The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: In the Beginning: Who were the Puritans?

   In our first episode, Greg is joined by Daniel Gagnon, a historian and author of A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse (Westholme), who explains the context that led to the witch hysteria in Salem in 1692. He discusses the Puritans who settled Salem, their beliefs, as well as their relationship with the native populations. Learn more Daniel Gagnon’s book: A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse Daniel Gagnon is on the Board of Directors of the Rebecca Nurse Homestead. Greg Houle is the author of the forthcoming novel, The Putnams of Salem. Learn more at theputnamsofsalem.com S5MYfLb7Ch9e9rNozh6n

   October 01, 2023·19min
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   Number 2: Introducing The Salem Witch Trials Podcast

   Most of us have heard about the Salem Witch Trials, but what do we know about what really happened in and around Salem, Massachusetts in 1692? The Salem Witch Trials Podcast, hosted by Greg Houle, goes beyond the myth and gets to the heart of the action. Beginning in October 2023, we will release episodes that include interviews with experts who will shed light onto the people and events of that horrifying year, as well as provide valuable context that help us understand how and why this tragedy took place. Please subscribe so you won't miss an episode. Music: "The Last Whale" by Jelsonic from the Free Music Archive, license CC BY

   September 20, 2023·2min
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   Number 3: Beyond the Puritans

   We explore the myth of religious freedom in early American history, addressing the intolerance of the Puritans and the challenges faced by other religious groups. And we see how these aspects begin to evolve following the witch crisis. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials.

   June 17, 2024·16min
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   Number 4: The Vilification of Cotton Mather

   Cotton Mather was a third generation minister born into Puritan royalty, a nepo baby long before anyone had ever used the term. But his involvement in the Salem witch trials — and defense of the trials afterward — led to his eventual vilification. We’re joined by Professor Rick Kennedy who helps us sort through Mather’s complex role in Puritan New England. Learn about Rick Kennedy Learn about Rick Kennedy’s book The First American Evangelical: A Short Life of Cotton Mather Rick Kennedy’s latest book is Winds of Santa Ana: Pilgrim Stories of the California Bight Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials

   June 03, 2024·20min
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   Number 5: Mary and Candy Emerge from the Shadows

   We often think of the population of seventeenth-century New England as homogenous—made up entirely of Anglo-Puritans and the natives who had been living in America for centuries. Yet there were others in New England as well, including a very small, yet significant minority of enslaved Black residents. In this episode, we tell the story of two of them, Mary and Candy, who got caught up in the witch crisis. We are grateful to Jonah Hoffmann and the Salem Witch Museum for this blog post, which proved valuable for producing this episode. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter. and TikTok Learn about Greg Houle's forthcoming book, The Putnams of Salem: A Novel of Power and Betrayal During the Salem Witch Trials

   May 16, 2024·21min
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