SYNOPSIS

John Safran has fallen in with the wrong crowd, again. After spending months among sorcerers, satanists, and exorcists, he's spilling the beans.

Forget gentle white witches and tarot card readers. John packs his bag and fearlessly heads off to places where Black Magic leads not only to exorcisms but murder. He flies to the US to investigate a gang who murdered a teenage girl for disturbing their satanic shrine. He sails to remote islands in Vanuatu, where laws have been passed to quash witchcraft and contravening them can lead to a public hanging or exile. Back in his hometown of Melbourne, he visits a woman who, convinced she is possessed by spirits, seeks an Islamic exorcism.

John discovers that a belief in Black Magic can hold people together and tear people apart. His questions is: why, in this world of science and rationality?

WHAT WE DID

Audiocraft spent the early stages of production working with John to develop a series focus and distinctive tone. We needed to find an idea that excited John and that would resonate with Audible’s audience.

John landed on a compelling narrative that spans Vanuatu, the US and Australia. Our team arranged local fixers and supported John on the ground as the story developed. We then took his recordings and crafted a tight, rollicking ride of a podcast, that centres his comedy within a strong narrative arc.

Adam Connelly brought sound design and original composition to create an immersive audio experience that keeps pace with John as he traverses the globe and punctuates dramatic moments along the way.

CREDITS

Publisher: Audible

Host: John Safran

Writers: John Safran and Selena Shannon

Producer: Selena Shannon

Sound Design and original composition: Adam Connelly

Executive Producer (Audiocraft): Kate Montague

Executive Producer (Audible): Ben Naparstek