Small Town Dicks The new season of this tried and true (crime) podcast is all about the ~big~ crime that happens inyou guessed it ~small~towns. It features all the things lovers of true crime totally appreciate, like jailhouse and 9-1-1 phone calls, suspect interviews, murders, and more. Each episode is centered around a detective who broke a major case in their tiny town and has come to tell audiences the tale. The show is hosted by Yeardley Smith (yes, she's also the voice of Lisa! Simpson!) and a pair of veteran twin detectives, Dan and Dave, who have worked in the police force for years.
Conviction: American Panic Are you into, like, stories about satanic cults and the people who were in them? (Same.) Conviction: American Panic is about the 1980s when everyone and their mother was freaking out about people's supposed involvement in evil, cult-based organizations. John Quinney was one of those paranoid individuals, and, as a ten-year-old child, he even testified against his own father who was accused of being involved in a cult that, among other things, sacrificed infants and sexually abused children. But here's the thing: Quinney's father turned out to be falsely accused, as were many others during this time. So... what happened then? Gimlet
Supernatural Are you a fan of podcasts like Crime Junkie? If so, Parcast's Supernatural (also hosted by Ashley Flowers) may be your new favorite listen. Every Wednesday, Ashley dives into a different true crime story that features a subject almost too out-of-the-ordinary to be, like, actually real. (Picture this: Twins that claim to be from ancient Egypt, recurring nightmares, secret societies, and much more). Parcast
For Life This podcast is all about those who were convicted of crimes they didn't actually commit. The six-part series features the journeys of both men and women who found their way out of incarceration and how their lives were transformed (not necessarily for the better) after being released from prison. It exposes the flaws in the American justice system and its ability to falsely accuse individuals, despite having evidence that suggests otherwise. For Life
Killer Knowledge Okay, so... everyone already knows that you're a true crime expert. But do you want to *prove* it, too? Check out Killer Knowledge, a podcast made for true crime junkies that want to put their smarts to the test. Each episode, two competitors go head-to-head and try answering the most true crime trivia questions correctly. It's basically a fast-paced way to spice up your typical true crime podcast routine while putting all of your previous episode bingeing to good use. FYI: Each episode has a theme, like "Ted Bundy" or "Al Capone" that narrows down the trivia playing field. Parcast
Monster DC Sniper This brand spankin' new true-crime pod reinvestigates the beltway sniper attacks that plagued Montgomery County, Maryland, randomly killing 10 people and critically injuring three more in 2002. An unidentified sniper was gunning down people as they went about their normal, everyday lives. Nearly 20 years later, host Tony Harris dives into what investigators, journalists, and the public learned from the first shot until the last. Ultimately, the reinvestigation raises a new question: Does the person convicted of these crimes ever deserve a second chance? iHeartRadio
CounterClock (Premieres January 16) An investigative journalist, Delia D'Ambra, revisits her small hometown on the coast of North Carolina to immerse herself into the 22-year-old cold-case murder of 33-year-old Denise Johnson. Her body was found inside of a burning house. The only way to understand Denise's story? To move counterclockwise in time, says Delia in the true-crime podcast's trailer. Premiering on January 16, 2020, this investigative audio series not only reveals new clues and features never-heard-before interviews, but even tracks down potential suspects in the process. Can it solve the mystery of who killed Denise Johnson? CounterClock
Dig Fans of Netflix's Unbelievable will be similarly enthralled by this NPR podcast about a woman, Jen Sainato, who told Louisville police she was raped in January 2018. But instead of trying to arrest the suspect quickly, an officer on the scene that night didn't believe her. Despite the fact that a mans DNA was found in her rape kit, detectives weren't convinced that a crime had occurred. Then, a prosecutor rejected the case before an arrest was even under consideration. In the first season, consisting of four episodes, Dig spends a year delving into how rape cases are investigated in Louisvilleand why those unusual practices don't help keep people safe. NPR
Red Ball Hosted by Ashley Flowers and developed with participation from the Indiana State Police, this new, four-part true-crime podcast takes listeners along the reinvestigation of an infamous unsolved case: the Burger Chef Murders. (FYI: Police call a high-profile case that draw media and political attention a "red ball.") The Burger Chef Murders describe the abduction and killing of Jayne Friedt, 20, the assistant manager of the Burger Chef fast-food restaurant. She and three teens (who also worked at the Burger Chef) were abducted at closing time and taken to a remote field in Johnson County. Their bodies were found two days later, but the case has gone unsolved for over four decades. Crime Junkie
Disorganized Crime: Smuggler's Daughter When podcast host Rainbow Valentine discovers her artist mom and "businessman" dad were heavily involved in the illegal drug trade, she realized that her childhood was unknowingly spent among a massive pot-distribution operation (cue the yikes). Now, as Valentine uncovers her history through intimate interviews with her father, the new information causes her to reassess, well, everything. Her story gives listeners a unique perspective into the counter-culture of Marin County in the 70s and 80s. This one isn't about rape or murder...but drug crimes are equally fascinating, if you ask me. iHeartRadio