In today’s episode, we’re exploring how fear and false memories motivated us to believe stories that were horrific yet too compelling to check. It started with Jay’s Journal, where Beatrice Sparks transformed teenage angst into a cautionary tale of demonic possession. Then, Michelle Remembers, the book that introduced the idea that buried trauma could be unlocked through recovered memory therapy—if only you had the right guide.But the idea that memories—especially traumatic ones—could be buried and later uncovered wasn’t new. In the late 19th century, Sigmund Freud’s patient, known as Fräulein Anna O., became the foundation for his theories on female hysteria, repression, and recovered memory. Her case set the stage for a century of psychological experiments that blurred the line between therapy and suggestion.And then came McMartin Preschool. In 1983, a single accusation spiraled into the most expensive criminal trial in US history. With no physical evidence, only the increasingly elaborate claims of children, the nation still believed in secret tunnels and Satanic abuse.So who were the real victims? The children, coached into giving adults the stories they wanted? The daycare workers, whose lives were destroyed? The terrified parents who surely only wanted justice for their children? Or the storytellers—Beatrice Sparks, Lawrence Pazder—who sold fear as truth, convincing the world that the Devil was lurking behind every door?Resources: Rick Emerson, Unmask Alice Hannah Anderson, author Satan Wants You, Prime Video Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a production of Christianity TodayHosted and written by Mike CosperProduced by Rebekah Sebastian, with production assistance by Dawn AdamsSound Design and Mix Engineer: TJ HesterSound Design, Animation, and Video: Steve ScheidlerGraphic Design: Nim Ben ReuvenMusic by Dirt Poor RobinsErik Petrik and Mike Cosper are the executive producers of CT Media Podcasts, and Matt Stevens is our senior producer.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help more people find the show. Thanks for listening.Can’t wait for the next episode? Join host Mike Cosper for a livestream every other Monday on the CT YouTube channel or the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Facebook page. Join our Facebook group for deeper conversations and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rick Emerson, author of *Unmask Alice*, dives into the eerie beginnings of America's satanic panic in the late 1970s. He discusses how the fallout from Watergate and political shifts set the stage for a moral revolution led by figures like Jerry Falwell. The discussion highlights the unsettling influence of Beatrice Sparks' editing of a teenager's diary on public perception and fears surrounding satanism. Emerson also explores the controversial legacy of comedian Mike Warnke, intertwining humor with dark fabrications.

Rick Emerson, former radio host and author of 'Unmasked Alice', alongside Daniel Silliman, Senior news editor at Christianity Today, dive into the anxieties of the 1960s. They explore the tragic story of Diane Linkletter and the societal panic over runaway girls and drugs. The conversation shifts to 'Go Ask Alice', its impact, and debates around its authenticity. Finally, they dissect the emergence of the Jesus People Movement and its clash with counterculture ideals, revealing the intersection of fear, faith, and political tensions during this tumultuous time.

Delve into the chilling narratives of the Satanic Panic era, mixing the worlds of the Duggar family and Damien Echols. Discover the societal fears that led to wrongful imprisonments and community hysteria, particularly surrounding the tragic West Memphis Three case. Explore the dark intersection of culture, morality, and justice as misinformation wreaked havoc on lives. The podcast reveals how religious fervor shaped public consciousness and continues to echo in today's conspiracy-laden climate.

Dive into the chilling legacy of the Satanic Panic that swept America in the 1980s and 90s. Discover how unfounded allegations led to widespread hysteria among parents and teens. Unpack the cultural and political ramifications that shaped a generation, including influential cautionary tales. Explore the devastating impacts on innocent lives and the distractions from real evils lurking in communities. This captivating journey reveals much about fear, belief, and the consequences of unchecked paranoia.