Salem The Podcast

Salem might be known for the Witch Trials, but it was the spice trade that really put Salem on the map. And if you haven't taken a food tour with Karen Scalia to learn about this rich maritime history, you're certainly missing out! Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for a chat with a fellow tour guide and founder of Salem's only cousine-centric walking tour. Karen is also the mastermind behind Salem’s Fo...

In August 1817, a large serpentine creature was spotted off the coast of Gloucester by dozens, if not hundreds, of residents. Sure you've heard of Bigfoot and Nessie, perhaps even the Chupacabra and the Jersey Devil. But have you heard the famous Gloucester Sea Serpent? YES, the North Shore has its very own Nessie and it is perhaps the most well-documented and most-sighted cryptid of American legends. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your f...

Hello! Hello! The summer season is upon us! Schools are letting out, folks are taking their vacations, and we’re going to be taking a little time off as well. But don't fret - we have two more episodes dropping before our little break so stay tuned! After a little R&R, Salem the Pod will return in July. Just in time for Salem's Heritage Days and our spooky fall season! Keep your eyes peeled for a LIVE SHOW announcement (d...

George Jacobs was executed on August 19th 1692, but his story doesn't end there. What happens after his execution is almost more important that what led him to the gallows. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they explore why George Jacobs’ legacy after his death is arguably more historically important than how, and why, he died. We examine his altered will, the return of his son, the recanted accusati...

On August 19, 1692, Salem witnessed the executions of five innocent victims found guilty of Sundry Acts of Witchcraft. We've done deep dives into four of those five victims' stories. And today, we tackle the one remaining: George Jacobs. He was the oldest victim of the Salem Witch Trials and probably had the sharpest tongue. In comparison to other accused, little is known about Jacobs. He seemed to be a law-abiding man who avoided ...

The threads of Salem's history stretch around the world to build Salem's stories; from Hawaii, to Mauritius, to Japan, and of course to the United Kingdom. And Jeffrey was just recently in the UK and explored some cool Salem connections! Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as Jeffrey recounts his adventures and what he found. In episode 185 where Sarah talked about Sarah Remond's studies in England at the Unive...

Ever done stand-up comedy? If you’re coming to Salem, now might be the opportune time to test your skills in a booming comedy scene. Each week, roughly half a dozen comedy shows take place at various venues throughout the city. But it wasn't always like that... not until Allie Del Franco came to town. Over the last few years, this New York transplant has single-handedly transformed the comedic landscape of Salem. What started...

The ocean is beautiful. But it is also unforgiving. Just beyond Salem’s shoreline, hidden ledges, shifting fog, and unpredictable weather have claimed ships and their passengers for centuries. Some wrecks ended in tragedy. Others in relief. And at least one left Salem awash with bananas. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, for a look at three shipwrecks from a curious book Sarah u...

He was a man of numbers, perhaps THE man of numbers! Nathaniel Bowditch was a math super-genius, an astrologer, a bookkeeper, a finance bro, a shipmaster, a sailor, and by any and every account, a very practical navigator. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they learn who exactly this son of a copper turned finance guy really is. We know him as a shipmaster and navigator, but what other innovations can we c...

Salem is certainly full of witches. Some, however, fly above the rest for their influence and impact on the community--Samantha Stevens, Laurie Cabot, BORAH, etc. But have you met the Good Witch of Salem? You've probably seen her waltzing through downtown Salem in her iconic pink ballgown; or perhaps making potions or witch hats with kids at her shop; maybe in the parade or on the trolley. This witch does it all, spreading self-lov...

Salem has witches, pirates, merchants, and murderers, but soon, Salem may another to the list: Annabelle, one of the most haunted dolls in America. The doll is currently part of the Warren’s Occult Museum, which has recently come under a new custodianship that wants to bring the whole collection to Salem. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for a chat about the controversy surrounding the "haunted" doll.&...

The Remonds are by far one of Salem's most famous families. But it may be the youngest daughter, Sarah Parker Remond, who left the greatest impact. Following in her brother's footsteps, Sarah became an anti-slavery activist and lecturer. She toured the country, achieved international success, and earned advanced degrees, all at a time when women (specifically black women) were limited in public discourse. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, yo...

While John and Nancy Remond served dignitaries and presidents at Hamilton Hall, their eldest son became an accomplished author and public speaker. Known for his voice and wit, Charles Lenox Remond was one of the first to speak out against the horrors of slavery. He traveled with William Lloyd Garrison, inspired Fredrick Douglas, recruited for the USCT, and spoke on political stages everywhere from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts. Joi...

Of all the famous names that have made their imprint on Salem's history, there's perhaps none more renowned and wide-reaching than the Remonds. In fact, one could argue they are the most famous family in Salem's history. Rather than just one man, one merchant, one author, one woodcarver, the Remonds left a multigenerational legacy. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides for a chat about John and Nancy, the first Re...

We return to 1692 Salem to talk about another victim of the Salem Witch Trials: Alice Parker. Details of her early life may be scant - maybe even nonexistent - but those superstitious puritans left behind plenty of vivid examinations and testimony for us to sift through. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorite Salem tour guides, for a look at Alice Parker's story.

• Roach, Marilynne K. The Salem Witch ...

Salem is buried in snow! Or rather - the whole New England region is. We thought it was the perfect time to dig up our Blizzard episode from last year. Stay warm!

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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 ...

Our journey down Essex Street comes to an end with a final stroll through the McIntire District. We leave behind the bustling downtown center with a history of commerce, theaters, and banks, to venture into a quieter, residential stretch. From the Witch House to the intersection at Boston Street, let's walk the last .6 miles of our Salem's main drag. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, for one final exploration...

Welcome to our fourth annual installment of Love Nuggets! This time, in front of a LIVE audience at Longboards Restaurant & Bar located on Pickering Wharf. If you didn't make it out during the untimely blizzard and parking ban, fret not, you can listen now. It was Salem's So Sweet weekend and we found some sweet and shocking history for you - not to mention our lovely listener contributions. Join Sarah and Jeffrey, your favorit...

We're back for another round of tunnel hunting! Way back in Episode 10, we talked about the legend of smuggling tunnels under Salem and it has been somewhat of a running joke on the Pod ever since. But it's time to revisit these rumors, because historically, there was no network of secret hidden tunnels in Salem. Join Jeffrey and Sarah, your favorite Salem tour guides, as they debunk the persistent claims about these so-called smug...