
Criminal is the first of its kind. A show about people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle. Hosted by Phoebe Judge. Named a Best Podcast of 2023 by the New York Times. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 491 | Founded | 13 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | True CrimeSociety & Culture | |||

In 1992, a young man walked into a police station and said he wanted to turn himself in for a crime. When the police asked if there was someone at home who they could call, he said, “That’s who I killed. I killed my parents.”
Mikita Brottman’s book ... more
Phoebe interviews author Izabella Scott about an unusual trial in England. One woman, referred to as Miss X, accused her best friend Gayle of posing as a man and tricking her into having a sexual relationship. But Gayle said there was no deception – ... more
In June of 1985, police followed in pursuit as Fritz Klenner drove through the streets of Greensboro, North Carolina, with his cousin Susie Lynch and her two sons. When the chase eventually ended, it was like “something right out of a movie.”
This i... more
In 1985, college student Ian Perkins reconnected with a family friend, Fritz Klenner, who told him a secret. He said he was a CIA agent — and offered to let Ian come along on his next mission.
To listen early to Part 2 of this story, sign up for Cri... more
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Great Podcast
Host Phoebe Judge and her brilliant team have created the best True Crime podcast out there, minus the gore/sensationalism that most podcasts of this sort are guilty of. The stories are always empathetic, tackle a broad base of crime and are heavily researched. Phoebe’s interviews are both engrossing and she may have the most soothing vocals of any host.
The absolute best. Examines what does crime mean? Stories are presented with empathy and professionalism. Most are also ok to listen to with my preteen (screened by me first of course). We especially love Animals Really Going For It.
I just wanted to say regardless of the story just listening to your voice brings a smile to my face. Your voice feels like home. Your personality is amazing and I am so glad I found you. Thank you for being you!
been listening for 10+ years, the only podcast i’ll ever recommend to others. incredible journalism and storytelling - I learn something new every episode!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Spotify | #142 | |
Spotify | #23 | |
Apple Podcasts | #74 | |
Apple Podcasts | #14 | |
Spotify | #138 | |
Spotify | #35 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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A historically grounded true-crime and society-focused program that uses intimate storytelling, expert interviews, and archival context to explore complex cases, investigative methods, and human consequences. Episodes span from individual intrusions and wrongful identifications to courtroom struggles, forensic science, and historical justice, often weaving professional analysis with personal perspectives. Notable for its calm storytelling voice, rigorous sourcing, and willingness to tackle nuanced topics without sensationalism, it tends to attract listeners who enjoy thoughtful, well-researched narratives that connect crime to broader social issues.
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Criminal:
1. This is Love
2. This American Life
3. Heavyweight
4. In The Dark
5. This Is Actually Happening
Criminal launched 13 years ago and published 491 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Criminal include:
1. Alan Gentry
2. Alexis Okeowo
3. Pamela Colloff
4. Jenny Kleeman
5. Reg Spiers
6. John McSorley
7. Amber Dawn
8. Erin Peters
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