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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
True CrimeDocumentarySociety & 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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Number of Listeners
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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 94k ratings
  • ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Love you, Mike. This is the best, well produced, TC podcast. No cheesy, true crime Wikipedia reading, slop here. Music is a banger, every episode. Keep on, keeping on. I can't think of any criticisms.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lisalisaburk
    United States3 days ago
  • This host is cringy and lame

    I almost wish he’d reveal this to be some long piece of gross, cringy performance art. But no… it’s his actually personality. lol Yikes. Like the insufferable party guest that makes everyone want to leave.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    tonicofwildness
    United States3 days ago
  • The best

    I could listen to true crime stories from anybody, but I only want to hear them from Mike. He makes the show. Thank you for what you do Mike don’t stop being you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lizzie ash
    United States4 days ago
  • Best true crime podcast!

    Best true crime podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nofx9766
    United States6 days ago
  • You had me until “put a bullet in their head”

    Miss me with the pro-death penalty talk. ✌🏻

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Markscaa
    United States6 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. The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories
5. Dateline NBC

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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