Tales for our Times – Details, episodes & analysis

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In this episode I give updates from the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival and share two short stories from the region.

The stories are of a character famed through the Arab world, the wise fool, often known as Hodja, or the Mullah Nasruddin, but in North Africa he is known as 'Djoha'.

I recently told one of these stories at a school in the Atlas Mountains to the delight of many school pupils.

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Stay in the loop with my storytelling offerings through the year via:

sandfox.com/dougiemackaystory

Instagram: @dougie.mackay.story

storyconnection.org

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Read about the Marakesh international storytelling festival here:

https://worldstorytellingcafe.com/marrakech-international-storytelling-festival/

or our Guiness world record success:

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2025/01/367971/marrakech-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-longest-storytelling-session

The Last Storytellers by Richard Hamilton:

https://www.richard-hamilton.com/the-last-storytellers/

Cafe Clock

https://www.cafeclock.com/marrakech

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As a prequel to my upcoming tour of British Columbia I speak with Tad Hargrave, best known for his Marketing for Hippies movement, but also eloquent in culture making and something of a storyteller, improv actor and street magician. You want this guy at your party!

In our conversation we touch upon his own path to discover of the richness of his Celtic heritage, learning from cultural heavyweights such as Stephen Jenkinson,  discuss indigenous knowledge, heritage crafts, and trans Atlantic idea sharing. We reference at least one road trip and a selection of Scottish storytelling elders, and finish with a story about the gold in one's own home.

There's also a traveller anecdote in there that makes me laugh out loud!

We discuss my upcoming storytelling tour of British Columbia and Washington state and why he felt to instigate the trip.

Find out about the BC tour here:
storyconnection.org/bctour/

Read about Tad's culture making here:
https://substack.com/profile/39800440-tad-hargrave

Sort your business out whilst maintaining your hippie credentials here:
https://marketingforhippies.com/

My live dates and online events:
https://linktr.ee/dougiemackay

My newsletter (where all the good stuff goes first):
https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory

Thanks for listening!

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Another classic tale about dreaming and unexpected treasures in familiar places and an inspiration for a best selling novel.

This story appeals to all ages and whilst discussing with a friend recently, we reflected upon the influence that the novel version of this tale has had on our adult lives.

It's a cracking folk tale in it's finest form: simple, engaging and with just a seed of something to ponder afterwards.

I first discovered this story via Hugh Lupton's collection of Wisdom Tales, published by Barefoot Books.

You can support this podcast to the cost of a cup of coffee (that's a hipster oat milk cappuccino) or dram (single malt) via my Kofi page. All contributions very much appreciated.

https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory

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In this episode I am joined by Northern Irish storytelling phenomenon Liz Weir.

I first met Liz many years ago at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and was fascinated by her anecdotes of storytelling in Northern Ireland during the times of 'the troubles'. It was one of the strongest accounts of applied storytelling I have heard, and only one of many community projects delivered by Liz.

Since then, I have visited her across the water several times and have always been made very welcome.

Liz is a storytelling powerhouse, mentor to many, and great craic. I had no doubts about inviting her to be the first guest on the podcast.

You can support this podcast to the cost of a cup of coffee (that's a hipster oat milk cappuccino) or dram (single malt) via my Kofi page. All contributions very much appreciated.

https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory

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This episode shares a local folk tale from the Isle of Skye, first told to me by renowned Seanachie, George 'Seoras' Macpherson. 

The tale is set in the time of the Highland clearances, and has themes of co-operation common in rural places, memories of old lore, and the harshness of the Scottish elements.

You can support this podcast to the cost of a cup of coffee (that's a hipster oat milk cappuccino) or dram (single malt) via my Kofi page. All contributions very much appreciated.

https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory

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Welcome to the Tales for our Times podcast!

In this first episode (recorded back in the winter time) I share a classic tale from the Scottish Traveller people and give a little cultural context around the travellers, and their role in the modern resurgence in traditional storytelling.

This story is a classic, and one of the tales I tell most often as it's a winner with all age groups and presents a age old dichotomy, that stirs something inmost people.

You can support this podcast to the cost of a cup of coffee (that's a hipster oat milk cappuccino) or dram (single malt) via my Kofi page. All contributions very much appreciated.

https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory

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In this episode I catch up with Lucy O'Hagan about her wilderness programmes in Ireland. We range from local myths of Lugh and Balor of the evil eye, to the Belfast Punk scene, snow shelters in Norway, cave dwelling in Dordogne, and the teepee outside Galway where we met.

To find out more about Lucy's work:
https://www.wildawake.ie/

To stay tuned for more story offerings:
https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory

Lynx Vilden's Lithica project:
https://www.lithica.earth/

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This episode features a live recording of a story told at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 23. It's a version of one of the stories I first fell in love with many years ago and has sublime musical accompaniment from the talented Rachel Newton...aswell as some random audience participation and suggestion!

I also comment on various features of the storytelling festival including the Basket of Stories project and finish with a poem from a prominent Palestinian poet.

Mentioned in the show is the Another Story Podcast, the online Voices of Celtic Wisdom course and my mailing list, each linked below.

Voices of Celtic Wisdom:
https://weaving-remembrance.mykajabi.com/a/2147716521/EiCWvZ7T

Mailing list:
https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory

Another story podcast:
https://www.sisf.org.uk/another-story-podcast/

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In the episode I give a nod to my recent trip to Norway for a primitive skills gathering by telling a hunting tale from Sierra Leone. 

I also share a 'Revolting Rhyme' version of the Norwegian folk tale, the Three Billy Goats Gruff, inspired by irreverent British-Danish author Roald Dahl.

There is some commentary on my time in Norway and the story too.

If you'd like to support this podcast you can make a donation, to the price of a hot drink via my Kofi page:
https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory

If you'd like to stay up to date with story offerings and resources you can join my mailing  list via:
https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory

Or follow me on instagram @dougie.mackay.story

If you've enjoyed the podcast, reviews, comments and shares are much appreciated!
Thanks for listening.