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
Japanese Internment Camps
Johnny Gattuso
Vincent Solano
J. Campisi
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Police Response
Emergency Dispatch

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes452Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTrue Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Criminal

Latest Episodes

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

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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Serial
SerialSerial Productions & The New York Times
Heavyweight
HeavyweightPushkin Industries

Recent Guests

Tanner Mansell
Shark diving guide and operator who participated in the incident
Florida shark tours operator
Episode: The Longline
John Moore
Shark diving guide and operator who participated in the incident
Florida shark tours operator
Episode: The Longline
Cecilia Gentili
Transgender woman from Argentina, advocate for decriminalization of sex work
Trans Equity
Episode: Cecilia
Cassandra Quinto Collins
Mother of Angelo, interview subject
Quinto Collins family
Episode: Excited Delirium
Bella Quinto Collins
Sister of Angelo, interview subject
Quinto Collins family
Episode: Excited Delirium
Ben Nissenbaum
Attorney for the Quinto Collins family
Nissenbaum law firm
Episode: Excited Delirium
Matthew Guichard
Hearing officer in coroner's inquest
Contra Costa County
Episode: Excited Delirium
Renu Rayasam
Reporter
News organization
Episode: Excited Delirium
Julie Ha
Journalist and filmmaker featured in the episode
Documentary subject, journalist
Episode: The Mug Book

Host

Phoebe Judge
Host of the show, known for narrative-driven interviews and ethical exploration of crime and justice.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 57.7k ratings
  • Love This Podcast.

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mizzyouknow
    Germany7 days ago
  • Storytelling or Sermonizing?

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    laqiur22
    United States8 days ago
  • The Long Line

    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…”

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Elnmur
    United States14 days ago
  • The Longline episode

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sagitchick
    United States16 days ago
  • My Favorite Podcast

    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”.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AprilRF74
    United States21 days ago

Listeners Say

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

A few listeners chafe at perceived political slants and paywalls.
Some reviews highlight the show's consistency and varied, compelling guests.
Fans praise the storytelling and host delivery, noting deep, engaging interviews.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Big Lie
Q: So you're Gavin and you're Billy, and I know it all?
The lawyer wanted to see their American passports, realizing they were actually from Scotland, not America.
Sister Helen
Q: What can you say to make someone feel better?
You simply tell them, 'I am here for you.' It's about presence.

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 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

Where can I find podcast stats for Criminal?

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How many listeners does Criminal get?

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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. Serial
4. This Is Actually Happening
5. Heavyweight

How many episodes of Criminal are there?

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.

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. 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

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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