In this gripping episode, we sit down with Dr. Keith Silika, a Zimbabwean-born criminal investigator whose extraordinary journey has positioned him at the crossroads of two worlds most of us never see intersect.

Raised between his father's traditional healing practice and devout Catholic faith, Dr. Silika brings an unprecedented perspective to one of today's most misunderstood and dangerous phenomena, ritual attacks. From his early days in Zimbabwe's police force to his current work in England's law enforcement and academic circles, he's witnessed firsthand how supernatural beliefs continue to cause modern-day violence and persecution.

This isn't your typical true crime discussion. It's a deep dive into the complex intersection of culture, belief, justice, and human rights that will inspire you to explore this critical issue further and engage in important conversations about protecting vulnerable communities worldwide.

Warning: This episode contains discussions of violence and harm that some listeners may find disturbing.

Friendship Bench Website

Dr. Silika's Project: Forensic Investigation and Prevention of Witchcraft-Related Harmful Practices: A Study of Law Enforcement and Human Rights Perspectives in Southern Africa

Dr. Silika's Article: Running for Community Healing: Why I Ran the Manchester 10K for the Friendship Bench

The International Network Against Witchcraft Attacks and Ritual Abuse

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In the shadowy valleys of the Western Alps during the 1430s, a terrifying new narrative emerged that would reshape European understanding of witchcraft forever. What began as isolated tales of individual maleficium transformed into something far more sinister—organized gatherings where witches supposedly flew through the night to renounce Christ, feast on children, and pledge allegiance to Satan himself.

Journey with us into the dark imagination of medieval Europe as we explore the birth of the witches' sabbath. These weren't just stories—they were detailed testimonies that religious authorities believed revealed an existential threat to Christendom itself. From the inlands of Switzerland to the remote mountaintops of France, discover how ancient fears and folklore about nighttime spirits coalesced into a conspiracy theory so powerful it would color centuries of witch hunts.

But the sabbath's influence didn't end in medieval Europe. Follow its dark legacy across the Atlantic to the Salem witch trials, where Puritan New England became gripped by visions of devilish sacraments in village pastures. How did these European fantasies of organized devil worship take root in American soil, and what does their evolution tell us about the fears that drive societies to see enemies lurking in their midst?

Buy the book: Origins of the Witches Sabbath by Michael D. Bailey

Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project

The Thing About Salem Website

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What happens when a society finally confronts one of its darkest chapters? In Scotland, a growing movement is demanding recognition for the thousands of women killed during the country's brutal witch hunts—a campaign that reveals how historical injustices continue to shape us today. Dr. Margaret Malloch from the University of Stirling joins us to discuss her project "Memorializing Injustice," examining different campaigns of remembrance and exploring why remembering these forgotten victims matters now more than ever, and what Scotland's reckoning can teach us about confronting uncomfortable truths. A thought-provoking conversation about memory, how we understand justice, and the stories society chooses to tell.

Formal Apology: Statement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon opening the debate, International Women's Day 2022 in the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, on Tuesday 8 March 2022

Formal Apology: The Church of Scotland Apologising for Historic Wrongs

Remembering the Accused Witches of Scotland Campaign

Listen to Witches of Scotland Episode

Listen to Episode with Author Mary W. Craig on Witch Trials in Scotland

Listen to Episode on the Paisley Witch Hunt

Listen to Episode on the play Prick

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