Rephonic
Artwork for The Thing About Witch Hunts

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

Witch trials have shaped communities, claimed lives, and defined entire eras of history. The Thing About Witch Hunts investigates the real history behind witch hunts and modern witchcraft persecution worldwide, from the Salem witch trials of 1692 to the deadly witchcraft accusations devastating communities today. Hosted by Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack, each episode delivers essential context for... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes265Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Thing About Witch Hunts

Latest Episodes

What was a witch's familiar, and why did these animal spirits sit at the heart of English witch trials? Returning guest Dr. Holly Bamford joins hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack to explain the witch's familiar, the witch's mark, and the overlooked... more

YouTube

Metacom’s Resistance, Puritan Mythology, and King Philip’s War with Sarah Stewart (Partnership of Historic Bostons)

We speak with Sarah Stewart, president of the Partnership of Historic Bostons, a public history organization focused on 17th-century ... more

YouTube

We turn the mic on each other for a fast, personal Q&A spanning Salem and global witch hunts, from the infamous Salem witch cake to pop-culture “broom” upgrades and the accused people we can’t stop thinking about, including Samuel Wardwell, Katherine... more

YouTube

Divination folklore, folk magic history, and the practice of reading omens, cards, and natural signs are at the heart of this conversation with Icy Sedgwick, author of Fate or Fortune: The Art and Folklore of Divination, folklorist, and host of the F... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Icy Sedgwick
Author, folklorist, diviner, and host of Fabulous Folklore Podcast
Fabulous Folklore Podcast
Episode: The Art and Folklore of Divination with Icy Sedgwick, author of Fate or Fortune
Lauren Cavanaugh
Playwright developing Windsor's Daughter to dramatize Alice Young's story
Playwright
Episode: Connecticut Witch Trials Before Salem: The Play Windsor's Daughter Restores Alice Young's Legacy
Shelley Puhak
Author of Blood Countess, historian
Author
Episode: Blood Countess: The Lies that Made Elizabeth Bathory a Serial Killer with Shelley Puhak
Dan Gagnon
Danvers' teacher, historian, and author of A Salem Witch, A Biography of Rebecca Nurse
Danvers, Massachusetts
Episode: The American Revolution and Salem Witch Trials Families with Dan Gagnon
Dr. Francis Young
Historian of religion and belief, folklorist
Cambridge University Press (editorial work)
Episode: Fairy History, Folklore, and Belief with Dr. Francis Young
Darren Oldridge
Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Worcester
University of Worcester
Episode: Devil, Witchcraft and English Demonology with Prof. Darren Oldridge
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

Hosts

Sarah Jack
Co-host of The Thing About Witch Hunts and related work with End Witch Hunts; focuses on memory, advocacy, and historical storytelling.
Josh Hutchinson
Host of The Thing About Witch Hunts; leads interviews and episode introductions with a focus on historical context and engagement.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 35 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 Statesa year 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 States3 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 feel a more polished speaking cadence would help, but content quality is strong.
Listeners praise the depth of historical research and thoughtful interviews.
Episodes frequently prompt action, donations, and volunteerism for advocacy projects.

Top History Podcasts

World War II with Tom Hanks
World War II with Tom HanksThe HISTORY Channel | Back Pocket Studios | Audacy
The Ancients
The AncientsHistory Hit
History That Doesn't Suck
History That Doesn't SuckProf. Greg Jackson
Broad History
Broad HistoryIsabelle Roughol

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Art and Folklore of Divination with Icy Sedgwick, author of Fate or Fortune
Q: Tell us about your work and expertise.
Icy discusses her background as a writer and researcher focused on folklore, with a specialism in divination, and explains how divination intersects with everyday life, history, and culture.
Devil, Witchcraft and English Demonology with Prof. Darren Oldridge
Q: What were the main demonologies needed to understand the learned conception of the devil in early modern England?
Key figures included William Perkins, who emphasized the demonic pact, and Joseph Glanville, who shifted focus toward proving the existence of spirits; these rival traditions shaped how demonology framed witchcraft prosecution up to and after the 1660s.
Devil, Witchcraft and English Demonology with Prof. Darren Oldridge
Q: Not witches first, but the devil first. How did educated English Protestants conceptualize witchcraft in relation to the devil?
Educated English Protestants tended to frame witchcraft as temptations or contracts with the devil, sometimes viewing the pact as the essential mechanism by which witchcraft operated, while ordinary folk worried more about tangible harms and natural explanations.
Fairy History, Folklore, and Belief with Dr. Francis Young
Q: Can you touch a little bit on how we have fairies in fairy tales, fairy in this folk belief, and then fairies in literature?
There are three main channels: through folklore as eyewitness memory of encounters, through fairy tales that were never meant to be literally true, and through literature where fairies are reimagined for drama and narrative. Over time, stage and literary depictions contributed the most recognizable features, like wings, wand-wielding figures, and female-dominated fairy image, which later influenced popular culture.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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 historically focused podcast that uncovers the realities of witch hunts and modern witchcraft persecution around the world. Episodes blend rigorous research with accessible storytelling, featuring historians, authors, playwrights, and advocates who explore the social, political, and cultural forces behind persecutions, the legacy for descendants, and ongoing advocacy work. The show stands out for pairing scholarly context with contemporary relevance—from court records and archival materials to discussions of representation, memory, and legal reforms—often foregrounding survivor perspectives and activist efforts to end witch hunts. This makes it a strong fit for history buffs, human rights advocates, educators, and audiences drawn to docum... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Thing About Witch Hunts?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Thing About Witch Hunts. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Thing About Witch Hunts and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Thing About Witch Hunts get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Thing About Witch Hunts, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Thing About Witch Hunts?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Thing About Witch Hunts, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Thing About Witch Hunts have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Thing About Witch Hunts has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Thing About Witch Hunts?

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

1. Ben Franklin's World
2. Not Just the Tudors
3. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
4. The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials
5. History That Doesn't Suck

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

The Thing About Witch Hunts launched 4 years ago and published 265 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Thing About Witch Hunts?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Thing About Witch Hunts?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Thing About Witch Hunts from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Thing About Witch Hunts?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Thing About Witch Hunts. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Thing About Witch Hunts?

Recent guests on The Thing About Witch Hunts include:

1. Icy Sedgwick
2. Lauren Cavanaugh
3. Shelley Puhak
4. Dan Gagnon
5. Dr. Francis Young
6. Darren Oldridge
7. Sara Lent Frier
8. John Blair

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days