Witch

BBC Radio 4
  • 4.9 (325)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • WEEKLY SERIES
Witch

The witch has held a place firmly in our imagination for centuries - from whispered warnings in folklore to pop-culture driven heights. But what does it mean to be a witch now? Presenter India Rakusen, creator of the podcast 28ish Days Later, is on a journey to find out.

  1. EPISODE 1

    Introducing Witch

    India Rakusen finds out what it means to call yourself a witch today.

    3 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    1. The Spark in the Fire

    The witch has held a place firmly in our imagination for centuries – from whispered warnings in folklore to pop-culture driven heights. But what does it mean to be a witch now? Presenter India Rakusen, creator of the podcast 28ish Days Later, is on a journey to find out. We find out what it means to call yourself a witch today. India joins a Beltane ritual in Nottingham, where two sisters tell us what it means to them and when they first knew they were witches. They talk about the infamous "teen-witch" phase and explore why that sense of magic we have as children so often fades away. And how we might start to get it back. Scored with original music by The Big Moon. Presenter: India Rakusen Executive Producer: Alex Hollands Producer: Lucy Dearlove Producer: Elle Scott AP: Tatum Swithenbank Production Manager: Kerry Luter Sound Design: Olga Reed A Storyglass production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    2. Natural Magic

    India Rakusen finds out what it means to call yourself a witch today. In episode 2, we explore ancient connections between the natural world around us and the idea of magic and examine why witches today are so drawn to the wild. Scored with original music by The Big Moon. Presenter: India Rakusen Executive Producer: Alex Hollands Producer: Lucy Dearlove Producer: Elle Scott AP: Tatum Swithenbank Production Manager: Kerry Luter Sound Design: Olga Reed A Storyglass production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    3. The Witches Well

    The witch has held a place firmly in our imagination for centuries – from whispered warnings in folklore to pop culture-driven heights. But what does it mean to be a witch now? Presenter India Rakusen, creator of the podcast 28ish Days Later, is on a journey to find out. In Scotland, a campaign is underway for an official pardon for the women burned as witches centuries ago. India heads to Edinburgh to discuss the deeply embedded misconceptions that still surround the witch hunts. Scored with original music by The Big Moon. Presenter: India Rakusen Executive Producer: Alex Hollands Producer: Lucy Dearlove Producer: Elle Scott AP: Tatum Swithenbank Production Manager: Kerry Luter Sound Design: Olga Reed A Storyglass production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    4. Enchanted Lands

    The witch has held a place firmly in our imagination for centuries – from whispered warnings in folklore to pop culture-driven heights. But what does it mean to be a witch now? Presenter India Rakusen, creator of the podcast 28ish Days Later, is on a journey to find out. A witch has been created in the Thames Valley to protect a family from eviction. India explores the surprising historical relationship between the figure of the witch and the right to land. Scored with original music by The Big Moon. Presenter: India Rakusen Executive Producer: Alex Hollands Producer: Lucy Dearlove Producer: Elle Scott AP: Tatum Swithenbank Production Manager: Kerry Luter Sound Design: Olga Reed A Storyglass production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    5. The Magic(k)

    The witch has held a place firmly in our imagination for centuries – from whispered warnings in folklore to pop culture-driven heights. But what does it mean to be a witch now? Presenter India Rakusen, creator of the podcast 28ish Days Later, is on a journey to find out. What is magic? In this episode India speaks to witches and scientists to try and untangle the meaning and the real-world impact of magic. From hexes to chants, what lies behind the power of a spell? Scored with original music by The Big Moon. Presenter: India Rakusen Executive Producer: Alex Hollands Producer: Tatum Swithenbank Producer: Lucy Dearlove Producer: Elle Scott Production Manager: Kerry Luter Sound Design: Olga Reed A Storyglass production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    6. Midwives and Healers

    The witch has held a place firmly in our imagination for centuries – from whispered warnings in folklore to pop-culture driven heights. But what does it mean to be a witch now? Presenter India Rakusen, creator of the podcast 28ish Days Later, is on a journey to find out. A common belief about the witch hunts is that they were a targeted attack on female healers and midwives. But to what extent is that true? India speaks to historians, nurses and activists to find out. Presenter: India Rakusen Executive Producer: Alex Hollands Producer: Elle Scott Producer: Lucy Dearlove AP: Tatum Swithenbank Production Manager: Kerry Luter Sound Design: Olga Reed Scored with original music by The Big Moon. A Storyglass production for BBC Radio 4

    28 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    7. Into the Woods

    The witch has held a place firmly in our imagination for centuries – from whispered warnings in legends, to pop-culture driven heights. But what does it mean to be a witch now? Presenter India Rakusen, creator of the podcast 28ish Days Later, is on a journey to find out. As we reach the half way point of our series, we pause to consider why and how The Witch is such a key figure in our folklore and fairy tales. Come with us, as we take a journey deep into the woods to hear stories of the witch. Scored with original music by The Big Moon Presenter: India Rakusen Executive Producer: Alex Hollands Producer: Lucy Dearlove Producer: Elle Scott AP: Tatum Swithenbank Production Manager: Kerry Luter Sound Design: Olga Reed A Storyglass production for BBC Radio 4

    28 min
See All (14)

Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
325 Ratings

About

The witch has held a place firmly in our imagination for centuries - from whispered warnings in folklore to pop-culture driven heights. But what does it mean to be a witch now? Presenter India Rakusen, creator of the podcast 28ish Days Later, is on a journey to find out.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2023
  • Show Website
    Witch

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada