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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes923Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The First Degree

Latest Episodes

If you thought humans were weird as hell, buckle up because animals are FREAKS. We’re bringing you all of the creepy, strange, murderous facts about the animal kingdom. Prepare to learn things you didn’t want to about dolphins, spiders, birds, pandas... more

On March 15, 2005, police respond to a 911 call from a home in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Inside the residence, the body of a 24-year-old woman is found in bed, dead from a gunshot wound to the head. The number one suspect is already accused of cri... more

Things are feeling a bit spooky this week and we are barely halfway through September. We are discussing all of the weird shit going on in the AI world (like if it gonna kill off humanity in 10 years or what?????). Plus, some updates in the Lindsay C... more

In August 1989, a 13-year-old girl leaves her home in Aransas Pass, Texas, for a short walk to meet a friend at a nearby elementary school. But she never makes it there, and investigators soon theorize she was abducted somewhere along that short rout... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

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
Olga Aviles
Mother of Jeremiah Aviles
Family of Jeremiah Aviles
Episode: Episode 407: Jeremiah Aviles
Jamie Aviles
Brother of Jeremiah Aviles
Family of Jeremiah Aviles
Episode: Episode 407: Jeremiah Aviles
Kourtney Nichole
Host of The Final Hours
The Final Hours / Crime House original podcast
Episode: Presenting: The Final Hours with Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole

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
  • Reading a Script for the first time?

    I just listened to episode 419 and it was pretty tough. I enjoyed the content, but it felt like they were reading a script word for word for the very first time. Odd pauses and timing… like they had no idea what they were about to say until they read the next word. Is this normal for them?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Katherine_RR
    United States3 days ago
  • Bummed

    I’m really disappointed that you both decided to make disparaging comments and assumptions about the holdout juror before you had all the facts. I thought you ladies were better than that. 🥴

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ho_hum
    United States10 days ago
  • Good “But”

    Great podcast if they kept to the true crime aspects, BUT always putting out that Anti-America ideology is getting really old!! What happened to loving your country and wanting it to prosper?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    LagunaSavage
    United States10 days ago
  • Ah-RAN-sas

    You would sound a lot more professional, if you looked up how to pronounce the name of your victim's home before recording the episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Shan4515
    United States11 days ago
  • ARANSAS

    I love this podcast but we had a major mispronunciation issue on Sept 16. It’s Aransas. Not Arkansas.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    marisakp
    United States11 days 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
#120
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#150
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#212
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#46
Argentina/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#104
United Arab Emirates/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#118
Chile/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. Crimes Of Reddit with Sabrina Deana-Roga & Alexis Linkletter
3. Serialously with Annie Elise
4. Women and Crime
5. Going West: True Crime

How many episodes of The First Degree are there?

The First Degree launched 8 years ago and published 923 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. Ruby Roberson
2. Erin Davidowicz
3. Carrie Anne
4. Tom O'Neill
5. Mary Wade
6. Melissa Merryfield
7. Olga Aviles
8. Jamie Aviles

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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