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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
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes280Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Latest Episodes

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

Author Diane Fanning is known for covering high profile cases like Casey Anthony and JonBenet Ramsey. But not with this book. In the summer of 2011, Laura Jean Ackerson left to pick up her two sons from her ex-husband’s home. And she was never seen a... more

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

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Recent Guests

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
Randy Barnett
Law professor at Georgetown University and former Cook County prosecutor
Georgetown University
Episode: Randy Barnett: Felony Review

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 States25 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 Statesa month ago
  • One of my favorite podcasts!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shb613
    United Statesa month 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
#192
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#208
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#138
Sweden/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#159
Singapore/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#160
Argentina/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#186
India/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Naomi Clifford: Women and the Gallows
Q: Why did certain crimes by women lead to the gallows while others did not, and how did gender influence outcomes?
Gender shaped both accusations and sentencing; women were often blamed for poisoning and domestic violence, yet juries and judges sometimes showed sympathy in cases like infant death when pregnancies were secret or forced by social pressures, leading to a complex mix of harsh punishment and occasional leniency.
Naomi Clifford: Women and the Gallows
Q: Tell me about the penal system regarding women in this time period.
Women faced a harsh system where punishments varied by crime and social standing; there was a tendency to punish women more severely for certain offenses like murder or infanticide, while partial mercy could appear in manslaughter or mitigating circumstances, and transportation to places like New South Wales was a frequent alternative to execution.
Diane Fanning: Bitter Remains
Q: What did the court records reveal about the custody dynamics and Amanda's involvement?
Court records showed a pattern of manipulated narratives from Grant and Amanda, including covert manipulation of Laura's access to the kids and joint planning to undermine Laura's custody. Amanda's own testimony and later statements illustrated a calculated approach to remove Laura from the children's lives, with Amanda sometimes trying to appear sympathetic while still participating in the plan.
Diane Fanning: Bitter Remains
Q: How did you come across Laura Ackerson's story, and what drew you to Bitter Remains?
I was researching cases with complex custody and family dynamics, and the Ackerson case stood out for its stark contrast to more famous cases like Michael Peterson's, with a different social context and a deep, troubling family dynamic. The details—from the relationship triangle to the courtroom battles and the aftermath—offer rich material for unpacking motive, manipulation, and the impact on children.
Andrea Dunlop: The Mother Next Door
Q: Okay, let's talk about how you got into the subject matter.
Dunlop explains her personal entry point, including how her own family experiences and collaborations with investigators drew her into Munchausen by Proxy research and writing.

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?

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 6 years ago and published 280 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. Naomi Clifford
2. Diane Fanning
3. Patrick Radden Keefe
4. Andrea Dunlop
5. Susan Orlean
6. William J. Mann
7. Paula Lavigne
8. Rachel Nuwer

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