Salem The Podcast

Salem The Podcast

Welcome to Salem, Massachusetts! Join tour guides Jeffrey Lilley and Sarah Black as they talk all things Witch City. Learn its history, meet its people, and discover the magic.

Episodes

October 17, 2025 83 mins

What's spooky season without a bit of true crime? While sensational murders like that of Captain Joseph White in 1830 took Salem and the country by storm, there are countless more that have since been forgotten. But leave it to Sarah to dig through old newspapers and bring them back into our collective memory! Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides as they learn about some crimes of Salem's past. What about the dog...

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For the third consecutive year, we're giving you a front-row seat to the annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade! But this year, our commentary looks a little different! We teamed up with Salem Access TV and the Salem Chamber of Commerce to be the on-air hosts for the parade! We know some of you watched it live, and some of you have already seen it on youtube, but if you haven't... Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour gu...

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September 30, 2025 101 mins

Who doesn't love a haunted house? Think Dracula's Castle, not the Merchant Hotel. Salem has a long (and somewhat sorted) history of haunts and for this episode we had to call in an expert: Erik Rodenhiser, Salem local and a fan favorite of the podcast. Erik has been building haunts in Salem for over 30 years and he agreed to give us all the juicy details and history! Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides (and Erik...

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September 23, 2025 74 mins

Let's keep exploring the history of Essex Street! We spent part one strolling from Collins Cove to the Hawthorne Hotel. Part two brings us up a little further to the East India fountain and we cover everything that's packed in between--Salem's layered history of maritime, architecture, literature, and cinema continues. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for another walk down Essex Street. We delve into the his...

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September 17, 2025 66 mins

Let’s take a walk down Essex Street, Salem’s oldest and perhaps most iconic street, it didn't always play host to millions of visitors in October. It is lined with over 400 years of history: architecture, maritime, farming, industry, banking, murder, and so much more. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, for a stroll down Witch City’s main drag, recounting buildings and people long gone along the way. From Colli...

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September 9, 2025 107 mins

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us at the Hawthorne Hotel on September 2nd for our LIVE show. It was wonderful to see you all! For those who couldn't make it this time, we have for you now, Salem The Podcast LIVE at the Hawthorne. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, as we take a deep dive into the history of Salem’s favorite hotel. From the land it sits on to the building itself; from the the celebri...

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When we talk about the Salem Witch Trials, we spend most of our time focused on 1692, give or take a half-century. Rarely do we bring it all the way to modern day. But many of those involved in the trials had descendants and we finally got the chance to interview one. Just as the stories of innocent victims are woven into our city's history, Sarah Wildes, has woven her way into Mary Bingham's life. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favo...

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August 19, 2025 68 mins

Fall may be approaching, but we're still living the island life! Salem Sound has so much to offer and Misery and Bakers were just the tip of the... island? In part two, we'll venture to Children's (or Cat) Island and hear about how it went from small pox to summer camp. Sarah reads us the long lost tale: “The Desperado of Cat Island.” And we've got a Spanish ship wreck at Tinkers! Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour gu...

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August 12, 2025 72 mins

When you think Salem, you probably envision Essex Street or the Common, perhaps the Willows or Derby Street. But what about islands in Salem Sound? Wait - Salem has islands?! You bet! And quite a few at that. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they explore what lies beyond Salem's shores. We'll cover just two of Salem’s many Islands in our first installment: Baker's Island and Misery Island. Let's talk priv...

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In our last episode, we covered Elizabeth Howe's life leading up to 1692, her journey from Yorkshire to Rowley, and the whispers of witchcraft that followed her before any afflicted girls in Salem cried out her name. In part two, we dive into her examination, subsequent testimonies, and trial aftermath. There's even a few research gems at the end. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for the conclusion of Elizab...

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We're back from break! And what better way to return than with an episode about a victim from the Salem Witch Trials. Elizabeth Howe is the only person we have yet to cover from the July 19th executions. She was also the only person executed from the town of Ipswich, even being referred to as the Witch of Ipswich. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they cover the first part of Elizabeth Howe’s life. From he...

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July 22, 2025 29 mins

Hello hello! We've missed you all.

We've got some updates for you and a full witch trial episode dropping next week. Get ready for more witches, new topics, and an upcoming LIVE show! Thank you to all our listeners for your never-ending support. We could not do this without you.

TICKETS TO THE LIVE SHOW

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April 6, 2025 76 mins

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 mor...

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March 28, 2025 51 mins

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 "Georg...

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March 20, 2025 71 mins

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 histo...

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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.

 

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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...

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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 esta...

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February 20, 2025 58 mins

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! 

 

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February 13, 2025 76 mins

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....

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