Today we conclude our series: The Evolution of Diabolical Witchcraft Belief with Professor Raiswell of the University of Prince Edward Island, an expert in medieval devil lore, with another double episode release. If you're just joining us, we recommend checking out the previous series episodes first, though this episode can certainly stand on its own.

In this episode, part 3 of the series, Dr. Raiswell takes us into the minds and lives of Heinrich Kramer, aka Institoris, and Jacob Sprenger, the authors of the 15th century witch-hunting book, the Hammer of Witches, formally known as the Malleus Maleficarum.

This Dr. Raiswell series is essential for understanding how theological concepts about Satan evolved into specific witchcraft accusations and largely gendered persecution mechanisms that still influence witch hunting today.

The full series, in four parts, is available now wherever you get your podcasts.

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Richard Raiswell

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Welcome back to the Witch Hunt Podcast. This is episode 2 in The Evolution of Diabolical Witchcraft Belief.  If you're just joining us, we recommend checking out Part 1 first, though this episode can certainly stand on its own.

This marks the continuation of our conversation with Professor Richard Raiswell of the University of Prince Edward Island, who previously joined us for our fascinating "Speak of the Devil" episode where we explored Satan as one of history's most enduring and complex figures.

In Part 1 of we began examining the critical relationship that developed between demons and witchcraft specifically in the 15th century. Now in Part 2, we'll delve deeper into how this connection became the driving force behind the witch hunts that devastated communities across Europe.

Professor Raiswell continues to guide us through how theological concepts about Satan evolved into specific accusations and persecution mechanisms. His expertise in medieval devil lore brings clarity to one of history's darkest chapters.

Remember, both parts of this special episode are available now wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for joining us as we continue this chilling and fascinating exploration of how demonology fueled witch persecution. Both Part 1 and Part 2 are available now wherever you get your podcasts.

Go to Part 1

Richard Raiswell

Shop our Nonprofit Bookshop for: The Routledge History of the Devil in the Western Tradition

Purchase the Malleus Maleficarum: The Hammer of Witches, translated by Christopher S. MacKay

Help Us Build Our New Patreon Community for The Thing About Salem Podcast

Check out our new podcast: The Thing About Salem on youtube!

NEW PODCAST: The Thing About Salem

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We have a special treat for our listeners this week - not one but two new episodes dropping simultaneously! Today marks the return of Professor Richard Raiswell of the University of Prince Edward Island, who previously joined us for our fascinating "Speak of the Devil" episode where we explored Satan as one of history's most enduring and complex figures.

In this two-part special The Evolution of Diabolical Witchcraft Belief  Professor Raiswell takes us deeper into the dark intersection where demonology meets witch persecution. We'll explore the critical relationship that developed between demons and witchcraft specifically in the 15th century - a connection that would become the driving force behind the witch hunts.

If you enjoyed our previous exploration of devil lore, these episodes are essential listening, as Professor Raiswell helps us understand how theological concepts about Satan evolved into specific accusations and persecution mechanisms.

Both Part 1 and Part 2 are available now wherever you get your podcasts. 

Richard Raiswell

Shop our Nonprofit Bookshop for: The Routledge History of the Devil in the Western Tradition

Purchase the Malleus Maleficarum: The Hammer of Witches, translated by Christopher S. MacKay

Help Us Build Our New Patreon Community for The Thing About Salem Podcast

Check out our new podcast: The Thing About Salem on youtube!

NEW PODCAST: The Thing About Salem

Build Your Witch Trial History Library with a Purchase from our Bookshop!

End Witch Hunts U. S. Nonprofit Organization

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Donate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund

Are you curious about the Salem Witch Trials? Fascinated? Intrigued? Maybe even fully obsessed? Josh and Sarah from Witch Hunt podcast bring you The Thing About Salem, a podcast dedicated to uncovering all things about the Salem Witch Trials. Each week, in 15 minutes or less, we go through all the feels as we share a story and a discussion. Together, we will cry, rage, and even laugh a little about some of the silliness, like the witch cake baked with the urine of the afflicted girls. Early topics include Tituba, The Crucible, poppets, the witches' sabbath, and witch marks. In future episodes, we will peel back all the layers of the witch trials.Visit us at aboutsalem.com

In his return to Witch Hunt Podcast, Antonio Stuckey joins hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack to discuss his research and book "Sober and Civil," chronicling the remarkable life of Salem witch trials survivor Sarah Cloyse. As the younger sister of executed victims Rebecca Nurse and Mary Esty, Sarah Cloyse's nine-month imprisonment represents a powerful chapter in Massachusetts witch trial history—one with personal significance to both hosts, who count her among their ancestors.

Antonio shares how his focused research through court documents and historical records revealed the multidimensional woman behind the accusation—the same figure who inspired the PBS miniseries "Three Sovereigns for Sarah." The conversation explores Sarah's defining act of defiance when she walked out of church slamming the door behind her, her complex first marriage to the dispute-prone Edmund Bridges, and her second husband Peter Cloyse's unwavering loyalty during her imprisonment.

Help Us Build Our New Patreon Community for The Thing About Salem Podcast

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NEW PODCAST: The Thing About Salem

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Anthropologist Dr. Nora Groce from University College London discusses the troubling connection between disability and witchcraft accusations. Dr. Groce shares her research on why people with disabilities are targeted, including her study on the experience of persons with albinism in East Africa. We explore how traditional beliefs create stigma, discuss the global disability rights movement, and examine community-based solutions to protect vulnerable populations. This conversation will inform you on lesser-understood human rights issues related to witchcraft accusations worldwide.

Buy Book: Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha's Vineyard Co-Authored by Nora Groce

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Prof. Nora Groce on World Disability Day

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In this scholarly episode of Witch Hunt Podcast, hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack welcome historian Dr. Michael Ostling to examine one of witchcraft history's most persistent legends: the hallucinogenic flying ointment.

Dr. Ostling carefully separates historical evidence from modern misconceptions, revealing how contemporary interpretations often reflect our own misogynistic projections rather than the experiences of those accused of witchcraft. Through thoughtful analysis, this episode respects the memory of innocent victims while providing listeners with a deeper understanding of how witchcraft myths evolve and persist across centuries.

This conversation challenges popular assumptions and offers valuable historical context on this fascinating yet frequently misunderstood aspect of witch hunt history.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of explicit sexual content related to historical witchcraft allegations.Michael Ostling's Research

Buy: Fairies, Demons, and Nature Spirits 'Small Gods' at the Margins of Christendom, edited by Michael Ostling

Buy: Emotions in the History of Witchcraft, co-edited by Michael Ostling

Buy: Between the Devil and the Host Imagining Witchcraft in Early Modern Poland, by Michael Ostling

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In this powerful episode, Josh and Sarah welcome Peter Ogik, Executive Director of Source of the Nile Union of Persons with Albinism in Uganda, who shares his personal story and advocacy work.

About our guest: Peter Ogik was born and raised on an island in Lake Victoria, Uganda. As the first person with albinism in his community of about 600 people, Peter faced discrimination from birth but was fortunate to have supportive parents who advocated for him, especially in school settings where he initially struggled due to bullying and visual impairments associated with albinism.

Key topics discussed:

• Personal experiences with discrimination: Peter shares how he was called "a thing" rather than a person, and how children were told not to sit near him because of harmful myths.

• Educational challenges: Teachers initially placed Peter at the back of the classroom despite his visual impairments until his father intervened, leading to improved academic performance.

• Dangerous misconceptions: Peter survived three kidnapping attempts by those seeking to harvest his body parts for witchcraft, based on the false belief that they bring wealth.

• Health challenges: Persons with albinism face high risks of skin cancer, with over 90% dying before age 30 without proper protection and care.

• Women and girls with albinism: They face additional challenges, including sexual violence based on the myth that intercourse with a woman with albinism can cure HIV/AIDS.

• Advocacy work: Through his organization, Peter works to:

• Educate communities and change harmful perceptions

• Provide mobile skin clinics and sun protection

• Train teachers to better support students with albinism

• Advocate for policy changes like tax exemptions on sunscreen

• Signs of progress: Peter notes how community attitudes are changing, with more persons with albinism now graduating as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals.

• International Albinism Awareness Day: This UN-recognized day (celebrated since 2015) has become a powerful platform for education and policy influence in Uganda.

Resources mentioned:

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

• Advantage Africa, a partner organization since 2013

This episode highlights how education and advocacy can combat deadly superstitions and improve lives for marginalized groups. Peter's message is one of resilience and hope: "I can't wait to see the tomorrow whereby a person will not define me by my appearance, but will define me by my abilities."

Source of the Nile Union of Persons with Albinism

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Discover the once-overlooked story of Elizabeth Johnson Jr., the Salem witch trial victim finally exonerated after 330 years. At just 22, this young Andover woman was pressured into falsely confessing to witchcraft in 1692. She narrowly escaped execution when Governor Phips ended the Salem witch trials. However, she was unjustly left out of the 1711 mass exoneration that cleared many others' names. Our guest, podcast regular Mary Bingham, reveals Elizabeth's remarkable life through court records and family histories, including reading us the powerful petition for clemency submitted by Elizabeth at age 42. Learn why this case, with a personal connection to our host Joshua Hutchinson, resonates with justice movements today and how Elizabeth's name was finally cleared in 2022.

Mary Louise Bingham on Youtube: Sarah Wildes 1692

Online Event Presenting Mary Louise Bingham on Dorothy Faulkner and the Forging of Two Families April 26, 2025 Live from the Rebecca Nurse Homestead 

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En el episodio de esta semana del podcast Witch Hunt, Josh y Sarah traducen al inglés cuando el invitado habla en español. Disfruten de esta nueva experiencia como nosotros. Damos la bienvenida a la fotógrafa documental y cineasta española Judith Prat. Con formación en derecho de los derechos humanos, Judith examina con contundencia la persecución de las mujeres acusadas de brujería en los Pirineos durante la Edad Moderna.

Judith habla de su documental "Decian Que Era Bruja", que rinde homenaje a las mujeres inocentes víctimas de la caza de brujas en España. También comparte reflexiones sobre su exposición fotográfica "Brujas" y el fotolibro que la acompaña, con 67 impactantes imágenes que documentan los paisajes de los Pirineos y las mujeres que los habitan hoy.

A través de su obra, Judith desafía la imagen estereotipada de las "brujas" como viejas brujas, revelando la verdad sobre las mujeres comunes que fueron perseguidas injustamente. Acompáñenos en esta fascinante conversación sobre la memoria, la justicia y la recuperación de narrativas históricas a través del arte.

Judithprat.com

Article:Dénia reflects on femicide with the documentary 'They said she was a witch' by Judith Prat

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Listen to episode: Secrets of the Basque Witch Hunt with Jan Machielsen

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