Real Reel Talk - Grimm Edition

Think you know the story? This episode peels back the polished postcard of Thanksgiving and walks you through the messy, often grim realities behind the myth. We trace the 1621 gathering from William Bradford’s practical account, put the Wampanoag people and their experiences front and center, and follow how a 19th‑century cultural campaign and Civil War politics turned a local harvest event into a national holiday. Along the way we listen to Indigenous perspectives — including the National Day of Mourning — and offer concrete ways listeners can learn, teach, and reflect more honestly about this national story.Recommended reading & sourcesPrimary accounts and historical documents:William Bradford, “Of Plymouth Plantation” — Bradford’s firsthand account of the early Plymouth years and the 1621 harvest celebration. (Start with Bradford’s entries for 1621; annotated editions give helpful context.)Abraham Lincoln, “Proclamation of Thanksgiving” (Oct. 1863) — Lincoln’s text framing Thanksgiving as a unifying civic observance during the Civil War.Wampanoag and Indigenous perspectives:Gerald “Jerry” L. Bragdon, “Native People of Southern New England, 1500–1650” — context on social structures, lifeways, and early contact effects.Voices from the Wampanoag community — visit the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) official websites for contemporary statements, events, and cultural resources.National Day of Mourning materials — Wampanoag Nation and United American Indians of New England (UAINE) provide statements, histories, and resources about the annual observance in Plymouth.Scholars and historians:Jill Lepore, “These Truths: A History of the United States” — wide‑ranging history that questions national myths and situates holidays like Thanksgiving within broader political narratives.Nathaniel Philbrick, “Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War” — a narrative history that covers early colonial–Native relations and the broader consequences of settlement.Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, “An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States” — a rigorous reframing of U.S. history centering Indigenous experiences, policies, and resistances.James D. Drake, “King Philip’s War: Civil War in New England, 1675–1676” (or similar reputable works) — for a deeper understanding of later conflicts that reshaped Indigenous–colonial relations after the Plymouth era.Lisa Brooks, “Our Beloved Kin: A New History of King Philip’s War” — centers Native perspectives and illustrates long-term consequences of early contact and colonial expansion.Accessible essays, articles, and educational resources:“The First Thanksgiving Wasn’t a Feast” — Smithsonian Magazine or similar reputable outlets that contextualize Bradford’s account and pre-existing Indigenous conditions.Teaching Tolerance / Learning for Justice lesson materials on Thanksgiving that emphasize Indigenous voices and decolonizing classroom narratives.Library of Congress and National Archives entries for Lincoln’s proclamation and 19th‑century Thanksgiving materials.Podcasts, interviews, and multimedia:Interviews and lectures from Indigenous scholars (search for Roxanne Dunbar‑Ortiz, Roxanne Dunbar‑Ortiz interviews; Lisa Brooks lectures) that explore how national memory is formed and contested.Recordings/coverage of the National Day of Mourning (Plymouth) for contemporary Indigenous perspectives.

How can one owl terrify an entire village? This Grimm tale shows how fear and superstition spread. In The Owl, we look at how simple creatures become symbols of dread, and how folk narratives shape group behavior. A short story with a big message.

In this short but symbolic story, the hen’s death causes a ripple of tragic and senseless events. The Death of the Hen is part parable, part surreal poem—offering insight into the fragility of life and the strange logic of folklore. Don’t be fooled by the title—there’s more to unpack.

In The Pack of Ragamuffins, a cast of rowdy animals leaves home to create mischief—and learn nothing from it. What makes this seemingly random tale resonate with audiences? We dig into the Grimm Brothers’ use of absurdity and archetypes to reflect rural satire.

A rooster, a hen, a cat, and an eclectic group of travelers head to Herr Korbes’ house—and what happens there is as bizarre as it is violent. Herr Korbes is a chaotic tale that defies logic but reflects deep cultural fears and folk symbolism. Let's try to make sense of the senseless.

In The Dog and the Sparrow, betrayal meets brutal revenge as a mistreated dog and a vengeful sparrow deliver poetic justice. This dark Grimm tale is a cautionary fable with one of the most intense endings in the collection. Fair warning—this one gets grim.

Before The Tortoise and the Hare, there was The Hare and the Hedgehog. This witty Grimm tale features a boastful hare, a cunning hedgehog, and a moral about pride and trickery. Discover the origins and cultural legacy of one of Germany’s most beloved folk stories.

A young girl is swept away to marry a hare in this eerie Grimm tale. The Hare’s Bride walks the line between the bizarre and the uncomfortable—raising questions about agency, manipulation, and folklore’s fascination with animal grooms. Let’s dive into the unsettling side of fairy tales.

What happens when a straw, a coal, and a bean try to cross a river together? In this whimsical Grimm tale, we discover the charm of anthropomorphic misfits and how even the silliest stories can carry surprising meaning. A perfect blend of humor and absurdity.