HeidiWorld: The Heidi Fleiss Story - Podcast Rankings and reviews

Literally, don’t listen to the haters talking down the narration. The sheer amount of information covered in this podcast, and the detailed picture it paints of not just Heidi, but also LA and the people living in it, is well worth the listen. It reminded me of a history channel documentary…if you view the narration that way, instead of your average podcast narration, you should have no issue. I would LOVE another podcast from Molly set in this same era

I can’t remember where I heard about this podcast, but I added it to my queue a while ago, and I finally got around to giving it a try. I was a bit skeptical that what seemed like a relatively straightforward (and very specific to L. A.) story could justify 10 episodes, but I was hooked from the jump! Lots of larger-than-life characters, frequently funny, with fascinating (relevant) side quests, and the host was honest about the foibles of the people involved, but she talked about them with a lot of empathy, too. Great listen!

Luckily, I read some reviews after the first episode. The content was so great, and I wanted to keep listening, but I couldn’t stand the cadence of the narrator. Another reviewer suggested something up the speed to 1.5. That was a huge help! I am always amazed, that narrators are not giving feedback early on to prevent this type of thing from happening. Also, the narrator says she grew up in California in the same parts of town as Heidi. This is baffling to me because if you grow up in California, shouldn’t you be able to pronounce the name of the state that you share a border with? I don’t mean to be nitpicky and cruel, but again, where is the editing with pronunciation and cadence. Please pronounce NEVADA correctly!

On a positive note- the story and information were very well done and laid out in a chronological way that was easy to follow and full of interesting facts.

This is incredible work and deserves all of the recognition it receives. I felt completely immersed in Heidi World!! So impressed by all of the information stuffed into every episode. Probably my favorite podcast I’ve ever listened to!

This is when you realize the podcast world is like the Wild West, with no gatekeepers to ensure quality. The show’s research and storytelling is excellent, but the narration and acting is so bad, it makes it almost impossible to keep listening. Which makes it horribly produced. if only someone had told Molly Lambert that she is not a narrator. If only someone had used professional actors rather than (presumably) friends. It’s a shame that this is such a mess when it could easily have been so good.

As others have stated, the narrators voice is a little hard to get over but I do think some reviews are harsh and dramatic regarding this.

I do agree this narrator has clear agendas especially against the LAPD even going as far as calling them domestic abusers and sidelining every chance she gets to toss them under the bus (sometimes deserved, most of the time just to make a point not involved in the story). But since it’s made clear the narrator idolizes Heidi and her questionable morals, I could see her issues with police. I understand sex work is a dynamic subject but we are talking about legitimate sex trafficking and drug abuse often throughout.

There is a ton of sidelining but as someone who has nothing to do with LA or that scene, it’s cool to hear some back story. I can not vouch for accuracy which has been put on check by other listeners.

I’m on episode 3 and if she doesn’t keep her own opinions to herself soon I may not be able to compete the show.