Spiral | 5. A Beautiful but Imperfect System
A startling legal twist changes the case’s outcome, possibly forever. As we reflect on Samantha Woll’s legacy—especially that of a bridge bu...
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The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling is 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. I...
Episodes
14 episodes
Spiral | 4. Bring It On
The prosecution believes the case is airtight, but when the defendant takes the stand, the case takes a turn. With alternate suspects introd...
Spiral | 3. Motive and Opportunity
Samantha Woll’s ex-boyfriend calls 911 in a panic. He tells the police he thinks he might have killed her. When they bring him in for questi...
Spiral | 2. Wrong Place, Wrong Time?
A man seen breaking into cars near the crime scene is arrested, and he lies to police about what he’s been up to. But does that make him a k...
Spiral | 1. One of 36 Angels
Samantha Woll, 40, was a beloved Detroit Jewish community leader with her life ahead of her. Tragically, she is found stabbed to death outsi...
Season 2 Trailer | Spiral: Murder in Detroit
On October 21, 2023, beloved Detroit community leader Samantha Woll was found brutally stabbed to death outside her home—two weeks to the da...
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | 7. What If You're Wrong?
Host Megan Phelps-Roper asks J.K. Rowling to respond to pushback from some of her critics. The two also discuss the difficulty of discernmen...
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | 6. Natalie and Noah
Transgender fans of Harry Potter share their criticism of J.K. Rowling—and the experiences that inform their views. Produced by Andy Mills,...
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | 5. The Tweets
After years of observing the conflict between advocates for trans rights and women’s rights, J.K. Rowling weighs in. Produced by Andy Mills,...
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | 4. TERF Wars
The movement for trans rights hits its stride in the early 2010s, but encounters fierce resistance from an unexpected source. J.K. Rowling w...
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | 3. A New Pyre
The early days of the internet collide with the feverish fandom of “Harry Potter,” and a sprawling, global community emerges. But the hopefu...
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | 2. Burn The Witch
As "Harry Potter" becomes an international phenomenon, it coincides with the culture wars of the 1990s. In the backlash from Christians acro...
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | 1. Plotted In Darkness
Host Megan Phelps-Roper writes a letter to J.K. Rowling—and receives a surprising invitation in reply: the opportunity for an intimate conve...
Season 1 Trailer | The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling premieres Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Learn more Read an essay by host Megan Phelps-Roper Learn more about...