Rephonic
Artwork for Criminal
True Crime
Civil War
Criminal Justice
New York City
FBI
Helen Wilson
Hurricane Katrina
Ghostwatch
Fraud
South Carolina
Harriet Tubman
Cold War
North Carolina
Crime
Ken Etto
Police Brutality
Berlin Wall
BBC
Combahee River Raid
Jabar Gibson

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes464Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTrue Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Criminal

Latest Episodes

In November 2019, nineteen-year-old Zac Brettler went missing. When his parents began looking for him, they discovered that Zac had been living a double life.

Patrick Radden Keefe’s book is London Falling.

Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTo... more

Sheriff Buford Pusser said he and his wife had come under gunfire early one morning on a country road - leading to her death. He told one reporter, “I'm pretty sure about who did it, and I'm pretty sure about where he is."

Jason Guerrasio's article ... more

This episode is unlocked and available for everyone to listen to!

It took some trial and error, but Phoebe finally figured out how to put on makeup. Plus, Lauren asks for advice on delivering bad news, and we hear the latest in a crime story involvi... more

Ed and Bertha Briney’s unoccupied farmhouse was reportedly broken into 50 times over 10 years. They put up “No Trespassing” signs, repeatedly complained to sheriffs in two different counties, nailed doors shut, and boarded up windows – but nothing wo... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Andrew McClurg
Retired law professor
University/Academic Context
Episode: Mantrap
Marvin Katko
Person injured in the case and plaintiff in the civil suit
Private individual, resident of Eddyville
Episode: Mantrap
Phil Conahan
Warehouse owner affected by break-ins and later involved in booby-trap case
Private business owner
Episode: Mantrap
Jonathan Wolff
New York Times reporter
New York Times
Episode: The Mountain
Verena Morchetz
Professor of criminal law
University of Innsbruck
Episode: The Mountain
John Leach
Survival psychologist, mountaineering expert
Independent expert
Episode: The Mountain
Deborah Blum
Journalist and author of The Poison Squad
Author of The Poison Squad
Episode: The Poison Squad
Darren Detweiler
Father of Riley Detweiler, survivor advocate
Family of outbreak victim
Episode: Poisoned
Jeff Benedict
Writer who documented the outbreak
Author
Episode: Poisoned

Host

Phoebe Judge
Host of Criminal

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 57.9k ratings
  • Okay

    I like a lot of these stories. Just not a fan of the Miss Priss voice.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    23 trolley
    United Statesa month ago
  • Can’t get enough of this podcast

    The story telling and educational value of this podcast is second to none. I get a fascinating history lesson in every episode. It’s true crime plus history. The stories range from light hearted to serious and I don’t end feeling depressed like some more sensationalized podcasts. I look forward to every episode and feel just a little bit smarter after then. And also just captivated by the stories. Thank you Phoebe and Lauren and Jackie and everyone who brings these stories to life. And than... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mel281@juno
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love

    Just love!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jeckles88
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • The numbers

    I just listened to this episode and it reminded me of my mother, who played the numbers using her dream book. When her numbers “hit” she would be so happy. Thank you for the memory reminder. Well done.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MINIBB1
    United States2 months ago
  • Great podcast!

    Any review complaining about liberal political bias is BS. If you know the difference between right and wrong, are ethical, and enjoy great storytelling you’re in the right place.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    badburritoami
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback notes perceived political framing by critics but overall consistency and depth remain valued by core listeners.
Many appreciate the balance of history and crime context without sensationalism, making complex topics accessible.
Listeners praise the calm, engaging delivery and rigorous storytelling, with interviews and expert input cited as strengths.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mantrap
Q: Why did the court decide in favor of Katko, and what did that mean for property owners?
The court found the use of deadly force to protect property was inappropriate, especially in an unoccupied dwelling, setting a precedent that property defense cannot justify lethal traps and leading to damages awarded against the homeowners.
Mantrap
Q: What exactly happened when Marvin Katko broke into the Briney farmhouse?
He entered the unoccupied house, triggered the home-made shotgun trap and lost part of his leg, which led to medical treatment and eventually to legal action against the homeowners.
Excited Delirium
Q: Why did the family pursue an autopsy and legal action?
Because independent findings contradicted official conclusions, revealing asphyxiation as a contributing factor and prompting a civil suit and reforms, including a state-level approach to restraints and inquest processes.
Excited Delirium
Q: What does excited delirium mean in the medical and legal context?
It is described as a condition where the body supposedly dysregulates, leading to death, but the episode emphasizes that there is no standardized test or diagnostic code, and the term has a contested history and dubious scientific basis.
Cecilia
Q: What do you want to say now to that little girl thinking she was an alien, given all you've seen and become?
I think we are all aliens until we find our communities, and when you find them, you will find your family and your planet, and the journey can be hard but beautiful, with the reward being belonging.

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 Criminal

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

A thoughtfully engineered true-crime/history show that blends investigative reporting, expert analysis, and personal narratives to explore cases at the intersection of crime, law, and society. Episodes frequently center on legal principles, historical context, and human impact, featuring voices from academia, journalism, and affected communities. Notable strengths include meticulous storytelling, credible sourcing, and a calm, steady hosting style that elevates complex topics without sensationalism. For potential listeners, the show offers clear case backgrounds, multiple perspectives, and accessible takes on legal and ethical questions that resonate with both history buffs and true-crime enthusiasts.

Where can I find podcast stats for Criminal?

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How many listeners does Criminal get?

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What are the audience demographics for Criminal?

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How many subscribers and views does Criminal have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Criminal has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Criminal?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Criminal:

1. This is Love
2. This American Life
3. Heavyweight
4. This Is Actually Happening
5. My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

How many episodes of Criminal are there?

Criminal launched 12 years ago and published 464 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 Criminal?

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 Criminal?

Recent guests on Criminal include:

1. Andrew McClurg
2. Marvin Katko
3. Phil Conahan
4. Jonathan Wolff
5. Verena Morchetz
6. John Leach
7. Deborah Blum
8. Darren Detweiler

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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