My Favorite Murder Episode 517: "Two-Faced: John of God"

Release Date: January 29, 2026
Featured Guest: Martina Castro (journalist, producer, creator/host of "Two-Faced: John of God")
Main Theme: Unpacking the story and making of the new podcast “Two-Faced: John of God” – a bilingual investigative series into the rise and criminality of infamous Brazilian spiritual healer João Teixeira de Faria, aka "John of God".

Episode Overview

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark welcome journalist and podcast creator Martina Castro to discuss her upcoming bilingual podcast, "Two-Faced: John of God." The conversation explores the process behind producing the investigative series, the cultural complexities of John of God's healing movement, belief systems, and the complicated search for justice after revelations of abuse. The hosts and Martina reflect on their own beliefs, investigative journalism’s challenges, and working across cultures and languages.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Genesis of "Two-Faced: John of God"

Timestamps: 01:13–06:57

• The project began as a pitch in 2022 and evolved over several years.
• Karen and Georgia immediately felt a positive personal and professional connection with Martina (“I just felt like that human warmth you really want.” — Karen, 02:28).
• Martina originally preferred to stay behind the scenes but was ultimately the ideal host due to her deep connection and understanding (“Why would we have anybody else but you, the creator, do it?” — Karen, 03:35).

2. Why the Story? Global True Crime & The Oprah Connection

Timestamps: 04:49–07:51

• Motivation to tell an international story, moving U.S. listeners beyond domestic-centric true crime.
• John of God’s healing practices were deeply embedded in Brazilian culture but reached global prominence, especially after Oprah’s endorsement (“Once I found that Oprah was in it, I was like, that’s done, done, done.” — Martina, 05:47).

3. Cultural Context: Healing, Belief, and the Power of Desperation

Timestamps: 07:51–13:49

• Spiritual healing as a normal concept in Brazil and many other cultures (“Every Brazilian I spoke to was like, this is not weird for us.” — Martina, 08:11).
• Western readers’ skepticism contrasted with practitioners/believers’ experiences.
• The intersection of hope, cultural acceptance, and the exploitation of desperation, especially in dire health circumstances (“It’s the promise plus the culture… plus the desperation of anybody.” — Karen, 09:21).
• Placebo effects and testimonial power kept the movement’s momentum.

4. The Mechanics of the Scam: Cult Dynamics, Multi-Level Marketing, and Showmanship

Timestamps: 13:49–19:34

• John of God promoted growth through international “ambassadors” and made followers into tour guides.
• Multilevel marketing parallels: he weaponized believers’ hopes and financial incentives (“It’s got kind of the culty vibe going on, but also like a multi-level marketing thing, pyramid schemes, but with people’s health.” — Georgia, 16:13).
• Martina describes the spectacle of eye surgeries — both real and “invisible” ones — as performative, sometimes harrowing, often discussed with a focus on the power of suggestion and community (“It was just to get people to believe. The spectacle was required to get foreigners to really believe the spirits could do things.” — Martina, 17:39).

5. Social Pressure & Vulnerability

Timestamps: 19:34–24:48

• The group dynamic created an environment where skepticism was suppressed: “Are you going to be the one that says, hey, is anyone else seeing this?” — Georgia, 19:49.
• Cultural similarities drawn with Catholic guilt and the U.S. healthcare crisis intensified the movement's appeal in America — especially post-Oprah’s endorsement (“It was the peak of his popularity when Oprah went and… got treatment. She said, famously, ‘I don’t know what happened, but I felt something.’” — Martina, 23:04).

6. Questioning the Facts, Challenging Narratives

Timestamps: 24:48–29:37

• Inconsistencies in John of God’s self-reported history were often glossed over by foreign journalists (“Some of the incredible authors we talked to… found so many inconsistencies.” — Martina, 24:48).
• Media and class biases contributed to the myth and “exoticism” of his persona.
• Martina’s team encountered mysterious technical glitches during interviews, which survivors attributed to John of God’s supernatural influence (“The recording equipment stopped right at that moment… she said ‘See, that’s John of God. Can you believe?’” — Martina, 27:38).

7. The Fight for Justice & Survivors’ Bravery

Timestamps: 29:37–32:49

• Focus on the survivors, journalists, and prosecutors who brought John of God’s crimes to light — often at personal risk.
• The legal and social complexities in prosecuting beliefs tied to spiritualism.
• Survivors had difficulty separating the “entity” (spirit) from John of God the person.

8. Lasting Impact — And Is Justice Possible?

Timestamps: 32:49–35:36

• Justice is complicated: John of God’s downfall didn’t end the belief system or the healing compound’s appeal (“The flexibility that John of God built into his belief system… has enabled it to continue living without him.” — Martina, 30:27).
• Power structures and the personality cult continue to attract vulnerable followers.

9. Bilingual Podcasting & Representation

Timestamps: 35:36–37:51

• Celebration of a breakthrough for Spanish-language and bilingual podcasts within the Exactly Right network.
• Martina notes the unserved demand for deep, documentary-style Spanish-language storytelling (“There are so many of us out there dying to hear documentaries, chat shows, all the kinds of shows. True crime…” — Martina, 34:00).

10. Personal Reflections & The Psychology of Belief

Timestamps: 37:51–39:14

• Martina and the hosts candidly admit humility, self-doubt, and the ease with which anyone could fall for manipulative systems (“I just am too friendly or something…It would be really hard for me to come out and be like, no, actually, this is all wrong.” — Martina, 37:51).
• They challenge true crime stereotypes that assume “I would’ve known,” emphasizing empathy for survivors.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s the promise plus the culture… plus the desperation of anybody.” — Karen (09:21)
• “Once I found that Oprah was in it, I was like, that’s done, done, done.” — Martina (05:47)
• “Every Brazilian I spoke to was like, this is not weird for us.” — Martina (08:11)
• “The spectacle was required to get foreigners to really believe.” — Martina (17:39)
• “Are you going to be the one that says, hey, is anyone else seeing this?” — Georgia (19:49)
• “To be that person, to be there… and then have the strength or bravery to then speak out — it’s just like, oh my God, you’re my hero.” — Martina (39:04)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Martina’s introduction and background: 00:27–01:17
• Starting the podcast, story selection: 04:49–07:51
• Multinational, multicultural angle and Oprah’s impact: 05:44–07:51, 22:32–24:48
• Descriptions of healing practices and social dynamics: 12:58–21:36
• Group psychology, survivor stories: 24:48–32:49
• Justice, aftermath, and ongoing belief: 32:49–35:36
• Bilingual podcasting & market gaps: 35:36–37:51
• Personal vulnerability and empathy reflections: 37:51–39:14

Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, collegial, and a blend of journalistic curiosity with the self-deprecating, honest humor typical of "My Favorite Murder." The episode balances investigative seriousness (discussing survivor trauma, cult tactics, and media complicity) with candid, personal anecdotes and supportive banter, creating an inviting and empathetic listening environment.

Closing & Calls to Action

• Launch date for “Two-Faced: John of God”: February 4, 2026 (in English and Spanish)
• How to listen: “You can find the Spanish language RSS feed by searching ‘Dos Caras, Juan de Dios’ wherever you get your podcasts.” (43:14)
• Encouragement to listen, subscribe, and review

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode is a fascinating look behind the scenes of a major new true crime podcast that dissects one of the most notorious faith healers in history. It delivers not just the basics of the case but also investigates cultural psychology, the power of belief, and the complexity of pursuing justice. Through anecdotes, deep dives, and unvarnished self-reflection, the hosts and guest Martina Castro highlight how anyone can be susceptible to manipulation — and why investigating stories from outside our comfort zones matters. The episode is both engaging and illuminating, providing multiple entry points for listeners of true crime, cultural history, and podcast production alike.