Factinate's Best True Crime Podcasts
Ever since Serial hit the airwaves in 2014, podcasts have slowly overtaken documentary series and literary non-fiction as the genre for true crime in the 21st century. Thousands of self-styled “crime junkies” and “murderinos” tune in and get their fix from shows like My Favorite Murder, Someone Knows Something and many more. But in such a crowded landscape, it can be hard to figure out which podcasts are just okay and which deserve your devotion. Follow along as I guide you through the best true crime podcasts available today.
Criminal (Radiotopia and PRX)
The Premise: Every two weeks, Phoebe Judge explores criminality from any possible angle. Instead of recounting the usual grisly cases, Judge broadens her focus and selects nuanced, interesting stories over exploitative, sensationalized fare. Unexpected topics include the museum officer who stole a Native American tribe’s ancestral remains, a secret 1970s network run by pro-choice ministers and rabbis, Harper Lee’s fascinating uncompleted true crime novel, and so much more. Because of its humor, sensitivity, and complexity, Criminal is hands-down my very favorite true crime podcast.
Recommended Episodes: For new listeners, start with Money Tree, Finding Sarah and Philip, and Angie. For people looking to embrace the weird world of Criminal, go for Ex Libris, Officer Talon, and He’s Neutral.
Redhanded (Independent)
Redhanded is the best traditional true crime podcast out there. Yeah, yeah, My Favorite Murder and Crime Junkie are better known—but Redhanded’s research and rapport blow the competition out of the water.
Each week, Suruthi and Hannah keep things simple by choosing a missing person, murder case, or cult to discuss. While this format is nothing new, a few things set the showapart. First, because Hannah and Suruthi are British, they cover a lot of cases that North American audiences probably haven’t heard of. Second, they cover several cases featuring people of color (the Nepalese Royal Massacre episode blew my mind) and created a special series devoted to the BLM movement. Related, the third thing that distinguishes Redhanded is the hosts’ candor. Politics are on the table at Redhanded and I love that Hannah and Suruthi aren't afraid to share their views.
Also, Suruthi and Hannah's banter makes me feel like I’m hanging out with some pals, instead of listening to a podcast while doing dishes alone (just me?). All to say, I love Redhanded and constantly recommend it to anyone who’ll listen to me.
Recommended Episodes: Halloween Specials, Jyoti Singh, Keli Lane, Jeni Haynes, Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian, The Tuam 796—I could go on. They’re all good.
Serial (NPR)
The Premise: Of course Serial is on this list; it’s the grand-daddy of the true crime podcast. In the first season, Sarah Koenig and her producers famously explored the potentially wrongful conviction of Adnan Syed. In the process, they kick-started several tropes that we now associate with true crime podcasts: female victims, unanswered questions, and relatable hosts.
However, in my opinion, the third season is by far the most sophisticated and ambitious. In it, Koenig teams up with Emmanuel Dztosi to explore not a single case, but a year in the life of a Cleveland courthouse.
As they get to know the defendants, lawyers, judges, and investigators, Koenig and Dzotsi also encounter the small and large cruelties of the so-called justice system.
Recommended Seasons: If you somehow haven’t heard it yet, season one is worth your time. And if you tuned out of the incredibly dull second season and haven’t gone back yet, give season three a chance. I promise it’s good!
Hunting Warhead (CBC)
The Premise: This six-episode Canadian podcast explores what might be the darkest corner of true crime: child abuse. Centered on Benjamin Faulkner, the sinister Ontario man who covertly ran the dark web’s most depraved child abuse websites, Hunting Warhead explores topics we’d expect, like the way that officers caught Faulkner, while also sensitively interviewing Faulkner’s family, friends, ex-girlfriend, and the family of one of his victims.
One particularly significant episode discusses the lack of resources and treatments available to people who experience inappropriate urges and genuinely want to stop themselves from doing something they can’t take back.
This episode reminds listeners that refusing to talk about something is not a solution and emphasizes the importance of preventative measures.
Recommended Episodes: Episode 5: Becoming Warhead.
