#057 The Demonic Possession of Roland Doe: A Terrifying Encounter with Evil

In this episode of 'From the Word Ghost', hosts AJ and Jamie delve into the chilling story behind the 1970s horror movie classic, 'The Exorcist', focusing on one of its inspirations - the exorcism of Roland Doe (also known as Ronald Hunkeler). The podcast kicks off with some light banter between AJ and Jamie, including a comedic mishap involving a cable order. As the ghostly narrative unfolds, they recount the tale of Roland Doe, a young boy from Washington D.C. who, after the death of his spiritual Aunt Harriet, began experiencing disturbing paranormal phenomena. This leads his family to seek help, resulting in a series of exorcisms performed by Catholic priests who believed Roland was possessed by demons. The hosts inject humor and skepticism throughout the discussion, exploring the absurdity of some historical exorcism practices and questioning the legitimacy of the events. The episode concludes with Roland's liberation from possession after invoking Saint Michael’s aid, leaving listeners with a blend of horror, history, and humor.

00:35 Welcome to the Paranormal Podcast: Believers vs. Skeptics

01:26 The Cable Confession: A Tale of Amazon Orders and Mars Bars

02:34 Diving into The Exorcist's Inspiration: The Story of Roland Doe

06:32 Casper, Ghostly Names, and Paranormal Beliefs: A Lighthearted Interlude

08:18 The Haunting Begins: Roland Doe's Disturbing Experiences

09:37 Seeking Answers: From Medical Professionals to Spiritual Intervention

12:33 Exploring Exorcism Costs and Reddit's Take

13:31 A Dramatic Exorcism Begins

14:30 The Exorcism Escalates with Violent Reactions

15:01 Seeking Help and a New Exorcism Team

16:27 The Intensity of the Exorcism Increases

19:01  Routine Exorcisms

22:13 The Final Battle: St. Michael vs. Satan

22:57 Reflections on the Exorcism Story

24:38 Outro