The Thing About Witch Hunts

"Witch Hunt" podcast's new episode features Dr. Tabitha Stanmore discussing service magic in 14th to 17th century Great Britain. Dr. Stanmore explores healing practices, divination techniques, and distinctions between service magicians and witches.

Learn about efforts to care for the mental health of hundreds of Ghanaians who have been accused of witchcraft and forced to flee their communities to the relative safety of so-called 'witch camps.' Peter Mintir Amadu of Total Life Enhancement Center Ghana (TOLEC) tells us how the center has been involved in doing psychological assessments and providing therapy for these vulnerable victims...

We expand our advocacy discussion on modern day witch hunts and human rights abuses associated with accusations related to witchcraft to Ghana. Guest Peter Mintir Amadu is the Executive Director of the Total Life Enhancement Center (TOLEC) Ghana, a non-profit organization dedicated to community mental health advocacy and support. Amadu discusses TOLEC's immersive and strategic engagement with...

Learn about the Massachusetts Witch Trials. In this 15-minute (okay, just under 14-minute) episode, we cover the intriguing case of Elizabeth Morse of Newbury, Massachusetts who was convicted of witchcraft but not executed. Why was she allowed to live under house arrest? Questions arose over evidentiary standards. Why weren't these standards in use in 1692 and 1693 during the Salem Witch Trial...

We've taken our episode on New Hampshire Witch Trials and shrunken it down to 15 quick minutes for people on the go to listen to when they can. Join us as we look into the lesser-known witch trials and local lore of northern New England with Dr. Tricia Peone. Our engaging discussion highlights the story of Eunice Cole and brings to light the history of witchcraft accusations in New Hampshire f...

This week on Witch Hunt , we delve into lesser-known witch trials and local lore with Dr. Tricia Peone, Project Director at the Congregational Library & Archives. Our engaging discussion highlights the stories of individuals like Eunice Cole and Jane Walford, bringing to light the history of witchcraft accusations in New Hampshire from the earliest case in 1648 to a significant incident in the...

This new episode of "Witch Hunt" features Dr. Tabitha Stanmore, discussing her research on service magic in 14th to 17th century Great Britain with Salem witch trial descendants Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack. She explains the concept of service magic, its practices, and the difference between service magicians and witches. Dr. Stanmore also touches on the impact of religious changes and...

W itch Hunt presents an eye opening discussion with Human Rights Lawyer Preethi Lolaksha Nagaveni regarding her research and work in the field of law and caste-based discrimination in India. Exploring human experience realities like social untouchability, caste-based discrimination in education, the plight of manual scavengers, and the witchcraft accusation atrocities committed against multitudes...

Dr. Marion Gibson, highly esteemed historian returns to talk about her new book, 'Witchcraft, A History in Thirteen Trials'. The importance of the book in bridging the gap between historical witchcraft trials and the concept of witch hunts existing today is emphasized.  Learn how the stories of real victims presented in her book explore aspects of witchcraft from a 700-year period, touch...

In this profound interview, Ikponwosa Ero unpacks her work advocating for human rights of victims of witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks. As a lawyer and a former United Nations Independent Expert on the Rights of Persons with Albinism, she shares her professional journey and personal experience as an advocate with albinism. Through the interview, she provides extensive data on the nature an...

Join us this week as Dr. Danny Buck explores astrology and the witchcraft trial of Mark  Prynne, a tenant farmer accused of witchcraft in the 17th century by Great Yarmouth town clerk Miles Corbett. The discussion considers the perception of astrology during the golden age of astrology and how it influenced the outcomes of witchcraft accusations  in Great Yarmouth during the English Civil War. Lea...

Dive into the enigmatic and often misunderstood world of witch trials with "Witch Hunt," a podcast that meticulously unravels the complex tapestry of historical and contemporary witch hunts. Across centuries and continents, these trials have been a symbol of fear, superstition, and often, the oppression of the marginalized. Witch Hunt goes beyond the surface, exploring the deep-seated cu...

Welcome to 'Witch Hunt,' an immersive journey through the intriguing and often misunderstood world of witch trials, both historical and contemporary. Each episode of our podcast peels back the layers of history, mythology, and cultural impact of witch trials, shedding light on how these events have shaped our understanding of justice, morality, and the supernatural. Join us as we explore...

Step into the shadowy world of 'Witch Hunt,' where history, mystery, and cultural analysis converge to explore the fascinating and often chilling world of witch trials. From the dark corners of medieval Europe to the contemporary struggles against witch hunt practices, our podcast brings to light the many facets of this complex historical phenomenon. Hosted by Josh Hutchinson and Sarah J...

This week Jamie Franklin, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at Bennington Museum in Vermont recounts the life and experiences of the accused witch Margaret Krieger. Jamie details what is known of her life and her 1785 trial. Learn about the broader context of the time period,  the unique colonial history of the Southern Vermont region and the relevance of this topic even today. Integral to t...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Thou Shalt Not Suffer Podcast. Here is a special surprise episode featuring Professor Emerson Baker and his book, "The Devil of Great Island." Discover the wild world of supernatural attacks and witchcraft accusations on an island where everyone's a suspect. Get ready for a captivating discussion with Professor Baker as he unravels the clues a...

This episode examines what connects witchcraft, possession, exorcism and the modern Roman Catholic Church, with special guest, Dr. Francis Young, esteemed folklorist, author and historian in the field of religion and belief.  Dr. Young guides us through the intricate world of Catholic demonology, shedding light on the complex relationship between witchcraft and demonic possession. Exploring the di...

Anti Witch hunt advocate Wonderful Mkhutche, author, editor, biographer and executive director of Humanist Malawi introduces the witch hunt crisis in Malawi. We dive deep into the prevalent belief in witchcraft, where 74% of the populace acknowledges its existence. Explore Malawians' perspectives on the powers of witchcraft and confront the legal implications surrounding witchcraft accusation...

Welcome to the second installment of Thou Shalt Not Suffer's 101 series exploring the Massachusetts Witchcraft Trials. In Part 2, we delve into the intricate narratives of Hugh Parsons and Mary Lewis Parsons, whose witch trials unfolded in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony, years before the infamous Salem Witch-Hunt took place. This Springfield, MA duo found themselves entangled in what histor...

I n this episode of 'Thou Shalt Not Suffer, The Witch Trial Podcast', hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack delve into an intriguing conversation with Mary Louise Bingham about their mutual ancestor, Mary Esty, who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials. They explore their genealogical connections to Mary Esty, discuss her life and tragic fate, and shed light on the historical context...

New York Times Bestselling Author Katherine Howe climbs aboard ship for a captivating conversation about her new novel, A True Account: Hannah Masury's Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself. Embark on a voyage with us as Katherine navigates us across the enthralling seas of piracy history, offering listeners an unforgettable discussion that delves into the high-stakes world of seafa...

Meet Lori Prescott Hansen and Matthew C. S. Julander writer and co-director of the upcoming film I Be a Witch . The film tells the story of Lori's ancestor, Salem witch trial victim Ann Foster of Andover Massachusetts. Ann's story is told through visions and memories that Ann is experiencing during her last days in the Salem jail. Lori and Matthew reflect together on the making of the mo...

Kathleen Langone of the People Hidden in History podcast speaks with us about colonial New England Earthquakes before the 19th century as signs from God. We discussed several historic earthquakes and the colonists' reactions. What did the ministers and other leaders have to say about the tremors? Were earthquakes acts of witchcraft or acts of God? What providences were considered acts of witc...

Today we talk about the complexities of witch hunting across India with advocates Dr. Samantha Spence and Dr. Amit Anand from the organization, The International Network Against Accusations of Witchcraft and Associated Harmful Practices. This conversation highlights how intersectional factors such as legislation, culture, religion, superstition, gender, and status tie into the manifestation of wit...

Happy Halloween from Thou Shalt Not Suffer! We're talking about Halloween's origins and the past influences coming through into our modern traditions with Sean and Carrie from Ain't It Scary with Sean and Carrie . In this super fun episode, we gab about our favorite Halloween traditions, such as trick or treating, wearing costumes, and bobbing for apples. We reflect on the social an...