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Once Upon A Crime

Esther Ludlow
True Crime
Ruth Ellis
Elizabeth Short
Ted Bundy
Black Dahlia Murder
David Blakely
Los Angeles
Colleen Stan
Murder
Kidnapping
Sean Diddy Combs
Domestic Abuse
Lizzie Borden
California
Sylvia Likens
Marie Hilley
Cameron Hooker
Domestic Violence
Violence
Scott Peterson

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes434Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeHistory

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Artwork for Once Upon A Crime

Latest Episodes

Can a serial killer truly be rehabilitated, or can a clever murderer simply convince the world that he's changed?

In this special episode of Once Upon a Crime, Esther welcomes back Jack Luna, host and producer of the acclaimed true crime podcast Dar... more

How does a free-spirited hippie become the authoritarian leader of a religious cult? And why do ordinary people remain loyal to dangerous leaders, even when faced with abuse, isolation, and fear?

This week on Once Upon a Crime, we explore the distur... more

Before he became the legendary—and notoriously volatile—frontman of Guns N’ Roses, Axl Rose was a troubled kid from Lafayette, Indiana, with a childhood marked by family secrets, abuse, and rebellion.

In this special Rocktober episode, we explore th... more

Axl Rose, American Cults & Mexico’s ‘Reformed’ Serial Killer - Welcome to Spooky Season on Once Upon a Crime!

Spooky Season has arrived on Once Upon a Crime! October is Esther’s favorite month, and this year we’re celebrating with a lineup of storie... more

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Recent Guests

Harrison Hill
Journalist and author of The Oracle's Daughter: The Rise and Fall of an American Cult
Episode: The Oracle's Daughter: Inside an American Cult
Jack Luna
Host of Dark Topic podcast
Dark Topic
Episode: Axl Rose, American Cults & Mexico’s ‘Reformed’ Serial Killer - Welcome to Spooky Season on Once Upon a Crime!
Annette McGivney
Journalist and author of Plastic Shaman
Torrey House Press
Episode: BONUS: Why Did They Stay? Inside the Sedona Sweat Lodge Tragedy: A Discussion with Author Annette McGivney
Rasul T. Freelon
Detective Sergeant, author of When Lambs Become Wolves
Oak Park Police Department (retired)
Episode: Before Bali: The Untold Story of Sheila von Wiese-Mack
William J. Mann
Author and investigator on the Black Dahlia case
Author of Black Dahlia, Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood
Episode: Bonus Episode - Bill Mann - “The Black Dahlia” follow-up interview - The Suspect
Crystal Gutierrez
Former TV news reporter, Emmy award-winning journalist, and host of Beyond the Case, focused on missing person cases
Beyond the Case
Episode: Interview: Crystal Gutierrez on the Disappearance of Anthonette Cayedito
Brian Buckmire
Legal contributor for ABC and co-host of Law and Crime Daily, former senior staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society, and a homicide defense attorney in New York.
ABC
Episode: The Case Against Diddy: An Update with Legal Expert Brian Buckmire
Marcia Clark
Famed prosecutor, author of 'Trial by Ambush'
Episode: True Crime Trailblazers: Exclusive Interview with Marcia Clark, Trial by Ambush
Cassandra Ventura
A former romantic partner of Sean Combs and model.
Episode: The Life and Crimes of Diddy - Part 1

Host

Esther Sanchez Ludlow
Host of the show; storyteller and interviewer; long-running host credited across episodes.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 6.8k ratings
  • Get speech therapy.

    Seriously. You need speech therapy.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    123FakeSt
    United Statesa month ago
  • One of e favs

    Good show. Selections and focus in storytelling is outstanding. One of a kind really so - I tend to respect the variety, whether I leaned towards it or against it because the digs are gold. Guest episodes nicely dispersed though it would be nice to hear more from guests when they are present as part of the change.

    I had one favorite true crime show for many years. This may be now two.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Potter Lee DB
    United States2 months ago
  • Ruth Ellis

    Really loved your deep dive series into the Ruth Ellis case. Such a tragic life and sad ending to her young life.

    Thank you for covering this

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Janetleonard 2831
    Ireland2 months ago
  • Love/d this show

    I’m not taking stars away for the five introductions to what is coming, but never an episode! We’re all waiting because we love you. No more trailer no more promises. Where is the show? 6/29???

    I don’t want a preview or introduction every day I’ve until it comes out. I’m loyal, one announcement, one preview, SHOW!!!! No more commercials “on a what’s to come. Pleeease 🙏🏼I’m not trying be rude but i’m not listening to an announcement with a 1000 commercials.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mjustsul
    United States4 months ago
  • Missing the pod!

    It’s been about 4 months since the last episode posted- wondering when it’s coming back!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LDKJACKSON
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the host's storytelling voice and careful research.
Some listeners want more long-form episodes and fewer short installments or ads.
Fans value deep, non-sensational true crime analysis with psychological insight.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#129
Norway/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#208
Switzerland/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Oracle's Daughter: Inside an American Cult
Q: What gave Sarah the courage to take such a desperate step?
Hill says Sarah's memories of life outside the group, her independent character, having children, and the chance to leave with someone she trusted all contributed to her escape.
The Oracle's Daughter: Inside an American Cult
Q: How does somebody go from being an extreme hippie to an extreme oppressive cult leader?
Hill says Lila Carter and Jim Green approached each phase of their lives with intensity, moving from counterculture practices to strict evangelical Christianity and then to authoritarian leadership.
Axl Rose, American Cults & Mexico’s ‘Reformed’ Serial Killer - Welcome to Spooky Season on Once Upon a Crime!
Q: Can a serial murderer truly be rehabilitated, and what evidence challenges or supports that idea?
The discussion centers on whether rehabilitation claims were genuinely earned or exploited to restore public trust, weighing factors like mental illness, treatment, and observable behavior changes.
BONUS: Why Did They Stay? Inside the Sedona Sweat Lodge Tragedy: A Discussion with Author Annette McGivney
Q: When did you start investigating this for a book, and how did the scope evolve beyond a true-crime narrative?
McGivney explains she began in 2018 with official records and victim families, but the scope expanded by 2020 to include systemic critique of the self-help industry and cultural appropriation, driven by observations during the pandemic and her own wellness interests.
The Sedona Sweat Lodge Tragedy
Q: Tell us about that.
We discuss how prior incidents, including a heat stroke at a previous Sedona retreat and the broader pattern of the self-help movement, foreshadowed the 2009 tragedy and shaped the investigation and later journalistic examination.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Once Upon A Crime

What is Once Upon A Crime about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A narrative-driven true crime show centered on deep-dive cases, psychological insights, and historical context. Across episodes, listeners get long-form storytelling that traces victims, perpetrators, and investigative processes, with a focus on how cases unfold over time, the nuances of legal proceedings, and the broader social impact. Notable strengths include thorough research, meticulous case reconstruction, and a consistent emphasis on motive, behavior, and the investigative decisions that shape outcomes. A few standout themes include copycat dynamics, the psychology of deception, and how media narratives influence public perception, all delivered with a measured, documentary-style voice that prioritizes clarity and credible analysis. ... more

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How many listeners does Once Upon A Crime get?

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How many subscribers and views does Once Upon A Crime have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Once Upon A Crime has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Once Upon A Crime?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Once Upon A Crime:

1. Crimelines® True Crime
2. The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories
3. Generation Why: True Crime
4. MURDERISH
5. Trace Evidence

How many episodes of Once Upon A Crime are there?

Once Upon A Crime launched 10 years ago and published 434 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Once Upon A Crime?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Once Upon A Crime?

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What guests have appeared on Once Upon A Crime?

Recent guests on Once Upon A Crime include:

1. Harrison Hill
2. Jack Luna
3. Annette McGivney
4. Rasul T. Freelon
5. William J. Mann
6. Crystal Gutierrez
7. Brian Buckmire
8. Marcia Clark

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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