Double, double, toil and trouble… or just powerful women being themselves? Join Clair and Rachel as we reimagine the wicked witch and uncover why her story still casts such a long spell.

Why are so many powerful women in our stories cast as villains? From fairy-tale stepmothers and cartoon witches to Baba Yaga herself, we dig into how culture punishes female autonomy, why the “ugly = evil” trope is so sticky, and what modern re-tellings are doing to complicate the narrative.

We talk about how these stories shaped us, why witches remain magnetic figures of independence and rule-breaking, and what it means to rewrite the endings.

This week’s takeaway: notice the shorthand, expand your bookshelf, and let characters—and people—be more than two boxes.

Action Item:

We’d love to hear the witch stories you grew up with—and which characters you were most drawn to. Share your reflections with us at [email protected] or in the comments.

Keep Soaring with Additional Resources:

• The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman
• In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet
• From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks
• Maleficent movie (2014)