
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 | 452 | Founded | 12 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureTrue Crime | |||

On the morning of May 20, 1957, a bomb exploded under Don King’s front porch. Police got a tip that they should search the home of someone he knew - a woman named Dollree Mapp. But when they got there, she refused to let them in. Soon, her case would... more
Alice and Leonard Rhinelander had only been married for a few weeks when his family lawyer came to their house and took Leonard away with him. The next time Alice saw her husband was a year later, in a courtroom.
Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and... more
For years, John Moore and Tanner Mansell ran shark diving tours off the coast of Florida. One day, they came across a fishing line in the middle of the ocean – with over a dozen sharks caught on it. “This looked like something very illegal going on. ... more
On Christmas Eve in 1926, a man came running into Bellevue Hospital in New York screaming that Santa Claus had been chasing him for blocks with a baseball bat. Not long after that, he died. And then another person arrived in the emergency room. And t... more
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Phoebe's voice and short sentence reading style are absolutely unique. The interviews are also super respectful.
The topics are often from outside mainstream, but never boring.
I used to be a loyal listener of Criminal, but at some point, admiration gave way to frustration. I kept hoping it would return to the gripping, thoughtfully crafted storytelling that once set it apart…instead, it has steadily drifted into disappointment.
What was once a compelling exploration of crime & human nature now feels increasingly weighed down by overt political framing. Episodes that formerly focused on unusual cases, moral ambiguity, and historical intrigue are too often filtered thr... more
Phoebe tried so hard to keep President Trump”s name out of her mouth when talking about how John was pardoned by “the president”. Had it been Obama or Biden, it would have been much easier for Phoebe to say it. You can almost hear her trying not to vomit. So sad that she cannot admit that President Trump actually did and does good things! “And then…”
I’ve loved your story telling, Phoebe but your TDS is really showing with this one. “The Whitehouse pardoned them”, you can’t give credit where credit is due. Disappointed.
Loyal listener. Enjoy the Phoebe and the team behind her. Love the variety of stories and historical facts. After every episode I think to myself, “who knew”.
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 | #166 | |
Spotify | #27 | |
Apple Podcasts | #89 | |
Apple Podcasts | #16 | |
Spotify | #158 | |
Spotify | #34 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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A thoughtful, narrative-driven series that centers real people and their stories around justice, crime, and history. Episodes often blend intimate personal experiences with broader social issues—ranging from wrongful convictions and investigative reporting to civil rights and policy shifts affecting vulnerable communities. The show is notable for its original storytelling, diverse guest mix, and a willingness to tackle morally complex topics without sensationalism, making it a compelling listen for audiences who value context, nuance, and human impact.
Noteworthy elements include a reputation for rigorous interviewing, a focus on underrepresented perspectives, and episodes that connect historical events to contemporary debates. The format,... more
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Criminal launched 12 years ago and published 452 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. Tanner Mansell
2. John Moore
3. Cecilia Gentili
4. Cassandra Quinto Collins
5. Bella Quinto Collins
6. Ben Nissenbaum
7. Matthew Guichard
8. Renu Rayasam
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