The Distaff Podcast

A newly widowed Gudrid returns to Brattahlid to be with her in-laws. There she meets Thorfinn Karlsefni "The Making of a Man" and marries him. Kim and Sarah discuss life on Greenland, Karlsefni and his history, and so much more. Join us as we continue to weave the tale of Gudrid the Well Traveled. 

In this Episode, Gudrid finds love, marries the most handsome man in Greenland and prepares to settle down in wedded bliss. But, it is not to be. Illness and chaos find Gudrid again, this time she will need to negotiate with the living as well as the dead. As always, she does it with grace. 

In this episode we take a peak over the horizon at our Eastern Norse, The Rus. River Kings and warriors, this group of Viking Age Scandinavians fought, raided and settled on rivers throughout Eastern Europe and even into modern-day Russia. One of the fiercest of these Rus was a woman named Olga. She was a queen, a saint and a prolific grudge-holder. Enjoy!

In this episode Kim and Sarah tell the story of Gudrid's first winter in Greenland. After a shipwreck that killed many of her loved ones, Gudrid winds up on a remote farm on the coast of Greenland. This escape from her old life in Iceland ends up delivering Gudrid face to face with a Pagan Sorceress in need of help.  Join us as we unravel a few threads while we continue to weave the story of Gudrid the Well Traveled. Enjoy!

So, where did all these Vikings come from? In this episode we talk about the Norse "origin story." A tale of a man named Ask and a woman named Embla. Then we travel down the road a few centuries and discuss Erik the Red, another OG worthy of an origin story all his own. Enjoy!

 As a kid, did you ever wish you could live in the ultimate tree house? Well, according to Norse mythology, you're living in one. Ygdrassil, with its nine worlds, branches that tangle with clouds, gods sliding down rainbows and wells that are just, well, wyrd. We talk in this episode about all of that and so much more. Gudrid The Well-Traveled remains our tour guide this episode through her Viking world. Thank you for listening!

Aud Ketilsdottir, born over 1000 years ago, stitched together kingdoms and farms, freed thralls and converted rulers. She was the master weaver of Christian and Pagan threads, Celtic and Norse traditions, folklore and gospel. Generations later, Aud's handiwork becomes the world that Gudrid will be forced to reckon with. We talk about all this, along with some Viking fashion advice from a real dandy. Join us!

Gudrid Thornbjarnardottir is our host Flyga for Season 2 of the Distaff Podcast. What is a flyga? And how did a woman, born on a cold and wind-swept island over 1000 years ago venture into the world enough to be titled The Well Traveled? We talk about this and so much more on Episode 1 of our brand new season. We'll explore and weave stories about Vikings, Norse Gods, Christian Pagans and all of the key players during one of history's most pivotal times.

In this final episode of the Distaff Podcast Season 1, we say goodbye. Goodbye to the wild and crazy Puritans, the witches and reverends, and the Agawam people who rode the wave of the Puritan experiment for as long as they could. When we're done, much like 350 years ago, Springfield will be razed to the ground,  the Puritan experiment nearly destroyed and the landscape of western Massachusetts left with only the memories of a people that had cared and tended to it for thousands of years.   Find all of our sources on our website, distaffpodcast.comContact us at [email protected]

 Mary Bliss Parsons (not to be confused with the first witch trial of Mary Lewis Parsons) was shrouded in mystery. She wandered the swamps at night, had a knack for finding hidden keys and knew how to throw the most spectacular fits.  Any other Puritan woman would have been called "Witch" and thrown in jail. But not this Mary. We talk about Puritan fears, politics and the righteous balance of religion and reputation. Find all of our sources on our website, distaffpodcast.comContact us at [email protected]:00 The Context of Witch Trials in Springfield02:59 The Role of Community in Witchcraft Accusations05:59 The Impact of Fear on Native Communities09:05 The Dynamics of Gender and Accusations11:49 Mary Bliss Parsons: A Case Study15:08 The Interplay of Wealth and Witchcraft Accusations18:02 The Influence of Childbirth on Witchcraft Beliefs20:53 The Vulnerability of Women in Childbirth23:37 The Role of Religion in Witchcraft Accusations26:45 The Intersection of Fear and Motherhood34:28 The Bridge Between Sex and Birth36:46 Cultural Perspectives on Childbirth39:07 Spiritual Practices and Birth Experiences40:34 The Role of Women in Childbirth42:39 The Impact of Superstitions on Women44:02 Witch Trials and Community Dynamics46:36 Testimonies and Accusations51:31 The Influence of Gossip on Witchcraft Accusations01:04:28 The Impact of Childbirth and Death on Community Dynamics01:06:59 Testimonies and Accusations: The Witchcraft Narrative01:08:56 The Role of Gossip and Community Relationships01:11:46 The Intersection of Abuse and Witchcraft Accusations01:14:27 Defamation and Legal Proceedings in Witch Trials01:17:13 The Aftermath of Witch Trials and Community Changes01:20:58 The Legacy of Witchcraft Accusations in Family Histories01:26:03 Connecting Historical Events to Modern Perspectives

 Were there actual Puritan Witches in Colonial America? Did years of witch hunts, witch trials and shrieking teenagers actually conjure up the village witch? Or is there a better explanation for these opinionated, independent and often underestimated men and women who ended up swinging from the Colonial gallows? Find all of our sources on our website, distaffpodcast.comContact us at [email protected]

Throw a little pudding in your fireplace and see who comes knocking.  It could be a  witch, it could be Hugh Parsons. In this episode we talk about the Hugh and Mary Parsons witch trial, as well as a little family history venting about a different kind of witch hunt closer to home. Enjoy!Find all of our sources on our website, distaffpodcast.comContact us at [email protected] Chapters00:00 The Impact of Online Genealogy00:34 Connecting with Ancestry03:35 The Excitement of Discovery06:32 The Role of Community in Genealogy09:35 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions14:26 Researching Ancestry with an Open Mind17:27 Collaboration in Genealogy Research19:30 The Halloween Eve Connection20:16 Understanding the Parsons Trial31:49 The Devil's Influence in Witchcraft36:25 Witness Testimonies and Accusations50:52 The Impact of Grief and Accusations52:30 The Struggles of Mary Parsons56:17 The Envy and the Cow's Tongue01:00:32 The Accusations of Witchcraft01:03:42 Mary's Confessions and the Blame Game01:08:46 The Community's Response to Witchcraft01:13:32 The Aftermath of the Trials

What starts out as a work meeting between our hosts Kim and Sarah turns into one of our favorite episodes. With the lurking shadow of the Witch Trials yet to come, we talk about strange phenomenon, naughty Puritans, and colonial gossip. We finish off with a lesson on how to summon a witch right to your door, or maybe just how to summon one of your really weird neighbors. You decide. Enjoy!For Sources please visit our website: distaffpodcast.comContact us! Email [email protected], or visit our website: distaffpodcast.com00:00 The Historical Context of Witchcraft Accusations02:32 Mary Lewis: A Journey to Faith05:18 The Tensions Between Towns and Their Impact07:53 The Arrival of Mary Lewis in Springfield10:55 The Struggles of Early Settlers13:52 The Influence of Preachers on Community Beliefs17:01 The Challenges of Life in Colonial America20:44 The Perils of 1800s Boat Travel22:36 Life in 1643: Fasting and Famine23:05 The Birth of Mary Morgan25:02 The Role of Women in Early Springfield28:13 The Impact of the English Civil War29:13 Population Growth and New Arrivals30:56 Building the Community: Pynchon’s Vision32:20 Supernatural Events and Their Interpretations35:40 The Narragansett-Mohawk War Begins37:07 The Town's Development and Challenges39:38 Legislation and Social Order40:21 Signs and Omens in 164644:13 The Struggles of New Mothers46:40 The Devil's Influence in Daily Life50:16 The Birthing Chamber: A Space of Grief51:36 Mary Lewis Parsons: A Complex Character52:31 The Jealous Brickmaker54:17 Mary's Struggles and Contributions57:26 The Floods and Community Challenges01:00:14 Hugh's Financial Troubles and Reputation01:03:13 The Witch Accusations Begin01:07:15 The Pudding Incident and Its Consequences

This conversation delves into the historical practices of childbirth in colonial America, focusing on the role of midwives and the transition to male-dominated medical practices. It explores the impact of superstition, witch trials, and social status on midwifery, as well as the importance of community support during childbirth. The discussion reflects on the modern implications of these historical practices and emphasizes the need for patience and understanding in the childbirth experience. This conversation delves into the historical and spiritual aspects of childbirth, focusing on the role of women and midwives throughout history. It explores the intimate connections formed during the birthing process, the community support surrounding childbirth, and the transition from home births to hospital settings. The discussion also touches on the impact of fear and stigma on women's health, the intersection of magic and medicine, and the legacy of midwifery leading up to the witch trials.Chapters:Introduction00:40Exploring Springfield's Midwifery History03:34The Transition from Midwives to Male Doctors06:50The Role of Superstition in Childbirth11:16The Power Dynamics in Childbirth Practices17:51The Impact of Witch Trials on Midwifery22:52The Breakdown of Women's Healing Networks34:01The Historical Context of Midwifery36:59The Evolution of Childbirth Practices41:42The Spiritual and Emotional Aspects of Birth54:18The Role of Community in Childbirth01:03:50The Modern Perspective on Midwifery and Childbirth01:11:21Embracing the Body: A Midwife's Perspective01:12:43The Role of Community in Childbirth01:14:40Traditional Practices and Modern Understanding01:16:45Postpartum Care and Celebrations01:18:21The Influence of Midwives in Early America01:21:01The Intersection of Witchcraft and Midwifery01:24:12Fear and Control in Childbirth01:27:44The Stigmatization of Women's Knowledge01:31:29The Impact of Religion on Childbirth Practices01:34:26The Historical Context of Childbirth and Witch Trials01:37:59The Evolution of Midwifery and Women's Roles01:42:37The Path to the Witch TrialsFor Sources, please visit distaffpodcast.com

It is 1636 in New England. The mist rises over the low land, the day is just beginning. Two women meet on a path. One woman is of the Agawam Nation, the other is a Puritan.  What do they see in the other?  Both women are mothers, wives, members of a community. Both are making a life in the land they stand on. One is a leader in her nation, the other, not so much. We try to unravel and re-weave their story.  In this episode we focus on the Indigenous woman. What did her world look like? What role did she play within the nation she came from? We discuss the spiritual, political and day to day life of the 1600's Indigenous people.  Sources & Resources:Cajune, Julie. Our Way: —A Parallel History: An Anthology of Native History, Reflection, and Story. Fulcrum Publishing, 2023.Kimmerer, Robin Wall. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. Milkweed Editions, 2013.Hämäläinen, Pekka. Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest For North America. First published as a Liverlight paperback, Liveright Publishing Corporation, a division of W.W. Norton & Company, 2023.Patterson, Alex. A Field Guide to Rock Art Symbols of the Greater Southwest. Johnson Books, 1992.Contact:  [email protected]/email questions or topic ideas for [email protected]

Dear Prudence…”"Surely these were Amazonian times when women had strength."This conversation delves into the historical narrative of Prudence and Miles Morgan, exploring their journey, family connections, and the significance of the Bay Path. The speakers discuss the challenges of historical research, the role of women in early settlements, and the romanticized view of history. Through their exploration, they highlight the importance of communication and connection in the past, ultimately painting a vivid picture of young love and adventure in a historical context.Subscribe/email questions or topic ideas for [email protected] EpisodesJoin us for Episode Five where we explore the Agawam peoples who have inhabited the Connecticut Valley since 12,000 BC.Sources & Resources:Hall, David D. . Witch-Hunting in Seventeenth Century New England: A Documentary History, 1638-1693. Second Edition, Duke University Press, 1991.Gaskill, Malcolm. The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World. Alfred A. Knopf, 2022.Hawke, David Freeman. Everday Life in Early America. Harper-Collins Publishers, 1988.Lockridge, Kenneth A. “Stephen Innes. Labor in a New Land: Economy and Society in Seventeenth-Century Springfield . Princeton: Princeton University Press. 1983. Pp. Xxi, 463. Cloth $35.00, Paper $7.95.” The American Historical Review, vol. 89, no. 3, Jun. 1984, pp. 840–41. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1086/ahr/89.3.840.Morgan Genealogyby Nathaniel H. Morgan [This has Titus’ writing about Miles Morgan and Prudence]https://openlibrary.org/books/OL24189989M/Morgan_genealogyWilliam Pynchon Papers, Mss 236. Courtesy of Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum, Rowley, MA. https://pem.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/203 Accessed October 24, 2025.The Miles Morgan family of Springfield, Massachusetts, in the line of Joseph Morgan of Harford, Connecticut, 1780-1847. Frank Farnsworth. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89061980793&seq=20

Dear Prudence…”"Surely these were Amazonian times when women had strength."This conversation delves into the historical narrative of Prudence and Miles Morgan, exploring their journey, family connections, and the significance of the Bay Path. The speakers discuss the challenges of historical research, the role of women in early settlements, and the romanticized view of history. Through their exploration, they highlight the importance of communication and connection in the past, ultimately painting a vivid picture of young love and adventure in a historical context.Subscribe/email questions or topic ideas for [email protected] EpisodesJoin us for Episode Five where we explore the Agawam peoples who have inhabited the Connecticut Valley since 12,000 BC.Sources:Hall, David D. . Witch-Hunting in Seventeenth Century New England: A Documentary History, 1638-1693. Second Edition, Duke University Press, 1991.Gaskill, Malcolm. The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World. Alfred A. Knopf, 2022.Hawke, David Freeman. Everday Life in Early America. Harper-Collins Publishers, 1988.Lockridge, Kenneth A. “Stephen Innes. Labor in a New Land: Economy and Society in Seventeenth-Century Springfield . Princeton: Princeton University Press. 1983. Pp. Xxi, 463. Cloth $35.00, Paper $7.95.” The American Historical Review, vol. 89, no. 3, Jun. 1984, pp. 840–41. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1086/ahr/89.3.840.Morgan Genealogyby Nathaniel H. Morgan [This has Titus’ writing about Miles Morgan and Prudence]https://openlibrary.org/books/OL24189989M/Morgan_genealogyWilliam Pynchon Papers, Mss 236. Courtesy of Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum, Rowley, MA. https://pem.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/203 Accessed October 24, 2025.The Miles Morgan family of Springfield, Massachusetts, in the line of Joseph Morgan of Harford, Connecticut, 1780-1847. Frank Farnsworth. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89061980793&seq=20

What!? Lascivioius Puritan women? Yes, and we're here to talk about it. We get into the nitty-gritty of our ancestor Mary Burt and some of her fellow Puritan women in Springfield, MA, Massachusetts Bay Colony circa 1640. What did a colonial woman do when she found herself in a compromising position? Did her family and their standing in the community determine her fate? And what of the other women in the town, how did they navigate the expectations laid on them regarding behavior, love and intimacy?

Join Sarah and Kim as they delve into the fascinating history of Springfield, MA, exploring the lives and legacies of its early settlers. From the intricacies of church seating arrangements to the dramatic court cases that shaped the community, this episode uncovers the rich tapestry of 17th-century life. Discover how power dynamics, social norms, and personal stories intertwine in this captivating journey through time. Tune in to learn about the trials, triumphs, and tales of those who laid the foundations of Springfield.

Join Sarah and Kim as they delve into the fascinating history of Springfield, MA, exploring the lives and legacies of its early settlers. From the intricacies of church seating arrangements to the dramatic court cases that shaped the community, this episode uncovers the rich tapestry of 17th-century life. Discover how power dynamics, social norms, and personal stories intertwine in this captivating journey through time. Tune in to learn about the trials, triumphs, and tales of those who laid the foundations of Springfield.

This conversation explores the historical significance of the distaff as a symbol of women's work, delving into the life of Mary Burt and the witch trials of Puritan society. It examines the dynamics of community relationships, the role of religion and superstition, and the lasting impact of these events on gender narratives. Through a detailed discussion, the speakers highlight the complexities of women's experiences and the societal fears that fueled the witch trials. This conversation delves into the historical context of the Salem Witch Trials, exploring the roles of key figures like Tituba and John Willard, the dynamics of power and hysteria in the community, and the impact of these events on women's history. The discussion highlights the complexities of the trials, the motivations behind accusations, and the societal implications of such mass hysteria, ultimately leading to reflections on the healing process within the community and the significance of women's contributions throughout history.