Fireside Canada

The Headless Valley

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:05:48 +0000

In January of 1947, in the depths of a record-breaking winter, beloved Canadian writer Pierre Berton, then a fledgling reporter with the Vancouver Sun newspaper, boarded a plane and ventured into the frozen wilds of the Nahanni Valley, a chain of towering mountains and ancient vales carved into the southwestern reaches of the Northwest Territories. The trip was a harrowing one, punctuated by severe winter storms and more than a few narrow escapes. The weather was so cold that he and his companions had to literally cook the plane’s battery in a cast iron oven and thaw its engine with a blowtorch before takeoff.

At nearly every stop along the way they were warned to give up and turn back, lest they add to the region’s tally of tragic deaths and disappearances. Why would they risk their lives to come to such a remote, inhospitable place at such a treacherous time of year? Like countless others before them, they had gone to the north looking for fame and fortune. But unlike all the others, it wasn’t for gold, or valuable furs, or even a hunting trophy. They were searching for a legend, and for answers to a mystery that was over 40 years in the making.

Fireside Canada is a podcast about Canadian legends, lies and lore. Focused on both the storytelling and the historical aspects of folklore, each episode includes a creative retelling or story inspired by the folklore as well as an exploration and analysis of its history and cultural significance: the story behind the story. You can learn more at FiresideCanada.ca.

David Williams is the host, writer and researcher behind the show. You can find him on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

The Fiddle Burning Priest of Cape Breton Island

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The violin might be one of the most Canadian of musical instruments. In fact, there are a dozen different styles specific to Canada—styles like West Coast, Prairie, Ottawa Valley, Down East and the star of this episode, Cape Breton. Yet if one zealous priest had gotten his way, the distinctive Cape Breton sound wouldn't exist. Join me as we explore the legends and history of Reverend Kenneth J. MacDonald, the infamous Fiddle-Burning Priest of Cape Breton Island.

The Pirate King and Queen of Canada

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

They are the quintessential pirate couple: Captain Eric Cobham and his first mate and partner in crime, the ruthless Maria Lindsay. Legend has it that this dreadful duo once haunted the waters of eastern Canada, slaughtering every sailor and sinking every ship they encountered for 20 years. Stories of their exploits can still be found all along the east coast from New York, to Newfoundland, but is there any truth to the tale?

The Puzzling Gravestone of Waterloo County, ON

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 7 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

For some, it’s little more than a local oddity. For others, it’s a mystery that demands to be solved. But once we uncover its solution, we may find that it comes with more questions and some unsettling implications. Join me as we solve a century old puzzle, and learn about the curious history, fascinating folklore, and dubious medical advice that are part of the story of one of Canada’s strangest gravesites.

The Haunted Barber of Barkerville, BC

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

The final part of my four part series about “Ghost Town Ghosts,” another story from my own home province of British Columbia and arguably the most famous ghost town in western Canada. The story is about friendship—about a connection that can pierce the veil between this world and the next. It’s also a tale mystery, of true crime, and of how historic facts and figures can take the shape of legend.

The Phantom Rider of Bickleigh, SK

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

For decades, a mysterious pair of spirits—a horse and its rider—have been said to haunt a long-vanished stretch of train track that once cut through the northern expanse of the Great Plains. Some said they were little more than a trick of fog in the moonlight, but that was before human remains were found nearby. Figment or phantom, it’s an excellent piece of folklore from the Canadian west, with ties to a community and a history that’s in danger of being forgotten.

This is Part Three in a four-part series called Ghost Town Ghosts which explores the phantoms and spirits once said to haunt Canadian communities that no longer exist.

The Haunted House of Waldo, BC

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Would you live in a haunted house if the rent was cheap enough? That was a question that one couple faced in the summer of 1957. Once a rough-and-tumble lumber town, now a drowned town at the bottom of a man-made lake, Waldo, BC is the unexpected location for this classic story about a haunted house that makes us wonder: when the houses are long gone, do the ghosts remain?

This is Part Two in a four-part series called Ghost Town Ghosts which explores the phantoms and spirits once said to haunt Canadian communities that no longer exist.

The Avenging Skull of Saint Leonards

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Saint Leonards, Newfoundland, is a community with more than its fair share of ghost stories. Headless dogs are said to wander the abandoned churchyard at night. A phantom ship was seen gliding through the eastern reach. And some believe long ago, an unearthed skull taught the town a powerful lesson about honouring the past, and respecting the dead. Tonight, we unpack the myths, legends and lore of this once-thriving coastal town.

This is Part One in a four-part series called Ghost Town Ghosts which explores the phantoms and spirits once said to haunt Canadian communities that no longer exist.

The Many Names and Stories of the Canada Jay

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 3 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Found in every province and territory of the country, the Canada Jay has inspired countless stories in many different cultures from coast to coast. Hear how this one little bird is a camp companion, a hero, a hunter, a star in the sky, and even a vessel for the souls of the dead.

The Legend of Anson Minor

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

The story of Anson Minor is a classic campfire tale that has been terrifying Canadian campers for decades. The spooky tale is most commonly heard from the lakeshores and backwoods of Ontario, and while, on the surface, it might seem like any other summer camp legend, this story is special because it can help us understand how urban legends are made, and the nature of summertime scares. So, grab a snack and get cosy to learn all about the Legend of Anson Minor.

The Swamp Hag of Bell Island

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 19:00:00 +0000

Bell Island, Newfoundland is said to be one of Canada's most haunted places, with more than its share of tragic deaths and mysterious phenomena. But one story stands out above the rest. "Taste what I tasted. Smell what I smelled." These are the haunting words of the Ghost of Dobbin's Garden, more commonly known today as the Swamp Hag of Bell Island. Said to be the restless spirit of a woman who died tragically, she is doomed to roam the island forever, looking for victims to share in her torment. Join me as we learn the legend and review the history of this terrifying icon of Canadian folklore.

Learn more at FiresideCanada.ca

The Sourtoe Cocktail

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000

"You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but the lips have got to touch the toe." So goes the prime directive of the Exalted Order of the Sourtoe, a cocktail club dreamed up in the 1970s to celebrate Discovery Day in Dawson City. Essentially a shot of liquor garnished with a preserved, severed human toe, the Sourtoe Cocktail is one of Canada's most legendary (and disturbing) traditions that has been served to over 100,000 curious drinkers in a Dawson City bar. This is its story.

For show notes and more, visit FiresideCanada.ca

Charlie Redstar: Manitoba's Friendly UFO

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000

For period of 16-18 months between 1975 and 1976, a mysterious red light was routinely seen flying through the skies of Southern Manitoba. The unidentified flying object appeared so often and to so many people that it was given the name "Charlie Redstar." At the time, the event was one of the biggest UFO flaps to have ever occurred, yet few people have ever learned about the sightings or ever heard the name of "Charlie Redstar." In this episode, we'll piece together some of the stories from various interviews, newspaper articles, and police reports, and consider what the this strange phenomenon call tell us about Canadian culture.

The Murderer and the Mind Reader

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 9 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000

On Monday, July 9, 1928, four cold-blooded murders were committed on the Booher family farm, just outside the small village of Mannville in central Alberta. The crime shocked the nation, and the police made headlines when they decided to employ a self-proclaimed "mind reader" to help them find the missing murder weapon. It has been called the first criminal case to have ever been solved by a psychic or clairvoyant, but that's not entirely true. In this episode, blending true crime and folklore, we'll look at the legend, the history, and the facts of the case that show how the truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction.

Read the show notes and learn more at FiresideCanada.ca

The Myth of the Minks

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000

It's the plot of a 1996 Hallmark movie, the focus of a few paragraphs in history books, and the subject of countless social media posts: the tragic story of James Mink, one of early Toronto's wealthiest citizens, and his daughter Mary, sold into slavery by her own husband. It's a great story that's found in history books and Black History Month features across the country. There's just one problem: it's all based on one malicious lie.

Ogopogo / nx̌ax̌aitkʷ

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 2 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000

It's one of the most famous and best-documented lake monsters in the world, and predates Nessie by over 80 years. It's mentioned in centuries-old journals and modern-day reports, and appears in grainy film footage, razor-sharp photos, and cheesy tourist t-shirts. But long before there was Ogopogo, there was nx̌ax̌aitkʷ, the Syilx name for the sacred being in the lake. In this episode, we'll hear the legends, explore the evidence, and discuss the cultural impact of one of Canada's most famous mysteries.

See the entire show notes and more at FiresideCanada.ca

Big Joe

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

"The best man in Ottawa was Mufferaw Joe," according to the famous song by legendary Canadian singer/songwriter Stompin' Tom Connors. "Big Joe Mufferaw" is often regarding as Canada's answer to Paul Bunyan: a family-friendly lumberjack whose monumental feats of strength literally changed the Ontario landscape. But the lovable, larger-than-life character is based on a real person: Joseph Montferrand, a French-Canadian folk hero whose exploits made him a living legend in 1800s Montreal and Ottawa. In this episode we'll look at the man, the myth, and the legend, and explore how one man went on to inspire a series of children's books, a hit Canadian folk song, and a CFL mascot.

See the entire show notes and more at FiresideCanada.ca

The Fireship of Chaleur Bay

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 5 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000

For centuries, people in the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, PEI and Nova Scotia have reported seeing a full-rigged sailing ship, engulfed in red flame, sailing against the wind in the waters of Chaleur Bay and the Northumberland Strait. Some say that it's just an illusion, but the "fireship" has been seen by people of all ages, cultures, and employment, in all kinds of weather, in all seasons, and at all times of day and night, for generations. What are the stories behind these strange spectres, and what can we learn from them about our history, our cultures, and ourselves?

Read the complete show notes and more at FiresideCanada.ca

Two Winter Legends of the Canadian North

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Grab a hot chocolate and settle in by the fire for two tales of supernatural wonder from Canada's frozen north: one from the Yukon Territory, one from the coast of Labrador. The first is a long-forgotten, supposedly "true" tale about how a mining engineer from Alaska was saved by a stranger who appeared to him in a dream. The second is well-known story of a phantom trapper said to roam the wilds of Labrador. Both are deeply set in the snowy wilds of the north, and deal with themes of the supernatural and salvation—perfect for sharing on a cold winter's night.

Read the complete show notes and more at FiresideCanada.ca

Lost in the Fairies

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 8 Dec 2022 04:00:00 +0000

When most people think about "fairies," they picture beautiful, magical, human-like creatures with butterfly wings who live in mushrooms, collect children’s teeth, and sprinkle fairy dust on orphans and teach them how to fly. But that's the safe, romantic, child-friendly version of a creature that has been feared for thousands of years, to the point where simply saying the word "fairy" can be taboo. This episode is about the dangers of going alone into the wilderness—the realm of the fairies—and what you can do, according to folklore, to protect yourself if you're taken by "the good folk."

Read the complete show notes and more at FiresideCanada.ca

The Haunted Lighthouse of Gibraltar Point

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0000

The lighthouse at Toronto's Gibraltar Point is one of the city's oldest landmarks. It also has a dark secret, if you believe the legends. For over two centuries, people have shared the story of J. P. Radelmüller, the lighthouse's first keeper, said to have been murdered, chopped to pieces, and scattered across the island one cold winter's night in 1815. They say he was a bootlegger. They say his killers were never convicted. And they say the ghost of Radelmüller still haunts the lighthouse, having never been put to rest. But what's fact, and what's fiction? In this episode, we'll shine a light on a tale that simultaneously a murder mystery, a ghost story, and a stirring piece of Canadian Gothic fiction.

Read the complete show notes and more at FiresideCanada.ca

The Coleman Frog

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 3 Mar 2022 04:00:00 +0000

Tall tales are an important part of the Canadian cultural landscape, and this one's a whopper. In this episode, we'll hear the legend (or is it a lie?) about a massive 42 lb bullfrog and the man who loved it. Part 19th century advertisement, part local legend, this somewhat controversial tale asks us to think about the nature of storytelling, and the difference between fact and truth. Learn more and read the show notes at FiresideCanada.ca

The Devil at the Dance

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 04:00:00 +0000

It's a centuries-old folktale—a story about one evening when the devil came to town to dance with an unwitting partner and steal her soul. Found in nearly every province across Canada, the story of "The Devil at the Dance" is perhaps best known as a quaint French Canadian legend meant to caution the young about the dangers of drinking and dancing. But is it just a Catholic morality tale, or is there more to the story?

Learn more and read the show notes at FiresideCanada.ca

The Haunting of the Fort Garry Hotel

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 3 Feb 2022 04:00:00 +0000

Winnipeg's Fort Garry Hotel is considered by many to be, not just one of the most haunted places in Canada, but one of the most haunted hotels in the world. Join me as we explore its stories—from local legends to national headlines—and consider the history, meaning and impact of the hotel's most notorious story: the ghost of a suicide bride said to haunt Room 202.

Read the complete show notes and learn more at FiresideCanada.ca

The Horn of the Unknown Shore

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 04:00:00 +0000

In 1577, an English privateer and explorer found a "unicorn horn" on the shore of what we know today as Baffin Island, Nunavut. The find would become a cherished posession of Queen Elizabeth I. Hear the legend and explore the hidden history and complex cultural ties of this legendary and lost treasure from two different worlds.

Read the complete show notes and learn more about the podcast at FiresideCanada.ca

The Vampires of Wilno, Ontario

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 6 Jan 2022 04:00:00 +0000

In celebration of the 125th anniversary of Dracula, we'll look at Canada's own vampire legends set in the quaint village of Wilno, Ontario. Hear how an earnest investigation into local folklore mixed with pop culture to inspire brand new stories that combine legend, lies and lore. See the complete list of show notes at FiresideCanada.ca

The Lost Cache of Granite Creek

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 9 Dec 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Granite Creek was at one point the third largest settlement in British Columbia. Now there's nothing left but rotting wood, rusted metal, a few great stories and, perhaps, a long lost treasure buried somewhere close by. Join me for tales of lucky finds, incredible feats, wild west weirdness and buried treasure from one of BC's countless forgotten ghost towns.

Learn more and see the sources and show notes at FiresideCanada.ca

The Demon of Sainte-Émélie

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 04:00:00 +0000

According to a forgotten newspaper article, a Quebec farmer once did battle with a fearsome flying monster, and had the body to prove it. The story should have made headlines around the world. Instead, it was swiftly forgotten. In this episode we'll analyze this cryptozoological story that never got its moment in the spotlight, and consider what it takes to make a legend. See all the show notes at FiresideCanada.ca

The Crucified Canadian

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 04:00:00 +0000

In April of 1915, the body of a Canadian soldier was found crucified near the city of Ypres...or so the legend goes. Follow the tale of the Crucified Canadian as it transforms from a rumor of the trenches, to a tool for propaganda, to a national myth and symbol of heroism and sacrifice, and finally to the subject of an international scandal. In this episode, we'll take a close look at a mostly forgotten trench myth of World War I that once made headlines around the world, incited Canadians to war, and inspired a legendary brutality on the battlefield.

The Old Hag of Newfoundland

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +0000

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.

The Phantom Bell Ringers of PEI

rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com (David Williams / Frequency Podcast Network) — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +0000

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.

The Pirate Edward Jordan – Part 1