Can a psychological illness become contagious? Many experts believe that in rare cases a phenomenon known as a "mass psychogenic illness" can break out in a population. Can this strange quirk of group psychology help us understand the Salem Witch Crisis of 1692? The community had been stressed by local factionalism, regional political turmoil, and a global c ... Show More
Sep 30
Bonus Episode - Marble Thieves, Museums, and Dictators
In this bonus episode Sebastian answers questions from listeners about the recent series on the Parthenon Marbles. The host tangles with the ethics of repatriation requests from notorious dictators, the role of the Parthenon Marbles in inspiring the Greek Independence movement, a ... Show More
31m 39s
Oct 2023
Episode #187- What Bewitched Salem? (Part I)
In 1692 in the town of Salem Village, Massachusetts, two young girls started acting very strangely. The girls suffered from uncontrollable fits, bouts of incoherence, and odd outbursts including barking and choking sounds. A physician summoned to examine them concluded that the o ... Show More
1h 14m
Oct 2024
Inside the Witch Trials: Salem | Fear In A New World
We often think of the witch trials as something in the deep and distant past.
But, as we'll hear in today's episode, the attitudes and behaviour that led to witch trials is as present today as it was then.
In this third and final episode of our limited series, Inside the Witch Tr ... Show More
43 m
Oct 2024
anatomy of evil: the salem witch trials (puritan paranoia, mass hysteria, and social scapegoating) [preview]
In this episode of "Anatomy of Evil," I peel back the curtain on the infamous Salem Witch Trials, diving deep into the murky waters of human fear and legal injustice that define one of America's most haunting historical moments. Forget the dry recounting of events—you're in for a ... Show More
49m 15s
Nov 2018
SALEM Ep. 7 | Interview: Rachel Christ
Rachel Christ is the Director of Education at the Salem Witch Museum. We met at the museum for a great discussion about the history of witchcraft, the Salem crisis in context with the witch hunts in Europe, and modern witch hunts, as well as many other things. For more details, p ... Show More
37 m
May 2025
#548 | The Salem Witch Trials
In this episode, we'll explore the eerie events of the Salem Witch Trials, a chilling tale of suspicion, fear, and injustice in 17th-century Massachusetts. Discover how a village turned against itself, leading to the execution of innocent people amidst accusations of witchcraft, ... Show More
21m 42s
Jun 2024
History Daily: The First Execution of the Salem Witch Trials
June 10, 1692. Accusations of witchcraft spark hysteria in a town in Massachusetts, leading to the execution of Bridget Bishop – the first victim of the Salem Witch Trials.You can listen ad-free in the Wondery or Amazon Music app. Or for all that and more, go to IntoHistory.com.H ... Show More
16m 41s