The Salem Witch Trials Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Last Witch Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

We're joined by Annika Hylmö, the writer and director of The Last Witch, a documentary currently in production that follows a North Andover teacher and her middle school students in their campaign to exonerate Elizabeth Johnson Jr., the last person convicted during the Salem witch trials.

To learn more about The Last Witch and how you can support the film, visit thelastwitchfilm.com

The Courageous Mary Easty Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

By all accounts, Mary Easty was a pious and well-respected woman. Yet she was swept up in the witch hunt anyway. Her unwavering declarations of innocence, brave defense, and heartfelt fight against further bloodshed left a lasting legacy, even as she became one of the final victims of the hysteria.

Learn more about host Greg Houle's novel: The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

A Grumpy Old Man Gets Targeted Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

George Jacobs Sr., a fiery-tempered and outspoken man more than 80 years old, finds himself at the center of the witch hunt. His sharp tongue and abrasive personality made him an easy mark in a community gripped by fear.

Learn more about host Greg Houle's novel: The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

Elizabeth Howe's Past Comes Back to Haunt Her Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

Elizabeth Howe seemed just like any other hard-working Puritan in seventeenth-century New England, but her past came back to haunt her once the witch crisis exploded in the spring of 1692. Her tragic story highlights the fear and scapegoating that fueled the witch hysteria.

Learn more about host Greg Houle's new novel: The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

The Infamous Susannah Martin Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

An early settler of Salisbury, Massachusetts, Susannah Martin's reputation, as well as a series of accusations made against her earlier in her life, meant that she was destined to become a target of the witch hunt.

Learn more about host Greg Houle's new novel: The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

The Mayhem Spreads West Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

We discuss how the frontier town of Andover, MA, located a dozen miles west of Salem, gets caught up in the growing witch hysteria in 1692. We're joined by Martha Tubinis, director of programs at the Andover Center for History and Culture, and Toni Armstrong, a PhD candidate in the History of Art and Architecture at Boston University, and a Weekend Research Assistant at the Andover Center for History and Culture.

Learn more about the Andover Center for History and Culture. And check out their Substack, History Buzz.
Learn more about host Greg Houle's new novel: The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

Martha Carrier’s Fierce Defiance Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

We explore the life and legacy of Martha Carrier, the first Andover resident accused of witchcraft in 1692. We’re joined by Carrier’s descendant, Alice Markham-Cantor, author of The Once and Future Witch Hunt: A Descendant’s Reckoning from Salem to the Present.

Learn more about Alice Markham-Cantor and her book at her website.
Be sure to check out host Greg Houle's new novel: The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

Going Viral: The Future of Salem's Past Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

The way we learn history today is evolving. In this episode, we're joined by Emily Wolff, a history grad student who shares videos about the Salem witch trials on TikTok (@history_with_Emily). We discuss the challenges and opportunities of educating audiences on social media, and what it might mean for the future.

Be sure to check out host Greg Houle's new novel: The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

Anniversary Episode: An All-Star Panel Discussion from Danvers Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

It’s our one year anniversary and we’re celebrating with a great discussion, recorded before a live audience at the Danvers Historical Society’s Tapley Memorial Hall in downtown Danvers, MA (formerly known as Salem Village) on September 30, 2024. The panelists include:

Emerson Baker is a historical archaeologist and professor of history at Salem State University who has done extensive work around the witch crisis. He’s the author of several books, including A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience.
Rachel Christ-Doane is the Director of Education at the Salem Witch Museum, where she engages in research, works with students and teachers, creates educational programing as well as oversees curation and exhibition development. Her recent published articles include, “The Salem Witch Trials Memorial: Finding Humanity in Tragedy” in Smithsonian Folklife and “The Untold Story of Dorothy Good, Salem’s Youngest Accused Witch in American Ancestors.
Daniel Gagnon is the author of the book, A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse. He also serves on the board of directors of the Rebecca Nurse Homestead Museum. For the last several years, Dan has been giving extensive tours of the area to help people better understand the witch hunt.

Check out host Greg Houle's book The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

The Tragedy of the Toothakers Sep 18, 2024

Show notes

The Salem witch trials are filled with strange and tragic stories. But few are as strange or as tragic as that of Roger and Mary Toothaker and their family.

Join us for a live broadcast: On Monday, September 30 at 3pm we'll be broadcasting live at Tapley Memorial Hall. Sponsored by the Danvers Historical Society, our panelist for this episode include: Emerson Baker, Rachel Christ-Doane, and Daniel Gagnon.
Get all the details
Host Greg Houle's book: The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials, is now available.
Learn more

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Salem Witch Trials Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected