Rephonic
Artwork for Motive & Method
Mental Health
True Crime
Domestic Violence
Australia
Criminal Justice System
Erin Patterson
Social Media
Murder
Stalking
Criminal Justice
New South Wales
Terrorism
Bondi Westfield
Sexsomnia
Sovereign Citizen Movement
Queensland
Lone Actors
Victoria
Schizophrenia
Lucy Letby

Motive & Method is an expert-led Australian true crime podcast. Join Dr Xanthe Mallett and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro as they unpack what really makes the offenders behind some of history’s most notorious cases tick, and also react and unpack crimes as they hit the headlines. You will also hear from victim survivors, investigators and advocates for change analysing motive, and method.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Artwork for Motive & Method

Latest Episodes

For over fifty years, David Cunningham has been searching for the truth about his sister Anita, who vanished while hitchhiking Queensland’s notorious Flinders Highway in 1972.

While her friend Robin was tragically found murdered, Anita’s fate remain... more

Two 18-year-old girls disappeared on the Flinders Highway in 1972. One was found murdered, the other has never been found.

In this first episode of our special series for Outback Murder Highway, Tim & Xanthe are joined by investigative journalist Am... more

One Australian highway - 11 people dead or missing

In this special series, criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro and forensic criminologist, Dr Xanthe Weston are unpacking four major cases under investigation in the exclusive new television document... more

Breaking news on notorious serial killer Ted Bundy decades after his execution - A DNA breakthrough has linked Ted Bundy to another cold case murder, proving his story may not be as closed as once believed. In this bonus episode, Xanthe and Tim unpa... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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

Amelia Oberhardt
Investigative journalist
Episode: Introducing: Outback Murder Highway
Ken Gamble
Private investigator specializing in fraud and cybercrime
Internet Fraud Watchdog / IFW
Episode: Hunting Scammers with Private Investigator Ken Gamble (Part 1)
Erin Ramsay
Investigative journalist
A Current Affair
Episode: The Killer Babysitter: Living Free & Babysitting Again
Dr. Annie Cossens
Former professor of law and criminology at the University of New South Wales and author of The Baby Farmers
University of New South Wales
Episode: Sydney’s Baby Farming Murders
Margie Thomas
Aunt of Eloise Worledge, involved in her ongoing case
Episode: Taken In The Night: The Eloise Worledge Mystery
Gordon Drage
Retired forensic investigator with 36 years in policing
Formerly with the South Australian Police
Episode: REPLAY: 2025 Fan Favourite - Inside Snowtown with Gordon Drage
Matt Friedman
Leading international expert on modern slavery and human trafficking
The Mekong Club
Episode: REPLAY: Xanthe's 2025 Top Episode - The Horrors of Human Trafficking Networks
Dr. Nathan Brooks
Forensic psychologist and leading expert in lone acts of violence and mass casualty attacks
Episode: BONDI TERROR ATTACK: A Forensic Perspective with Dr Nathan Brooks
Lily Greer
Nine News reporter who traveled from India to Cairns to report on the Toyah Cordingley case
Nine News
Episode: Toyah Cordingley & The International Manhunt To Catch Her Killer

Hosts

Dr Xanthe Mallett
Forensic scientist and criminologist
Tim Watson-Munro
Criminal psychologist

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 586 ratings
  • Great

    New listener after hearing about it on True Crime Convos. As for Tim’s voice - I bet he’s seen enough in his career and knows enough so I respect his knowledge and input without him needing to put on a Disney voice lol.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ozcandyoz
    Australiaa month ago
  • Long time listener

    I’ve been a long time listener of the show and really like the dynamic between Xanthe and Tim. They work well together and the balance of perspectives makes it interesting to listen to. They cover fascinating cases and bring something different to even well known and widely publicised matters.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    katejessicacowan
    Australiaa month ago
  • Tim sounds uninterested

    I like this podcast but I wish Tim sounded a lot more energised. It is hard to listen to him speak in a monotone. Xanthe is great though.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    artywoman
    Australiaa month ago
  • My fave!

    My favourite ! Love these 2!! Please keep them coming !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nessynoodle
    Australiaa month ago
  • Terrible recording equipment

    Please improve sound quality, very difficult to listen to

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Shall I compare thee?
    Australia2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value the balanced psychology and criminology insights and the host chemistry.
Production quality is a frequent point of critique, especially sound quality and occasional interruptions.
Listener feedback highlights timely coverage of important cases and clear explanations of complex topics.
Guests and expert perspectives are consistently strong anchors for deep-dive discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#44
Australia/True Crime
Spotify
#176
Australia/Trending
Apple Podcasts
#94
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#22
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#47
Saudi Arabia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#55
New Zealand/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

REPLAY - DEZI FREEMAN: The Porepunkah Police Shootings
Q: So can you start us off by really telling us what is a sovereign citizen?
Roose explains that sovereign citizens form a complex, anti-government extremist movement that originated in the US and spread to Australia, centering on the belief that government is a corporation and individuals can declare sovereignty to reject government authority, often using pseudo-legal arguments to advance their cases.
Sydney’s Baby Farming Murders
Q: How did society react to the case once it was made public?
The public was horrified, leading to widespread media coverage and discussions about the case, reflecting a greater societal shame and condemnation towards the Makin's actions.
Sydney’s Baby Farming Murders
Q: What were some challenges faced in prosecuting the Makin's?
Challenges included the poor condition of bodies and lack of direct evidence linking the Makin's to the deaths, as they were only charged with one murder due to these difficulties.
Sydney’s Baby Farming Murders
Q: What was the role of the Makin's in the baby farming scheme?
The Makin's exploited desperate young mothers by taking their illegitimate babies under the pretense of caring for them, charging fees, then neglecting or killing the infants.
Taken In The Night: The Eloise Worledge Mystery
Q: What was the significance of the new reward that was offered?
The million-dollar reward aims to re-engage the public's interest in the case and encourages anyone with information to come forward, especially as loyalties may have changed over the years.

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 Motive & Method

What is Motive & Method about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A forensic-leaning true crime show that pairs psychological analysis with investigative context to unpack why offenders commit their crimes and how investigations unfold. Episodes spotlight Australian cases and high-profile headlines, often featuring expert guests—criminologists, forensic scientists, journalists, and investigators—to dissect motive, method, and systemic issues in justice and public safety. While the hosts' dynamic and case-driven storytelling are strengths, some listeners raise concerns about production and sound quality; the format remains consistently informative, balanced, and focused on understanding crime beyond sensational details. Potential sponsors and guests may find value in the show's expert approach, survivor an... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Motive & Method?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Motive & Method:

1. I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin
2. True Crime Conversations
3. Australian True Crime
4. Life and Crimes with Andrew Rule
5. Hunting Justice

How many episodes of Motive & Method are there?

Motive & Method launched 3 years ago and published 100 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 Motive & Method?

Recent guests on Motive & Method include:

1. Amelia Oberhardt
2. Ken Gamble
3. Erin Ramsay
4. Dr. Annie Cossens
5. Margie Thomas
6. Gordon Drage
7. Matt Friedman
8. Dr. Nathan Brooks

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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