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Artwork for Once Upon A Crime

Once Upon A Crime

Esther Ludlow
Colleen Stan
True Crime
Cameron Hooker
Kidnapping
Janice Hooker
Marguerite Alibert
Sexual Abuse
Torture
Psychological Manipulation
British Monarchy
Ali Fahmy
Prince Edward
Catherine Howard
The Company
Sexual Assault
Trauma Bonding
PTSD
Royal Scandals
Andre Daigle
Bible

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes391Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryTrue Crime

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Artwork for Once Upon A Crime

Latest Episodes

In January 1947, Elizabeth Short’s brutal murder shocked Los Angeles — and turned her into the enduring legend known as The Black Dahlia.

In this new six-part Once Upon a Crime series, host Esther Ludlow goes beyond the headlines to uncover the real... more

In this special Aftershow episode, Esther and Lorena answer listener questions and reflect on the powerful story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom.

Together, we unpack the psychology, the heartbreak, and the social f... more

In this special bonus wrap-up episode of Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion, we step beyond the execution chamber and trace the ripple effects of Ruth’s final act—the shockwaves that forever altered the lives of those left behind. We’ll look... more

By now you’ve probably heard that Esther is leading an exclusive group trip to Mexico Cityfrom March 27–30, 2026. If you’ve been thinking about joining us for this unforgettable four-day adventure, the time to act is RIGHT NOW!

For the next THREE pe... more

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Recent Guests

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
Edna Cowell Martin
Cousin of Ted Bundy and author of "Dark Tide, Growing Up with Ted Bundy".
Episode: Buried Family Secrets: Dark Tide: Growing Up with Ted Bundy
Deb Miller Landau
Author of 'A Devil Went Down to Georgia'
Episode: Bonus Episode: The Murder of Lita McClinton - A Conversation with Author Deb Miller Landau
Gareth Russell
Author of 'The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors'
Episode: The Palace with guest Gareth Russell
Jerri Williams
Retired FBI agent and podcaster
FBI Retired Case File Review
Episode: 2023 True Crime Year in Review
Harry MacLean
Bestselling true crime author
Episode: Starkweather: The Untold Story of the Killing Spree That Changed America” w/author Harry MacLean
Erin Moriarty
Veteran CBS news journalist and true crime podcaster
My Life of Crime
Episode: Talking True Crime with Erin Moriarty

Host

Esther Ludlow
Expert storyteller and host, known for her engaging narrative style and in-depth research into true crime cases, often highlighting psychological and historical perspectives.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 6.8k ratings
  • Thanks Esther

    I really like what you are adding to the podcast world. I am a Californian like you. Most pod creators seem to be from other states and dont cover California crime too much.Isn't that incredible...

    luv ya

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tarzan wife
    United States7 months ago
  • Exactly what you want in a true crime show

    No banter, no unbiased opinions. Just the true crimes cases told from beginning to end. Lot’s of great information and facts I haven’t heard in other true crime podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hamsmom.
    United States8 months ago
  • This is like listening to a student reading their essay to the class. There's no emotion in the voice or any kind of dramatization, and it sounds like she just goes through a few sentences at a time, like she hasn't really read the whole thing through beforehand. Very jarring and not enjoyable to listen.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Doc Horror
    8 months ago
  • Good Show, but Need Better Research

    I like this podcast, but sometimes the research isn’t the best. For the Diddy part 2 episode Chance is his daughter (not second son) and Diddy cheated on Kim with Jennifer Lopez. Kim even has an entire published interview about it. Both facts extremely easy to find.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    naskiddn
    United States10 months ago
  • Hopefully “sound effects” are eliminated

    Love the podcast. Great content, research and some unique stories. I started from the beginning and am working up to present day releases. Whoever got you a sound effects machine for Christmas in ‘21 was playing with you I believe and didn’t think you’d actually use it. It’s like amateur hour production wise. Very distracting. Don’t you edit these episodes? I’m up till June ‘22 and you’re still using them. For the love, stop it.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    notmynamenickname
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners express dissatisfaction with production elements, specifically regarding sound effects and volume inconsistencies during ad breaks.
Listeners appreciate the meticulous research and storytelling quality, often describing the host's style as engaging and easy to listen to.
There are comments about a preference for fewer interviews and more focused narratives on true crime stories.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#206
New Zealand/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#212
Argentina/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Q&A Aftershow
Q: Why did Ruth risk everything for this relationship with David Blakely?
Ruth's choices may have stemmed from her earlier traumatic experiences, where she recreated familiar chaos in her relationships.
Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Q&A Aftershow
Q: How did Ruth's early life of instability affect her?
Ruth's childhood traumas and unstable family life contributed to her inability to form trusting relationships, leading her to navigate life and love in a chaotic manner.
Bonus Episode: Hanged: Those She Left Behind
Q: What do you want to know about Ruth Ellis?
Listeners are invited to send in their questions or reflections regarding Ruth's case.
True Crime Trailblazers: Exclusive Interview with Marcia Clark, Trial by Ambush
Q: How did you become a writer?
I always wanted to write and was inspired by my childhood love for crime stories, but I never thought it would be a realistic option until I started writing my own novels.
Introducing: Mind of a Serial Killer
Q: What makes a serial killer?
They analyze the early life of Jeffrey Dahmer and explore the psychological effects of his upbringing and family dynamics that contributed to his actions.

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 Once Upon A Crime

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

The content focuses on exploring notorious true crime stories through meticulously researched narratives that unravel the tragic details of infamous cases. Episodes often highlight complex characters, from victims to perpetrators, shedding light on the psychological factors that led to their actions and exploring societal implications. Themes of passion, violence, and the quest for justice frequently emerge through captivating storytelling, often linked to historical events that resonate with current societal issues. Listeners are drawn into not only the events themselves but also the intricate investigations and the lasting impact on the individuals involved.

Where can I find podcast stats for Once Upon A Crime?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Once Upon A Crime. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Once Upon A Crime and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Once Upon A Crime get?

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What are the audience demographics for Once Upon A Crime?

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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. Generation Why: True Crime
3. MURDERISH
4. Already Gone Podcast
5. The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories

How many episodes of Once Upon A Crime are there?

Once Upon A Crime launched 9 years ago and published 391 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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. Brian Buckmire
2. Marcia Clark
3. Cassandra Ventura
4. Edna Cowell Martin
5. Deb Miller Landau
6. Gareth Russell
7. Jerri Williams
8. Harry MacLean

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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