The Best True Crime Podcasts

Of course Serial may not have been the first podcast to use a true crime case as the foundation upon which to build a story, but it was certainly the most influential. Almost immediately following it first hitting the servers, scores of other podcasts immediately sprung up, hoping to emulate Sarah Koenig‘s compelling story telling style. Serial came from the same team who produced NPR’s  This American Life and told the story of Adnan Syed who was serving a life sentence for the murder of his 18 year old former girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. Over 12 episodes, host Sarah Koenig led the listener on an incredibly compelling investigation of the case that leaves many., myself included, to believe that Adnan Syed is actually innocent of the murder he still sits in prison for. The series was an incredible success, each episode of the first series was downloaded more than 68 million times and currently Serial is in a second season – this time based on a very different story – that of soldier, Robert Bergdahl who was captured by the Taliban after leaving his military base without the permission of his superiors or the knowledge of his fellow soldiers. Season two is, at the time of writing, ongoing.

Sarah Koenig

Now it goes without saying that Serial is a must listen for anyone interested in true crime, but here are several other true crime podcasts that I consider must listens. The heading of this article, is The Best True Crime Podcasts. Of course the term, THE BEST, is subjective but the following shows are in my opinion among the very best that the genre has to offer.
Crime Writers on Serial was initially a podcast about a podcast. Hosted by husband and wife writing team, Rebecca Lavoie and Kevin Flynn the show sprung up to analyse each episode of Serial. However the show soon realised the limitations of its concept and branched out to look at other true crime stories and pop culture in general as it relates to the genre of crime. The crime writing couple  hold a pop-culture roundtable with noir novelist Toby Ball and journalist-turned-investigator Lara Bricker. The panel chats not only about the podcast ‘Serial,’ but journalism, storytelling, TV shows and films.The show had become a firm favourite and is currently going strong, having found its own voice and becoming every bit as essential as the show it sought to analyse.
Sword and Scale is another podcast that I have on subscription – hosted by Mike Boudet the show has been going since 2014 and unlike Serial the show doesn’t concentrate on whodunnit, but rather looks at solved and often unfathomable cases. Most episodes use  original tapes — interviews, trial snippets, 911 calls. with Boudet interjecting to shape the narrative with facts and questions, or to underline key points. Some instalments include criminal experts, authors or people related to the case. The result is an often fascinating exploration into extraordinary events. Again this Podcast is one I never miss.

Phoebe Judge

Phoebe Judge is the main voice behind the podcast, Criminal and this show is another in the essential list. Judge is the host of Criminal and a host at WUNC North Carolina Public Radio. She was a producer and on-air contributor for The Story with Dick Gordon, and before that she reported from the gulf coast of Mississippi. She covered the BP oil spill and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina for Mississippi Public Broadcasting and National Public Radio. Phoebe’s work has won multiple Edward R. Murrow and Associated Press awards.
Each week Criminal looks at a different true crime case and is never less than captivating. It can also be disturbing and doesn’ shy away from the salacious details of the cases it examines.
Generation Why is the most wide – ranging of all the True Crime podcasts currently available. Created by hosts Aaron and Justin, a duo based out of Kansas City, Mo. the show looks at unsolved mysteries, bizarre conspiracy theories and  closed cases. A strong point of the podcast  is the hosts’ propensity to play devil’s advocate against each other, and to bring in the occasional guest to add yet another varying perspective. All in all, it’s refreshing to hear each and every case approached with at least a couple of differing angles, instead of adhering to one singular narrative.
Cold cases are a speciality of Thinking Sideways and hosts Devin, Steve and Joe are experts at thinking outside the box as they look at ages old cases. However this show also builds episodes around quirky subjects and, I kid you not, one episode even attempted to get to the bottom of who or what was Frosty the Snowman.

Finally a podcast that has got my attention recently is, Someone Knows Something, which comes from David Ridgen, a independent filmmaker with a proven record of solving cold cases. The show attempts to solve the 40 cold case – In 1972, five-year-old Adrien McNaughton vanished while on a family fishing trip in Eastern Ontario. Despite an intensive search and investigation, no sign of Adrien was found, no clue as to where he might be. The case has hung over the area like a dark mass ever since, especially in the small town of Arnprior, where the McNaughton family lived.