Forensics, Witchcraft Accusations, and Ritual Murders with Dr. Keith Silika

Nearly 100 years after Salem, a German immigrant widow in Vermont faced trial by water ordeal for witchcraft. In 1785, Margaret Krieger was dropped through ice into the freezing Hoosick River—and survived.Guests:Joyce Held, Pownal Vermont Historical Society - researcher who uncovered Margaret's full storyJamie Franklin, Bennington Museum Curator - connected the trial to post-Revolutionary War political tensionsKey Points:Margaret Schumacher Krieger (1725-1790) married Johann Krieger in 1741, moved to frontier VermontAfter Johann's death in 1785, neighbors accused her of witchcraft to seize the family's mill and landRecent research suggests the family were Loyalists, adding political motivation to the accusationsMargaret was acquitted after surviving the water test and moved back to MassachusettsModern Legacy:Historical marker installed 2023 at Strobridge Recreation Park, North Pownal, VTAnnual Witches Walk commemorating "extraordinary women" - next event September 13, 2025Connect:Facebook: Pownal Historical SocietyWebsite: www.pownal.orgThis case reveals how witchcraft accusations often masked land disputes, cultural tensions, and political conflicts in post-Revolutionary America.LinksAmericans 1943: Realists and Magic-RealistsAP Article: Group seeks to clear names of all accused, convicted or executed for witchcraft in MASign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice ProjectPownal Historical Society on FacebookBennington Museum Special ExhibitsWatch: New England Legends: Ghosts and Witches  Season 2024 Episode 2The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

Episode Summary: Jennifer Tozer, librarian at Pueblo Community College in Colorado, shares how she created "Witch Trials: Accusation to Exoneration" - a comprehensive month-long educational program running throughout October. When traditional museum exhibits weren't available, Jennifer built her own visual displays from scratch, featuring poster exhibits, author presentations, virtual tours with the Salem Witch Museum, and discussions connecting historical witch trials to modern-day accusations.For Educators: This episode offers practical inspiration for teachers looking to create engaging historical programming with limited budgets. Jennifer's approach demonstrates how to make distant history relevant to today's students while addressing misconceptions and encouraging critical thinking.Program Details: "Witch Trials: Accusation to Exoneration" runs throughout October at Pueblo Community College Library, featuring interactive exhibits, scavenger hunts, and community presentations.Perfect for history teachers, librarians, and educators interested in innovative programming that brings historical events to life for modern students.LinksBuy the book A Salem Witch by Dan A GagnonBuy the book The Heretics Daughter by Kathleen KentPueblo Community College's Humanities Newsletter with Witch Trials History Event DatesThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

On September 8 and 22, we are joining Dr. Emerson Baker for exciting virtual events hosted by Partnership of Historic Bostons.Visit Eventbrite to register for FREE:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-other-understanding-witch-hunts-part-i-tickets-1492284887269?aff=oddtdtcreatorOr visit the Partnership of Historic Bostons website for more information: https://historicbostons.org/upcomingeventsThe Other: Understanding Witch Hunts, Part I will begin Monday, September 8 at 7:00 PM Eastern.A second event, focusing on resistance to the Salem Witch-Hunt, will be held at the same time on September 22.Almost every culture across time and place has experienced witch hunts of one kind or another. Drawing upon the witch trials in Salem, Boston, and elsewhere in New England, renowned historian Emerson "Tad" Baker, together with guest moderators Sarah Jack and Josh Hutchinson, will explore the nature of witch hunts. Join a remarkable three-way conversation by some of the most knowledgeable and insightful observers of witch hunts, about the questions that persist more than 350 years after the 20 Salem executions.In this first of two eye-opening discussions, The Other explores why witch hunts happen and how they progress. Why are certain people accused? What characteristics did people like Tituba, Bridget Bishop, and Goody Glover have that made them targets rather than their neighbors? What set them off as "others"? How and why did Tituba’s accusation lead to more accusations, while Glover’s did not? What role did misinformation and rumor play in witch hunts? And, most puzzlingly, what motivated the accusers?Part 2: Resistance, on September 22, 7:00-8:30pm, will explore how people fought against accusations, at risk to themselves, and worked to end the witch hunts. How did family, friends and neighbors help defend the accused? What role did spiritual and political leaders play? How did families and communities heal from witch hunts, and prevent them from happening again? Above all, what gave these people, in the midst of increasing danger, the courage to resist?ABOUT THE SPEAKERSEmerson "Tad" Baker is a professor of history at Salem State University and has previously served as vice provost and dean. He is the award-winning author or co-author of six books on the history and archaeology of early New England, including A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience.His current book project explores the aftermath of the Salem witch trials. Baker has served as consultant and on-camera expert for documentaries and TV shows for networks ranging from PBS and the BBC to Smithsonian and TLC.Josh Hutchinson is a podcaster, writer, and advocate. As a descendant of people involved in New England witch trials, co-founder of End Witch Hunts, and creator of the podcasts The Thing About Witch Hunts and The Thing About Salem, Josh blends historical knowledge and modern activism in his work. Josh continues to shed light on historical injustices while advocating for the elimination of modern harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks.Sarah Jack, a descendant of colonial-era witch trial victims, is the founding executive director of the nonprofit End Witch Hunts. Based in Colorado, Sarah also hosts the podcasts The Thing About Witch Hunts and The Thing About Salem. She specializes in consulting and teaching about witch hunts, past and present, leveraging her extensive networks to bring these conversations to broader communities and platforms. Her work has been highlighted globally and featured in outlets including the New York Times and NPR.End Witch Hunts brings light to the true nature of witch trials and witch hunts through public education, advocacy, memorialization, and exoneration.

Guest: Dr. Martin Austin Nesvig Book: The Women Who Threw Corn: Witchcraft and Inquisition in 16th Century MexicoDr. Martin Austin Nesvig takes us into colonial Mexico's magical underground, where cultural exchange happened in kitchens between women of different backgrounds. This isn't your typical witch hunt story—Mexico never had mass executions or crazes. The Spanish Inquisition there was more interested in heretics than magical practitioners.But women still took risks. From enslaved women casting freedom spells to Spanish settlers experimenting with peyote (the first documented non-indigenous use), these stories reveal how people navigated colonial power and sought agency in their lives.You'll hear about love magic with personal ingredients and indigenous divination techniques. Plus the demographics of colonial Mexico City, where Spanish women were less than 20% of the population.This episode flips the expected colonial narrative—showing how native practices influenced the colonizers themselves. A story of adaptation, survival, and unexpected cultural blending.Hosts: Sarah Jack and Josh Hutchinson Also check out: The Thing About Salem (weekend podcast)Buy the Book: The Women Who Threw Corn by Martin Austin NesvigThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

What if history's most infamous witch hunt could have been stopped with just a few different decisions? We're examining the pivotal moments between January 1692 and May 1693 when someone—anyone—could have pumped the brakes on Salem's runaway train of accusations.From the shocking arrest of four-year-old Dorothy Good to Martha Carrier's unfortunate promotion to "Queen of Hell," we'll explore how escalating choices transformed a local crisis into colonial America's most notorious legal disaster. We'll meet the key players who either fanned the flames or tried to douse them—including Cotton Mather's mixed messages and Governor Phips' late-in-the-game reality check.Join us as we dissect the moments when cooler heads could have prevailed and discover how 45 residents of unlucky Andover got swept up in accusations that would make even the devil blush. Sometimes it takes a village—or several villages—to create a catastrophe.Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

Join hosts Sarah Jack and Josh Hutchinson for this special episode recorded live on August 10th for World Day Against Witch Hunts 2025. This expert panel discussion explores the ongoing crisis of witchcraft accusations in Ghana, where men, women and children are violently expelled from their communities and forced to live in outcast camps.Featured experts include a representative from Amnesty International Ghana discussing their groundbreaking "Branded for Life" research and report, alongside other advocates also from the Coalition Against Witchcraft Accusations (CAWA), The Sanneh Institute, ActionAid Ghana, Songtaba, and TOLEC Ghana. These frontline organizations share stories of survivors, reveal the devastating impact of modern witch hunts, and highlight the incredible resilience of women rebuilding their lives in these camps. Learn first hand about the accusations that can stem from something as simple as a dream or refusing a marriage proposal, discover how survivors are creating communities of hope despite losing everything, and understand what these brave women need most to restore their dignity and safety. Ghana's Parliament passed a Bill to protect citizens from witchcraft accusations in July 2023, but it was never signed into law by the former president; the bill has been reintroduced in 2025.This powerful World Day Against Witch Hunts program reveals a human rights crisis affecting vulnerable people right now and showcases the dedicated experts working to create lasting change for survivors who desperately need our support.Hosted by End Witch Hunts nonprofit - working to restore dignity and create safe futures for survivors worldwide.Find links to all these organizations at End Witch HuntsAbout Spiritual and Ritual Abuse Hear the stories of Spiritual and Ritual Abuse in the United StatesGhana: Branded for Life ReportGlobal Review: Addressing Harmful Practices Related to Witchcraft Accusations

Join hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack as they sit down with fellow End Witch Hunts nonprofit board member Mary Bingham for a powerful discussion about modern-day witch hunts and spiritual ritual abuse in the United States. In this special episode commemorating World Day Against Witch Hunts (August 10th), we explore the devastating reality of supernatural fears that continue to harm vulnerable people in over 60 countries worldwide.What You'll LearnThe connection between historical witch trials and contemporary spiritual abuse casesHow modern witch hunts manifest in the United States and globallyThe devastating impact on society's most vulnerable membersPersonal insights from descendants of Salem witch trial victimsActionable ways to combat these harmful practices through education and awarenessFeatured GuestMary Bingham - End Witch Hunts nonprofit board member and advocate. Mary's compelling research draws crucial connections between historical persecution and contemporary cases of harm inflicted on those believed to be spiritually or diabolically possessed.Key Topics DiscussedSpiritual and Ritual Abuse: Understanding how supernatural fears manifest in harmful practices todayGlobal Crisis: The scope of witch hunt-related violence across 60+ countriesHistorical Connections: How past and present persecution share common rootsPersonal Impact: Why this work holds deep meaning for Salem descendantsPath Forward: Education and awareness as tools for changeImportant DatesWorld Day Against Witch Hunts: Sunday, August 10thAbout The Thing About Witch HuntsHosted by Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack, this podcast examines the historical and contemporary reality of witch hunts, exploring their impact on vulnerable communities worldwide and advocating for education and awareness to end these harmful practices.About End Witch HuntsEnd Witch Hunts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about modern-day witch hunts and working to raise awareness about supernatural-based persecution and violence.About World Day Against Witch Hunts About Spiritual and Ritual Abuse Attend the Online Expert Panel Event August 10thSarahWildes1692 on Youtube Read Article: Salem to San Jose by Mary Bingham Read Blog Post: Understanding Ritualistic Crime Ghana: Branded for Life Report https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/research/2025/04/ghana-branded-for-life/Global Review: Addressing Harmful Practices Related to Witchcraft Accusations Content WarningThis episode discusses violence and harm against vulnerable individuals, including cases of spiritual and ritual abuse that may be disturbing to some listeners.If you found this episode meaningful, please share it to help raise awareness about World Day Against Witch Hunts and the ongoing work to end these harmful practices.

In this gripping episode, we sit down with Dr. Keith Silika, a Zimbabwean-born criminal investigator whose extraordinary journey has positioned him at the crossroads of two worlds most of us never see intersect.Raised between his father's traditional healing practice and devout Catholic faith, Dr. Silika brings an unprecedented perspective to one of today's most misunderstood and dangerous phenomena, ritual attacks. From his early days in Zimbabwe's police force to his current work in England's law enforcement and academic circles, he's witnessed firsthand how supernatural beliefs continue to cause  modern-day violence and persecution.This isn't your typical true crime discussion. It's a deep dive into the complex intersection of culture, belief, justice, and human rights that will  inspire you to explore this critical issue further and engage in important conversations about protecting vulnerable communities worldwide.Warning: This episode contains discussions of violence and harm that some listeners may find disturbing.Friendship Bench WebsiteDr. Silika's Project: Forensic Investigation and Prevention of Witchcraft-Related Harmful Practices: A Study of Law Enforcement and Human Rights Perspectives in Southern Africa Dr. Silika's Article: Running for Community Healing: Why I Ran the Manchester 10K for the Friendship BenchThe International Network Against Witchcraft Attacks and Ritual Abuse⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteSupport Us! Buy a book from our independent book shop

In the shadowy valleys of the Western Alps during the 1430s, a terrifying new narrative emerged that would reshape European understanding of witchcraft forever. What began as isolated tales of individual maleficium transformed into something far more sinister—organized gatherings where witches supposedly flew through the night to renounce Christ, feast on children, and pledge allegiance to Satan himself.Journey with us into the dark imagination of medieval Europe as we explore the birth of the witches' sabbath. These weren't just stories—they were detailed testimonies that religious authorities believed revealed an existential threat to Christendom itself. From the inlands of  Switzerland to the remote mountaintops of France, discover how ancient fears and folklore about nighttime spirits coalesced into a conspiracy theory so powerful it would color centuries of witch hunts.But the sabbath's influence didn't end in medieval Europe. Follow its dark legacy across the Atlantic to the Salem witch trials, where Puritan New England became gripped by visions of devilish sacraments in village pastures. How did these European fantasies of organized devil worship take root in American soil, and what does their evolution tell us about the fears that drive societies to see enemies lurking in their midst?Buy the book: Origins of the Witches Sabbath by Michael D. BaileySalem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

What happens when a society finally confronts one of its darkest chapters? In Scotland, a growing movement is demanding recognition for the thousands of women killed during the country's brutal witch hunts—a campaign that reveals how historical injustices continue to shape us today. Dr. Margaret Malloch from the University of Stirling joins us to discuss her project "Memorializing Injustice," examining different campaigns of remembrance and exploring why remembering these forgotten victims matters now more than ever, and what Scotland's reckoning can teach us about confronting uncomfortable truths. A thought-provoking conversation about memory, how we understand justice, and the stories society chooses to tell.Formal Apology: Statement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon opening the debate, International Women's Day 2022 in the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, on Tuesday 8 March 2022Formal Apology: The Church of Scotland Apologising for Historic WrongsRemembering the Accused Witches of Scotland CampaignListen to Witches of Scotland Episode Listen to Episode with Author Mary W. Craig on Witch Trials in ScotlandListen to Episode on the Paisley Witch HuntListen to Episode on the play Prick Help Us Build Our Patreon Community⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteThe Thing About Salem WebsiteCheck out our new podcast: The Thing About Salem on YouTube!⁠⁠Sign up for our Newsletter⁠