The Thing About Witch Hunts Podcast

19/09/2025

Today is the 333rd anniversary of an incredibly dark event, even by Salem Witch Trials standards. The pressing of Giles Corey, through a procedure known as peine forte et dure ("hard and forceful punishment"), was one of the most barbaric judicial acts of the witch hunt.

Giles did not wish to stand trial. When he was ask if he would be tried by god and country, he refused to answer. So the justices ordered him to be tortured until he agreed to stand trial. But he wouldn't agree. So they laid him on the ground, laid wood planks over his chest, and piled heavy stones on him until he could no longer bear the weight.

Famously, his last words are said to have been "More Weight."

Here's what contemporary trial critic Robert Calef wrote about the incident in More Wonders of the Invisible World:
"Giles Cory pleaded not Guilty to his Indictment, but would not put himself upon Tryal by the Jury (they having cleared none upon Tryal) and knowing there would be the same Witnesses against him, rather chose to undergo what Death they would put him to. In pressing his Tongue being prest out of his Mouth, the Sheriff with his Cane forced it in again, when he was dying. He was the first in New England, that was ever prest to Death."

19/09/2025

Omens with The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast

Happy Halloween has begun on our show. Thou Shalt Not Suffer: The Witch Trial Podcast hosts The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast in a conversation around death and omens. Guest podcasters Jennie Johnson and Dianne Hartshorn share their research around burial rituals and animal signs. We discu...

19/09/2025

Halloween 101: Origins of Fright Night

This episode explores the origins of Halloween, tracing its evolution from ancient Celtic and Roman traditions to contemporary practices. It highlights connections with Allhallowtide and other cultural festivities, discusses the intertwining of folklore and history, and examines modern Halloween cel...

19/09/2025

Ain’t it a Scary Halloween with Ain't It Scary? with Sean & Carrie

Happy Halloween from Thou Shalt Not Suffer! We're talking about Halloween's origins and the past influences coming through into our modern traditions with Sean and Carrie from Ain't It Scary with Sean and Carrie. In this super fun episode, we gab about our favorite Halloween traditions, such as tric...

19/09/2025

Halloween History and Traditions with K. Scott Culpepper

An engaging conversation on Halloween history and traditions, witchcraft, horror films, jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, zombies, the Satanic Panic, and more. We welcome back the podcast’s inaugural historian guest, Dr. Scott Culpepper, a historian, storyteller, author and Professor of History at Dordt Un...

19/09/2025

🔮 WITCH HUNTS x THE THING ABOUT SALEM PODCAST GIVEAWAY 🔮
Win Ben Wickey's "More Weight: A Salem Story" - The Graphic Novel That's Being Called "What From Hell Did for Jack the Ripper"
Every word is an accusation... and every whisper kills.
After a decade in development, animator Ben Wickey's haunting debut solo graphic novel has arrived, and critics are calling it a masterpiece. Publishers Weekly praised this "impressive first solo graphic novel" that "does for Salem, Mass., what From Hell did fo[r]" the Jack the Ripper story - delivering the same kind of deep, atmospheric horror that made Alan Moore's legendary work a classic.
What Makes This Book Special:
Spans three timelines (1692, 1860s & present day) showing how Salem's witch trials cast their shadow across centuries
Explores the infamous Salem witch trials and their lasting impact over 300 years later through the story of Giles and Martha Corey
Created by a descendant of Mary Eastey, one of the executed accused witches
Features "gorgeous" art that feels "quite cinematic" according to readers
Critics praise its "captivating illustrations" and examination of how "Hawthorne, Longfellow, and we today are all attempting to understand and find meaning in the nightmare"
This isn't just another witch trial retelling - it's a multi-generational epic that connects the dots between historical horror and modern pop culture's obsession with Salem. Perfect for fans of The Crucible, The Witch, American Horror Story: Coven, and anyone who loves graphic novels that tackle real historical nightmares with artistic brilliance.

HOW TO ENTER:
Choose ONE of these entry methods:
FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS:
Subscribe to The Thing About Witch Hunts Podcast YouTube channel, Subscribe OR
Subscribe to The Thing About Salem Podcast YouTube channel, Subscribe OR
Subscribe to The Thing About Salem Podcast Patreon community (free tier) Subscribe
FOR EXISTING SUBSCRIBERS: Comment on any of our recent YouTube videos
Entry Period: October 7, 2025 - October 25, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)
That's it! Two lucky winners will each receive a copy of "More Weight: A Salem Story" shipped directly from IDW Publishing.

OFFICIAL RULES:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.
Eligibility: Open to legal residents of the United States, 18 years of age or older.
Entry Period: September 28th, 2025 - October 9th, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)
How to Enter: During the entry period, choose ONE of the following entry methods:
Subscribe to the Witch Hunts Podcast YouTube channel, OR
Subscribe to The Thing About Salem Podcast YouTube channel, OR
Subscribe to The Thing About Salem Podcast Patreon community (free tier), OR
Comment on any of our recent YouTube videos (for existing subscribers)
Note: Winners who entered via YouTube subscription (options 1-2) must provide a screenshot of their logged-in user channel showing subscription status for verification.
Limit one entry per person/household regardless of method chosen.
Winner Selection: Two winners will be selected at random from all eligible entries (new subscriptions and hashtag comments). Winners must be from different households (same address disqualifies duplicate winner). Winners will be announced on both podcast channels and social media platforms.
Prize: Two copies of "More Weight: A Salem Story" by Ben Wickey, published by IDW Publishing. Each winner receives one book. Approximate retail value per book: $39.99 (total prize value: $59.98). Prizes will be shipped directly from IDW Publishing to winners' addresses within the United States.
Winner Notification: Winners will be contacted through YouTube comments (reply to their hashtag comment) or through available platform messaging for subscription-based entries. Winners must respond within 48 hours with their mailing address to claim prize.
General Conditions:
Void where prohibited by law
Limit one entry per person/household
Two winners will be selected from different households
Prizes are non-transferable and no cash substitution allowed
Winners responsible for all applicable taxes
Sponsors reserve the right to verify eligibility and re-draw if winners are from same household
Personal information collected for contest entry will only be used for prize fulfillment and will not be used for marketing or other purposes beyond this contest
Winners will be announced publicly on social media platforms
For a winners list, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to [YOUR MAILING ADDRESS] within 60 days of contest end date
Winners who entered via YouTube subscription must provide a screenshot of their logged-in user channel showing subscription status for verification
By entering this contest, participants release YouTube, Patreon, IDW Publishing, and contest sponsors from any liability related to this contest
If entering through YouTube, entrants must comply with YouTube Community Guidelines. Noncompliance will result in disqualification.
By entering, participants agree to these official rules
Sponsors: The Thing About Witch Hunts Podcast and The Thing About Salem Podcast are not affiliated with YouTube, Patreon, or IDW Publishing beyond this promotional arrangement. YouTube is not a sponsor of this contest. Patreon is not a sponsor of this contest

Full contest rules available at https://witchhuntshow.com/2025/09/17/thingaboutmoreweight/

Top Shelf Productions The Thing About Salem Salem Witch-Hunt

19/09/2025

“Every word is an accusation… and every whisper kills.” This staggering explores the infamous and the long shadows they cast more than 300 years later.

Mark your calendars and join author Ben Wickey at Sawyer Free Library for a book signing on 9/26 and 3:30pm!

More information here: https://ow.ly/kRfU50WZ3L4

Pre-order More Weight here: https://ow.ly/LuNV50WZ3L6

17/09/2025

Check out these highlights from our latest episode: Illustrating the Salem Witch Trials: Ben Wickey on His Graphic Novel More Weight

17/09/2025

Behold the awesome merch Josh received for being a member of our Patreon
https://patreon.com/aboutsalem

17/09/2025

New Episode Out Now!
Top Shelf Productions

Illustrating the Salem Witch Trials: Ben Wickey on His Graphic Novel More Weight

Ben Wickey, a Massachusetts-born author, is set to release his debut graphic novel "More Weight: A Salem Story," recounting the grim story of Giles Corey during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. With a unique dual-timeline narrative and personal ties to the events, Wickey's artwork aims to illuminate the...

17/09/2025