Podcast Summary: The Mystic and The Mayor
Podcast: The Mystic and The Mayor
Host: Wondery
Episode: Ghosts of Agde | 1
Date: August 5, 2025
Episode Overview
In the debut episode of The Mystic and The Mayor, hosts Anna Richardson and Leo Chic dive into the improbable and unsettling events that rocked the tranquil French coastal town of Agde. The episode explores how Mayor Gilles d’Ettore, seeking solace after the death of his father, turns to local mystic Sophia Martinez during the height of the Covid-19 lockdown. Their relationship, initially rooted in spiritual inquiry, spirals into town-wide scandal amid rumors, anonymous supernatural phone calls, and questions of abuse of power and exploitation. The hosts set out to investigate how grief, vulnerability, and belief can upend not just a single life—but an entire community’s sense of reality.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Setting the Scene: Agde’s Contrasts
- Agde is described as a picturesque, ancient town with cobbled streets, a cathedral, fisherman’s quarters, and a famous nudist (and swinger) resort.
- "[Agde is] a town where time seems to hold its breath. ... But that would be a lot less interesting and a lot less true." — Leo Chic [00:25]
- Local resident Brigitte Michelange details the liberal, respectful ethos of Agde’s nudist quarters, reinforcing the unique, tolerant character of the town.
- "When you're naked, no one knows whether you're a CEO, a surgeon, or a laborer.... A woman saying no is respected. ... There's a lot of tolerance and respect." — Brigitte Michelange [04:29]
Covid’s Impact & Mayor Gilles d’Ettore’s Personal Journey
- In spring 2020, Agde is brought to a standstill by Covid-19; the town’s mayor, Gilles d’Ettore, faces solitude and deep personal reflection.
- Gilles’s bond with his late father—who died before fulfilling his own mayoral ambitions—remains profound and unresolved for Gilles.
- "[Gilles] drives around with his father's jacket in his car...on election day...he wears the jacket. ... It shows that behind the strength he shows...he can be quite fragile." — Jean Pierre Amarget [06:46]
The Mystic Enters: Sophia Martinez
- Gilles, feeling lost and yearning for connection, is introduced to Sophia Martinez, a local medium with an impressive client list (police, doctors, government officials).
- "Word spread that she was really gifted...he was amazed at the first time." — Louise Colcombe [07:58]
- Sophia quickly wins Gilles’s trust; he openly recommends her, unwilling to hide his reliance on her psychic gifts.
The Allure (and Scepticism) of Mediums
- Anna Richardson shares her own familiarity with the paranormal, affirming a mixture of belief and scepticism.
- "I've come across a lot of charlatans. ... Maybe two mediums...I just cannot explain what they're doing." — Anna Richardson [10:35]
- Leo, the sceptical journalist, recounts his own moving encounter with a medium, Valerie Gruget, who unexpectedly references his grandmother’s name, Margaret.
- "My grandmother's name was Margaret. ... Already it was like, how did she know that?" — Leo Chic [12:16]
- "It really felt like I'd spent time with my grandfather. ... Whether it's for real or not, it doesn't really matter because it's established as real in your mind." — Leo Chic [13:48]
Vulnerability, Grief, and Manipulation
- Both hosts reflect on how bereavement fuels people’s susceptibility to mediums and spiritual advisors.
- "We're talking about people that are bereaved, they're grieving. And it's tantalizing...that I could just speak to that person that I love again. So I get it." — Anna Richardson [16:33]
- Leo gains insight into the power Sophia wielded over Gilles, explaining how vulnerability in grief can create dependence and belief.
The Mystery Deepens: Calls from ‘Beyond’
- As Agde recovers from lockdown, Gilles receives mysterious phone calls from a “No Caller ID”, with a voice identifying itself first as the Archangel Michael and then as his father.
- Dramatized Call:
- "I am the Archangel Michael...I have a message from your father." — Actor as Archangel Michael [17:19]
- "This voice gradually entered my daily life. ... His answers seemed completely convincing." — Gilles d’Ettore (actor, quoting interview) [18:27]
- Dramatized Call:
- The nature of these calls grows increasingly intimate and strange—the “archangel” asks Gilles to call him “Papa,” blurring the lines between comfort and manipulation.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Agde’s culture:
"Naked in the sun, going swimming is a joy. ... If you want to swing, fine. ... There's a lot of tolerance and respect. It really is the place to be."
— Brigitte Michelange [04:29] -
On the mayor’s grief:
"He drives around with his father's jacket in his car, and on election day, ...he wears the jacket. ... it shows ... he can be quite fragile."
— Jean Pierre Amarget [06:46] -
On psychic dependance:
"He was so fond of her that he would talk to anyone about her and say, you should see her, you should see her. ... She was a princess and she used her magical stick or something on him."
— Louise Colcombe [09:53] -
On the blurred line between reality and belief:
"It really felt like I'd spent time with my grandfather. ... Whether it's for real or not, it doesn't really matter because it's established as real in your mind."
— Leo Chic [13:48] -
When things turn sinister:
"At some point, this person or thing...posing as the Archangel asks Gilles to call him Papa."
— Leo Chic [19:19] -
Anna’s raw reaction:
"What the fuck?"
— Anna Richardson [19:44]
Important Timestamps
- Agde’s Character and Divisions: [00:25] – [05:11]
- Covid Changes Everything: [05:11] – [07:14]
- Gilles & Sophia Meet: [07:14] – [08:54]
- Anna & Leo Discuss Mediumship & Scepticism: [09:11] – [11:30]
- Leo’s Personal Medium Experience: [11:42] – [13:48]
- Reflection on Grief and Vulnerability: [13:48] – [16:33]
- The Phone Calls Begin: [17:19] – [19:44]
- Escalation & The “Papa” Revelation: [19:44] – End
Tone and Style
Throughout the episode, the tone shifts from picturesque and contemplative to investigative and, at times, unsettling. Anna brings warmth, wit, and a touch of dry English humour; Leo balances journalistic rigour with moments of introspective vulnerability. Their chemistry keeps the unfolding mystery engaging and the scepticism grounded.
Episode Takeaways
- Agde is more than just a quaint town—it’s a microcosm of how personal grief and the allure of the supernatural can weave into politics and public life.
- The episode challenges listeners to reflect on their own beliefs about the afterlife, the power of grief, and the ease with which even the powerful can become vulnerable.
- Episode 1 sets the stage for deeper exploration of the relationship between Gilles and Sophia, the ripple effects on Agde, and the interplay between belief, manipulation, and power.
Next Episode Preview:
Expect more revelations about the impact Gilles and Sophia’s entanglement has on the town—including bizarre public ceremonies, escalating rumours, and the growing sense that supernatural machinations might be colliding with the machinery of governance.