Digital Folklore
Digital Folklore is an immersive audio adventure set inside a fictional universe while exploring real-world internet culture and the societal truths behind various online expressions. Hosts Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus blend audio fiction with expert interviews, encountering both real and fictional characters who share folkloric insight and create new lore. Topics range from the absurd to the unsettling, offering an accessible and entertaining look at folklore and what it reveals about society. Listeners who enjoy audio fiction and interview-based shows will find a unique mix here. The show encourages careful listening, as unexpected details may be hidden throughout.
Episodes
Artifacts of Deception (Deceptive Minds - issue #2)
This is the 2nd of 2 sample episodes/issues of Perry's new audio newsletter, Deceptive Minds. If you enjoyed these and want to receive future editions, please subscribe here.
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Hey friends! Here's issue 2 of Deceptive Minds: a newsletter about how we are fooled, how we fool ourselves, and what we can do about it.
🔥 Since starting this newsletter last week, we're already closing in on 3,000
Introducing: Deceptive Minds (the audio experience)
Hey listeners, Perry Carpenter here. I've got something exciting that I think you'll be interested in. It's the audio version of a newsletter that I recently started.
The newsletter is called Deceptive Minds, and it's all about how we are fooled, how we fool ourselves, and what we can do about it.
I'm dropping the first two episodes/issues in this feed so you can decide if you like it and might
FAIK Miniseries (sneak peek) | Chapter 3: The Mindset and Tools of a Digital Manipulator
This is Part Three of a ten-part miniseries exploring Perry Carpenter's latest book, FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions. Each episode kicks off with a dramatized reading of the "Whispers from the Static" vignette that opens the chapter, followed by an in-depth conversation with Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus, where they unpack
FAIK Miniseries (sneak peek) | Chapter 2: New Frontiers of Deception: AI and Synthetic Media
This is Part Two of a ten-part miniseries exploring Perry Carpenter's latest book, FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions. Each episode kicks off with a dramatized reading of the "Whispers from the Static" vignette that opens the chapter, followed by an in-depth conversation with Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus, where they unpack th
FAIK Miniseries (sneak peek) | Chapter 1: The Eternal Battle for the Mind
This is Part One of a ten-part miniseries exploring Perry Carpenter's latest book, FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions. Each episode kicks off with a dramatized reading of the "Whispers from the Static" vignette that opens the chapter, followed by an in-depth conversation with Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus, where they unpack th
UPDATE: Perry Made Something Cool...
B&N Preorder Link: https://faik.to/GetFAIKed
Amazon Preorder Link: https://amzn.to/3Lg55kZ
Barnes & Noble is offering 25% off of pre-order books until July 17th if you join their free rewards program.
Perry's new book FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions comes out October 1st of this year!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Dr. Andrew Peck | 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 today’s episode, Mason & Perry got to speak with Andrew Peck. This was a very special interview for us because it ties all the way back to the ending lines of season 1 episode 1. If it’s been a while since you’ve listened to that episode,
After the Episode | S2E10 (No-clipping Reality)
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
No-Clipping Reality (Liminal Spaces & Possibility)
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 writ
After the Episode | S2E9 (Unwrapping our Presence)
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 B
Unwrapping Our Presence (Folklorist Favorites)
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 Ep
Dr. Ian Brodie | 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 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)
After the Episode | S2E8 (The Death of Meaning)
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
Episod
The Death of Meaning (Gen Z Humor, Absurdism, & Trust in Platforms)
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 be
Ben Radford | Unplugged
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 m
A Special Holiday Message for You
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
Digital Folklore: The Journey So Far
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 th
Dr. Andrea Kitta | Unplugged
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 o
After the Episode | S2E7 (If Memory Serves)
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 snippe
If Memory Serves (The Mandela Effect, Trust vs. Truth, & AI)
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 inter
Dr. Kristina Downs | Unplugged
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
After the Episode | S2E6 (Statistically Conscious)
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 ed
Statistically Conscious (Artificial Intelligence)
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
Dr. Jeana Jorgensen | Unplugged
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 stud
After the Episode | S2E5 (Down the Raccoon Hole)
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 g
Down The Raccoon Hole (Deprogramming Conspiracies & Creepy Clown Lore)
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
Dr. Sara Cleto and Dr. Brittany Warman | Unplugged
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
After the Episode | S2E4 (Think of the Children)
Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode.
Things we mentioned:
Joel Best as a jack o'lantern, on Adam Ruins Everything.
Elizabeth (Libby) Tucker
We won 5 awards from the Signal Awards!
Digital Void and Josh Chapdelaine
The jorts revival we all feared.
Ben Radford and the Squaring the Strange Podcast
Episode editing by Matt Bliss of MBPod and Blissery.fm.
If you w
Think of the Children (Halloween Sadism & Internet Challenges)
Think of the Children (Halloween Sadism & Internet Challenges)
After MEMExpo, the crew reconvenes to find Digby in a state of absolute chaos. He has absorbed every conspiracy he could find, and linked it all back to a pipeline starting with tainted Halloween candy. In an effort to convince Digby that he is being ridiculous, Perry and Mason decide to do some research...
In This Episode:
Joel Best
Dr. Lynne S. McNeill (Part 2) | Unplugged
Welcome to another installment of Digital Folklore Unplugged.
Unplugged episodes are all about stripping away the fancy production elements so that we can give you access to raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts.
This is part two of our interview with Dr. Lynne McNeill. If you’ve not yet listened to part 1, you can find it here… but that’s not really necessary to appreciate tod
After the Episode | S2E3 (Defying Convention)
Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode.
Things We Mentioned:
Digital Void & The Digital Void Podcast
Dr. Kristina Downs's previous podcast, Crime Lore
Our assistant editor Matthew Bliss's podcast, From My Home to Yours
If you want to find the extra clips and BTS snippets, join our Discord server using the link below!
🗣 Join our Discord community
💁♀️ Support us on
Defying Convention (Memes, Conspiracy, & Communication)
Defying Convention (Memes, Conspiracy, & Communication)
Despite their best efforts, the gang cannot stop the flow of time and MEMExpo is upon them. Perry and Mason venture into the convention looking for someone to essentially do their presentation for them. As it happens, they encounter Josh Chapdelaine of Digital Void for an insightful conversation about memes and online communication. After fai
Dr. Lynne S. McNeill (Part 1) | Unplugged
Welcome to another installment of Digital Folklore Unplugged.
Unplugged episodes are all about stripping away the fancy production elements so that we can give you access to raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts.
Today's guest is Dr. Lynne McNeill. Lynne McNeill’s name is nearly synonymous with the study of Digital Folklore. Her work and her voice has been instrumental in helpi
After the Episode | S2E2 (The Links Between Us)
A little catch-up after episode 2!
THIS is the first thing Perry & Mason ever made together - an immersive heist in which Perry plays a helicopter pilot as Mason and the PodCube™ crew attempt to steal Mark Zuckerberg's baby teeth. And THIS is the episode of 8th Layer Insights that sketch was created for!
Check out Perry's other podcast 8th Layer Insights! It's an immersive and fun exploration of
The Links Between Us (Algorithmic Identity, Goncharov, and Tumblr)
The Links Between Us (Algorithmic Identity, Goncharov, and Tumblr)
With MEMExpo looming tomorrow, the Digital Folklore gang pulls an all-nighter trying to piece together a presentation. They speak with Dr. Cassandra Pfeifer about identity and online communities, as well as the effect of algorithmic content curation on our sense of identity. Then, they call up Lauren Shippen and Cherokee McAnelly f
Paul Prater | Unplugged
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 Paul Prater. Paul is a multifaceted guy – a lawyer, a musician, a mentalist and bizarre entertainer, an author… oh… and he collects ghost stories and leads h
After The Episode | S2E1 (Mark My Wizard)
Perry & Mason talk shop about the process of making Digital Folklore Season 2
🗣 Join our Discord community
💁♀️ Support us on Patreon
🕸 Sign-up for our newsletter, check our our merch, and learn more about the show at digitalfolklore.fm.
📚 Check our book list for some great folklore-related books
Find us on the socials:
Twitter: @digiFolklorePod
Facebook: DigitalFolklorePod
Instagram: Digital
Mark My Wizard (Research, Inclusivity, & Collaboration)
Mark My Wizard (Research, Inclusivity, & Collaboration)
The Folkswagen sails off a cliff. Perry can explain, but it's going to take a while. Perhaps... a whole season. It all starts when the crew decides to visit other creators who specialize in making media about folklore studies. First, they visit Mark Norman - who lives behind a grocery store, inside a bizarre apartment complex shaped like a wi
Chelsey Weber-Smith | Unplugged
Welcome to our 4th installment of Digital Folklore Unplugged.
These unplugged episodes are all about stripping away the fancy production elements so that we can give you access to raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts.
Today’s guest is Chelsey Weber-Smith. Chelsey is the creator and host of American Hysteria, a show that probes the depths of our collective anxieties, our shared
Lessons Learned, Survey Results, & Season 2 | Perry & Mason
Sit down with Perry & Mason as they discuss the state of Digital Folklore!
On today’s episode, our hosts pull back the curtain to talk candidly about season one of the podcast, the results of our survey, and the plans for season 2.
We're always looking to hear from you, too! If you have ideas, topics you'd like to see covered, feedback, or anything else - drop us an email!
Hello@8thLayerMedia.com
Mark Muncy | Unplugged
Welcome to our 3nd installment of Digital Folklore Unplugged.
These unplugged episodes are all about stripping away the fancy production elements so that we can give you access to raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts.
On today’s episode, Perry & Mason sit down with Mark Muncy.
Mark is the author of Eerie Florida, Eerie Apalachia, Creepy Florida, and more. He also hosts a podc
Coming Soon - Season 2
Season Two is On The Way!
In the meantime, please take our listener survey! It's only 10 questions, and takes about 5 minutes tops.
Get ready for more adventures, escapades, and experts in season two of Digital Folklore!
Topics in the upcoming season include (but are not limited to):
Meme warfare
Misinformation, Disinformation, and Conspiracies
How specific online platforms shape folklore creat
Dr. Diane A. Rodgers | Unplugged
Welcome to our 2nd installment of Digital Folklore Unplugged.
These unplugged episodes are all about stripping away the fancy production elements so that we can give you access to raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts.
Today’s guest is Dr. Diane Rodgers. Diane is a senior lecturer in Media at Sheffield Hallam University where she specializes in Alternative Media and Storytellin
GennaRose Nethercott | Unplugged
Welcome to Digital Folklore… Unplugged Edition.
“Unplugged” is a new, additional, episode format type we’re trying out.
Digital Folklore episodes labeled as “Unplugged” will be much more like traditional interview-based podcasts. Whereas our standard episodes tend to focus on a fun way to present a single topic or set of tightly related topics, Digital Folklore ‘unplugged’ is about showcasing ou
Technical Difficulties - Dr. Lynne McNeill
Technical Difficulties (Dr. Lynne McNeill)
We're joined by veritable digital folklore superstar Lynne McNeill! We are also joined by innumerable technical gremlins, as well as some obvious problems as Perry discovers that Mason has bulldozed the inside of his studio in order to look good on the video chat.
Dr. McNeill offers up an immense amount of knowledge and insight, while Perry and Mason bare
Tell Me What You Remember (Defining Folklore)
Tell Me What You Remember (Defining Folklore)
We relive unseen events from earlier this season through the eyes of a mysterious patient and a rather insufferable doctor. It's a recap of what we've learned this season, without actually 're-capping' anything!
In this episode:
Defining folklore and related concepts with Jeana Jorgenson.
We finally find out where Digby is!
The Gutenberg Parenthesi
Ritual, Exorcism, and Religion - Dr. Francis Young
Perry is all alone in a massive Airbnb...
and he's beginning to suspect that something supernaturally disturbing has been following himself and Mason. After all of the strange events this season, perhaps there is a reason for them to be nervous...
Perry makes a call to Dr Francis Young, an expert in the history of religion and belief. Francis shares his knowledge of religious history, exorcism pra
Why is Old Tech Creepy? (Analog Horror, The Gothic & Hauntology)
Why is Old Tech Creepy? (Analog Horror, The Gothic & Hauntology)
Mason finds a mysterious VHS copy of Candle Cove. Not having a VCR, he heads to Perry's Airbnb mansion only to discover that Perry is also VCR-less. After a short debate, they hop into the FolksWagen and head to Todd's pawn shop. And that's where things get a bit strange...
In this episode:
A dramatization of the Candle Cove creepy
The Folklore of Live Action Roleplay (LARP) - Tara Marie Clapper
Digby is at the 'vet', while Perry & Mason review a fascinating interview on LARP...
After the tumultuous and ambiguous events at the end of the previous episode, Perry swings over to Mason's place again. The pair talk through that strange thing that happened with their RSS feed, some potential production decisions for the future of Digital Folklore, and also plan out their interview episode about
See for Yourself (Urban Legends, Ghost Tours, & Legend Tripping)
See for Yourself
Perry picks up Mason from his house at 4:00am (yes... four in the freaking morning) for a road trip out to the gravesite of Elijah Bond - inventor of the Ouija Board. On the way, they encounter quite a few remarkable folks with stories to tell...
Content Warnings:
Because of dynamically inserted ads, timestamps would be inaccurate. Here's how to avoid potentially triggering cont
From Cautionary Tales: The Mummy's Curse
Disturbing the remains of the Egyptian Pharaohs is known to incur a deadly curse, so why did a team of archeologists still risk inciting the wrath of King Tutankhamun by entering his burial chamber? And how many of them met a premature end for their impudence?
This episode comes to us from our friends at Pushkin Industries. It's a podcast we love called Cautionary Tales by Tim Harford. We tell ou
An ARG Developer and Player Meet for the First Time - Niles Sankey & Matthew Bliss
Perry and Mason have lost time, but discover a mysterious tape...
The gang discovers a mysterious canister in the trunk of Perry’s (new) car. It's a reel of tape, which turns out to be an interview that they did not conduct.
Tune in as Matthew Bliss (prominent ARG solver of Asemblance) and Niles Sankey (game developer of Asemblance) meet each other for the first time!
Niles dives deeper into his a
Hidden Meanings (Haunted Videogames, ARGs, & Folk Groups)
Hidden Meanings
You never know what you might discover if you just #KeepYourEyesOpen. Perry and Mason venture into their local pawn shop where they meet the mysterious proprietor, Todd, as well as a handful of very interesting people who happen to all be connected...
In this episode:
An opening story about a gamer who discovers their deceased father's ghost car and gets to race him again
A retel
Monsters and Mental Healthcare - Vivian Asimos & Kathleen Hale
Monsters and Mental Healthcare - Vivian Asimos & Kathleen Hale
This is the first of our 'Folk' episodes, where we share longer excerpts from our interviews!
We talk with Dr. Vivian Asimos about the importance of storytelling and narrative, what makes a monster significant, and a deeper analysis of how of Slenderman - and the circumstances around his creation - catapulted a legend into our collecti
The Internet is The New Woods (Monsters, Ostension, & Moral Panics)
The Internet is The New Woods (Monsters, Ostension, & Moral Panics)
This episode introduces us to two "monsters" who were birthed on the internet, but couldn't be contained there. Their names are Slenderman and Momo, and they are great examples of a few key folkloric concepts. So join us as we take a look at Slenderman and Momo and learn about ostension, monster theory, moral panics, and the defin
Digital Folklore -- Episode 1 Sneak Peek
Hey folks! We're excited to share with you a sneak peek of episode 1.
This episode introduces us to two "monsters" who were birthed on the internet, but couldn't be contained there. Their names are Slenderman and Momo, and they are great examples of a few key folkloric concepts. So join us as we take a look at Slenderman and Momo and learn about ostension, monster theory, moral panics, and the de
Introducing: Digital Folklore
COMING JAN 2023. Monsters, memes, internet urban legends, conspiracies, viral crazes and how each holds up a mirror to the society from which they emerge.
Digital Folklore is a fully immersive, sound designed podcast that uses storytelling, voice acting, interviews, and scripted narrative to analyze various expressions of internet culture - from scary stories to cat memes - through the lens of aca
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