Fireside Canada

Hear the legend and history of this infamous drink from the Yukon garnished with a preserved human toe.

The story of a mysterious red UFO named Charlie, and the people who named him.

The shocking story of what has been claimed to be the first criminal case ever solved by a psychic.

What do pro-slavery sentiment, a long-forgotten Chicago obituary, a 1990s Hallmark movie, and one of early Toronto's most successful Black business owners have in common?

According to Indigenous tradition, local legend, and eye witness accounts going back nearly two centuries, something mysterious is lurking in BC's Okanagan Lake.

Hear a tale of two Joes: one, a mythical giant lumberjack, the other a French Canadian folk hero and strongman who fought with violent gangs early in Ottawa's history.

A flaming phantom ship has haunted eastern Canada's waters for centuries.

Just in time for Christmas, here are two spine-tingling stories of the frozen Canadian north.

Canada's easternmost province is rich with stories of "the fair folk," but they're a far cry from Tinkerbell.

In this special Halloween episode, hear the tale of Toronto's oldest cold case and most enduring ghost story.

The bittersweet tall tale about a man and his giant frog.

A centuries-old legend about the night that the devil came to town.

An in-depth look at the ghost stories of one of the most haunted hotels in Canada.

What do the Canadian Arctic, Queen Elizabeth I's bedroom, and a mythical animal all have in common?

Some say a vampire once terrorized an Ontario village. But is the story legend, lie or lore?

Hear the legends and lore of a vanished BC ghost town and the lost treasure said to be buried somewhere nearby.

The forgotten story of a fearsome flying demon from 1890s Quebec.

In April of 1915, the body of a Canadian soldier was found crucified near the city of Ypres...or so the legend goes.

A strange and terrifying phenomenon has been plaguing humans for millennia, walking into bedrooms at night, looming at bedsides and, in the worst cases, attempting to suffocate or strangle its paralyzed victims. It has many names throughout the world, but in Newfoundland they call it "The Old Hag," where it has connections to centuries-old beliefs about witchcraft and the occult. In this episode, we'll learn about the cultural phenomenon of "The Old Hag" and what Newfoundland folklore can teach us about the cause, the cure and the culture.

One chilly October morning, a church bell unexpectedly rang through the streets of Charlottetown, PEI, guided by the hands of four ghostly women. Hours later, a ship would sink halfway between Charlottetown and Pictou, Nova Scotia, killing four women. In this episode we'll explore this classic ghost story of PEI together with the historic account of a mostly-forgotten shipwreck. We'll learn how ghosts can foretell a disaster, how the truth can often be scarier than any legend, and how a ghost story can sometimes be a comfort in trying times.

Edward Jordan was the first person to be tried and executed for piracy on Canadian soil. That fact has made him something of a legend, with many imagining him cruising the Atlantic and plundering vessels before being captured. The truth is far less romantic, but still an intriguing story from Canadian history. Part 1 of 2.

One summer's day in the 1880s, a number of railroad workers stumbled upon a mysterious creature sleeping on the track. After a brief chase, they captured the beast and carried it to town, where it was examined by the local doctor and declared to be a new species of ape. That's the legend, at least. The story of Yale's "wild man" or "Jacko," as he would come to be called, caused a slight stir in 1880s British Columbia, but that would pale in comparison to its rediscovery in the late 20th century by cryptozoologists. Could this forgotten story be a powerful piece of evidence that proves the existence of the elusive Sasquatch or Bigfoot? And what are its connections to a local First Nation's chief and a famous American showman?

Part 2 of 2 continues our examination of the Baldoon Mystery with a look at the history and culture of the people who lived there. We'll also review of all the various theories about what was behind the strange events, and what ultimately brought them to an end. You'll hear about rumours of Faustian deals, about "little people" of Indigenous oral traditions, and about one of my favourite Canadian folk heroes of all time.

The Baldoon Mystery is an odd bit of Canadian folklore. It's supported by recorded eye-witness accounts, has ties to real people and real history, and has the strange distinction of being one of the few ghost stories in the world that doesn't actually feature a ghost. At least, not in the way you might expect. It's a prime example of a Settler Gothic folktale, and it deserves a closer look. In this episode, Part 1 of 2, you'll hear a retelling of the legend based on a book written by one of the survivors.

Mowhawk author and performer E. Pauline Johnson made The Legend of the Qu'Appelle Valley one of Saskatchewan's most popular folktales, but it's not the only story about "The River That Calls." Learn about the history of the legend, the theories on what made Johnson's version so popular, and the legacy that has made it somewhat controversial today. Then listen to a more modern tale inspired by the various elements of this iconic legend. Note: This episode discusses and quotes some antiquated and racist ideas and language in order to provide some context and aid in understanding its history. Discretion is advised.

In Part 2 of my look at the Dungarvon Whooper, I'll tell you my version of the classic legend of a murdered cook whose spirit is said to haunt the wilderness of northern New Brunswick. We'll also take a closer look at the stories you heard last episode, try to understand the historical context of these tales, consider the legacy of the legend, and discuss what might actually be stalking the shadowy forest "where the dark and deep Dungarvon sweeps along."

The Dungarvon Whooper is perhaps the most popular ghost story and folk legend in New Brunswick. But while many know the tale about a murdered cook named Ryan, few realize that, long ago, it was just one of many. In this episode, we'll take a trip to the lumber camps of the late 1800s and hear four different legends, all shared in an attempt to explain a terrifying sound that once echoed through the wilderness of Northern New Brunswick.

In 1908, two trains collided just outside of Medicine Hat, killing seven men. The event has since become part of a classic piece of Canadian folklore with elements of fortune telling, forerunners, and fate. Today, over a century later, the lines between history and legend are starting to blur. In this episode you’ll hear the original story told by a man who narrowly escaped the crash, and learn how one man's ghost story has become a true Canadian legend.

Edward Jordan was the first person to be tried and executed for piracy on Canadian soil. In Part 1, we heard about the mysterious vessel "Three Sisters", the odd behaviour of her crew, and their ultimate capture by the British navy for murder, piracy and robbery. In Part 2, we'll learn the rest of Edward Jordan's story, and the fate of those involved. Part 2 of 2.

It has been called one of Ontario’s most haunted locations, and it has hosted a right-of-passage for Niagara youth for decades—some say for over a hundred years. Go at night, they say, light a match, and face the ghost of a murdered girl, then hear her scream as she blows the match out. It’s a wonderfully creepy ghost story, and a fascinating study for those interested in the evolution of urban legends.

A doomed French lord, ill-fated lovers, and the Wild Hunt all play a part in this episode focused on unpacking and examining the origin and the legacy of La Chasse-Galerie. Listen to a long-forgotten legend of La Chasse-Galerie from old Detroit, and get a better understanding of this classic Canadian legend and its connections to other, older folklore.

The story of La Chasse-Galerie is perhaps one of the most popular folktales you’ve never heard. It’s a story about a group of homesick men who make a deal with the devil, risking their souls to travel in a flying canoe and spend one winter’s night with their loved ones back home. Virtually unknown outside of French Canada, the bit of folklore has ties to Canadian history and culture, and is just as relevant today as it was over 300 years ago.

One night in the early 1900’s, two men encountered a strange and terrifying creature. Their story is now a classic part of Nova Scotian folklore. This episode explores some of Nova Scotia’s most iconic stories about “forerunners” (supernatural omens of impending death), including one story that was later adapted for the best-selling spooky kids’ book Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

Welcome to Fireside Canada, a new podcast focused on exploring and explaining Canadian folklore.