Podcast Summary – The Mystic and The Mayor
Episode 6: "A Tentacular Affair"
Date: August 5, 2025
Presenters: Anna Richardson & Leo Chic
Production: Audio Always
Overview
In this gripping episode, Anna Richardson and investigative journalist Leo Chic dissect the extraordinary downfall of Gilles d’Ettore, mayor of a small French coastal town (AGD), and his entanglement with professional mystic Sophia Martinez. The exposé traces how supposed spiritual communications spiraled into psychological manipulation, potential corruption, and eventual criminal charges, unraveling the sleepy town’s façade and propelling it center stage in a national scandal.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The “Archangel Michael” Calls and Their Spread
- (00:06) Leo reveals that for years, Gilles d’Ettore has been receiving phone calls that claim to be from the Archangel Michael—first with messages from his late father, then increasingly requests to shield Sophia, and finally, demands for material favors.
- (01:38) The phenomenon escalates when Gilles’ ex-wife, Geraldine, starts receiving similar anonymous, menacing calls at her workplace, displaying a deep level of personal knowledge about her and Gilles.
Memorable Quote:
“Geraldine walks into the local police station and approaches the counter. She tells the police Gilles de Torre has been bewitched. And she suspects that Sophia, the mystic... is masterminding these calls.” – Leo Chic (02:08)
2. Police Investigation and Astonishing Breakthrough
- Authorities wiretap Gilles and Sophia, uncovering that Gilles receives up to ten calls a day from Sophia.
- In a dramatic police interview, Sophia confesses to being the voice of the “Archangel Michael” and demonstrates her ventriloquism skills, revealing that she’s behind the ruse.
Memorable Quote:
“Sofia Martinez is a ventriloquist. She can manipulate her voice in a seemingly impossible way... no one knew that she could do this with her voice.” – Leo Chic (03:46, 04:42)
3. The Web of Deceit Expands
- (05:40-06:40) The investigation finds that others, including town hall employee David M, received similar calls, particularly after hypnosis sessions with Sophia.
- Some victims recognize Sophia’s voice, but Gilles appears deep in denial, possibly due to cognitive dissonance and sunk cost fallacies.
Memorable Quote:
“You want to believe, don’t you, that this is clearly not Sophia. I am getting these phone calls. They’re meaningful to me.” – Anna Richardson (07:23)
4. Arrest and the Material Trail
- In March 2024, both Gilles and Sophia are arrested.
- (09:00 – 10:21) Leo outlines the long list of gifts and perks Sophia and her entourage received: a €45,000 veranda, remodeled kitchen, lavish holidays, wedding expenses, cash gifts up to €35,000, luxury birthday party, family internships and job promotions.
Memorable Quotes:
“This woman has just made hundreds of thousands of euros.” – Anna Richardson (09:31)
“If the charges against Gilles stand, then clearly he was using public funds to fund Sophia’s lifestyle.” – Anna Richardson (10:21)
5. The Wider Impact on the Town and Council
- A local construction firm director is implicated and imprisoned for 12 days for his role in providing Sophia’s veranda, allegedly under pressure from Gilles.
- Gilles’ political rivals, including Thierry Nadel, demand his resignation and the dissolution of the municipal council.
Memorable Quote:
“The investigation is trying to uncover who or what the octopus is.” – Thierry Nadel (12:41)
6. Who—or What—is the 'Octopus'?
- Anna and Leo debate whether Sophia, Gilles, or both are the metaphorical octopus choking the town.
- Anna leans toward Sophia as the manipulator, while Leo highlights the mayor’s duty and greater accountability as a public official.
Memorable Exchanges:
“It’s got to be Sophia, hasn’t it? It has to be... Because here’s a woman who knows how to manipulate people...” – Anna Richardson (13:29)
“If either of them are conning on whatever scale, it’s much worse if Gilles is doing it than if Sofia is doing it.” – Leo Chic (15:53)
7. Psychological Motivations, Trauma, and Addiction to Power
- Louise Colcombe (Le Parisien) hypothesizes that Sophia’s actions stem from her troubled upbringing and a “narcissistic failure,” leading her to seek validation and security through manipulation and money.
- Police interview excerpts suggest Sophia herself felt “spiraled out of control” by Gilles’ generosity and the trappings of “glitter and appearance.”
Quotes:
“She’s someone who has been abandoned when she was a child... there’s something very intimate for her... a weakness and money and love... she couldn’t stop.” – Louise Colcombe (19:44)
“It spiraled out of control when Gilles started to spoil me.” – Anna Richardson voicing Sophia (18:27)
8. Aftermath and Where Are They Now?
- Gilles adapted well to pre-trial prison, was released on judicial supervision, has to stay out of AGD, and cannot contact former colleagues (20:57).
- Sophia endured a harder prison stint, including solitary confinement for her safety after being labeled a 'witch'; now, she’s barred from practicing any “mystical” services and has moved closer to family (21:52).
9. Presumption of Innocence and Hopes for Closure
- Leo attempts to contact both protagonists for their perspective; both decline.
- The episode wraps with the reminder that all accused are presumed innocent until judged.
Memorable Quote:
“Gilles and Sophia await trial along with a handful of local businesses tangled up into their messy and mysterious relationship.” – Leo Chic (24:51)
Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps
| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|---------------------|---------| | 02:08 | “Geraldine walks into the local police station... Gilles de Torre has been bewitched.” | Leo Chic | | 04:07 | "She’s a fucking ventriloquist." | Anna Richardson | | 05:20 | “He must have genuinely thought... he was getting messages from an archangel.” | Anna Richardson | | 09:31 | "This woman has just made hundreds of thousands of euros." | Anna Richardson | | 12:41 | "The investigation is trying to uncover who or what the octopus is." | Thierry Nadel | | 13:29 | “It’s got to be Sophia, hasn’t it? It has to be... Because here’s a woman who knows how to manipulate people...” | Anna Richardson | | 15:53 | "It’s much worse if Gilles is doing it than if Sofia is doing it." | Leo Chic | | 18:27 | “It spiraled out of control when Gilles started to spoil me.” | "Sophia" (via Anna Richardson) | | 19:44 | "There’s something very intimate for her... a weakness and money and love that would feed her." | Louise Colcombe | | 24:51 | “Gilles and Sophia await trial along with a handful of local businesses tangled up into their messy and mysterious relationship.” | Leo Chic |
Timestamps for Important Segments
- (00:00–02:08) – The spread of “Archangel Michael” calls and police involvement
- (03:43–04:53) – Sophia’s ventriloquism revealed to police and public
- (07:48–11:49) – Arrests, list of gifts, municipal corruption
- (12:04–13:59) – Political fallout, "the Octopus" metaphor introduced, debate on culpability
- (17:14–19:44) – Louise Colcombe’s psychological analysis, Sophia’s background and motivations
- (20:18–22:11) – Prison experiences, legal restrictions, updates on Gilles & Sophia
- (23:19–24:31) – Reporters’ efforts to reach Gilles and Sophia
- (24:31–24:51) – Presumption of innocence and next steps
Tone and Style
The episode blends investigative rigor with empathetic discussion, balancing sympathy for the psychologically vulnerable with a clear-eyed assessment of manipulation and corruption. Both hosts maintain a conversational, candid, and at times lightly irreverent tone, particularly as shocking revelations come to light.
Conclusion
“A Tentacular Affair” is a story of how personal needs, trauma, and spiritual longing collided with small-town politics, resulting in a scandal emblematic not only of individual failings, but systemic cracks in governance and trust. The tangled fates of Gilles and Sophia invite debate on responsibility, vulnerability, and the dangerous dance between belief and abuse of power.