Episodes

  • Author Kathleen Kent on Writing The Heretic's Daughter

    Author Kathleen Kent on Writing The Heretic's Daughter
    Dec 24 2025

    Enjoy this in-depth author interview with New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Kent. Kathleen opens up about her writing process, her journey from aspiring writer to published novelist, and the craft behind transforming family history into compelling historical fiction.

    Kathleen's debut novel, The Heretic's Daughter, tells the story of her ancestor Martha Carrier, who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials on August 19, 1692. Martha was from Andover, the town with the most accused witches was blamed for a smallpox epidemic that killed 13 people. Even when her children were tortured into confessing against her, Martha refused to admit to crimes she didn't commit.

    This episode offers invaluable insights for aspiring novelists and historical fiction writers, covering everything from research techniques to finding your voice as a writer. Whether you're working on your first novel or looking to deepen your craft, Kathleen's experience and teaching expertise provide practical guidance for writers at every level.

    Kathleen Kent is a New York Times bestselling author and member of the Texas Institute of Letters. Her novels include:

    • The Heretic's Daughter (David J. Langum Sr. Award for American Historical Fiction, Will Rogers Medallion Award)

    • The Traitor's Wife

    • The Outcasts (American Library Association "Top Pick" for Historical Fiction)

    • The Dime, The Burn, and The Pledge (Edgar Award-nominated crime trilogy)

    • Black Wolf

    Kathleen teaches writing workshops and has worked with Texas Writes to mentor aspiring authors.

    • Kathleen's journey from aspiring writer to published author

    • The writing process behind The Heretic's Daughter

    • Research techniques for historical fiction writers

    • How to balance historical accuracy with storytelling

    • Finding and developing your unique voice as a writer

    • Working with family history and sensitive historical material

    • Navigating the publishing process

    • Teaching writing and what aspiring novelists need to know

    • Transitioning between historical fiction and crime fiction genres

    • Martha Carrier's powerful story of resistance

    • The Andover witch trials and why this town had the most accusations

    • The 1690 smallpox epidemic and its connection to witch accusations

    • How children were tortured into testifying against their parents

    • Cotton Mather's role in documenting the trials

    • The legacy of Salem Witch Trials victims

    historical fiction writing, Kathleen Kent, The Heretic's Daughter, writing process, aspiring novelists, Salem Witch Trials, Martha Carrier, Andover witch trials, writing advice, author interview, historical research, novel writing, writing workshops, craft of writing, historical fiction authors, publishing advice


    #WritingCommunity #HistoricalFiction #AuthorInterview #WritingAdvice #KathleenKent #SalemWitchTrials #NovelWriting #WritingPodcast

    Links

    Kathleen Kent Website

    Purchase the novel: The Heretics Daughter by Kathleen Kent

    Support our Podcast by purchasing books through our affiliate link to End Witch Hunts Bookshop

    The Thing About Salem YouTube

    ⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon

    ⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠

    ⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

    The Thing About Salem website
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    46 mins
  • The True History Behind The Witch of Blackbird Pond with the Wethersfield Historical Society

    The True History Behind The Witch of Blackbird Pond with the Wethersfield Historical Society
    Dec 17 2025

    Is The Witch of Blackbird Pond historical fact or beloved fiction? Museum educators Martha Smart and Gillie Johnson from the Wethersfield Historical Society pull back the curtain on Elizabeth George Speare's classic novel by revealing what she got right and what she invented. This episode demonstrates why Connecticut's real witch trials deserve more attention than they've gotten.

    Discover the true story of Katherine Harrison, whose 1669 witch trial revealed the dangerous reality for independent women in Puritan Connecticut. Learn why Gershom Bulkeley, a real historical figure who appears in the novel helped end witch executions in Connecticut by declaring he'd seen no legally proven case of witchcraft.

    From the Charter Oak legend to the history of slavery in colonial Connecticut, this conversation goes far beyond the novel to explore what life was really like in 1680s Wethersfield and whose stories have been left out of the history books.

    • The real Katherine Harrison witch trial and how it differed from the novel's dramatic courtroom scene

    • Why Connecticut's witch trials ended decades before Salem's panic began

    • How The Witch of Blackbird Pond has shaped—and sometimes distorted—Wethersfield's historical identity

    • What Elizabeth George Speare got wrong about Puritan social customs, trade, and the treatment of outsiders

    • The truth behind the Charter Oak legend and Connecticut's resistance to British rule

    Martha Smart - Research and Reference Librarian, Wethersfield Historical Society

    Gillie Johnson - Museum Educator, Wethersfield Historical Society

    Learn more at wethersfieldhistory.org, where you can explore their database of people of color in Wethersfield's history.


    Elizabeth George Speare's The Witch of Blackbird Pond and Connecticut's colonial-era witch trials, including the 1669 case of Katherine Harrison in Wethersfield, form an important part of the state's historical narrative, though they remain less widely recognized than their Salem counterparts.

    Links

    Wethersfieldhistory.org

    Webb Deane Stevens Museum

    Purchase the book: The Witch of Blackbird Pond from our nonprofit bookshop

    Connecticut Witch Trial History


    End Witch Hunts Nonprofit
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    49 mins
  • Glebe House Museum on Moll Cramer and Witchcraft in Connecticut

    Glebe House Museum on Moll Cramer and Witchcraft in Connecticut
    Dec 10 2025

    In this episode, Josh and Sarah speak with the creative team behind "The Witch of Woodbury," a theatrical production at Connecticut's Glebe House Museum that brings 17th-century witch trial victims to life through performance.

    Featured Guests:

    • Linda Barr-Gale - Actress portraying Moll Cramer for 13 years and production writer

    • Loriann Witte - Director of Glebe House Museum, portraying Rebecca Greensmith

    • Maribeth Cummings - Actress portraying Katherine Harrison for 5 years

    • Vail Barrett - Actor portraying accuser Thomas Allyn

    Key Topics:

    • The legend of Moll Cramer, the "Witch of Woodbury" who was banished to Tophet Road

    • Connecticut's witch trial history from 1647-1663, including 11 executions

    • How Governor John Winthrop Jr. transformed Connecticut's approach to witchcraft accusations

    • Accused Witch Katherine Harrison's well-documented case and its role in changing spectral evidence standards

    • Executed woman Rebecca Greensmith's role in the Hartford Witch Panic of 1662

    • The perspective of accusers like Thomas Allyn and the climate of fear in colonial Connecticut

    • Using theatrical performance to make history accessible and memorable for modern audiences

    Historical Context: The performance emphasizes the stark differences between Connecticut's evolving legal standards under Winthrop and the later Salem trials.

    Learn More:

    • Glebe House Museum

      • Connecticut Witch Trial History
      • End Witch Hunts Nonprofit
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    49 mins
  • Wicked For Good Movie: The Transformation of a Witch

    Wicked For Good Movie: The Transformation of a Witch
    Dec 3 2025
    Episode Description:Just saw Wicked: For Good (Wicked Part 2) and wondering what it all means? The sequel to 2024's blockbuster Wicked movie starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande delivers the pure magic and joy of Wicked's fairytale storytelling while also serving as a mirror reflecting our world's darkest patterns of persecution. Join hosts Sarah Jack and Josh Hutchinson for a spoiler-filled celebration of this magical film as they explore both the enchantment of the story and the surprisingly relevant themes hiding behind flying monkeys, sparkly shoes, and that iconic green skin.From Gregory Maguire's beloved novel to the Broadway phenomenon with music by Stephen Schwartz, Wicked has captured hearts worldwide. This sequel delivers stunning musical numbers, an enchanting fairytale ending, and America's greatest modern fairy story—while also offering profound insights about our world. Discover why Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, Dorothy, and the Wizard of Oz create a story that's both entertainment magic and meaningful social commentary.From the breathtaking songs like "For Good" to the animals in cages vault scene that's impossible to look away from, this episode explores how the Wicked movie with Jonathan Bailey and Jeff Goldblum delights audiences while helping us understand who gets labeled "wicked"—and who decides.What You'll Explore:The pure magic and joy of Wicked's fairytale storytellingStandout musical moments and how the Broadway songs translate to filmThe chilling parallels between Oz's animal persecution and real-world witch huntsElphaba and Glinda's friendship, sisterhood, and the choices that change everythingWhy the treatment of talking animals in Oz mirrors modern oppressionHow Dorothy's witch hunt against Elphaba reflects real accusation patternsWhy Nessarose, Boq, and Fiyero's transformations matter for understanding persecutionHow the word "witch" is weaponized as a political tool todayWhether movies like Wicked help or harm the fight against modern persecutionDeep dive into Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba and Ariana Grande's GlindaThis is the next installment in our ongoing look at Wicked and Oz! If you haven't already, be sure to check out our previous episodes "Witchcraft and Stagecraft: Unmasking Wicked's Magic with Paul Laird and Jane Barnette" and "Wicked Movie: The Making of a Witch" to explore how this beloved story connects to real witch trial history and contemporary persecution.Content Warning: This episode includes movie spoilers and discusses themes of persecution, banishment, and contemporary witch hunts affecting millions globally.Ready to see beyond the emerald curtain? This isn't your childhood Oz anymore—and that's exactly the point. But it's also a wicked good time.For more information about ending witch hunts or to get involved, visit EndWitchHunts.orgKeywords: Wicked For Good, Wicked Part 2, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, Dorothy, Wizard of Oz, animals in Oz, Wicked sequel, Broadway musical, Stephen Schwartz, Gregory Maguire, Wicked songs, For Good, Wicked movie explained, witch hunts, Wicked themes, Wicked analysisLinksWatch Episode: Witchcraft and Stagecraft: Unmasking Wicked’s Magic with Paul Laird and Jane BarnetteWatch Episode: Wicked Movie: The Making of a WitchWatch Episode: Ghana’s Outcast Camps: A Conversation with the Coalition Against Witchcraft Accusations Sign the Amnesty International Petition for Ghana Anti Witchcraft Legislation Support our Nonprofit: Buy an Oz bookSign the Massachusetts Exoneration Petition
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • The Pilgrim Son Accused of Witchcraft: Thanksgiving's Forgotten Salem Connection

    The Pilgrim Son Accused of Witchcraft: Thanksgiving's Forgotten Salem Connection
    Nov 26 2025

    In May 1692, one of Boston's most respected citizens walked into a Salem courtroom—and the accusers couldn't even identify him. Captain John Alden Jr., son of Mayflower passengers and decorated war hero, seemed an unlikely target for witchcraft accusations. But his connections to Native Americans and the French made him dangerous in the eyes of wartime Massachusetts.

    What happened when Salem's witch hunt reached beyond the village to pull in a prominent Bostonian with impeccable colonial credentials? This episode examines how Captain Alden's examination revealed the absurdity and danger of the spectral evidence system and how his escape became one of the trial period's most dramatic moments.

    From his parents' legendary Plymouth courtship to his own flight from justice, Captain Alden's story shows us who could be accused, who could survive, and what it took to navigate Salem's machinery of suspicion.


    Episode Highlights:

    • John Alden Sr. and Priscilla: The last surviving Mayflower passenger and the marriage that inspired Longfellow

    • Captain Alden's controversial fur trading and the rumors that made him a target

    • The chaotic May 31st examination where accusers needed prompting

    • The touch test, the sword, and the claims of "Indian Papooses"

    • His September escape to Duxbury and surprising return

    Key Figures:

    Captain John Alden Jr., John & Priscilla Alden, Judges Bartholomew Gedney and John Richards, Rev. Samuel Willard, Robert Calef

    The Thing About Salem examines the people, places, and events of the 1692 Salem witch trials. New episodes weekly.


    Links

    The Thing About Salem YouTube

    ⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon

    ⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube

    ⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

    The Thing About Salem website
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    25 mins
  • The Boston Eight: Exonerate Massachusetts' Forgotten Witch Trial Victims

    The Boston Eight: Exonerate Massachusetts' Forgotten Witch Trial Victims
    Nov 19 2025
    Episode Description:Massachusetts has an opportunity to make history, and you can be a part of it. On November 25, 2025, Bill H.1927 goes before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary. This legislation will exonerate 8 individuals convicted of witchcraft in Boston and recognize everyone else who suffered accusations across Massachusetts. Between 1648 and 1693, more than 200 people were formally charged with witchcraft in Massachusetts. Only 31 from Salem have been cleared. The rest have been forgotten—until now.Co-hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack, who helped co-found the Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project and successfully passed Connecticut's witch trial absolution bill in 2023, share how YOU can help Massachusetts finish the job.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The 8 individuals convicted in Boston who have never been exonerated: Margaret Jones, Elizabeth Kendall, Alice Lake, Hugh Parsons, Eunice Cole, Ann Hibbins, Elizabeth Morse, and Goody GloverWhy this matters today: Witch hunts didn't end in the 1600s—they're still happening around the worldThe history of Massachusetts exoneration efforts from 1703 to 2022How Connecticut proved it's possible with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2023Exactly what you can do to support H.1927, whether you live in Massachusetts or anywhere else in the worldKey Facts:200+ individuals were accused of witchcraft in Massachusetts between 1638 and 169338 people were convicted (30 in Salem, 8 in Boston)25 people died: 19 hanged in Salem, 5 hanged in Boston, and Giles Corey pressed to deathOnly Salem victims have been exonerated—the 8 Boston convictions remain unaddressedThe Boston Eight:Five Executed:Margaret Jones (1648) - The first person executed for witchcraft in MassachusettsElizabeth Kendall (1647-1651) - Falsely accused by a nurse covering her own negligenceAlice Lake (c. 1650) - Mother of four, judged for her pastAnn Hibbins (1656) - A widow, called "quarrelsome" for speaking her mindGoody Glover (1688) - Irish Catholic widow executed just 4 years before SalemThree Convicted But Not Executed:Hugh Parsons (1651) - Conviction overturned, released 1652Eunice Cole (likely 1656) - Convicted and imprisoned, though records are incompleteElizabeth Morse (1680) - Sentenced to death but eventually releasedCRITICAL DATE: November 25, 2025The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on H.1927 at 10:00 AMThis bill MUST get through committee to move forward. If it doesn't receive a favorable report, it gets sent to "study" where it becomes invisible and inactive.How YOU Can Help RIGHT NOW:1. Sign the Petition (From Anywhere in the World)change.org/witchtrials Goal: 3,000+ signaturesKeep it short: 2-6 sentences is enough! Include:Why this bill matters to youThat these people were innocentWhy Massachusetts should complete its exoneration workConnection to modern witch hunts (optional)2. Submit Written Testimony (From Anywhere in the World)Where to submit: Details at massachusettswitchtrials.org3. Contact Your Massachusetts Legislators (MA Residents)Email your state representative and senatorAsk them to support H.1927Ask them to co-sponsor the billTell them: "Massachusetts exonerated the Salem victims but left the Boston victims behind. Please honor all witch trial victims."4. Spread the WordShare this episode and use hashtags:#H1927#WitchTrialJustice#MassachusettsHistory#mawitchhuntjusticeproject#EndWitchHunts5. Get a Support PinPurchase the Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project pin on Zazzle (under $5) Link in show notes and at massachusettswitchtrials.orgSign the Petition to Exonerate the Boston 8The History of Witch Trial Exonerations in MassachusettsAbout the MA Witch Hunt Justice ProjectPurchase a MA Witch Hunt Justice Project Memorial Pin
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    34 mins
  • Building a Global Response to Witch Hunts: Expert Panel from INAWARA

    Building a Global Response to Witch Hunts: Expert Panel from INAWARA
    Nov 12 2025
    Tune in for this informative virtual panel discussion bringing together three of the world's leading experts on witchcraft accusations and ritual violence. This free online event, co-hosted by End Witch Hunts and featuring speakers from INAWARA (International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks), addresses one of the most pressing yet under-recognized human rights crises of our time.Professor Charlotte Baker – Co-Director of INAWARA and Professor at Lancaster University (UK). Professor Miranda Forsyth – Co-Director of INAWARA and Professor at Australian National University's School of Regulation and Global Governance. Dr. Keith Silika – Criminal investigator, lecturer, and human rights advocate bridging criminology, forensics, and cultural understanding. What You'll LearnThis panel discussion explores why international collaboration is essential to combating witchcraft accusations and ritual violence across the globe. Our distinguished panelists will discuss:Global research and coordination: How INAWARA unites experts, practitioners, advocates, and survivors from around the world to share knowledge and develop evidence-based interventionsThe new legislative report: Key findings from the June 2025 report, Legislative Approaches to Addressing Harmful Practices Related to Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual AttacksCross-border strategies: Why connecting researchers, NGOs, legal professionals, and community advocates across borders has significant value and creates more effective solutionsChallenges and progress: Real-world obstacles faced by communities worldwide and successful approaches to protection and preventionAdvocacy and policy reform: How research translates into legal protections and policy changes at local, national, and international levelsCommunity protection: Grassroots education and support systems that help vulnerable populations resist witch-hunt violenceINAWARA (International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks) is a global network that connects experts, practitioners, advocates, and survivors from every continent. By fostering international collaboration and supporting evidence-based interventions, INAWARA works to end witch hunts, witchcraft accusations, and ritual attacks wherever they occur.Witchcraft accusations continue to drive violence, discrimination, and human rights abuses across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America, and beyond. Victims are often women, children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. They face torture, exile, property seizure, and death. This panel discussion highlights the power of global cooperation in addressing this crisis and protecting the most vulnerable among us.🌐 End Witch Hunts: endwitchhunts.org 🌐 INAWARA: theinternationalnetwork.orgThe International Network (INAWARA) Global Report: Legislative approaches to addressing harmful practices related to witchcraft accusations and ritual attacksUnited Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8Study on the situation of the violations and abuses of human rights rooted in harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, as well as stigmatizationINARAWA Conference Clip:Implementing UN Resolution 47/8 - 2nd International ConferencePodcast Episode: Forensics, Witchcraft Accusations, and Ritual Murders with Dr. Keith SilikaPodcast Episode: Ending Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence with Miranda ForsythPodcast Episode: Amnesty International on Ghana’s Outcast Camps: A Conversation with the Coalition Against Witchcraft AccusationsBirubala Rabha: A life of chasing witch huntersSorcery National Action PlanFighting the Wildfire of SARVWitchcraft Beliefs Around the World: An Exploratory Analysiswww.stop-cwa.orgAdvocacy for Alleged Witches, NigeriaAdvocacy Against Witch Hunts, South Africa International Alliance to End Witch HuntsWhy Witch Hunts are not just a Dark Chapter from the Past African Witchfinder Documentary 2018
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    55 mins
  • Stigma, Silence, and Survival: Women Accused of Witchcraft

    Stigma, Silence, and Survival: Women Accused of Witchcraft
    Nov 5 2025

    Why do witchcraft accusations persist in modern India, and how do gender and caste inequalities fuel this cycle of violence despite legal protections?

    Join Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack for a powerful conversation with Bharvi Shahi, currently pursuing her LL.M. at Christ University, Bengaluru, and Razina Ahmed, Assistant Professor of Law at the School of Law, Presidency University, Bengaluru about from their research work in Northeast India's tribal communities and international human rights law.

    they explore the complex intersection of belief, tradition, and human rights violations in Northeast India's tribal communities related to witchcraft accusations.

    What You'll Learn:

    Understand the critical difference between cultural beliefs and harmful practices under international human rights law. Explore how accusations emerge within community structures when illness or misfortune strikes and medical care is inaccessible. Learn why India's state-level witchcraft laws face massive implementation challenges, and discover the reality of witch-hunt victim communities living in isolation. Our guests reveal how patriarchal structures weaponize supernatural accusations to control and exclude women.

    Razina Ahmed shares firsthand research challenges, including the startling moment an NGO declined to help her visit a village of survivors, revealing how deeply stigma affects even those working in advocacy. Bharvi Shahi examines how freedom of belief becomes weaponized against the most vulnerable: widows, elderly women, and those with disabilities. This episode reveals how community fear, social isolation, and supernatural accusations create complexities that legal protections alone cannot resolve

    Keywords: witch hunts India, tribal communities Northeast India, witchcraft accusations, gender-based violence, human rights violations India, superstition and law, vulnerable women, Assam tribal communities, Implementing Human rights, belief vs harmful practices

    Links

    More Podcast Episodes Discussing Witchcraft Accusations in India

    Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project

    Join One of Our Projects

    The Thing About Salem Podcast

    Buy Books in Support of End Witch Hunts Nonprofit

    Birubala Rabha: A life of chasing witch hunters

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    44 mins