14 episodes
Witch BBC Radio 4
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- Society & Culture
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4.9 • 371 Ratings
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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.
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Introducing Witch
India Rakusen finds out what it means to call yourself a witch today.
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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
Customer Reviews
A Magical Tribute to Witchcraft
I absolutely love this podcast. The concept of the witch is, as India notes early on, nebulous; “witch” is such a small yet expansive word. This podcast does a wonderful job delving into the nooks and crannies of the term from a variety of perspectives and includes insightful interviews with practitioners, academics, and others who are part of the circle. I also appreciate hearing her elegantly articulated journey while making the podcast - her questions, introspection, and personal connections to witchcraft.
Beautiful
This podcast is one of the most well made podcasts I’ve ever listened to (and I listen to a lot!). I wish there were more! Going on my 3rd time of listening!
A work of art.
I listen to absurd amounts of podcasts/audiobooks/radio - I always have, I grew up with at least one radio being on somewhere in the house at all times - and this is one of the best pieces of audio art and learning I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing. It’s also reached far - I had 4 different people send it to me, and most others I’ve mentioned it to have also already listened to it and adored it. (This is also the first written review I’ve ever given a podcast, I just felt it was worth it.) Thank you for all the love and magic put into this, we can feel it.