Podcast Summary:

Two-Faced: John of God
Episode 4: Breaking the Silence
Airdate: February 18, 2026
Host: Martina Castro
Production: Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

Episode 4, "Breaking the Silence," explores how allegations of sexual abuse against João Teixeira de Faria, better known as John of God—a globally celebrated Brazilian faith healer—were brought to public attention. Through the determined work of journalists Camila Appel and Cristina Phoebe, and the courage of survivors and witnesses, long-standing rumors of abuse became actionable news, sparking nationwide reckoning and an official investigation. The episode unpacks the difficult path from whispered secret to headline news, the barriers journalists faced, and the climate that allowed such crimes to go unchallenged for so long.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Risk and Courage In Breaking the Story

• Camila Appel's Investigation
  • Camila, a screenwriter for a popular late-night show on Globo, led months-long secret efforts to build the case against John of God (01:56–04:23).
  • Nicknamed "Operation Glauber," their project’s scope and danger made Camila anxious:

    “We were doing something very, very, very courageous. Very risky.” — Camila Appel (01:56)

  • The stakes were high: If the story was quashed, survivors would be even more vulnerable than before, having risked exposure by talking to Camila (04:50).
  • Camila reflects on her personal sacrifice:

    "Two months and a half, 24 hours a day. …I was very obsessed with taking this story public. …You swim and swim… and then when you get there, you die at the beach… No, I'm swimming, I'm swimming. I don't want to stop here. I need this to come out." — Camila Appel (05:19)

2. Uncovering Abuse: First Whispers to Online Disclosure

• First Leads
  • Camila’s investigation began when a trusted friend in Abadiânia shared shocking, previously unreported first-hand accounts of rape and abuse by John of God (07:20–07:54).
  • Victims were terrified—John of God was surrounded by armed men and held deep sway over the town.
• Discovering Zahira's Story
  • The investigation’s turning point was Zahira Maus’s Facebook post, detailing rape and opening the door for international scrutiny. This occurred in the wake of #MeToo and the Harvey Weinstein case (09:47–10:32).

3. Parallel Investigations and the 'Modus Operandi'

• Cristina Phoebe’s Journalistic Path
  • Cristina, at O Globo, saw Zahira’s post shared in a feminist Facebook group and started her own inquiry, consulting fellow reporter Elena Borges (10:53–11:50).
  • Elena had previously felt unwelcome in Abadiânia, noticing efforts to control media narratives.
• Patterns of Abuse
  • Separate investigations by Camila and Cristina revealed similar survivor stories, closely matching over decades, suggesting a clear "modus operandi" (12:19–12:52).

  • “Very, very crystal clear modus operandi in the way he abused women.” — Cristina Phoebe (12:37)

4. John of God’s System of Power and Silence

• Targeting and Grooming
  • The abuser targeted vulnerable women, typically young, white, often blond, making them feel chosen and special by giving them privileged access (15:53–17:33).
  • Quote on victim selection:

    "It’s mainly white women, blonde. He loves blonde women. And young women in general..." — Cristina Phoebe (17:05)

• Control in Abadiânia
  • John of God controlled nearly every aspect of town life, from opening stores to allowing cab drivers to work. Those who crossed him were threatened, run out, or even rumored to be killed (18:24–19:01).
  • Survivors and even journalists lived in fear of “spiritual retaliation”—the belief he could harm them remotely if crossed (20:01).

5. The Journalists’ Challenges—Internal and External

• Gaining Trust
  • Camila and Cristina describe the emotionally taxing work of building trust with victims terrified of both real and spiritual consequences (19:19–20:42).
• Institutional Obstacles
  • Both journalists faced resistance from their own newsrooms, which were either afraid of John of God's power or did not prioritize the story (21:06–22:51).

    "They just didn't care..." — Cristina Phoebe (22:06)

6. Breaking Through—Getting Stories on Air

• Differences in Media

  • Camila’s show, an entertainment talk show, was not beholden to the stricter standards of news journalism—allowing for the story to be told even without police reports (24:16–24:42).

• Victims Go Public

  • The breakthrough came when Zahira agreed to show her face on TV.

    "Zahida decided to come forward, showing her face. I think this was very important for people to… see her speaking and coming forward with everything that she had." — Camila Appel (27:49)

  • American tour guide Amy Bianc contacted Camila, agreeing to appear on TV and describe walking in on an assault (28:12–29:53).

    "I saw her on her knees with Joao exposed and him pushing her head toward him. And instead of complying, she yelled and I busted in." — Amy Bianc (28:36)

• Legal Resistance

  • John of God and his lawyers tried (and failed) to legally block the broadcast (31:04-31:19).

7. The Impact

• The Tipping Point

  • The episode aired on December 7, 2018, followed swiftly by national newspaper and news coverage, sparking a media firestorm and forcing authorities to respond (31:58–32:48).
  • News clips, social media, and MeToo solidarity spread the story across Brazil and worldwide.

  • “It was a hurricane. It was really spectacular the way everything developed after that.” — Camila Appel (31:58)

• Transformational Outcome

  • The journalists credit their work and the brave women who came forward with catalyzing Brazil's MeToo movement and helping countless women recognize their own experiences as abuse (33:24–33:48).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Weight of Responsibility:

  “Each day we didn't publish for me was a day that he could be raping someone.” — Cristina Phoebe (23:26)

• On Survivors’ Fears:

  “They called it spiritual retaliation… if he's able to come here on the other side of the world and start curing me, maybe he's able to come here and harm me.” — Camila Appel (20:01)

• On the System of Control:

  "Half of town was just there to serve him. People who didn't do what John of God wanted them to do, they usually disappeared." — Cristina Phoebe (18:24)

• Personal Sacrifice:

  “I even have a small kid… my kids are trying to talk to me… because I was very obsessed with taking this story public.” — Camila Appel (05:19)

• On Impact:

  “I do think this story opened up the MeToo movement in Brazil." — Camila Appel (33:24)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• The Risks of Investigating (Camila’s anxiety, courage): 01:56–05:19
• First Whispers and Initial Evidence: 06:44–09:09
• Zahira’s Public Testimony and #MeToo Influence: 09:47–10:32
• Journalists Discovering the Pattern: 12:19–12:52
• Describing Modus Operandi and Victim Selection: 15:53–17:33
• Fear and Control in Abadiânia: 18:24–19:52
• Journalistic Resistance and Internal Obstacles: 21:06–22:51
• Breakthrough—Victims Coming Forward for TV: 27:17–29:53
• John of God Tries to Block Broadcast: 31:04–31:19
• National Impact and Aftermath: 31:58–33:24

Summary

"Breaking the Silence" masterfully chronicles the confluence of journalistic perseverance and survivor bravery at a historic moment for Brazil. By reconstructing how a cloistered, dangerous environment of spiritual abuse was finally brought to light, the podcast lays bare the mechanisms of silence that enable abuse, the institutional inertia that must be overcome, and the power of a few voices to ignite national reckoning and social change. This episode’s depth and urgency make it essential listening for understanding the complexities—and high cost—of exposing abusers who wield faith and power as their shield.