Demons, spooky spirits, devils, fallen angles, hungry ghosts: every culture has them. And West Virginia University Religious Studies professor, demonologist and history buff Dr. Alyssa Beall runs down how humans have used myths and stories to explain the feelings that make our hairs stand up and our stomaches sink. Is possession a mental illness? Are demons pranksters from hell? Is your baby evil or just cranky? And why do we like to be scared and poke at the line between life and death? Also: demon dongs. Oh wow.

Follow Dr. Alyssa Beall at Instagram.com/religiontraveler

October 25th free "Science under the Stars" event with Alie and Sarah McAnulty: 6-9pm, Silverlake Meadow, Los Angeles. Bring a picnic blanket and pee before you get there.

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Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

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Demonology (EVIL SPIRITS) with Alyssa Beall