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
Violence
Revenge
Marie Buck
Trauma
Family Impact

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes842Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTrue Crime

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Artwork for The First Degree

Latest Episodes

Another week, another handful of Epstein bombshells. We’re talking about the prison guard working during Epstein’s death being set to testify to congress, Hillary Clinton’s Epstein inspired merch, and Vera Wang’s bizarre connection to Epstein. And we... more

In early January 1985, a 20-year-old National Guardsman is on a training exercise in Henderson, Nevada. The ambitious and intelligent young man has a strong moral compass guiding him in his career. That is, until one day, when he’s confronted with a ... more

Even though the world has seemingly moved on from Epstein, we refuse to stop talking about it. This week we are diving into the headlines of the week, including the new bestie statues of Trump & Epstein, the new search of Zorro Ranch, and the Clinto... more

In February 2006, a newly married 29-year-old man is walking home from a Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans when a black truck nearly strikes him and his wife. One block later, the truck circles back, runs him down, and flees, leaving his wife scr... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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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

Claire Beaugh
Claire Beaugh, Toby Beaugh's sister and advocate for justice
Family of Toby Beaugh
Episode: Episode 394: Toby Beaugh
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
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

Hosts

Jac Vanek
Co-host known for her engaging narrative style and deep dives into true crime stories, bringing a personal touch to each episode.
Alexis Linkletter
Co-host who expertly navigates through intricate true crime tales, adding a layer of sensitivity and insight to the discussions.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 13.7k ratings
  • Faveee since 2019

    I’ve been listening since 2019 and love this show so much and find such comfort with Alexis and Jac. It grosses me out how their rating has gone down bc of these new people coming in for the Epstein deep dives who do not agree with their politics, which are hardly even mentioned, btw. And also they are correct anyway 🤪

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kkonfire39
    United States3 days ago
  • Cannibal NYC

    Just would like to clarify, there was actually a restaurant in NYC called The Cannibal. It was on E 29th St and closed in 2019. I feel like when you’re reporting on important matters, it’s imperative that you do your best to research and provide the most accurate information to your abilities. I know this is insignificant to the larger picture but it would have been very easy to Google and confirm whether or not it was an actual restaurant. Just makes me think twice about all that’s being report... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    DeeDee428
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Many enjoy the blend of dark themes with lighter moments, making it accessible while still addressing serious topics.
A segment of the audience expresses concerns about perceived biases and the need for balanced reporting, hinting at a desire for objectivity in discussing sensitive issues.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and engaging storytelling, often feeling a personal connection to the hosts, as if they are conversing with close friends.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#86
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#86
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#222
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#200
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#58
Chile/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#66
Argentina/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?

Focused on true crime narratives, this podcast engages listeners with chilling stories of murder, kidnappings, and other dark events, all recounted through the eyes of individuals who have a direct connection to the incidents. The hosts bring a unique perspective by exploring the emotional and psychological ramifications of these experiences, which oftentimes include the stories of victims, family members, and those entwined with the perpetrators. Notable for both its dramatic storytelling and the connections to significant societal issues, this show also features lighter moments through its aftershow, offering a more rounded listening experience that contrasts deeply disturbing content with humor and relatability.

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. Crime Junkie
2. Going West: True Crime
3. Morbid
4. Serialously with Annie Elise
5. Women and Crime

How many episodes of The First Degree are there?

The First Degree launched 8 years ago and published 842 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. Claire Beaugh
2. Stephanie Tinsley
3. Debbie Klinke
4. Debbie Riddle
5. Jonathan Gerlach
6. Debbie Marous
7. Arthur J. Williams Jr.
8. Brad Beeler

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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