The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall Episode 8: Where Are We Now?
Dec 8, 2025
Stephen Jones, son of People’s Temple leaders, provides a harrowing first-person account of Jonestown, reflecting on the allure of Jim Jones' utopia that turned into a nightmare. Chelsea Weber-Smith discusses how moral panics from the past, like the Satanic Panic, echo in today's conspiracy culture, linking fears to societal issues. The conversation dives into the psychological appeal of conspiracies, how scapegoating distracts from real abuse, and the critical lessons on fear and control that resonate across generations.
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Why Study Moral Panics
- Moral panics recycle fears and provide simple villains to avoid facing complex social problems.
- Studying the satanic panic helps reveal patterns that make future panics likely to recur.
Growing Up Inside People's Temple
- Stephen Jones describes growing up in the People's Temple across Indiana, California and Jonestown.
- He recalls both loving moments and early awareness of his father's control and deception.
How Cults Attract People
- Cult recruitment uses real appeals: fellowship, music, food and the promise of protection or equality.
- These humane features make members less likely to be seen as willing participants in abuse.
