

Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Christianity Today
They say the Devil’s in the details, but when conspiracies captivate our imaginations, we often overlook the real devils walking among us.From the creators of the hit podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill comes a new show, Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, which takes you back to the Satanic Panic that gripped America in the 1980s and 90s.This limited series explores how hysteria gripped parents and teens through cautionary tales like Go Ask Alice, influenced notorious criminal cases like the West Memphis Three, and catapulted the political agenda of the Moral Majority.Join as we seek to understand how this wave of panic devastated innocent lives and diverted the church’s attention from the evil lurking in its own pews.
Episodes
Mentioned books

58 snips
Feb 10, 2025 • 1h 13min
Runaway Girls, Runaway Fears
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.

88 snips
Jan 28, 2025 • 60min
The Devil Went Down To Arkansas
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.

Dec 13, 2024 • 3min
Trailer - Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
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.