Strange Truths & Tall Tales Podcast
Strange Truths and Tall Tales is a podcast that celebrates the storytelling tradition of Newfoundland, Canada. From true-life feats of bravery to eerie tales of sea monsters and the folklore of mummers, we explore the stories that make this place so unique.
It’s not just about history. We also talk to modern storytellers, artists, and contributors from the world of pop culture to hear their perspectives, their inspirations, and the tales that matter to them.
The show is hosted by Robert, a longtime blogger from Gander, NL, who has spent years writing about Newfoundland’s culture and heritage. He records the podcast from home, with occasional “input” from his two Labrador retrievers, who keep him grounded (and sometimes distracted).
Whether you’re a Newfoundlander yourself or simply curious about the stories of this remarkable place, we invite you to join us. Together, we’ll unravel “the yarns that knit ya” and discover what makes Newfoundland’s tales so powerful, so moving, and so unforgettable.
Have a story to share? Reach out: robert@productofnewfoundland.ca.
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S3.E5: Mar Falten, Fanny Goff!
From playful Valentine’s traditions to heartbreaking loss, love in Newfoundland is never simple. Some stories fade, but others like ‘Fanny Goff’ — the story of Newfoundland’s most beautiful woman — endure.
S3.E4: The Candlemas Bear
On this February 2nd episode I chat about Candlemas lore an tell the story of a little bear wakes to find his shadow missing. His search leads to a warm home, a wise Grandmother, and a wintery secret.
S3.E3: Tibb’s Eve in Trinity
Pour a mug of hot chocolate (or maybe a glass of Christmas slush) for this tale of Tibb’s Eve in historic Trinity, Newfoundland
S3.E2: Mummers, Music and Hors d’Oeuvres (feat. Tyler Humber of Kitchinparti)
This episode features two tales of mummering from Newfoundland and a lively chat with Tyler Humber of Kitchinparti about their new single Plank’er Down (and our love love of pickles, cheese, and Vienna sausage on a stick!)
S3.E1: Newfoundland Confederation and CODCO (feat. Greg Malone)
In the season 3 premiere of Strange Truths and Tall Tales we look at the day Newfoundland started driving on the right-hand side of the road and chat with Newfoundland legend Greg Malone about CODCO and his upcoming docu-series Don’t Tell the Newfoundlanders.
S2.E9: Restless Corpses (Halloween Special Pt. 3)
In this special Halloween episode of Strange Truths and Tall Tales we explore two tales of corpses who wouldn’t quite rest in peace.
S2.E8: The Black Stag (Halloween Special Pt. 2)
This special Halloween bonus episode shares the stories of three creepy creatures seen in Newfoundland — a spectral stag, a headless dog and the mysterious mudsucker.
S2.E7: The Thunder Growl (Halloween Special Pt. 1)
This special Halloween bonus episode explores the true story of the Thunder Growl — a terrifying visitor that showed up in Elliston, NL some 200 years ago.
S2.E6: The Tale of Mildred Baxter feat. Rosemary Lawton and Kyle Callahan
In this episode I dig into the tale of Harbour Breton folk-hero Mildred Baxter — who sailed the sea in the guise of a man to deal with a cheating fiancé. Rosemary Lawton joins me to discuss ‘Jacket and Trouser’ songs and I have a chat about pop cultural monsters in Newfoundland with artist Kyle Callahan aka ‘The Godzilla Guy.’
S2.E5: Mummers and Music featuring Carolina East
Join me for a chat about mummers and music. We dig in to the fun and frightening side of mummering in Newfoundland. After that, it’s a chat with Carolina East about her Christmas album Home for the Holidays and a bunch of exciting new songs she’s about to release. We’ll close the episode with another instalment of ‘Monstrous Things’ where I’ll present the strange case of a Christmas sea monster in the Codroy Valley.
S2.E4: Tibb’s Eve and Newfoundland Christmas Slush
A chat about modern Newfoundland Christmas traditions including Tibb’s Eve and Newfoundland Christmas Slush with The Duds and Jeremy Whey (aka Instagram’s @stuffthatinyourgob)
S2.E3: Pull The Whole Sky Down//With Violet
It came from outer space! In this episode we explore the story of a terrifying meteor shower in Newfoundland and chat with With Violet members Spencer FitGerald and Pete about their new ep Your Sunday Best and the dancing-astronaut filled video for their single ‘Gravity.’
S2.E2: The Devil & The Duds
The second episode of season two is a spooky one — it features a rendition of the Newfoundland folktale ‘Mr. Kinchler and the Devil’ and a chat with Melanie O’Brien and Philip Goodridge of The Duds about their new Halloween tunes. It closes out with ‘Monstrous Things’ and a discussion of a sea serpent attack in Hawke’s Bay.
S2.E1: Bell Island & History’s Most Haunted
The season 2 opener features the story of a 12 year-old boy who fended off a giant squid, an interview with paranormal experts Corine Carey, Leanne Sallenback and Kelly Ireland of T+E’s series History’s Most Haunted, and an old sea serpent account from Fortune Harbour.
S1.E8: Lightning Over Lumsden
The story of a horrific thunder and lightning storm over eastern Newfoundland in 1930.
S1.E7: Black Bart in Newfoundland
The story of infamous pirate (and tacky dresser?) Black Bart and his exploits in Trepassey.
S1.E6: Newfoundland’s Madonna Iceberg
The story of a weird — maybe miraculous —iceberg that appeared off St. John’s in 1905
S1.E5: Rant, Roar and Riot
The story of the headline grabbing 1932 riot at the Colonial Building in St. John’s NL
S1.E4: Duels, Ghosts and Nose-Pulling in Newfoundland
Soldiers, ghosts, skeletons and nose-pulling… this is the story of the last duel causing death to be fought in Newfoundland
