Our Ending Witch Hunts Podcasthon series now turns to Europe, home to history's most notorious stories on witch trials. Hosts Sarah and Josh talk about witch persecutions across England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France, and Portugal, while touching on a surprising truth: these aren't just historical events.

The episode connects Europe's witch trial past with present-day manifestations, including physically harming exorcisms, spiritual abuse and ritual abuse cases in the UK and US. With research showing the prevalence of belief in harmful witchcraft, we demonstrate how witch hunt dynamics continue to target vulnerable populations in Western societies.

Join us as we uncover another chapter in the witch hunt story - the uncomfortable reality that these persecutions didn't end with history—they merely transformed. By understanding Europe's legacy and its continuing narrative, we gain crucial insights into addressing these harmful phenomena today.

Podcasthon 2025 Witch Hunt Episode Playlist

European Witch Hunt Podcast Episodes!

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Podcasthon.org

Boris Gershman Witch Hunt Podcast Episode

Witchcraft Beliefs Around the World: An Exploratory Analysis

BorisGershman.com

The International Network

The International Alliance to End Witch Hunts

Advocacy for Alleged Witches, Nigeria

In this episode for Podcasthon 2025, we welcome Holly Bamford, a History PhD candidate at Liverpool University who researches late medieval and early modern witchcraft and superstition. Holly examines the historical context of witch hunts through detailed case studies.We met Holly at the Magic and Witchcraft conference in York 2024, one of many academic events that help us connect with experts in the field of witch trial history and contemporary witch hunt research.The conversation covers the 1674 Hinchcliffe case, where neighbors petitioned courts defending the accused family's innocence, and the 1601 Trevisard case featuring twelve neighbors who approached a magistrate to accuse an entire family of witchcraft.This episode is part of our contribution to Podcasthon 2025, where 1,500 podcasters are using their platforms from March 15-21 to highlight causes important to them. Our featured nonprofit is End Witch Hunts, which can be found along with other charities at podcasthon.org.Renaissance Society of America -Boston 2025

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Podcasthon.org

Boris Gershman Witch Hunt Podcast Episode

Witchcraft Beliefs Around the World: An Exploratory Analysis

The International Network

The International Alliance to End Witch Hunts

Welcome back to our Podcasthon series, "Ending Witch Hunts."

In this fourth installment, Josh and Sarah explore the pervasive issue of witch hunts across Asia. As Sarah notes, "The witch hunting story continues to unfold in ways many people don't realize." We examine how witch hunts and witch branding remain significant problems throughout parts of Asia, with a particular focus on India.

Throughout the episode, we highlight the work of many local advocates who are fighting these dangerous practices through education, survivor support, and influencing the development of appropriate legal protections and governmental interventions.

Podcasthon is a global movement to spread awareness about charities. Join us each day March 15-21 as we participate in Podcasthon 2025, where more than 1,500 podcasters unite to amplify causes close to their hearts. We're proud to participate with our nonprofit End Witch Hunts, which works to educate about persecution of alleged witches worldwide.

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Podcasthon.org

Boris Gershman Witch Hunt Podcast Episode

Witchcraft Beliefs Around the World: An Exploratory Analysis

The International Network

The International Alliance to End Witch Hunts

Welcome back to our Podcasthon series, "Ending Witch Hunts."

In this third installment of our Podcasthon series, Josh and Sarah continue the full story of witch hunting by examining contemporary SARV- sorcery accusations and related violence in Papua New Guinea. As Sarah reveals, "The witch hunting story is bigger than just what most people know. Pull back each layer and you find that witch hunts aren't a tall tale or an open-and-shut case."

We will share about these layers through discussing the  complexities and nuances of SARV across the diverse cultures and developing communities of Papua New Guinea. You need to learn about the  incredible advocacy and victim support that is happening now through creative education and community development. Find out what makes ending SARV such a challenge.

Podcasthon is a global movement to spread awareness about charities. Join us each day March 15-21 as we participate in Podcasthon 2025, where more than 1,500 podcasters unite to amplify causes close to their hearts. We're proud to participate with our nonprofit End Witch Hunts, which works to educate about persecution of alleged witches worldwide.

Tune in daily as we uncover this complex story layer by layer. Learn more at podcasthon.org and discover how you can help at www.endwitchhunts.org.

Help us recognize World Day Against Witch Hunts, August 10th

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Podcasthon.org

Papua New Guinea Discussions on Witch Hunt Podcast

Boris Gershman Witch Hunt Podcast Episode

Witchcraft Beliefs Around the World: An Exploratory Analysis

The International Network

Sorcery National Action Plan

Give your support to Stop Sorcery Violence

Peter and Grace Make a Difference Narrative

Welcome back to our Podcathon series, "Ending Witch Hunts."

In this second installment, Josh and Sarah continue the full story of witch hunting by examining contemporary witch hunts across Africa. As Sarah reveals, "The witch hunting story is bigger than just what most people know. Pull back each layer and you find that witch hunts aren't a tall tale or an open-and-shut case."

We will cover several nations across Africa and how advocates in specific communities are supporting victims and educating the community. On this second day of Podcathon, we feature a special update from human rights activist Dr. Leo Igwe of Advocacy for Alleged Witches in Nigeria.

Podcathon is a global movement to spread awareness about charities. Join us each day March 15-21 as we participate in Podcathon 2025, where more than 1,500 podcasters unite to amplify causes close to their hearts. We're proud to participate with our nonprofit End Witch Hunts, which works to educate about persecution of alleged witches worldwide.

Tune in daily as we uncover this complex story layer by layer. Learn more at podcasthon.org and discover how you can help at www.endwitchhunts.org.Witch Hunt podcast

Contribute to End Witch Hunts

Sign up for our Newsletter

Donate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund

Podcasthon.org

Boris Gershman Witch Hunt Podcast Episode

Witchcraft Beliefs Around the World: An Exploratory Analysis

The International Network

The International Alliance to End Witch Hunts

Advocacy for Alleged Witches, Nigeria

Alhzeimer Dementia Namibia on Facebook

Total Life Enhancement Center, Ghana

The Sanneh Institute: Research, Religious, Society

Advocacy Against Witch Hunts, South Africa

Sierra Leone Association of Persons with Albinism

Sierra Leone Association of Persons with Albinism Facebook Page

The Source of the Nile Union of Persons with Albinism (SNUPA)

Case Study, Synergies: Contagion of Positive Action

Stop Child Witchcraft Accusations

United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8. Elimination of harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks 

Pan African Parliament Guidelines on Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks

Podcast Episode: Ikponwosa Ero on Ending Witch Hunts

Podcast Episode: Human Rights Day and Albinism: Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond on Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks

FIDA

Join us each day March 15-21 as we participate in Podcasthon 2025, where more than 1,500 podcasters unite to amplify causes close to their hearts. We're proud to participate with our nonprofit End Witch Hunts, which is working to educate about persecution of alleged witches worldwide. When you think of the Salem Witch Trials, it might seem like ancient history—an open-and-shut case from a bygone era. But as Sarah reveals, "The witch hunting story is bigger than just Salem. Pull back each layer and you find that witch hunts aren't a tall tale or an opened and shut case." One minute you think you know the truth. The next, you realize you don't know the half of it.

Throughout this special week-long series, we'll explore how witch hunts transcend ancient historic documents and continue happening today. In this installment We examine literal witch hunts—where fear of witchcraft drives accusations of supernatural harm—featuring insights from Economist Boris Gershman on global witchcraft beliefs and the path toward ending these dangerous persecutions. Tune in daily as we uncover this complex story layer by layer. Learn more at podcasthon.org and discover how you can help at www.endwitchhunts.org.

Witch Hunt podcast

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Donate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund

Podcasthon.org

Boris Gershman Witch Hunt Podcast Episode

Witchcraft Beliefs Around the World: An Exploratory Analysis

BorisGershman.com

The International Network

The International Alliance to End Witch Hunts

Advocacy for Alleged Witches, Nigeria

In this episode, Professor Victoria Canning from Lancaster University discusses the overlooked intersection of criminology and witchcraft persecution. Through the lens of "zemiology"—the study of social harm—Canning examines how witchcraft accusations create profound physical, psychological, and cultural damage.Central to our conversation is her concept of "torturous violence," which expands definitions of torture beyond state actions to include sustained community violence with similar traumatic effects. This framework helps explain how witchcraft accusations function as mechanisms of social control, particularly against women.Canning advocates for an "activist criminology" that uses evidence to drive social change and helps practitioners identify and respond to witchcraft-related persecution.Join us for this informative conversation bridging criminology and witchcraft studies to address these overlooked forms of violence.

Research and Publications by Victoria Canning

Women for Refugee Women

International Conference on Albinism at Lancaster University, September 2025

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Maryland House Joint Resolution 2

MD Witch Exoneration Project Website

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This International Women's Day, we revisit the story of Arminda de Jesus, a 32-year-old mother accused of witchcraft in 1933 Portugal. Through our interview with Dr. Inês Tadeu from the University of Madeira, we present the historical facts of this little-known case from the village of Soalhães. Dr. Tadeu's research through trial records and newspaper accounts provides context for understanding how witchcraft accusations persisted into the 20th century. Arminda's case, occurring just 22 years after the first International Women's Day, illustrates the ongoing threat faced by women accused of witchcraft globally.

Content warning: Contains descriptions of violence.

International Women’s Day

Witch Hunt Episode: Witchcraft Accusations and Gender Inequality with Dr. Samantha Spence

Witch Hunt Episode: Women and Witch Trials with Ann Little

Maryland House Joint Resolution 2

MD Witch Exoneration Project Website

Sign the Maryland Petition

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Connecticut Exoneration Written Testimony

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Join us for an informative International Women's Day 2025 episode where we explore this year's theme: "Accelerate Action." We're shining a light on a global crisis often hidden from headlines - women and girls being accused of witchcraft, subjected to violence, exiled from their communities, and even killed.

Discover how International Women's Day initiatives have already made tangible progress in combating these human rights violations. Since launching our podcast in 2022, we've covered heartbreaking  realities affecting women worldwide, and today we'll connect the core meaning of International Women's Day directly to ongoing advocacy efforts against modern witchcraft accusations.

This episode provides essential information to help you connect and amplify your voice for change. Join us to discover the power of collective action and how International Women's Day is still accelerating progress for vulnerable women across the globe.

#InternationalWomensDay #WomenEmpowerment #GenderEquality #HumanRights #WitchHuntPodcast #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction

International Women’s Day

Witch Hunt Episode: Witchcraft Accusations and Gender Inequality with Dr. Samantha Spence

Witch Hunt Episode: Women and Witch Trials with Ann Little

Maryland House Joint Resolution 2

MD Witch Exoneration Project Website

Sign the Maryland Petition

Sign the Massachusetts Petition

Connecticut Exoneration Written Testimony

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Professor and author Jane Barnette from the University of Kansas joins us for a discussion on how witch trial narratives continue to influence our cultural understanding. 

She shares about her groundbreaking production of Kimberly Bellflower's "John Procter is the Villain" - a contemporary play that boldly reexamines "The Crucible" through the lens of #MeToo, premiering at the University of Kansas just days before its Broadway debut.

“John Procter is the Villain" considers Arthur Miller's messaging  in "The Crucible," examining how Miller's fictional recreations of historical figures like John Proctor and Abigail Williams have shaped public perception of the Salem trials, often at the expense of historical accuracy. Consider with us, how theatrical reinterpretation can help reclaim silenced voices and how the term "witch hunt" has evolved in contemporary discourse.

Theater serves as a powerful medium for confronting and transforming our understanding of the past and modern society. Witch Hunt podcast examines historical witch trials and their continuing impact on society through conversations with experts, descendants, and advocates for justice.

JaneBarnette.com

Buy Witch Fulfillment: Adaptation Dramaturgy and Casting the Witch for Stage and Screen by Jane Barnette

Want more Jane Barnette? Listen to Podcast Episode: Witchcraft and Stagecraft: Unmasking Wicked’s Magic with Paul Laird and Jane Barnette

Maryland House Joint Resolution 2

MD Witch Exoneration Project Website

Sign the Maryland Petition

Sign the Massachusetts Petition

Connecticut Exoneration Written Testimony

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