Podcast Summary: "Witches, Demons & Jesus Christ’s Victory: How Christians Fight Evil"
The Isabel Brown Show | The Daily Wire
Date: September 29, 2025
Guest: Matt Fradd (Pints with Aquinas)
Overview
This episode of The Isabel Brown Show confronts recent headlines involving alleged witchcraft against conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. On the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, Isabel and guest Matt Fradd explore spiritual warfare, demonic influence, and the Christian response to evil in society today. The discussion centers on understanding the reality of spiritual battles, finding hope in Christ’s victory, and practical ways Christians can resist evil—both individually and culturally.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Jezebel Witchcraft Scandal and the Reality of Spiritual Warfare
[00:00 - 14:40]
- Isabel details a Jezebel article revealing the publication paid witches (via Etsy) to cast curses on Charlie Kirk before his assassination. She calls this an explicit sign of spiritual warfare in society.
- Megyn Kelly’s podcast is cited as a source amplifying the story, which became widely discussed after Kirk’s death.
- Isabel reads from the Jezebel article, highlighting bizarre and disturbing spell rituals targeting Kirk and noting the article’s removal after public backlash.
- Jezebel issued a note after taking down the article, denying endorsement of violence while having published the story of the curses.
- Isabel excoriates what she calls the “moral relativism” and “moral ambiguity” enabling such acts:
- “There is no such thing as ethically or morally neutral. And it is way past time for our society to stop pretending that there is.” [21:49 - A]
- She points out that witches themselves are experiencing regrets and have downplayed their acts as “ethically neutral”, a concept Isabel rejects as dangerous.
Notable Quote
- “Jezebel. We do not endorse political violence. Also, Jezebel literally hires multiple witches to curse Charlie Kirk to make his head explode … this is very clearly a battle between good and evil.” — Isabel [11:56]
2. Demonic Influence, Culture, and the Need for Moral Clarity
[14:40 - 34:50]
- Isabel asserts that the story marks an inflection point in American culture's spiritual battle.
- She discusses the normalization of demonic activities, the selling of spells for profit, and society’s refusal to label evil for what it is.
- Claims that “moral ambiguity” and “moral relativism” have led to widespread cultural and even institutional evil, giving the example of abortion clinics affiliated with the Satanic Temple.
- Isabel describes these clinics as “ritualistic religious sacrifice of children” protected under the guise of religious freedom.
- Points to “after school Satan clubs” and increasing normalization of satanic symbolism in schools and culture.
- “This is a battle not between left versus right ... this is a battle between good and evil, period, full stop.” [21:50 - A]
- Notes state and federal agencies at times labeling Christian organizations as “hate groups” or extremist, interpreting this as societal hostility to Christianity.
Notable Quote
- “Abortion is the literal sacrifice of children... it's just packaged in a new, more sterile, clinic-y way for our postmodern society today.” — Isabel [33:25]
3. Understanding and Recognizing Demonic Influence (Catholic Teaching)
[34:50 - 43:29]
- Isabel explores Catholic theology on the levels of demonic activity:
- Temptation: The ordinary enticement to sin (experienced by everyone, including Jesus).
- Oppression/Obsession: Extraordinary external disturbance or harassment, possibly physical or mental distress.
- Possession: Extremely rare; a demon may control a body (never a soul or will).
- The Church’s rites: Deliverance prayers, exorcism (for possession).
- God’s providence allows evil to exist for the greater good—moral growth, testing faith, a theme expressed by St. Thomas Aquinas and C.S. Lewis.
- C.S. Lewis’s view: Christianity requires acknowledgment of a “dark power,” a real enemy.
Notable Quotes
- “The power of Satan is nonetheless not infinite. His action is permitted by Divine providence, but ... everything God, that in everything, God works for good with those who love him.” — Isabel (Catechism) [18:55]
- “Christianity agrees that this is a universe at war … we forgot that in American Christianity for the last several decades.” — Isabel (paraphrasing C.S. Lewis) [29:02]
4. Practical Steps for Christians in Spiritual Warfare
Guest: Matt Fradd
[43:29 - 62:45]
Why Has the Church Forgotten Spiritual Warfare?
- Matt Fradd likens leaving out Satan in Christianity to summarizing 'Lord of the Rings' without Sauron.
- “Trying to understand Christianity without reference to Satan and the demonic is a little like trying to understand the Lord of the Rings without reference to Sauron.” [44:09 - B]
- Attributes the Church’s reticence to a desire to make Christianity “palatable for modern man,” but sees a cultural reawakening due to increased evil in society.
Building Virtue in a Convenient Age
- “It takes courage, it takes virtue, it takes patience and waking up every day and trying to be better than you were yesterday...” — Isabel [46:38]
- Matt emphasizes the need for:
- Simple, consistent morning prayer practices.
- Treating sin as seriously as terminal illness: “Sin is a spiritual cancer that robs us of happiness and can isolate us from the good God.” [49:28 - B]
- Focusing on one’s own “spiritual poverty” instead of judging others.
The Importance of Self-Examination and Silence
- “We like to collectively point our fingers at someone who we've decided is the enemy that day ... But so long as the spotlight's off me and on someone else, then I don’t ever have to see my own poverty and beg Christ for the grace to grow in virtue.” — Matt Fradd [50:44]
- Stresses the “unpopular” but vital discipline of being silent and self-reflective.
- Quotes Blaise Pascal: “All of the problems of modern man can be boiled down to this: he does not know how to sit alone in a dark room silently.” [53:41]
Forgiveness and Responding to Evil with Good
- Isabel references Erica Kirk’s public forgiveness of Charlie’s assassin as a powerful example of Christ-like virtue.
- “I forgive him because that's what Christ did. And I forgive him because that's what Charlie would have done.” — Isabel recalling Erica Kirk [56:45]
- Matt underlines the need to avoid the “weapons of the enemy”—anger, vengeance—in favor of forgiveness and prayer for even those who commit evil against us.
Changing Culture: Start With Yourself
- When asked how to change American culture:
- “I know what to do on my level, right? And this is far less glamorous... I need to love my wife well, ask my children’s forgiveness, be kind to people that don’t interest me...” — Matt Fradd [59:37]
- Encourages listeners to focus on their “circle of control” and to deepen personal holiness—the ripple effects will influence society.
5. Christian Hope: Christ’s Victory and St. Michael the Archangel
[62:45 - End]
- Isabel encourages a regular prayer life, participation in sacraments, and surrounding oneself with virtuous friends.
- The episode coincides with St. Michael the Archangel’s feast day—a providential sign, Isabel suggests.
- St. Michael’s four roles: Defender of the Church, protector of the faithful, leader of angelic armies, and guardian at death.
- Ends with a group prayer to St. Michael, appealing for his protection and reinforcing the belief that God’s victory over evil is assured.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “We can rest our head at night knowing that the war has already been won.” — Isabel [63:54]
- “We have to love God above all things and above ourselves. And so I think the very first thing I would encourage all of your listeners ... put a crucifix by the side of your bed ... pick it up and just kiss it ... you can do every day.” — Matt Fradd [47:37]
- “Have I done that? Do I pray for [Charlie’s murderer’s] repentance and his… union or reunion with Christ the Lord?” — Matt Fradd [55:54]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00 – 14:40: Jezebel, witchcraft, and the Kirk story
- 14:40 – 34:50: Spiritual warfare, societal evil, abortion, and Satanic Temple controversies
- 34:50 – 43:29: Catholic teaching on demonic influence; levels of demonic activity
- 43:29 – 47:37: Matt Fradd joins; spiritual warfare in Church teaching
- 47:37 – 54:14: Building virtue, daily practices, and cultural challenges
- 54:14 – 56:45: Forgiveness in the face of evil; Erica Kirk’s example
- 59:37 – 62:45: Changing culture by individual holiness; circles of control
- 62:45 – End: Closing reflections, St. Michael’s feast, prayer
Conclusion: The Battle Continues—But the War Is Won
Isabel and Matt conclude that while spiritual warfare is real and intensifying in culture, Christians can and must fight back—with prayer, virtue, the sacraments, community, and unwavering hope in Christ’s definitive victory over evil. The responsibility starts with personal holiness and extends outward by influencing families and communities, trusting that God and His angels, especially St. Michael, are fighting alongside believers.
