PODCAST · society
Folk Tales
by Smithsonian Folklife
Since 1967, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival has illuminated culture and amplified voices from around the world. Folk Tales extends the Festival’s storytelling beyond the National Mall and into your headphones. The podcast foregrounds the experiences and passions of Festival participants while also bringing forward voices rarely heard by the public: curators, assistants, and other collaborators working behind the scenes.
Episodes
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It Takes a Village
The Festival doesn’t appear by magic—it’s built by a vast network of staff, interns, volunteers, and collaborators. This episode reveals what it takes to create a temporary city on the National Mall each summer. Featured staff: Tori Baker, Jocelyn Callister, Kate Haas, Tyler Nelson, Diane…
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Learning Together
Outside of classrooms and apprenticeships, families and communities pass on cultural knowledge in their daily and social lives. Curator Rebecca Fenton highlights youth learning skills like weaving and saddlery from parents, elders, and mentors. Featured participants: Chase Carter, Whitley Carter,...
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Foodways
Food carries memory, identity, and community. In the Foodways demonstration kitchen, participants share family recipes and culinary traditions. Program coordinator Lirit Gilmore introduces the people and stories behind the meals. Featured participants: Checo Alonso, Ava Delgado, Manuel Delgado…
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Streetwise
Engines revving, skateboards rolling, DJs spinning—this is street culture in motion. Curatorial assistant Andrea Mayorga tours the Streetwise tent alongside fellow curators and participants, including youth building lowriders and creating street art. Featured staff and participants: Michelle…
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Emerging Media Makers
Youth are using radio, podcasts, film, and video to tell their own stories and spotlight what matters most to their communities. Curator Amalia Córdova shares the mic with media makers forging creative paths of their own. Featured participants: Betto Arcos, Rameshwar Bhatt, Chloe Barnett, Gillian...
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Wordsmiths and Storytellers
From hip-hop to oral storytelling to poetry, language becomes a tool for community change. Lead curator Michelle Banks introduces young artists shaping culture through words and rhythm. Featured participants: Jada Anderson, Eber Miranda, Evan Wang Read transcript →
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Native Language Reclamation in the U.S.
Native youth are leading efforts to reclaim and revitalize their ancestral languages. Curator Mary Linn introduces four North American Indigenous communities and the paths they are forging to ensure their languages endure. Featured participants: Kau‘i Kawauchi-Takamine, Kawika Keuma-Cadaoas,...
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Music Apprenticeship
Songwriting thrives on collaboration, energy, and shared experience. Curator Cristina Díaz-Carrera spotlights Rebel Song Academy, youth mentorship, and a song composed with help from Festival visitors. Featured participants: Malek Azrael, Alejandro Arias Read transcript →
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Next Generation Artisans in the Traditional Building Trades
Artisans in the building trades preserve historic spaces by passing their skills to the next generation. Curator Marjorie Hunt and program coordinator Arlene Reiniger explore how youth apprentices are keeping these traditions alive. Featured participants: John Canning, Tatum Connor, Matthew…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Since 1967, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival has illuminated culture and amplified voices from around the world. Folk Tales extends the Festival’s storytelling beyond the National Mall and into your headphones. The podcast foregrounds the experiences and passions of Festival participants while also bringing forward voices rarely heard by the public: curators, assistants, and other collaborators working behind the scenes.
HOSTED BY
Smithsonian Folklife
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Folk Tales have?
Folk Tales currently has 9 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Folk Tales about?
Since 1967, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival has illuminated culture and amplified voices from around the world. Folk Tales extends the Festival’s storytelling beyond the National Mall and into your headphones. The podcast foregrounds the experiences and passions of Festival participants while...
How often does Folk Tales release new episodes?
Folk Tales has 9 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Folk Tales?
You can listen to Folk Tales on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Folk Tales?
Folk Tales is created and hosted by Smithsonian Folklife.
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