A few weeks ago, we covered the Blizzard of 1978. But what about the Blizzard of '88... 1888 that is? What about centuries before that? Snow storms are destructive enough in the modern era, but how did Puritans in colonial New England deal with them? We'll also jump 150 years forward to the Great White Hurricane of March 1888. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides as they talk about more winter, more snow, and more cold. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/47082/47082-h/47082-h.htm...
Apr 06, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Who is the most famous artist in Salem? Some would say that title goes to 13-year-old Georgia Wrenn, the talent behind “Georgia Made This.” You've probably seen her selling Salem-inspired merchandise at the Salem Arts Festival, or perhaps at the Haunted Happenings Marketplace in October. You can also find her products in Moons Gift Shop and at the Peabody Essex Museum Store! And we know several of you listeners probably have "Georgia Made This" apparel hanging in your closet at this very moment....
Mar 28, 2025•51 min
Some of you may remember the 300th year anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials. Perhaps you watched as the memorials were dedicated. Or you followed Laurie Cabot and her fellow witches up to Gallows Hill. But surely none of you were around in 1892! Nearly a century and a half ago, Salem was commemorating the bicentenary of the Salem Witch Trials... or were they? What exactly did Salem look like and how did they treat this grim history? Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for ...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they round out the life of Sarah Wildes. What lasting repercussions did her quick betrothal have on her life? Is that why Mary Reddington slandered her for decades? Was the scythe cursed or were they just a bunch of teenagers? It all comes together in the end. Endless Night Salem Vampire Salon : discount code SALEMTHEPOD https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-endless-night-salem-vampire-salon-noir-blanc-tickets-1090074324649?aff=ebdshpsearch...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 19 min
333 years ago, fear was starting to stir in seventeenth-century Salem as a few young girls claimed to be afflicted by unseen forces. Over the next year, superstition, fear, and a broken legal system would ultimately lead to the wrongful convictions and executions of 19 people. But what exactly was so scandalous or threatening about Sarah Wildes? Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they delve into the life of another victim from the Salem Witch Trials. Was her reputation a...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 28 min
What does the Lobster Shanty, Wolf Next Door Coffee, and Front Street Coffeehouse have in common? These local eateries are all owned and operated by Diane Wolf, Salem's favorite restauranteur extraordinaire. We stole Diane away from tireless work to learn a bit more about her dedication to good coffee and an even better meal. What brought Diane into Salem's restaurant scene in the first place? How did she end up juggling three establishments? And do any ghosts lurk in the basements of your favor...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 18 min
It's that time of year again and love is in the air! Red roses... dead roses... either way... Salem sees love stories all year long! Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they share YOUR love stories of Salem. What do we have this year? Updated naked adventures! Baby witches! Destination proposals! And a mystery listener shoots their shot! Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!? CLICK HERE! Interested in supporting the Podcast? Looking for more Salem content? CLICK HERE! ww...
Feb 21, 2025•58 min
New England is known for its unpredictable and unforgiving winter weather. We've seen everything from ice storms to a Snowpocalypse, but few storms have had the impact as the Northeastern Blizzard of 1978. Hurricane force winds, extreme tidal flooding, and over two feet of snow in less than two days. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they recap the damage, devastation, and aftermath of this historic storm. You'll hear some light-hearted insights about how Salem State Co...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Hide the cannons! Grab your muskets! It's the 250th anniversary of Leslie's Retreat and Salem's annual reenactment of this underrated Revolutionary War conflict is just weeks away! In 1774, the people of Salem took a stand against Colonel Leslie and his 200 British troops. Although no shot was fired, some say February 26th marked the real start of the War for Independence. To commemorate the anniversary, Salem is hosting an array of lectures, programs, and even a "Revolution Ball" at Hamilton Ha...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 54 min
Four parts! Our last and final episode on Laurie Cabot, the Official Witch of Salem. Someone who, by her very presence and actions, has changed the face of this city over the last fifty years. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they talk about some last-minute hidden stories about Laurie Cabot's past, and share some fun listener insights with you as well! In Search Of... part 1 In Search Of... part 2 In Search Of... part 3 lauriecabot.com Godsmack "Voodoo" music Video "W...
Jan 28, 2025•41 min
And we're back to talk about Laurie Cabot, Salem's *unofficial* Official Witch for the last time (maybe)! We've got her sensational mayoral run to cover, the tercentenary of the Salem Witch Trials, and of course, her help with the Martha Brailsford investigation. But what other nuggets could Sarah have uncovered this week? There's only one way to find out! https://www.lauriecabot.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SSUQxGjZZ4 https://vimeo.com/store/ondemand/buy/278806 https://libguides.salems...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 24 min
During our Laurie Cabot episodes, we learned that in 1981 she worked as “Technical Consultant” on a horror movie about witches that took place in... you guessed it... Salem! The Coming, later titled Burned at the Stake is a must-see for any Salem-lover. So join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for another obscure movie review! Was it historically accurate? Did it represent Salem well? How did William Good time travel? And how do we feel about gooey, alien representations of ev...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 35 min
Welcome to the 1980’s! At least for this week's episode as we continue with the life and times of Laurie Cabot, "Official Witch of Salem.” Laurie continues to make headlines across the country and even appears in National Geographic. Magic baseball bats? Oil speculation? Mayoral controversy? And why did she protest the filming of the movie The Witches of Eastwick? Laurie Cabot Official Youtube Channel "Laurie Cabot: The Witch of Salem," Real People interview by George Schlatter - Youtube "2 Witc...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 44 min
No, victims of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials were not actual witches. But fast forward three centuries and you'll find the city is home to more than 5,000 practicing witches. Only one of them, however, can claim the title "Official Witch of Salem." Her name is Laurie Cabot and she helped create the Witch Mecca you see today. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they delve into the life of this incredible woman - which is ongoing by the way (Laurie is turning 92 this year). W...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 32 min
Happy Holidays everyone!
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 21 min
Last episode we talked about Samuel Wardwell's life leading up to 1692. Now we must move on to his confession and fate. Where did he receive his unholy baptism? Did this man in black really subvert the whole family and lay with his daughter? Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they ponder if Goodman Wardwell really could predict the future. Or maybe he just possessed a good nature and jovial sense of humor. https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/tag/wardwell_samuel.html https://s...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 23 min
On September 22, 1692 the last eight individuals executed for the crime of witchcraft were hanged in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Among them was the only confessed witch (later recanted) and self-proclaimed fortune teller, Samuel Wardwell of Andover. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides as they trace the early life of this Puritan raised by Quakers, and how that may have influenced how and why he was accused of being a Witch. **trigger warning: miscarriages https://salem.lib....
Dec 11, 2024•50 min
First-Comer? Saint? Pilgrim? Old Planter? These were all names given to the original Mayflower passengers, only half survived the first winter and made it to the “First Thanksgiving.” Among them was a young bastard boy, taken from his mother and shipped across the Atlantic. His name was Richard More and he would eventually make his way to Salem. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they talk about the second-to-last Mayflower Pilgrim left standing and the only one with a h...
Dec 05, 2024•47 min
Some of us come to Salem willingly, some of us are drawn to the city magically. After talking to this week's guest, we can confidently put him in the latter category. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides as they talk with fellow tour guide, Tim Maguire. Tim is the owner of Salem Night Tour, Wynotts Wands, and The Halloween Museum! We were lucky enough to chat with him about his adventures in Salem… Was he really in a O.K. Corral style gunfight? Was he cursed or blessed by a st...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 33 min
She could tell you how your ship would fare at sea. And details of your distant betrothed. She prophesied the outcome of the American Revolution and George Washington's lasting legacy. Born 100 years earlier and her neighbors probably would have hanged her in 1692. But Moll Pitcher was no witch, and she didn't much like the title 'fortune-teller' either. Buckle up friends, we're heading back to the 18th Century and spending most of this episode balancing truth with legend. And to think, it all s...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 28 min
Hello November... again! Sarah and Jeffrey, your hosts and favorite Salem tour guides, aren't the only Salemites recovering from busy season. So we took to the streets, found some of our friends, and asked them how their October went. So who did we bump into? Mandy from Nocturne www.nocturne.com Landon, owner of Lucipurr www.northeastanimalshelter.com Ben, Co-Owner of VampFangs www.vampfangs.com Rory Raven, Tour Guide and Author https://www.roryobrienbooks.com/ Jonathan from Count Oroloks www.ni...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr
Welcome to October! We're already a full week into spooky season here in Salem and the crowds and candy rivers are flowinggg! Its time again to join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they watch (and review) the annual Haunted Happenings Parade! What sort of floats will we see this year? Who will we see? Best dressed? Have you come to Salem for the parade before? Interested in Salem The Podcast Merch!? CLICK HERE! Interested in supporting the Podcast? Looking for more Salem c...
Nov 05, 2024•55 min
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 10 min
For the folks of 17th-century Salem, the word WITCH could mean a death sentence. Three centuries later, the city has become a safe haven for modern pagan communities. Recent estimates put the city's witch population around 5,000. But what does it mean to be a witch in Salem today? Join Sarah and Jeffrey for a chat with PJ Maguire, aka the Green Man of Salem. You've probably crossed paths with this well-known Salemite at Crow Haven Corner, the oldest witch shop in town. https://www.crowhavencorne...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Buckle up y'all because Sarah's taking us back to July 1922 for another true crime episode. Of all the Salem murders that we've covered, the brutal killing of 12-year-old Henry McMahon may be the worst. Thankfully, we've got some fascinating connections and wild historical details to break up the sad. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for a deep dive into this century's old crime that shook Salem to its core. **Trigger Warning** this one is probably not for kiddos. Interes...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Join us street-side for the 2024 Haunted Happenings Grand Parade! https://itsjustabunchahalloween.com/
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Do the spirits return? A question as old as the ages, and the focus of the new exhibit at the PEM, Conjuring the Spirit World: Art, Magic, and Mediums. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides as they get to sit down with Curator-at-Large Dr. George Schwartz, the mind behind the magic. Where did the idea for the exhibit come from? How did all the pieces come together? Does he think the spirits return? https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/conjuring-the-spirit-world-art-magic-and-mediums...
Oct 01, 2024•58 min
Did you know there are more people accused of witchcraft in Andover than in Salem during the 1692 trials? Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they travel 18 miles from Salem to this northern Massachusetts town. To the home to Martha Carrier, the Queen of Hell. But what else made Andover a hot spot for accusations? Was it church politics? Smallpox outbreaks? Or perhaps bringing the afflicted girls through town to investigate? In the Shadow of Salem: The Andover Witch Hunt ...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 1 min
The Peabody Essex Museum, or PEM, has stood as a pillar institution in Salem for 225 years. We were lucky enough to sit down and chat with Dr. Kurt Steinburg, the new COO of the PEM. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they learn about the inner workings on how things operate at the PEM. What does it take to facilitate a historic collection that spans more than two centuries? How are they moving forward within Salem's history and being that pillar of the community? We've ...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 22 min
On August 19th, 1692 Salem saw its third round of executions. Four men and one woman were hanged that day -- a group so sensational that Cotton Mather himself attended their last moments. He had to see the Queen of Hell for himself. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they talk about Martha Carrier, the first person to be accused from Andover, a town that saw more accusations than any other. Salem Witch Museum - "Thomas and Martha Carrier / Widow Allen Home, Site of" Sale...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 35 min
