Rephonic
Artwork for The First Degree
Murder
Christmas
Murdaugh Family
Joey Comunale
True Crime
Holiday Gifts
Family Traditions
Gift Exchange
New Year's Resolutions
Max Kolb
Holidays
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Patricia Ann Mizell
Pamela Kay Wills
Festivus
Marie Buck
Family Impact
Violence
Community Grief
Trauma

Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be friends with a murderer? Or escape a kidnapping? Or have a father who was a serial killer? Join Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter on a chilling ride into the darkest corners of your worst nightmares. Murders, cults, kidnappings, and conspiracies—all told through the eyes of a guest who is one degree of separation from the story itself. From infamous serial kil... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes833Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTrue Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The First Degree

Latest Episodes

On a quiet February morning in an upscale Virginia suburb, a 911 call shattered the quiet. An au pair reported an intruder. A federal agent said he fired his weapon to protect his family. By sunrise, two people had lost their lives. At first, it soun... more

Firsties, we are so excited to introduce you to an amazing true crime podcast hosted by some new friends to The First Degree, Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton. The Knife is a journalistic, true crime podcast with immersive, narrative interview episodes a... more

And we're back for round three... This week, we're diving into the latest updates surrounding the Epstein files, discussing the DOJ's recent release of documents and the implications of missing information. Then, Ghislaine Maxwell's testimony, the bi... more

On October 26, 2007, a 55-year-old military veteran was found murdered in his home on the outskirts of Memphis, Tennessee. The family of the father of four was heartbroken. They, along with investigators, wondered who could be responsible for the bru... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Serialously with Annie Elise
Serialously with Annie EliseAnnie Elise & Audioboom Studios
Going West: True Crime
Going West: True CrimeDark West Productions
Crime Junkie
Crime JunkieAudiochuck
Something Was Wrong
Something Was WrongBroken Cycle Media
True Crime Garage
True Crime GarageTRUE CRIME GARAGE

Recent Guests

Stephanie Tinsley
A true crime enthusiast who created a podcast about a wrongful conviction case
Episode: Episode 391: Danny Rex Harris
Debbie Klinke
Sister of Peggy Klinke and advocate for stalking awareness
Episode: Episode 390: Peggy Klinke, Part 2
Debbie Riddle
Sister of Peggy Klinke who shares her perspective on Peggy's life and tragic circumstances
Episode: Episode 389: Peggy Klinke, Part 1
Jonathan Gerlach
Accused grave robber and disturbed graves at Mt. Moriah Cemetery
Episode: Episode 387: Jonathan Gerlach
Debbie Marous
Mother of Jason Marous
Episode: Episode 385: Jason Marous
Brad Beeler
Communications expert and author, formerly with the US Secret Service
Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division
Episode: Episode 381: Arthur J. Williams Jr., Part 1
Arthur J. Williams Jr.
A notorious counterfeiter who reflects on his life of crime and lessons learned
Episode: Episode 381: Arthur J. Williams Jr., Part 1
Bonnie Bell
Sister of Danielle Bell, sharing her story and search for justice
Episode: Episode 380: Danielle Bell
Bevin Kiefer
Mother of Meghan Kiefer and domestic violence advocate
Episode: Episode 374: Meghan Kiefer

Hosts

Jac Vanek
Co-host known for her engaging storytelling and keen insights into horrific real-life events.
Alexis Linkletter
Co-host known for her investigative approach and ability to draw deep emotional connections with the stories shared.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 13.6k ratings
  • Top tier podcast

    This is a must listen! Thank you for addressing the difficult topics with such grace and knowledge, ladies.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rmense
    United States14 days ago
  • So bias

    I try & like them - we need more ladies in investigation - but they are so left bias —it negates everything they say. I am not for or against any side but at least give me an honest take if you claim to investigators — they mock Musk for 20 minutes & gloss over Ellen with a mild - oh yeah her too -

    So sad because they are good but they are the CNN of crime journalism —the haughty distain comes out unless the talk about someone they support - so you know they cherry pick their bias at every turn... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    OC girl 2500
    United States14 days ago
  • Almost impossible to listen to…

    First of all, if you’re going to do a podcast try not to say the teenage grammatical barbarism “like” in nearly every sentence. Second, when you’re openly admitting your fact, checking sources are things like Facebook, TikTok, etc. Not a lot of credibility there.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    molokai_man
    United States19 days ago
  • My best friends I’ve never met

    Alexis and Jac are truly one of the best true crime podcasters. This is a true crime podcast for the millennials. Their approach is unmatched by setting the scene of providing pop cultures events that occurred during the time of the story, and it immediately takes you back to that time. As millennials, we definitely relate songs/movies to a particular time. It’s a great way to put you into that time. Not to mention they tell a great narrative story that is well researched, empathetic, and includ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MHell5280
    United States22 days ago
  • True Crime Testaments

    I truly love Alexis & Jac’s approach to telling true crime stories and hearing from someone who is one degree separation from the crime or case. I feel like I’m listening to two of my best friends after years of listening. I love their book club and the community they’ve created around their podcast. I even joined the underground, because I can’t get enough! Even after Billy left the pod, they still made it important, interesting & invigorating. They are responsive in their FB group and socials ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Har Kar
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Feedback indicates a desire for more focus on true crime elements without political commentary.
Many express a preference for authentic guest experiences rather than sensationalist storytelling.
Listeners commend the hosts' chemistry and engaging dialogue, making it a favorite among true crime fans.
Listeners appreciate the personal connections that add depth to the crime narratives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#92
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#165
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#214
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#210
Germany/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#225
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#29
Indonesia/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 391: Danny Rex Harris
Q: How did you discover Andrew Hayes' case?
Stephanie met with Jason from the Tennessee Innocence Project, who introduced her to Andrew's case and the audio recording tied to it that suggested his innocence.
Episode 391: Danny Rex Harris
Q: What inspired you to produce your own podcast about a wrongful conviction?
Stephanie was inspired by her interactions with reporters and journalists during the highly publicized Murdoch case to create her own narrative around a true crime story.
Episode 382: Arthur J. Williams Jr., Part 2
Q: How did your relationship with Brad evolve over the years?
Art shares his journey of forgiveness and respect for Brad, highlighting their transition from adversaries to friends with mutual admiration.
Episode 382: Arthur J. Williams Jr., Part 2
Q: What did you learn about yourself while you were in prison?
Art reflects on his time in prison as pivotal for self-growth, finding art as an outlet for expression instead of reverting to crime.
DEEP DIVE: PSYCHIC MEDIUM JONATHAN MARK
Q: What does it feel like when you tap into a case?
It's a draining experience often yielding precise messages through images in the head.

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 The First Degree

What is The First Degree about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast takes listeners on a captivating journey through the most chilling aspects of true crime, with a unique twist that connects the hosts and guests directly to the narratives being explored. Each episode features guests who share personal stories and experiences related to serious crimes, kidnappings, and other harrowing circumstances, providing listeners with a deeper insight into both well-known cases and lesser-known disasters from their own communities. Notably, the blend of gripping storytelling and a perspective that emphasizes a personal connection to the crime creates an engaging listening experience that's both informative and emotionally charged.

Where can I find podcast stats for The First Degree?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The First Degree. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The First Degree and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The First Degree get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The First Degree, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The First Degree?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The First Degree, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The First Degree have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The First Degree has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The First Degree?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The First Degree:

1. Serialously with Annie Elise
2. Going West: True Crime
3. Crime Junkie
4. Something Was Wrong
5. True Crime Garage

How many episodes of The First Degree are there?

The First Degree launched 8 years ago and published 833 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 The First Degree?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The First Degree?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The First Degree from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The First Degree?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The First Degree. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The First Degree?

Recent guests on The First Degree include:

1. Stephanie Tinsley
2. Debbie Klinke
3. Debbie Riddle
4. Jonathan Gerlach
5. Debbie Marous
6. Brad Beeler
7. Arthur J. Williams Jr.
8. Bonnie Bell

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days