Our Big, Fat, Greek Mythology Episode

Our Big, Fat, Greek Mythology Episode

In this episode, we raid Charmed’s Season 4 for every Greek-myth-flavored creature we can find—Furies, Muses, Harpies, and the Source’s favorite Oracles and Seers—and ask how they stack up against their ancient counterparts. From “Hell Hath No Fury” and “Muse to My Ears” to the Harpy attack in episode 18 and the Oracle/Seer power plays around the Source, we unpack how the show turns impartial avengers, benevolent inspirers, storm spirits, and cryptic prophets into very personal threats (and occasional allies) in the Halliwells’ lives. Along the way, we tell the myths of Orestes being hounded by the Furies, Hesiod’s mountaintop meeting with the Muses, Phineus’ never-ending Harpy‑ruined feast, and King Croesus’ disastrous misreading of the Delphic Oracle, exploring what these stories say about rage, inspiration, chaos, and prophecy—and why powerful, dangerous women keep stealing the spotlight in both Greek lore and the Charmed-verse. Trigger Warning: Discussion of death, familial violence (including matricide in Greek myth), vengeance, and psychological torment (guilt, haunting, prophetic doom), plus brief references to blood, punishment, and underworld imagery. Learn More: * Furies. (n.d.). Britannica Student Encyclopedia. https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Furies/324087 [https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Furies/324087]  * Furies in Greek mythology. (n.d.). History Cooperative. https://historycooperative.org/the-furies/ [https://historycooperative.org/the-furies/]  * The Furies & the Harpies. (n.d.). Tales Beyond Belief. https://www.talesbeyondbelief.com/myth-stories/furies-harpies.htm [https://www.talesbeyondbelief.com/myth-stories/furies-harpies.htm]  * Greek mythological seers. (n.d.). PaleoThea. https://paleothea.com/cultural-myths/greek-mythological-seers/ [https://paleothea.com/cultural-myths/greek-mythological-seers/]  * The Harpies. (n.d.). Tamed Wild. (Kate Belew, “Mythic Beasts & Beings: The Harpies”). https://tamedwild.com/a/blog/mythic-beasts-beings-the-harpies [https://tamedwild.com/a/blog/mythic-beasts-beings-the-harpies]  * Phineus. (n.d.). Mythopedia. https://mythopedia.com/topics/phineus [https://mythopedia.com/topics/phineus]  * The fatal prophecy: The Oracle and the fall of Lydia. (n.d.). Mused. https://mused.com/stories/973/the-fatal-prophecy-the-oracle-and-the-fall-of-lydia/ [https://mused.com/stories/973/the-fatal-prophecy-the-oracle-and-the-fall-of-lydia/]  * Hilliard, K. (2023, August 10). Charmed: Demons with roots in classical myth and literature. Collider. https://collider.com/charmed-demons-with-roots-classical-myth-literature/ [https://collider.com/charmed-demons-with-roots-classical-myth-literature/]  * Screen Rant Staff. (n.d.). Charmed: Every creature Piper was transformed into. Screen Rant. https://screenrant.com/charmed-piper-creatures-magical-beings-transformed/ [https://screenrant.com/charmed-piper-creatures-magical-beings-transformed/]  * The Furies in mythology. (n.d.). Centre of Excellence. https://www.centreofexcellence.com/furies-in-mythology [https://www.centreofexcellence.com/furies-in-mythology]

The Good, The Bad, and The Paige!

In our Season 4 kickoff, we welcome Paige Matthews into the Power of Three and dive into why she’s one of TV’s great liminal heroes—caught between witch and Whitelighter, orphan and Halliwell, outsider and sister. Focusing on episodes 1, 2, 4, 6, 13, 16, 20, and 21, we trace Paige’s rocky introduction, her mistakes and growth, and how she helps rebalance the Charmed Ones after Prue’s death—while the universe itself doubles down on a cosmic good‑vs‑evil showdown. Along the way, we connect Paige’s journey to mythic in‑between figures like liminal deities, Nephilim, and Campbell’s hero’s journey, explore “thin places” and liminal spaces in folklore, and unpack why pop culture loves big moral battles, from the Source unleashing the Hollow to angels and demons breaking their own rules. Trigger Warning: Discussion of death and grief (including Prue’s death), religious and mythological themes (angels, demons, Nephilim), pregnancy and bodily autonomy in a magical context, and supernatural violence. Learn More: * Nichols, C. (2026, February 22). The good guy/bad guy myth: Why pop culture is obsessed with battles between good and evil. Aeon. https://aeon.co/essays/why-is-pop-culture-obsessed-with-battles-between-good-and-evil [https://aeon.co/essays/why-is-pop-culture-obsessed-with-battles-between-good-and-evil]  * Decker, J. E. (2022, February 23). Queering the ancient world: Liminal agency in Greek myth and Presocratic philosophy. Blog of the APA. https://blog.apaonline.org/2022/02/23/queering-the-ancient-world-liminal-agency-in-greek-myth-and-presocratic-philosophy/ [https://blog.apaonline.org/2022/02/23/queering-the-ancient-world-liminal-agency-in-greek-myth-and-presocratic-philosophy/]  * Charmed Wiki. (n.d.). Paige Matthews. Fandom.  https://charmed.fandom.com/wiki/Paige_Matthews [https://charmed.fandom.com/wiki/Paige_Matthews]  * New Revised Standard Version Bible. (1989). Holy Bible. National Council of Churches. (Original work published ca. 4th century C.E.)

Time for a Demon-stration!!

In this demon-packed season 3 blowout, we’re hanging out with the Underworld’s worst (and occasionally most relatable) offenders: invisible assassins, rage demons, bounty hunters, and one very dramatic wind demon named Shax. We’ll break down the Charmed demon hierarchy, then zoom out into real demonology and global folklore—from Bael’s invisibility tricks and Andras’s murderous rage to Zhong Kui, King Solomon’s demon‑binding ring, Japanese onmyōji, Princess Bari, and storm spirits like Ala and Dagwanoenyent. Along the way, we’ll chat about why so many cultures give anger, storms, and assassination a demonic face, and how Charmed gleefully mashes grimoires, myth, and pure camp into one hell of a season finale and a perfect way to celebrate our one‑year podcast anniversary. TRIGGER WARNING: Trigger warning: Violence, demonic entities, assassination, and references to death and natural disasters (storms, tornadoes, etc.). Learn More:  * Ancient Origins. (2020, March 15). Onmyodo: The way of yin and yang, Japanese sorcery and divination. Ancient Origins. https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/onmyodo-0012127 [https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/onmyodo-0012127]  * Black Witch Coven. (n.d.). Lix Tetrax: The wind demon. Black Witch Coven. https://blackwitchcoven.com/lix-tetrax-the-wind-demon/ [https://blackwitchcoven.com/lix-tetrax-the-wind-demon/]  * Brendan Noble. (2022, May 17). Chała (Ala): Woe, Slavic demon of the air and storms. Brendan Noble. https://brendan-noble.com/chala-ala-woe-slavic-demon-of-the-air-and-storms/ [https://brendan-noble.com/chala-ala-woe-slavic-demon-of-the-air-and-storms/]  * Daoist Gate. (2022, October 10). Zhong Kui: Demon hunter. Daoist Gate. https://daoistgate.com/zhong-kui-demon-hunter/ [https://daoistgate.com/zhong-kui-demon-hunter/]  * Delirium’s Realm. (n.d.). Lix Tetrax. Delirium’s Realm. https://www.deliriumsrealm.com/lix-tetrax/ [https://www.deliriumsrealm.com/lix-tetrax/]  * Farmers’ Almanac. (2021, August 23). Weather-ology: Daughter of the wind. Farmers’ Almanac. https://www.farmersalmanac.com/weather-ology-daughter-of-the-wind [https://www.farmersalmanac.com/weather-ology-daughter-of-the-wind]  * Fun! Japan. (2021, June 3). Zhong Kui: The demon-quelling deity of China and Japan. Fun! Japan. https://www.fun-japan.jp/en/articles/13925 [https://www.fun-japan.jp/en/articles/13925]  * Japanesemythology. (2012, September 23). Onmyodo and Onmyoji: Legendary magicians and diviners of the Heian period. Japanese Mythology. https://japanesemythology.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/onmyodo-and-onmyoji-legendary-magicians-and-diviners-of-the-heian-period/ [https://japanesemythology.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/onmyodo-and-onmyoji-legendary-magicians-and-diviners-of-the-heian-period/]  * La Seoulite. (2023, July 7). The tale of Princess Bari and the mudang. La Seoulite. https://laseoulite.substack.com/p/the-tale-of-princess-bari-and-the [https://laseoulite.substack.com/p/the-tale-of-princess-bari-and-the]  * MIT. (n.d.). The Testament of Solomon [Text file]. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://web.mit.edu/mjperson/Desktop/mjperson/OldFiles/Assassin/Darkness/Books/testament-solomon.txt [https://web.mit.edu/mjperson/Desktop/mjperson/OldFiles/Assassin/Darkness/Books/testament-solomon.txt]  * Multo (Ghost). (2013, May 15). Solomon and the demons. Multo (Ghost). https://multoghost.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/solomon-and-the-demons/ [https://multoghost.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/solomon-and-the-demons/]  * My Kagawa. (n.d.). Aooni, the blue ogre of Kagawa. My Kagawa. https://www.my-kagawa.jp/static/en/aooni [https://www.my-kagawa.jp/static/en/aooni]  * Occult Live. (n.d.). Andras. Occult Live. https://www.occult.live/index.php/Andras [https://www.occult.live/index.php/Andras]  * Occult World. (n.d.-a). Andras. Occult World. https://occult-world.com/andras/ [https://occult-world.com/andras/]  * Occult World. (n.d.-b). Lix Tetrax. Occult World. https://occult-world.com/lix-tetrax/ [https://occult-world.com/lix-tetrax/] Occult World. (n.d.-c). Shax. Occult World. https://occult-world.com/shax/ [https://occult-world.com/shax/]  * Pantheon. (n.d.). Tephros. Pantheon: Encyclopedia Mythica. https://pantheon.org/articles/t/tephros.html [https://pantheon.org/articles/t/tephros.html]  * Snow White Writes. (2022, March 10). Korean folklore & K-pop demon hunters. Snow White Writes. https://snowwhitewrites.com/korean-folklore-kpop-demon-hunters/ [https://snowwhitewrites.com/korean-folklore-kpop-demon-hunters/]  * Starisloveni. (n.d.). Ala. Starisloveni. https://www.starisloveni.com/English/Ala.html [https://www.starisloveni.com/English/Ala.html]  * Theoi Greek Mythology. (n.d.). Anemoi Thuellai. Theoi Greek Mythology. https://www.theoi.com/Titan/AnemoiThuellai.html [https://www.theoi.com/Titan/AnemoiThuellai.html]  * Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). List of demons in the Ars Goetia. In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_demons_in_the_Ars_Goetia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_demons_in_the_Ars_Goetia]  * Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Testament of Solomon. In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Solomon [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Solomon]

Who Let the Banshee Out? Grief, Demons, and the Brain

In this episode, we dive into the Charmed season 3 episode “Look Who’s Barking” and use its banshee big bad as a portal into real‑world folklore and grief science. Drawing on Irish legends of the banshee as a messenger of death, we compare the show’s demonized version to the older stories that inspired it, then turn to psychology and neuroscience research to explore what actually happens in your brain and body when you’re grieving. Along the way, we talk about how popular culture reshapes myth, why the “inner cry” of pain resonates so strongly, and what current research suggests about living with loss. TRIGGER WARNING: Themes of death, grief, and loss, including real-world experiences of bereavement. Learn More:  * American Brain Foundation. (n.d.). How tragedy affects the brain. American Brain Foundation. https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/how-tragedy-affects-the-brain/ [https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/how-tragedy-affects-the-brain/]  * American Heart Association News. (2021, March 9). How grief rewires the brain and can affect health—and what to do about it. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/03/10/how-grief-rewires-the-brain-and-can-affect-health-and-what-to-do-about-it [https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/03/10/how-grief-rewires-the-brain-and-can-affect-health-and-what-to-do-about-it]  * American Psychological Association. (2022, March 29). How grieving changes the brain, with Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD [Audio podcast episode]. In Speaking of Psychology. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/grieving-changes-brain [https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/grieving-changes-brain]  * Atsma, A. (n.d.). Keres. Theoi Greek Mythology. https://www.theoi.com/Daimon/Keres.html * A-Z Animals. (n.d.). These animals are used to represent death. A-Z Animals. https://a-z-animals.com/slideshows/these-animals-are-used-to-represent-death/ [https://a-z-animals.com/slideshows/these-animals-are-used-to-represent-death/]  * Bird History. (2023, October 15). When birds mean death. Bird History. https://birdhistory.substack.com/p/when-birds-mean-death [https://birdhistory.substack.com/p/when-birds-mean-death]  * Chatterjee, R. (2021, December 20). How grief and loss affect the brain, and how we can heal. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/12/20/1056741090/grief-loss-holiday-brain-healing [https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/12/20/1056741090/grief-loss-holiday-brain-healing]  * Discover Magazine. (n.d.). Why do these 6 animals represent death in cultures around the world? Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/why-do-these-6-animals-represent-death-in-cultures-around-the-world-45511 [https://www.discovermagazine.com/why-do-these-6-animals-represent-death-in-cultures-around-the-world-45511]  * Discover Wildlife. (n.d.). Animals associated with death. Discover Wildlife. https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/animals-associated-with-death * Geggel, L. (2023, October 31). Creatures associated with death from around the world. Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/animals/creatures-associated-with-death [https://www.livescience.com/animals/creatures-associated-with-death]  * Greek Gods and Goddesses. (n.d.). Keres. Greek Gods and Goddesses. https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/keres/ [https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/keres/]  * Lewis, T. (2023, July 6). How the brain copes with grief. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-brain-copes-with-grief/ [https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-brain-copes-with-grief/]  * Mindful Synergi. (n.d.). The biochemistry of grief: How loss changes the body. Mindful Synergi. https://www.mindfulsynergi.com/the-biochemistry-of-grief-how-loss-changes-the-body/ [https://www.mindfulsynergi.com/the-biochemistry-of-grief-how-loss-changes-the-body/]  * Olympioi. (n.d.). Keres: Goddess of violent death. Olympioi. https://olympioi.com/demigods/keres [https://olympioi.com/demigods/keres]  * Rolfes, S. J. (2024). Beware the banshees cry: The folklore and history of the messengers of death. Llewellyn. * The Times of India. (2024, March 1). 7 birds that are considered bad omens in different cultures [Photo story]. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/7-birds-that-are-considered-bad-omens-in-different-cultures/photostory/120649246.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/7-birds-that-are-considered-bad-omens-in-different-cultures/photostory/120649246.cms]  * Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Keres. In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keres [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keres]  * YouTube. (n.d.). [Video on Keres] [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgH7Q3p3quM [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgH7Q3p3quM]

Gone With the Sin, Baby!

In Charmed, Season 3, Episode 18, “Sin Francisco”, the Halliwell sisters are up against a series of attacks tied to the seven deadly sins—but the twist? Even they aren’t immune. Sloth, gluttony, lust, and pride creep into their own lives, amplified in ways that are equal parts dangerous and revealing. Today, Lex and T will dive into the fascinating history of these sins and explore how they’ve been reinvented in modern pop culture. We’ll also touch on the flip side: the Seven Virtues, the moral counterpoints that offer courage, wisdom, and hope. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussions of violence, murder, and graphic or disturbing content, including depictions of death, self-destruction, and a brief reference to suicide. It also explores heavy themes such as sin, moral corruption, and psychological distress that may be sensitive for some listeners. Learn More:  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Avarice. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Avarice [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Avarice]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Envy. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Envy [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Envy]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Gluttony. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Gluttony [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Gluttony]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Lust. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Lust [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Lust]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Pride. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Pride [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Pride]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Sloth. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Sloth [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Sloth]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Wrath (Character). Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Wrath_(Character) [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Wrath_(Character)]  * DC Extended Universe Wiki. (n.d.). Seven deadly sins. Fandom. https://dcextendeduniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Seven_Deadly_Sins [https://dcextendeduniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Seven_Deadly_Sins]  * Siddiqui, M. (2019, March 27). The factory of seven sweet sins. Medium. https://medium.com/@madinasid/seven-sweet-sins-61599c13c95e [https://medium.com/@madinasid/seven-sweet-sins-61599c13c95e]  * ThoughtTheory. (2023, December 30). The 7 deadly sins; A modern perspective. Medium. https://medium.com/@ThoughtTheory_/the-7-deadly-sins-a-modern-perspective-3c5d9fffc735 [https://medium.com/@ThoughtTheory_/the-7-deadly-sins-a-modern-perspective-3c5d9fffc735]  * UOSenki. (2025). Se7en: The series killer didn’t complete the 7 deadly sins. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/CharacterRant/comments/1gn02vr/se7en_the_series_killer_didnt_complete_the_7/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/CharacterRant/comments/1gn02vr/se7en_the_series_killer_didnt_complete_the_7/]  * University of St. Thomas. (2026). The seven virtues. https://www.stthomas.edu/about/our-campuses/minneapolis/frescoes/the-seven-virtues/ [https://www.stthomas.edu/about/our-campuses/minneapolis/frescoes/the-seven-virtues/]  * Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). The Seven Deadly Sins (manga). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Deadly_Sins_(manga) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Deadly_Sins_(manga)]