5 Great Podcasts For True Crime Fans

With our days filled with the same routines and habits, it can be hard to find new things to do. Podcasts though have become a sort of companion to some who need to add a bit of spice throughout their day.

Podcasts can do that for some, especially when the right kind of genre comes along. With seemingly thousands to choose from, a listener can have their cake and eat it to combing through the selections before them. The true-crime genre is no different.

 Here is the list of five of the best True Crime Podcasts out there right now:

1. The Trail Went Cold -  Robin Warder

Hailing from Canada, Robin Warder's tales of true crime span all timelines and all continents. Unlike other true crime podcasts, 'The Trail Went Cold' focuses on the unsolved cases that remain elusive to authorities

Warder focuses on both famous and less known crimes/missing person cases and gives a great balance to keep the spotlight for families still seeking answers. If there is an update to a case already covered, he will revisit those updates for the listener. At the end of each episode, Warder always leaves with how to contact the authorities in charge of the case should anyone listening has information.

Notable Episodes: Ray Gricar, Orange Socks, Yuba County Five, The Springfield Three, Las Cruces Bowling Massacre

2. Generation Why - Justin Evans & an Aaron Habel

With only one other podcast on the list with a large catalog, Generation Why has been going strong for over 10 years. Even before podcasts were a thing, these two friends have been covering all kinds of criminal cases and mysteries.

Over 400 episodes and counting, there haven't been many cases Generation Why haven't covered. Nevertheless, these two approach storytelling that is reminiscent of the basic conversations we all have with friends & family.

In each case, they go over the facts as they are known, the investigation, and in cases where there is resolution, the trial, and the aftermath. Like Robin Warder, they will also do unsolved cases, and cases with controversial elements. Their knowledge base of true crime has landed them as commentators in crime shows like 'A Crime to Remember.'

Notable Episodes: Hughes De La Plaza, Ray Rivera, Abraham Shakespeare, Josh & Susan Powell, Stacy Castor

3. Once Upon a Crime - Esther Ludlow

The title is catchy and so are the cases that Esther Ludlow brings to your ears. All of her episodes are featured around a common theme or topic. Cases that involve murderous parents, mass murder, couples, even crimes involving superstars; Esther delivers on details.

Her approach & tone to the retelling of the story gives the listener a front-row seat to effective storytelling. It truly feels like a fairytale telling. A perfect take on making the most of storytelling and the truthfulness of the crime.

Notable Episodes: The Day the Music Died, Infamous Locales, Unusual Defenses, Bad Sports, and Mistletoe & Murder

4. My Favorite Murder - Karen Killgariff, and Georgia Hardstark

Every so often a bomb goes off and a massive force hits the scene of the podcast world. MFM is that podcast. Hosted by two comedians, MFM is the podcast for all women who enjoy a true-crime tale.

Starting completely by accident, these two hosts happened to meet at a mutual friend's party and saw they both had an interest in true crime. The rest is history. Each week the ladies bring their own tale to tell the other. Like Generation Why, the format is similar in the basic conversations between the hosts.

They have become popular with their advocacy in supporting causes of women's rights, race relations, LGBTQ, mental health and stress the importance for women to stay safe. Their tagline, "stay sexy and don't get murdered," has become synonymous with keeping women safe.

Notable Episodes: Live from San Diego - Betty Broderick, Minisodes featuring hometown stories from listeners.

5. Last Podcast on the Left - Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski

Last Podcast or LPOL for short, has been around just as long as Generation Why with close to 450 episodes in its arsenal to choose from. But what separates them from the rest?  Variety. The boys like to cover everything. From cults to murders, to conspiracies, and aliens; there is almost nothing off-limits. What's that almost?  Unsolved cases. Any unsolved murders, serial killers, etc are not covered because of the lack of a conclusion for the listener.

It’s a simple reason; as it's hard to tell a story when there is no resolution to it. These guys started out as just buddies passing time talking about anything. But as the years have gone by, the hosts became more determined to give as many detailed facts as the story progressed. This would become a signature of the show.

The level of research, content, and approach put these guys ahead of the pack. While also staying their true comedic, silly, humourous, and raunchy selves.

Notable Episodes 112- Gangstalking, 169/170 - Betty/Barney Hill, 323-326 Men in Black, 300-304 Jonestown, and 203-207 Leonard Lack and Charles Ng.