A collection of podcasts for true crime junkies

Rylie Horrall | Managing Editor

According to forbes.com, podcasts are beginning to become a mainstream form of entertainment. With the medium’s diverse options for listeners, it’s easy for anyone to find something they would enjoy. For those interested in true crime thrillers and mysteries of the like, check out these podcasts.

• “Ear Hustle” ⏤  This podcast tells the daily realities of inmates in California’s San Quentin State Prison and their lives post-incarceration, and is the first to be created and produced in an actual prison. Told by current and former inmates themselves, the episodes feature difficult, humorous and honest stories for listeners on Stitcher, Spotify and RadioPublic. More information and episodes can be found on their website, earhustlesq.com.
• “S-Town” ⏤  A branch from the creators of “This American Life” ⏤ a popular podcast series about life stories ⏤ host Brian Reed explores the story of John, a man from Alabama that hates his town and wants to dig up information about a wealthy family. Supposedly, the son of this family has gotten away with murder, and more mysteries and death are unearthed during this search for the truth. Listen to it now on Stitcher, RadioPublic and stownpodcast.org.
• “True Crime All The Time” — An anthology of true crime stories by Wondery, “True Crime All The Time” focuses on lesser known cases, sparing no details. The hosts Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson claim they “don’t take themselves too seriously, but take true crime very seriously,” providing relief amongst serious discussions. Those who like this podcast can also listen to Wondery’s various other true crime podcasts. Listen on Stitcher, Spotify and their website wondery.com.
• “True Crime Garage” ⏤  A new case is covered every week on this podcast. Whether it’s local horror stories or headline news, cold or open cases, serial killers or unsolved mysteries, hosts Nic and the Captain provide ample entertainment for their listeners. All episodes ⏤ past and present ⏤ are available on Stitcher, Soundcloud and their website truecrimegarage.com.
• “And That’s Why We Drink” ⏤  Hosts Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz take their listeners on both paranormal and true crime journeys every Sunday. Covering terrifying cases of ghosts and killers, their motto is “The world’s a scary place. And that’s why we drink!” Episodes and more can be found on their website ⏤ andthatswhywedrink.com ⏤ Spotify, Stitcher and Apple Podcasts.
• “Down the Hill” ⏤  Each episode uncovers more information about the murder of two girls, Abby and Libby, from Delphi, Indiana ⏤ a case that is still open today. A recording of the killer’s voice from a phone call still remains the biggest clue in this three-year-old mystery, and investigators have yet to apprehend the culprit. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and their website downthehillpodcast.com.
• “Ear Hustle” ⏤  This podcast tells the daily realities of inmates in California’s San Quentin State Prison and their lives post-incarceration, and is the first to be created and produced in an actual prison. Told by current and former inmates themselves, the episodes feature difficult, humorous and honest stories for listeners on Stitcher, Spotify and RadioPublic. More information and episodes can be found on their website, earhustlesq.com.
• “Mommy Doomsday” ⏤  A podcast from Dateline NBC, it focuses on the children of Lori Vallow from Rexburg, Idaho, who disappeared in September three years ago ⏤ a bizarre and haunting story of death, deception and Doomsday that’s available for listeners on Stitcher and Apple Podcasts.
• “S-Town” ⏤  A branch from the creators of “This American Life” ⏤ a popular podcast series about life stories ⏤ host Brian Reed explores the story of John, a man from Alabama that hates his town and wants to dig up information about a wealthy family. Supposedly, the son of this family has gotten away with murder, and more mysteries and death are unearthed during this search for the truth. Listen to it now on Stitcher, RadioPublic and stownpodcast.org.
• “Serial” ⏤  Made once again by the creators of “This American Life,” one story is uncovered over the course of a full season. Full of twists and turns amongst the plot and characters, even the narrators don’t know what happens at the end. Current and past episodes can be found on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and serialpodcast.org.
• “True Crime All The Time” — An anthology of true crime stories by Wondery, “True Crime All The Time” focuses on lesser known cases, sparing no details. The hosts Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson claim they “don’t take themselves too seriously, but take true crime very seriously,” providing relief amongst serious discussions. Those who like this podcast can also listen to Wondery’s various other true crime podcasts. Listen on Stitcher, Spotify and their website wondery.com.
• “True Crime Garage” ⏤  A new case is covered every week on this podcast. Whether it’s local horror stories or headline news, cold or open cases, serial killers or unsolved mysteries, hosts Nic and the Captain provide ample entertainment for their listeners. All episodes ⏤ past and present ⏤ are available on Stitcher, Soundcloud and their website truecrimegarage.com.

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu