I was recently teased for taking too long in the shower, and I didn’t dare defend myself. It’s true. I just can’t resist the allure of a hot shower after a long day—and the intrigue of a true crime story. Yes, I confess. I’m a true crime nut.
Sadly, my listening hours have been reduced since moving to a new home. The bigger space and added company require some adjustments to my previous solo-living ways. Some sacrifices have to be made in order to efficiently wear all my different hats. In this case, it means indulging in my true crime trysts in the shower.
There are too many true crime podcasts to mention, so forgive me if I skip the OGs and classics like Serial and Dirty John in this writing. I simply want to show appreciation for my shower staples as of late.
Sometimes, we just need humor to cope, and in every TCO episode, hosts Gillian Pensavalle and Patrick Hinds provide just that. Chock-full of laughter yet strangely inoffensive, each TCO recording presents a refreshing spin on a true crime case you may or may not have heard of before. So pop open a bottle of buttery chardonnay, listen to GP and PH recap documentaries with their signature sass, and be ready to cackle.
My notable eps: Jesus Camp, Tread, Class Action Park, The Imposter, Grizzly Man
Strictly Stalking is a no-nonsense podcast that empowers stalking survivors to take control of the narrative. Aside from the gripping stories straight from the mouths of those who lived them, I am drawn in by the hosts Jaimie Beebe and Jake Deptula’s great respect and empathy for their guests. Every episode, we get right into where it all starts: the stalking. Listen, know the signs, and find out what to do if faced with a similar horror.
My notable eps: Too Close To Home: Stalking Dave Kroupa, Escaping Dirty John: Debra Newell, The Road To Survival: Helena Jayne Bryant, Deception of Reality: Stalking Courtney, Man In The Attic: Stalking Heidi
Exploring the minds of serial killers is, for lack of a better word, fascinating. This is what the podcast Serial Killers, hosted by Greg Polcyn and Vanessa Richardson, does. In each episode, the narration dives deep into the background and psychology of history’s most prolific killers. What makes a man (or woman) tick? Are murderous tendencies a matter of nature or nurture? Listen and you might just find out the answers.
My notable eps: “The Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski (2 parts), “The Killer Clown” – John Wayne Gacy (2 parts), “Arsenic Anna” – Anna Marie Hahn, “Killing Team” Leonard Lake and Charles Ng (2 parts), The S-Bahn Murderer of Berlin” Paul Ogorzow (2 parts)
I’ve watched just about every YouTube episode of Bailey Sarian’s Murder, Mystery & Makeup, and I was thrilled to see her breathe new life into her recordings via podcast format. As dark as the cases are, Sarian makes all the gory details a little easier to digest with her awkward candidness. It’s been said many times: Sitting down to an episode is like chatting with your bestie about the latest tea.
My notable eps (limited to the ones available in podcast format): Jeffrey Dahmer. Inside His Messed Up Mind & How He Almost Got Away, Death By Delicious Chocolate – Cordelia Botkins was WILD, Edward Gein – REAL LIFE Silence Of The Lambs?! Body Snatcher, Rebecca Zahau – What REALLY happened in the Spreckles Mansion?, The ToyBox Mystery – David Parker Ray
When it comes to true crime content, I’m always on the lookout for cases outside the usual US, Canada, UK, and Australia. I remember stumbling upon Stories After Dark and thinking, “Yes, a local true crime podcast!” (It’s not all true crime, however, as the production also features equally chilling Philippine mysteries.) It’s tough to think some heinous crimes had happened right in our backyard, but the stories here need to be told.
My notable eps: The Torture and Murder of Archimedes Trajano (1977), The Abduction and Rape of Maggie de la Riva (1967), The Baguio Massacre (2014), Peter Scully: The Pedophile Rapist Behind “Daisy’s Destruction,” Antonio Sanchez and the Rape-Slay of Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez (1993)
Have a true crime podcast to recommend? Let me know in the comments!
Jean and Tonic 
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