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Bill Ellis
Professor Emeritus of English and American Studies at Penn State and folklorist specializing in rumor panics and urban legends, author of books including Raising the Devil and Lucifer Ascending.
Best podcasts with Bill Ellis
Ranked by the Snipd community
Dec 12, 2025
• 23min
Yet another helping from Satan: The Devil’s storytellers
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In a fascinating discussion, Professor Bill Ellis, an expert in folklore and urban legends, explores the psychology behind societal panics. He connects the dots between historical events like the Salem witch trials and today's fears, such as the satanic panic. Ellis highlights how urban legends often reflect our collective concerns and serve as outlets for communal grief. He details a chilling Ohio case where folklore influenced police actions and sheds light on misconceptions surrounding satanism, ultimately framing it as a scapegoat for deeper social issues.
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