Top 10 True Crime Podcasts You Need To Check Out

If you cannot tell by, now I am a true crime fanatic. I love covering cases new and old. I am all about debunking crimes and trying to solve them, or at least have an idea of what happened to victims. True crime has always fascinated me from a young age, getting my hair braided while watching episodes of Snapped, to being in college following documentaries and binging episodes of First 48, to entering my adulthood and playing true crime podcasts to get my day started. My obsession pushed me to create an “If I Go Missing” file and I now am consistently paranoid, I may or may not sleep with a knife somewhere close to my bed, and the discussion about murder or someone going missing goes from either excited to numb—both of which aren’t great. However there has been some good to come out of it, and that is in the form of my impeccable taste for True Crime Podcast. Hint hint: Serial is incredible, but is not on this list. Still #justiceforAdnan 

If you ever find yourself in the mood to listen to a story, and follow along to the grim details of murder, missing people and the justice or peace to follow: true crime podcasts are your calling. Whether you are in the car on your way to work, on the plane, or cleaning your apartment there is a podcast for everybody. And here is the thing, everyone is making podcasts nowadays it is the millennials new Mary Kay Make Up Fad. However to be honest, most suck and are about lifestyle brands and coming of age and blah blah blah. I should know I wanted to make one. However true crime never goes out of style. Though it mainly is 35 year old white moms sitting in their sunroom recording, they’ve got a good hang on things because my ass is intrigued and never disappointed. Below I have created the top 10 True Crime Podcasts that will make you take a break from Apple Music and get swallowed up in dark twisted stories with haunting fates. Don’t be surprised if you come across a case that stays with you….forever. 

1.  Crime Junkies- Three words for you: Full Body Chills. Listen hear me out, Ashley Flowers is number one everywhere for a reason. Her story telling ability keeps you on the edge of your seat. Though dark, there isn’t much swearing and she and her cohost Brit are comforting to listen to you. They have been around for years so it may take you a minute to catch up but trust me you won’t be disappointed. They even do a palette cleanser every so often called Pruppet of the Month where they tell the story of a sweet dog that changed the life of a family. If you aren’t in to that, just listening to  them try to solve the case of a person missing or murdered will have you lost in time. (Episode Duration usually 45 minutes streaming on all platforms)

2.    To Live and Die in LA- This was one of my first podcasts I listened to and boy did it take me for a spin. Each season covers a new case and season 1 was nothing short of unforgettable. Follow Neil Strauss as he seemingly works to solve the murder of young aspiring actress Adea Shabani, who seemingly vanished after going on vacation with her married boyfriend. This podcast has real testimony from people who are involved and knew Adea, its honestly heartbreaking and will make you wish you could turn back time. (Episode Duration 35-45 minutes streaming on all platforms) 

3.    Something Was Wrong.  - This is one of the most different podcasts I have ever encountered. Each season follows a new family and their harrowing Experience  a first hand look at life with a narcissistic gaslighting psychopath. You’ll be surprised how much you connect with the characters involved who are real people often going under alias’s. Tiffany Reese covers each case interview style and her ability to ask the right questions keep the story flowing. She also informs listeners with real knowledge on mental abuse. Some seasons are better than others, but nothing beats the first 4 seasons picking back up in season 7. All 9 are streaming on all platforms  -- you may find yourself binging a season in a couple of days. (episode duration 30 minutes)

4.    The Dropout – take a break from murder and check out The Dropout produced by ABC news, Taylor Dunn, Victoria Thompson, and Rebecca Jarvis. The podcast that follows the story of Elizabeth Holmes the “Female Steve Jobs” who was geared to change the world of modern medicine as we know it. Elizabeth takes girlbossing and white privilege to a whole new level. Cheating investors out of millions and fooling the upper echelon including our current President of the United States. I will say one thing Elizabeth and I have in common: the appreciation for a good black turtle neck. Streaming on all platforms (episode duration 60 minutes)

5.    Counterclock – I love this podcast. Each season starts a new murder from a small town, and how the justice system has done everything but bring the crime to justice. Delia D’Ambara covers cases like the infamous prom night murders, the murder of Denise Johnson, and the murder of Stacey Stanton. Follow her as she uncovers her own theories about what happened to these unsolved, or incorrectly solved crimes. Streaming Everywhere (episode duration 30 minutes)

6.    Up and Vanished – Payne Lindsay is notorious in the true crime world. He is an incredible journalist and also so fine. This podcast is known for its first season the now solved disappearance of Tara Grinsted, but in my opinion it is the second season that is most riveting, the disappearance of Kristal Reisinger. Season 3 is also up now, follow along for as Lindsay uncovers the truth kept in the darkness of small towns. Streaming any and everywhere. (Episode Duration 45 minutes)

7.   True Crime Obsessed/ Obsessed with True Crime Disappeared – this is a two for one because they are under the same podcast. I am a loyal True Crime Obsessed follower. This podcast is created by Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavale, where they cover true crime cases but the source is documentaries! This route is creative and riveting. You can either learn about a notorious case through them, or watch a documentary and finally have someone to discuss with! When you’re done binging them head other to Obsessed with Disappeared where Patrick Hinds teams up with his best friend Ellyn Marsh to cover cases based on the show Disappeared. Both shows are all around entertaining. With funny banter, it will feel like you are hanging out with friends covering cases. They are super respectful of the victims and survivors involved, but don’t hold back on poking fun at each other. This is def a podcast you can listen to in the morning. Streaming on all platforms of course (Episode Duration usually 55 minutes, fast forward through all of their commercials and announcements) One day I will attend a live show!

8.    They Will Kill – This podcast is a newbie coming in. Sisters Courtney and Sadie Eck cover bizarre cases you definitely haven’t heard of. Stories that will make you ask “is there no good in this world” their research is incredibly detailed oriented. Many of their cases I have decided to cover on my own. The two have soothing voices and sometimes you can’t tell which is which and that makes it all the fun. They interact with fans and you def will enjoy their storytelling, each episode is about 20-25 minutes they switch who covers a case each week. I am not going to lie, after the case I usually leave, but they always have 15-20 minutes worth of palette cleansers if you are into it! Streaming on all platforms. 

9.    Sistas Who Kill – Another new podcast out. Two best friends MaRah and Tazzy cover cases of black women who have committed murder. I have never heard a Podcast covered from this angle and it is intoxicating. The hosts cover the cases from start to finish so you never leaving wondering “so what happened?!” they also have a segment where they cover how they would have gone about the murders. I mean does it get any more creative than that? They definitely are new to the arena and doing it justice. Streaming on all platforms (episode duration 35 minutes)

10. Crimeaholics  - Holly and Kenzi are two millennials who cover cases getting right to the point. I discovered them on Tik Tok and have been satisfied ever since. Each case covers a person who has been murdered or gone missing. With their Missing Mondays dedicated to helping families of new and cold cases find justice. They are streaming on all platforms, and check out their Tik Tok videos you will not be disappointed. I love that their episodes vary from 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on what you fix is. I am intrigued on what they have in store. Streaming everywhere.

11. Bonus ** ugh I said I would stop at 10 but I’m sorry you need to listen to Cold. This podcast follows the disappearance of Susan Powell, a wife and mother who seemed to completely vanish the night of a major snowstorm. This podcast is incredibly well done, creator Dave Crawley just incredible investigative journalism to uncover the unfortunate story of Susan Powell, and the dark and twisted family she married into. Please check this podcast out streaming everywhere. (episode duration 45-60 minutes)

There are so many more! I hope these are able to get your fix started. As always check out my website for my own coverage of true crime cases. I’ll be on that list before you know it.