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Artwork for Hard Times and True Crimes

Hard Times and True Crimes

Darlene Hildreth and Melody Gwyn
Murder
Melissa Mickey
Mental Illness
John Emil List
Florida
Winston-Salem
Civil War
Allegheny Mountains
Amish Community
Peter Degraff
Ellen Smith
Terry Mickey
Christopher Cook
Randolph County
Ectrodactyly
Lutheranism
Family Dynamics
North Carolina
Malaria
Schizophrenia

Listen to two Southern, Christian women tell each other historical true crime stories.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes121Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryTrue Crime

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Artwork for Hard Times and True Crimes

Latest Episodes

In March of 1895, a young Irish woman named Bridget Cleary was brutally murdered by her husband and several relatives in the small village of Ballyvadlea in County Tipperary. For several days, Bridget was subjected to interrogations, forced herbal mi... more

YouTube

In Part 2 of our Bitter Blood series, we continue the shocking true story made famous by North Carolina author Jerry Bledsoe in his bestselling book Bitter Blood.

What began as a volatile marriage spiraled into paranoia, obsession, and a custody bat... more

YouTube

Jerry Bledsoe, North Carolina’s #1 New York Times bestselling true crime author, passed away on December 31, 2025, in Asheboro, NC. In honor of his life and legacy, we are re-releasing our two-part episode on Bitter Blood — the book that brought nati... more

YouTube

In this special Christmas episode of Hard Times and True Crimes, we examine one of the most disturbing crimes in American history: The kidnapping and murder of Marion Parker in Los Angeles in 1927. 

In December 1927, Los Angeles was rocked by the ki... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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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Hosts

Darlene Hildreth
Co-host, telling stories and providing insights into historical true crime events, often with a Southern and Christian perspective.
Melody Gwyn
Co-host, engaging in storytelling and discussions on historical true crime stories, representing a Southern and Christian viewpoint.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 139 ratings
  • Coincidence!!

    I was trying to find a podcast or documentary about the Fuquay Varina North Carolina Dr. murder that happened in the 1950s because I haven’t been able to find a lot of information about it… Today when I looked it up, this podcast came up and it turns out they literally made the episode like LAST week!!??!! It’s like they knew I had been trying to find information about it.🤔🤔

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    mxcyalbright
    United States5 months ago
  • The the old timey crimes!

    I love any older crimes early 1900’s-1960’s. There are plenty to choose from here! I just wish some episodes went a little more in depth but for the length of the episodes, you’re still getting some decent knowledge.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NLRudel
    United States6 months ago
  • 👍

    Love this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Something Something Sarah
    Australia6 months ago
  • I absolutely LOVE this podcast! I live in Randolph County, NC so most of these stories are close to me! I LOVE the fact that this podcast isn’t gory! These ladies really tell the stories well and keep your attention! I DEF recommend!

    Audible
    5
    Anonymous
    United States8 months ago
  • AMAZING!

    I absolutely LOVE this podcast! I live in Randolph County, NC so most of these stories are close to me! I LOVE the fact that this podcast isn’t gory! These ladies really tell the stories well and keep your attention! I DEF recommend!

    Audible
    5
    Anonymous User
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the engaging and relatable storytelling style of the hosts, often highlighting the warmth of their interactions.
The mix of historical context with true crime keeps the audience intrigued and well-informed.
Many listeners commend the show's clean content, making it suitable for various audiences, including families.
Listeners value the unique Southern perspective and the exploration of lesser-known true crime cases, finding the stories both informative and entertaining.
The hosts' balanced integration of their Christian values into discussions is often met with positive feedback, showcasing a refreshing approach to the true crime genre.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

102. Murder On Route 66: The Welch Family Tragedy
Q: Why do you think he killed the parents and not the kids?
They speculate that perhaps the attacker didn't see the boys and didn't realize they were there, or he may not have intended to harm them but just shot the parents carelessly.
62. Lobster Boy - Grady Stiles, Jr.
Q: So what do you think? Do you think they should have been found guilty?
I feel bad for them, especially since he did get away with it. I do think they should have been found guilty, but the whole case was wrong in that respect.
60. The Bitter Blood Murders Pt.1
Q: Was she there yet?
Janie was inside when her mother was shot and tried to escape but was also killed soon after.
67. Lost Boys of the Allegheny Mountains
Q: Do you think his dream was credible?
I think when you have the same dream more than once, there's merit to that.
67. Lost Boys of the Allegheny Mountains
Q: So what do you think? Do you think that Jacob Dibert had anything to do with it?
I believe he really did have that dream and had nothing to do with the boys' disappearance.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hard Times and True Crimes

What is Hard Times and True Crimes about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The program features two Southern women who share captivating historical true crime stories, often infused with their personal perspectives and rich storytelling. They explore a wide range of cases, from infamous murders to lesser-known tragedies, often highlighting issues such as mental health, societal prejudices, and the impact of crime on communities. The unique Southern twist and Christian perspective contribute to the authenticity of their discussions, making the episodes relatable while examining darker themes. Listeners can expect engaging narratives, thorough research, and a blend of history and moral reflections throughout the episodes.

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Which podcasts are similar to Hard Times and True Crimes?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Hard Times and True Crimes:

1. Dateline NBC
2. 48 Hours
3. Crime Junkie
4. Morbid
5. Murder In America

How many episodes of Hard Times and True Crimes are there?

Hard Times and True Crimes launched 3 years ago and published 121 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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