
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 | Twice weekly | Episodes | 497 | Founded | 13 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | True CrimeSociety & Culture | |||

Muffler shop owner Marvin Heemeyer bought a 45-ton Komatsu bulldozer and parked it on his lot in Granby, Colorado. When someone asked him what he was planning to do with it, he said, “I think I'm going to bulldoze the town."
Patrick Brower's book is... more
Phoebe interviews journalist and podcast host Joel Anderson about why it took 30 years for prosecutors to bring someone to trial for the murder of Tupac Shakur. Earlier this year, Duane "Keffe D" Davis was convicted of first degree murder in the 1996... more
One night when Eve Wiley was 16, she started reading through her mother’s emails, and discovered a secret her mother had been keeping from Eve her whole life. “I always knew there was something. I just didn't know what it was.”
Tickets for our brand... more
In 2013, a small boat called the Midnight Slider was found floating empty in the waters off of Isle Madame in Nova Scotia. “Murder is not something that occurs in this neck of the woods very often. There’s always been a tradition of taking care of fa... 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 | #151 | |
Spotify | #24 | |
Apple Podcasts | #88 | |
Apple Podcasts | #14 | |
Spotify | #146 | |
Spotify | #40 |
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. Ear Hustle
Criminal launched 13 years ago and published 497 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. Eve Wiley
2. Mikita Brottman
3. Isabella Scott
4. Alan Gentry
5. Alexis Okeowo
6. Pamela Colloff
7. Jenny Kleeman
8. Reg Spiers
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