Are demons really everywhere — or has pop culture trained us to see them that way?
In this episode of Talking Strange, host Aaron Sagers speaks with two folks who could legit call themselves demonologists — occult expert Michelle Belanger and religious studies scholar Joseph Laycock to explore the shocking history behind demons, possession, and exorcism.
From ancient beliefs and folklore to The Exorcist, the Satanic Panic, paranormal reality TV, and the influence of Ed Warren and Lorraine Warren, the conversation dives into how demons became a mainstream obsession in modern media and ghost hunting culture.
Michelle Belanger, author of Dictionary of Demons, and Joe Laycock, author of The Penguin Book of Exorcisms and The Exorcist Effect, unpack the fear, folklore, religion, and psychology fueling today’s demon craze.
Do you believe in Demons? In the comments, share your stories of what you believe was a demon encounter.

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The Talking Strange Show with Aaron Sagers is a weekly paranormal pop culture show featuring celebrity and author interviews, as well as experts in all things strange and unexplained. Talking Strange is a creation of Aaron Sagers with production help from Michael Ahr.

Host Aaron Sagers is a paranormal TV host and journalist who appears as host of 28 Days Haunted on Netflix, and on Paranormal Caught On Camera on Travel Channel, Discovery+, and MAX streaming service.

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