Episode 266: Satan Wants You

Few cultural phenomena of the 1980s were as as destructive or widespread as the Satanic Panic. The Satanic Panic led to arrests, ruined reputations, and more than 12,000 unsubstantiated reports of Satanic ritual abuse that were reportedly “recovered” via the now discredited practice of “recovery memory therapy.” While the Satanic Panic is now largely discussed with derision, there was a period in time when fear of devil worshippers was earnestly reported about on the nightly news – and Patient Zero for the Satanic Panic was a Vancouver Island woman named Michelle Smith. Michelle and her psychiatrist Dr. Lawrence Pazder collaborated together on a bestseller titled Michelle Remembers, which documented their unorthodox sessions in which Dr. Pazder used recovery-memory therapy to bring forth memories of Satanic ritual abuse. The wild story behind the book is detailed in Satan Wants You, the eye-opening documentary feature from Vancouver directors Steve J. Adams and Sean Horlor. Satan Wants You explores the story of our homegrown doctor and patient, the global moral panic they created and fed, and the ways in which their story is playing out once again. The film premiered to sold-out crowds at SXSW, and has its hometown premiere at the 2023 DOXA Documentary Film Festival. In this fascinating interview, Steve and Sean talk about Michelle, Dr. Pazder, the impact they had on the 1980s, and the disturbing similarities behind then and now.Episode Sponsors: Biz Books + The Drama Class