Rephonic
Artwork for The First Degree
True Crime
Diddy
Jeffrey Epstein
Domestic Violence
Blake Lively
Justin Baldoni
Murder
Mental Health
Anastasia Witbolsfeugen
Murder Investigation
Byron Case
Stalking
Los Angeles
Tiktok
Serial Killers
Simi Valley Rapist
Hollywood
Law Enforcement
Missing Persons
Ryan Reynolds

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes879Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTrue Crime

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Artwork for The First Degree

Latest Episodes

On the morning of February 1, 2008, a man calls his 20-year-old daughter in Charlotte, North Carolina after receiving a disturbing phone call urging him to check on her. But when her father walks inside, he is greeted with a sight no parent should ev... more

You asked for it….get ready for the ultimate deep dive digging into the over 13 missing and murdered scientists over the past few years. We are starting with the most infamous, disturbing, and head scratching case of Amy Eskridge. Get ready to go dow... more

On June 23rd, 2023, a 39-year-old woman messages her mom asking if she can come to her home because she doesn’t feel safe where she is staying. Unfortunately, her mom is out of town but she tells her daughter she can come over when she is back on the... more

Today we’re deep diving everything that the Netflix documentary The Crash missed about the Mackenzie Shirilla case. From scouting out LA modeling agencies while in the hospital, to jail house calls about Kim Kardashian, to selling feet pics, there is... 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.

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Recent Guests

Marty Arnett
Mother of Amber Arnett and primary interviewee
Family of Amber Arnett
Episode: Episode 405: Amber Arnett
Josh Zeman
First Degree guest, documentary filmmaker
Filmmaker (Sons of Sam, Descent into Darkness)
Episode: Episode 404: Sons Of Sam, Part 2
Josh Zieman
Filmmaker, podcaster, friend of the show
Filmmaker; The Killing Season (A&E)
Episode: Episode 403: Sons Of Sam, Part 1
Clayton Echard
Former Bachelor star from Season 26
The Bachelor franchise
Episode: Episode 399: Clayton Echard
Stephani Young
Host of Love Trapped podcast
Love Trapped
Episode: Episode 399: Clayton Echard
Irene Hoang
Sister of missing Jonathan Hoang
Hoang family
Episode: Episode 397: Jonathan Hoang
Vanessa Richardson
Podcast host and co-guest on Crime House collaboration
Serial Killers and Murderous Minds
Episode: Heaven’s Gate Part 1 with Serial Killers & Murderous Minds
Dr. Tristan Engels
Forensic psychologist
Serial Killers and Murderous Minds
Episode: Heaven’s Gate Part 1 with Serial Killers & Murderous Minds
Jerry Mathes
Former National Guardsman and memoirist who shares his story
Self/Author
Episode: Episode 395: The Eleventh Gun

Hosts

Jac Vanek
Host of The First Degree; one of the primary voices driving investigations and narrative framing.
Alexis Linkletter
Co-host who drives interviews, hosts analysis, and shares the narrative voice.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 13.7k ratings
  • Murdaugh retrial

    Becky Hill isn’t the judge - she was the court clerk.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Law wannabe
    United Statesa month ago
  • Internalised misogyny

    So disappointed with the way you cover Blake Lively, take a listen to Laura Richard’s podcast Crime Analyst for some intelligent analysis of this case.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Madasmelppp
    Australiaa month ago
  • This pod is the best!

    Perfect balance of research and humanity. Stories are interesting and they’re communicated in an engaging way. It’s obvious the groundwork that goes into building these episodes. I appreciate the variety of cases and perspectives included in the writing. The reporting quality and programming continues to grow and improve over time. Loves it! 💕

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sowamazing
    United Statesa month ago
  • Obsessed!

    You guys are amazing and I look forward every week to your podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mo2422
    United Statesa month ago
  • Just one small thing….

    Can Lex like not clear her throat right into the microphone? It’s really distracting. Otherwise, love the deep dives!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lkg814
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Great balance of research and empathy, though at times heavy topics require focus
Deep dives are a strength, offering context often missing in mainstream coverage
Engaging storytelling with thorough research and a human-centered approach
Audience engagement and community feel are consistently highlighted by listeners
A few criticisms about pacing and audio clarity in some episodes

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#78
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#98
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#177
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#116
Philippines/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#120
Brazil/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#132
South Africa/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Episode 405: Amber Arnett
Q: What were the key turning points in the police response to Amber Arnett's disappearance?
Initially, police treated Amber as an adult who could go missing by choice, which caused delays in taking a missing-person report and escalations; a detective visit in August was a turning point, but still did not lead to immediate, active search actions. The family continued independent outreach and public appeals.
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.

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?

A dialog-driven true crime show that pairs two hosts with investigative guests to explore cases through the lens of individuals who are one degree removed from the story. Episodes blend archival context, firsthand testimony, and critical analysis of mainstream narratives, often expanding into media ethics, legal complexities, and the personal toll on families and survivors. Noteworthy is the platform's recurring emphasis on audience engagement through deeper multi-part deep-dives and behind-the-scenes content, plus sponsorship integrations that target listeners who crave rigorous research paired with empathetic storytelling.

Where can I find podcast stats for The First Degree?

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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?

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Which podcasts are similar to The First Degree?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The First Degree:

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

How many episodes of The First Degree are there?

The First Degree launched 8 years ago and published 879 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?

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

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What guests have appeared on The First Degree?

Recent guests on The First Degree include:

1. Marty Arnett
2. Josh Zeman
3. Josh Zieman
4. Clayton Echard
5. Stephani Young
6. Irene Hoang
7. Vanessa Richardson
8. Dr. Tristan Engels

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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