Rephonic
Artwork for Criminal
FBI
Ken Etto
Bank Robbery
Alton Sterling
Bolita
Chicago Outfit
Crime
911 Emergency Services
Nellie Bly
Organized Crime
Texas
East Baton Rouge Parish Prison
Baton Rouge Police Department
Vincent Solano
J. Campisi
Johnny Gattuso
Japanese Internment Camps
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Emergency Dispatch
Police Response

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes413Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & CultureDocumentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Criminal

Latest Episodes

In 1883, a sailing captain named Thomas Dudley accepted a job no one thought was a good idea: to sail a small ship called the Mignonette halfway across the world.

Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Fo... more

When Audrey Ryan’s father told her he once found 20 pounds of hash while he was fishing for scallops, she didn’t believe him. But he said that he wasn’t the only one who had found drugs in the ocean.

Audrey Ryan wrote about the Tusker for Boston Glo... more

In 2006, a group of young men and teenagers were arrested under the Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act for planning to set off bombs in Toronto. They were known as the Toronto 18. One of the group’s leaders was a 20-year-old named Zakaria Amara.

Michelle S... more

One Saturday morning in 2018, the police showed up at Patience Rousseau’s door, and started asking her questions about something she'd posted on Facebook after she'd had a miscarriage.

Caroline Kitchener’s article for The Washington Post is “She sai... 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

Audrey Ryan
Child of a fisherman who discovered hash while fishing.
Episode: The Tusker
Lee Strimple
Former operations manager for the Coronado Company involved in drug smuggling.
Episode: The Tusker
Zakaria Amara
Former member of the Toronto 18 who served nearly 17 years in prison for plotting a terrorist attack in Canada.
Episode: Zak and Michelle
Michelle Shephard
A national security reporter for the Toronto Star, who reported on the Toronto 18 and the implications of their arrests.
Episode: Zak and Michelle
Caroline Kitchener
Reporter covering the case of Patience Russo.
Episode: Patience
Patience Russo
A woman who faced charges after experiencing a miscarriage.
Episode: Patience
Denise Chan
Journalist
Wondry Podcast, Scam Factory
Episode: The Compound
E. Jean Carroll
Author and Advice Columnist, known for her column 'Ask E. Jean'
Episode: E. Jean
Alyssa Hultman
Mother of Logan Hultman.
Episode: Kids on the Case

Host

Phoebe Judge
Host and creator known for her engaging storytelling and ability to connect deeply with guests, often bringing out profound narratives around crime and justice.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 57.1k ratings
  • 100% recommend

    Long time listener, first time reviewer.

    This is a well-crafted, well-researched and informative podcast that will make you think, learn, laugh, cry, and even possibly - *gasp* - consider another point of view.

    It delves into all aspects of crime, without being exploitative or graphic.

    Congratulations Phoebe, Lauren, and everyone at Criminal on your continued success - and thank you for always bringing us stories that invite us to think!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JessPSU927
    United States20 days ago
  • Great storytelling

    Long time listener, first time reviewer. Criminal is my go to podcast (after leaving most behind) for road trips, commutes, and cleaning! Thank you for being brave and honest in your storytelling and finding such compelling, human stories. Oh, and don’t listen to the negative reviews!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kimbotsky
    United States21 days ago
  • Love love!

    Love love this podcast! I listen to every episode and have seen them live. Excellent mix of deep and challenging stories with light and fun ones. I am just confused about the reporting of the Patience episode. She was much further along than what is considered a miscarriage but this is the term used in the episode, which also makes the loss seem more mundane and commonplace. That causes me to wonder about the reliability of the reporting of the whole episode. And then from there all of them? May... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cgram
    Canadaa month ago
  • As with most podcasts, they started strong and then made the inevitable slide into woke shitification.

    Avoid if you can.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    MGAC21
    a month ago
  • Great

    Don’t listen to the little babies giving this one star because “PoLiTiCs”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    electroniccouch
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast is recognized for its unique subject matter, covering a range of criminal experiences that are both informative and emotionally resonant.
Many reviews point to a notable shift towards political themes, with some audience members expressing disappointment at perceived bias in recent episodes.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and compelling storytelling, highlighting the host's captivating voice and ability to connect with guests.
Some listeners celebrate the exploration of broader societal issues, while others express concern about the connection of these themes to political agendas.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Custom of the Sea
Q: How does the public react to the case?
The initial reaction is enormous sympathy for the men, with crowds cheering for them and supporters organizing fundraisers.
Zak and Michelle
Q: Do you think he'll ever not be known as a terrorist?
I hope so. I certainly hope so. But it's hard, you know, one Google search and your name comes up, so it's going to be difficult.
Zak and Michelle
Q: What was the press coverage like at the time? Was this all over, all day, every day?
It was huge. I mean, I'm trying to think if we had a bigger case here in Toronto. And I don't think we have in the time that I've been reporting.
E. Jean
Q: After all those years, why did you decide to come forward?
Carroll was motivated by the emergence of the Weinstein story and felt it was time to confront her past.
E. Jean
Q: Did you ever consider going to the police right after it happened?
Carroll mentioned that it was discussed with her friend, but they agreed to never speak of it again.

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?

Offering rich storytelling and diverse narratives, the show examines a range of criminal experiences from various perspectives, often spotlighting profound social issues and the human condition. Topics discussed include identity theft, human trafficking, police brutality, and unique personal accounts from individuals who have been intricately involved in or impacted by criminal events. The show is characterized by its focus on depth and the emotional resonance of storytelling, rather than merely sensationalism, making it stand out from typical true crime content. Its approach not only informs but also aims to provoke thought and discussion around larger societal implications.

Where can I find podcast stats for Criminal?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Criminal. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Criminal and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

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. This Is Actually Happening
4. Ear Hustle
5. Heavyweight

How many episodes of Criminal are there?

Criminal launched 12 years ago and published 413 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Criminal?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Criminal from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Criminal?

Recent guests on Criminal include:

1. Audrey Ryan
2. Lee Strimple
3. Zakaria Amara
4. Michelle Shephard
5. Caroline Kitchener
6. Patience Russo
7. Denise Chan
8. E. Jean Carroll

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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