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Artwork for Crossing the Line

Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps

M. William Phelps
True Crime
Murder
Domestic Violence
Murder Investigation
John O'keefe
Karen Read
Delphi Murders
Cold Cases
Mental Health
Addiction
Heroin
Social Media
Missing Persons
Los Angeles
Child Abuse
Florida
Investigative Journalism
Investigation
Texas
Domestic Abuse

Crossing the Line is a true crime podcast revealing cold cases of the missing and murdered, told start-to-finish each week. Using the campfire storytelling style that made Paper Ghosts a #1 hit on Apple Podcasts, host/investigative journalist/New York Times bestselling true crime author M. William Phelps connects deeply with families touched by violent crime - he understands them, because he is on... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes215Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Crossing the Line

Latest Episodes

It's the 80s. The bogeyman, a scumbag named Frank Walls, is roaming about the day and night, killing random people along the beachside in Okaloosa County, Florida—a serial killer displaying some of the vilest behaviors imaginable.

As the bodies pil... more

YouTube

A police commander's husband goes missing and law enforcement seems to think he might have taken off on his own. Then he is found murdered—and the case soon turns into a strange whodunit, with his wife at the center of the investigation. This, as ano... more

YouTube

A serial rapist, Mitchell Gaff, is caught and jailed. Thinking he's getting out of prison many years later, the court sentences him to McNeil Island, where the worst sexual predators are kept from society. After decades, he is finally released. 50 ye... more

YouTube

Five members of the Martin family--Kenneth, Barbara, and their three young children, Barbie, Susan and Virginia--head out one afternoon in 1958 for a Sunday drive in Oregon and never return. The only family member left behind, the oldest son, has som... more

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Eugene Glegor
Dated former boyfriend of the victim's daughter and suspect in the original investigation
Unspecified; subject of the interview
Episode: EP163 | The Genetic Murder Ghost - The True Crime of Guilt By Association
Thien Ho
District Attorney and prosecutor of the Golden State Killer case
Sacramento County District Attorney's Office
Episode: EP143: We Are the Sin Eaters: The District Attorney Who Prosecuted the Golden State Killer Explains
Robyn Peery
Susan Marable's sister and a dedicated advocate searching for answers regarding Susan's disappearance.
Episode: A Sister Searches For Her Missing Sibling: The 'True Crime' of Susan Marable's Disappearance
Dr. Peter Vronsky
An investigative historian and author specializing in serial killers
Toronto Metropolitan University
Episode: Serial Killer Richard Cottingham & Dr. Peter Vronsky – Part 1
Brendan Cain
John O'Keefe's best friend.
Episode: 34 FAIRVIEW ROAD: Episode 10 – Occam's Razor
Jeffrey Smalldon
Forensic psychologist and author of 'That Beast Was Not Me'
Episode: Monsters Among Us: John Wayne Gacy and the Real World of Psychopaths
John Wayne Gacy
Notorious serial killer known as the 'Killer Clown.'
Episode: Monsters Among Us: John Wayne Gacy and the Real World of Psychopaths
Aidan Kearney
Investigative reporter and blogger at TBDailyNews
tbdailynews.com
Episode: The Karen Read Murder Trial: Michael Proctor, Dr. Turtleboy, & the Misogynistic Mass State Police - Part 1
Kristen Seavey
Host of Murder, She Told and investigative podcaster
Murder, She Told
Episode: Reeves Johnson: Missing in Maine

Host

M. William Phelps
Host of Crossing the Line; renowned investigative journalist with 20+ years in crime reporting and personal experience with violence.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 5.4k ratings
  • I'm a long time listener, and I've always appreciated how thorough and respectful towards the victims his podcasts are!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    ☀️Paola🌈
    10 days ago
  • Highly Recommend!

    This is what a true journalist sounds like, everyone! I am a Paper Ghost listener who found my way over here, and I am so glad I did. This is the only podcast I could find with comprehensive and unbiased coverage of John O’Keefe’s death. Mr. Phelps is a great writer, the perfect amount of compassionate, and puts up with zero b.s. And hopefully approves of Oxford commas.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    💫Beth
    United States17 days ago
  • Great show

    Great podcast. I am a faithful paper ghosts listener and these shorter stories are just as good. I love the independent, non biased perspective, that is hard to find now

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dadmullins
    United States25 days ago
  • Great show!!

    Been listening for several years! Love his perspective.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ktbarker
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great story teller and advocate

    Heard an ad for the show and knew he was a true crime author and gave it a spin. Got hooked and have been binging everything. Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ltallgirl
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Engaging, well-researched storytelling that respects victims.
Narrative depth and empathetic coverage without sensationalism are repeatedly highlighted.
Phelps is a trusted, no-nonsense interviewer who lets families speak.
High-quality investigations with strong narration and case context.
Some listeners feel strongly and disagree with certain takes, but overall quality is praised.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#193
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#61
Ukraine/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#185
India/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#224
Ireland/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EP159 - Part 3 - The Fort Worth 3: An Iconic True Crime Missing Persons Mystery - Still Searching
Q: Do you think that these cases are connected to any of the other cases in the area and the same era?
Deep in my heart, I don't. I am open-minded because, like I said, until we know for sure, then we don't know.
EP159 - Part 3 - The Fort Worth 3: An Iconic True Crime Missing Persons Mystery - Still Searching
Q: What do you think the biggest blockade is in getting some answers to this case and your cousin?
One, we have no bodies. Two, there was no evidence collected in the very beginning outside of the letter.
EP143: We Are the Sin Eaters: The District Attorney Who Prosecuted the Golden State Killer Explains
Q: How do you compartmentalize?
Thien admits that he struggles to fully compartmentalize his work, as he often carries the weight of his cases into his personal life.
EP143: We Are the Sin Eaters: The District Attorney Who Prosecuted the Golden State Killer Explains
Q: Tell me about that.
Thien describes his experience of how he came to be involved in the prosecution of DeAngelo after a breakthrough in connection with the East Area Rapist.
EP134 - The Delphi Murders: Remembering Abby and Libby, Sorting Fact From Nonsense - Part 1
Q: On February 13th, 2017, tell me what happened?
Abby and Libby were dropped off to walk the trails, intending to cross the Monon High Bridge. They posted on social media before going missing, which started the search.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Crossing the Line

What is Crossing the Line about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program features deeply reported, narrative-driven true crime stories that center on missing people and homicide cases, often with a long-form, case-focused approach. The host blends investigative detail, victim and family perspectives, and forensic context, while weaving in personal experience and occasional authorial notes. Episodes frequently highlight evolving technology, courtroom developments, and the human side of crime—preserving a respectful tone toward victims while unpacking complex investigations. A notable strength is the campfire-style storytelling that maintains momentum across long narratives, and the host's willingness to confront difficult truths and question official accounts. This mix makes it appealing to listeners... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Crossing the Line?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Crossing the Line:

1. Paper Ghosts: The Texas Teen Murders
2. Hell and Gone
3. The Binge Crimes: Cut, Color, Kill
4. The Binge Cases: U R NEXT
5. Bone Valley

How many episodes of Crossing the Line are there?

Crossing the Line launched 5 years ago and published 215 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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What guests have appeared on Crossing the Line?

Recent guests on Crossing the Line include:

1. Eugene Glegor
2. Thien Ho
3. Robyn Peery
4. Dr. Peter Vronsky
5. Brendan Cain
6. Jeffrey Smalldon
7. John Wayne Gacy
8. Aidan Kearney

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