The Devil in the Details

Latest Episodes:

Episode Thirty-Six: The Mysterious Death of Jeannette DePalma Aug 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the Satanic Skeptic investigates a cold case from 1972 involving the unexplained death of a New Jersey girl, Jeannette DePalma, and how and why her death became sensationalized in the media as a Satanic sacrifice.

Episode Thirty-Five: Civil Blasphemy Jun 14, 2025

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On this episode, Autumn Sword, the Satanic Skeptic, argues that groomer accusations against LGBTQ+ people represent what author Robert D. Hicks called "civil blasphemy" and draws a direct parallel between the way such accusations are being weaponized to criminally prosecute people in the name of protecting children, and law enforcement's crusade against satanic cults during the Satanic Panic.

Episode Thirty-Four: My Existence Is Not Yours To Define Nov 16, 2024

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On this episode, the Satanic Skeptic shines an infernal light on the controversy rocking the skeptic community- the question of whether biological sex and gender are binaries. As a scientific skeptic, and a trans woman, someone who has seen so-called critical thinkers make jokes of trans athletes, spread misinformation and pseudoscience, fan the flames of fear and anxiety, and call for the criminalization of gender affirming care that twice impeached, convicted felon, adjudicated rapist Donald Trump has promised, this episode is a grand declaration of war. It as educational as it is aggressive. It explains while it accuses and affirms while it condemns. Friendlier, more even tempered versions were submitted to Skeptical Inquirer magazine, and rejected for publication. So now, the gloves are off and the fangs are bared. Either you believe trans rights are human rights, or you're on the wrong side of the future.

Episode Thirty-Three: John Ramirez, Ex-Satanist Turned Evangelist Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

Happy Halloween! On this episode, the Satanic Skeptic shares the spooky tale of one's man journey from "Satanic High Priest" to a born again Christian! Yeah, right. This episode is full of more tantalizing sweets than a trick-or-treat bucket, so pour yourself something nice, grab a handful of candy, and listen to how evangelical Christians continue to misrepresent Satanism to scare people to church!

Episode Thirty-Two: Lucifer Rising; Why One Priest Believes Demonic Obsession Is On the Rise Jul 21, 2024

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On this episode, the Satanic Skeptic examines claims from a Father Chad Ripperger that 25% of the population is diabolically obsessed and that the number is on the rise! What would have to be the case in order for this to be true, and why exactly does Fr. Ripperger think the Devil is getting stronger?

Episode Thirty-One: Bennett Braun, the Psychiatrist Who Fueled the Satanic Panic May 26, 2024

Show notes

On this episode, Satanic Skeptic JD Sword commemorates the passing of Church of Satan Magisters Henry Manning and Neil Smith while celebrating the passing of Bennett Braun, a psychiatrist whose work with Dissociative Identity Disorder and belief in Satanic Ritual Abuse conspiracies helped fuel the Satanic Panic while ruining his patient's lives.

Episode Thirty- The Devil on Trial Apr 05, 2024

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Netflix's latest documentary, The Devil on Trial, tells the story of David Glatzel who infamous con artists-er, I mean, demonologists- Ed and Lorraine Warren convinced the Glatzel family was possessed. When a young man named Arne Johnson convinces the demon to take him instead, the Warrens claim the evil drove Johnson to commit murder. The ensuing court case and media blitz would be known as the "devil made me do it" case and became a cash cow for the Warrens with their book The Devil in Connecticut and later part of the Conjuring franchise. But what really happened? Were the Warrens fighting the forces of evil, or exploiting a family to line their own pockets? Warlock Sword, the Satanic Skeptic, will give you the rundown.

Episode 29 - The Hanover Witch Hunt or Should Fortune Telling Be Illegal? Jan 14, 2024

Show notes

On this episode, the Satanic Skeptic discusses laws criminalizing fortune telling and how exactly they might be unconstitutional, as well as giving his own opinions as to whether these laws really protect the public from fraud.

Episode 28 - Anton LaVey, CSICOP, and Pseudoscience Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, the Satanic Skeptic explores Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey's history as a paranormal investigator as well as his familiarity with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry- the organization which the Satanic Skeptic writes for! Drawing on a long out-of-print essay featured in the Cloven Hoof as well as other archived Church of Satan material, this episode shows just how much Anton LaVey meant it when he said "Herein you will find truth-and fantasy. Each is necessary for the other to exist; but each must be recognized for what it is."

Episode 27 - Did Actors Repress Memories of Abuse by Marilyn Manson? May 16, 2023

Show notes

Did the actors and assistants who worked for or were in relationships with rockstar Marilyn Manson, and allege that he sexually abused them, really repress the memories of their abuse? The Satanic Skeptic discusses the history and controversy of repressed memories and proposes several alternative explanations as to what might've happened.

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