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Join two amateur Grimmologists round the fire to read and discuss the tales of the Brothers Grimm.
Episodes
Jul 9, 2026
Jul 9, 2026
3 min
We've had to have a last-minute change of date - join us on the 8th August for our series 8 quiz!
Join via the above link or sign up in advance.
7 pm BST
8 pm CET
2 pm EDT
11 am PDT
3:30 am ACST
11:30 pm IST
Jun 28, 2026
Jun 28, 2026
43 min
The eighth season of tales is done and dusted. But which story got the most points? And which was left lagging at the bottom?
We reveal the winners and losers of the series, hear what listeners have to say, and share an exclusive extra clip from Jack and the Beanstalk that didn't make the final cut - a deleted scene, if you will.
QUIZ! Saturday 11th July 7 pm (BST)
Link to the Series 8 Live Quiz so you can subscribe and join in the fun.
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Dvořák's String Quintet No. 3 in E-flat Major // Dvořák's Humoresque
Jun 7, 2026
Jun 7, 2026
1hr 7 min
Fee fi fo fum, it’s time for a famous one... Join us as we read and review Jack And The Beanstalk.
When a strange old man sells Jack some magic beans, his angry mother throws them out the window and sends Jack to bed.
But the next morning, a giant beanstalk stretches up into the clouds. What will Jack find up there? Will it end well for Jacky boy and his mum? And how many beans make five?
Find out as we explore the origins of this endless iconic English fairy tale. Discover the historical roots of the tale, and the strange journey of the stock character Jack as he travelled the world.
Thank you so much for listening to another series. It’s been a blast.
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Grieg's The Holberg Suite, V. Rigaudon, Oslo Camerata, Stephan Barratt-Due, conductor // Massenet's Toccata, performed by Jean Dube // 04 Schubert's Sonata in B Flat Major, D. 960 - IV. Allegro ma non troppo, performed by Paul Pittman
May 24, 2026
May 24, 2026
50 min
From the origin of hominids to The Fountain of Youth, join us on a mad romp with the Grimms' story, 'The Old Man Made Young Again.'
When God shows off his skills to a blacksmith, the latter gets delusions of grandeur and tries to perform his own miracle - with predictably disastrous results. But just when he thought things couldn't get worse, his wife then suffers a peculiar and unexpected fate.
After the story, we explore the themes of hubris, life giving waters, time travel, and the origin of apes. Discover how an unlikely 16th-century conquistador sparked a legend and why Florida is the place to go if you're long in the tooth.
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Mozart's Piano Sonata No.11 in A Major III Alla Turca, performed by Bernd Krueger
May 3, 2026
May 3, 2026
53 min
An opportunistic onlooker robs a gang of their stolen loot. But when his brother demands to know where he got his riches, this new life of wealth starts to look precarious.
Will the gang discover the true thief? And will any escape alive? Find out as we read The Brothers Grimm’s Semsi Mountain.
After the story, we address the elephant in the room and dive straight in to a very famous similar story, the wonderful Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
Join our Patreon to hear our special episode on Ali Baba, or purchase a direct MP3 download here.
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, Op.35, The Kalendar Prince, performed by University of Chicago Orchestra // Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata Op. 27 No.2 - III. Presto performed by Paul Pitman
Apr 19, 2026
Apr 19, 2026
47 min
How much porridge is too much porridge? Find out as we read the Brothers Grimm's tale 'Sweet Porridge'.
From Tom Cruise to giant Vikings, Great Flood myths to perpetual motion machines - this one is truly a wild ride.
We discuss Goethe, Disney, Bob Hoskins, Asbjørnsen and Moe, and much besides as we look at the many influences and obscure connections to this piece of narrative, folkloric fiction.
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Chopin's Grande Valse Brillante, Opus 18 // Chopin's Fantaisie Impromptu, Op. 66.1 // Dvořák's String Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 97
Apr 5, 2026
Apr 5, 2026
41 min
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Mendelssohn's Lieder ohne Wortev (performed by Benjamin Moser, piano) // Chopin's Valse No. 6 in D flat major, Op. 64, No. 1 ('Minute' Waltz)
Mar 22, 2026
Mar 22, 2026
50 min
Four animals negotiate their time on Earth with God. Who will emerge with the most years? And is there a twist awaiting the victor? Join us as we read the Grimm fairy tale, “The Duration Of Life”.
After the story, we discuss ideas of ‘the stages of life’ and ‘the ages of mankind’ from throughout history. Plus, we hear from a grumpy Sphinx and Matt reads his first Shakespeare soliloquy in a desperate attempt to win an Olivier Award.
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Johannes Brahms' Op. 81 performed by Musopen Symphony // Johannes Brahms' Hungraian Dance No. 3 - Allegretto in F Major performed by Luis Sarro // Johannes Brahms' Hungraian Dance No. 7 - Allegretto in F Major performed by Andreas Pfaul
Mar 8, 2026
Mar 8, 2026
1hr 8 min
Join us as we read a most peculiar Grimm tale, before debuting a new segment, "Eye Stories of Ancient Religions," where we try to make sense of the Grimms annotations and see where this all started.
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Beethoven's sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2 (Corey Cerovsek, violin; Paavali Jumppanen, piano) // Dvořák's Serenade for Strings Op.22 3 Scherzo // Maria Szymanowska's Polonaise No. 3 (Alexander Kostritsa, piano)
Feb 22, 2026
Feb 22, 2026
43 min
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Beethoven's Sonata no. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 no. 2 - III. Allegretto performed by Paul Pitman // Motzart's Sonata No. 13 In B Flat Major, K.333 - I. Allegro performed by Brendan Kinsella // Beethoven's 12 German Dances performed by Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
Feb 8, 2026
Feb 8, 2026
40 min
After an ill-advised street brawl, Death gets back on his feet thanks to a helping hand from a passing young man. As a reward, Death promises to send his messengers before claiming the man himself. Will this newfound freedom cause trouble? And what exactly are these messengers?
Yes, it's the return of the fan-favourite recurring character: Death! And as ever with Death, things are not quite as straightforward as they appear...
After the story, we chase the messengers of death around the world with the help of a centuries-old academic journal, and discover why this folktale has more to do with Buddhism than the German peasantry.
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Camille Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre, Op. 40 (Marika Fältskogh, Marc Soustrot, Malmö Symphony Orchestra) // Chopin's Nocturne in B flat minor, Op. 9 no. 1
Dec 21, 2025
Dec 21, 2025
1hr 22 min
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Tchaikovsky's "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" & "The Magical Castle in the Kingdom of Sweets" from The Nutcracker Suite from the music.org European Archive
Dec 14, 2025
Dec 14, 2025
1hr 1 min
Has Christmas always been wholesome? What did Halloween steal from Christmas? And what happens when you bump into a Krampus?
Join us for a special interview episode, where we talk to Sarah Clegg, author of "The Dead of Winter: The Demons, Witches and Ghosts of Christmas".
We discuss her run-ins with Christmas monsters, learn about the surprisingly unruly history of Christmas celebrations, and hear why Jacob Grimm may have a lot to answer for...
From wassailing to ghostly walks, this is Christmas in a whole new light.
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Dec 7, 2025
Dec 7, 2025
38 min
An industrious woman dreams big, but how will her husband, Long Laurence react when she reveals her plans?
An unexpectedly brutal tale leads to an exploration of 'air castles', from Aesop to Leo Tolstoy, and a man getting a faceful of rice gruel...
This episode is Certified Grimm for adult themes and may not be suitable for all listeners.
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Brahms' Piano Trio No.2, Op.87 performed by Edwin Fischer, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, & Enrico Mainardi // Brahms' String Quintet No.1, Op.88 performed by Musicians from Marlboro // Brahms' 7 Fantasien, Op.116 performed by Ivan Ilić
Nov 23, 2025
Nov 23, 2025
46 min
Evil wizards, crying stags, sharp-shooting damsels – prepare for a wild tale as the Grimms go full Indiana Jones with "The Glass Coffin".
A poor tailor seeks shelter from a storm in a forest cabin; little does he know his life is about to change forever. When a violent stag abducts him, the tailor finds himself in a mysterious cave complete with two glass boxes. What will he find? And why did the Edwardians go mad for glass caskets?
Find out all this and more in our latest episode.
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Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko
Other Music: Beethoven's Sonata, La major, Op.69 - I. Allegro ma non tanto.1 // Chopin's Fantasy-Impromptu No. 4 in C sharp minor, Op. 66