Marshall, Chris

Sarah Marshall was an American journalist, writer, and podcaster recognized for her work exploring historical events and social phenomena that she believed were misconstrued or misrepresented. She hosted the popular podcast "You're Wrong About," where she and co-hosts re-examined historical incidents, often focusing on how media narratives shaped public perception. Marshall also delved into subjects like serial killers and the Satanic panic, investigating the roots and impacts of these moral panics.

Her background includes an essay on the media's portrayal of figure skater Tonya Harding, which suggested Harding was unfairly vilified. Marshall's academic pursuits led her to Portland State University, where she earned degrees and later taught writing. Beyond "You're Wrong About," she co-hosted "Late Night Love Affair," discussing literary topics, and later hosted "You Are Good," a podcast exploring father figures through pop culture. Her exploration of the Satanic panic culminated in a 2025 podcast miniseries, "The Devil You Know."

Sarah Marshall gained significant recognition as the host of the podcast "You're Wrong About." This program centered on revisiting historical events and cultural moments that Marshall and her collaborators felt had been misunderstood or distorted by popular narratives. Her approach involved a deep dive into these subjects, aiming to provide a more nuanced and accurate understanding. This investigative style extended to her exploration of moral panics, particularly the Satanic panic, a phenomenon characterized by widespread, largely unfounded accusations of child abuse that gained traction in the 1980s. Marshall's work often sought to deconstruct the sensationalism surrounding such events and highlight the individuals and groups affected by them.

A significant focus of Marshall's work was the Satanic panic, a period marked by unsubstantiated claims of ritualistic abuse. She dedicated considerable attention to this topic, even considering writing a book about it, though no such publication materialized by 2025. The Satanic panic served as a frequent point of reference in episodes of "You're Wrong About," used to draw parallels with other absurd or exaggerated historical occurrences. In 2025, Marshall launched a podcast miniseries titled "The Devil You Know" with CBC Radio. This series specifically examined the rapid proliferation of the Satanic panic as a moral crisis and its detrimental effects, including the scapegoating of marginalized communities. The miniseries incorporated interviews with those who experienced the panic firsthand and discussions with experts in fields such as psychology and sociology, exploring key moments that fueled its growth, like the popularity of "Michelle Remembers" and the McMartin preschool trial.

Marshall's journalistic career includes a notable 2014 essay, "Remote Control," published in The Believer. This lengthy piece examined the media's treatment of figure skater Tonya Harding, arguing that Harding was subjected to unfair vilification to serve a particular media narrative. The essay garnered attention, with Time magazine featuring it and many referencing it as a defense of a historically misrepresented individual. Marshall has spent much of her life in Portland, Oregon, and holds both undergraduate and MFA degrees from Portland State University, where she also taught writing. Her early podcasting efforts included co-hosting "Late Night Love Affair" in 2015, a series that touched upon literary subjects and reviewed books, such as "Child of Satan, Child of God" by Susan Atkins.

“I don't think [Tonya Harding] would want to meet some woman who has all these thoughts about her career. She seems happy.”