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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
Michael Miller
Florida
Criminal Justice System

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 monthlyEpisodes366Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryTrue CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Sword and Scale

Latest Episodes

Beloved father and prominent attorney, Gary Farris, should have been safe on his own land. But in July 2018, he vanished from his family’s rural dream property, and a smoldering burn pile would unravel everything they thought they knew about their ho... more

In 2016, 22-year-old Cati Blauvelt was found stabbed to death in the basement of an abandoned house. The search for her killer would uncover a story of control, deception, and betrayal — and reveal how one man turned trust into a weapon.

Get instant... more

When 43-year-old Diane Holik was found dead inside her Austin home, homicide investigators were left with more questions than answers. Diane had no enemies. There was no apparent reason for anyone to want her dead. But as detectives dug deeper, they ... more

In March 2015, ninety-four-year-old Marie Belcastro was found brutally murdered in her home on Cherry Street in Niles, Ohio. Adored by her family and neighbors, she was known for her humor, generosity, and the simple kindness she extended to those ar... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Brian Haas
State attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida
State Attorney's Office, Florida
Episode: Episode 346
Jen Bucholtz
Former US Army counterintelligence agent and forensic science educator
American Military University
Episode: Episode 336
Dr. Larry Gould
Father of Rebekah Gould
Episode: Episode 336
Jason Flaum
Veteran record executive turned innocence advocate and founder of Lava for Good
Lava for Good / Innocence Project
Episode: Episode 332

Host

Mike Boudet
Host of Sword and Scale

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 93.7k ratings
  • Acceptable

    The stories are usually interesting. The narrator is too opinionated for my liking.

    And …his….dramatic…pauses…….are stupid.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    hobo347
    United States12 days ago
  • Trigger warning

    I’ve really been loving the show, I just wish that on some of these (specifically child involvement) that there trigger warnings.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    HB2006WYO
    United States13 days ago
  • Haunting stories

    I started listening to Nightmares first, and the narration is quiet, calm, and compelling. It’s hard to wrap my head around some of the stories, that people are capable of these horrible crimes, but I keep listening. Mike’s storytelling is somewhere between informative and incredulous. After listening to true crime for several years, this series, as well as Nightmares, are my favourites.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crymerson
    Canada16 days ago
  • Host needs to chill

    I used to really enjoy this podcast but every time I tune in the host seems to be more and more resentful of idk his audience? Cancel culture? He seems to always be talking down to either his audience or imaginary haters. The negativity should come from the from stories not a bitter host.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Keishaaaaaa96
    United States18 days ago
  • Thank you

    For your sound, sane service.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ksuite77
    United States19 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience expresses appreciation for depth of case analysis and the inclusion of audio clips and courtroom details.
Some reviews flag inconsistent pacing or controversial commentary, though many remain highly supportive.
Listeners praise the storytelling and production quality, with strong views on the host's narrative voice and rigor.

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 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.
Episode 308
Q: What did you do to her?
I strangled her.

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?

This show consistently presents gripping true crime narratives that blend frontline police work, courtroom proceedings, and intimate interviews with victims, families, and sometimes perpetrators. Episodes often center on violent crimes, with careful attention to investigative twists, the evolution of cases, and the broader implications for the justice system and community. A standout aspect is the vivid, audio-rich storytelling that includes real 911 calls, interrogations, and firsthand accounts, offering a raw, multidimensional view of crime and its aftermath. The host's direct storytelling and mixed tone—informative, passionate, and occasionally provocative—have become distinctive hallmarks that attract listeners who appreciate deep case ... more

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How many listeners does Sword and Scale get?

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How many subscribers and views does Sword and Scale have?

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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. Dateline NBC
5. The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories

How many episodes of Sword and Scale are there?

Sword and Scale launched 12 years ago and published 366 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. Ricky Hargrove
2. Wayne Roper
3. Hannah Thompson
4. John Blauvelt
5. Patrick Russo
6. Brian Haas
7. Jen Bucholtz
8. Dr. Larry Gould

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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