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The Thing About Witch Hunts

Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack
Salem Witch Trials
Witchcraft
Witch Hunts
Witchcraft Accusations
Human Rights
Witch Trials
Rebecca Nurse
Albinism
Connecticut Witch Trials
Gender-Based Violence
Malleus Maleficarum
Social Justice
Gender Inequality
Dementia
Martha Cory
Dorothy Good
Sarah Good
Puritanism
Tituba
Ritual Attacks

The Thing About Witch Hunts explores historical witch trials and modern witchcraft persecution worldwide. Hosted by Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack, each episode investigates the real history behind witch hunts — from the Salem Witch Trials to the deadly witchcraft accusations still happening worldwide today. Essential listening for history lovers, true crime fans, and human rights advocates. #witc... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes258Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Thing About Witch Hunts

Latest Episodes

What did the scholars who studied witchcraft most seriously actually believe? And why did their conclusions so often cut against prosecution?

Professor Darren Oldridge of the University of Worcester joins Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack to examine th... more

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The Conjuring franchise named a real Salem witch trial victim as the origin of a Satanic lineage. Mary Towne Easty was executed in 1692. She did not curse anyone. She did not sacrifice a baby. And she has millions of living descendants, including you... more

YouTube

What can a five-foot-long magic scroll tell us about early modern fears, beliefs, and the people who sought protection through cunning folk? Sara Lent Frier, Assistant Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University, j... more

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Oxford historian Professor John Blair explores vampire beliefs, predatory corpses, and the deep connections between witchcraft and folklore in medieval and early modern Europe — and colonial New England.

What do vampires, witch trials, and shroud-ch... more

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Recent Guests

Sara Lent Frier
Assistant Curator of Print and Drawings at the Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University
Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University
Episode: Cunning Folk at Stanford's Cantor Arts Center: Witchcraft and Occult Knowledge
John Blair
Author of Killing the Dead, Corpses, Vampires, and the Unquiet Dead in Medieval and Early Modern Europe
University of Oxford
Episode: Vampires, Witchcraft, and the Dangerous Dead in Folklore and Ritual: Professor John Blair
Clare Prenton
Theatre director and writer, Rope and Flame co-creator
Rope and Flame
Episode: Scottish Witch Trials: The Story of the Peebles Witch Trials Comes Alive in Rope and Flame Play
Anita John
Playwright and co-writer of Rope and Flame
Rope and Flame
Episode: Scottish Witch Trials: The Story of the Peebles Witch Trials Comes Alive in Rope and Flame Play
Scott Noble
Lead actor in Rope and Flame
Rope and Flame
Episode: Scottish Witch Trials: The Story of the Peebles Witch Trials Comes Alive in Rope and Flame Play
Safiya Musa Salihu
Chief Magistrate; vice chair of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Bouchee Branch
International Federation of Women Lawyers; judiciary
Episode: Give to Gain: Raising Voices for Women Accused of Witchcraft in Nigeria
Dizay Ogbizay Gaudi-Hitri
Barrister and doctor; founder of relevant foundations
Dizay Ogbizay Foundation; Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence
Episode: Give to Gain: Raising Voices for Women Accused of Witchcraft in Nigeria
Hauwa Mundi
Broadcast journalist; media advocate
Advocacy for Alleged Witches
Episode: Give to Gain: Raising Voices for Women Accused of Witchcraft in Nigeria
Maimunat Mohammed
Information officer with Advocacy for Alleged Witches; representative from Niger State branch
Advocacy for Alleged Witches
Episode: Give to Gain: Raising Voices for Women Accused of Witchcraft in Nigeria

Hosts

Josh Hutchinson
Host of the show and co-founder of End Witch Hunts; central figure in leadership and hosting duties.
Sarah Jack
Co-host of the show with responsibilities in moderating and facilitating discussions.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 34 ratings
  • Excellent Research

    Love this witchy pod and so will you. That is if you have an interest in the history of witchcraft executions then and now. Good job!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kimmy B 13
    United States10 months ago
  • Needs polishing

    Great content, speech sounds halting, scripted, using some incorrect grammar and language which is confusing, I’m not sure if you need to do some more practicing speaking or if this is nervousness but the content and research is actually excellent.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    pumpkin243
    United Statesa year ago
  • Long neglected history

    Very good history lessons, I’ve learned many new things. Lest we forget, lest we repeat.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Tequila Priestess
    United States2 years ago
  • Thoughtful and dedicated to raising awareness about witch hunts, from both the past and present. A truth wealth of great information!

    Podchaser
    5
    gregory.houle
    3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners note halting delivery and occasional awkward phrasing.
Listeners praise the depth of historical research and survivor perspectives.
The show consistently raises awareness about overlooked histories and modern implications of witchcraft persecution.

Top History Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Witches, Rakes, and Rogues: Unearthing Boston's Hidden History with D. Brenton Simons
Q: What is your favorite story that you collected?
D. Brenton Simons shares that he is particularly sentimental about the Greenleaf story, as it was the narrative that got his research rolling and showcases changes in historical interpretation.
Witches, Rakes, and Rogues: Unearthing Boston's Hidden History with D. Brenton Simons
Q: Can you tell us about that experience?
D. Brenton Simons describes receiving an honor from King Charles III for his long-term services to Anglo American history, reflecting on the significance and surprise of this recognition.
The Witch in Old Connecticut: Righting a Troubled Legacy with Richard Ross
Q: Why is the story of Juliana Cox largely unknown?
The link between criticizing abolitionists and witchcraft stories hasn't been widely recognized, particularly in the context of Connecticut's history compared to Massachusetts.
The Witch in Old Connecticut: Righting a Troubled Legacy with Richard Ross
Q: What do we know about the witch trials in Connecticut?
There were indeed witch trials in Connecticut, but many records were lost, making it difficult to piece together the history until the late 20th century.
Peter Mintir Amadu on Helping the Innocent Women in Ghana's so-called Witch Camps
Q: How is Tolc responding to what the survivors are experiencing?
Tolc has implemented targeted mental health interventions, community advocacy, and seeks to criminalize the accusations of witchcraft while enhancing local mental health literacy.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Thing About Witch Hunts

What is The Thing About Witch Hunts about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A historical focus on witch trials and the modern-day persecution surrounding accusations of witchcraft, blending scholarly context with survivor and witness accounts. Episodes feature historians, authors, legal experts, and journalists who dissect cases from Salem to contemporary Africa, exploring representation, gender, race, power, and societal responses. The show often ties past injustices to present-day issues, highlighting legal reform, public memory, and cultural storytelling as tools for awareness and accountability. Its strength lies in cross-disciplinary conversations, global perspectives, and a clear commitment to illuminating underrepresented voices in witchcraft discourse.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Thing About Witch Hunts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Thing About Witch Hunts:

1. Witches of Scotland
2. The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials
3. Talking Tudors
4. This American Life
5. Dateline NBC

How many episodes of The Thing About Witch Hunts are there?

The Thing About Witch Hunts launched 4 years ago and published 258 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Thing About Witch Hunts?

Recent guests on The Thing About Witch Hunts include:

1. Sara Lent Frier
2. John Blair
3. Clare Prenton
4. Anita John
5. Scott Noble
6. Safiya Musa Salihu
7. Dizay Ogbizay Gaudi-Hitri
8. Hauwa Mundi

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