Segment from American Spirit

Halloween, Holloween?

The hosts wonder whether the modern American celebration of Halloween does justice to the serious issues that originally inspired the holiday.

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

The Fox Sisters

Reporter Nate DiMeo tells the story of Kate and Margaret Fox, the small-town girls who triggered the 19th century movement known as Spiritualism.

00:07:34

Spiritualism Today

Ed speaks to Cara Seekings, a spirit medium in upstate New York.

00:06:03

American Spirits

The hosts discuss the reasons Spiritualism was so appealing to a wide range of Americans in the 19th century.

00:02:12

Radical Religion and Radical Politics

Peter speaks with Harvard historian Ann Braude about the intersection of Spiritualism with 19th century social reform movements.

00:08:03

Ghosts in the Machine

The hosts talk with a listener about how new technologies like the telegraph and the camera influenced the Spiritualist movement in 19th century America.

00:06:44

The Spirit of Conflict

A listener asks: why did interest in Spiritualism spike after major military conflicts like the Civil War?

00:04:05

Bewitched

The hosts look into the origins of fears about witchcraft in colonial New England.

00:08:06

Haunted History

A listener asks the hosts: in which century did Americans reach the pinnacle of belief in the spirit world?

00:07:27

Halloween, Holloween?

The hosts wonder whether the modern American celebration of Halloween does justice to the serious issues that originally inspired the holiday.

00:02:37