The 20 Best True Crime Podcasts (Beyond Serial and S-Town)

Aigner Loren Wilson — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 21:12:59 +0000

To be absolutely upfront, I am not the biggest fan of true crime podcasts. As such, finding the best true crime podcasts was both a delight and a very difficult task.

The approach true crime aficionados and researchers often take with these crimes that affect real people and communities is insensitive, amoral, and downright disrespectful.

But I also understand that is a part of the true crime podcasts community: making heinous crimes laughable or seem like a bad late-night T.V. drama. It takes a bit of wind out of the sails of these events.

When I created this list, I wanted to find a middle ground. I wanted to offer long-time true crime listeners something new and shine a light on different approaches to talking about true crime podcasts. So below, you’ll find a blend of your typical true crime podcasts. But even more so, you’ll find a thoughtful and caring approach that reminds listeners of the real ramifications, victims, and societal involvements that led to these events.

I also want to place a blanket content warning on all these true crime podcasts. Each show gets into brutal crimes, abuse, and other extremely sensitive topics. Keep this in mind and take care of yourself while listening.

Missing and Murdered

Missing and Murdered has appeared on previous Discover Pods’ true crime podcast lists, but I wanted to feature it again. Not only does the podcast cover indigenous crimes, but they do true crime coverage in the most informed and respectful way. Missing and Murdered is the perfect blend of dramatic coverage and true crime cases for true crime fans who love and prefer investigative reporting and interviews. The host creates a complete and comprehensive experience by using voiceovers, music, and sound effects to bring Missing and Murdered to life for listeners. Missing and Murdered is like a blend of Wounded and Welcome to Your Fantasy, both further down on the list because of its storytelling and cinematic elements and focus on cases involving indigenous people. Each season does a deep dive into a different case involving indigenous people who have been murdered or gone missing. Across the true crime podcast’s two seasons, two cases are covered.

Darknet Diaries

Darknet Diaries is one of my favorite true crime podcasts on this list, with a particular focus on cybercrimes. It instantly reminded me of Marc Goodman’s informative and terrifying book Future Crimes: Inside the Digital Underground and the Battle for Our Connected World. I will give a bit of a warning; Darknet Diaries is not great for listeners who tend to fall down rabbit holes related to personal privacy. Darknet Diaries is going to inform you of all the ways people, governments, and businesses can hack, own, and sell your personal data, money, and even life. It’s a thought-provoking true crime podcast that helps listeners figure out how to better live and function in the modern connected age where crime can happen right before your eyes from thousands of miles away.

RedHanded

With a blend of true crime and the supernatural, RedHanded uses a unique combination of true crime and the paranormal to give listeners true crime of a sometimes bizarre nature. RedHanded is a paranormal podcast for true crime fans, a true crime podcast for people who believe supernatural elements play a hand in all strange and unfortunate occurrences. While not diving deep into crimes, listeners can still find new crimes discussed, dissected, and joked about each episode. I’ve written about RedHanded previously and thought true crime listeners would find it just as entertaining as paranormal listeners. There are many true crime podcasts on this list like RedHanded that try and keep things light while talking about dark topics and being respectful, like Sinisterhood and What Did You Do?! below.

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Sinisterhood

Sinisterhood brings together two comedian friends who explore creepy and strange true crime cases they researched. Though it bears comedic similarities to RedHanded, Sinisterhood leans a little more toward the paranormal true crime vibes than the former. Think cults, strange disappearances, and even Santa Claus bank robberies. The banter between the hosts reminded me a lot of My Favorite Murder with tons of tangents and inside jokes and fan engagement. Sinisterhood is great for fans of true crime podcasts who want a bit of spooky without getting too far into the horror realm. And though I couldn’t get into the podcast too much, I thought it was worth recommending because they have a terrific following and community of paranormal true crime buffs. Also, there are over 150 episodes for new listeners to catch up on, with new ones releasing every week!

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Ripped from the Headlines

Ripped from the Headlines is a Law and Order true crime podcast. You may be wondering what that means, and to be honest, it’s a pretty original and unique concept. Each episode looks at a case that inspired a Law and Order episode retelling. If you’re curious what era of Law and Order they choose, the show sticks to the original early seasons. That means their cases are often older ones, but the issues are still present and important. I’ve written about Ripped from the Headlines before in a full review of the true crime and T.V. podcast. Like most of this true crime podcast list, Ripped from the Headlines uses humor to add levity to the dark and sensitive subject matter. The setup also lends itself to some laughs. Each episode has one host recapping the episode while the other tells the true case that inspired it.

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Ear Hustle

Ear Hustle is my favorite new find. And it’s not your average true crime podcast. Instead of focusing on the gritty and mysterious, Ear Hustle gives the mic to people incarnated to tell their stories and give listeners an unflinching look at what it’s like to be imprisoned all across the world. Ear Hustle is deeply refreshing, educating, and emotional. All the episodes offer listeners a way to connect and understand the current state of the prison industrial complex and the people it affects. Ear Hustle is an excellent podcast for activists, community members, and true crime fans—essentially, Ear Hustle is a must listen to for everyone. The hosts and guests get into topics related to getting released and re-entering society, along with how prison has affected their lives and their loved ones.

Read more: I Am Tired of True Crime

Murder’s a Drag

I hope you’ve picked up on a theme in these true crime podcasts. They focus on the victims, the systems that lead to these crimes, and how we can help other survivors and prevent these crimes. Murder’s a Drag is no different. With a particular focus on crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, Murder’s a Drag, hosted by a drag queen, features deep dives into crimes, the people who were impacted, and how to see these crimes as more than statistics but real people with lives that were lost. Old, new, famous, and not-so-famous crimes and murders against the queer community are discussed and given the voice of someone from within the community. There is not a lot of humor on the true crime podcast, but Murder’s a Drag is a respectful podcast worth a listen.

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Web Crawlers

Like RedHanded and Sinisterhood, Web Crawlers is a humorous, slightly paranormal true crime podcast. And if you’re a fan of holiday-themed crimes, there are a few each season! And the paranormal aspect is extremely slight in Web Crawlers, so if that’s not your thing, don’t worry. The mystical or supernatural parts of the show are things like scary clowns, mysterious deaths, and spooky highways with haunting pasts. What I liked about Web Crawlers is the banter and fun the hosts have despite talking about all manner of crime, murder, and mystery. That humor might be helpful for listeners who want to delve into the world of true crime without getting scared, sad, or, in general, too affected by the content matter.

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What Did You Do?!

What Did You Do?! is closer to a traditional true crime podcast with the caveat still being on taking a humane look at crimes throughout the last few decades. What makes What Did You Do?! is the hosts’ background in both mental health and social work, giving an often unlooked at portrait of what leads some people to commit such heinous acts. What Did You Do?! is the first true crime podcast that I was sucked into. The hosts use humor a lot to keep themselves from breaking down while talking about cases, and it helps. There was a note in one of their recent episodes that the earlier episodes aren’t always so sensitive to the subject matter. The last episode aired back in August and was the only 2021 episode. There is a sporadic episode release history, so I hope the hosts come back and release more.

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So Violento, So Macabro

So Violento, So Macabro is a new true crime podcast that started in September 2021. I wish I could recommend So Violento, So Macabro based more on what I heard, but this is a predominately Spanish-speaking true crime podcast, though the crimes happen all around the world. I did understand some of it because the hosts switch back and forth between Spanish and English. When I found So Violento, So Macabro, I knew I wanted to recommend it on this true crime podcasts roundup list, even if I couldn’t understand it. What I could understand showed that the hosts research deeply into the people involved in the true crime cases. I even fell into listening to the podcast, catching snippets of what was discussed. For non-Spanish-speaking listeners, some of the English sections go on for several minutes before slipping back into Spanish.

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Dreams of Black Wall Street

Dreams of Black Wall Street is the most historical true crime podcast on this list. Instead of covering new cases or singular cases, in general, Dreams of Black Wall Street investigates the history, society, and times that led to one of the most heinous domestic terrorist attacks. For people who aren’t aware of the history or events surrounding the Tulsa Race Massacre, Dreams of Black Wall Street offers listeners a historical account of the events from a historian and investigative journalist perspective. It’s a historical investigation into a society and the people who needed to destroy it. There are interviews, reports, and more, making Dreams of Black Wall Street a perfect true crime podcast for listeners who want to hear from more than just the hosts.

Welcome to Your Fantasy

Despite my dislike of most true crime media, I have a soft spot for Goodfellas and Casino-style true crime adaptations of money, drugs, and sex stories. Welcome to Your Fantasy tells the story of Chippendales’s sex and greed-fueled history. The structure of interviews, storytelling, and recapping made Welcome to Your Fantasy give me the same feelings and vibes of those classic films. I thought the story of Chippendales ended with scanty tuxedos and muscle dancers. Welcome to Your Fantasy opened my eyes to the deep history of desire, mayhem, and debauchery that went on behind the scenes. Hosted by a historian, Welcome to Your Fantasy looks at the roots that led to the rise and fall of Chippendales told from the people involved in the scandals, dances, and orgies. The final episode aired in August 2021, so there’s no waiting for the next part in the story. Listeners can jump in and listen to the full 11-episode true crime podcast!

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Wounded: A Native True Crime Podcast

Wounded: A Native True Crime Podcast is similar to Missing and Murdered and focuses on crimes against indigenous communities. The main difference is that instead of spending a season on one case, Wounded: A Native True Crime Podcast goes over many cases in each episode. I recommend “Missing and Murdered: Two-Spirit,” an episode that focuses on crimes against indigenous trans and two-spirit communities. I will also note that Wounded: A Native True Crime Podcast is the only true crime podcast I listened to that used content warnings to keep their listeners aware. Wounded: A Native True Crime Podcast is an eye-opening true crime podcast for true crime fans who don’t know the issues indigenous populations face today, right now. There are no jokes on Wounded: A Native True Crime Podcast because nothing about these cases is funny. Touching, informing, and handled with care, Wounded: A Native True Crime Podcast is a required listen for any true crime fan.

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Scam Goddess

If you’re like me and always on the lookout for scams to protect yourself and your loved ones, Scam Goddess is the true crime podcast for you. Each week the host gives listeners an informative heads up on current or past scams to look out for and their ramifications on communities. What I love most about Scam Goddess is the in-depth take on each scam. It’s not just a warning, but an education on how not to be fooled, how to operate safely in our modern world, and more. It’s exciting and entertaining because the host really brings the energy. And I mean Scam Goddess is hilarious. I laughed so hard during every episode I listened to; I couldn’t stop listening. It also reminded me of a humorous Darknet Diaries.

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Crime in Sports

My least favorite of the true crime podcasts I came across was Crime in Sports. Crime in Sports is a true crime podcast that blends humor and sports to fill listeners in on crimes involving players. If you want some sensitivity and thought behind your true crime, Crime in Sports is not the show. Crime in Sports is meant to entertain true crime listeners who wish to avoid the dark side of crimes and focus on stories involving sports players, fans, and coaches in the spotlight. There are almost 300 episodes, with a new one releasing every week for new listeners. What threw me off Crime in Sports was that it seemed to be insensitivity was the point. Make fun of these people, the victims, and the events surrounding the crimes in the cruelest ways possible. But I know they have a lot of fans and community, so that type of take is obviously welcomed. Just not by me.

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That’s Spooky

For fans of odd-true crime podcasts like Web Crawlers and Redhanded, That’s Spooky is a gay, funny, and unusual true crime podcast just for you. So, it’s a true crime but featuring animal stories, weird happenings, and more from around the world. While That’s Spooky is funny, I didn’t die laughing like I did with Scam Goddess, but it is more amusing and a bit more sensitive than Crime in Sports. I love the segments like Spooky Gay Bullshit and Outterwatch. But what stuck out to me about That’s Spooky is the community surrounding the podcast. People are involved in finding cases for the hosts to research and talk about, check-in on past cases, and more. Listening to That’s Spooky makes it feel like you’re part of the podcast and the true crime spookyville the hosts create.

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O.C. Swingers

For true crime podcast listeners who enjoy the cinematic and reporting experience, O.C. Swingers follows the recent case against Dr. Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley. The ten-episode series is over—or at least the first season is—so if you’re unaware of the case, this is the perfect place to start. I didn’t think I’d have a favorite theme song, but O.C. Swingers had great musical production. The theme song and undertones played during the show are all really good and rather catchy. Like many true crime podcasts on this list, O.C. Swingers features interviews, recordings of broadcasts about the cases, and more. I enjoyed how the host works to paint the picture for some of the recordings so that the listener has a clear image of the scene.

Up Against the Mob

Up Against the Mob is another true crime podcast for fans of Goodfellas and Casino. From a retired attorney who prosecuted several mob members, Up Against the Mob recounts stories from the host’s past trying the mob in court. That means all the stories featured on Up Against the Mob are told from the perspective of someone who was involved in the cases. There’s humor and storytelling, so don’t think you’re just going to get the boring parts of court retellings. The host aims to give a complete look at the mobsters he has tried. It’s very dramatic and honestly does feel like listening to an audio of Casino. There’s even an episode about the real people behind Goodfellas! Since Up Against the Mob is hosted by a former federal and state prosecutor, the episodes and stories have a closer and more personal feel.

I hope you can find at least one new true crime podcast to your list of favorites. If you did, consider subscribing, reviewing, pledging to their Patreon, donating, or sharing. Your support always goes a long way.

Bonus true crime podcasts

These podcasts and blurbs come from previous versions of this list. We still recommend them! This article is routinely updated to bring you the new best of the best true crime podcasts.

Missing and Murdered: Finding Cleo

From the same CBC team that brought us Who Killed Alberta Williams? comes Finding Cleo, once again shedding light on the unsolved cases of Indigenous women in Canada, in this case that of Cleopatra Semaganis, who was taken from her family by the Canadian government’s initiative to re-home Indigenous children with white families. This is a skillfully designed podcast, from the sound to the script to the interviews, and sensitively structured. Reporter Connie Walker, an Indigenous woman as well, is a conscientious investigator who never lets the work become exploitative or sensationalist as Walker tries to help the family find closure in their missing person’s case. (Editor’s note: This blurb appeared on a previous edition of this article, written by Elena Fernández Collins.)

The Doorstep Murder

From the BBC Scotland, comes this look into Scotland’s most infamous unsolved murder: Alistair Wilson’s shooting on his doorstep in 2004. Host Fiona Walker makes it very clear up front that she is not out to solve this case, and the materials she’s collected in the podcast is restricted to what she could obtain both legally and ethically. The Doorstep Murder’s episodes are broken down into the different aspects, like an episode fully dedicated to the gun, and one on the impact the crime had on the family and the town.

Death in Ice Valley

This cooperative investigation between the BBC World Service and the Norwegian NRK is a this serialized podcast looking into the Isdal Woman, an unidentified woman who was found in the icy wilds of Norway in the 70s. The weaving of the story and the slim pickings for interviews mean they need to blend in personal stories and outside resources (such as a Norwegian crime writer who’s done a lot of research about the Isdal Woman), in ways that are sharply reminiscent of parts of S-Town.

Bundyville

OPB and Longread’s investigation into the Bundy family and the Bundy standoff is hallmarked by reporter Leah Sottile’s lengthy, in-depth interviews, sharp observations, and in-person experience of both people and place. If you don’t know about the Bundys, the super brief rundown is that Cliven Bundy, a rancher in Bunkerville, Nevada, initiated an armed standoff against the federal government due to cattle-grazing and raising livestock laws. Sottile’s approach to the Bundys is tone-perfect: factual, but empathetic; empathetic, but without approval for their actions.

Pretend Radio

Pretend Radio is not fiction; these are people’s real lives about pretending to be people they are not, fictionalizing their own existence. True crime and psychology interlock with some of the strangest interviews and audio clips I’ve heard in a while from a podcast. The anthology opens with the three-part investigation into the Word of Faith Fellowship and an interview with an escapee from an environment involving things like mass beatings and abusive discipline. Pretend Radio is one of the most innovative approaches to this realm of true crime podcast, a respectful host who builds a story from the ground up with no doubts as to what the reality is.

Bear Brook

In 2015, new forensic techniques were applied to the Bear Brook murders, a cold case surrounding the discovery of four bodies inside of two barrels, discovered in 1985 and in 2000. They went unidentified until DNA profiling determined they were all maternally related, and advanced forensic testing determined the areas in which they lived the longest. Host Jason Moon, along with the NHPR team, dive into the history, the break this case had with the advances of the twenty-first century, and the ripple effects throughout the community.

Alibi

Alibi is an award-winning radio story and true crime podcast from South Africa, a response to a desperate plea of innocence from Anthony deVries, a man incarcerated for double murder and robbery under apartheid. Follow journalist Paul McNally and co-presenter Freddy Mabitsela through these old secrets as they try to uncover what really happened at a supermarket in 1994, only a few weeks before their first democratic election. This a story about racism and skewed justice systems, about how politics touches everyone’s lives.

Undisclosed

At a time when justice runs rampant over civil rights, digging into wrongful convictions in the U.S. justice system is a necessary part of uncovering the flaws, failures, and biases in the actors participating in that system. Originally created as a spin-off of Serial and following the continuing story of Adnan Syed, Undisclosed presents cases of wrongful conviction with the careful consideration afforded by people dedicated to advocacy for marginalized peoples. They present legal matter, like court recordings and interviews, and journalistic items, like press conferences and news reports.

Darknet Diaries

Living in the digital era that we live in now, tales of cyber crimes run rampant, sensationalized and overblown or underrated and underreported. Indie true crime podcast, Darknet Diaries, dives deep into the types of crimes that hit very close to home right now. The technological aspect is explored in depth and in an accessible fashion for all listeners with stellar production values. Jack Rhysider is an incredible host with both a flair for the dramatic and a conscientious mind for fact-checking and narrative building. (Editor’s note: This blurb appeared on a previous edition of this article, written by Elena Fernández Collins.)

The Dream

Hailed as one of the best investigative podcasts of 2018, The Dream goes deep into what it means to be involved in MLMs, multi-level marketing companies. Jane Marie is the host of a podcast that dives into pyramid schemes that often target women, who invest large amounts of sums and never make any of that investment back. The research, investigation, and undercover work involved in this podcast is breathtaking, especially considering the dangerously litigious nature of several of these companies.

The Lost

This five-part miniseries from Radio New Zealand is a cautiously intimate exploration of five missing people cases in by Canadian-Peruvian reporter Paloma Migone. This is a sensitive podcast, built up from interviews with witnesses and remaining family members, that hopes to both re-examine the evidence and bring out the beating heart of these lives left bereft so they are more than just the paperwork.

The Dropout

The story of Elizabeth Holmes has attracted attention since 2015, when a journalist first questioned the validity of their revolutionary blood-testing methods. The Dropout is one of the must-listen investigative podcasts of 2019, which goes deep into Holmes’ conspiracy and the Theranos company. This podcast contains edited testimony from the Holmes trials, a fascinating look into the con artistry involved in science and business, and how the word genius leverages trust.

Curtain

Out of Australia comes Curtain, an independent podcast about the racism faced by Indigenous Australians in the justice system, hosted by Amy McQuire, an Indigenous Darumbal reporter, and Martin Hodgson, an advocate for Indigenous prisoners. This serialized investigation is about Kevin “Curtain” Henry, accused of murder in 1992, but takes as its big picture the rampant issue of wrongful convictions of Indigenous people. It’s a smartly designed podcast, with descriptive, clear storytelling on the part of the hosts, spine-tingling musical choices, and an extremely respectful approach to talking about the murder and the victim.

Sound Africa: They Killed Dulcie

The newest season of this radio documentary podcast out of South Africa deals with the unresolved assassination of Dulcie September, an anti-Apartheid activist. Sound Africa, in conjunction with Open Secrets, calls out the systematic forces that exiled her, from her work, her country, and her history. This is a heart-wrenching, incisive look into the life of an erased activist, who deserves justice and respect for the struggles she endured to help end Apartheid, and the power of government-enforced espionage over political activists.

74 Seconds

A Peabody-winning podcast from Minnesota Public Radio, this is the story of the 74 seconds of Philando Castile’s death and every painful second afterward. They are straightforward coverage of the trial of Jeronimo Yanez with a second-by-second narrative of Castile’s death and deep coverage into the cultural and societal context surrounding both Castile and Yanez. Even knowing how this ends, 74 Seconds is a must-listen for anyone who wants an in-depth understanding of the current face of racism in policing and the courts.

Sick Sad World

Sick Sad World is a podcast hosted by two Black hosts, Jasmine and Mari, look at both true crime and paranormal, bringing many much-needed perspectives, including actively participating in creating a non-ableist space within the true crime community. I highly encourage listening to the episode “Marginalized in True Crime”, between Mari and guest speaker Kitty, where they discuss how privileged lenses approach true crime stories and investigations and why there’s a need to support marginalized voices.

The Fall Line

The Fall Line focuses on the missing people of marginalized communities in the Southeast, on uncovering information and presenting their family’s stories so that anyone who may have information can come forward. The first season, about missing twins Dannette and Jeannette Millbrook in 1990, is an experience in frustration and despair as law enforcement appears uninterested in helping the family and, when the girls turn 17, remove them from the missing children’s database. It’s infuriating and depressing, but necessary work, and the people behind this podcast execute it with passion and tenderness.

Fruit Loops

This energetic, high-powered podcast covers the subject of serial killers of color, which are often either ignored or totally skewed in media coverage. Hosts Wendy and Beth have such magnetic chemistry and infectious laughter on mic that it’s hard to not get swept up into their ventures. Their racial and gender analysis is crucial to their breakdowns, especially when tackling cases where certain angles are overlooked due to systemic racist barriers.

Uncover: The Village

The third season of the CBC’s Uncover tackles the serial killer lurking in Toronto’s Gay Village, where for eight years, men disappeared and no murderer was sought until the arrest of Bruce McArthur in 2018. The police are now looking into cases going back to 1975. Justin Ling covered the story at the time, and is now here to investigate deeply into the case that went ignored due to sexuality, skin color, and systematic oppression. Ling’s treatment of this case falls in line with the CBC’s classic honest and respectful handling of true crime, while creating a riveting experience.

The Unseen

Out of the UK comes this calm, clear podcast covering missing people and unsolved cases. Host Caprice has a very precise and structured manner of speaking, partly using a script that has been carefully written to have a strong narrative arc. Caprice has ensured a solid presentation of facts without lingering on gory details, a small amount of speculation, and overall, a very respectful and kind discussion of cases that deserve to be heard and known.

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