Strange Truths & Tall Tales
Podcast
Strange Truths & Tall Tales celebrates the storytelling tradition of Newfoundland, Canada. From true-life feats of bravery to eerie tales of sea monsters and the folklore of mummers, we explore the stories that make this place what it is. Along the way we talk to modern storytellers, artists, and contributors from the world of pop culture to hear their perspectives and the tales that matter to them.
The show is hosted by Robert, a longtime blogger from Gander, NL, who writes about Newfoundland’s culture. He records the podcast from home, with occasional “input” from his two Labrador retrievers, who keep him grounded (well, more often, distracted).
Whether you’re a Newfoundlander yourself or simply curious about the stories of this remarkable place, we invite you to join us. Together, we’ll unravel “the yarns that knit ya” and discover what makes Newfoundland’s tales so powerful, so moving, and so unforgettable.
Have a story to share? Reach out: robert@productofnewfoundland.ca.
S4.E7: Newfoundland Pirate Stories: Peter Easton and Adventure Knox (feat. Tammy Hynes)
In this episode, we explore the legend of Peter Easton, trace the curious origins of Happy Adventure, and speak with Tammy L. Hynes about her Adventure Knox series—where Newfoundland’s history, folklore, and imagination collide in captivating stories.
S4.E6: Axe Murders At Shallow Bay
The true 200-year-old tale of horrific an axe murder in Shallow Bay, NL
S4.E5: The Christmas Cat of Keels
Newfoundland has its share of strange Christmas stories — but not too many involve hand-to-hand combat with a supernatural house cat. This one — from Keels— does.
S4.E4: Christmas Whales
They were supposed to leave before winter. When they didn’t, the Christmas whales of Springdale turned a frozen bay into a story no one would forget.
S4.E3: Newfoundland Death Omens
It’s Halloween, and we’re getting spooky.
In this episode of Strange Truths & Tall Tales, we dig into Newfoundland death omens — the strange signs people once believed foretold death or disaster.
S4.E2: The Ghostly Fishermen
In this episode hear the story of the Charles Haskell — a banks schooner that couldn’t quite leave her ghosts behind. The tale has been told for over a century and even inspired a folk song.
S4.E1: A Haunted Hotel in St. John’s
A ghostly knocking. An unexplained death. And a real tragedy in the dead of night. This Halloween, step inside the haunted halls of Foran’s Atlantic Hotel.
S3.E6: Sinking of the SS Caribou (feat. Tyler Humby)
The story of the wartime sinking of the Newfoundland ferry — SS Caribou, and a chat with rising NL folk musician Tyler Humby about his new song — The Caribou.
S3.E5: Mar Falten, Fanny Goff!
From playful Valentine’s traditions to heartbreaking loss, love in Newfoundland is never simple. Some stories fade, but others like ‘Fanny Goff’ — the story of Newfoundland’s most beautiful woman — endure.
S3.E4: The Candlemas Bear
On this February 2nd episode I chat about Candlemas lore an tell the story of a little bear wakes to find his shadow missing. His search leads to a warm home, a wise Grandmother, and a wintery secret.