5 binge-worthy true crime podcasts (that I may or may not have binged more than once)

Who else hadn’t ever heard of a podcast before Serial swept the internet? 🙋🏻‍♀️ I actually remember hearing about it and wondering how the heck you were supposed to consume it. It wasn’t until someone explained to me that there was an app, you search the title, and then each episode plays kind of like an audiobook.

Huh, I thought. Interesting. I then proceeded to devour the series like everyone else on the planet.

It’s funny how you remember certain things so specifically. I was living about an hour away from my parents at the time, and my dad had just been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Christmas was very important to him, but getting their tree up just kept getting knocked down their todo list.

So I volunteered to go and set it up for them. The first day, I joyfully listened to Christmas music and chatted with my family.

But then the tree proceeded to fall down no less than 5 times, requiring me to drive all the way back to my parents’ house and start from scratch each time.

So I have vivid memories of the juxtaposition of setting up a Christmas tree while listening to a murder mystery.

Anyway, since then, I’ve been obsessed. I specifically like true crime series that tell an entire story start to finish.

While I know this is such a popular genre, I don’t feel like there are a ton of podcast shows that do this well. But here are a few that are top of my recommendations list (and I’m picky…like really picky).

True Crime Podcasts that I couldn’t get enough of

Scamanda

A girl starts a blog to document her cancer journey and it becomes wildly popular, attracting an audience who is willing to open their wallets to support a young, charismatic Christian mom during her time of need. The thing is, though, Amanda isn’t sick. This podcast reveals the journey to uncovering her lies and holding her accountable.

Besides being totally interesting (I was part of the blogging community during Amanda’s time online), this podcast is so well done. They hired a voice actor to read Amanda’s (now removed) blog posts, and her performance was outstanding!

I wanted to savor the episodes because it’s rare that I find a podcast these days that captivates me in this way. But of course, I devoured it because I just couldn’t. stop.

Killing dad season 1

Imagine being behind bars for a gruesome crime that you aren’t denying. But no one knows the whole story. And what the public doesn’t know could change everything.

Two women tell the story of a young woman who is behind bars for killing her very own father. The young woman appears as herself throughout the show via prison phone calls like Adnan a’la Serial.

Each episode delivers a new blow with new secrets revealed.

Something was wrong – season 12

It’s just before Covid, and Kenzi is looking for another gig to bring in some extra cash after an unexpected medical bill.

Enter: this charming British father looking for a nanny for his darling little girl.

The interview goes well.

Very well.

So well, in fact, that they both agree to forgo the nannying opportunity to instead explore the chemistry that neither one of them can deny.

It’s a modern day romance filled with twists and turns, with guest appearances from Federal Agents and lies. Lots and lots of lies.

Kenzi, who is a captivating storyteller, bares all as she shares intimate details of the dream romance that turned out to be nothing but a horrible nightmare.

Culpable

A 21-year-old Mississippi man, briefly home from a the boat he worked on, was found dead in the bathroom of his apartment; a single gun-shot wound to his head.

Local police ruled his death a suicide after conducting a 45 minute investigation.

Substantial evidence would suggest otherwise. With a cast of characters one might expect to find on an episode of Breaking Bad, the narrative told reveals that there’s more to the story. So much more.

A mother desperate for the truth to come to light and an investigator, committed to seeking justice, investigate and share the details of Christian’s suspicious death.

To live & die in LA

Adea Shaboni is a young aspiring Hollywood actress and model. She’s also missing.

She vanished from her apartment complex near Hollywood’s walk of fame in February of 2018.

Her family, desperate for answers, seek the help of journalist Neil Strauss to find out what actually happened to Adea.

The full story, which came at great personal risk, is finally told.

Up & Vanished Season 1

In 2005, a beauty queen high school teacher doesn’t show up for work one morning, raising concern from all those who know her.

Tara Grinstead, chronically reliable, is no where to be found.

A documentarian takes on the challenge of finding the truth as he embarks on his first ever podcast project.

The captivating story, which is expertly told, suddenly takes a turn as the story turns into an in real time investigation.

The truth is revealed. And those responsible are held accountable.

And the podcast is to thank for solving a case that was previously described to be as cold as Alaska.

 

There are a few others that I enjoyed but aren’t quite as high up there on my recommendations list: Sh!t town and Down the hill just to name a couple.

If you happen to have a recommendation that isn’t on this list, please share it in the comments below. I would love to find new shows to listen to!

That’s it for me today! Until next time, friend! XOXO