What is folklore and how does it connect to witch hunts? Join us for an author talk with Professor Owen Davies and Dr. Ceri Houlbrook from the University of Hertfordshire, discussing their new book Folklore: A Journey Through the Past and Present. Discover how folklore shapes our daily lives, from cheese rolling traditions to social media rumors.
Episode Highlights:
• Folklore definition and what folklore actually means today
• British folklore traditions and American folklore customs explored
• How folklore practices became legal evidence in Salem witch trials
• The three types of British witches: conflict witches, accidental witches, and outcast witches
• Folk devils versus theological devils in witch hunt history
• Spectral evidence, pricking tests, touch tests, and folk magic in historical witch accusations
• Why debunked theories like the ergot explanation persist in popular culture
• How contemporary folklore evolves through podcasts and social media
• The ritual year framework and material culture in folklore studies
• Magical thinking and supernatural beliefs across cultures
• How folklore cycles between revival and decline
Whether you’re studying folklore definition, researching folklore examples, or interested in folklore and popular culture, this author talk explores how folklore studies reveals patterns in human behavior across time.
Pick up Folklore: A Journey Through the Past and Present at https://bookshop.org/shop/endwitchhunts to support our work and explore opportunities to study folklore at the University of Hertfordshire’s MA folklore program.
Links
Buy Book: Folklore: A Journey Through the Past and Present
Enjoy this in-depth author interview with New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Kent. Kathleen opens up about her writing process, her journey from aspiring writer to published novelist, and the craft behind transforming family history into compelling historical fiction.
Kathleen's debut novel, The Heretic's Daughter, tells the story of her ancestor Martha Carrier, who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials on August 19, 1692. Martha was from Andover, the town with the most accused witches was blamed for a smallpox epidemic that killed 13 people. Even when her children were tortured into confessing against her, Martha refused to admit to crimes she didn't commit.
This episode offers invaluable insights for aspiring novelists and historical fiction writers, covering everything from research techniques to finding your voice as a writer. Whether you're working on your first novel or looking to deepen your craft, Kathleen's experience and teaching expertise provide practical guidance for writers at every level.
Kathleen Kent is a New York Times bestselling author and member of the Texas Institute of Letters. Her novels include:
The Heretic's Daughter (David J. Langum Sr. Award for American Historical Fiction, Will Rogers Medallion Award)
The Traitor's Wife
The Outcasts (American Library Association "Top Pick" for Historical Fiction)
The Dime, The Burn, and The Pledge (Edgar Award-nominated crime trilogy)
Black Wolf
Kathleen teaches writing workshops and has worked with Texas Writes to mentor aspiring authors.
Kathleen's journey from aspiring writer to published author
The writing process behind The Heretic's Daughter
Research techniques for historical fiction writers
How to balance historical accuracy with storytelling
Finding and developing your unique voice as a writer
Working with family history and sensitive historical material
Navigating the publishing process
Teaching writing and what aspiring novelists need to know
Transitioning between historical fiction and crime fiction genres
Martha Carrier's powerful story of resistance
The Andover witch trials and why this town had the most accusations
The 1690 smallpox epidemic and its connection to witch accusations
How children were tortured into testifying against their parents
Cotton Mather's role in documenting the trials
The legacy of Salem Witch Trials victims
historical fiction writing, Kathleen Kent, The Heretic's Daughter, writing process, aspiring novelists, Salem Witch Trials, Martha Carrier, Andover witch trials, writing advice, author interview, historical research, novel writing, writing workshops, craft of writing, historical fiction authors, publishing advice
#WritingCommunity #HistoricalFiction #AuthorInterview #WritingAdvice #KathleenKent #SalemWitchTrials #NovelWriting #WritingPodcast
Links
Purchase the novel: The Heretics Daughter by Kathleen Kent
Support our Podcast by purchasing books through our affiliate link to End Witch Hunts Bookshop
The Thing About Salem Patreon
Is The Witch of Blackbird Pond historical fact or beloved fiction? Museum educators Martha Smart and Gillie Johnson from the Wethersfield Historical Society pull back the curtain on Elizabeth George Speare's classic novel by revealing what she got right and what she invented. This episode demonstrates why Connecticut's real witch trials deserve more attention than they've gotten.
Discover the true story of Katherine Harrison, whose 1669 witch trial revealed the dangerous reality for independent women in Puritan Connecticut. Learn why Gershom Bulkeley, a real historical figure who appears in the novel helped end witch executions in Connecticut by declaring he'd seen no legally proven case of witchcraft.
From the Charter Oak legend to the history of slavery in colonial Connecticut, this conversation goes far beyond the novel to explore what life was really like in 1680s Wethersfield and whose stories have been left out of the history books.
The real Katherine Harrison witch trial and how it differed from the novel's dramatic courtroom scene
Why Connecticut's witch trials ended decades before Salem's panic began
How The Witch of Blackbird Pond has shaped—and sometimes distorted—Wethersfield's historical identity
What Elizabeth George Speare got wrong about Puritan social customs, trade, and the treatment of outsiders
The truth behind the Charter Oak legend and Connecticut's resistance to British rule
Martha Smart - Research and Reference Librarian, Wethersfield Historical Society
Gillie Johnson - Museum Educator, Wethersfield Historical Society
Learn more at wethersfieldhistory.org, where you can explore their database of people of color in Wethersfield's history.
Elizabeth George Speare's The Witch of Blackbird Pond and Connecticut's colonial-era witch trials, including the 1669 case of Katherine Harrison in Wethersfield, form an important part of the state's historical narrative, though they remain less widely recognized than their Salem counterparts.
Links
Purchase the book: The Witch of Blackbird Pond from our nonprofit bookshop
In this episode, Josh and Sarah speak with the creative team behind "The Witch of Woodbury," a theatrical production at Connecticut's Glebe House Museum that brings 17th-century witch trial victims to life through performance.
Featured Guests:
Linda Barr-Gale - Actress portraying Moll Cramer for 13 years and production writer
Loriann Witte - Director of Glebe House Museum, portraying Rebecca Greensmith
Maribeth Cummings - Actress portraying Katherine Harrison for 5 years
Vail Barrett - Actor portraying accuser Thomas Allyn
Key Topics:
The legend of Moll Cramer, the "Witch of Woodbury" who was banished to Tophet Road
Connecticut's witch trial history from 1647-1663, including 11 executions
How Governor John Winthrop Jr. transformed Connecticut's approach to witchcraft accusations
Accused Witch Katherine Harrison's well-documented case and its role in changing spectral evidence standards
Executed woman Rebecca Greensmith's role in the Hartford Witch Panic of 1662
The perspective of accusers like Thomas Allyn and the climate of fear in colonial Connecticut
Using theatrical performance to make history accessible and memorable for modern audiences
Historical Context: The performance emphasizes the stark differences between Connecticut's evolving legal standards under Winthrop and the later Salem trials.
Learn More:
Episode Description:
Just saw Wicked: For Good (Wicked Part 2) and wondering what it all means? The sequel to 2024's blockbuster Wicked movie starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande delivers the pure magic and joy of Wicked's fairytale storytelling while also serving as a mirror reflecting our world's darkest patterns of persecution. Join hosts Sarah Jack and Josh Hutchinson for a spoiler-filled celebration of this magical film as they explore both the enchantment of the story and the surprisingly relevant themes hiding behind flying monkeys, sparkly shoes, and that iconic green skin.
From Gregory Maguire's beloved novel to the Broadway phenomenon with music by Stephen Schwartz, Wicked has captured hearts worldwide. This sequel delivers stunning musical numbers, an enchanting fairytale ending, and America's greatest modern fairy story—while also offering profound insights about our world. Discover why Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, Dorothy, and the Wizard of Oz create a story that's both entertainment magic and meaningful social commentary.
From the breathtaking songs like "For Good" to the animals in cages vault scene that's impossible to look away from, this episode explores how the Wicked movie with Jonathan Bailey and Jeff Goldblum delights audiences while helping us understand who gets labeled "wicked"—and who decides.
What You'll Explore:
The pure magic and joy of Wicked's fairytale storytelling
Standout musical moments and how the Broadway songs translate to film
The chilling parallels between Oz's animal persecution and real-world witch hunts
Elphaba and Glinda's friendship, sisterhood, and the choices that change everything
Why the treatment of talking animals in Oz mirrors modern oppression
How Dorothy's witch hunt against Elphaba reflects real accusation patterns
Why Nessarose, Boq, and Fiyero's transformations matter for understanding persecution
How the word "witch" is weaponized as a political tool today
Whether movies like Wicked help or harm the fight against modern persecution
Deep dive into Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba and Ariana Grande's Glinda
This is the next installment in our ongoing look at Wicked and Oz! If you haven't already, be sure to check out our previous episodes "Witchcraft and Stagecraft: Unmasking Wicked's Magic with Paul Laird and Jane Barnette" and "Wicked Movie: The Making of a Witch" to explore how this beloved story connects to real witch trial history and contemporary persecution.
Content Warning: This episode includes movie spoilers and discusses themes of persecution, banishment, and contemporary witch hunts affecting millions globally.
Ready to see beyond the emerald curtain? This isn't your childhood Oz anymore—and that's exactly the point. But it's also a wicked good time.
For more information about ending witch hunts or to get involved, visit EndWitchHunts.org
Keywords: Wicked For Good, Wicked Part 2, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, Dorothy, Wizard of Oz, animals in Oz, Wicked sequel, Broadway musical, Stephen Schwartz, Gregory Maguire, Wicked songs, For Good, Wicked movie explained, witch hunts, Wicked themes, Wicked analysis
Links
Watch Episode: Witchcraft and Stagecraft: Unmasking Wicked’s Magic with Paul Laird and Jane Barnette
Watch Episode: Wicked Movie: The Making of a Witch
Sign the Amnesty International Petition for Ghana Anti Witchcraft Legislation
In May 1692, one of Boston's most respected citizens walked into a Salem courtroom—and the accusers couldn't even identify him. Captain John Alden Jr., son of Mayflower passengers and decorated war hero, seemed an unlikely target for witchcraft accusations. But his connections to Native Americans and the French made him dangerous in the eyes of wartime Massachusetts.
What happened when Salem's witch hunt reached beyond the village to pull in a prominent Bostonian with impeccable colonial credentials? This episode examines how Captain Alden's examination revealed the absurdity and danger of the spectral evidence system and how his escape became one of the trial period's most dramatic moments.
From his parents' legendary Plymouth courtship to his own flight from justice, Captain Alden's story shows us who could be accused, who could survive, and what it took to navigate Salem's machinery of suspicion.
Episode Highlights:
John Alden Sr. and Priscilla: The last surviving Mayflower passenger and the marriage that inspired Longfellow
Captain Alden's controversial fur trading and the rumors that made him a target
The chaotic May 31st examination where accusers needed prompting
The touch test, the sword, and the claims of "Indian Papooses"
His September escape to Duxbury and surprising return
Key Figures:
Captain John Alden Jr., John & Priscilla Alden, Judges Bartholomew Gedney and John Richards, Rev. Samuel Willard, Robert Calef
The Thing About Salem examines the people, places, and events of the 1692 Salem witch trials. New episodes weekly.
Links
The Thing About Salem Patreon
Episode Description:
Massachusetts has an opportunity to make history, and you can be a part of it. On November 25, 2025, Bill H.1927 goes before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary. This legislation will exonerate 8 individuals convicted of witchcraft in Boston and recognize everyone else who suffered accusations across Massachusetts. Between 1648 and 1693, more than 200 people were formally charged with witchcraft in Massachusetts. Only 31 from Salem have been cleared. The rest have been forgotten—until now.
Co-hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack, who helped co-found the Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project and successfully passed Connecticut's witch trial absolution bill in 2023, share how YOU can help Massachusetts finish the job.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The 8 individuals convicted in Boston who have never been exonerated: Margaret Jones, Elizabeth Kendall, Alice Lake, Hugh Parsons, Eunice Cole, Ann Hibbins, Elizabeth Morse, and Goody Glover
Why this matters today: Witch hunts didn't end in the 1600s—they're still happening around the world
The history of Massachusetts exoneration efforts from 1703 to 2022
How Connecticut proved it's possible with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2023
Exactly what you can do to support H.1927, whether you live in Massachusetts or anywhere else in the world
Key Facts:
200+ individuals were accused of witchcraft in Massachusetts between 1638 and 1693
38 people were convicted (30 in Salem, 8 in Boston)
25 people died: 19 hanged in Salem, 5 hanged in Boston, and Giles Corey pressed to death
Only Salem victims have been exonerated—the 8 Boston convictions remain unaddressed
The Boston Eight:Five Executed:
Margaret Jones (1648) - The first person executed for witchcraft in Massachusetts
Elizabeth Kendall (1647-1651) - Falsely accused by a nurse covering her own negligence
Alice Lake (c. 1650) - Mother of four, judged for her past
Ann Hibbins (1656) - A widow, called "quarrelsome" for speaking her mind
Three Convicted But Not Executed:
Hugh Parsons (1651) - Conviction overturned, released 1652
Eunice Cole (likely 1656) - Convicted and imprisoned, though records are incomplete
Elizabeth Morse (1680) - Sentenced to death but eventually released
CRITICAL DATE: November 25, 2025
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on H.1927 at 10:00 AM
This bill MUST get through committee to move forward. If it doesn't receive a favorable report, it gets sent to "study" where it becomes invisible and inactive.
How YOU Can Help RIGHT NOW:1. Sign the Petition (From Anywhere in the World)
change.org/witchtrials Goal: 3,000+ signatures
Keep it short: 2-6 sentences is enough! Include:
Why this bill matters to you
That these people were innocent
Why Massachusetts should complete its exoneration work
2. Submit Written Testimony (From Anywhere in the World)Where to submit: Details at massachusettswitchtrials.org
3. Contact Your Massachusetts Legislators (MA Residents)
4. Spread the Word
Share this episode and use hashtags:
#H1927
#WitchTrialJustice
#MassachusettsHistory
#mawitchhuntjusticeproject
5. Get a Support Pin
Purchase the Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project pin on Zazzle (under $5) Link in show notes and at massachusettswitchtrials.org
Sign the Petition to Exonerate the Boston 8
The History of Witch Trial Exonerations in MassachusettsAbout the MA Witch Hunt Justice ProjectPurchase a MA Witch Hunt Justice Project Memorial Pin
Tune in for this informative virtual panel discussion bringing together three of the world's leading experts on witchcraft accusations and ritual violence. This free online event, co-hosted by End Witch Hunts and featuring speakers from INAWARA (International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks), addresses one of the most pressing yet under-recognized human rights crises of our time.
Professor Charlotte Baker – Co-Director of INAWARA and Professor at Lancaster University (UK).
Professor Miranda Forsyth – Co-Director of INAWARA and Professor at Australian National University's School of Regulation and Global Governance.
Dr. Keith Silika – Criminal investigator, lecturer, and human rights advocate bridging criminology, forensics, and cultural understanding.
What You'll Learn
This panel discussion explores why international collaboration is essential to combating witchcraft accusations and ritual violence across the globe. Our distinguished panelists will discuss:
Global research and coordination: How INAWARA unites experts, practitioners, advocates, and survivors from around the world to share knowledge and develop evidence-based interventions
The new legislative report: Key findings from the June 2025 report, Legislative Approaches to Addressing Harmful Practices Related to Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks
Cross-border strategies: Why connecting researchers, NGOs, legal professionals, and community advocates across borders has significant value and creates more effective solutions
Challenges and progress: Real-world obstacles faced by communities worldwide and successful approaches to protection and prevention
Advocacy and policy reform: How research translates into legal protections and policy changes at local, national, and international levels
Community protection: Grassroots education and support systems that help vulnerable populations resist witch-hunt violence
INAWARA (International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks) is a global network that connects experts, practitioners, advocates, and survivors from every continent. By fostering international collaboration and supporting evidence-based interventions, INAWARA works to end witch hunts, witchcraft accusations, and ritual attacks wherever they occur.
Witchcraft accusations continue to drive violence, discrimination, and human rights abuses across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America, and beyond. Victims are often women, children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. They face torture, exile, property seizure, and death. This panel discussion highlights the power of global cooperation in addressing this crisis and protecting the most vulnerable among us.
🌐 End Witch Hunts: endwitchhunts.org 🌐 INAWARA: theinternationalnetwork.org
The International Network (INAWARA)
United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8
INARAWA Conference Clip:Implementing UN Resolution 47/8 - 2nd International Conference
Podcast Episode: Forensics, Witchcraft Accusations, and Ritual Murders with Dr. Keith Silika
Podcast Episode: Ending Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence with Miranda Forsyth
Birubala Rabha: A life of chasing witch hunters
Witchcraft Beliefs Around the World: An Exploratory Analysis
Advocacy for Alleged Witches, Nigeria
Advocacy Against Witch Hunts, South Africa
International Alliance to End Witch Hunts
Why do witchcraft accusations persist in modern India, and how do gender and caste inequalities fuel this cycle of violence despite legal protections?
Join Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack for a powerful conversation with Bharvi Shahi, currently pursuing her LL.M. at Christ University, Bengaluru, and Razina Ahmed, Assistant Professor of Law at the School of Law, Presidency University, Bengaluru about from their research work in Northeast India's tribal communities and international human rights law.
they explore the complex intersection of belief, tradition, and human rights violations in Northeast India's tribal communities related to witchcraft accusations.
What You'll Learn:
Understand the critical difference between cultural beliefs and harmful practices under international human rights law. Explore how accusations emerge within community structures when illness or misfortune strikes and medical care is inaccessible. Learn why India's state-level witchcraft laws face massive implementation challenges, and discover the reality of witch-hunt victim communities living in isolation. Our guests reveal how patriarchal structures weaponize supernatural accusations to control and exclude women.
Razina Ahmed shares firsthand research challenges, including the startling moment an NGO declined to help her visit a village of survivors, revealing how deeply stigma affects even those working in advocacy. Bharvi Shahi examines how freedom of belief becomes weaponized against the most vulnerable: widows, elderly women, and those with disabilities. This episode reveals how community fear, social isolation, and supernatural accusations create complexities that legal protections alone cannot resolve
Keywords: witch hunts India, tribal communities Northeast India, witchcraft accusations, gender-based violence, human rights violations India, superstition and law, vulnerable women, Assam tribal communities, Implementing Human rights, belief vs harmful practices
Links
More Podcast Episodes Discussing Witchcraft Accusations in India
Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project
Playwright Laurie Flanigan-Hegge, two directors, and a puppet artist discuss staging "Prick," a play about Scottish witch trials, now opening in Chicago November 6-16.
In August 2023, we spoke with playwright Laurie Flanigan-Hegge about Prick, her play about the Scottish witch trials. It had just premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Two years later, the play has traveled to New Orleans, Wellington (New Zealand), and opens November 6-16, 2025 at the Den Theater in Chicago.
We reunite with Laurie and puppet artist Madeline Helling, and meet two directors: Jeff Mills of Chicago's Proboscis Theater Company and Amy Chaffee from Tulane University.
The conversation covers what it's like staging historical violence, why the single puppet design works so powerfully, and how a play about 17th-century Scotland keeps finding new relevance.
About the PlayPrick examines the Scottish witch trials through three women: an Unknown Woman lost to history, Marioun Twedy of Peebles, and Isobel Gowdie. The title refers to "pricking"—searching accused women's bodies for the "devil's mark" with sharp instruments.
The play moves between past and present, uses dark humor and Scottish folk music, and centers on a single haunting puppet created by Madeline Helling.
What They DiscussThe rehearsal process: Both directors talk about the challenge of staging the pricking scenes, even with a puppet. Jeff's Chicago cast continues working through how to show violence respectfully. Amy's New Orleans students couldn't bring the instrument near the puppet—they performed the gesture from twelve feet away.
The puppet's power: Madeline designed one puppet to represent all the accused women. It's specific enough to feel real, neutral enough that audiences project onto it. The puppet travels between productions and comes back to her for repairs.
Contemporary connections: The play addresses ongoing witch hunts in countries where witchcraft remains a state crime. Amy teaches in Louisiana and discusses working in a politically charged environment. Jeff talks about theater as "rehumanization" in response to current dehumanization.
The music: Both productions use songs by Heal and Harrow, a folk duo who created an album for the Witches of Scotland Campaign. Jeff adds Scottish guitar with electronics. Amy's students performed acapella arrangements.
Cultural complications: Amy reflects on taking the play to Wellington, New Zealand—a colonial capital—at a conference focused on integrating Māori culture with acting and voice techniques. The play deals with Scotland as both colonized and colonizer, which created complex responses from audiences of different backgrounds.
"Remembrance Is Resistance"This Witches of Scotland Campaign motto runs through the conversation. The campaign seeks pardons and memorials for nearly 5,000 documented accused. They created a tartan anyone can wear to show support.
At Tulane, one student built a monument inscribed with every name from the database and installed it in the lobby.
Chicago ProductionNovember 6-16, 2025 The Den Theater, Milwaukee Avenue Tickets: thedentheatre.com (search "Prick")
Two weekends only. Proboscis Theater Company's production features new jackdaw puppets and is reaching out to both theater audiences and Chicago's pagan communities.
Links
Get Tickets to the Chicago Production at the Den Theatre
National Archives, Scotland, Early Modern Witch Trials
Prick: A Play of the Scottish Witch Trials Podcast Episode
Episode Description
What do vampires, werewolves, and dragons tell us about ourselves? In this fascinating exploration of monsters in culture and society, we dive deep into why humanity has always been obsessed with creatures that go bump in the night.
From the etymology of "monster" (Latin "monstrum" - to warn or demonstrate) to modern cryptids and creepypastas, discover how these frightening figures serve as mirrors reflecting our deepest fears, repressed desires, and cultural anxieties. Learn why monsters aren't just entertainment—they're essential tools for processing trauma, establishing moral boundaries, and creating social cohesion. We'll also examine the dangerous consequences of labeling real humans as monsters—and why this rhetoric prevents understanding, distances us from accountability, and can lead to dehumanization and violence.
Key Topics Covered
The Nature of Monsters
What defines a monster and the true meaning behind the word
Categories: supernatural beings, humanoid creatures, the undead, cryptids, and human monsters
Why witches became one of history's most enduring monster figures
The Psychology of Fear
How monsters reflect our fear of ourselves
The intersection of monsters with our anxieties, values, and hopes
Why we're drawn to "delicious fear" in safe contexts
Cultural Function of Monsters
Monsters as warnings that prefigure societal problems
How monster stories help us handle trauma and explore taboos
The role of monsters in teaching moral boundaries and creating in-groups
The Danger of Labeling Humans as Monsters
Why dehumanization prevents understanding
How calling people "monsters" distances us from accountability
The real-world consequences of monster rhetoric
Winning Against Monsters
Classic tactics: hunting, outwitting, finding weaknesses
The power of team-ups, protective magic, and courage
Why we need triumph stories to overcome our fears
Episode Highlights
✨ Monsters are cultural constructs that serve as societal mirrors 🧠 Understanding the Latin roots: "to show," "to warn," "to demonstrate" ⚠️ The problem with labeling real people as monsters 💪 How monster stories ultimately help us find courage and triumph
Episode Highlights
✨ Monsters are cultural constructs that serve as societal mirrors 🧠 Understanding the Latin roots: "to show," "to warn," "to demonstrate" ⚠️ The problem with labeling real people as monsters 💪 How monster stories ultimately help us find courage and triumph
Keywords
monsters, cultural anthropology, folklore, mythology, psychology of fear, cryptids, supernatural beings, werewolves, vampires, social cohesion, moral boundaries, dehumanization, monster stories, horror culture, cultural fears, societal anxieties, creepypasta, witches in history
Connect With UsHave your own thoughts on what monsters reveal about society? Share your perspective and join the conversation!
#Monsters #Folklore #CulturalStudies #Psychology #Horror #Mythology #Podcast
Links
Play the Episode: Ain't Slender Man Scary with Sean & Carrie
Ain't It Scary With Sean and Carrie Podcast
What makes a monster? In this spine-tingling episode, Josh and Sarah welcome back fellow podcasters Sean and Carrie from the hit show Ain't it Scary with Sean and Carrie to explore one of the internet's most notorious creations: Slender Man.
From creepypasta legend to real-world tragedy, discover how this faceless, tentacled entity became modern folklore and what it reveals about our relationship with monsters. Four podcasters who love things that go bump in the night dive deep into digital horror, viral legends, and—because it's The Thing About Witch Hunts—somehow end up discussing the Salem witch trials.
Whether you run toward mysterious figures in the woods or away from them, this episode will make you question why we create monsters and what happens when fictional nightmares bleed into reality.
Episode Highlights🎃 What is Slender Man? - The origins of the internet's most infamous boogeyman
👻 Creepypasta to Crisis - How digital folklore goes viral in the modern age
🕯️ Monster Theory - Why do we need monsters? Why do we treat humans as monsters?
🔮 Salem Connections - The unexpected link between witch hunts and modern monster-making
🎙️ Skeptic Meets Spooky - Sean and Carrie return with their signature perspectives on the paranormal
About Our Returning GuestsSean & Carrie host Ain't it Scary with Sean and Carrie, where a skeptic and a believer explore the unknown, unsolved, unbelievable, and just plain weird. With their passion for history and uncovering truth, they bring complementary perspectives to every mystery they tackle.
KeywordsSlender Man, creepypasta, digital folklore, internet legends, monsters, witch hunts, Salem witch trials, paranormal podcast, horror podcast, Ain't it Scary, folklore, urban legends, monster theory, viral horror, true crime
Listen & SubscribeDon't wander off the path—subscribe to The Thing About Witch Hunts and join us every episode as we explore the monsters, myths, and witch hunts throughout history.
Also check out: Ain't it Scary with Sean and Carrie wherever you listen to podcasts!
Keep the porch light on. 🎃
Links
Ain't It Scary With Sean and Carrie Podcast
Dr. Richard Raiswell, Dr. David Winter, and Dr. Mikki Brock—co-editors of The Routledge History of the Devil in the Western Tradition explore the devil's complex history, from his biblical origins to his evolution through Western culture. Discover how the devil has been weaponized to demonize marginalized groups throughout history and examine his surprising presence in contemporary society.
The devil's backstory and biblical origins
How the devil's image transformed across different historical periods
The dark history of demonization and scapegoating
The devil's role in witch hunts and persecution
Modern manifestations of devil imagery and symbolism
Expert insights from the comprehensive Routledge History collection
Dr. Richard Raiswell
Dr. David Winter -
Dr. Mikki Brock -
Key Topics Covered
Devil mythology and theology
Historical persecution and witch hunts
Cultural representations of evil
The devil in Western tradition
Religious history and demonology
Social scapegoating through history
The Routledge History of the Devil in the Western Tradition features contributions from 30 scholars, offering the most comprehensive examination of the devil's role in Western culture and history.
Subscribe to The Thing About Witch Hunts for more deep dives into the fascinating intersection of history, culture, and belief.
#WitchHunts #DevilHistory #HistoryPodcast #Demonology #ReligiousHistory #CulturalHistory
Links
Buy the book "The Routledge History of the Devil in the Western Tradition"
Halloween Episodes on The Thing About Witch Hunts Podcasts
The Thing About Salem Patreon
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 content
Pre-Salem History: Learn about Massachusetts witch trials that occurred 44 years before the famous Salem trials
Margaret Jones's Story: The 1648 execution that changed colonial history
Author Interview: Exclusive conversation with debut novelist Andrea Catalano
Chart-Topping Success: How this historical fiction novel reached the top of Amazon charts
Historical Accuracy Meets Fiction: Why Margaret Jones's story was "ripe for telling"
First Massachusetts witch trial (1648)
Margaret Jones execution
Pre-Salem witchcraft persecution
Colonial Boston history
Historical fiction as a vehicle for forgotten women's stories
Andrea Catalano's research and writing process
The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano
Genre: Historical Fiction
Subject: Margaret Jones, executed for witchcraft in 1648
Amazon bestseller with positive critical reception
If you're interested in:
Witch trial history beyond Salem
Colonial American history
Women's forgotten stories
Historical fiction
October/Halloween content
Witchcraft history
Witch 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 history
Join 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 Catalano
Halloween Episodes on The Thing About Witch Hunts Podcasts
The Thing About Salem Patreon
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 Points
Critical moments when the Salem witch trials could have been halted
The shocking case of Dorothy Good, the youngest accused witch
How local accusations spiraled into regional hysteria
Key Historical Figures
Cotton Mather and his contradictory influence on the trials
Governor William Phips and his delayed intervention
Martha Carrier and her notorious title as "Queen of Hell"
The role of judges, ministers, and community leaders
Geographic Spread
Salem Village and Salem Town dynamics
How 45 Andover residents became entangled in accusations
The regional impact across Massachusetts Bay Colony
Legal and Social Analysis
Spectral evidence and its dangerous precedent
Court procedures that enabled the witch hunt's growth
Community tensions that fueled the accusations
This 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 history
Legal history and judicial reform
Social psychology and mass hysteria
Women's history and gender dynamics in early America
Religious history and Puritan society
True crime and historical mysteries
Salem 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 history
Join 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 Project
Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt
The Thing About Salem Patreon
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 #HistoricalHorror
Buy 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 Project
www.massachusettswitchtrials.org
The Thing About Salem Patreon
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 story
Jamie Franklin, Bennington Museum Curator - connected the trial to post-Revolutionary War political tensions
Key Points:
Margaret Schumacher Krieger (1725-1790) married Johann Krieger in 1741, moved to frontier Vermont
After Johann's death in 1785, neighbors accused her of witchcraft to seize the family's mill and land
Recent research suggests the family were Loyalists, adding political motivation to the accusations
Margaret was acquitted after surviving the water test and moved back to Massachusetts
Modern Legacy:
Historical marker installed 2023 at Strobridge Recreation Park, North Pownal, VT
Annual Witches Walk commemorating "extraordinary women" - next event September 13, 2025
Connect:
Facebook: Pownal Historical Society
Website: www.pownal.org
This case reveals how witchcraft accusations often masked land disputes, cultural tensions, and political conflicts in post-Revolutionary America.
Links
Americans 1943: Realists and Magic-Realists
AP Article: Group seeks to clear names of all accused, convicted or executed for witchcraft in MA
Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project
Pownal Historical Society on Facebook
Bennington Museum Special Exhibits
Watch: New England Legends: Ghosts and Witches Season 2024 Episode 2
The Thing About Salem Patreon
The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube
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.
Links
Buy the book A Salem Witch by Dan A Gagnon
Buy the book The Heretics Daughter by Kathleen Kent
Pueblo Community College's Humanities Newsletter with Witch Trials History Event Dates
The Thing About Salem Patreon
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 Mexico
Dr. 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 Nesvig
The Thing About Salem Patreon