The Salem Witch Trials Podcast

Suspicion and Fear Consume Wilmot Redd Mar 03, 2025

Long the subject of whispers and suspicion, Wilmot Redd lived miles from the witch hysteria’s epicenter in Salem Village. Yet, as paranoia spread in the spring of 1692, she got caught in its grip, condemned not by evidence, but by growing fear.

The Patriarchy Takes Down Ann Pudeator Feb 18, 2025

Ann Pudeator was a twice-widowed caregiver whose independence and outsider status made her a target during the Salem witch trials. We explore how this elderly, independent woman stoked societal fears, and reveal how deeply the patriarchy influenced the witch hysteria in 1692. As well as how courageously Ann stood her ground until the end.

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

The Last Witch Feb 04, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BONUS: The Putnams of Salem - The Novel Sep 01, 2024

Host Greg Houle's book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials, is now available. In this short bonus episode, he talks about the novel.

Learn more at theputnamsofsalem.com
Buy the book: Amazon, Bookshop.org, BN.com

The Putnams Aug 22, 2024

Host Greg Houle explores the role his own ancestors, the Putnam family, played in fueling the witch crisis, investigating the complex motivations behind their actions and reflecting on how this history still resonates with us today.

Join host Greg Houle on Friday, August 30 at 7pm EDT for a virtual discussion about his book The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.
Get the details here.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok

The Dissenters Aug 07, 2024

While the majority of people living in Salem in 1692 were completely swept up in the witch hysteria, there were more than a few brave souls who cast a skeptical eye at what was going on. We tell some of their stories.

Preorder Greg Houle's book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok

The Twisted Tale of John Willard Jul 16, 2024

John Willard was both an outsider and a bit of a hustler, looking to earn wealth through land speculation. These qualities didn’t serve him well when the witch hysteria struck Salem in 1692 and John Willard found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Preorder Greg Houle's book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok

Myths and Realities Jul 01, 2024

In many ways, the Salem witch trials have taken on a life of their own over the last three centuries. In this episode, we’re joined by John Howard Smith, professor of history at Texas A&M University - Commerce, who helps us sort through the myths and realities of the witch crisis.

Prof. Smith’s most recent book is A Dream of the Judgment Day: American Millennialism and Apocalypticism, 1620-1890
He is currently finishing up the drafting of his new book, Heathens and Other Adversaries against Us: Religion, War, and Racial Identity in Colonial New England.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok
Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

Beyond the Puritans Jun 17, 2024

We explore the myth of religious freedom in early American history, addressing the intolerance of the Puritans and the challenges faced by other religious groups. And we see how these aspects begin to evolve following the witch crisis.

Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok
Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

The Vilification of Cotton Mather Jun 03, 2024

Cotton Mather was a third generation minister born into Puritan royalty, a nepo baby long before anyone had ever used the term. But his involvement in the Salem witch trials — and defense of the trials afterward — led to his eventual vilification. We’re joined by Professor Rick Kennedy who helps us sort through Mather’s complex role in Puritan New England.

Learn about Rick Kennedy
Learn about Rick Kennedy’s book The First American Evangelical: A Short Life of Cotton Mather
Rick Kennedy’s latest book is Winds of Santa Ana: Pilgrim Stories of the California Bight
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok
Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials

Mary and Candy Emerge from the Shadows May 16, 2024

We often think of the population of seventeenth-century New England as homogenous—made up entirely of Anglo-Puritans and the natives who had been living in America for centuries. Yet there were others in New England as well, including a very small, yet significant minority of enslaved Black residents. In this episode, we tell the story of two of them, Mary and Candy, who got caught up in the witch crisis.
We are grateful to Jonah Hoffmann and the Salem Witch Museum for this blog post, which proved valuable for producing this episode.

Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok
Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials

Reverend Samuel Parris' Failure to Launch May 02, 2024

We explore the enigmatic figure of Reverend Samuel Parris, the man who sat at the spiritual head of Salem Village during the witch crisis. We trace Reverend Parris' journey to Salem, which is set against a backdrop of privilege, adventure, and numerous setbacks.

Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok
Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials

A New Charter and a New Court Apr 15, 2024

New governor, William Phips, under the guidance of a new charter for Massachusetts, faces a crisis as the accusations of witchcraft spread and the suspects pile up jails. With no judicial system to handle the chaos, he establishes a new court, led by William Stoughton, and we set the stage for the epic tragedy to come.

Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok
Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials

The Hobbs Family Apr 01, 2024

William and Deliverance Hobbs, and their teenage daughter Abigail, were among the most interesting families involved in the Salem witch crisis. Having lived on the rugged and dangerous Maine frontier for a decade prior to arriving in Salem, the Hobbs family took center stage on April 19, 1692, when Abigail made some explosive claims before the magistrates.

Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok
Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials

Giles Corey and a Horrifying Spectacle Mar 18, 2024

Giles Corey's torturous death was a particularly dark chapter in a vary dark tale. With the help of our guest, Rachel Christ-Doane, director of education at the Salem Witch Museum, we dive into Corey's horrific story, and explore the escalation of fear during the crisis.

Learn more about the Salem Witch Museum

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Join us on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok
Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials

The First Execution: Bridget Bishop Mar 04, 2024

While she wasn’t the first to be accused, on June 10, Bridget Bishop became the first person to be executed for witchcraft during the crisis. But her conviction by the new Court of Oyer and Terminer planted some initial seeds of doubt.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok

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

Rebecca Nurse: A Visible Saint is Toppled Feb 19, 2024

Daniel Gagnon is back to discuss the shocking accusations against and prosecution of Rebecca Nurse.

Dan is the author of A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse and a member of the board of directors of the Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers, MA.

The Tragedy of Dorothy Good Feb 05, 2024

On March 23, 1692, a warrant was issued by the magistrates to take into custody yet another accused individual. By now, the magistrates and marshals were getting used to this exercise. The witch hysteria had been building for several weeks, and the accusations were flying. But this time, however, the accused was not one of the usual suspects.

Watch Rachel Christ-Doane, director of education at the Salem Witch Museum, discuss her research about the life of Dorothy Good.

The Unfortunate Story of George Burroughs Jan 15, 2024

George Burroughs was the former minister of the church at Salem Village. But in late April, 1692, a complaint was filed against him on behalf of several people who claimed he was a witch who had inflicted them. Days later, he was arrested in Maine and brought back to Salem in chains to face these charges. In a story filled with strange and unusual characters, George Burroughs’ story is among the strangest of them all.

Tell us what you think at greg@putnamsofsalem.com

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The Curious Case of Mary Warren Jan 03, 2024

Mary Warren, the 20-year-old indentured servant of John and Elizabeth Proctor, was both accused and an accuser; afflicted and an inflictor during the Salem Witch Trials. How could this be? We examine Mary’s twisting tale as a means for helping to understand the complexities and nuance of the witch hysteria in general.

Tell us what you think at greg@putnamsofsalem.com

Join us on Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok

Exploring Witchcraft Dec 18, 2023

What exactly is witchcraft and magic and what did it mean to New Englanders in the late seventeenth century? We’re joined by historian Alyssa Conary who helps us understand these important questions.

March 1692 Dec 04, 2023

During the turbulent month of March 1692, accusations of witchcraft from a handful of girls turns into a full-blown crisis. In this episode, we unravel the events of this pivotal month to reveal the critical role that it played in turning the Salem witch hunt into an unprecedented disaster.

Exploring the Evidence Used at Salem Nov 15, 2023

What do you think of when you hear the term ‘witch hunt?’
While the phrase has decidedly become loaded over the years, it often conjures up visions of angry mobs with torches and pitchforks. The Salem Witch Trials were most certainly a witch hunt, and decidedly unjust, but it’s important to remember that they were also actual trials with judgements that were handed down based on testimony, evidence and other time-tested methods of adjudication.
So, how could the system of failed so badly?
To help us understand this important question, we’re joined by Jane Campbell Moriarty, the Carol Los Mansmann Chair in Faculty Scholarship and Professor of Law at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Professor Moriarty is an expert on evidence, neuroscience and law, and legal and judicial ethics, and she has studied and written about the evidence used during the Salem Witch Trials.

Read Professor Moriarty's article, "Wonders of the Invisible World Prosecutorial Syndrome and Profile Evidence in the Salem Witchcraft Trials," in the Vermont Law Review, Vol. 26, No. 43

The Unlikely Role of New England’s Frontier in Salem Nov 03, 2023

As English settlers began moving into the northern frontier of New England in the mid-17th century, clashes with the native population there often had brutal results. Years later, a surprising number of those who lived though this tumultuous period in the region known as the ‘Eastward Frontier’ played central roles in the Salem witch hysteria.

We’re joined by Professor Mary Beth Norton, whose groundbreaking work on this startling connection helped to change how we think about the Salem Witch Trials.

Mary Beth Norton is the author of numerous books, including In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692.

The Afflictions Begin and Accusations Fly Oct 16, 2023

When two young girls in the household of Salem Reverend Samuel Parris begin to experience strange behaviors, three women find themselves accused of witchcraft. Historian Kathleen Brown, the David Boies Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, helps us understand the beginnings of the witch hunt during the first few months of 1692.

Learn more about Professor Brown's book, Undoing Slavery: Bodies, Race, and Rights in the Age of Abolition

In the Beginning: Who were the Puritans? Oct 01, 2023

In our first episode, Greg is joined by Daniel Gagnon, a historian and author of A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse (Westholme), who explains the context that led to the witch hysteria in Salem in 1692. He discusses the Puritans who settled Salem, their beliefs, as well as their relationship with the native populations.

Learn more

Daniel Gagnon’s book: A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse
Daniel Gagnon is on the Board of Directors of the Rebecca Nurse Homestead.
Greg Houle is the author of the forthcoming novel, The Putnams of Salem. Learn more at theputnamsofsalem.com

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Introducing The Salem Witch Trials Podcast Sep 20, 2023

Most of us have heard about the Salem Witch Trials, but what do we know about what really happened in and around Salem, Massachusetts in 1692?

The Salem Witch Trials Podcast, hosted by Greg Houle, goes beyond the myth and gets to the heart of the action. Beginning in October 2023, we will release episodes that include interviews with experts who will shed light onto the people and events of that horrifying year, as well as provide valuable context that help us understand how and why this tragedy took place.
Please subscribe so you won't miss an episode.

Music: "The Last Whale" by Jelsonic from the Free Music Archive, license CC BY

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