Want to weigh in? Send us a text!

Remember when your Dungeons & Dragons dice might summon demons and heavy metal albums contained secret Satanic messages? If you grew up in the 1980s, you lived through one of America's strangest cultural moments – the Satanic Panic.

We're taking a deep dive into this bizarre phenomenon that had parents checking under beds for devil worshippers and police departments training officers to spot "occult crime" using horror paperbacks as manuals. From the infamous McMartin preschool trial that cost taxpayers $15 million without securing a single conviction, to the demonization of everything from rock music to role-playing games, we unpack how mass hysteria shaped an entire generation.

This wasn't a random occurrence – we trace the pattern of moral panics from ancient Rome through medieval blood libel accusations and into modern times, revealing how fear of shadowy cabals has been recycled throughout history. The targets change, but the template remains eerily similar.

For those of us who grew up during this era, the Satanic Panic wasn't just headline news – it shaped our relationship with authority, media, and moral crusades. Yet ironically, Gen X didn't just survive these fears – we reclaimed and transformed them. The very things once considered gateways to hell became celebrated cornerstones of our culture. Dungeons & Dragons experienced a renaissance, heavy metal thrived, and the aesthetic elements once deemed "Satanic" now feature prominently in nostalgic pop culture.

Join us for a fascinating exploration of how the devil went from terrifying America to rocking out with Jack Black – and what this strange chapter in our cultural history reveals about the cyclical nature of fear. When you understand the Satanic Panic, you might just recognize its patterns in today's headlines.

Support the show

Get your hands on our MERCH!!!
DONATION SCHEDULE! We donate $1 per item sold with a minimum of $200 to each organization!

Jan-Feb 2025 - Center for Reproductive Rights

March-April - Planned Parenthood

May-June 2025 - Indy Pride

July-August 2025 - WFYI

September-October - ACLU

November-December 2025 - Second Helpings

Love the pod? Love us? Love GenX? Let us know!

SUPPORT THE POD HERE!

Want to continue the conversation?

Sign up for our newsletter! HERE

Tell us your own 5 Minutes of Fame story or call it in at 1-888-GEN-XPOD

Send us your Dear GenX Women letters!

Join us for Meet-Ups and Expert led Discussions

JOIN US in L.Y.L.A.S a GenX Women's Social Club

L.Y.L.A.S (Love You Like a Sis) is our paid membership platform where you can have real-life conversations while supporting this podcast and the work we do in the Facebook group.

Follow us on ...