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Wicked Words - A True Crime Talk Show with Kate Winkler Dawson

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True Crime
Murder
Lizzie Borden
Fall River
Justice System
World War II
Historical True Crime
Jack the Ripper
Mental Health
Family Dynamics
Rebecca Briggs Cornell
Grant Amato
Incel Community
Stephanie St. Clair
Relisha Rudd
New York City
Wrongful Conviction
Bertha Manchester
Crime Investigation
John Chiswell

Welcome to Tenfold More Wicked Presents: Wicked Words, Kate Winkler Dawson's true crime talk show. On each new episode of Wicked Words, Kate interviews journalists, podcasters and authors about their fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from their investigations in the world of true crime, many of which have never been shared before. Kate interviews Patricia Cornwell, the prolific true crime auth... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes277Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Artwork for Wicked Words

Latest Episodes

In 2019, surveillance cameras at the headquarters of Britain’s spy agency in London recorded video of a 19-year-old man. He was pacing back and forth on a high balcony of a luxury tower along the bank of the river. A two in the morning, he jumped int... more

One type of crime we don’t talk about much is Munchausen by proxy. It’s a mental health condition and a form of child abuse. It's where a caregiver exaggerates, makes up, or induces physical or psychological symptoms in a child to make them seem sick... more

Author Susan Orlean wrote a best-selling book years ago that you’ve probably heard of: The Orchid Thief. It was made into a movie called Adaptation. Susan has now written another book—this one about an unexpected crime that might not have been a crim... more

One of the most enduring mysteries in crime history is the horrible murder of Elizabeth Short. The Black Dhalia case has been told over and over again, including by Paul Holes and me on Buried Bones. But author William J. Mann has taken a different a... more

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Recent Guests

Susan Orlean
Author of The Library Book
Author
Episode: Susan Orlean: The Library Book
William J. Mann
Author of Black Dahlia, Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood
Author
Episode: William J. Mann: Black Dahlia
Paula Lavigne
Investigative journalist for ESPN who reported on the Murder at the U case
ESPN
Episode: Paula Lavigne: Murder at the U
Rachel Nuwer
Journalist who wrote The Economist piece on wildlife trafficking; reported from Malawi
The Economist
Episode: Rachel Nuwer: The School for Wildlife Traffickers
Randy Barnett
Law professor at Georgetown University and former Cook County prosecutor
Georgetown University
Episode: Randy Barnett: Felony Review
Deb Esquenazi
Director of the documentary 'Night in West Texas'
Episode: Deborah Esquenazi: Night in West Texas
Elliot Williams
CNN Legal Analyst and former Federal Prosecutor
CNN
Episode: Elliot Williams: Five Bullets
Meg Gardiner
A thriller writer known for her novels and series
Episode: Meg Gardiner: UNSUB
Brad Ricca
Author known for exploring historical narratives and true crime
Episode: Brad Ricca: Lincoln’s Ghost

Host

Kate Winkler Dawson
Host of Wicked Words, a true crime talk show, and non-fiction author focusing on historical narratives and investigative journalism.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 10.9k ratings
  • Always interesting

    Kate Winkler Dawson has become one of my favorite podcasters. Her interviews frequently sound like she’s talking with a friend. In each interview, there is always something interesting.

    The interview for the book “London Falling” actually made me cry with the poignant ending.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MumpyRaf
    United States5 days ago
  • FLUFF FACTOR: 25% (ouch)

    / Episode length: 48 min. / Ads + Fluff ⭕️ ⬆️: 12 min. / Avg time between ads: 12 min. / Based on episode: 12 ============================

    Some podcasts on the Apple platform keep throwing in extra minutes of commercial ads every six months. Four, five, six-minutes of ads and more. It’s like they’re trying to strong-arm listeners, “Pay us through our Patreon, or suffer the consequences.” Not everyone can pay $100 a month for 20 podcast subscriptions. I have 300 in the list.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Bschora
    United States22 days ago
  • One of my favorite podcasts!

    Love the theme music please never change it, it’s perfect.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shb613
    United States24 days ago
  • Love! But…

    Love! But too bad William Mann was so hard to hear.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ELMKID
    Canadaa month ago
  • I love

    I enjoy that different authors highlight their work and research. I enjoy the smart conversations that keep me listening all the way through. Well done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    brcz_9
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience feedback often highlights the variety of topics covered, showcasing a spectrum of true crime narratives that blend historical and present-day issues. Some reviews note that the in-depth discussions provide richness that few other shows offer, making it a favored choice among true crime aficionados.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and the compelling nature of the interviews that uncover unique facets of well-known and obscure true crime cases. Many express their admiration for the host's approach to difficult topics, emphasizing the ethical ramifications of crime reporting. However, there are mixed reviews regarding the increased presence of ads, with some finding them disruptive, overshadowing the content they value.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#193
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#230
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#209
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#70
Denmark/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#136
Mexico/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#138
Russia/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Susan Orlean: The Library Book
Q: What personal connections did you bring to the book?
My mother's Alzheimer's journey paralleled the way memory erodes and endures, which connected me to the idea that books and libraries are vessels of shared memory that outlive us.
Susan Orlean: The Library Book
Q: How did you approach the arson vs. accident debate in your research?
I looked at the evolving science of arson, the misperceptions that can come from early investigations, and the importance of not locking onto a single narrative when the evidence is not conclusive.
Susan Orlean: The Library Book
Q: What drew you to tell the story of the LA Public Library fire in particular?
I was curious about the day-to-day life of a big city library and the larger-than-life way a single event can reverberate through a community, especially when that event seems to threaten something so foundational as access to knowledge.
William J. Mann: Black Dahlia
Q: Tell me about Matt Gordon and Elizabeth Short's relationship and whether it could have endured.
Elizabeth's relationship with Matt Gordon appears more nuanced than a straightforward romance; he was her fiancé who died in a wartime accident, and she grieved him, though records suggest the connection may have been more complicated and not as enduring as some narratives imply.
Paula Lavigne: Murder at the U
Q: What were the strongest pieces of evidence used at Rashawn Jones's trial?
The strongest elements were the eyewitness identification from Paul Connor, the dorm-room confrontation involving jealousy over a girlfriend, circumstantial connections such as gun rumors, the change of Rashawn's phone number, a money-for-town angle, and matching descriptions of the weapon, all weighing against a definitive, direct link to the crime.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Wicked Words

What is Wicked Words about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show features conversations with authors, journalists, and podcasters entwined in the world of true crime, revealing intricate behind-the-scenes details of famous and lesser-known cases. Interview guests share unique perspectives, with episodes that often explore impactful themes like societal biases, historical context, and personal narratives surrounding tragic events. The host's engaging storytelling style, coupled with a focus on ethical true crime reporting, attracts listeners who appreciate both the entertainment and moral complexities of true crime narratives. The incorporation of limited series adds depth, introducing a broad range of topics related to historical and contemporary criminal cases, making it a compelling listen for... more

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Wicked Words launched 5 years ago and published 277 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Wicked Words?

Recent guests on Wicked Words include:

1. Susan Orlean
2. William J. Mann
3. Paula Lavigne
4. Rachel Nuwer
5. Randy Barnett
6. Deb Esquenazi
7. Elliot Williams
8. Meg Gardiner

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