Criminal

Vox Media Podcast Network•thisiscriminal.com

Criminal is the first of its kind. A show about people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle. Hosted by Phoebe Judge. Named a Best Podcast of 2023 by the New York Times. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Last refreshed: June 19th, 2026 at 8:33 AM

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Episodes

The Caller

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 and review us on Apple Podcasts . Sign up for Criminal Plus to get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes...

Jun 19, 2026•43 min•Ep. 369

Riverwalk

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 episodes of Criminal , ad-free listening of all of our shows, invitations to virtual events, specia...

Jun 12, 2026•48 min•Ep. 368

A Man to Be Afraid Of

This podcast explores the legend of Sheriff Buford Pusser, famous for fighting crime and inspiring the movie "Walking Tall," juxtaposing his public persona with a darker reality. It details the 1967 ambush that killed his wife Pauline and the subsequent investigation. New forensic evidence and an autopsy conducted decades later suggest Pauline's death was not a mob hit, but rather an act of intimate violence, contradicting Pusser's long-held account and leading investigators to believe the crime scene was staged. The episode also highlights the community's struggle to reconcile the heroic legend with these unsettling new findings.

Jun 05, 2026•45 min•Ep. 367

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