This episode was suggested by the patrons of the Morbid Curiosity podcast.

This episode contains discussions of persecution, torture, execution, and abduction.

If these aren't subjects you want to hear about, this may be a good episode to skip.

Also, I apologize in advance for my voice.

I've had a sinus infection that I just can't shake.

Humans are fascinated by gore and violence, but even more so the mysterious and unsolved.

Interest in these disturbing and unpleasant subjects is called morbid curiosity,

and it has gripped millions of people throughout the ages.

I am one of those people.

My name is Halley, and this is the Morbid Curiosity podcast.

There's a quote from Mr. Rogers that I hold on to.

He said, quote, when I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother

would say to me, look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping, end quote.

She was right. Even in the most dire circumstances, there are people out there who help those who are suffering.

Even small things can make a huge difference.

During the Spanish Inquisition, one of the darkest periods of history, one helper was able to provide shelter and escape to hundreds of Jewish people fleeing persecution.

Her name was Donia Gracia Mendez Nasi, sometimes known as La Signora, or the Lady.

Using intelligence and her vast fortune, she was able to make her own escape from the Inquisition

and then assist others in the Jewish community.

In this episode, we'll discuss the Spanish Inquisition, who Donia Gracia was,

and how she was able to help so many people escape persecution.

But first, some summarized context.

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