The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall Episode 6: I’m Just a Teenage Cultist, Baby
8 snips
Nov 24, 2025 
In this discussion, Justin Sledge, an expert in Western esotericism and a key figure in the Pearl, Mississippi case, shares his harrowing experience as a teenager accused after a shocking school shooting. He reflects on the pandemonium and scapegoating that spiraled out of control, linking the violent incident to a fictitious satanic cult. Justin reveals how societal fears transformed innocent teenagers into suspects and highlights how cultural patterns, rather than true evil, often fuel moral panics and misinterpretations of youth behavior.
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Scapegoating In Moral Panics
- Communities under shock often search for an outsider to blame after horrific crimes.
- The podcast argues Satan or satanic cults become convenient scapegoats in moral panics.
Shared The Shooter's Papers Publicly
- Justin took Luke Woodham's papers to the local TV station and publicly read parts of a manifesto.
- He later regretted projecting his own ideas onto Luke and said he shouldn't have spoken at the vigil.
Arrested As A Teen After The Shooting
- Justin Sledge was handcuffed at home and booked on a conspiracy to commit murder charge after the Pearl High School shooting.
- He shared a holding room with other arrested teens and described shock, confusion, and fear at age 16.
