The two podcast episodes provided, 'The Dusty Tome: Hansel, Gretel, & The Witch' and '#275: Teen Threw Baby in Trash Can After Giving Birth in Hospital Bathroom', both touch on the broader topic of infanticide.

The first episode explores how the persecution of alleged witches during the Great Famine of 1315-1317 was often linked to accusations of child murder or sacrifice, providing historical context around the practice of infanticide. The second episode delves into a more contemporary case of a teenager allegedly committing infanticide by disposing of her newborn in a trash can.

These examples highlight the complex and disturbing nature of infanticide, which has been driven by a range of factors throughout history, including desperation, superstition, and societal attitudes towards unwanted or 'illegitimate' children.