
Step into the darker side of history with Once Upon A Crime, a true-crime podcast that delves deep into some of the world’s most gripping cases. Hosted by an expert storyteller, Esther Ludlow, each episode unravels the mysteries behind notorious crimes, exploring the lives of victims, perpetrators, and the intricate details of the investigations that followed. With carefully researched narratives,... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 418 | Founded | 10 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | True CrimeHistory | |||

Some crimes are so shocking that they force us to ask a question that seems impossible to answer. Not 'Who did it?' We know who did it. Not even 'Why?' Though we'll spend this series trying to understand that. The question is this:
How did an entire... more
How does an ordinary home become the scene of extraordinary evil, and how does a community fail to save a sixteen-year-old girl?
This week on Once Upon a Crime, we begin a two-part series on the murder of Sylvia Likens, examining the heartbreaking ... more
In the summer of 1965, 16-year-old Sylvia Likens was left in the care of a mother of seven while her parents traveled for work. What should have been a temporary arrangement turned into one of the most horrifying child abuse and torture cases in Amer... more
A black widow. A poisoner. A con artist. A master manipulator.
This week on Once Upon a Crime, Esther dives into the unbelievable case of Marie Hilley. A woman accused of murdering her husband, nearly killing her own daughter, disappearing while out... more
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I don’t love the new format of 6 or 7 brief episodes dribbled out over several weeks. I’d rather have one long episode once a month. A 24 minute episode with ad breaks isn’t keeping me engaged. I’ve been a listener for a long time and I’m hoping that this isn’t the new format going forward. Pretty sure I’ll start saving up the episodes, only to eventually forget about it altogether.
15 minute episodes…NAH don’t waste your time
I love this podcast. Esther has this certain kind of voice that makes her a great story teller of true crime.
I love this podcast. Esther has this certain kind of voice that makes her a great story teller of true crime.
It’s fine
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #242 | |
Apple Podcasts | #145 | |
Apple Podcasts | #160 | |
Apple Podcasts | #220 | |
Apple Podcasts | #244 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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This show delivers tightly researched true crime storytelling with a historical lens, often revisiting notorious cases through psychological analysis, victim perspectives, and investigative context. Episodes frequently feature deep dives into case chronology, courtroom dynamics, and media influence, while exploring the societal impact of crimes and the people connected to them. A standout trait is the host's psychological framing and narrative precision, which helps illuminate why cases unfolded as they did and what they reveal about human behavior. Listeners can expect well-structured storytelling with a focus on victims, perpetrators, and the investigations that followed, plus occasional guest perspectives that add historical or investiga... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Once Upon A Crime:
1. Generation Why: True Crime
2. Crimelines® True Crime
3. The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories
4. MURDERISH
5. True Crime Garage
Once Upon A Crime launched 10 years ago and published 418 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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Recent guests on Once Upon A Crime include:
1. Crystal Gutierrez
2. William J. Mann
3. Brian Buckmire
4. Marcia Clark
5. Cassandra Ventura
6. Edna Cowell Martin
7. Deb Miller Landau
8. Gareth Russell
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.