Episode 3: The Wicked Stepmother – Villain or Victim?

A teenage girl makes a promise. A cruel stepmother holds her to it. A father believes the worst. And somewhere along the way, an innocent dog loses its head.

Wicked stepmothers—jealous, scheming, and heartless—are some of the most infamous villains in folklore. From The Children of Lir to Cinderella, these women lurk in the shadows, plotting their stepchildren’s downfall. But why do we love to hate them? And is the real story that simple?

This episode dives into Éadaoin’s harrowing tale—a lesser-known Irish legend of betrayal, survival, and dark justice. But not all stepmothers are wicked. Sometimes, they’re scapegoats for a world that expects too much from them.

Through myth, history, and one particularly messy axe murder, we’ll explore:

Why the wicked stepmother trope exists (and what it really says about family).

The tragic fates of Éadaoin.

The Lizzie Borden case—a real-life "evil stepmother" story that’s far from clear-cut.

Why modern storytelling fears complex female villains.

Fairy tales endure for a reason. And sometimes, the villains aren’t who we think they are.

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