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Artwork for Sword and Scale

Sword and Scale

Sword and Scale
Murder
Domestic Violence
Murder Investigation
Mental Health
Ohio
Violence
April Millsap
James Vancallis
Brittanee Drexel
Thomas Randolph
Alcohol Abuse
Sharon Randolph
Alianna Defreeze
Katelyn Markham
Charlie Starner
Hospital
Missing Persons
Indiana
Michael Miller
Florida

Sword and Scale is a weekly true crime podcast covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response to it. The first episode launched January 1st, 2014 and feature stories of murder, abduction, rape, and even more bizarre forms of crime. It’s the purest form of true-crime where the raw uncensored audio tells the story. Everything from 911 calls to court testimony, inter... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes368Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureTrue Crime

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Artwork for Sword and Scale

Latest Episodes

On a cold April afternoon in Milwaukee, two men walking along the Lake Michigan shoreline make a gruesome discovery: a human leg tangled in the weeds below a bluff. Within days, more body parts start surfacing across the city, and even across state l... more

In 2008, University of Wisconsin–Madison student Brittany Zimmermann was murdered in her apartment in the middle of the day, and then the trail went cold. An unlikely informant leads the police to search for two mystery men, a theory that would steer... more

When Virgil and Shirley Best were found dead in their home, investigators expected a familiar explanation. What followed instead was an investigation defined by uncertainty and a motive that challenged the idea that violence always comes from clear i... more

In 2022, when 57-year-old Harold Allen was found dead in his Indiana home, the case was ruled natural. Nearly a year later, a brazen burglary and a string of buried messages bring detectives back to the same address and to Marsha Allen, the woman who... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

David Call
Suspect in Brittany Zimmermann murder, later charged and pleaded guilty
Unspecified ( Madison, Wisconsin case)
Episode: Episode 356
Marisol Best
Wife of Robert Best, interviewee; central figure in the murder case
Best family case
Episode: Episode 355
Marsha Buckson
Harold Allen's widow and central figure in the case
Freetown, Indiana, USA (subject of investigation)
Episode: Episode 354
Ashley Jones
Daughter and confidant of Marsha Buckson
Missouri / Indiana (subject of investigation)
Episode: Episode 354
Ricky Hargrove
Friend who drove someone to the abandoned farmhouse and was interviewed by investigators
Local resident of Simpsonville involved in the case
Episode: Episode 350
Wayne Roper
Cati's ex-boyfriend who was involved with the case and later fled as a suspect
Ex-boyfriend, related to the victim
Episode: Episode 350
Hannah Thompson
John Blauvelt's teenage girlfriend who later helped investigators; became a key witness
John Blauvelt's teenage girlfriend at the time of the events
Episode: Episode 350
John Blauvelt
Cati Blauvelt's husband, Army recruiter, primary suspect in the murder
Army recruiter, husband of the victim
Episode: Episode 350
Patrick Russo
Suspect in Diane Holik murder
Episode: Episode 348

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 94.3k ratings
  • Very well produced.

    It’s really well made. If you can get past his constant crying and whining and can deal with some cringe , def worth a listen. First few seasons were the best.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Stuckhereonearth
    United States11 days ago
  • Fine until it got weird

    Host is vocally anti-homelessness which made me not want to listen to other episodes after this one

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    FlowsonGray
    United States13 days ago
  • Bizarre rant was a turnoff

    I enjoy true crime and was excited about this podcast. This latest episode had a rant about homeless people that sounded bizarre and was totally unnecessary for the story. I didn’t like the undertone and I am unfollowing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    mnbzxd
    United States13 days ago
  • Good podcast, but…

    I really like this podcast a lot. I like the inclusion of 911 calls and interviews, etc, and it’s well researched. I even like the intro music, especially as of late.

    That said, the host can often repeat exactly what was just said immediately prior—possibly he is worried that the information wasn’t clear the first time, but I’m not sure. He can also be pretty insufferable. He regularly throws in snotty remarks that seem to be directed at the liberals in his audience. These comments are frustra... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    allnamesaretakenWHYASK
    United States14 days ago
  • Editing…

    Great podcast but the last few episodes seem to lacking in the editing department.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jolene 🥴
    United States14 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall sentiment skews positive, with appreciation for depth and candor in episodes.
Listeners praise production quality and storytelling energy, often highlighting the use of police interviews and audio clips.
Some critiques note political opinions or controversial takes color the narration.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 356
Q: What is your plea?
Guilty, Your Honor.
Episode 348
Q: What is the main suspect's background and motive as presented by investigators?
Investigators argue that Patrick Russo had a predatory history with a perverse need to choke women, a pattern seen in prior cases and reinforced by his wife's testimony and online material; they connect this to Diane Holik's murder through forensic evidence and witness identification.
Episode 336
Q: How long did you live with Rebekah?
For about two months.
Episode 336
Q: Tim, how did you come to know Rebekah?
We worked at Sonic together.
Episode 328
Q: When was the last time you guys spoke with him?
David and Sherry last spoke with Brad earlier that day; he was returning from a wedding and mentioned they could visit.

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 Sword and Scale

What is Sword and Scale about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A gripping true-crime program that delivers immersive, investigation-driven storytelling across a range of cases from disappearances to murders. Episodes commonly blend interviews, police calls, courtroom audio, and expert commentary to lay out motive, method, and the investigative timeline, often highlighting how families, communities, and the justice system respond to violent crime. The host's candid narration and willingness to challenge official narratives give the show a distinct, no-holds-barred tone, which draws listeners who want a vivid, full-spectrum view of complex cases. A standout for many is the meticulous production that pairs raw audio with clear analysis, though some listeners push back on personal views expressed during ep... more

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How many listeners does Sword and Scale get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Sword and Scale?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sword and Scale:

1. Nightmares
2. Invisible Choir
3. Dark Topic
4. The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories
5. Dateline NBC

How many episodes of Sword and Scale are there?

Sword and Scale launched 13 years ago and published 368 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 Sword and Scale?

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What guests have appeared on Sword and Scale?

Recent guests on Sword and Scale include:

1. David Call
2. Marisol Best
3. Marsha Buckson
4. Ashley Jones
5. Ricky Hargrove
6. Wayne Roper
7. Hannah Thompson
8. John Blauvelt

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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