The Thing About Witch Hunts

This October, we're diving into the fascinating story of Margaret Jones—the first woman tried for witchcraft in Massachusetts—through Andrea Catalano's debut novel The First Witch of Boston. Josh and Sarah explore this gripping historical fiction that sheds light on a witch trial that happened decades before Salem, in 1648. Discover why this lesser-known story deserves your attention and hear from the author herself about bringing Margaret Jones's tale to life.October Witchcraft Season: Josh and Sarah kick off the spookiest month with increased witchcraft contentPre-Salem History: Learn about Massachusetts witch trials that occurred 44 years before the famous Salem trialsMargaret Jones's Story: The 1648 execution that changed colonial historyAuthor Interview: Exclusive conversation with debut novelist Andrea CatalanoChart-Topping Success: How this historical fiction novel reached the top of Amazon chartsHistorical Accuracy Meets Fiction: Why Margaret Jones's story was "ripe for telling"First Massachusetts witch trial (1648)Margaret Jones executionPre-Salem witchcraft persecutionColonial Boston historyHistorical fiction as a vehicle for forgotten women's storiesAndrea Catalano's research and writing processThe First Witch of Boston by Andrea CatalanoGenre: Historical FictionSubject: Margaret Jones, executed for witchcraft in 1648Amazon bestseller with positive critical receptionIf you're interested in:Witch trial history beyond SalemColonial American historyWomen's forgotten storiesHistorical fictionOctober/Halloween contentWitchcraft historyWitch trials, Massachusetts history, Salem witch trials, Margaret Jones, 1648, colonial America, witchcraft history, historical fiction, Andrea Catalano, The First Witch of Boston, Boston history, pre-Salem witch hunts, Halloween podcast, October episodes, women's history, forgotten historyJoin Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack every week for your dose of witchcraft history. Subscribe to The Thing About Witch Hunts for more fascinating stories about persecution, superstition, and the women who were accused.Perfect listening for October, Halloween season, or anytime you want to explore the darker corners of American colonial history.⁠Buy the book: The Last Witch of Boston, Andrea Catalano⁠Buy the book with John Winthrop transcriptions on Margaret Jones: Witch Hunting in 17th Century New England by  David D. HallHalloween Episodes on The Thing About Witch Hunts PodcastsThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch HuntsSupport the nonprofit End Witch Hunts Podcasts and Projects

Why This Crossover?Hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack are featuring The Thing About Salem podcast on The Thing About Witch Hunts podcast to introduce our listeners to our companion 15 minute sized episode podcast! Both shows are produced by the End Witch Hunts nonprofit, and we want to make sure you don't miss out on the incredible stories we're telling about Salem's witch trials. This crossover episode gives Thing About Witch Hunts listeners a taste of the detailed historical storytelling you'll find over on The Thing About Salem.What if the Salem witch trials could have been prevented? In this compelling crossover episode, we examine the critical turning points between January 1692 and May 1693 when different decisions could have stopped America's most notorious witch hunt in its tracks.From the arrest of four-year-old Dorothy Good to Martha Carrier's infamous designation as "Queen of Hell," we explore how a series of escalating choices transformed a local Massachusetts crisis into colonial America's deadliest legal disaster.Historical Turning PointsCritical moments when the Salem witch trials could have been haltedThe shocking case of Dorothy Good, the youngest accused witchHow local accusations spiraled into regional hysteriaKey Historical FiguresCotton Mather and his contradictory influence on the trialsGovernor William Phips and his delayed interventionMartha Carrier and her notorious title as "Queen of Hell"The role of judges, ministers, and community leadersGeographic SpreadSalem Village and Salem Town dynamicsHow 45 Andover residents became entangled in accusationsThe regional impact across Massachusetts Bay ColonyLegal and Social AnalysisSpectral evidence and its dangerous precedentCourt procedures that enabled the witch hunt's growthCommunity tensions that fueled the accusationsThis crossover episode reveals how a perfect storm of fear, superstition, and poor decision-making created one of America's darkest chapters. We examine the moments when cooler heads could have prevailed and the individuals who either fanned the flames or attempted to restore reason.The Salem witch trials (1692-1693) resulted in the execution of 20 people and the imprisonment of hundreds more. This episode explores the human decisions behind the historical tragedy and the lessons we can learn about mass hysteria, due process, and the importance of critical thinking in times of crisis.Colonial American historyLegal history and judicial reformSocial psychology and mass hysteriaWomen's history and gender dynamics in early AmericaReligious history and Puritan societyTrue crime and historical mysteriesSalem witch trials, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Cotton Mather, spectral evidence, Dorothy Good, Martha Carrier, Governor Phips, Andover witch trials, colonial America, Puritan society, mass hysteria, historical true crime, 1692 witch hunt, Salem Village, judicial historyJoin The Thing About Salem and The Thing About Witch Hunts for this special crossover episode exploring how different choices could have changed the course of American history.This episode contains historical content about persecution, execution, and legal proceedings from the 17th century. Listener discretion advised.Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

With his highly anticipated debut graphic novel "More Weight: A Salem Story" releasing, Massachusetts-born author Ben Wickey joins us for an exclusive pre-launch interview about this Alan Moore-praised "appalling masterpiece." The Edward Gorey Award-winning artist's first solo work tells the harrowing tale of Giles Corey, the only person pressed to death under stones during the infamous 1692 Salem Witch Trials.What makes this upcoming graphic novel release extraordinary? Beyond Wickey's stunning and unmatched visual storytelling that brings historical horror to visceral life, he is a descendant of Salem Witch Trial victim Mary Easty, bringing deeply personal perspective to this decade-long project that Publishers Weekly compared to "From Hell." We explore the pre-release excitement, Wickey's meticulous research using historical documents, and his innovative dual-timeline narrative featuring Nathaniel Hawthorne interludes. Using the graphic novel format, Wickey cuts through pop culture mythology to restore the genuine horror and humanity of Salem's history.Discover how Corey transformed from testifying against his wife Martha to defiantly uttering his final words "more weight," and why this Salem witch hunt story will captivate readers everywhere.#SalemWitchTrials #BenWickey #MoreWeight #GraphicNovel #HistoricalHorrorBuy the Graphic Novel "More Weight" Read the Alan Moore World Blog: Ben Wickey An Extraordinary Enchanter More Weight Preview Page on TopShelfComix.com Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Projectwww.massachusettswitchtrials.orgThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

Nearly 100 years after Salem, a German immigrant widow in Vermont faced trial by water ordeal for witchcraft. In 1785, Margaret Krieger was dropped through ice into the freezing Hoosick River—and survived.Guests:Joyce Held, Pownal Vermont Historical Society - researcher who uncovered Margaret's full storyJamie Franklin, Bennington Museum Curator - connected the trial to post-Revolutionary War political tensionsKey Points:Margaret Schumacher Krieger (1725-1790) married Johann Krieger in 1741, moved to frontier VermontAfter Johann's death in 1785, neighbors accused her of witchcraft to seize the family's mill and landRecent research suggests the family were Loyalists, adding political motivation to the accusationsMargaret was acquitted after surviving the water test and moved back to MassachusettsModern Legacy:Historical marker installed 2023 at Strobridge Recreation Park, North Pownal, VTAnnual Witches Walk commemorating "extraordinary women" - next event September 13, 2025Connect:Facebook: Pownal Historical SocietyWebsite: www.pownal.orgThis case reveals how witchcraft accusations often masked land disputes, cultural tensions, and political conflicts in post-Revolutionary America.LinksAmericans 1943: Realists and Magic-RealistsAP Article: Group seeks to clear names of all accused, convicted or executed for witchcraft in MASign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice ProjectPownal Historical Society on FacebookBennington Museum Special ExhibitsWatch: New England Legends: Ghosts and Witches  Season 2024 Episode 2The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

Episode Summary: Jennifer Tozer, librarian at Pueblo Community College in Colorado, shares how she created "Witch Trials: Accusation to Exoneration" - a comprehensive month-long educational program running throughout October. When traditional museum exhibits weren't available, Jennifer built her own visual displays from scratch, featuring poster exhibits, author presentations, virtual tours with the Salem Witch Museum, and discussions connecting historical witch trials to modern-day accusations.For Educators: This episode offers practical inspiration for teachers looking to create engaging historical programming with limited budgets. Jennifer's approach demonstrates how to make distant history relevant to today's students while addressing misconceptions and encouraging critical thinking.Program Details: "Witch Trials: Accusation to Exoneration" runs throughout October at Pueblo Community College Library, featuring interactive exhibits, scavenger hunts, and community presentations.Perfect for history teachers, librarians, and educators interested in innovative programming that brings historical events to life for modern students.LinksBuy the book A Salem Witch by Dan A GagnonBuy the book The Heretics Daughter by Kathleen KentPueblo Community College's Humanities Newsletter with Witch Trials History Event DatesThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

On September 8 and 22, we are joining Dr. Emerson Baker for exciting virtual events hosted by Partnership of Historic Bostons.Visit Eventbrite to register for FREE:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-other-understanding-witch-hunts-part-i-tickets-1492284887269?aff=oddtdtcreatorOr visit the Partnership of Historic Bostons website for more information: https://historicbostons.org/upcomingeventsThe Other: Understanding Witch Hunts, Part I will begin Monday, September 8 at 7:00 PM Eastern.A second event, focusing on resistance to the Salem Witch-Hunt, will be held at the same time on September 22.Almost every culture across time and place has experienced witch hunts of one kind or another. Drawing upon the witch trials in Salem, Boston, and elsewhere in New England, renowned historian Emerson "Tad" Baker, together with guest moderators Sarah Jack and Josh Hutchinson, will explore the nature of witch hunts. Join a remarkable three-way conversation by some of the most knowledgeable and insightful observers of witch hunts, about the questions that persist more than 350 years after the 20 Salem executions.In this first of two eye-opening discussions, The Other explores why witch hunts happen and how they progress. Why are certain people accused? What characteristics did people like Tituba, Bridget Bishop, and Goody Glover have that made them targets rather than their neighbors? What set them off as "others"? How and why did Tituba’s accusation lead to more accusations, while Glover’s did not? What role did misinformation and rumor play in witch hunts? And, most puzzlingly, what motivated the accusers?Part 2: Resistance, on September 22, 7:00-8:30pm, will explore how people fought against accusations, at risk to themselves, and worked to end the witch hunts. How did family, friends and neighbors help defend the accused? What role did spiritual and political leaders play? How did families and communities heal from witch hunts, and prevent them from happening again? Above all, what gave these people, in the midst of increasing danger, the courage to resist?ABOUT THE SPEAKERSEmerson "Tad" Baker is a professor of history at Salem State University and has previously served as vice provost and dean. He is the award-winning author or co-author of six books on the history and archaeology of early New England, including A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience.His current book project explores the aftermath of the Salem witch trials. Baker has served as consultant and on-camera expert for documentaries and TV shows for networks ranging from PBS and the BBC to Smithsonian and TLC.Josh Hutchinson is a podcaster, writer, and advocate. As a descendant of people involved in New England witch trials, co-founder of End Witch Hunts, and creator of the podcasts The Thing About Witch Hunts and The Thing About Salem, Josh blends historical knowledge and modern activism in his work. Josh continues to shed light on historical injustices while advocating for the elimination of modern harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks.Sarah Jack, a descendant of colonial-era witch trial victims, is the founding executive director of the nonprofit End Witch Hunts. Based in Colorado, Sarah also hosts the podcasts The Thing About Witch Hunts and The Thing About Salem. She specializes in consulting and teaching about witch hunts, past and present, leveraging her extensive networks to bring these conversations to broader communities and platforms. Her work has been highlighted globally and featured in outlets including the New York Times and NPR.End Witch Hunts brings light to the true nature of witch trials and witch hunts through public education, advocacy, memorialization, and exoneration.

Guest: Dr. Martin Austin Nesvig Book: The Women Who Threw Corn: Witchcraft and Inquisition in 16th Century MexicoDr. Martin Austin Nesvig takes us into colonial Mexico's magical underground, where cultural exchange happened in kitchens between women of different backgrounds. This isn't your typical witch hunt story—Mexico never had mass executions or crazes. The Spanish Inquisition there was more interested in heretics than magical practitioners.But women still took risks. From enslaved women casting freedom spells to Spanish settlers experimenting with peyote (the first documented non-indigenous use), these stories reveal how people navigated colonial power and sought agency in their lives.You'll hear about love magic with personal ingredients and indigenous divination techniques. Plus the demographics of colonial Mexico City, where Spanish women were less than 20% of the population.This episode flips the expected colonial narrative—showing how native practices influenced the colonizers themselves. A story of adaptation, survival, and unexpected cultural blending.Hosts: Sarah Jack and Josh Hutchinson Also check out: The Thing About Salem (weekend podcast)Buy the Book: The Women Who Threw Corn by Martin Austin NesvigThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

What if history's most infamous witch hunt could have been stopped with just a few different decisions? We're examining the pivotal moments between January 1692 and May 1693 when someone—anyone—could have pumped the brakes on Salem's runaway train of accusations.From the shocking arrest of four-year-old Dorothy Good to Martha Carrier's unfortunate promotion to "Queen of Hell," we'll explore how escalating choices transformed a local crisis into colonial America's most notorious legal disaster. We'll meet the key players who either fanned the flames or tried to douse them—including Cotton Mather's mixed messages and Governor Phips' late-in-the-game reality check.Join us as we dissect the moments when cooler heads could have prevailed and discover how 45 residents of unlucky Andover got swept up in accusations that would make even the devil blush. Sometimes it takes a village—or several villages—to create a catastrophe.Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

Join hosts Sarah Jack and Josh Hutchinson for this special episode recorded live on August 10th for World Day Against Witch Hunts 2025. This expert panel discussion explores the ongoing crisis of witchcraft accusations in Ghana, where men, women and children are violently expelled from their communities and forced to live in outcast camps.Featured experts include a representative from Amnesty International Ghana discussing their groundbreaking "Branded for Life" research and report, alongside other advocates also from the Coalition Against Witchcraft Accusations (CAWA), The Sanneh Institute, ActionAid Ghana, Songtaba, and TOLEC Ghana. These frontline organizations share stories of survivors, reveal the devastating impact of modern witch hunts, and highlight the incredible resilience of women rebuilding their lives in these camps. Learn first hand about the accusations that can stem from something as simple as a dream or refusing a marriage proposal, discover how survivors are creating communities of hope despite losing everything, and understand what these brave women need most to restore their dignity and safety. Ghana's Parliament passed a Bill to protect citizens from witchcraft accusations in July 2023, but it was never signed into law by the former president; the bill has been reintroduced in 2025.This powerful World Day Against Witch Hunts program reveals a human rights crisis affecting vulnerable people right now and showcases the dedicated experts working to create lasting change for survivors who desperately need our support.Hosted by End Witch Hunts nonprofit - working to restore dignity and create safe futures for survivors worldwide.Find links to all these organizations at End Witch HuntsAbout Spiritual and Ritual Abuse Hear the stories of Spiritual and Ritual Abuse in the United StatesGhana: Branded for Life ReportGlobal Review: Addressing Harmful Practices Related to Witchcraft Accusations

Join hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack as they sit down with fellow End Witch Hunts nonprofit board member Mary Bingham for a powerful discussion about modern-day witch hunts and spiritual ritual abuse in the United States. In this special episode commemorating World Day Against Witch Hunts (August 10th), we explore the devastating reality of supernatural fears that continue to harm vulnerable people in over 60 countries worldwide.What You'll LearnThe connection between historical witch trials and contemporary spiritual abuse casesHow modern witch hunts manifest in the United States and globallyThe devastating impact on society's most vulnerable membersPersonal insights from descendants of Salem witch trial victimsActionable ways to combat these harmful practices through education and awarenessFeatured GuestMary Bingham - End Witch Hunts nonprofit board member and advocate. Mary's compelling research draws crucial connections between historical persecution and contemporary cases of harm inflicted on those believed to be spiritually or diabolically possessed.Key Topics DiscussedSpiritual and Ritual Abuse: Understanding how supernatural fears manifest in harmful practices todayGlobal Crisis: The scope of witch hunt-related violence across 60+ countriesHistorical Connections: How past and present persecution share common rootsPersonal Impact: Why this work holds deep meaning for Salem descendantsPath Forward: Education and awareness as tools for changeImportant DatesWorld Day Against Witch Hunts: Sunday, August 10thAbout The Thing About Witch HuntsHosted by Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack, this podcast examines the historical and contemporary reality of witch hunts, exploring their impact on vulnerable communities worldwide and advocating for education and awareness to end these harmful practices.About End Witch HuntsEnd Witch Hunts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about modern-day witch hunts and working to raise awareness about supernatural-based persecution and violence.About World Day Against Witch Hunts About Spiritual and Ritual Abuse Attend the Online Expert Panel Event August 10thSarahWildes1692 on Youtube Read Article: Salem to San Jose by Mary Bingham Read Blog Post: Understanding Ritualistic Crime Ghana: Branded for Life Report https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/research/2025/04/ghana-branded-for-life/Global Review: Addressing Harmful Practices Related to Witchcraft Accusations Content WarningThis episode discusses violence and harm against vulnerable individuals, including cases of spiritual and ritual abuse that may be disturbing to some listeners.If you found this episode meaningful, please share it to help raise awareness about World Day Against Witch Hunts and the ongoing work to end these harmful practices.

In this gripping episode, we sit down with Dr. Keith Silika, a Zimbabwean-born criminal investigator whose extraordinary journey has positioned him at the crossroads of two worlds most of us never see intersect.Raised between his father's traditional healing practice and devout Catholic faith, Dr. Silika brings an unprecedented perspective to one of today's most misunderstood and dangerous phenomena, ritual attacks. From his early days in Zimbabwe's police force to his current work in England's law enforcement and academic circles, he's witnessed firsthand how supernatural beliefs continue to cause  modern-day violence and persecution.This isn't your typical true crime discussion. It's a deep dive into the complex intersection of culture, belief, justice, and human rights that will  inspire you to explore this critical issue further and engage in important conversations about protecting vulnerable communities worldwide.Warning: This episode contains discussions of violence and harm that some listeners may find disturbing.Friendship Bench WebsiteDr. Silika's Project: Forensic Investigation and Prevention of Witchcraft-Related Harmful Practices: A Study of Law Enforcement and Human Rights Perspectives in Southern Africa Dr. Silika's Article: Running for Community Healing: Why I Ran the Manchester 10K for the Friendship BenchThe International Network Against Witchcraft Attacks and Ritual Abuse⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteSupport Us! Buy a book from our independent book shop

In the shadowy valleys of the Western Alps during the 1430s, a terrifying new narrative emerged that would reshape European understanding of witchcraft forever. What began as isolated tales of individual maleficium transformed into something far more sinister—organized gatherings where witches supposedly flew through the night to renounce Christ, feast on children, and pledge allegiance to Satan himself.Journey with us into the dark imagination of medieval Europe as we explore the birth of the witches' sabbath. These weren't just stories—they were detailed testimonies that religious authorities believed revealed an existential threat to Christendom itself. From the inlands of  Switzerland to the remote mountaintops of France, discover how ancient fears and folklore about nighttime spirits coalesced into a conspiracy theory so powerful it would color centuries of witch hunts.But the sabbath's influence didn't end in medieval Europe. Follow its dark legacy across the Atlantic to the Salem witch trials, where Puritan New England became gripped by visions of devilish sacraments in village pastures. How did these European fantasies of organized devil worship take root in American soil, and what does their evolution tell us about the fears that drive societies to see enemies lurking in their midst?Buy the book: Origins of the Witches Sabbath by Michael D. BaileySalem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

What happens when a society finally confronts one of its darkest chapters? In Scotland, a growing movement is demanding recognition for the thousands of women killed during the country's brutal witch hunts—a campaign that reveals how historical injustices continue to shape us today. Dr. Margaret Malloch from the University of Stirling joins us to discuss her project "Memorializing Injustice," examining different campaigns of remembrance and exploring why remembering these forgotten victims matters now more than ever, and what Scotland's reckoning can teach us about confronting uncomfortable truths. A thought-provoking conversation about memory, how we understand justice, and the stories society chooses to tell.Formal Apology: Statement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon opening the debate, International Women's Day 2022 in the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, on Tuesday 8 March 2022Formal Apology: The Church of Scotland Apologising for Historic WrongsRemembering the Accused Witches of Scotland CampaignListen to Witches of Scotland Episode Listen to Episode with Author Mary W. Craig on Witch Trials in ScotlandListen to Episode on the Paisley Witch HuntListen to Episode on the play Prick Help Us Build Our Patreon Community⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteThe Thing About Salem WebsiteCheck out our new podcast: The Thing About Salem on YouTube!⁠⁠Sign up for our Newsletter⁠

For our landmark 150th episode, we explore one of humanity's most enduring questions: What is a  witch? Far from being about broomsticks and cauldrons, the witch serves as a cultural mirror, reflecting society's deepest anxieties about power, gender, and the unknown.A witch is a designation that reveals more about the society doing the naming than about the accused. Throughout history, this label has been weaponized against the vulnerable, marginalized, and powerless as a means of social control.Yet in contemporary Western contexts, "witch" has become a self-claimed identity representing alternative spirituality, feminist empowerment, and connection to nature. This reclamation represents a deliberate rejection of patriarchal control and embrace of personal agency.We'll examine how the witch has served as both society's scapegoat and its rebel. What does it mean when an identity once used to destroy women becomes a source of empowerment? Join us as we explore this complex figure that continues to captivate and challenge us today.Make a Donation Read Report: Legislative Approaches to Harmful Practices Related to Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks, A Global ReviewThe International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual AttacksAdvocacy for Alleged WitchesBuy the book: The Ruin of All WitchesListen to the episode: Malcolm Gaskill on the Ruin of All WitchesListen to the episode: Francis Young on Witchcraft and The Modern Roman Catholic ChurchListen to the episode: Legal Perceptions of Witch Hunting in India with Riya A Singh and Amit AnandWitchcraft Accusations in Listen to the episode: Nigeria with Dr. Leo IgweThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

Come explore a forgotten witch panic that happened before Salem. This episode visits Springfield, Massachusetts to discuss a groundbreaking museum exhibit that brings the 1650-1652 Hugh and Mary Parsons witchcraft case to life. Curator Elizabeth Kapp explains how "Witch Panic: Massachusetts Before Salem" immerses visitors in this early witch panic through interactive elements that put visitors in the role of jury members. The exhibit reveals how this case influenced the more famous Salem trials and why understanding these historical moments remains crucial today.Buy the book: The Ruin of All WitchesSpringfield MuseumsListen to the episode: Malcolm Gaskill on the Ruin of All WitchesListen to the episode: Massachusetts Witch Trials 101 Part 2: Mary and Hugh Parsons of SpringfieldThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

Dig into the Salem witch trials with playwright Matt Cox, whose play Witches?! In Salem!? offers a fresh perspective on one of history's most tragic episodes. This isn't your typical historical drama – Cox has crafted something that's both rigorously researched and surprisingly funny, managing to honor the victims while illuminating the very human motivations behind the 1692 tragedy.Matt spent eight years developing this play, transforming it from a simple comedy about fantasy witches into a nuanced exploration of actual history and human nature. The result is a work that includes real fantasy witches who ironically never get blamed, while the innocent townspeople fall victim to fear, social pressure, and petty grievances that spiral devastatingly out of control.As a descendant of Rebecca Nurse and Mary Esty – two of the Salem victims – Sarah brings a personal perspective to this conversation about how historical trauma can be transformed into meaningful art. We'll explore how Matt incorporated real historical research, why he made specific creative choices, and how the play has evolved through different versions and productions.At its heart, Witches?! In Salem!? reminds us that the people involved in Salem weren't monsters – they were humans like us, making it both a sobering reminder of our capacity for harm and, surprisingly, a source of hope for learning to do better. Join us as we discuss finding truth and even humor in one of history's darkest chapters.LinksRead the Script: Witches!? in Salem?! Matt Cox Website: Check out all his plays!Buy the book: A Delusion of Satan by Francis HillThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

Why does a 72-year-old play about 333-year-old witch trials still feel urgently relevant today? Arthur Miller's The Crucible has become theater's ultimate evergreen story, because it captures something timeless and terrifying about human nature—our willingness to destroy each other when fear takes hold.When Miller's play premiered on January 10, 1953, audiences immediately understood it wasn't really about Salem. This was Miller's bold response to McCarthyism, a thinly veiled critique of Senator Joseph McCarthy's communist witch hunts that were tearing through American society. Miller had taken the Salem witch trials and transformed them into a mirror, forcing 1950s America to confront its own capacity for panic and persecution.But here's what makes The Crucible truly remarkable: it didn't stop being relevant when McCarthyism ended. In our current era, when we're so quick to label people as enemies and deny their humanity, Miller's allegory feels more essential than ever. The play's central question—what happens when a community turns against itself in search of hidden enemies—remains one of the most important questions we can ask.Whether you know the play from school, the stage, or the screen, whether you have family who lived through the Red Scare or ancestors who witnessed Salem's trials, The Crucible speaks to something universal about the human condition. It reminds us that in times of crisis, we all face the same choice: Will we stand with the mob, or will we find the courage to stand for justice?Buy the book: The Red Scare by Clay RisenBuy the Play: The Crucible by Arthur MillerBuy the book: The Enemy Within by John DemosHelp Us Build Our Patreon Community⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteThe Thing About Salem WebsiteCheck out our new podcast: The Thing About Salem on YouTube!⁠⁠Sign up for our Newsletter⁠⁠Donate to The Thing About Witch Hunts Fieldwork Fund

Join Josh and Sarah as they explore one of Scotland's most notorious witch trials - the Paisley Witch Trials of 1697 (also known as the Bargarran or Renfrewshire Witch Trials). This case represents a major witch hunt and mass execution in late 17th century Europe, where seven people lost their lives in Paisley after being accused by eleven-year-old Christian Shaw.What You'll Learn: • How eleven-year-old Christian Shaw's accusations against 35 people spiraled into Scotland's last major witch hunt • The story behind the seven executions that took place in Paisley on June 10, 1697 • How fear and superstition transformed a Scottish community into a site of tragedy • The connection between the Paisley trials and other witch hunts across Europe and America • Insights from someone who has walked the very streets where these events unfoldedThe Seven Executed on June 10, 1697: • Margaret Lang • John Lindsay • James Lindsay • John Lindsay of Barloch • Katherine Campbell • Margaret Fulton • Agnes NaismithOur guest, Gayle Pollock, brings a unique perspective to this dark history. Gayle doesn't just study these events - she lives and breathes them. Walking the same streets where the accusations were made and lives were lost has given her an intimate understanding of how this tragedy actually unfolded. Her immersion in the landscape and the story provides insights you simply can't get from books alone.As we remember the accused in Paisley in 1697 and honor Bridget Bishop, who was hanged in Salem on June 10, 1692, we're reminded of the importance of questioning fear and superstition wherever it may lead.Don't forget to check out this week's episode of The Thing About Salem podcast, and join us next time as we continue to examine the dark corners of history.#WitchTrials #ScottishHistory #PaisleyWitches #RenfrewshireWitches #SalemWitchTrials #HistoryPodcastHelp Us Build Our Patreon Community⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteThe Thing About Salem WebsiteCheck out our new podcast: The Thing About Salem on YouTube!Sign up for our NewsletterDonate to The Thing About Witch Hunts Fieldwork Fund

Hosts Josh and Sarah welcome back author Beth Caruso to discuss Alice Young, New England's first documented witch trial victim, executed in Hartford, Connecticut in 1647. Beth shares her groundbreaking research that led to Alice's official exoneration by the Connecticut legislature in May 2023, after centuries of her story being nearly lost to history. The conversation explores how Beth pieced together Alice's life through limited historical records, neighborhood land documents, and epidemiological patterns from a 1647 flu outbreak that may have contributed to the accusations against her. They discuss Alice's lasting legacy through her descendants, connections to broader New England witch trial history, and what still needs to be done to honor her memory through exhibits and memorials.Episode Highlights:• Alice Young's Story - New England's first documented alleged witch hanging, executed in Connecticut in 1647 (June 5th by modern calendar)• Historic Exoneration - Connecticut's bipartisan legislative vote in May 2023 officially cleared Alice Young's name after centuries• Research Challenges - How limited historical records have been  pieced together to share Alice's life • The 1647 Flu Epidemic - How neighborhood deaths and epidemiological patterns may have led to Alice's accusation• Historical Connections - Links between Alice Young's case and broader New England witch trial history, including connections to the Mather family• Governor Winthrop Jr.'s Role - His alchemical views and connections to people in Alice Young's life• Alice's Legacy - Her descendants and lasting impact on Connecticut heritage and colonial history• Ongoing Memorial Efforts - What still needs to be done through exhibits, memorials, and continued awareness• Beth's Work - Her Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project, CT Witch Memorial Facebook page, and Connecticut Witch Trials Trilogy• Podcast Promotion - Launch announcement for "The Thing About Salem" podcast and its first episode about TitubaBuy the book One of Windsor by Beth Caruso Author Beth Caruso's Website Article: Between God and Satan  by Katherine A. Hermes; Beth M. Caruso Buy the book: Prospero's America: John Winthrop, Jr., Alchemy, and the Creation of New England Culture, 1606-1676  by Walter W. WoodwardConnecticutWitchTrials.orgCT W.I.T.C.H. Memorial https://www.facebook.com/ctwitchmemorialHelp Us Build Our New Patreon Community for The Thing About Salem PodcastCheck out our new podcastSign up for our NewsletterDonate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference FundSupport Us! Buy Book Titles Mentioned in this Episode from our Book Shop

Welcome back to the Witch Hunt Podcast. This is the final episode in the four part series: The Evolution of Diabolical Witchcraft Belief.  If you're just joining us, we recommend checking out the previous series episodes first, though this episode can certainly stand on its own.This completes our Evolution of Diabolical Witchcraft conversation with Professor Richard Raiswell of the University of Prince Edward Island, expert on Devil lore. In Part 1, we began examining the critical relationship that developed between demons and witchcraft specifically in the 15th century. In Part 2, we delved deeper into how this connection became the driving force behind the witch hunts that devastated communities across Europe. In parts 3 and 4 we reveal shocking and informing details on the Malleus Maleficarum and its authors Heinrich Kramer, aka Institoris, and Jacob Sprenger. Thank you for joining us as we conclude this chilling and fascinating exploration of how demonology fueled witch persecution. ⁠⁠NEW PODCAST: The Thing About Salem⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our new podcast, The Thing About Salem, on YouTube!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Help Us Build Our New Patreon Community for The Thing About Salem Podcast⁠⁠⁠Richard Raiswell⁠⁠Shop our Nonprofit Bookshop for: The Routledge History of the Devil in the Western Tradition⁠ ⁠Purchase the Malleus Maleficarum: The Hammer of Witches, translated by Christopher S. MacKay ⁠⁠Build Your Witch Trial History Library with a Purchase from our Bookshop!⁠⁠End Witch Hunts U. S. Nonprofit Organization⁠⁠Sign up for our Newsletter⁠⁠Donate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund