Stop the yakking and get to the murder.
What’s more annoying than listening to endless, boring chit-chat? Listening to endless, boring chit-chat when you’re trying to mainline cold, hard, crime facts.
Ashley Cooper / Getty Images
I really don’t want to hear about how your Subway sandwich was kind of soggy, or how you used to have a dog just like the dog the victim had, only different. What I want is for you to bring me the best true crime stories in vivid detail with no pointless commentary.
If you hate crime podcasts that double as AM Radio as much as I do, here are 15 solid choices for your pleasure:
1.
Court Junkie
Court Junkie Podcast/Facebook.com / Via Facebook: CourtJunkie
Court Junkie is a single-host podcast that only covers cases that have gone to trial — so we get real audio and transcripts from the courtroom, AND we get to know how it all ends up (my next post is going to be 15 true crime podcasts for people who hate unsolved crimes). Gillian has a soothing, steady voice, is a great reporter, and doesn’t distract from the facts. In addition to delivering the deep-cuts of crime, she covers the trials of all the “big-in-the-media” villains — like Derek Chauvin and Robert Durst.
Episode to check out first: “Who Was Behind the Death of Rusty Sneiderman?”
6.
Swindled
This episode is off the charts. The amount of people who chose to say nothing is horrific. Wow, just wow. https://t.co/6pW8MtapOE
Kelly Paxton/Swindled Podcast/Twitter / Via Twitter: @pdxcfe
Another unique contribution to the world of true crime podcasts. The host identifies himself only as “a concerned citizen,” and his voice and delivery are equally as intriguing. Every episode is about a large-scale con; some are by big-name companies, others by individuals. Some end up in murder, like the case of the chemical technician found dead after exposing company malfeasance, some don’t. You gotta hear this guy’s storytelling, though. Bonus: each episode, he opens with a smaller case that has the same theme as the main case, so you get a one-two punch of true crime.
Episode to check out first: “The Whistleblower (Karen Silkwood)”
8.
20/20
Michael O’neill / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Another classic! The podcast version is just as spectacular as the TV show. Hard-hitting, in-depth journalism that will satisfy all of your true crime cravings. What else is there to say about the show that brought us true crime long before #truecrime became a trending hashtag on Twitter? Also, Diane Sawyer is a badass.
Episode to check out first: “‘Escape from a House of Horror’ – A Diane Sawyer Special Event”
10.
All Crime No Cattle
All Crime No Cattle/Facebook / Via facebook.com
Another double-host podcast, but these two, despite being married (I think), are pretty good at keeping the banter to a bare minimum. In fact, they really only converse at the beginning of the episode, and the rest is just them taking turns telling the stories. The crimes are all out of Texas (hence the title, which I guess is a traditional Texas put-down, according to Google?). The show features a fun, twangy theme song and sincere, respectful storytelling.
Episode to check out first: “The Texas Staircase, Accident or Murder?”
11.
Snapped: Women Who Murder
Oxygen/Snapped/Facebook / Via Facebook: oxygennetwork
Last TV show-turned-pod entry, but it’s a goodie. Who doesn’t know and love Snapped? But did you know you can listen to it in your headphones while sipping your morning tea and walking the dog? Now ya do! No banter, no opinions, no discernable host personality really…. just the juicy stories of ladies gone off the deep end and the unfortunate victims who got in their way.
Episode to check out first: “Marie Strickland”
12.
Going West: True Crime
Sydney Loofe // 155 OUT NOW
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In November of 2017, a 24-year-old Nebraska woman matched with another woman on Tinder, and the pair hit it off. But after a second date, she disappeared without a trace.
Going West Podcast/Twitter / Via Twitter: @goingwestpod
Last of the double-host entries here. These two honestly barely speak to each other; it’s awesome. There’s a very short opening, but once the crime gets going, it’s all fact. The title is misleading—the cases they choose aren’t only from the West coast, or the Wild West. Going west means dying. If you’re already well aware of that and didn’t need my explanation, I apologize and commend your breadth of knowledge.
Episode to check out first: “Cara Knott//154”
16.
What’s your favorite true crime podcast? Let us know below.