Rephonic
Artwork for The First Degree
True Crime
Jeffrey Epstein
Blake Lively
Diddy
Justin Baldoni
Domestic Violence
Murder
Mental Health
Anastasia Witbolsfeugen
Byron Case
Stalking
Simi Valley Rapist
Ghislaine Maxwell
Los Angeles
Ryan Reynolds
Murder Investigation
Counterfeiting
Law Enforcement
Stacy Shaw
Virginia Giuffre

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes943Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The First Degree

Latest Episodes

Things are starting to get creepy over here. This week we’re talking about computers made with ALIVE human brain cells that need to be fed to stay alive, a dude swallowing $800k worth of Tiffany’s diamond earrings (and the police having to wait for h... more

By 2024, there are 11 unsolved murders in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. All committed in the previous three years. Families of the murdered and missing are desperate for answers about their loved ones' deaths and whereabouts. The quiet, small town ... more

Another weird week over here on the deep dive! We get a good look into Clavicular’s new Camp Looksmaxing where a bunch of losers pay $5k to have him tell them they’re ugly. Also, Laura Owen’s / Clayton Echard updates, new bombshell evidence that Stoc... more

Some encounters with the unexplained are terrifying. Others offer an unexpected sense of comfort. But all leave us wondering what, if anything, exists beyond death. In this special Halloween episode, Lex and Jac share more extraordinary stories from ... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jillian Lauren
True crime author and former partner of Weezer's Scott Shriner, featured for background on a high-profile LAPD incident
Beholds the Monster / Various books on true crime and culture
Episode: Episode 423: Spooky Stories & Strange Crimes
Kim Hansen
Mother of Rachel Hansen
The Hansen family
Episode: Episode 422: Rachel Hansen
Todd Hansen
Father of Rachel Hansen
The Hansen family
Episode: Episode 422: Rachel Hansen
Ruby Roberson
Elisa's sister and advocate
Family
Episode: Episode 420: Elisa Roberson
Erin Davidowicz
Perinatal psychiatrist and assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
Episode: Episode 418: Bigger Than the Trial
Carrie Anne
Family member and interviewee
Family of Trish Haynes
Episode: Episode 416: Trish Haynes
Tom O'Neill
Author of Chaos, investigative journalist
Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the 1960s Counterculture
Episode: DEEP DIVE: AUTHOR SESSIONS - CHAOS
Mary Wade
Sister of Paula Wade, family advocate
Family of Paula Wade
Episode: Episode 409: Paula & Brandon Wade
Melissa Merryfield
Sister of Deanna; advocate and investigator in Deanna Merryfield case
Family of Deanna Merryfield
Episode: Episode 408: Deanna Merryfield

Hosts

Jac Vanek
Host providing narrative framing, interview leadership, and case context.
Alexis Linkletter
Co-host driving analysis, interviewing, and thematic framing alongside Jac.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 13.9k ratings
  • Very well done. Covering a wide range of cases. Be yourselves! Don't try to imitate My Favorite Murder. You're doing a great job.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    JennFury
    22 days ago
  • A different take on true crime!

    (Updating to say I LOVE Firstober!!) I listen to a ton of true crime podcasts, and I love how TFD sets themselves apart by having their guests. It’s incredibly researched, thoughtfully composed and really well hosted. And I love (the) killing time at the end!! A++

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Thatshopgirl
    United Statesa month ago
  • The absolute best!!

    I could listen an an episode each day. Every Wednesday and Thursday morning I can’t wait for my commute. I do miss Killing Time. I like most of the deep dives though.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kdbeidhe
    United Statesa month ago
  • 🩷

    Love these two!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    meggieTR
    United Statesa month ago
  • Not the best

    I tried this podcast having had caught up with all my usuals (my favourite murder, the fall line, criminal) but it just didn’t tick any boxes for me. Poorly researched, scientifically inaccurate - things I can forgive if it’s a comedy podcast but this clearly is not, and a little ignorant at times. The freaky animals episode was when I decided to stop and unfollow. They seemed to miss their own point - most notably thinking scientists were making a joke naming something after Sir David Attenboro... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    DaisyChainns
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

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

Smart, insightful deep dives with a human touch.
Strong on ethics and media context, though some episodes feel long for casual listeners.
Occasional critiques on delivery consistency; otherwise consistently compelling.
Guests and stories are well-researched and engaging.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#132
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#147
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#238
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#227
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#69
Ukraine/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#85
United Arab Emirates/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 417: Stozek/McBrien
Q: What has been the impact on Courtney's view of the church and community?
She emphasizes a loss of faith and trust, the difficulty of reconciling loved ones with such acts, and a push toward transparency and accountability in institutions.
Episode 417: Stozek/McBrien
Q: How did Courtney first react when she learned about her uncle's crimes and the priest's allegations?
She describes disbelief, confusion, and a tension between loyalty to family and recognizing the harm caused, followed by a shift toward seeking truth and healing.
Episode 407: Jeremiah Aviles
Q: Can you walk us through how you first learned about Jeremiah's death and what you did in the immediate aftermath?
Olga recounts receiving a police call, the first rushed drive to the family home, and the overwhelming need to understand what happened to her son, followed by a vow to seek truth and accountability.
Episode 404: Sons Of Sam, Part 2
Q: At the end of all of this, what was the truth?
The hosts discuss that the official police narrative is likely incomplete or oversimplified, and that there are indications others may have been involved; however, definitive truth remains elusive as Berkowitz himself shifted stories over time and Maury Terry's theories remain contested.
Episode 405: Amber Arnett
Q: What role did Amber's family play in the investigation?
Amber's mother led an ongoing, grassroots search, distributed flyers at homeless camps and bike trails, created yard signs, contacted friends, and pressed authorities for action, often challenging the police's response while maintaining hope for Amber's safe return.

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 show blends deep-dive true-crime storytelling with sharp media and culture commentary. Episodes typically pair two hosts as they unpack cases through intimate memories, courtroom details, and the broader media ecosystem that frames each story. A hallmark is the mix of survivor or family perspectives, investigator insights, and pop-culture references, producing a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and analytically critical. Noteworthy is the commitment to long-form storytelling while maintaining a conversational, often humorous banter that invites listener engagement and community-building around a shared interest in how crimes are reported and consumed. Expect a strong emphasis on ethics, accountability, and the human impact b... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The First Degree?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The First Degree:

1. LadyGang
2. Going West: True Crime
3. Serialously with Annie Elise
4. True Crime Garage
5. Generation Why: True Crime

How many episodes of The First Degree are there?

The First Degree launched 8 years ago and published 943 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 The First Degree?

Recent guests on The First Degree include:

1. Jillian Lauren
2. Kim Hansen
3. Todd Hansen
4. Ruby Roberson
5. Erin Davidowicz
6. Carrie Anne
7. Tom O'Neill
8. Mary Wade

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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