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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
John Chiswell
Serial Killers

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes282Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Latest Episodes

For decades, scores of Indigenous women and girls have vanished from an isolated stretch of highway in northwestern British Columbia called The Highway of Tears. Journalist Jessica McDiarmid is from that area, and she decided to investigate why so ma... more

We’re back talking to filmmaker Liam Le Guillou about his documentary An Unknown Compelling Force: The Dyatlov Pass Incident. We learn more about the victims, and we hear about many conspiracy theories.

Support this podcast by shopping our latest ... more

Filmmaker Liam Le Guillou was fascinated with the mystery surrounding the deaths of nine experienced Russian hikers in the Ural Mountains in 1959. Paul Holes and I talked about this case on Buried Bones, but Liam really, really dug into the mystery. ... more

Throughout history, women have been convicted of crime, sometimes violent crimes, we know that. But most were not sent to the gallows. Historian Naomi Clifford decided to tell the story of the time period in England, 40 years beginning in the late 17... more

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Recent Guests

Liam Le Guillou
Filmmaker who created An Unknown Compelling Force
Filmmaker, known for An Unknown Compelling Force
Episode: Liam Le Guillou: An Unknown Compelling Force PT 1
Naomi Clifford
Historian and author of Women and the Gallows
Author, Historian
Episode: Naomi Clifford: Women and the Gallows
Diane Fanning
Author known for high-profile cases, author of Bitter Remains
Author
Episode: Diane Fanning: Bitter Remains
Patrick Radden Keefe
Best-selling author, author of London Falling, A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City
Author, The New Yorker
Episode: Patrick Radden Keefe: London Falling
Andrea Dunlop
Author of The Mother Next Door, author and storyteller
Author, The Mother Next Door
Episode: Andrea Dunlop: The Mother Next Door
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

Host

Kate Winkler Dawson
Host of Wicked Words, interviewing journalists, authors, and filmmakers about behind-the-scenes stories from true crime investigations

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 10.9k ratings
  • Such an insightful show

    The double episode about the Dyatlov Pass mystery was one of the best examples of why this show is so good. Going deep into the story but also the work of the documentary maker, what he included and what he didn’t, but most importantly why, is so fascinating and his leading theory makes so much sense. A great extended interview with Kate’s sharp interviewing style so beautifully matched.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fail log
    Australia18 days ago
  • Grant Hayes

    Hayes was black. This is significant. You think it’s not.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lee Geranios
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 States2 months 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 States2 months ago
  • One of my favorite podcasts!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shb613
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are consistently described as well-chosen and insightful, with strong research and ethical storytelling.
Episodes covering historical cases and international perspectives are frequently highlighted as standout.
Listeners praise deep investigative storytelling and the host's sharp interviewing style.
Ads divide some listeners, with feedback calling for lighter ad load or paid options.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#182
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#207
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#221
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#125
Argentina/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#149
South Africa/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#150
Chile/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Liam Le Guillou: An Unknown Compelling Force PT 2
Q: What is your view on the role of media in shaping this case, and how do you handle sensationalism?
Media can distort truths; I aim to slow down the narrative, present clear evidence, and avoid sensationalism, ensuring that any claims are supported by documented data and expert interpretation.
Liam Le Guillou: An Unknown Compelling Force PT 2
Q: Why did you feel compelled to go out there and seek the facts rather than rely on online theories?
Online theories spread misinformation and disrespect the victims; I wanted to ground the story in verifiable evidence, speak with experts, and present a responsible account that honors the hikers and their families.
Liam Le Guillou: An Unknown Compelling Force PT 2
Q: So tell me, after doing all this research, where do you land on all of this?
The autopsy findings strongly suggest violence as a factor, and the slab avalanche theory doesn't fully explain the injuries or the behavior of the hikers; there are likely multiple elements at play including potential involvement by others and environmental factors, but there is no definitive single cause.
Liam Le Guillou: An Unknown Compelling Force PT 1
Q: How did the filmmaker approach interviewing people who knew the hikers and reconstructing their personalities?
The filmmaker sought out individuals who knew the hikers, including Yuri Kuntsevich who led a foundation to tell the story, and relied on diaries, photos, and local insights to humanize the group and reveal their dynamics.
Liam Le Guillou: An Unknown Compelling Force PT 1
Q: What motivated the hikers to undertake such a risky expedition into an largely unexplored area?
The group, mostly students and outdoors enthusiasts, were pursuing the highest outdoor certifications and a sense of adventure, with the route being relatively unique and not a common mountaineering path.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wicked Words

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

This show features in-depth interviews with writers, journalists, filmmakers, and researchers who explore true crime from behind the scenes—uncovering how investigations are conducted, how cases are framed, and how storytelling shapes public understanding. Episodes often spotlight historical crimes, investigative reporting, and ethical storytelling, with guests ranging from authors and documentary filmmakers to legal analysts. Notable strengths include rigorous research, candid discussion of investigative choices, and a respectful, empathetic approach to victims and communities. A key distinction is the rotating roster of cross-disciplinary guests, which helps listeners gain multifaceted perspectives on crime, justice, and media coverage wh... more

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Wicked Words launched 6 years ago and published 282 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. Liam Le Guillou
2. Naomi Clifford
3. Diane Fanning
4. Patrick Radden Keefe
5. Andrea Dunlop
6. Susan Orlean
7. William J. Mann
8. Paula Lavigne

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