Forests, Folklore & Fantasy

Forests, Folklore & Fantasy

Welcome to Forests, Folklore & Fantasy, a podcast exploring the past, the present, the green, and the fantastical. Your host is Kellie (K.M.) Rice, a fantasy author and lifelong student of history and the natural world. In each episode, either solo or with a guest, she explores a variety of topics with the goal of creatively inspiring and educating her audience. Don’t miss out on your weekly dose of whimsy! Follow Forests, Folklore & Fantasy and Kellie’s social media to join the discussion and community of kindred spirits.

Episodes

July 16, 2026 • 33 mins

I have long been fascinated by the way a captivating story can take us out of time, place, and even our identities. Some would even argue that telling stories is what makes us human. This episode explores this innate need to tell tales.

Please follow this podcast, share it, and visit my other haunts below!

kmrice.com
gather.kmrice.com

Music from The Lands Beyond by Layne Thomas: https://laynethomas.com/portfolio/the-lands-beyond-2...

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Join me for a fascinating conversation with musical composer Layne Thomas, whose work all my regular listeners are familiar with. We dive deep into the creative process, our various fandoms and the influence of their music, and AI.

You can learn more about Layne's creative pursuits by visiting his website: https://laynethomas.com/

And be sure to check out BucketBabyMovie.com and find the film on Instagram @bucketbaby...

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December 19, 2025 • 53 mins

After a long hiatus, I am pleased to share that I felt called from the shadows to record this episode for you to kick off the second season of Forests, Folklore & Fantasy. Together, we'll explore the significance of the winter solstice practically, spiritually, and folklorically.

My website: https://www.kmrice.com/
Yuletide: Keeping Old Christmas: https://mailchi.mp/kmrice/yuletidecourse
Watch the solstice sunrise...

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May 27, 2024 • 50 mins

Whether you’re a fanatic enthusiast or meagerly interested in putting a seed in a pot, you will reap benefits you may not have even realized by gardening. In the final episode of season 1, we explore how the caretaking of plants not only roots us in the cycle of the seasons, but also maintains a connection with our ancestors and is a boon to our health.

Thank you so very much for your support for this show! I will be back soon...

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Despite efforts to erase it from cultural memory, the Irish language is still often spoken in corners of the Emerald Isle. Join me and Rónán O Conchubhair, a native speaker, for a conversation about the Irish (Gaelic) language, growing up in rural Éire, a local folktale, and of course, an abiding love of Fantasy.

Please follow this podcast, share it, and visit my other haunts below!

Website: https://www.kmrice.com/

My other links: ht...

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May 14, 2024 • 44 mins

What are the roots of “slow living” and how can you incorporate this lifestyle into your daily life? From mindfulness to intentional food preparation, the Romantics and smartphone use, we will explore the benefits of taking our time and how these changes, while small, are subversive.

Music from The Lands Beyond by Layne Thomas: https://laynethomas.com/portfolio/the-lands-beyond-2022/

Let's discuss his episode in the comme...

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May 6, 2024 • 40 mins

What makes a game cozy and what role do such games play in our lives? From relaxation to reflection on life choices, such quiet games, while easy to overlook, can have a big impact. In this episode, I share a bit about my experience as a cozy gamer, my favorite titles to date, and what I am looking forward to. Hint: It’s called Tales of the Shire!

My other links: https://lnk.bio/KMRiceAuthor

Happy Hobbit: https://www.youtube.co...

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Two girls, one dream: to be in their favorite movie franchise, The Lord of the Rings. Meet Lindsey Crummett who, along with her sister, not only achieved that dream, but so much more. Hear about her journey as an artist, the tenacity it takes to get work in the film industry, and of course, her abiding love for Fantasy.

Lindsey’s Art Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsey_crums_art/

Please follow this podcast, share ...

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April 22, 2024 • 44 mins

The ancient Celtic fire festival of Beltane is still thriving and reviving! Get an introduction to the holiday along with why this time of year was viewed with a mixture of joy and fear. After all, the Otherworld is near…

What did you think of this episode?

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April 15, 2024 • 55 mins

Our predominant culture relies upon the message that none of us is inherently “enough” but that we will be if we only look a certain way, have a certain job, and marry the right person. Nothing could be further from the truth. In this episode, I share a late-night journal entry in which I explored my own feelings of inadequacy and the realizations I came to in the hopes that they may enrich your life and sense of self-w...

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April 9, 2024 • 44 mins

Like most women, the sexism and predation I experienced as a child has held sway over my life, informing everything from how I go for a hike to how I write. Included is a reading of more writing I am sharing for the first time. Sisters, you are far from alone.

Please follow this podcast, share it, and visit my other haunts below!

Be Thou A Witch?: https://youtu.be/RUesVMxLbOk?si=R6WjccB8e724Yuru

Music from The Lands Beyond by Layne Th...

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March 31, 2024 • 57 mins

What is “nature” and how does our categorization of the external world affect our outlooks, both as individuals and as societies? Hopefully, you will find a greater sense of peace and belonging by engaging in this discussion and being able to answer these questions for yourself.

Website: https://www.kmrice.com/

My other links: https://lnk.bio/KMRiceAuthor

Happy Hobbit: https://www.youtube.com/user/TORnHappyHobbit

Music from...

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What is cosplay and how does one of the most recognized practitioners of the craft find her inspiration? Join me and my friend Lauren for a discussion about her inspiration, the role of fantasy, and the sexism she has faced as a female content creator.

Music from The Lands Beyond by Layne Thomas: https://laynethomas.com/portfolio/the-lands-beyond-2022/

LaurenDoesCosplay:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurendoescosplay TikTok...

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March 18, 2024 • 48 mins

Get a taste of what rural mountain life is like in California, and how my upbringing in the forest has shaped my identity and informs my perspectives. Vicariously, you may also take on these experiences and knowledge!

Please follow this podcast, share it, and visit my other haunts below!

Website: https://www.kmrice.com/

My other links: https://lnk.bio/KMRiceAuthor

Happy Hobbit: https://www.youtube.com/user/TORnHappyHobbit

Music from The...

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March 11, 2024 • 44 mins

Many know that the word “Easter” comes from an ancient Germanic goddess named “Ēostre,” but the survival of this age-old holiday and its customs don’t stop there. In this episode, we explore how the symbology of rebirth and the spring have led to our modern Easter celebrations.

https://www.kmrice.com/offerings.html

My other links: https://lnk.bio/KMRiceAuthor

Music from The Lands Beyond by Layne Thomas: h...

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We know him as the saint responsible for the peaceful conversion of Ireland to Christianity, but there are accounts of bloodshed that Patrick may have omitted from his story. Also, why do we pinch people for not wearing green and say things like “Kiss me, I’m Irish” on this day? Get the answers along with a crash course in Irish history.

Please follow this podcast, share it, and visit my other haunts below!

Website:...

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On paper, one would think that a childfree witchy woman and a devout Catholic mother may not have much in common. In this episode, join me and my friend Kaitlyn from Tea with Tolkien to find out just how wrong that assumption is, for we share more than a love of an author and his works. Thank you so much Kaitlyn for being my first-ever guest! 

Tea with Tolkien: https://www.teawithtolkien.com/

Music from The Lands Beyond by Layne...

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February 19, 2024 • 52 mins

If you find yourself yearning to connect with your heritage, expand your identity, and deepen your connection with nature, then you are not alone. Let us give names to bone-deep feelings and find our voices as we begin a conversation about belonging to a place while standing at the crossroads of spirituality and history.

Let's discuss in the comments. 

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February 12, 2024 • 58 mins

While on the surface Valentine’s Day may seem like a modern commercialized gimmick, its roots may go all the way to the third millennium BCE. Join me on this exploration of Mediterranean festivals and customs meant to promote purification, vitality, and fertility.

Did you listen? Let's discuss in the comments!

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February 5, 2024 • 56 mins

At its heart, the Fantasy genre represents our modern form of mythmaking. Dismiss these tales at your peril, for within these strange landscapes and symbolic stories of heroism lie the truth of our inner struggles and the depth of our understanding of the world. 

Website: https://www.kmrice.com/ 

“The Walkers in Darkness”: https://mailchi.mp/kmrice.com/walkersindarkness 

The Lands Beyond (available for strea...

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