✍️ Author Biography
Chris Marshall
🌍 American
📚 2 free books
⭐ Known for: Remote Control (2014)
Sarah Marshall is a journalist and podcaster known for exploring misunderstood historical events and moral panics.
Sarah Marshall is an American journalist, writer, and podcaster who has focused her work on examining historical events and phenomena that she believes have been misinterpreted by the public and media. She is recognized for hosting the podcast "You're Wrong About," where she and co-hosts delve into various historical incidents, re-evaluating them from a modern perspective. Marshall has also hosted other podcasts, including "You Are Good," which explores themes related to father figures through pop culture. Her journalistic background includes extensive writing on non-fiction topics such as serial killers and the "Satanic panic."
Marshall's background includes living in Portland, Oregon, and earning degrees from Portland State University, where she also taught writing. A significant early work was her 2014 essay "Remote Control," which argued that figure skater Tonya Harding was unfairly targeted by media narratives. This essay is often cited as an example of her interest in defending figures perceived as misunderstood. More recently, Marshall launched a podcast miniseries titled "The Devil You Know" in 2025, which specifically investigated the "Satanic panic" of the 1980s, its societal impact, and the marginalization of certain groups.
Podcast Host and Historical Re-evaluation
Sarah Marshall is widely known for her podcast "You're Wrong About," which she co-hosted with Michael Hobbes starting in 2018 before continuing as the sole host. The podcast's premise is to revisit and re-examine historical events and cultural moments that have been widely misunderstood or misrepresented. This approach stems from her earlier work, including an essay on Tonya Harding, which suggested the athlete was unfairly portrayed by the media. Marshall's work often involves dissecting public narratives and offering alternative interpretations, aiming to provide a more nuanced understanding of past events. She has also hosted "You Are Good," a podcast that uses pop culture to explore the complexities of being the adult children of father figures.
Investigating Moral Panics: The Satanic Panic
A significant area of focus for Sarah Marshall has been the phenomenon known as the "Satanic panic," a widespread moral panic characterized by unsubstantiated allegations of ritualistic child abuse that emerged in the 1980s. Marshall has explored this topic extensively, considering writing a book about it and frequently referencing it in her podcast "You're Wrong About" as a comparison point for absurd historical events. In 2025, she launched a podcast miniseries, "The Devil You Know," in collaboration with CBC Radio, which specifically delved into the "Satanic panic." This series examined how the panic spread, its impact on marginalized communities, and featured interviews with experts and individuals affected by the events. Marshall has highlighted key elements contributing to the panic's growth, such as the book "Michelle Remembers" and the McMartin preschool trial.
Key Ideas
- Re-examination of misunderstood historical events and figures.
- Critique of media narratives and public perception.
- Analysis of moral panics and their societal impact.
Notable Quotes
“I don't think [Tonya Harding] would want to meet some woman who has all these thoughts about her career. She seems happy.”