Due to the graphic nature of this episode, listener discretion is advised.

This episode features discussions of abuse, murder, sexual assault, and child sexual assault

that some people may find disturbing.

We advise extreme caution for listeners under 13.

In the 1980s, a wave of anxiety surged across the United States.

W worries about the economy, military conflicts, and religious turmoil seemed to dominate public discourse,

and to many it felt like the nation was losing its way.

Looking to cast blame some pointed the finger at in-depth governments and amorphous foreign threats from beyond the country's borders,

but others suspected there was a more insidious threat, something evil in the biblical sense.

And this fear wasn't wholly unfounded,ed by highly sensationalized crimes, the rise of occult

imagery and pop culture and the growth of evangelical churches, paranoia ran rampant.

There was some invisible malevolent force

corrupting the youth of America

and tainting the moral fabric of society.

Every shadow hit a monster.

There was no safe harbor.

And in the face of such overwhelming evil, some people reason there could only be one entity

to blame. Satan himself.

People were convinced they'd uncovered the truth about an all-encompassing evil conspiracy to end life as we know it.

And from that first spark of insanity, the flames spread rapidly.

Allegations emerged that devil worshippers were carrying out disturbing occult rituals all over the country, in homes, businesses, even schools and daycares.

People claim to see Lucifer's influence in movies, music, and on the backs of shampoo bottles.

...