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

Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts
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
Relisha Rudd
Stephanie St. Clair
New York City
Wrongful Conviction
John Chiswell
Bertha Manchester
Crime Investigation

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes285Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Latest Episodes

A man was convicted of capital murder in Texas in 1999 and much of the case depends on eyewitness testimony. But there’s a twist: one of the witnesses was hypnotized. Should Charles Flores still be on death row? Michelle Pitcher from the Texas Observ... more

Millions of us have had our identities stolen—the thief can be a stranger, or someone very close to you. Author Axton Betz-Hamilton grew up in fear in rural Indiana because her family was being targeted. Her father even had to sell his family’s farm.... more

In 1998, FBI agent Robert Hilland was at a dead end with a cold case, until he got a huge break… from a famous psychic, John Edward. Hilland was a skeptic, but not anymore. He spent twenty-five years solving crimes with Edward. Robert Hilland tells m... more

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

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Recent Guests

Axton Betz-Hamilton
Author of The Less People Know About Us
Author, identity theft expert by experience
Episode: Axton Betz-Hamilton: The Less People Know About Us
Robert Hilland
Former FBI agent and author, investigator on the Fran and Janice cases
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Episode: Robert Hilland: Chasing Evil
Jessica McDiarmid
Journalist from the Highway of Tears region and author of Highway of Tears, A True Story of Racism, Indifference, and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Journalist/Author
Episode: Jessica McDiarmid: Highway of Tears
Liam Le Guillou
Filmmaker, director of An Unknown Compelling Force
Filmmaker, documentary about the Dyatlov Pass incident
Episode: Liam Le Guillou: An Unknown Compelling Force PT 2
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

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
    Australiaa month ago
  • Grant Hayes

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lee Geranios
    United States2 months 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 States3 months ago
  • One of my favorite podcasts!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shb613
    United States3 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
#117
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#135
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#238
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#174
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#55
Argentina/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#80
Saudi Arabia/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Robert Hilland: Chasing Evil
Q: Tell me how you first got involved with the case that would eventually intersect with John Edward.
I was assigned to the cold-case homicide squad after years in New York, and as the Fran and Janice disappearances resurfaced in discussions with Ohio and New Jersey investigators, the pattern of suspect behavior emerged. The interview with John Edward came later as I sought unconventional leads to break the deadlock.
Jessica McDiarmid: Highway of Tears
Q: Tell me how you came across this story.
The guest explains growing up in proximity to the Highway of Tears, then researching and interviewing families over years to reconstruct the broader history, including systemic barriers and changes in attention over time.
Axton Betz-Hamilton: The Less People Know About Us
Q: What was the turning point that led you to study identity theft professionally?
After years of personal impact and a late discovery of the perpetrator's pattern, the guest pursued graduate work and a PhD focusing on the lived experiences of identity theft victims, aiming to turn a painful family story into rigorous research and broader understanding of prevention and policy.
Axton Betz-Hamilton: The Less People Know About Us
Q: How did the identity theft begin for your family, and what were the early signs?
The guest outlines a pattern of missing mail, post office boxes used for mail delivery, and the gradual realization that bills and checks were being manipulated; she explains the mechanics, such as fraudulent checks and the difficulty of proving victimhood under the law at the time.
Axton Betz-Hamilton: The Less People Know About Us
Q: Tell me about crime in this area when you were growing up.
The host asks about local crime and safety in a rural Indiana setting; the guest responds by describing relatively low street crime but notes vulnerabilities typical of remote areas, such as mail theft and the evolving risks that later became tied to identity theft, setting a contrast between childhood safety and the later, more insidious threats faced by the family.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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 285 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. Axton Betz-Hamilton
2. Robert Hilland
3. Jessica McDiarmid
4. Liam Le Guillou
5. Naomi Clifford
6. Diane Fanning
7. Patrick Radden Keefe
8. Andrea Dunlop

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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