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
Pamela Kay Wills
Patricia Ann Mizell
Festivus
Marie Buck
Community Grief
Trauma
Violence
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

PublishesDailyEpisodes784Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The First Degree

Latest Episodes

On October 12, 2023, a 25-year-old nursing student goes missing while on her lunch break in Macomb Township, Michigan. Her co-workers then receive a series of strange text messages from her cell phone. Less than 12 hours after the abduction, she’s  f... more

In the least surprising news EVER, Prince Andrew has been stripped of his Prince title, but guess what? He must have some dirt on the royal family because they’re supporting his pedo ass. We deep dive this as well as creepy David Harbour updates, Tom... more

In the early morning hours of June 18, 1982, a 20-year-old mother vanishes from her night shift at a Harrisonburg, Virginia gas station, just moments after calling 911 for help. Police arrive within minutes, but she has already been taken. With no si... more

It’s another week full of heists, weirdos, and conspiracy theories. George Clooney denies getting a BJ from Gislaine Maxwell, Lily Allen & the dude from Stranger Things are getting a divorce and she is airing ALL their dirty laundry out via lyrics o... 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

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
Liana Mendoza
Actor and producer
Episode: Episode 371: The Hillside Strangers, Part 1
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
Patrick Wohl
A lawyer and author who has written a detailed account of the Brown's Chicken Massacre
Book Author of 'Something Big, The True Story of the Brown's Chicken Massacre'
Episode: Episode 369: Brown's Chicken Massacre, Part 1
Dr. Steve Sparks
Behavioral analyst and former PhD student witnessing the events
Western Michigan University
Episode: Episode 366: The Kalamazoo Uber Murders
Don Tabek
Retired LA homicide investigator and friend of the show
LAPD
Episode: Episode 365: Carrie Lepak

Hosts

Jac Vanek
Co-host, known for her engaging storytelling and deep dive into disturbing subjects, often brings a personal touch to the narratives.
Alexis Linkletter
Co-host, recognized for her insightful commentary and ability to handle sensitive topics with empathy and humor, contributing a dynamic balance to discussions.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 13.5k ratings
  • Love the variety of shows throughout the week

    Podcast Addict
    5
    EGew
    a month ago
  • Love the show hate the perspective

    I really do enjoy this podcast but I do hate the one sided perspective. I do enjoy hearing the stories. But facts do tend to get blurred by opinions. Please do better.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dont.worry.itsme
    United Statesa month ago
  • 11 of 33 “episodes” in 11 weeks

    You two have used the airways to expound on what you think is important 33 times in 11 weeks. Unless your average listener pays for the privilege of listening to your podcasts during those 11 weeks, there are only 11 titled episodes we are permitted to hear. A far cry from where you started. Money makes the world go around for you and about 90% of other podcasters.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    03x06x51
    United Statesa month ago
  • U people

    Love y’all, always will listen to you

    Yes dive deeper and f diddy; but it’s news, n no nobody forgot about Chris brown ( woman beater )

    Keep doing what you’re doing; I love it!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marlin954
    United Statesa month ago
  • The best!

    This is one of the best true crime podcasts out there. It’s a perfect mix of light humor in the intro and heartfelt interviews. The narration and storyline is fantastic. I also love the weekly deep dive to keep me up to date on pop culture current events! Keep it up Jac and Alexis!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lannyy1990
    Canadaa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners enjoy the blend of personal narratives with true crime elements, highlighting the engaging storytelling and emotional depth of the hosts.
Critics have mentioned a perceived drop in quality over time, comparing earlier episodes favorably to more recent ones, which they feel lean into gossip.
Some express discomfort with the podcast's handling of sensitive subjects, noting a shift towards less research-based discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#195
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#231
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#134
Argentina/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#177
Chile/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#182
United Arab Emirates/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#211
Israel/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
DEEP DIVE: HOLLY MADISON RETURNS
Q: What are your thoughts on the recent arrests of female teachers for relationships with students?
Holly discusses the emotional immaturity and manipulation involved in recent cases and the different societal reactions to such incidents, especially towards male victims.
Episode 351: Slanz Bilello
Q: What happened the night Slanz was shot?
He was driving home from work when a stray bullet hit him, causing a fatal accident.

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?

Exploring the darkest aspects of human behavior, this podcast offers an intimate—often chilling—look into true crime narratives through the eyes of those directly connected to the stories. With episodes focusing on murders, kidnappings, cults, and conspiracies, the content often features guests who share first-hand accounts of their harrowing experiences, providing a unique perspective on well-known and obscure cases alike. Additionally, the light-hearted aftershow segment allows for a blend of heavy topics with humor, catering to a range of listener emotions while keeping the content engaging and multifaceted. This dual approach likely makes the podcast appealing to both serious true crime enthusiasts and casual listeners seeking entertain... more

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How many listeners does The First Degree get?

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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. Serialously with Annie Elise
3. Crime Junkie
4. Generation Why: True Crime
5. Small Town Dicks

How many episodes of The First Degree are there?

The First Degree launched 7 years ago and published 784 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. Bevin Kiefer
2. Jonathan Mark
3. Sarah Potter
4. Liana Mendoza
5. Adam Mendoza
6. Don Taybeck
7. Patrick Wohl
8. Dr. Steve Sparks

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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