I'm Lydia "Dia" Griffiths

I am a mythologist, a fandom scholar, and a new mother - which means Iam currently living inside the oldest story there is while also being very tired. I explore the ancient narratives living inside the ones we can't stop thinking about, and I believe that the stories we keep returning to are never just entertainment, they are maps.

I am a co-founder of the International Society of Mythology and have published widely on popular culture, mythology, and American identity.

Here's the thing. Motherhood and its space is new to me, both personally and professionally. I wrote my doctorate dissertation on Steve Rogers, Fanfiction, Heroic Masculine Vulnerability and Underworld Myth.

As you can see... not a lot about moms.

But here's the thing. During that process I got pregnant and had a baby. While already doing some version of an underworld journey, this was a whole different one, that took my by surprise.

I'm still very much a huge pop-culture geek and will talk about fanficion and superheroes all day. But motherhood, ancient motherhood, is calling me.

I don't have a lot of energy at the moment, but this is something that feels a little less hard...comes with a little less resistant.

Maybe you'll like what I have to say. Maybe you won't. That's alright. I don't have answers. Just some fancy letters after my name and a bunch of curiosity.

I'm glad you're here with me.

Lydia

Publications

“Steve Rogers Needs a Hug” Hurt/Comfort Fanfiction as an Underworld Journey and the Unmaking/Making of a Hero

“Mythical AI: The Long Relationship with AI Through Myth and Alchemy” Depth Psychology, Myth and Artificial Intelligence Soul and the Machine

“Hermes Overdosed: The Archetypal Hermes in Social Media”
Mythological Studies Journal Vol. XI

“Tumblr’s Reception of Webtoon Lore Olympus’ Apollo”
Mythological Studies Journal Vol. X

“Worms, Serpents, and Dragons: Mythic Symbology of Transformation”
The International Society of Mythology