Salem The Podcast

By Sarah Black & Jeffrey LilleySociety & Culture Places & Travel

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Salem The Podcast episodes

November 12, 2025168. Witch Trials: John Proctor (part 1)
October may be over, but history persists! And we're getting back into the Salem Witch Trials. Executed on August 19th 1692, John Proctor may be one of the most famous names associated with Salem, but does he deserve the fame? Join your favorite Salem tour guides as they tackle the first part of this man's life. From his arrival to the Massachusetts Bay Colony at the age of three, to his life as a father, farmer, and tavern owner.
Ancestry.com. “Image Viewer; Collection: U.S., Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620–1988; Image: 42521_b158316-00653; Person ID 39002.” Accessed October 17, 2025. LINK.
Ancestry.com. “John Proctor (Family Tree: Person ID 162041549397).” Accessed October 17, 2025. LINK.
Calef, Robert. More Wonders of the Invisible World. London, 1700.
“Cheers to History!” Peabody Historical Society, December 2021. Accessed October 17, 2025. LINK.
“Elizabeth Proctor.” Wikipedia. Accessed October 17, 2025. LINK.
“Great Migration Passengers of the Susan and Ellen (1635) — Project ID 15966.” Geni. Accessed October 17, 2025. LINK.
“John Proctor — Salem Witchcraft Trials.” Famous Trials. Accessed October 17, 2025. LINK.
“John Proctor House.” Salem Witch Museum. Accessed November 11, 2025. LINK.
“John Proctor Jr. (1632–1692).” Find A Grave. Accessed October 17, 2025. LINK.
“John Proctor of Ipswich.” Historic Ipswich. Accessed October 17, 2025. LINK.
“John Proctor.” Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project. University of Virginia Library. Accessed November 11, 2025. LINK.
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: Viking Press, 1953.
Perley, Sidney. History of Salem, Massachusetts. Vol. 1, Chapter 2. Salem, MA: Sidney Perley, 1924.
Roach, Marilynne K. The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege. New York: Cooper Square Press, 2002.
Rosenthal, Bernard. Salem Story: Reading the Witch Trials of 1692. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
“SWP No. 106: Elizabeth Proctor.” Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project. University of Virginia. Accessed October 17, 2025. LINK.
“Mary Towne Estey 1692.” Primate Fiasco. YouTube video, 5:13, 2021. Accessed October 17, 2025. LINK.
“The Witchcraft Trial of John Proctor, First Male Accused of Witchcraft at Salem.” History of Massachusetts, October 27, 2011. Accessed October 17, 2025. LINK.
Upham, Charles W. Salem Witchcraft; With an Account of Salem Village and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects. Boston: Wiggin and Lunt, 1867.

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NEW INSTAGRAM - @salemthepod
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Book a tour with Sarah at Bewitched Tours
www.bewitchedtours.com
Book a tour with Jeffrey at Salem Uncovered Tours www.salemuncoveredtours.com

Intro/Outro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/unfamiliar-faces
License code: NGSBY7LA1HTVAUJE
1 hr 10 min
November 06, 2025 167. Movie Review: The Salem Chronicles
It's movie review time! Sarah learned about a new direct-to-streaming movie set in Salem. We looked at the premise, we watched the trailer, and we were EXCITED. That excitement didn’t last though because this movie was... something. Just how bad was it?? There's only one way to find out - watch it yourself. If already have, we're sorry! And if you haven't, you've been warned. But to save you from that horror we've done a full review, both historically and cinematically. Join your favorite Salem tour guides as they review this disaster of a movie.

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Interested in supporting the Podcast? Looking for more Salem content? CLICK HERE!
www.salemthepodcast.com
NEW INSTAGRAM - @salemthepod
Email - [email protected]

Book a tour with Sarah at Bewitched Historical Tours www.bewitchedtours.com
Book a tour with Jeffrey at Salem Uncovered Tours www.salemuncoveredtours.com

Intro/Outro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/unfamiliar-faces
License code: NGSBY7LA1HTVAUJE
1 hr 36 min
October 28, 2025 166. 2025 October Check-In (part 2)
Hello from the busy streets of Witch City! Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem pumpkins, as they waddle their way around downtown to chat with visitors, workers, and street performers.
Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!? CLICK HERE!
Interested in supporting the Podcast? Looking for more Salem content? CLICK HERE!
www.salemthepodcast.com
NEW INSTAGRAM - @salemthepod
Email - [email protected]

Book a tour with Jeffrey at Salem Uncovered Tours www.salemuncoveredtours.com
Book a tour with Sarah at Bewitched Historical Tours www.bewitchedtours.com

Intro/Outro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/unfamiliar-faces
License code: NGSBY7LA1HTVAUJE
44 min
October 24, 2025 165. 2025 October Check-In (part 1)
Oh hello October. It's been BUSY here. We hope all of you are enjoying your spooky season! Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite (exhausted) tour guides as they do a mid season check in. What's been happening on the streets? What wild tourists have they encountered? And just how long was the line for the Salem Night Faire?! This is only part 1 for the episode. Stay tuned for part 2 where we don our blow-up pumpkin costumes and hit the streets to chat with locals and tourists and see how their season is going!
Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!? CLICK HERE!
Interested in supporting the Podcast? Looking for more Salem content? CLICK HERE!
www.salemthepodcast.com
NEW INSTAGRAM - @salemthepod
Email - [email protected]

Book a tour with Jeffrey at Salem Uncovered Tours www.salemuncoveredtours.com
Book a tour with Sarah at Bewitched Historical Tours www.bewitchedtours.com

Intro/Outro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/unfamiliar-faces
License code: NGSBY7LA1HTVAUJE
53 min
October 17, 2025164. Salem History: Forgotten Murders
What's spooky season without a bit of true crime? While sensational murders like that of Captain Joseph White in 1830 took Salem and the country by storm, there are countless more that have since been forgotten. But leave it to Sarah to dig through old newspapers and bring them back into our collective memory! Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides as they learn about some crimes of Salem's past. What about the dog who knew of a body in a well and no one listened? How about an attempted murder with a weapon purchased right on Front Street? And lastly, a gruesome murder on Boston Street. Was it a lover's quarrel, a secret engagement, or just a creep who couldn't handle rejection?
The Daily Item, March 17, 1981, 19. Via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-item/180276012/. Accessed October 17, 2025.
The Springfield Daily Republican, February 22, 1848, 3. Via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-daily-republican/176972768/. Accessed October 17, 2025.
The Boston Globe, May 22, 1880, 4. Via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/176972335/. Accessed October 17, 2025.
The Daily Item, April 9, 1896, 1. Via Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-item/176971610/. Accessed October 17, 2025.
Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!? CLICK HERE!
Interested in supporting the Podcast? Looking for more Salem content? CLICK HERE!
www.salemthepodcast.com
NEW INSTAGRAM - @salemthepod
Email - [email protected]

Book a tour with Sarah at Bewitched Historical Tours www.bewitchedtours.com
Book a tour with Jeffrey at Salem Uncovered Tours www.salemuncoveredtours.com

Intro/Outro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/unfamiliar-faces
License code: NGSBY7LA1HTVAUJE
1 hr 24 min
October 07, 2025 163. Haunted Happenings Parade 2025
For the third consecutive year, we're giving you a front-row seat to the annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade! But this year, our commentary looks a little different! We teamed up with Salem Access TV and the Salem Chamber of Commerce to be the on-air hosts for the parade! We know some of you watched it live, and some of you have already seen it on youtube, but if you haven't... Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides as we cover the parade in its entirety!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzTJRBZQlic
http://www.satvonline.org/wordpress/
https://www.salem-chamber.org/
https://hauntedhappeningsmarketplace.com/

Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!? CLICK HERE!
Interested in supporting the Podcast? Looking for more Salem content? CLICK HERE!
www.salemthepodcast.com
NEW INSTAGRAM - @salemthepod
Email - [email protected]

Book a tour with Jeffrey at Salem Uncovered Tours www.salemuncoveredtours.com
Book a tour with Sarah at Bewitched Historical Tours www.bewitchedtours.com

Intro/Outro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/unfamiliar-faces
License code: NGSBY7LA1HTVAUJE
1 hr 11 min
September 30, 2025162. Salem History: Haunted Houses
Who doesn't love a haunted house? Think Dracula's Castle, not the Merchant Hotel. Salem has a long (and somewhat sorted) history of haunts and for this episode we had to call in an expert: Erik Rodenhiser, Salem local and a fan favorite of the podcast. Erik has been building haunts in Salem for over 30 years and he agreed to give us all the juicy details and history! Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides (and Erik!) for a deep dive into the history of these spooky halloween favorites. From the Wharf to the Commons, to Essex street and beyond, what long-forgotten haunts use to line Salem's streets? And how serious did these “Haunt Wars” get?
Gallows Hill Theater
The Lost Museum
Midnight Cinema Podcast
Wikipedia contributors, "Haunted attraction," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia,https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haunted_attraction&oldid=1309201486 (accessed September 30, 2025)
“You Won’t Believe the History of Haunted Houses and Attractions in America,” Spookywoods, November 30, 2022, https://www.spookywoods.com/blog/history-of-haunted-houses/ (accessed September 30, 2025)
Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!? CLICK HERE!
Interested in supporting the Podcast? Looking for more Salem content? CLICK HERE!
www.salemthepodcast.com
NEW INSTAGRAM - @salemthepod
Email - [email protected]

Book a tour with Sarah at Bewitched Historical Tours www.bewitchedtours.com
Book a tour with Jeffrey at Salem Uncovered Tours www.salemuncoveredtours.com

Intro/Outro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/unfamiliar-faces
License code: NGSBY7LA1HTVAUJE
1 hr 42 min
September 23, 2025161. Essex Street (part 2)
Let's keep exploring the history of Essex Street! We spent part one strolling from Collins Cove to the Hawthorne Hotel. Part two brings us up a little further to the East India fountain and we cover everything that's packed in between--Salem's layered history of maritime, architecture, literature, and cinema continues. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for another walk down Essex Street. We delve into the history of the Peabody Essex Museums properties, the long since gone armory, and while Cinema Salem is there today, what about the grand theater that used to be where the parking garage is now?

Feel free to open google maps and walk with us as we start our journey.
Google Maps. “Directions to 42.5261979,-70.8841083.” Google Maps. https://www.google.com/maps/dir//42.5261979,-70.8841083/@42.5249201,-70.8860927,17.1z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkxMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D.
Digital Commonwealth; Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex Museum. Search results for “Essex Street.” Digital Commonwealth. Accessed August 20, 2025. LINK.
Hart, Donna Seger. “Envisioning Essex Street.” Streets of Salem (blog), January 11, 2011. Accessed August 21, 2025. LINK.
Hart, Donna Seger. “Evolving Essex Street.” Streets of Salem (blog), June 22, 2015. Accessed August 22, 2025. LINK.
Hart, Donna Seger. “First-Period Fantasy.” Streets of Salem (blog), March 18, 2018. Accessed August 20, 2025. LINK.
Hart, Donna Seger. “On the Tavern Trail.” Streets of Salem (blog), August 20, 2019. Accessed August 21, 2025. LINK.
Streets of Salem. “Essex Street.” Accessed August 22, 2025. LINK.
History by the Sea. “Almshouse and Hospital for Contagious.” Accessed August 20, 2025. LINK.
Leventhal Map & Education Center. Commonwealth: 0r96fn00f. Leventhal Map & Education Center. Accessed August 21, 2025. LINK.
National Park Service. “Narbonne House.” Last modified March 30, 2022. LINK.
The Naumkeag District Directory for Salem No. 3, 1886–1887. Salem, MA: Henry M. Meek, 1887.
Patch. “History of Salem Movie Houses.” Salem Patch. Accessed August 22, 2025. LINK.
Salem News. “Salem Eyes Two Options for Essex St. Pedestrian Mall.” The Salem News. Accessed August 20, 2025. LINK.
Salem State Archives. “Salem State Archives Flickr Collection.” Flickr. Accessed August 21, 2025. LINK.
Salem State University Archives and Special Collections. “Paramount Theatre.” Salem State University LibGuides.Accessed August 22, 2025. LINK.
Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!? CLICK HERE!
Interested in supporting the Podcast? Looking for more Salem content? CLICK HERE!
www.salemthepodcast.com
NEW INSTAGRAM - @salemthepod
Email - [email protected]

Book a tour with Jeffrey at Salem Uncovered Tours www.salemuncoveredtours.com
Book a tour with Sarah at Bewitched Historical Tours www.bewitchedtours.com

Intro/Outro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/unfamiliar-faces
License code: NGSBY7LA1HTVAUJE
1 hr 15 min
September 17, 2025160. Essex Street (part 1)
Let’s take a walk down Essex Street, Salem’s oldest and perhaps most iconic street, it didn't always play host to millions of visitors in October. It is lined with over 400 years of history: architecture, maritime, farming, industry, banking, murder, and so much more. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, for a stroll down Witch City’s main drag, recounting buildings and people long gone along the way. From Collins Cove and unmarked graves, to homes that predate the Witch trials, and merchants in between. Let's see what this first part of Essex St holds.
Feel free to open google maps and walk with us as we start our journey.
Google Maps. “Directions to 42.5261979,-70.8841083.” Google Maps. https://www.google.com/maps/dir//42.5261979,-70.8841083/@42.5249201,-70.8860927,17.1z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkxMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D.
Streets of Salem. “Essex Street.” https://streetsofsalem.com/?s=Essex+Street.
Tripadvisor. “Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.” https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60954-d285562-Reviews-Essex_Street_Pedestrian_Mall-Salem_Massachusetts.html.
Salem State University Archives and Special Collections. “Paramount Theatre.” Salem State University LibGuides. https://libguides.salemstate.edu/home/archives/blog/Paramount-Theatre.
Patch. “History of Salem Movie Houses.” Salem Patch. https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/history-of-salem-movie-houses.
Salem News. “Salem Eyes Two Options for Essex St. Pedestrian Mall.” https://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/salem-eyes-two-options-for-essex-st-pedestrian-mall/article_0d257e61-5b54-5bac-ac50-9e881a5ba46d.html.
Salem State Archives. “Salem State Archives Flickr Collection.” Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/salemstatearchives/albums/72157712998829238/with/49497726697.
History by the Sea. “Almshouse and Hospital for Contagious.” https://www.historybythesea.com/almshouse-and-hospital-for-contagious.
Salem State University. “Local Historian and Salem State Alumna Jen Ratliff Discovers Burial Site at Collins Cove.” Salem State University News. January 28, 2020. https://www.salemstate.edu/news/local-historian-and-salem-state-alumna-jen-ratliff-discovers-burial-site-collins-cove-jan-28-2020.
Hart, Donna Seger. “Evolving Essex Street.” Streets of Salem, June 22, 2015. https://streetsofsalem.com/2015/06/22/evolving-essex-street/.
Hart, Donna Seger. “On the Tavern Trail.” Streets of Salem, August 20, 2019. https://streetsofsalem.com/2019/08/20/on-the-tavern-trail/.
Salem Witch Museum. “Thomas Beadle’s Tavern (Site Of).” https://salemwitchmuseum.com/locations/thomas-beadles-tavern-site-of/.
National Park Service. “Narbonne House.” Last modified March 30, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/places/narbonne-house.htm.
The Naumkeag District Directory for Salem No. 3, 1886–1887. Salem, MA: Henry M. Meek, 1887.

Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!? CLICK HERE!
Interested in supporting the Podcast? Looking for more Salem content? CLICK HERE!
www.salemthepodcast.com
NEW INSTAGRAM - @salemthepod
Email - [email protected]

Book a tour with Sarah at Bewitched Historical Tours www.bewitchedtours.com
Book a tour with Jeffrey at Salem Uncovered Tours www.salemuncoveredtours.com

Intro/Outro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/unfamiliar-faces
License code: NGSBY7LA1HTVAUJE
1 hr 7 min
September 09, 2025 159. LIVE At the Hawthorne Hotel
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us at the Hawthorne Hotel on September 2nd for our LIVE show. It was wonderful to see you all! For those who couldn't make it this time, we have for you now, Salem The Podcast LIVE at the Hawthorne. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, as we take a deep dive into the history of Salem’s favorite hotel. From the land it sits on to the building itself; from the the celebrities who have stayed here to the ghosts who refuse to leave; come spend an evening at the Hawthorne with us.
And special thank you to Claire Kallelis, the General Manager of the Hawthorne, who was kind enough to sit down with us for the start of the show and chat about her job and history of this historic landmark.
https://www.hawthornehotel.com/
Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!? CLICK HERE!
www.salemthepodcast.com
NEW INSTAGRAM - @salemthepod
Email - [email protected]

Book a tour with Sarah at Bewitched Historical Tours www.bewitchedtours.com
Book a tour with Jeffrey at Salem Uncovered Tours www.salemuncoveredtours.com

Intro/Outro Music from Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/unfamiliar-faces
License code: NGSBY7LA1HTVAUJE
1 hr 48 min

About Salem The Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Salem, Massachusetts! Join tour guides Jeffrey Lilley and Sarah Black as they talk all things Witch City. Learn its history, meet its people, and discover the magic.