Simon Bronner appears on the “Fabric of Folklore” podcast hosted by Vanessa Rogers 3-21-23.

What is the meaning of folklore? Is folklore a study of old cultures, or does it include modern cultures as well? What does psychology and folklore have to do with one another and how can they help each other explain the world? Dr. Simon Bronner, Dean of the College of General Studies and expert folklorist at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee explores a range of topics. He challenges us to recognize that jokes, common phrases, insults, children’s rhymes and more are all part of modern folklore. History, psychology, and sociology help explain the world, but folklore helps to add meaning. Timestamps 0:00:03 Introduction 0:03:30 Journey into folklore from immigrant identity as well a transformative course 0:05:57 The need to talk about the importance of tradition and everyday life through the perspective of folklore 0:10:46 Exploring the Influence of Folklore on Human Development: An Analysis of Alan Dundes 0:12:56 The Emergence of New Forms of Folklore 0:17:43 Exploring Folklore in the present 0:20:07 Alan Dundes and digital folklore including Photocopied Broadsides -humorous book 0:22:25 The journey into writing The Meaning of Folklore 0:24:51 Bloody Mary ritual and adolescent girls 0:30:23 Intersection of Psychology and Folklore 0:37:57 Psychoanalysis and Folklore in Peter Gamwell’s Book 0:40:36 Sigmund Freud’s Connection to Folklore 0:42:51 Freud’s Influence on Scatological Customs and Womb Envy 0:45:49 the History and Meaning of Folklore and Wishing Wells 0:51:35 Urban Legends and Contemporary Folklore 0:55:41 Intersection of Psychology and Folklore 1:01:05 Folklore, Psychology, digital folklore, and Wishing in Modern Society 1:03:24 Practice of Folklore book 1:05:29 Male Communication and Folklore