We explore the origins of the panic, its rise in American pop culture, and how it targeted everything from heavy metal music to comic books, and especially Dungeons & Dragons.
Joining us is Ryan Castle, owner of Celestial Waters—a tabletop gaming and hobby store in Sunbury, Pennsylvania—to share insight on how the panic warped public perception of role-playing games like D&D.
We also break down:
How false accusations spread through talk shows, churches, and news media
Why Dungeons & Dragons was unfairly linked to the occult
The long-term effects on youth culture, creativity, and fandom
How D&D became a safe and welcoming community for teens and adults after the panic faded
By the 1990s, the Satanic Panic had lost steam—but its bizarre legacy still echoes today.
🎧 Subscribe and listen as we slice into this strange chapter of American history—where fear sold headlines and fantasy became the scapegoat.
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