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.
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On Halloween night, in 1992, an unusual television special aired on the BBC. Nobody expected what happened next. “The technicians were looking up at the big screen in the lobby, saying to each other, ‘My God, what's going on in Studio One?’” This episode was first released in 2022. 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 , ...
In 1883, a sailing captain named Thomas Dudley accepted a job no one thought was a good idea: to sail a small ship called the Mignonette halfway across the world. 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, special merch deals, and more. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Myste...
When Audrey Ryan’s father told her he once found 20 pounds of hash while he was fishing for scallops, she didn’t believe him. But he said that he wasn’t the only one who had found drugs in the ocean. Audrey Ryan wrote about the Tusker for Boston Globe Magazine. 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 ...
In 2006, a group of young men and teenagers were arrested under the Canadian Anti-Terrorism Act for planning to set off bombs in Toronto. They were known as the Toronto 18. One of the group’s leaders was a 20-year-old named Zakaria Amara. Michelle Shephard wrote about Zakaria Amara for The Walrus magazine . 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 bon...
One Saturday morning in 2018, the police showed up at Patience Rousseau’s door, and started asking her questions about something she'd posted on Facebook after she'd had a miscarriage. Caroline Kitchener’s article for The Washington Post is “She said she had a miscarriage — then got arrested under an abortion law.” 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-sc...
Bow Suprasert receives a strange phone call from someone claiming to be from the Thai Embassy, alerting her to identity theft. This quickly escalates into a complex scam where she is accused of money laundering and coerced into wiring over $300,000 to "prove her innocence" to fake Thai police working with the FBI. The episode details the psychological manipulation, her growing paranoia, and the devastating impact of the long-term scam on her life and finances before she finally realizes the deception.
In 2023, a woman named Jella got a new job. On her first day, she got in a car to go to her new office. Then she got a feeling that something wasn’t right. Denise Chan hosts the podcast Scam Factory . 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, special merch deals, and more. We also make...
Phoebe tries to scam an English grandmother named Daisy over the phone. But Daisy isn’t just any grandmother. 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, special merch deals, and more. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery . Artwork by Julienne Alexander . Check out our on...
We visited E. Jean Carroll at her house in the woods to talk about her two trials against President Donald Trump. 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, special merch deals, and more. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery . Artwork by Julienne Alexander . Check out ou...
Two days after Hurricane Katrina hit, people who lived in the Fischer Housing Projects were still trapped – and it didn’t seem like anyone was coming to help. So 20-year-old Jabar Gibson came up with a plan. 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, special merch deals, and more. We al...
This episode features four captivating stories of young individuals who unexpectedly became instrumental in solving crimes. From Jessica, a 12-year-old who single-handedly investigated her great-grandmother's burglary after police gave up, to Griffin, who discovered dye-stained money from a bank robbery, and groups of children who cleverly directed police to suspects or found a missing elderly woman, these accounts demonstrate the power of youthful curiosity and perseverance in real-world investigations.
This episode delves into the wrongful conviction of Edgar Barrientos for the 2008 murder of Jesse Michelson, a case heavily influenced by the reality TV show "The First 48." It reveals how the show's dramatized narrative, manipulated evidence, and staged scenes compromised the investigation and trial. The podcast highlights the critical work of a conviction review unit that uncovered hidden truths and ultimately led to Edgar's exoneration after nearly 16 years in prison, also exploring the broader ethical concerns of reality TV's involvement in law enforcement.
In the early 1930s, eight people settled on an uninhabited island in the Galapagos. Within five years, two were missing and two were dead. Abbott Kahler’s book is Eden Undone: A True Story of Sex, Murder, and Utopia at the Dawn of World War II . 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...
In 2023, two men told police the same story: each man said that his name was William Woods, and that his identity had been stolen. 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, special merch deals, and more. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery . Artwork by Julienne Alexand...
On September 15, 1983, Michael Stewart was on his way home from a nightclub when police arrested him. Thirteen days later, he was dead. Elon Green’s book is The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death, and Art in Michael Stewart’s New York . 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, special mer...
Early one morning in 1948, a phone call woke up the police chief in the small town of Clearwater, Florida. The caller said he’d seen something strange at the beach. Residents had found an odd set of footprints in the sand, and a rumor began circulating that Clearwater Beach had a sea monster. Listen to other episodes of This is Love at https://thisislovepodcast.com/ . This episode was first released in 2020. Say hello on Facebook , Instagram and TikTok . Sign up for our occasional newsletter . F...
In 1997, Eric Konigsberg received a strange voicemail from someone in prison — a hit man who had confessed to at least ten murders. Eric and the man had never spoken before, but Eric had a hunch about who it was: his uncle. Eric Konigsberg’s book is Blood Relation . 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 listenin...
In July 2010, a woman was on vacation with her boyfriend of six years — they were traveling around Italy in a van. One day, she was looking for a pair of sunglasses in the glove box, and she found a passport. It had her boyfriend’s photo — but a different name. 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 ...
In the late 1960s, a yogi named Swami Rama came to the United States. His followers believed he could read their minds, visit them in their dreams, and manipulate reality. Shruti Swamy was one of them. Shruti Swamy wrote a version of this story for the June 12th issue of The Believer . You can find it at https://www.thebeliever.net/ . 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 ...
John Buettner-Janusch was one of the first Americans to study lemurs. He held prestigious faculty positions at Yale, Duke and NYU, before surprising everyone with a series of increasingly bizarre crimes. Phoebe and Lauren got to visit the Duke Lemur Center in person – hear all about it in our latest episode of Criminal Plus . Use the promo code “JOINUS” for 20% off an annual membership. You’ll get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal , ad-free listening of all of our shows, special merch...
Two years ago, we started making Criminal Plus episodes — behind-the-scenes conversations featuring Phoebe and Criminal co-creator Lauren Spohrer. Today, we’re sharing some of those conversations with you — about everything from Phoebe’s jangly bracelets to the reason a judge ordered a man to watch Bambi . And we’re also sharing a promo code if you’d like to support our work and join our membership program. Use the code “JOINUS” for 20% off of an annual Criminal Plus membership, at thisiscrimina...
“Anyone who went to Action Park understood you could get really messed up going there. It was part of why you wanted to go.” Seth Porges made a documentary about Action Park, along with Chris Charles Scott. It’s called Class Action Park . Say hello to us 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,...
In the 1950s, a new television quiz show premiered called Twenty One . But the first episode was a disaster — so the producers decided to try something. 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, special merch deals, and more. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery . Artwo...
The night before she gave birth, Susan Horton had a salad for dinner. The next day, doctors told her she’d tested positive for opiates - and reported her to child welfare authorities. This episode is from our friends at the Reveal podcast. Listen to a longer version 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-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal , ad-free l...
When Tabatha Trammell was 50 years old, she started studying to become a doula — a support person for pregnant women. Today, most of her clients are incarcerated. She says she always tells them her own story when she meets them: “I went down that same road. But I'm here today. And I'm going to tell you how to navigate this prison system.” 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 P...
Not long into his job as prison superintendent, Frank Thompson had to prepare his staff to perform Oregon's first execution in three decades. They simulated each step of the process over and over and over. This episode was first released in 2018. 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 show...
When Jeffery Manchester escaped from prison, a lot of people weren't surprised. But they didn't expect what happened next. "I kind of figured he'd be on the beach with a margarita, but nope." This is the second part of a two-part story. 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, special...
Between 1998 and 2000, more than 40 stores and chain restaurants across the country were robbed by a masked man who always entered through the roof. Police couldn’t figure out where he’d turn up next. To listen to Part 2 right now, sign up for Criminal Plus . You'll also get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal , ad-free listening to all of our shows, special merch deals, and more. Say hello on Facebook , Instagram and TikTok . Sign up for our occasional newsletter . Follow the show and ...
In the midst of the 1996 race for North Carolina governor, a new candidate emerged. Her name was Jolene Strickland, and her campaign slogan was “Too Good to be True.” Barry Yeoman wrote about Jolene Strickland for The Assembly . Tricia Romano's book is called The Freaks Came Out to Write . 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 Cri...
In May of 2021, the National Park Service received a call that a woman had fallen over the Grandview Overlook at New River Gorge National Park. After days of searching with rappel lines, infrared cameras, and dogs, they didn't find anyone. 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, spec...
