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Unobscured

Author: iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild

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Each season of Unobscured digs deep into one of history's darkest and most misunderstood moments, and sheds light on the true story beneath the myth. 

Explore the Salem witch trials (S1), the Spiritualist Movement (S2), Jack the Ripper (S3), and Grigori Rasputin (S4) through the narrative storytelling of Aaron Mahnke, along with prominent historian interviews.
72 Episodes
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Some Unobscured News

Some Unobscured News

2022-05-0502:131

The spirit of UNOBSCURED has evolved and transformed into a brand new show called GRIM & MILD PRESENTS. We'll still be doing season-long deep-dives into major topics, but releasing episodes bi-weekly throughout the year, rather than all lumped into October and November. Learn more here. Subscribe to Grim & Mild Presents here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This summer, Grim & Mild Presents continues its journey into the strange, the unusual, and the fascinating. For our newest season, we’ll be taking to the high seas to explore one of history’s most notorious types of criminal: pirates. From naval battles and buried treasure, to deadly sword fights and stolen rum. Prepare to raise anchor! Grim & Mild Presents: Pirates sets sail on Friday, July 8th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S1 – Trailer

S1 – Trailer

2018-09-2602:181

History is full of stories we think we know. They are old and dark, but time has robbed us of perspective and clarity. They've become obscured and misunderstood. Which is why this series exists: to dig deep and shed light on some of history’s darkest moments. To help us better understand where we’ve come from. To make it Unobscured. Each season pairs narrative storytelling from Aaron Mahnke, the creator the hit podcast Lore, with prominent historian interviews.Season One: The Salem Witch Trials Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S1 – 1: The Arrival

S1 – 1: The Arrival

2018-10-0341:095

The stage is set, the characters are introduced, and the spell is cast. Welcome to Salem Village, home to a diverse and complicated gathering of families and personalities. It is a pile of dry kindling, and the match is about to be struck. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Even though Salem had been without an official charter from England for almost a decade, there was no question that witchcraft was still a crime. The only question left was how to handle them, and the answer would involve pitting a group of outsiders against a few powerful insiders.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S1 – 3: By the Book

S1 – 3: By the Book

2018-10-1748:32

As the first suspects are rounded up and questioned by the biased and partisan officials, their confessions unleash more trouble than relief. And as the number of witches multiplies, so too does the number of accusers. In an increasingly uncertain time, the Village leans on its faith. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S1 – 4: The Refugees

S1 – 4: The Refugees

2018-10-2433:333

While the events of the Salem witch trials began within the borders of the Salem village community, many of the forces that drove it forward were external. As we're about to see, Salem was full of more than stories about witchcraft—and those external threats were about to come home. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Some people saw the growing witch panic in Salem as a threat to their lives, and they tried to run and hide. Others saw an opportunity for profit and advancement. Through it all, though, the fire would continue to burn, and unlikely individuals would be caught up in the blaze. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S1 – 6: Consequences

S1 – 6: Consequences

2018-11-0740:58

Until now, the daily flood of examinations had been a temporary fix while everyone waited for the new government to set up an official trial. For many, that trial would represent hope and conclusion. For some, however, it would extract a heavy, deadly price. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's easy for a community to turn on the outsiders among them. The Salem witch trials had become a textbook example of this over the first few months. But in July of 1692, all of that changed. As the Court of Oyer and Terminer rolled full speed ahead, it seems anyone could be a witch. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As the trials continued to roll forward in Salem, crushing more and more lives beneath its wheels, the panic began to spread outside its borders. In the community of Andover, those old fears found a new home—and the results would defy all expectations. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The witchcraft panic had been gathering victims for months by the time George Burroughs was hanged, and many of them were still in jail. With nothing but torture and certain death awaiting them at the end of their imprisonment, many of the accused in Salem began to plot a more hopeful conclusion to their story. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S1 – 10: Pen and Paper

S1 – 10: Pen and Paper

2018-12-0544:021

Between the examinations and the hangings, it was easy to see the witch trials as a battle fought inside the courtroom. But outside, word was spreading about the injustice of it all, and so the fight was taken to a brand new arena—one that would do far more to change minds than any hanging or spectral testimony. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S1 – 11: Floundering

S1 – 11: Floundering

2018-12-1250:24

With the Court of Oyer and Terminer officially disbanded, the fog of uncertainly rolled into Salem. What would happen to those still in jail? When would a new trial session begin? And most importantly, who would grab the wheel of power and steer Salem to victory over darkness? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does a community recover from a tragedy that claims over two dozen lives? How do they even begin to pick up the pieces and make things right again? And when it's all said and done, what can the rest of the world learn from the 300-year old mistakes of colonial New England village? The answers aren't as easy as they might appear. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our interview with Emerson Baker, interim dean and history professor at Salem State University and author of A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our interview with Mary Beth Norton, professor of American history at Cornell University and author of In the Devil’s Snare. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our interview with Richard B. Trask who has served as Archivist for the Town of Danvers, Massachusetts (old Salem Village) since 1972. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our interview with Marilynne K. Roach, author of "Six Women of Salem" and "The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our interview with Jane Kamensky, professor of American history at Harvard University and author of Governing the Tongue: The Politics of Speech in Early New England.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Comments (135)

Len Conyers

I know many of you, even possibly our host himself, are sitting in a loft/flat somewhere, in a beautiful old neighborhood that used to contain a lot of people that it no longer does, sipping a Starbucks from one of the many that magically popped up over the last 20 years. I hope you recognize yourselves in this episode.

Feb 15th
Reply

Saba Qamar

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Feb 9th
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Piper Brockley

I loved loved loved Season 1 and 2. I'm listening to Season 3 now and will undoubtedly devour Season 4 soon after. I absolutely adore Aaron as a narrator. He's very thorough, detailed, accurate, and objective, but something that sets him apart is that he's not just recounting a timeline, providing a lecture totally detached from its events - you can *hear* the empathy in his voice. He implores you to connect to people long dead and times long passed. He humanizes the people involved and contextualizes all the environmental factors existing in that period of time. It's refreshing and very well done and something I find truly unique to this genre of podcast.

Aug 1st
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Lori C.

sure wish this guest had a glass of water and used it during the interview. sticky tongue sounds are distracting! also, as an expert, sure wish she'd spoke more like an expert. can't say if episode is good as I had to move on.

Feb 10th
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Lenora Thorium

I think that of all the seasons of Unobscured, this one has been my favorite. History is always relevant, but the themes and lessons of these past events feel ominously relevant to the state of affairs today.

Sep 3rd
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Lenora Thorium

This series really shows how blind loyalty to one man can bring down an empire. Lessons that could be applied to our country today

Aug 24th
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Lenora Thorium

All I know about Grigori Rasputin is that he manipulated the czar, weakening the Russian Empire, and he was granted the death he deserved. I am really looking forward to filling in all the details!

Aug 3rd
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Granny Wampus

Thank you for doing this!! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Aug 3rd
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Lenora Thorium

Ann Braude of Harvard Divinity School has the most soothing voice I have ever heard. I could listen to just her speaking for hours 🥰

Jul 18th
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Lenora Thorium

I think it's highly likely that William Stoughton was gay - that's why he was so filled with self loathing, and so gung ho to execute every accused "witch", no matter how weak or nonexistent the evidence was against them. Being "possessed" with "demons" himself, he naturally saw them everywhere, and in everyone accused.

Jul 17th
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Lenora Thorium

Justice being perverted in the service of religion was apparently not limited to the 17th century, but sadly persists to this day.

Jul 11th
Reply (3)

Lenora Thorium

I can't stop bingeing this season! Omg this show is so good. I've learned more from Aaron Mahnke than I ever did in school lol

Jul 7th
Reply

Pætrïck Lėő Dåvīd

an important epoch in world history and the ripples in the current of time continue to generate turbulence in current events.

Dec 8th
Reply

Ricardo da Cruz de Carvalho

This was a delight to hear! 😊

Dec 5th
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Jim Harings

Two nights ago, Jeopardy had a question about who was the "Mad Monk"? The answer given and accepted was Rasputin. That seems to contradict this series. Any specific sources I can research? Great work as always.

Nov 10th
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janeoran

Great conversation. I actually feel smarter after it😅

Nov 3rd
Reply

Hannah Morgan

Really good storytelling and history

Oct 13th
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Hannah Morgan

Really good storytelling and history

Oct 13th
Reply

janeoran

Excellent narration, writing, contributors and soundtrack. Insightful, informative and generally bloody brilliant.

Sep 9th
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Katie the Book and Yarn Dragon

Excellent deep dive into the Whitechapel Murders and the surrounding social history.

Feb 3rd
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