Bewitched Banter

Bewitched Banter

By Bewitched BanterSociety & Culture
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Bewitched Banter episodes

  • A Satanic Sex Crazed Rocketeer and a Demonic Murder
    Thought our cults episode was nuts? Today we take you an a really wild journey that includes sex magic, rockets, orgies, and a demonic murder! Amy connects the dots between the “Father of Modern Rocketry,” Jack Parsons, and Scientology’s L. Ron Hubbard. Then, Krista takes us back home to Connecticut [yes, again] to the other town she grew up next to, called Brookfield. In 1981 this town saw its very first murder in its nearly 200-year history and was home to the very first court case in the U.S. to use the murder plea “not guilty by reason of demonic possession.” This was the real-life case that inspired “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” released in June 2021. See all ep notes at bewitchedbanter.com/episodes.
    1 hr 13 min
  • Ep 11 // Alternative Medicine and Religions

    The Bewitches are OG Millennials so you know they love alternative music, but they’re still on the fence about alternative medicine, more commonly now referred to as integrative medicine by physicians. In this episode, Amy covers João Teixeira de Faria AKA John of God, a Brazilian faith healer who gained worldwide fame after he claimed to cure people of nearly any ailment or past trauma. He’s now in prison for rape. Krista’s story is also about a “religious” man who paid off his secretary to keep quiet about their affair. A real “Godly” character, Jim Bakker, once a revered televangelist in the 70s is now also facing another set of legal troubles after selling colloidal silver as a treatment for COVID-19 and claiming false medical benefits.

    1 hr 27 min
  • Speak of the Devil: Witching History Hour
    To quote Mr. West “The Devil is alive / I feel him breathin’” from his hit “Heard 'Em Say,” featuring Adam Levine, the Bewitches cover the history of the Satan himself. While Amy and Krista don’t agree on everything, they both believe that evil does indeed exist in the world at least in some form, but that it doesn’t necessarily take the shape of The Prince of Darkness, Satan or any mythological creature. Krista gets personal like never before as she shares her experience with people she grew up with who are Sandy Hook victims and survivors. It was not our intention to air this episode on the tragic anniversary of this massacre, however, Amy and Krista would like to honor all those impacted on that awful and dark day where the Devil indeed may have been present.
    49 min
  • Ep 10 // Vampires Be Thirsty

    While Krista was out sick, we sucked in Amy’s hubby and resident historian, Cory to guest host. Today Bewitched Banter covers vampires. One perk of these blood suckers is they live forever, but is it a gift or a curse? As Amy would say, “on a nutshell,” you decide on this episode that highlights some seriously notorious “Nosferatus.” We might lose Krista as the very first user on “VampiresBeThirsty.com. But on a far more serious and sad note [because we can’t not go there], so many people have lost family and friends to the QAnon cult who believe that liberals and Hollywood elites suck the blood of children as part of a global sex ring. This radical, pervasive belief stems from an ancient antisemitic doctrine known as Blood Libel.

    53 min
  • The Affair That Gave Voodoo A Bad Name and the Badass Marie Laveau
    Amy’s story reveals just how and why Haitian Vodou got a bad rep and sadly, there's nothing uplifting about it. The Affaire de Bizotone or the Case of 1864, was a jump off point for the many misconceptions that voodoo (and many of its Afro-Caribbean counterpart religions) are “black magic.” There is some light at the end of this ep though, with badass women, like the feared and revered Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Marie Laveau. The Bewitches then bless the podcast with a prayer and offering to this Queen.
    1 hr 3 min
  • Voodoo 101: Witching History Hour
    On our very first crack at a Bewitched History Hour episode Krista brings y’all down to New Orleans. She’s definitely let the good times roll a few times over in the best city in the Bayou [100% Krista’s favorite city in the U.S.], but she also brings listeners up to speed on the real deal with New Orleans Voodoo and a touch of Haitian Vodou. 
    A few misconceptions that really get Krista’s anger meter WAY up is that these Afro- Caribbean religions are one-in-the-same and that they have a reputation as being “bad,” “dark,” or “evil.” In this ep, you’ll learn that voodoo and similar religions like Santería are actually distinct religions and ways for practitioners to honor their ancestors and their roots and NO the voodoo doll did NOT come from Africa as you’ve likely been led to believe.
    47 min
  • Ep 9 // Magicians Changing History

    Fact, fantasy or straight up fakes? This week the Bewitches try to steer away from dark stories as they share the tales of magicians who changed the world for better. From Harry Houdini and The Amazing Randi to Peter Popoff and Uri Geller, Amy introduces us to a few of the magical myth-busters who set out to expose the phonies. 


    Krista then conjures the renowned Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, AKA “The Father of Modern Magic.” Learn how his “Strong Man” routine stopped a potential Algerian revolt against the French. Then, hear how thousands of talented American artists used elaborate illusions to fake out the Nazis during WWII.

    1 hr 9 min
  • BONUS: Vaginas That Jingle
    Amy and Krista host their very first guest and expert, Krista’s big sis, Erica who is an OBGYN. Tune in to hear some of the wild alternative practices some women choose for their bits and bobs. Listen to Dr. E’s story about a time when she had to remove some holiday cheer from a woman’s downstairs. Happy Holidays!
    DISCLAIMER: While she is a Board certified physician, all of Dr. E’s comments are her personal opinion and do not represent the university where she practices or teaches medicine. For any medical concerns specific to you, please consult your physician.
    24 min
  • Vaginas That Jingle All The Way
    Amy and Krista host their very first guest and expert, Krista’s big sis, Erica who is an OBGYN. Tune in to hear some of the wild alternative practices some women choose for their bits and bobs. Listen to Dr. E’s story about a time when she had to remove some holiday cheer from a woman’s downstairs. Happy Holidays!
    24 min
  • Religious Quacks That Use Alternative Medicine

    The Bewitches are OG Millennials so you know they love alternative music, but they’re still on the fence about alternative medicine, more commonly now referred to as integrative medicine by physicians. In this episode, Amy covers João Teixeira de Faria AKA John of God, a Brazilian faith healer who gained worldwide fame after he claimed to cure people of nearly any ailment or past trauma. He’s now in prison for rape. Krista’s story is also about a “religious” man who paid off his secretary to keep quiet about their affair. A real “Godly” character, Jim Bakker, once a revered televangelist in the 70s is now also facing another set of legal troubles after selling colloidal silver as a treatment for COVID-19 and proclaiming its false medical benefits to his viewers. See all ep notes at bewitchedbanter.com/episodes. 

    1 hr 27 min

About Bewitched Banter

From the publisher's feed

Do you believe in the spooky and supernatural or do you think it’s all utter B.S.? Join hosts and best friends, Amy Holt and Krista Hinz, as they debate and debunk all sorts of religions, spiritual…