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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes811Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The First Degree

Latest Episodes

On March 30, 1981, the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, is just two months into his presidency when he attends a speaking engagement at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. As the president exits the building and makes his way towa... more

There’s a hell of a lot going on in the world right now, but we are hyper obsessing about Ashley Tisdale being booted from her mom group (it’s not an airport you don’t need to announce your departure!). Plus we give you updates on D4VD, Nick Reiner, ... more

In January 2023, a 36-year-old man is found shot inside his vehicle outside his Fort Lauderdale apartment in the early morning hours. As detectives investigate, the case quickly stalls. With no arrests and no clear motive, the man’s family is left gr... more

Happy 2026! It’s a new year but we are still obsessing over the same ole shit. We’re deep diving into the latest Epstein files, and why doesn’t anyone talk about Bill Gates?? We chat about Epstein island and all of the lame ass Lolita quotes. Plus, w... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Debbie Marous
Mother of Jason Marous
Episode: Episode 385: Jason Marous
Arthur J. Williams Jr.
Former counterfeiter turned artist, reformed after multiple imprisonments.
Independent artist
Episode: Episode 382: Arthur J. Williams Jr., Part 2
Brad Beeler
Secret Service agent who helped convict Art Williams, now author and speaker
Secret Service
Episode: Episode 382: Arthur J. Williams Jr., Part 2
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
Jonathan Mark
Celebrity medium known for his work in true crime
Episode: DEEP DIVE: PSYCHIC MEDIUM JONATHAN MARK
Sarah Potter
Celebrity psychic medium, tarot card reader, and professional witch
Episode: DEEP DIVE: BAD WITCH CLUB
Adam Mendoza
Actor and producer
Episode: Episode 371: The Hillside Strangers, Part 1
Don Taybeck
Former LAPD police officer and homicide detective
LAPD
Episode: Episode 371: The Hillside Strangers, Part 1

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 13.5k ratings
  • What happened to Billy

    I am not sure if I missed an episode where they explain why Billy left! But I have been wondering ever since it was mention that he was going to be taking some time! Love the pod miss Billy!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maddsleeann
    United States9 days ago
  • Epstein Deep Dive

    Love your show normally, but how can you go “in depth” about the Epstein files, call out Bill Gates but not mention Trump who was mentioned significantly more? He is the one responsible for the redactions!!! I understand not wanting to get political but why talk about Epstein files at all then. Come on, have some courage. Plenty of blame to spread among these privileged predators.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    SB-cr8
    United States10 days ago
  • Loveee

    So glad Ive found this podcast .. please deep dive on Tom Hanks and Oprah!! X

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DaisyRintoul
    United Kingdom15 days ago
  • New to Celeb Deep Dives

    I am enjoying the way the girls cover these stories from all sides and with passion

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Thisismomsense
    United States19 days ago
  • Please edit more

    Love you guys but why are there times when you’re discussing what you’re going to talk about for minutes on end just hit pause and regroup and then record when you know what you want to jump to next. It’s really distracting and can EASILY be edited out so idk why you’d choose to leave it in, every time it happens I just quite listening and choose a different podcast. It’s pretty unprofessional. Just trying to help <3

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Maiasage
    United States20 days 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
#100
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#118
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#101
Chile/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#173
Brazil/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#246
Russia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#248
Indonesia/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
DEEP DIVE: PSYCHIC MEDIUM JONATHAN MARK
Q: So do you believe in like reincarnation and having many lives?
Kind of do because of readings where children describe past lives accurately.
DEEP DIVE: PSYCHIC MEDIUM JONATHAN MARK
Q: Was there like a moment where you realized you could trust it?
Initially thought he was mentally ill until validated by another medium.

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?

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What are the audience demographics for The First Degree?

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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. Unraveled
2. Crime Junkie
3. Going West: True Crime
4. Serialously with Annie Elise
5. Generation Why: True Crime

How many episodes of The First Degree are there?

The First Degree launched 7 years ago and published 811 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.

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What guests have appeared on The First Degree?

Recent guests on The First Degree include:

1. Debbie Marous
2. Arthur J. Williams Jr.
3. Brad Beeler
4. Bonnie Bell
5. Bevin Kiefer
6. Jonathan Mark
7. Sarah Potter
8. Adam Mendoza

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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