10 True Crime Podcasts You’ll Be Obsessed With
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know about the new obsession with true crime. From tv shows to podcasts, there is a new true crime release almost every day. Whether you have been watching Dateline and Forensic Files since you were a child and you have just recently jumped on the true-crime bandwagon, one thing everyone can agree on is-WE ARE OBSESSED! If you like serious procedural type shows or you like breaking up the morbid details with some laughs, there is a true-crime podcast you will love. Check these 10 true crime podcasts out and share which ones you are obsessed with in the comments!
1. My Favorite Murder
This is one of the OG true crime podcasts that founded the obsession with the genera. If you know someone who loves true crime, guaranteed, they’ve listened to these podcasts. Forming the whole delicate combination of humor+murder podcasting in 2017, friends Karen and Georgia have been hitting the charts since their debut. Lifelong crime fans, they break the macabre details of the crime with their witty banter (Karen is a former stand up comedian). The duo also became known for their open and honest discussions about addiction, mental health, and therapy. Most recently, due to their success, Karen and Georgia started their own podcasting network called Exactly Right, which features a family of other entertaining podcasts. If you like feeling like you’re talking to your best friends about crime, this is the podcast for you.
2. Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie is the brainchild of friends Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. The two ladies were born on the same day and were friends basically from birth. Both began their love of true crime at a young age and Flowers worked with Crime Stoppers of Indiana for years before deciding to start a podcast in 2017. Flowers mainly narrates the episodes, telling Prawat the details of gruesome crimes, meticulously researched. If you like a detail-oriented true-crime podcast, give this one a listen!
3. Serial
Investigative journalist Sarah Koenig started Serial in 2014 with the long-form story of murdered high school student Hae Min Lee and the podcast hit #1 even before it’s premiere. Each season focuses on a different case, serializing the story with the releases breaking download records each time. The first season created a small cultural phenomenon and since then, the first season has been made into a show to bring more attention to the case. In 2015, Koenig was rewarded for her work by being presented with a Peabody Award for her innovative journalism. If you like a long story told in a creative way, Serial is the podcast you’ve been waiting for.
4. Criminal
Hosted by Phoebe Judge, Criminal is a show that focuses on telling “stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.” Launched in 2014, each episode focuses on a different case, on a variety of different crime-related topics. Several times, the podcast has been named one of the best podcasts of the year and with over 100 episodes, you won’t run out of episodes to listen to any time soon. If you like hearing stories that cover all aspects of true crime, Criminal is perfect. Plus, Phoebe Judge has a very calming voice so it’s perfect to listen to while you’re working or studying.
5. Southern Fried True Crime
Erica Kelley is the southern sassy friend that is always down for some gossip and straight talk. Exploring the “dark underbelly of the deep South,” Kelley focuses on strictly Southern crimes filled with drama and intrigue. For several years, she has been dishing on crazy Southern crimes with sass and honest opinions on the criminals. If you like an accent and calling criminals names, this podcast is for you!
6. The Murder Squad
If you are a true crime fan, chances are you have heard of Paul Holes and Billy Jensen. Thanks to the Exactly Right network, you can listen to them solving crimes together! Started in 2019, investigative journalist Jensen and retired law enforcement officer Holes decided to join forces and attempt to solve cold cases by using crowdsourcing. Holes, who was crucial in solving the Golden State Killer Case and Jensen, who has also helped solve numerous cases find crimes that have long been forgotten and try to shed new light on it so that it can get solved. Just recently, they announced their first big lead that resulted in an arrest in one of the cases. Listen in if you want to help solve crimes!
7. Morbid
Do you have a friend that you grew up with and can’t live without? Ash and Alaina were raised together and have a fantastic bond that comes out in their podcasting. They affectionally refer to their listeners and themselves as weirdos, obsessed with morbid stories that they love to tell one another. Since the two hosts are good friends, you can be sure that the darker details are broken up with some light humor and tidbits of advice including “fresh air is for dead people” and “keep it weird!” Listen if you like sisterly-type banter and long, detailed stories.
8. Cold
This podcast covers the tragic case of Susan Powell. Dave Cawley, from the Wondery network, breaks the story of her disappearance up into 18 parts. The podcast releases never-before-heard details from the case from the first moments of the story to the bitter end. Cawley makes sure to promotes both the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition and The National Domestic Violence Hotline to prevent future cases like Susan’s. Listen if you like a very detailed, very long-formed stories.
9. Killer Knowledge
Recently launched by the Parcast Network, Killer Knowledge quizzes competitors and listeners on their true crime knowledge. If you feel like you’re a pro, give a listen and play along with the multiple-choice game show. This podcast is perfect for your morning commute!
10. Done Disappeared
Finally, if you aren’t all that into true crime and just want a laugh, check out Done Disappeared. A spoof of all the popular crime podcasts, it is hosted by John David Booter, a pseudonym for the real producer (no one knows who it is!) Follow along as Booter attempts to solve cases for three seasons, each more ridiculous as the next. Listen if you want a laugh or a break from all the true crime cases.
What are your favorite true crime podcasts? Tell us in the comments!
