3L9xYg1dtqRMQu4O8jisXPE8SjZLl-5484y3CotVX10tiZpjbf7VM4wyU97iNb5LxRIlR-vRbdS_cP9uFzr4GqZI0Z4FoYrd4aw-lf1vQEO8HdWSgjSBL3a_E-tMiE9BbbgWJWLuVfqJizGehz0iG6Sh4pHuwU%3D)
Who has been a guest on FolkTales set to Music from Around the Globe
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Kaoru Watanabe
Bill Gordh
Saraswathi Ranganathan
Yacouba Sissoko
Lisa Gutkin
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 6 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
11
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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