The Exorcist Files

What begins as a five-year-old boy's vivid nightmare spirals into years of relentless spiritual torment. In Part 1 of this rare three-part case on The Exorcist Files, Ryan Bethea and exorcist Father Carlos Martins bring you the story of Theodore, a young boy besieged by terrifying nocturnal visits, and his parents, Lisa and John, who exhaust every natural explanation before turning to the Church.

Guided by diocesan exorcist Father Ludo, the family enters the battle against demonic obsession—only to discover during a deliverance Mass that Theodore may not be the only target under attack.

Listener discretion is advised.

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Timestamps

00:00 | A Distressing Nightmare

01:45 | Welcome to The Exorcist Files: Season 3

03:10 | Lisa’s Story: Theodore’s Early Nightmares

05:40 | The Shadow in the Mirror & The Bathroom Door

08:15 | A House Blessing and Temporary Relief

10:45 | Adbreak: OneSkin

12:20 | Horror Movies, Occult Fascination, and Sleepless Nights

14:50 | Ryan on the Science of Nightmares vs. The Preternatural

17:15 | Demonic Obsession Defined: Father Martins on Mental Infiltration

20:00 | Adbreak: Casper

22:10 | Meeting Father Ludo & Dr. Perry

24:35 | Session One: Physical Manifestations and the Stole

27:10 | The Relic of St. Gemma Galgani & Hard-Fought Renunciations

29:40 | Exorcism as a Process: Liberation Over Interrogation

31:15 | Adbreak: Cowboy Colostrum

33:00 | Adbreak: Runewood Rosaries

34:45 | Lisa's Turmoil & Maternal Guilt

37:20 | The Third Session: The Power of the Healing Mass

40:05 | Theodore’s Breakthrough & The Threat in the Pew

42:30 | Michael’s Crucifix: A Mother’s Sudden Fury

45:10 | How Far Down the Rabbit Hole Goes

46:00 | Father Martins’ Pastoral Note for Parents & Credits

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What happens when an obsession disguises itself as God’s will? Ryan Bethea and Father Carlos Martins examine the phenomenon of diabolical obsession through the parallel stories of two young men, Trevor and Steve. Discover how isolation and spiritualized delusions trap the mind, the fine line between psychological limerence and demonic assault, and the essential power of community and truth in breaking free.

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Timestamps

00:00 | A Distressing Voicemail

00:36 | Disguised as an Angel of Light

01:50 | Welcome to The Exorcist Files

02:30 | Trevor’s Ordinary Life & The Young Adult Night

04:19 | A Glimpse of Denise & The Isaiah Card

06:06 | "She’s the One": The Delusion Begins

07:05 | Adbreak: Wild Alaskan Company

08:52 | Adbreak: Rocket Money

10:27 | Steve’s Story: Discipline & Miss Holmes' Dream

14:02 | Trevor’s Pursuit at Mass

15:39 | The Confrontation in the Parking Lot

17:53 | Interpreting Rejection as God’s Test

19:15 | Adbreak: Exodus 90 & Fr. Gregory Pine

20:41 | Adbreak: Rugged Rosaries & The Exorcist Files Rosary

22:20 | Steve’s 8-Month Cycle of Standing Up & Grief

24:37 | Trevor's Stalking & The Diamond Ring

27:14 | Steve’s Academic Downfall & Hidden Despair

28:36 | The Intervention: Taped Photos on the Fridge

31:13 | Limerence, Psychology, and Preternatural Assault

32:55 | Historical Cases of Deadly Obsession: Madonna & Carl Tanzler

34:25 | Trevor Meets With Father Martins

37:05 | The Deliverance: Renunciation & Freedom

39:48 | Truth Shatters Steve's Illusion

42:04 | How the Doors Opened: Pornography, False Prophecy, and Testing Spirits

44:27 | Takeaway: Put God First & Never Walk Alone

46:33 | Credits & Closing

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Fr. Reisinger struggles to set Emma free while the attacks on the priests escalate in the climactic finale to one of the most famous Exorcism Cases in History

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In this dramatic episode of The Exorcist Files, Father Martins takes us back to 1920s Earling, Iowa, exploring one of the most thoroughly documented and bizarre cases of spiritual warfare in modern history: the exorcism of Emma Schmidt (pseudonym Anna Ecklund).

From her troubled youth marked by curses, witchcraft, and domestic turmoil, to sudden violent levitation and an aversion to holy water, Emma’s torment baffled those around her. When Father Theophilus Reisinger steps into the fray with the help of Father Joseph Steiger and local religious sisters, the first solemn rite in the convent unleashes forces far darker than expected.

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Timestamps:

00:00 | Opening Drama: The Rite Commences

01:23 | Welcome to Earling, Iowa: The Arena of Spiritual Warfare

02:32 | Father Carlos Martins on Begone Satan & Rules of Engagement

04:32 | Emma’s Upbringing, Aunt Mina & Suspicions of Witchcraft

07:42 | The Church Threshold Incident & Meeting Father Theophilus Riesinger

11:00 | Capuchin Fathers & A Pastoral Relationship

15:32 | Mid-Life Crisis, Melancholy & Early Deliverance (1912)

21:45 | Relocation to St. Joseph’s Parish Convent (1928)

24:02 | The Covert Holy Water Test & Preternatural Aversion

27:02 | The Rite Begins: Unnatural Speed, Leaping & Wall Levitation

31:37 | The Exhaustion of the Exorcist & Weary Convent Sisters

39:48 | Physical Degradation: Inexplicable Manifestations

41:20 | Interrogating the Spirits: Beelzebub, Jacob, Mina & Judas Iscariot

48:22 | Preview of Part 2 & Credits

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A young woman tries hard to escape a troubled past when she meets the man of her dreams.

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Dr. John Bergsma a renowned scholar and theological mind joins the Exorcist Files to dive into the supernatural activity of the Old Testament.

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Timestamps:

00:00 | Teaser: Demonic Footholds, Concert Culture, and the Serpent in Eden

01:26 | Introduction to Dr. John Bergsma

03:30 | Dr. Bergsma’s First Encounters with Deliverance as an Inner-City Pastor

06:12 | The 2-Hour General Confession: Renouncing Sins vs. Power Encounters

09:02 | Father Gabriel Amorth & Viewing Sin as "Accepting Cookies"

10:50 | Why Western Christianity Ignored the Intermediate Realm of Spirits

14:54 | Mid-Roll Sponsor Break (Wild Alaskan Co & The Born Again Identity)

18:27 | The Unseen Realm: Dr. Michael Heiser, the Heavenly Court, and Genesis 6

21:44 | Debunking Fallen-Angel Procreation: St. Augustine & the Line of Seth

23:46 | The Flood as a Divine Defense of Monogamy in the Dead Sea Scrolls

25:01 | All Warfare in the Old Testament Was Spiritual Warfare

27:36 | Sponsor Break (Exodus 90 & Bubs Naturals)

31:16 | The Angel of the Lord and the Pre-Incarnate Christ in the Old Testament

35:05 | King David, Saul’s Affliction, and the Roots of Exorcism

37:00 | Solomon, Deliverance Scrolls at Qumran, and Psalm 91

39:20 | Why Was the Serpent Allowed in Eden? Adam’s Failed Priestly Role

42:38 | Communication with Nature Before the Fall

44:26 | Dinosaurs, Fossils, and the Flood’s Rampant Violence

50:00 | How 1st-Century Jewish Exorcists Operated vs. the Direct Authority of Jesus

53:15 | What the Dead Sea Scrolls Revealed About the Essenes and the Spiritual World

57:00 | The Gods of the Pagans: Baal, Molech, and Modern Echoes

01:02:45 | Refuting the Prosperity Gospel: Spiritual Childhood vs. Embracing the Cross

01:10:45 | Territorial Spirits and Guardian Angels in Scripture (Daniel 10 & Acts 12)

01:14:45 | The Deuterocanonical Books: How the Old Testament Canon Was Formed

01:22:12 | Tobit and the Dead Sea Scrolls

01:23:48 | St. Jerome, St. Augustine, and Canonical Discernment

01:29:56 | Protestant Fruit, Sacraments of Desire, and Church Unity

01:38:40 | Where to Find Dr. Bergsma’s Work & Closing Remarks

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A first listen to Season 3. Featuring new stories of demonic obsession, generational curses, and even one of the most famous exorcism stories in American history, new case files will begin dropping this October. Make sure you are subscribed! Reminder, Vault members get the cases a fully day early and ad free!

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Father Martins offers some wisdom on forgiving yourself, how to discern what is prophetic vs demonic, and what steps to take to remove the influence of the occult in one's past.

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Father Carlos Martins and Ryan Bethea break down the sacramental, ontological power of Confession—from breaking the grip of sin and guilt to the mechanics of perfect contrition. Plus, they discuss the lingering damage of sin, the dangers of generational occult objects, and listener questions on holy water and spiritual warfare.

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Timestamps

00:00 | Cold Open & Highlights

01:07 | Welcome to The Exorcist Files

02:49 | Listener Phobias & The "Cricket Confession"

04:00 | Holy Water, Dates, and Demonic Reactions

05:57 | What Is Perfect Contrition?

12:12 | Why Go to a Priest? The Biblical Roots of Confession

12:45 | Sponsor Break: Forkful Meals & The Born Again Identity Series

16:00 | John 20: Christ Gives the Power to Forgive

27:37 | Sponsor Break: Qualia Magnesium & Ollie Pets

31:15 | The Soul After Sin: Guilt vs. Deformity

37:28 | Purgation, Rehabilitation, and Martyrdom

42:20 | The Palpable Grace of Absolution

44:14 | St. John Paul II and the Power of the Confessional

46:17 | Does God Literally Forget Our Sins?

51:57 | Psychics, Occult Powers, and Generational Residue

59:02 | Intellectual Disabilities and Spiritual Warfare

01:01:09 | Exorcising and Destroying Masonic Heirlooms

01:03:50 | St. Joseph of Cupertino: Holiness That Terrified Demons

01:08:42 | Wrap-Up & Vault Member Announcements

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In this episode of The Exorcist Files, host Ryan Bethea and Father Carlos Martins share key updates on Season 3—including an October 5th premiere date, an exclusive sneak peek audio clip, and a personal prayer request.

Then, Dominican friar Father Gregory Pine joins the show to tackle listener questions on spiritual warfare. They discuss how demons try to derail vocations, overcoming regret and envy, what Christ meant by "turning the other cheek," and how to choose forgiveness in the face of deep betrayal.

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Timestamps:

01:29 | Housekeeping & Season 3 Launch Date Announcement

04:31 | Sneak Peek Clip: Season 3 Case File (“The Wound and the Wolf”)

07:45 | Father's Announcement

10:10 | Speaking Dates, The Exorcist Files Book & Welcoming Fr. Gregory Pine

13:40 | Sponsor Break: Exodus 90, Babbel, Bubs Naturals

18:13 | Banter & Opening Remarks with Fr. Gregory Pine

19:22 | Can Demons Stop You From Finding Your Vocation?

21:26 | God’s Will, Desires, and Human Freedom in Discernment

26:41 | Sponsor Break: Rocket Money & Cowboy Colostrum

29:50 | Cultural Despair, Influencer Culture, and Lies Targeting Youth

34:39 | Regret, Midlife Anxiety, and the Long-term Study on Love & Happiness

37:01 | Fighting Envy, Scarcity Mindset, and the Mystical Body

42:07 | Dealing with Deep Injustice, Anger, and How to Choose Forgiveness

51:14 | Listener Question: Celebrating All Saints’ Day on Halloween

55:00 | Justice vs. Charity: What Does “Turn the Other Cheek” Mean?

01:03:07 | Grace: Comparing Catholic and Protestant Perspectives

01:07:20 | Marian Apparitions & Private Revelation

01:09:00 | Spiritual Warfare on the Internet & Dealing with Harsh Feedback

01:17:11 | Navigating a Toxic Workplace

01:18:52 | Trivia Game: Three Anthonys & Sign-off

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