Criminal - Podcast Rankings and reviews

I’d like to start by saying that if we made a list of the “hot button issues” and myself and the creators/hosts of this show chose a side for each issue- I don’t feel we’d have many, if any in common.

Usually this would be a reason for me to seek a different voice- I’m not going to have my views bashed while I sit by and listen for entertainment. That’s usually the way with any such podcast and so in the end you get an echo chamber of sorts.

But this - this is anything but that. It’s almost an art form the way the host(s) approach stories and show the human side of so many different things . You realize by the choices for stories and maybe a comment here or there what their “stance” is on certain things… but they don’t make the thing the center of attention. They frame everything so beautifully that you can’t help but see that the humans behind the issues are beautiful gifts (even if you don’t agree with everything they do or stand for). It’s done in such a perfect non confrontational way . This is how we are supposed to be- able to listen to other people and see humanity through the issues. Our world makes that so difficult these days but “Criminal” and “This is Love” have mastered the technique. My beliefs are firm but Criminal has reminded me I can have hard beliefs without a hard heart.

I listened to every episode in a matter of a month and some twice. I recommend it regularly. Looking forward to more content.

This is my all-time favorite podcast. I listen to a lot of true crime, but can tire of too much murder. Criminal brings such a varied and human approach to true crime that each and every episode is a refreshing surprise. Contrary to weekly podcasts, the biweekly format ensures good research in each episode. I like to “save up” episodes and listen as a treat to myself when I’m having a tough day. Phoebe is a fantastic and thoughtful interviewer. If I could give this podcast 10 stars, I would.

This is easily my favorite podcast, and it’s not even close, save for This Is Love. The topics, the presentation and the depth of Phoebe’s questions are just the start of why I love it so much. Her voice is angelic, and her carefully chosen words add an incredible amount of depth in their simplicity. I simply can’t recommend this podcast enough and do so willingly to my friends looking for a podcast. I usually send it to those not looking, because this is time well spent. Thank you Phoebe, for being an incredible human, sincerely.

This is one of the most satisfying true crime Podcasts around. While most Podcasts tend to be hyper focused on a salacious crime, Criminal is so diverse and unpredictable. It reminds listeners that Crimes are being committed by everyone from everywhere throughout all of history. One day you might hear an amazing story about pranksters committing overzealous pranks and the next you might hear about the BTS work being done by lawyers prosecuting war criminals. I also love how you get to learn about the consequences of crime from all involved. Not just the criminals and their victims. Phoebe is great as a host with her unique diction and tone. I hope to keep listening for years to come.

I have been listening to this podcast from the very beginning, and was so happy to have discovered it. The content was unique, engaging, and insightful. Over the years, it has evolved into a podcast about very obscure and historical material, that has lost my interest. One must listen to nearly the entire episode before any criminal element is even introduced. The earlier episodes seemed truer to the genre, but lately, this feels like listening to an esoteric history lesson.

So tired of these cash grabs. $50/yr for ad-free is ridiculous in and of itself, but to taunt listeners with “here’s what you can’t listen to unless you cough up cash” is tasteless. If you want to make all the “good” stuff only available for paying listeners, then set up a separate feed just for them.

This pod is nothing but ads, and now we have to listen to Phoebe tell us how much we’re missing by not paying for monthly or annual access. Used to be a good interesting historical crime podcast, it’s just not the same with the incessant badgering for money to fund her affluent lifestyle. Go kick rocks, Pheebs.