Satanic panic on the wireless!

Hi all, just a quick one today. I’ve been flat out at work and doing pretty long days this week, so forgive me for not doing a full edition of Relics replete with memes — I’m going to need at least one night this week to relax and recharge.

The reason for all the hard work is what I was sizzling last week: I’m guest hosting Soul Search on ABC RN.

Working on this show as a behind-the-scenes producer is my usual day job, but the regular presenter Meredith Lake has graciously allowed me to take over for two weeks to do some special episodes about religion and pop culture — what else?

Both episodes are online now! In episode one I look at the moves to ban Dungeons & Dragons and Harry Potter during the Satanic panic in the 80s, 90s and 2000s. I reckon that even if you do not care about D&D and/or Harry Potter, there is still something interesting here for you. I interview Alissa Wilkinson from Vox and David Waldron from Federation University. Also, Joseph Laycock — whose book looks like this!

Episode two asks if — and how — fictional religions in pop culture ‘break out’ into real life. I speak with Vivian Asimos and Aled Thomas, from the Religion and Popular Culture Podcast as well as to the professor who literally wrote the book on this phenomenon, Carole Cusack.

This is the first thing I have presented since I was a YouTuber like ten years ago, so be kind, but also I think it sounds pretty good. Actually yeah nah I’m backing myself: it sounds great and I had fun.

I hope you enjoy them! My colleagues have been very supportive, but so far the only listener feedback I have had is this guy on Twitter, which is very, very funny to me.

As you can see, I am open to all compliments and constructive feedback. If you would like to do this either in the comments of this post or on Discord (which is also great for a deeper discussion), that would be fab.

Ok have a wonderful week and I will be back with a more familiar post next time!