Podcasts are all the rage right now – and for good reason! These audio episodes combine the best of TV and radio, giving you something entertaining and informative to tune in to no matter where you are.
Whether you enjoy podcasts while you’re sweating it out at the gym or making the daily commute to and from work, we know you’re always on the hunt for new material to keep your mind busy. True crime podcasts are the best in the business for providing chilling suspense, addictive entertainment and thought-provoking cliffhangers.
If you can’t get enough of TV shows like Solved and Dateline, we know you’ll love these nine true crime podcasts. Bookmark this list and revisit whenever you’re itching to unleash your inner investigator!
9 True crime podcasts for future investigators
1. Serial
Serial is the podcast that kicked off the true crime craze. Host Sarah Koenig spent the first season leading listeners through the twists and turns of the real-life murder of Hae Min Lee in 1999.
Lee’s ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed was arrested for her murder, but this true crime podcast uncovers a complex story filled with lack of evidence and alibis. Koenig spent months searching through trial notes, legal documents and police interrogations as she shares her quest for answers through twelve audio episodes.
Serial's second season, which zeroes in on the story of U.S soldier-turned Taliban prisoner Bowe Bergdahl, premiered in December of 2015.
2. Crime Writers on Serial
If you’ve already listened to Serial and loved it, you won’t want to miss this follow-up podcast. Crime writers Kevin Flynn and Rebecca Lavoie, noir novelist Toby Ball, and investigator Lara Bricker discuss the popular podcast Serial, as well as their thoughts on journalism, justice and the “Crime of the Week.”
Give this one a try if you’re hooked on Serial and are interested in hearing a broader conversation on crime and justice.
3. Criminal
This creepy true crime podcast features “stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.” Creators Phoebe Judge, Eric Mennel and Lauren Spohrer dig deep into mysterious and bizarre crimes, including an unidentified headless body found in 1896 and the supernatural consequences of stealing petrified wood from an Arizona National Park.
You don’t want to miss out on these strange true crime mysteries! Click here to hear them for yourself.
4. Sword and Scale
This true crime podcast focuses on heinous criminal acts rather than the investigations that follow them. From shooting rampages to ritualistic cult murders, Sword and Scale takes you inside some of history’s most twisted criminal events, proving that monsters really do exist.
Tune in to Sword and Scale to hear all about these atrocious crimes and the people behind them.
5. Truth & Justice with Bob Ruff
Truth & Justice puts listeners in charge as this audience-driven podcast uses crowd-sourcing to round up new theories about past criminal investigations. Host Bob Ruff’s goal is truth and justice for all—especially those who have been wrongfully placed behind bars. Ruff is currently following in Serial’s footsteps with an investigation into Hae Min Lee’s murder case.
If you’re usually the one talking back to your headphones, check out Truth & Justice where your opinions could be shared on air!
6. The Mind of a Murderer
Dr. Michelle Ward, criminal psychologist and trial consultant, hosts this podcast that dives deep into the “why” behind cold-blooded murders. The podcast features Dr. Ward’s interviews with real-life killers that take you to the scariest place of all: inside the mind of a murderer.
Catch these chilling interviews in the first season of The Mind of a Murderer.
7. The Generation Why Podcast
The Generation Why Podcast delves into the conspiracy theory side of true crime. From digging into Kurt Cobain’s death to chatting about the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, your ‘whodunit’ side is sure to love this podcast. If real-life mysteries and unsolved murders are your cup of tea, you won’t want to miss this one!
The Generation Why Podcast will keep you busy listening to their more than 100 episodes. Check them out here!
8. Here Be Monsters
Host Jeff Emtman covers a huge range of topics with this podcast—everything from science and medicine to drugs, death and religion. “Weird” and “mysterious” are the only criteria for stories to be featured on Here Be Monsters. This podcast may not be traditional true crime, but episodes about teenage fugitives, piracy and crows who mourn their dead are sure to hold your attention.
Head here to dive into the many mysteries of Here Be Monsters!
9. True Murder
Interviewer Dan Zupansky chats with authors of true crime books to get the real scoop on some of the most terrible killers we’ve ever known. Zupansky’s impeccable interview skills and the authors’ chilling tales will have you hooked from the very first episode. The audio quality isn’t as high as the others on this list, but you can bet that the murder discussions are top-notch.
Follow along with True Murder to hear these writers’ chilling real-life murder stories!
Where are the clues leading you?
Armed with this guide, you can now access edge-of-your-seat entertainment anywhere you can wear headphones! You’ll never run out of material to awaken the armchair detective in you.
If you can’t get enough of true crime podcasts like these, you might have what it takes to pursue a career as an investigator. Put the clues together and learn more about investigative careers!
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