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Criminal

Criminal

Vox Media Podcast Network 383 Episodes Jul 24, 2026

Criminal is a podcast about people who have done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle. Hosted by Phoebe Judge, it was named a Best Podcast of 2023 by the New York Times. The show is part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Episodes

The Comfort Kit
The Comfort Kit Jul 24, 2026 2426 A few hours after Rachel Waters’ mother died in hospice care, police showed up at Rachel’s childhood home with a search warrant. “It had my name and the word ‘homicide’ on it.” For more, read Madeleine Aggeler’s article, ‘Oh my God, did someone accuse me of killing my mom?’ Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show and review us on Apple
125 Acres
125 Acres Jul 17, 2026 2157 George Dinning was emancipated in 1865, when he was 10 years old. By the time he was in his mid-thirties, he’d bought the land on which he had been enslaved. Years later, 25 white men approached the house George had built by hand and told him to come outside. Ben Montgomery’s book is A Shot in the Moonlight. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Foll
Why Alex Murdaugh is Getting a Do-Over
Why Alex Murdaugh is Getting a Do-Over Jul 14, 2026 2163 Earlier this year, Alex Murdaugh’s 2023 double murder conviction was overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court - due to “shocking jury interference.” Phoebe interviews Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein about what happened, and about the long history of law-breaking behavior in the Murdaugh dynasty. Valerie Bauerlein's book is "The Devil at His Elbow." You can also watch this in
That’s Not Me
That’s Not Me Jul 10, 2026 2293 Porcha Woodruff was eight months pregnant when she was arrested by police one morning at her home in Detroit. When she spoke with a detective at the police station hours later, she asked them, “Why am I here?” Say hello on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠. Sign up for our ⁠occasional newsletter⁠. Follow the show and review us on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠. ⁠Sign up for Criminal Plus⁠ to get behind-the
What Nobody Tells You About the Morgue (with Patricia Cornwell)
What Nobody Tells You About the Morgue (with Patricia Cornwell) Jun 30, 2026 1676 Phoebe interviews crime novelist Patricia Cornwell about how working in an autopsy suite inspired her to create her most famous character: forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta. Plus, Phoebe and Patricia talk about visiting “body farms,” listening to police scanners, and why Patricia says she would have “run from the room screaming” had she known what her future would look like. You can also watch t
All the Time in the World
All the Time in the World Jun 26, 2026 1840 The “body farm” at Texas State University is a place almost no one is allowed to see, because it’s one of very few places in the world that deliberately puts out human bodies to decompose in nature. We asked if we could visit, and they agreed. This episode was originally released in 2017. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show and revi
The Caller
The Caller Jun 19, 2026 2560 In 2008, an article in the monthly FBI bulletin argued that 911 calls could contain clues for homicide investigations. “The caller, in fact, may be the killer.” Brett Murphy investigated 911 call analysis for ProPublica. You can find their new show, Paper Trail, wherever you listen to podcasts. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show an
Riverwalk
Riverwalk Jun 12, 2026 2898 In November 2019, nineteen-year-old Zac Brettler went missing. When his parents began looking for him, they discovered that Zac had been living a double life. Patrick Radden Keefe’s book is London Falling. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts. Sign up for Criminal Plus to get behind-the-scenes bonus
A Man to Be Afraid Of
A Man to Be Afraid Of Jun 5, 2026 2671 Sheriff Buford Pusser said he and his wife had come under gunfire early one morning on a country road - leading to her death. He told one reporter, “I'm pretty sure about who did it, and I'm pretty sure about where he is." Jason Guerrasio's article about Buford Pusser is called ⁠"A Bullet, A Legend, A Lie."⁠ Oakley Dean Baldwin's book is called "Sheriff Buford Pusser: Final Chapter." Say hello
Breaking Up is Hard to Do (Criminal+)
Breaking Up is Hard to Do (Criminal+) May 29, 2026 2737 This episode is unlocked and available for everyone to listen to! It took some trial and error, but Phoebe finally figured out how to put on makeup. Plus, Lauren asks for advice on delivering bad news, and we hear the latest in a crime story involving bees. If you enjoyed listening to today's Criminal Plus episode and you'd like more - ⁠join us on Patreon⁠. We put these episodes with Phoebe and
Mantrap
Mantrap May 22, 2026 2339 Ed and Bertha Briney’s unoccupied farmhouse was reportedly broken into 50 times over 10 years. They put up “No Trespassing” signs, repeatedly complained to sheriffs in two different counties, nailed doors shut, and boarded up windows – but nothing worked. So they decided to try something else. This episode was originally released in 2022. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for
The Mountain
The Mountain May 15, 2026 1938 On January 18, 2025, Thomas Plamberger and his girlfriend Kerstin Gurtner began climbing the tallest mountain in Austria. But when they were almost to the top, they got stuck. One year later, prosecutors filed charges against Thomas for Kerstin’s death. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts. Sign up for

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