Podcast Summary: Stuff You Should Know

Episode: The Warrens — Paranormal Power Couple

Release Date: January 6, 2026
Hosts: Josh Clark & Chuck Bryant
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This engaging episode dives into the lives and careers of Ed and Lorraine Warren—self-proclaimed demonologists, clairvoyants, and paranormal investigators made famous by movies like The Conjuring, The Amityville Horror, and The Haunting in Connecticut. Josh and Chuck explore the history, legend, and controversy surrounding the Warrens, dissecting both their most legendary cases and the criticisms that dogged them. The episode balances skeptical inquiry with colorful storytelling, ultimately offering a critical but nuanced take on whether the Warrens were genuine seekers or savvy grifters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Were Ed and Lorraine Warren? (02:27–05:16)

• Background:

  • Ed Warren (born Ed Warren Miney, 1926) and Lorraine Warren (born Lorraine Moran, 1927) grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
  • Ed claimed childhood experiences in a haunted house; Lorraine claimed psychic abilities.
  • Married in 1945 and started as itinerant artists, eventually segueing into paranormal investigation.

• Founding the NESPR:

  • In 1952, they formed the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), pioneering organized ghost hunting in America and influencing today's glut of paranormal TV.

• "They were the OGs."

  • Chuck Bryant [05:51]: "So credit or scorn. They were the OGs."

2. The Warrens’ Greatest (Alleged) Hauntings

The Perron Family / The Conjuring House (09:00–12:21)

• The “first big deal” case: a Rhode Island farmhouse plagued by violent poltergeist activity; basis for The Conjuring.
• Key Details:
  • Five daughters, strange occurrences (levitating beds, foul odors).
  • Warrens conducted a séance; mother Carolyn supposedly thrown across the room, spoke in tongues.
  • Haunting persisted until family moved.

Annabelle the Doll (12:33–14:54)

• Origin: A nurse in Hartford, CT receives a Raggedy Ann doll which seems alive, moves on its own.
• Warrens claim: It’s not a “little girl spirit” but a demon attempting to possess the nurse.
• Exorcism was inconclusive; the doll was caged in the Warrens' museum.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Chuck Bryant [14:18]: "It's unclear if it was successful since the doll continued to cause problems."

The Amityville Horror (15:16–18:22)

• In 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his family in Amityville, NY; a year later, the Lutzes experienced supposed hauntings after moving in.
• Warrens conclude: the land itself is evil, cursed by a Native American burial ground (a now-trope).
• The infamous “ghost boy” photo comes from their singular séance in the house.

The Enfield Haunting (20:46–24:30)

• London, 1977; the Hodgson family reports poltergeist activity (flying furniture, trances, “Bill Wilkins” ghost).
• Inspiraton for The Conjuring 2.
• Warrens’ involvement is questionable (perhaps just a brief visit).

The Arne Johnson / The Devil Made Me Do It Case (25:39–28:10)

• Brookfield, CT, 1981: 19-year-old Arne Johnson kills his landlord, claims demonic possession.
• Warrens allegedly help bring the “the devil made me do it” defense to trial (judge rejects it).

The Snedeker Family / Haunting in Connecticut (28:10–30:37)

• In a former funeral home, the Snedekers (including son Philip, being treated for cancer) report hauntings, sexual assault by spirits.
• Warrens capitalize, appear on talk shows, leverage the case for media work.

3. Dissecting the Warrens' Methods & Legacy

Was There a Kernel of Truth? (32:59–35:14)

• Each case featured some eerie “real-world” starting point:
  • Real murders, actual funeral homes, verifiable deaths.
  • These factoids provided a springboard for supernatural storytelling, often undeterred by lack of scientific evidence.

Evidence and Skepticism (35:14–37:01)

• Skeptics, like the New England Skeptical Society, reviewed the Warrens' “evidence” (photos, audio, artifacts).
• Josh Clark [35:24]: “Scientists evaluated all of their evidence... decided that it's all blarney. They’re not doing good scientific investigation... none of this stuff is falsifiable.”
• Warrens’ response: Critics lack faith; their work must be understood through Catholicism and belief in God.

Ethics, Exploitation, and Critiques (37:01–38:54)

• Some families may have been genuinely distressed or mentally ill; Warrens wrote books and built their brand on these stories regardless.
• Warrens' work possibly contributed to moral panics (notably the Satanic Panic of the '80s).
• Films depict Ed and Lorraine as near-saints, which doesn’t always square with the historical record.

4. Controversies & Exposés (38:54–45:06)

Questionable Authorship & Fabrications

• Author Ray Garton alleges he was told to “make up the rest” when the real-life family’s stories didn’t align during the Haunting in Connecticut book project.
  • Chuck Bryant quoting Ed Warren [39:36]: “They're crazy. All the people who come to us are crazy. That's why they come to us. Just use what you can and make up the rest.”

Enfield & Amityville: How Involved Were They Re ally?

• Reports suggest minimal involvement in Enfield (possibly just an hour); they later claimed more prominent roles.
• Amityville: Later lawsuits and interviews revealed it was likely a hoax concocted over drinks, but the Warrens still rode the wave.

Personal Scandal

• 2017: Judith Penny alleges a 40-year relationship with Ed Warren starting when she was 15, with Lorraine’s knowledge; abortion allegedly forced for business reasons.
• Lorraine, when consulting on The Conjuring, contractually barred studios from depicting marital problems, crimes, or sexual misconduct.
  • Chuck Bryant [44:43]: “To include all that very specific stuff is not normal.”

5. Aftermath and Pop Culture Legacy (45:06–47:01)

• Both Warrens have passed away (Ed in 2006, Lorraine in 2019).
• Their organization, NESPR, continues under son-in-law Tony Spera and daughter Judy.
• The Annabelle doll still tours; their once-popular occult museum closed in 2019.
• The “Conjuring universe” is a multi-billion dollar Hollywood franchise.
  • Josh Clark [47:01]: “Yeah, it's basically like the new Marvel.”
• Ongoing debates: Were they well-meaning devotees, brilliant performers, or mercenary frauds?

Notable Quotes

• "They made the idea of ghost hunting mainstream... All of the terrible—yeah, terrible TV shows that are around today all owe their existence to the Warrens."
  – Josh Clark [05:16]

• "I say we kind of present both sides, even though I feel like it's pretty clear where we land."
  – Josh Clark [02:59]

• "It's unclear if it was successful since the doll continued to cause problems."
  – Chuck Bryant [14:18] (about the Annabelle exorcism)

• "[The scientists] decided that it's all blarney... they're not doing good scientific investigation."
  – Josh Clark [35:24]

• "All the people who come to us are crazy. That's why they come to us. Just use what you can and make up the rest."
  – Ed Warren (as quoted by Ray Garton) [39:36]

• "They never charged a dime from anybody in need that they were helping... Which is definitely worth pointing out."
  – Josh Clark [07:45]

Recommended Further Exploration

• The Conjuring and Amityville Horror movies
• "Ghost boy photo" from Amityville
• Dreaming Casually blog (by Jamie Rubio) on Bathsheba Sherman
• [Sally Jesse Raphael episode: "I Was Raped by a Ghost"] (re: Snedeker family)

Episode Mood & Tone

• Casual, skeptical, and humorous—Josh and Chuck treat the Warrens’ stories with a blend of tongue-in-cheek disbelief and respect for the cultural legacy (and entertainment value) of their tales.
• They also acknowledge the unsettling ethical dimensions and lasting impact—both on pop culture and on real people.

For Listeners Seeking More

• The full episode includes many more details, side discussions on horror movies and culture, and tangents about the long shadow of the Warrens on modern ghost hunting.
• If you're interested in the intersection of folklore, skepticism, true crime, and pop culture, this one is a must-listen.