Conjuring Curiosities

You recognize the name “Kellogg” on your box of cornflakes, but Dr. John Harvey Kellogg wasn’t just a breakfast innovator, he was a full-blown health fanatic with some very questionable ideas. From his obsession with healthy living, to his extremely aggressive stance against certain…personal habits, Kellogg was on a mission to cleanse the body, mind, and…well, let’s just say he had a lot of though...

This episode, Sabrina lays down the 12 laws…of the universe! If you’ve ever felt like life is playing by a set of rules you didn’t get the memo on,  don’t worry. We’ll walk through how these principles shape our lives, because it’s always a good idea to reassess how we interact with the world. Whether you want to get better at attracting opportunities, or you’ve been hoping for a little karma...

The invention of the sewing machine was supposed to make life easier, so why did it spark one of the messiest patent wars in history? In this episode, we unravel the dramatic story of the sewing machine, from arsonist tailors and prophetic dreams, to legal battles and backstabbing. And of course we have to mention Isaac Singer, who was a real life Count Olaf and treated adultery as an olympic spor...

The days are getting longer, the ice is starting to melt (hopefully), and it’s time to shake off that winter slump…Imbolc is here! Sabrina walks us through a fire ritual to spark new beginnings, clear out stagnant energy, and bring a little warmth (literal and magical) into your life. So grab a candle, set your intentions, and join us as we welcome the return of the light. But remember, fire safet...

Grab your masks and wash your hands reallyyyy thoroughly to join us on a journey through disease, denial, and the early days of germ theory. In this episode, we’re discussing Typhoid Mary, the cook whose meals came with an unexpected side of contagion. Tracking down this “living culture tube” was a real life Sherlock of disease, Dr Soper. Will Mary ever accept the truth that Dr. Soper is so desper...

In this magical mini-episode, Sabrina shares how to create a self-love spell jar that’s all about attracting positivity, boosting confidence, and embracing the magical masterpiece that is you! From choosing empowering herbs and crystals to sealing it all with intention (and a little wax), Sabrina walks you through every step. So grab your ingredients, channel those good vibes, and tune in for a do...

Pack your bags (or maybe don’t) and join us on a trip to the wild frontier of Kansas in the 1870s! We’re uncovering the chilling story of the Bloody Benders, a family of innkeepers who turned their home into a death trap for unsuspecting travelers. We’ll also explore the public’s obsession with their gruesome crimes, the manhunt that followed their disappearance, and the lingering mysteries of wha...

In our first episode of 2025, Sabrina is sharing her top tips for manifestation, so we can start the New Year on the right foot! See photos discussed in this episode on our instagram Follow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed version of each topic! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a brief hiatus, we’re coming back at you with some Victorian Christmas traditions! Think your holiday traditions are weird? The Victorians would like a word. In this episode, we unwrap the strange and spooky side of Victorian Christmas, because nothing says “Merry Christmas” like ghost stories by the fire, oysters for dinner, and Christmas cards featuring… dead birds? So grab some figgy pudd...

For our fifth episode of brief bewitchments, Sabrina covers the 4 elements, which are commonly used in witchcraft. Tune in for some bite-sized info on earth, air, fire, and water! See photos discussed in this episode on our instagram Follow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed version of each topic! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve been curious about using a spirit board, this is the episode for you! After Clara covered the history of ouija, Sabrina wanted to share her beginners guide on how to use it.  P.S. Halloween flipped the order of episodes a bit, so this was recorded before the halloween episode! See photos discussed in this episode on our instagram Follow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed...

Ever wondered how Halloween became the holiday of haunted houses, costumes, and candy? In this episode, we’re unraveling the eerie origins of Halloween and diving into some of the strange (and spooky) ways Victorians celebrated it. From its ancient Celtic roots as Samhaian, a night when the veil between worlds thinned, to the blend of superstitions and traditions that made it a night of magic, we’...

Get your candles and planchettes ready, because we’re summoning the story behind one of the most well known tools of the supernatural: the Ouija board! We’ll uncover its spiritualist roots, how it became a pop culture sensation, and the reputation it acquired during the satanic panic. And of course, Sabrina has a spooky Ouija story that further convinces Clara she won’t be handling a planchette an...

This episode, Sabrina gives us some quick and easy ways to practice witchcraft! Even with a busy day to day, these will help you take a moment for self care and mindfulness. Tune in to hear some great attainable examples you can incorporate in your daily routine, if you feel disconnected or overwhelmed. We hope you find them useful! See photos discussed in this episode on our instagram Follow us o...

Grab your lantern and prepare for a chilling stroll - through some of the spookiest ghost stories from the Victorian era! In this episode, we’re digging into the Illustrated Police News, the infamous tabloid that fed the public’s appetite for gruesome crimes and spooky stories. Victorian England was obsessed with the supernatural, and the Illustrated Police News knew how to serve up some seriously...

In our second episode of Brief Bewitchments, Sabrina explains the difference between a pentacle and pentagram, and how no matter which you use, you won’t summon a demon by accident. Phew! See photos discussed in this episode on our instagram Follow us on tiktok for videos that cover a condensed version of each topic! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive deep into the life of the legendary escape artist, Harry Houdini, and his surprising and eventually strained friendship with the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Houdini dazzled the world with his death-defying stunts and escapes, but as much as he wanted to believe in spiritualism, he couldn’t escape the doubts he had about its validity. In contrast, hi...

Welcome to our new bite sized bi-weekly episodes, Brief Bewitchments! In our first magical mini episode, the turns are tabled as Sabrina tells Clara about Victorian divination! From her specialty, tarot, to tea leaves and palmistry, Sabrina shares her expertise on some of the mediums used by mediums. See photos discussed in this episode on our instagram Follow us on tiktok for videos that cover a...

Grab your magnifying glass and your deerstalker hat, because this week we’re discussing the author behind the most famous fictional detective ever! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle may have created Sherlock Holmes, the character who revolutionized detective fiction, but he was less than fond of his own creation. Most likely because he wanted to be remembered for something else, his obsession with Spirituali...

This week, Clara teaches Sabrina how to mind her manners and show her good breeding with a little help from Florence Hartley’s “The Ladies Book of Etiquette”. While good old Flo’s advice can be just as ridiculous as you’d expect, it’s a fascinating look at all the ways that women both supported and critisized eachother.  So grab your kid gloves and your male escort (and DON’T suck on your par...

Get ready for a true crime story that’s equal parts shocking and sinister! In this episode, we dive deep into the gruesome case of Kate Webster, the maid who made headlines in 1800’s London for her brutal crime. Kate Webster wasn’t your ordinary household help - she was a woman with a dark past and a dangerous temper. When she landed a job as a maid for the wealthy widow Julia Martha Thomas, thing...

This week, Clara and Sabrina explore the dazzling and sometimes disturbing history of the World’s Fairs! In this episode, we celebrate the groundbreaking inventions and innovations unveiled at these grand exhibitions, while also shedding light on the darker aspects of human exploitation. Zip up your boots and turn on your dishwasher before you join us on a journey through Victorian World’s Fairs!...

Get ready for a juicy tale of status, luxury, and fruity frenzy, as we travel back to the days when pineapples were the rarest and most coveted fruit in the world! When pineapples made their way to European shores, they set off a frenzy among the elite, and quickly became the ultimate symbol of wealth and power. Join us as we walk the promenade with a rented pineapple under one arm and discuss how...

Step right up, step right up! Join us on a jaw-dropping journey into the real life of P.T. Barnum, the man behind the grift. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on P.T. Barnum’s life, stripping away the idealised version of Barnum by Hollywood to reveal a tale of cunning, controversy, and good old-fashioned showbiz trickery. Forget the charming, song-and-dance Hugh Jackman version; the real...

We’re getting hysterical this episode! Clara cheers Sabrina up with some crazy facts about the Victorian diagnosis of “hysteria”; a condition that doctors diagnosed women with based on just about any reason you can imagine, from too much gas to epilepsy. In this episode, we’ll unravel the tangled mess of pseudo-science and outright sexism that defined hysteria for centuries. From ancient Greek phy...