Magic in the United States: 400 Years of Magical Beliefs, Practices, and Cultural Conflicts

FAIN: TR-290728-23

University of North Carolina, Charlotte (Charlotte, NC 28223-0001)
Heather Diane Freeman (Project Director: August 2022 to present)

Production of three seasons of a podcast on how magical beliefs and practices have evolved in the U.S. from the 1600s to the present.

"Magic in the United States" is a three-season podcast series exploring how magical beliefs and practices have evolved in the United States from the early 1600s to the present. Each season of six episodes which will expand the audience’s understanding of magical beliefs and practices prevalent throughout recorded American history. The evolution of American magical beliefs and practices intersects with this nation’s rich religious diversity. Each episode will focus on a particular time-period or magico-religious movement, describe that practice and its origins, and then focus on a particular person, text, or controversy within that practice to illuminate how it co-existed or conflicted with the dominant religions and secular attitudes of its day.

Media Coverage

Charlotte Professor Explores 400 Years of American Magic With New Podcast (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Dezanii Lewis
Publication: Queen City Nerve
Date: 10/24/2023
Abstract: UNC Charlotte professor's podcast encourages open dialogue about magic
URL: https://qcnerve.com/unc-charlotte-magic-podcast/

UNC Charlotte professor casts a spell with her new podcast on ‘Magic in the US’. (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Amy Carleton
Publication: Charlotte Observer
Date: 12/14/2023
Abstract: Newspaper essay about the podcast's first season.
URL: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/article282957653.html

This Halloween season, a Charlotte professor takes a deep dive into the history behind magic in her latest podcast (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Sarah Delia, Mike Collins
Publication: Charlotte Talks, WFAE
Date: 10/30/2023
Abstract: Host and Writer Heather Freeman appeared on local public radio morning show "Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins" along with project humanities advisors Sean McCloud (Chair of Religious Studies, UNC Charlotte) and Thorn Mooney ( PhD candidate in Religious Studies, UNC Chapel Hill), as well as Season 1 episode guest Tayannah Lee McQuillar.
URL: https://www.wfae.org/show/charlotte-talks-with-mike-collins/2023-10-30/this-halloween-season-a-charlotte-professor-takes-a-deep-dive-into-the-history-behind-magic-in-her-latest-podcast

Books & Broomsticks: A List Of Favorite Podcasts And Books (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Ash - The Gardnerian Librarian
Publication: Patheos.com
Date: 12/15/2024
Abstract: List of favorite podcasts and books by librarian and Patheos Pagan author Ash which cites Magic in the United States.
URL: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegardnerianlibrarian/author/gardnerianlibrarian/

Associated Products

Magic in the United States (Web Resource)
Title: Magic in the United States
Author: Heather D. Freeman
Abstract: Website for the 'Magic in the United States' podcast. This site hosts links to episodes, episode descriptions, and transcripts. Go to the 'Subscribe' page for direct links to Spotify, Spotify, Amazon Music, the RSS feed, and more. See the 'About the Show' page for bios of the writer/host, PRX production staff, and humanities advisors.
Year: 2025
Primary URL: https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/
Primary URL Description: Website for the 'Magic in the United States' podcast.
Secondary URL: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magic-in-the-united-states/id1708579118
Secondary URL Description: Direct link to the "Magic in the U.S." podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Prizes

Best Podcast
Date: 11/29/2023
Organization: CityLife and Queen City Nerve
Abstract: Best Podcast - "Magic in the United States" from CityLife and Queen City Nerve, 2023 “Best of the Nest.” Charlotte, NC. Regional Award.

Magic in the United States (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Magic in the United States
Abstract: RSS Feed for 'Magic in the United States' podcast. Written and hosted by Heather Freeman. Produced by Amber Walker. Edited by Lucy Perkins. Associate produced by Noor Gill. Mixed by Jennie Cataldo. Executive Produce Jocelyn Gonzalez. Produced and distributed by PRX.
Date: 12/17/2024
Primary URL: https://play.prx.org/listen?uf=https%3A%2F%2Fpublicfeeds.net%2Ff%2F4680%2Ffeed-rss.xml
Primary URL Description: PRX RSS list and individual episode download
Format: Digital File
Format: Web

Video: Gnoseologies: Magic in the United States. A conversation with Dr. Heather Freeman (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Video: Gnoseologies: Magic in the United States. A conversation with Dr. Heather Freeman
Abstract: Gnoseologies host, Dr. Giovanna Parmigiani speaks with Dr. Heather Freeman about her podcast, Magic in the United States, and personal and professional journey. Magic in the United States is a new podcast examining how magic, religion, spirituality, and folk practices intersect with larger cultural conflicts in American history. Funded by an NEH grant and produced and distributed by PRX, this podcast brings the history of American magical, magickal, and 'magical' practices to diverse audiences in the U.S. and abroad. Heather Freeman is the host and writer of Magic in the United States and will discuss how this podcast is both a love song to communities of magical practitioners, an effort to inspire greater religious curiosity and literacy in the U.S., and her own interests in the ever-evolving landscape of magico-religious practices.
Author: Dr. Giovanna Parmigiani
Author: Heather D. Freeman
Date: 04/10/2024
Location: Zoom
Primary URL: https://cswr.hds.harvard.edu/news/06/18/2024/gnoseologies-magic-united-states-conversation-dr-heather-freeman

Magic in the United States with Heather Freeman (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Magic in the United States with Heather Freeman
Director: Erik Arneson
Abstract: 'Arnemancy' podcast host interviews Heather Freeman about 'Magic in the United States'
Date: 01/12/2024
Primary URL: https://arnemancy.com/episodes/magic-in-the-united-states-with-heather-freeman/
Access Model: open access
Format: Digital File
Format: Web

Podcasting and Popular Media as Research Advocacy in Magic and Esoteric Studies (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Podcasting and Popular Media as Research Advocacy in Magic and Esoteric Studies
Abstract: "Scholars of magic and esotericism advocate for nuanced understandings of religious, spiritual, and magical diversity, which is relevant to both other academic disciplines and lay audiences. These scholars often confront stigmas, however, from religious conservatism, nationalist ideologies, and cultural bias. Nonetheless, popular media forms offer avenues to communicate discipline-specific research to broad audiences....With funding from a 2023 NEH Media Projects Grant, the series was professionally produced, marketed, and distributed by PRX. Each episode focuses on the magical practices of a specific community and period in U.S. history, unpacking the words "magic," "religion," and "spirituality." Targeting lay audiences, the podcast demystifies these histories through rich storytelling, scholar interviews, and practitioner testimonials...."
Author: Heather Freeman
Date: 01/14/2025
Location: CAS-E at Erlangen University, Germany
Primary URL: https://cas-e.de/2024/09/19/podcasting-and-popular-media-as-research-advocacy-in-magic-and-esoteric-studies-by-prof-heather-freeman/
Primary URL Description: Lecture announcement.
Secondary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEcpetpBfVs&list=PLdDtWTPEUH_WKpzuKC9DPOVv86q2ySiT1&index=5
Secondary URL Description: Video of lecture.

Podcasting and Popular Media as Research Advocacy in Magic and Esoteric Studies (Blog Post)
Title: Podcasting and Popular Media as Research Advocacy in Magic and Esoteric Studies
Author: Heather Freeman
Abstract: Summary of the lecture given at CAS-E written for CAS-E's blogpost series. "In my abstract for this talk, I wrote that scholars of magic and esotericism “advocate for nuanced understandings of religious, spiritual, and magical diversity,” and that these topics are relevant to diverse academic disciplines as well as lay audiences. I added that “scholars often confront stigmas stemming from religious conservatism, nationalist ideologies, and cultural biases.”
Date: 02/07/2025
Primary URL: https://cas-e.de/2025/02/07/podcasting-and-popular-media-as-research-advocacy-in-magic-and-esoteric-studies-advocacy-through-media/
Primary URL Description: Blog for CAS-E, the University of Erlangen's Center for Advanced Studies, 'Alternative Realities and Esoteric Practices from a Global Perspective.'
Website: CAS-E

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