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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
Christopher Cook
Randolph County
Terry Mickey
Ectrodactyly
Lutheranism
Family Dynamics
North Carolina
Malaria
Schizophrenia

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes123Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryTrue Crime

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Artwork for Hard Times and True Crimes

Latest Episodes

Beginning in 1972, a series of suspicious deaths in rural Alabama left a community fearful, divided, and searching for answers. At the center of it all was a man known simply as “The Reverend,” whose life seemed marked by tragedy, rumor, and lingerin... more

YouTube

In this episode of Hard Times & True Crimes, we take a deep dive into a local Randolph County case that captured the community's attention - the trial of Heather Auman, accused in the death of her husband, MJ, a local firefighter. 

After attending t... more

YouTube

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

Key Facts

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Hosts

Melody Gwyn
Primary host co-hosting the show; one of the Southern, Christian storytellers recounting historical true crime cases with a warm, conversational style.
Darlene Hildreth
Co-host who brings Southern historical true crime storytelling with a Christian perspective and a collaborative, friendly banter with Melody.

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 States6 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 States7 months ago
  • 👍

    Love this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Something Something Sarah
    Australia7 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 States9 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 States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the down-home, Christian framing and how cases are researched and presented with both facts and context.
Fans highlight high-quality storytelling, good pacing, and thoughtful insights on historical and cultural angles.
Many praise the conversational dynamic between Melody and Darlene and the Southern storytelling vibe.

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Love Trapped
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The IdiotSerial Productions & The New York Times
Morbid
MorbidAsh Kelley & Alaina Urquhart
48 Hours
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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.

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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?

Two Southern, Christian women recount historical true crime stories with a focus on local and regional cases, weaving in folklore, social history, and personal reflections. Episodes center on historical murders and notable investigations, often tying in community dynamics, era-specific contexts, and occasional broader societal angles. The tone is warm and conversational, using host banter and archival detail to illuminate cases, while maintaining a respectful, reflective stance. The show stands out for its strong regional flavor, religious perspective, and approachable storytelling that makes historical crime accessible and engaging for a broad audience.

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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. Morbid
2. Serialously with Annie Elise
3. MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
4. True Crime with Kendall Rae
5. Crime Junkie

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

Hard Times and True Crimes launched 3 years ago and published 123 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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