The witch trials of J.K. podcast is a captivating exploration of the historical witch trials that took place in various parts of the world. Hosted by J.K., the podcast delves into the dark and often misunderstood events that unfolded during these trials.
JK Rowling reflected on going through a traumatic miscarriage in her twenties, before she gave birth to her daughter Jessica.
Phelps-Roper proposed bringing in other voices, and looking at the wider picture, bringing her own unique viewpoint as a former fundamentalist who s dedicated her life over the past decade to difficult conversations, Rowling wrote. In interviews that Phelps-Roper conducted at Rowling s home in Edinburgh, Scotland, the author speaks with unprecedented candor and depth about the controversies surrounding her from book bans to debates on gender and sex.
, the podcast delves into the dark and often misunderstood events that unfolded during these trials. With a meticulous attention to detail and a passion for uncovering the truth, J.K.
J.K. Rowling Addresses Backlash to Her Anti-Trans Comments in New Podcast: ‘I Never Set Out to Upset Anyone’
J.K. Rowling, nearly two years after she ignited a firestorm over her comments widely perceived as denigrating transgender women, is speaking out about the controversy in a new podcast — and claims that fans have “profoundly” misunderstood her point of view.
In the forthcoming podcast, “The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling,” Rowling says, “What has interested me in recent years, particularly on social media [is when fans say], ‘You’ve ruined your legacy. Oh, you could have been beloved forever, but you chose to say this.’ And I think: ‘You could not have misunderstood me more profoundly.’”
Rowling, in the trailer for the podcast, says, “I never set out to upset anyone. However, I was not uncomfortable with getting off my pedestal.”
“The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling,” to premiere Feb. 21, comes from The Free Press, the independent media company founded by Bari Weiss, a former op-ed writer for the New York Times. The series is hosted by Megan Phelps-Roper, who grew up in a family that were members of the Westboro Baptist Church (“arguably the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America,” according to the Southern Poverty Law Center). She “left a life of religious extremism in 2012,” according to her bio, an experience she chronicled in her memoir “Unfollow.”
The Free Press describes “The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling” as an “audio documentary that examines some of the most contentious conflicts of our time through the life and career of the world’s most successful author.” In interviews that Phelps-Roper conducted at Rowling’s home in Edinburgh, Scotland, the author “speaks with unprecedented candor and depth about the controversies surrounding her — from book bans to debates on gender and sex.” The series also features interviews with Rowling’s supporters and critics, as well as journalists, historians, “clinicians and more.”
Rowling, author of the Harry Potter best-selling fantasy book series, alienated and angered many fans with a series of tweets in June 2020 about transgender people. In the wake of those comments and subsequent ones, actors who have appeared in movies based on her books, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Eddie Redmayne, have spoken out against Rowling.
“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased,” Rowling tweeted on June 6, 2020. “I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.” Shortly afterward, Rowling wrote a lengthy essay on the topic, linking to it with a tweet that said, “TERF wars” (referring to the label “trans-exclusionary radical feminist”). In the essay, Rowling recounted that she had tweeted support for Maya Forstater, a tax specialist who lost her job “for what were deemed ‘transphobic’ tweets,” and she detailed “five reasons for being worried about the new trans activism.”
In July 2021, she wrote on Twitter that “now hundreds of trans activists have threatened to beat, rape, assassinate and bomb me I’ve realised that this movement poses no risk to women whatsoever.” Rowling’s novel “The Ink Black Heart,” published in 2022 under the pen name Robert Galbraith, features a character named Edie Ledwell, portrayed as the victim of a “masterfully plotted, politically fueled hate campaign” by “social justice warriors” after her “popular YouTube cartoon” was criticized as being “racist and ableist, as well as transphobic for a bit about a hermaphrodite worm.”
In a Twitter post Tuesday, Rowling said Phelps-Roper approached her last year “inviting me to take part in a personal, in-depth discussion with her about the issues that have interested me in recent years.” Phelps-Roper “proposed bringing in other voices, and looking at the wider picture, bringing her own unique viewpoint as a former fundamentalist who’s dedicated her life over the past decade to difficult conversations,” Rowling wrote.
She continued, “I agreed to sit down with Megan because, having read her wonderful book, ‘Unfollow,’ I thought the two of us could have a real, interesting, two-sided conversation that might prove constructive.”
The seven-episode podcast series is set to launch Tuesday, Feb. 21, with the release of the first two episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other audio platforms. Each of the following episodes will be released weekly.
Listen to the trailer for “The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling”:
takes listeners on a journey through time to understand the societal and cultural factors that led to the persecution of those accused of witchcraft. Through in-depth research and interviews with experts in the field, the podcast provides a comprehensive overview of the witch trials, including their origins, prevalence, and legal proceedings. J.K. expertly weaves together narratives from different regions, highlighting both well-known cases and those that have been largely forgotten by history. One of the podcast's strengths lies in its dedication to casting aside common misconceptions about witchcraft and witch trials. J.K. contextualizes the trials within the socio-political climate of the time, emphasizing the role of misogyny, religious tensions, and mass hysteria in fueling the accusations and subsequent brutal punishments. In addition to its historical analysis, the podcast also explores the broader implications of the witch trials. J.K. delves into how these events continue to shape our modern understanding of witchcraft and its portrayal in popular culture. By examining the psychological and sociological aspects underlying the witch trials, J.K. encourages listeners to reflect on issues of power, fear, and prejudice that persist to this day. The witch trials of J.K. podcast is a must-listen for history enthusiasts, as well as anyone interested in uncovering the complexities of human nature and society. Whether you are new to the topic or a seasoned scholar, J.K.'s engaging storytelling and meticulous research will undoubtedly shed new light on this dark chapter in history. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of the witch trials and the profound impact they had on individuals and communities alike..
Reviews for "The Dark Side of Magic: J.K.'s Witch Trials Explored on Our Podcast"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I was really disappointed by "The Witch Trials of J K Podcast." I was expecting a fascinating exploration of the historical witch trials and perhaps some connections to J.K. Rowling's work, but instead, all I got was a rambling and incoherent mess. The host seemed unprepared and frequently went off on tangents that had nothing to do with the topic at hand. The production quality was also subpar, with a lot of background noise and an unprofessional feel. Overall, I would not recommend this podcast to anyone interested in the subject.
2. Michael - 2 stars
As a fan of J.K. Rowling's works, I was really looking forward to listening to "The Witch Trials of J K Podcast." However, I found the content to be shallow and lacking any real depth. The host seemed more interested in name-dropping Rowling and her books rather than delving into the actual history of the witch trials. Additionally, the episodes were quite short and didn't provide enough information or analysis. It felt like a missed opportunity to explore a fascinating topic, leaving me disappointed.
3. Emma - 1 star
"The Witch Trials of J K Podcast" was a complete waste of time. The host's narration was grating and difficult to follow, often jumping between unrelated ideas without any clear structure. The choice of guests was also questionable, as they seemed unqualified to speak on the topic at hand. Overall, the podcast lacked the necessary research and preparation needed to make it an engaging listen. I would not recommend this to anyone interested in learning about the witch trials or J.K. Rowling's connection to them.