Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Episode Summary - "Runaway Girls, Runaway Fears"

Release Date: February 10, 2025

"Runaway Girls, Runaway Fears," the second episode of Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, delves deep into the heart of America's Satanic Panic during the late 20th century. Hosted by Mike Kosper and produced by Christianity Today, this episode meticulously unpacks the intertwining narratives of media influence, political agendas, and societal upheaval that fueled widespread hysteria. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented throughout the episode.

1. The Tragic Death of Diane Linkletter and the Birth of a Crusade

The episode opens with the heart-wrenching story of Art Linkletter, a beloved television and radio personality in the 1960s. [05:00] Linkletter faced unimaginable grief when his 17-year-old daughter, Diane Linkletter, tragically took her own life. He sought answers in the chaos of the era's cultural shifts and latched onto the burgeoning fear of psychedelic drugs.

Notable Quote:

"Anybody who has said anything which would encourage my daughter to take LSD was unwittingly a part of being her murderer."
— Art Linkletter [08:32]

Linkletter's profound loss propelled him into a vehement crusade against LSD, believing it was the catalyst behind his daughter's death despite the lack of concrete evidence. This personal tragedy became a public campaign, aligning Linkletter with political figures who shared his anti-drug stance.

2. Art Linkletter and the War on Drugs

Art Linkletter's quest for justice found a powerful ally in President Richard Nixon, who was fervently advocating for the "War on Drugs." [36:15] The collaboration between Linkletter and Nixon epitomized the intersection of personal grief and political maneuvering.

Notable Quote:

"The media is just doing a terrible job at selling this war on drugs... if you can help us spread this word that drugs are evil, that'd be fantastic."
— President Richard Nixon [39:16]

Together, they propelled the Controlled Substances Act, cementing the War on Drugs as a cornerstone of Nixon's administration. Linkletter's influence, combined with Nixon's political clout, amplified the societal fear surrounding drug use, particularly LSD.

3. The Influence and Impact of "Go Ask Alice"

A pivotal moment in the episode is the discussion surrounding the book "Go Ask Alice," attributed to Beatrice Sparks. Presented as the diary of a troubled teenager, the book became a bestseller, feeding into the existing anxieties of the era.

Notable Quote:

"I've got to stop. But I can't. I tried months ago. I can't. I can't stay off of it."
— Diary Entry from "Go Ask Alice" [40:49]

While marketed as a true account, "Go Ask Alice" was, in reality, a work of fiction. Its graphic portrayal of drug addiction, abuse, and despair resonated deeply with parents, validating their fears and justifying stringent drug policies. The book's widespread acceptance underscored the powerful role of narrative in shaping public perception.

4. The Manson Family Murders: A Catalyst for Fear

The horrifying Manson Family murders served as a chilling testament to the era's dark undercurrents. The involvement of Susan Atkins, a seemingly ordinary young woman from a middle-class background, in brutal crimes like the murder of Sharon Tate shocked the nation.

Notable Quote:

"I remember that I had absolutely... I felt nothing for her."
— Susan Atkins [29:25]

Atkins' transformation from a meek individual to a participant in heinous acts fueled fears about the potential for evil lurking beneath the surface of everyday lives. This narrative reinforced the belief that sinister forces could corrupt even the most relatable individuals, amplifying the Satanic Panic.

5. The 1960s: A Decade of Social Upheaval and Change

The episode explores the tumultuous backdrop of the 1960s, characterized by the Civil Rights Movement, counterculture, rise in teenage runaways, and widespread social unrest.

Notable Insights:

• Runaway Statistics:

  "By 1970, the average American runaway is a White suburban girl who is barely 15 years of age."
  — Rich Perez [32:19]

• Social Unrest:

  "There are 40 riots across the city. We haven't had anything like that in contemporary times."
  — Daniel Silliman [15:29]

These factors created an environment ripe for fear and misunderstanding, laying the groundwork for the Satanic Panic by highlighting vulnerabilities within the youth and societal structures.

6. The Rise of the Jesus People Movement

In response to the prevailing secular and countercultural shifts, the Jesus People Movement emerged, blending evangelical Christianity with the aesthetics and ethos of the counterculture.

Notable Quote:

"Jesus came to the shores of the beautiful Sea of Galilee..."
— Larry Norman [50:29]

Figures like Larry Norman and Chuck Smith spearheaded this movement, offering an alternative spiritual path that resonated with disillusioned youth seeking meaning beyond the existing religious and cultural paradigms. This movement both countered and inadvertently fueled existing fears by merging religious fervor with societal anxieties.

7. Expo72 and Political Alignments

The Expo72 event in Dallas epitomized the convergence of evangelical efforts with political ambitions. Intended as a large-scale evangelical gathering, it grappled with internal debates about aligning with political figures like Nixon.

Notable Quote:

"We shall have order in the United States this time. Vote like your whole world depended on it."
— Rick Emerson on Expo72 [35:01]

The discussions surrounding Expo72 highlighted the tensions within the evangelical community between maintaining religious purity and leveraging political influence to combat perceived societal ills.

8. Conclusion: The Power and Peril of Storytelling

The episode culminates in reflecting on how narratives like those crafted by Art Linkletter and Beatrice Sparks not only provided solace and understanding amidst chaos but also perpetuated misconceptions and divert attention from genuine societal issues.

Notable Insight:

"We tell ourselves stories in order to live... conspiracies give us someone to blame for our suffering."
— Darrell Bock referencing Joan Didion [10:38]

By constructing compelling yet flawed narratives, these stories entrenched moral panics, making it challenging to discern truth from fiction and thereby shaping public policy and perception in enduring ways.

Key Takeaways

• Narrative Influence: The episode underscores the profound impact that storytelling, whether accurate or not, has on shaping societal fears and policy.

• Interplay of Media and Politics: Art Linkletter's personal tragedy was harnessed by political agendas, illustrating the symbiotic relationship between media figures and political leaders in propagating certain narratives.

• Satanic Panic Roots: While sensationalized, the Satanic Panic was a culmination of various societal fears, including drug use, youth rebellion, and moral uncertainty, magnified by influential figures and media portrayals.

• Legacy on Modern Society: The repercussions of this era's moral panics are still felt today, influencing contemporary discussions around drug policies, religious movements, and the role of media in public perception.

"Runaway Girls, Runaway Fears" offers a compelling examination of a pivotal era in American history, revealing how fear, grief, and storytelling intertwined to shape a decade marked by both innovation and hysteria. By dissecting these elements, the episode provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of how societal fears can be both constructed and manipulated, leaving lasting imprints on the collective consciousness.