271: Pop Culture, Video Games, and Cosplay as Mythology (with Dr. Vivian Asimos)

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’re joined this week by Dr. Vivian Asimos, who explains that just about anything can be mythology. Yes, including Star Wars, The Legend of Zelda, and cosplay. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Content Warning:</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">This episode contains conversations about or mentions of drowning, child death, and sexual assault.   </span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Guest</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vivian Asimos is a freelance academic specializing in all things popular culture and mythology. She has produced several publications including Digital Monsters, a book exploring online horror stories. She runs the blog</span> <a href="http://incidentalmythology.com/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Incidental Mythology</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">, dedicated to the intersections of popular culture and mythology, and is currently undertaking a</span> <a href= "https://www.incidentalmythology.com/cosplay-dressing-identity"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> research project into cosplay</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @vivianasimos</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Housekeeping</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">MERCH</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">! Preorder the Tarot Tee Shirt and get your other on-sale merch at</span> <a href="http://spiritspodcast.com/merch"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">spiritspodcast.com/merch</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">Recommendation</span><span style= "font-weight: 400;">: This week, Amanda recommends</span> <a href= "https://bookshop.org/a/822/9780061148446"><em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">And Only to Deceiv</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">e</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">by Tasha Alexander</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: