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Artwork for American Nightmares

American Nightmares

Gamut Podcast Network
Zion Society
Daron Wint
Savopoulos Family
Washington D.C.
True Crime
Vera Figueroa
Darren Wint
Murder Trial
Savopoulos Family Murders
Stephen Paddock
Sherry Crandell
Child Abuse
Child Sexual Abuse
Cults
Mansion Murders
Mass Shootings
Arvin Shreeve
Zion Society Cult
DC Superior Court
Summer Wells

Every headline hides a deeper story. American Nightmares pulls you into the most unsettling true crime cases—one season, one case at a time. These are the crimes that kept detectives awake, shattered families, and left entire communities on edge.Told through raw interviews, gripping investigative detail, and cinematic storytelling, each season reveals how these nightmares unfolded—and the long roa... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes73Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Artwork for American Nightmares

Latest Episodes

Before Season 6 begins, showrunner Brian Peter Falk and former police commander Mike King — one of the central figures from Season 5 sit with the Executive Producer of The Gamut Podcast Network Dan Zampillo for an unfiltered conversation about what ... more

Coming soon to the American Nightmares award winning podcast feed.

In the early 1990s, a serial killer hunted the canals of Phoenix, Arizona. A violent psychopath. Two grisly homicides. Methods so disturbing they drew comparisons to Jack the Ripper ... more

Deep Cover is a true crime show about double lives, from our friends at Pushkin Industries.

Their new season, The Family Man, is a story about how families can deceive each other and the lengths we’ll go to to protect our loved ones. Elise and Maris... more

Following the story of Zion, survivors share the moments, memories, and manipulation that couldn’t be fully captured the first time. Jackie and Ron reflect on the turning point that led them to leave, as Arvin Shreve’s behavior grew increasingly dist... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Marissa Giammanco
Survivor and interview subject explaining the family dynamics
Former resident of Florissant, Missouri
Episode: You Might Also Like: Deep Cover: The Family Man from Pushkin
Elise Giammanco
Twin sister, interviewee detailing family history and impact of events
Former resident of Florissant, Missouri
Episode: You Might Also Like: Deep Cover: The Family Man from Pushkin
Dr. Judy Ho
Clinical forensic neuropsychologist, Pepperdine University professor
Pepperdine University
Episode: CLOSER LOOK, E2 - When Memories Return And Puzzles Are Solved
Dr. Patrice Berry
Clinical psychologist
Independent practice / academic
Episode: CLOSER LOOK, E2 - When Memories Return And Puzzles Are Solved
Erin Anderson
Survivor who brought the case to light
Zion Society survivor
Episode: S5 E6 - Tell Me Everything
Jeff Peterson
Father fighting for custody of his children from the Zion Society cult
Episode: S5 E4 - The Buyer
Cheryl Noggle
Wife of private investigator; went undercover to gather evidence against Zion Society
Episode: S5 E4 - The Buyer
Philip Noggle
Private investigator; collaborated with Cheryl to document the cult's actions
Episode: S5 E4 - The Buyer
Bruce Paddock
Brother of Stephen Paddock, discusses his perspective on his brother and the aftermath of the shooting.
Episode: Introducing Profiling Evil: Las Vegas Massacre, The Dark Legacy of Stephen Paddock

Hosts

Megan Cloherty
Host of American Nightmares; series producer; contributor to Gardens of Evil.
Mike King
Host of profiling and investigative-themed series; journalist and investigator.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 11.4k ratings
  • Exceptional

    I started with season 5 and really liked it. I was hooked. I have listened to seasons 1-4 and loved them all. The reporters/podcasts hosts are all well spoken and entertaining without being over the top. I am all caught up and can’t wait for season 6! This series was my first exposure to podcasts and it is spoiling.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    POS2
    United Statesa month ago
  • First and fifth seasons were the best

    I was only interested in season 1 and 5 with 1 being the best. The first season was very passionate and empathetic to the victims which I feel was very necessary to tell the story properly.

    Season 3 was not the best. The story was very interesting and well researched but I feel like the sympathy for the victims was not very genuine and the crimes were very sensationalized. The graphic details were not necessary to get the point across. The guy (although I think he’s guilty) was treated as guilt... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Thar_be_patches
    United States2 months ago
  • Scripted bad acting

    These aren’t actual interviews. These are actors reading scripts about actual events. The actors are wooden and stilted

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    BrownieSamson
    United States2 months ago
  • Unlistenable

    Gave season 5 a try. The Children’s Story Hour narrator made me quickly give up.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Matt_B_W
    United States2 months ago
  • Perfection

    The pace and tone are beautifully executed—no bluster, just in-depth reporting. I couldn’t stop listening

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maralo Algarve
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show for careful handling of survivors and trauma while delivering rigorous, well-sourced investigation.
Some criticize pacing and editing, noting episodes can feel repetitive or drag in long interviews.
Many feel the storytelling is respectful and insightful, with strong narrative and investigative balance.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#180
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#119
Sweden/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#192
Hong Kong/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#201
Netherlands/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#237
Saudi Arabia/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Season 6 Primer: From The Garden to The Canal
Q: Brian, what is Season 6 about and what should listeners expect without spoilers?
Season 6, The Canal Murders, follows two 1992-1993 killings in Phoenix along with a wider pattern of possible related cases, using forensic genealogy and fresh investigative eyes to trace the killer's trail while highlighting the impact on victims' families and the ongoing hunt for answers.
CLOSER LOOK, E1 - Get Over It, Kids are Resilient
Q: How do outside observers misjudge why people stay in or leave cults?
Observers often overlook the social dynamics like love bombing and the need for belonging, recognizing that recruitment targets people who already have resources and social ties, and that leaving is a gradual, complex process.
S5 E2 - To Hell And Back
Q: What were some of the initial challenges faced by the victims of the Zion Society?
Both Amber and Andrea struggled with intense psychological trauma and memory loss surrounding their experiences in the cult.
Introducing Profiling Evil: Las Vegas Massacre, The Dark Legacy of Stephen Paddock
Q: What are the types of clues that you think will reveal why he did this?
There are no types of clues that can explain his actions clearly.
Paul Wagner sits down with Mike King to discuss the Sherry Crandell case
Q: What became the major roadblocks in this case that prevented it from being solved quickly?
The police thought the assailant was somebody who worked in the hospital and undertook a DNA dragnet from every man that worked there, but ruled them all out. The killer's DNA wasn't in CODIS because he had committed his violent crimes before laws required DNA to be collected.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About American Nightmares

What is American Nightmares about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series centers on deeply reported true crime cases, blending survivor testimony, investigative reporting, and expert context to unpack how seemingly ordinary lives spiraled into violent crimes or abusive systems. Across seasons, it frequently foregrounds survivors and families, foregrounding memory, trauma, and justice while examining coercive control, investigative methods, and the pursuit of accountability. Noteworthy strengths include rigorous sourcing, respectful handling of sensitive subjects, and a narrative style that balances personal storytelling with forensic detail—making it compelling for listeners who want both emotional resonance and substantive analysis. A distinctive angle is the sustained focus on healing, legal outcome... more

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How many listeners does American Nightmares get?

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How many subscribers and views does American Nightmares have?

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Which podcasts are similar to American Nightmares?

These podcasts share a similar audience with American Nightmares:

1. Bridge of Lies
2. Betrayal Weekly
3. The Binge Cases: U R NEXT
4. The Binge Crimes: Cut, Color, Kill
5. Gardens of Evil: Inside the Zion Society Cult

How many episodes of American Nightmares are there?

American Nightmares launched 7 years ago and published 73 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact American Nightmares?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on American Nightmares?

Recent guests on American Nightmares include:

1. Marissa Giammanco
2. Elise Giammanco
3. Dr. Judy Ho
4. Dr. Patrice Berry
5. Erin Anderson
6. Jeff Peterson
7. Cheryl Noggle
8. Philip Noggle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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