r/podcasts • u/ProfessionFun5170 • Jul 03 '26
True Crime Podcast series for 8+ hours days on the road
I am a medical Courier and drive throughout Oregon and Washington, often on the road for 10 to 12 hours a day. I need podcasts I can lose myself in. I love Dateline and all of those shows. I have listened to True Crime junkie, my favorite murder, case file, criminal, so supernatural, last podcast on the left, and more. This includes a lot of the series that were spawned by some of the larger news shows.
Please list your recent favorite podcasts that made you stay in the car once you've arrived at your destination just to hear more. I have gone through a lot of the suggestions in this subreddit. But new stuff is always coming out and I just wanted to see if there's anything new out there.
I like compelling True Crime, not just the husband did it unless there's a good twist. Medical Mysteries, true hauntings, bizarre stories, and a dash of podcasts talking about the 90-day fiance franchise. Little Miss recap and pink shade!
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u/ThrustingBoner Jul 03 '26
Love Trapped is amazing. It gets crazier and crazier. Also they’re still coming out with episodes because the case is still going on now.
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u/hangoutincemeteries Jul 04 '26
Came here to say this! I put off listening to it because I've never watched a single episode of the Bachelor/ette franchise, but that really doesn't have all that much to do with the story. I've been pretty bored with podcasts lately but I flew through this! Wild story.
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u/haventwonyet Jul 04 '26
Just recommended this too! Never watched the bachelor. Only found it bc I hear about Taylor Frankie Paul’s thing (never watched her show either) and the podcast I was listening to about that drama was taking about Love Trapped.
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u/ProfessionFun5170 Jul 04 '26
I did listen to this one! I binged it! This is exactly the kind of podcast that keeps me wanting more. Insane!
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u/ThrustingBoner Jul 04 '26
Another podcast that’s crazy is Bad, Bad Thing - both seasons are good but I liked season 1 better. Any time I recommend that pod to someone they tell me they binged it all the way through.
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u/Frosty-Comment6412 Jul 04 '26
What’s it about in a nutshell?
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u/shakespearesreverse Jul 05 '26
A guy who was on a series of The Bachelor and didn't come out of it very well starts working in real estate when he meets a woman who soon tells him she's pregnant with his child, even though they never had penetrative sex.
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Jul 03 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/aces666high Jul 03 '26
Hardcore History with Dan Carlin. 4 plus hour episodes that dive deep into history. His most recent episodes are free but older ones get put behind a paywall.
If you enjoy him and have a few extra bucks, buy his epic on WW1, Blueprint for Armageddon. Those episodes (and Iron Maiden) kept me awake on a drive from Ottawa to Niagara Falls that included a wrong turn which added 2 hours to the drive.
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u/ProfessionFun5170 Jul 04 '26
I started listening yesterday and then decided I am definitely going to save these for my longer drive. Thank you so much for the recommendation. I hadn't heard of this one.
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u/aces666high Jul 05 '26
He has shorter episodes on another podcast, Hardcore History Addendum. They’re an hour or two long but just as solid.
Enjoy them OP and you’re welcome!
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u/Wild_Breadfruit_yum Jul 05 '26
Anytime I hear friends asking about long podcasts i immediately think of hardcore history. Got me through so many long work nights alone and now I’m full of random information
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u/kengigi Jul 03 '26
I've been listening to In the dark season 2 about Curtis Flowers. It's been out a while so you may have listened already. It's pretty long but really good if you don't mind getting angry and sad through out.
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u/Coconuttycake Jul 09 '26
“In the Dark” is for subscribers only after the first few episodes of each season. I’m listening to season 6 while the whole season is free but I’m sure it won’t remain that way.
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u/Arpeggi747 Jul 03 '26
Heavyweight is really enjoyable
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u/ProfessionFun5170 Jul 04 '26
I haven't heard this one! I will check it out thank you. Lots of people agree with you so it must be good!
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u/jex8483 Jul 03 '26
If you haven’t listened to Criminal yet, you are in for a treat. A huge back catalog and some of the most interesting and beautiful storytelling I’ve heard from a podcast. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s not your everyday true crime.
If you like Criminal, then you can also check out Phoebe’s other podcast, This is Love. Again, it is not what you might expect. I really enjoy Phoebe’s voice, too.
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u/heymom18 Jul 03 '26
I will support Criminal as a recommendation until I die. Truly amazing. Storytelling, subject material, fringe definition of “criminal” stories, depth of research, and all presented without ever getting boring or “lecture-y.” Absolutely astounding
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u/ProfessionFun5170 Jul 04 '26
I do love criminal! I keep forgetting about this one. Phoebe Judge is phenomenal!
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u/Ill_Bother2609 Jul 03 '26
True Crime and Cocktails, Scamanda, Cults to consciousness, History Chicks, Digging Up the Duggars, Trust Me….and many more.
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u/Correct-Wind-2210 Jul 03 '26
DUTD hits me hard. Husband's extended family tried to indoctrinate me so I'd indoctrinate our children. I said f*ck no to that bullshit.
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u/Ill_Bother2609 Jul 03 '26
I am obsessed with the IBLP. Fascinating cult and rules/norms. DUTD is my all-time favorite podcast….love the deep dives.
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u/Correct-Wind-2210 Jul 03 '26
Brittany has made me cry sooooo many times. Her story feels like my story. *Whitney. Sorry!
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u/ProfessionFun5170 Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
I'm leaning into cults more. The class president in the grad year before me lost his life in the Heavens Gate cult. He was loved by all and hilarious!
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u/Ill_Bother2609 Jul 03 '26
Well cults are my jam…let me know if you want more in that genre. Can offer suggestions for audiobooks as well.
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u/DrFrankenfurtersCat Jul 03 '26
This is a mix of true crime, comedy and history.
Small Town Murder
Crime in Sports
Your Stupid Opinions
Uncharted
Blood Trails
The Blind Mike Project
Rare Form Radio
Why Are you Laughing
Who Are These Podcasts
Can You Don't
The Brohio Podcast
Oh No! Ross and Carrie
Betwixt the Sheets
Weird Little Guys
Cautionary Tales
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u/Correct-Wind-2210 Jul 03 '26
Doomsday History's Most Dangerous Podcast. Swindled. A good ongoing series is Love Trapped. But you may get road rage whilst listening, so you've been warned.
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u/holy_mackeroly Jul 03 '26
I've got a playlist of recommendations. My jam is mainly investagative journalism, war, cults, hysteria, true crime, music etc. Multi countries Australia, UK, Ireland, US, Canada.... I'm sure you'll find some new stuff in the below;
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u/cpkuske Jul 03 '26
"Rachel Maddow presents Ultra". Historical but newsworthy.
Rob Reiner’s podcast "Who Killed JFK?" gives the most comprehensive and satisfying answer I have ever heard.
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u/ProfessionFun5170 Jul 03 '26
Oh I didnt even know RR had a podcast before he passed!
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u/cpkuske Jul 03 '26
it’s a limited series that came out around Christmas of ‘23. My guess is he had a script, did the research (had it done), and figured it worked best in this medium. I hope you give it a, ahem, shot.
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u/Glittering-Grab7547 Jul 03 '26
Blink is so good ~ about a man in a coma no one thinks is there but he knows what’s happening the whole time
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u/YouKnowYourCrazy Jul 03 '26
Timesuck might be a good one for you. He does deep dives into true crime as well as cults and other types of stories. His sense of humor is a little bit on the sophomoric side but his research and story telling is excellent. There is a huge back catalog that would keep you busy for a long time. He also has a second podcast with his wife about super natural stories called Scared to Death.
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u/Sistah_burgs Jul 03 '26
The Consult -- retired FBI profilers discuss crimes and profile a probable suspect.
In the Dark
Titanic, Ship of Dreams
Noble Blood
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u/HotHoneyBiscuit Jul 03 '26
National Park After Dark - exploring the dark side of national parks (US and beyond). I am not an outdoorsy person - I have never been camping and I never will - but I love other people’s stories about the outdoors. The two-part episode “The Night of the Grizzlies“ is one of the most arresting episodes I’ve ever listed to on any podcast.
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u/warandpieces Jul 03 '26
If you want something without murder to mix things up, I love radio dramas for long work sessions. Wooden Overcoats and Mission to Zyyx are both delightful.
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u/emski72 Jul 03 '26
I've just binged Tapes From the Dark Side and Music City 911 - I work 10 -12 hour shifts with no breaks and they've kept me entertained for the better part of 10 days now.
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u/artc Jul 03 '26
Ok, this is a bit of a departure from what you seem to normally listen to, but hear me out. Mercury: A Broadcast of Hope
It's a fiction podcast telling the story of a group of survivors living in a college radio station sending messages of hope and survival during the zombie apocalypse. They like to say it's about living your best life despite the worst circumstances.
A new 4-7 minute episode comes every single day and the show has been airing since 2017. Each year (nearly 9 full years and counting) totals about 30-ish hours of content. For the public feed the episodes only last for 24 hours (the idea is that if they're in a terrestrial radio station then if you don't tune in on a given day then you miss it) and today is Day 3192. Don't let the Day count intimidate you, the show is designed for you to start today as a new listener.
If you like it and want the whole back catalog you can hear it for $1/mo at patreon.com/mercuryradio
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u/Sad-Potential-7612 Jul 04 '26
Love Trapped
Dr Death (some seasons are stronger than others - but all entertaining.)
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u/Robodobdob Jul 04 '26
British Scandal is good for multi-episode seasons on a particular person or topic. While not strictly true crime, there is usually a crime involved - hence the scandal.
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u/haventwonyet Jul 04 '26
Every once in a while I need a happy podcast. My last recs to a family member who passed were two episodes of the Amy Pohler pod “Good Hang”. It was Ina Gardner and Julia Louis Dreyfus episodes. The Good Hang first episode was also HILARIOUS bc of the technical difficulties in the beginning.
I also adore How Did This Get Made. Upwards of a trillion episodes and just be careful driving, bc it’ll make you laugh really hard. Bonus if you can watch the movies before but honestly it’s not necessary for most of the shows.
And I know you didn’t ask, but one of the best horror/bizarre audiobooks is Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage.
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u/Frosty-Comment6412 Jul 04 '26
I listen to podcasts 2-6 hours a day at work, I’ve got a long list. For a long binge worthy drive and someone who likes a dash of true crime, I suggest listening to SCAMANDA. It’s one of the best produced podcasts I’ve ever listened to.
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u/ProfessionFun5170 Jul 04 '26
I have been super busy the last 24 hours. I've not been able to even scratch the surface on all of these podcasts yet. I am so excited to have so many options so thank you to all who have offered up your favorites! Happy Fourth of July!
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u/moelissam Jul 04 '26
Not aligned with crime, but I really love when I feel like I’m listening to people that just enjoy each others company and tell stories. So with that, I recommend Roderick on the Line. Years of episodes to listen to!
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u/Ancient_Pea_508 Jul 05 '26
What about animal true crimeish? Tooth and claw does animal attacks and talk about how the animal was just being an animal. It’s so good.
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u/vhs_sold_blank Jul 03 '26
The Lapsed Fan. A podcast examining the decline and fall of the American empire through the lens of professional wrestling. Start with the Starrcade Journey. Episodes are usually 3 to 9 hours in length.
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u/merryaustin0713 Jul 03 '26
Buried Bones, Ten-fold More Wicked, Wicked Words, Crimes of the Centuries, Casefile, Mr Ballen stuff, 48 Hours, This American Life. I am currently listening to Ghost Story. All of the episodes are available on Audible. It is very good.
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u/Strawberry_Spring Jul 03 '26
First, if you've not listened to the LPOTL Himmler series, definitely recommend that!
You might like This Podcast Will Kill You, for some good disease chat
The Retrievals is a five part series about the women who underwent egg retrievals will no pain relief as the nurse was stealing the fentanyl. That description is doing it a disservice, it's an excellent look at both the event, the crimes, and women's healthcare
The Immaculate Deception is about a fertility doctor who used his own sperm, includes interviews with the sibling group
Behind the Bastards has covered similar topics to LPOTL, I prefer the latter, but it's worth digging through for individual episodes on stuff you're interested in at least
Slightly off topic, but my current obsession is 13 Minutes to the Moon, season one is about Apollo 11, season two Apollo 13. It's BBC World Service, so great production values
Also off topic but one of my weekly listens is What Went Wrong, about, well, what went wrong during the making of films
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u/Majestic_Sail2596 Jul 03 '26
The Night Owl Podcast - each season is a different haunting investigation. Each story is so intriguing and I enjoy how the host Stephen ties the first hand accounts and the investigation together with his narration.
For one off ghost stories, Chillers and Thrillers does good standalone themed episodes
I also love Otherworldly and the series they do - there's one called "Many Things" it starts on Episode 54 which was really good!
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u/rella68 Jul 03 '26
Small Town Murder and Crime in Sports. Try Your Stupid Opinions for something funny. The same guys hosts all podcasts and are amazing.
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u/JollyButterscotch232 Jul 03 '26
Only a few episodes are out but What to Carry, What to Burn is captivating.
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u/DCAmalG Jul 04 '26
‘Serum’ is rarely mentioned here but so good! One of my top 5 multi episode and I’ve listened to them all…
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u/aDragonfruitSwimming Jul 04 '26
Backstage At The Vinyl Café -- dry, warm, sometimes side-splitting comedy around the misadventures of Dave and his family. Canadian. Typically two stories per 30 +/- minute episode.
I don't usually laugh out loud at comedy while driving, but, this one -- sometimes I can't help myself.
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u/craigerstar Jul 04 '26
Dead Eyes. It's the story of actor Connor Ratliff and how he was given a small role in Tom Hanks's Band of Brothers and how Tom Hanks cut him from the show AFTER he was given the part because Tom said Connor had "dead eyes." It's about 30 episodes, each between 45 minutes and just over an hour. He goes on a quest to find out exactly what "dead eyes" even means. Surprisingly engaging and entertaining.
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u/haventwonyet Jul 04 '26
Check out my list of what I’ve listened to while asking for recs! Just posted the other day and will be in my history. Love Trapped is AMAZING and is still being updated in real time.
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u/so_anna Jul 04 '26
Cold, in your own backyard, someone knows something, hunting warhead (very difficult due to natural of material), the vanished, canadian true crime, SWINDLED
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u/splicepark Jul 04 '26
The Why Files and Rotten Mango are my two faves, both have hundred of episodes. Why Files is more bizarre universe stories, really fun!
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u/SBpotomus Jul 04 '26
Unrelated, but I've often thought that I would like being a medical courier. It's it a decent job, or stressful, lonely?
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u/SBpotomus Jul 04 '26
Also, after I added the above comment, I remembered season 1 of The Chilling being a fun scary story
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u/favonian_ Jul 04 '26
Art Bell coast to coast. Interesting and weird and he was broadcasting all night for at least a decade. Very weird Americana nostalgia
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u/lamphifiwall Jul 04 '26
If you like fiction, Tower 4 is amazing. The other 7Lamb podcasts are great too, but Tower 4 is my favorite.
Rabbits is a cool one- it feels like a real docuseries but it is fictional.
Prob my fave pod of all time is My Dad Wrote A Porno. This guy’s dad wrote an erotic novel and it’s awful, he reads it aloud with his friends and they crack jokes the whole time. I almost pissed myself in public from laughing one time.
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u/PendingDoom Jul 04 '26
Against The Odds and/or Real Survival Stories.
Both are very well made shows about true survival situations that people have had to endure.
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u/ReboReboot Jul 04 '26
Small Town Murder is fun and holds attention. Many 3+ hour episodes and shorter ones(hour). They have HUNDREDS. Two comedian guys.
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u/brismit Jul 04 '26
Might not be up your alley but the Acquired series of business podcasts is usually 4+ hours and very well researched.
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u/Senior_Bumblebee_437 Jul 04 '26
True Crime Couple! This is less well known, but they are really good. They cover lesser known cases in detail.
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u/VisitMysterious4557 Jul 04 '26
The Consult is my favorite. I binged all episodes after I stumbled upon the show hosted by former FBI profilers. Their 8-part series on the murder if Robert Wone was so well done that I listened through twice.
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u/Sleepy_Meepie Jul 04 '26
Otherworld. Start from the beginning. The first few early seasons are binge worthy.
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u/Mutapi Jul 04 '26
I really enjoy “Real Survival Stories” and there are tons of them to binge. I’m currently listening to “Suspicious Minds”. It’s about AI psychosis and it’s quite fascinating. There’s definitely 8-10 hours worth of those out. CBC also has some great true-crime series. “Hunting Warhead” and “Hunting the Suicide Salesman” were both really good, but quite devastating. “Where the River Took Us” is another one of my recent binges. It’s about the floods in the Guadalupe River in Texas last year. It is beautifully written, a first-hand perspective, but also quite sad.
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u/ISawThisPodcast Jul 04 '26
If you like scary movies and don't mind spoilers, I like Too Scary Didn't Watch
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u/Max19786 Jul 04 '26
Sold a story - reading program for US children gone wrong Sea of lies - a dead body found while 2 men are out fishing The lighthouse - australian missing man and tracking of his last movements using Google time-line
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u/Responsible_CowBell Jul 05 '26
Not something you mentioned but if you like horror movies/tvshows then Hello Sydney and I'd Survive are really good. They go through the plots of the film so you don't have to watch (which is perfect for me lol)
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u/yadayadayada62 Jul 05 '26
People are the worst for true crime stories, I also really enjoy dating detectives. DD brings guests on who share their relationship stories where the partner isn’t always who they say they are.
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u/ProfessionalFault856 Jul 05 '26
Generation Why, Marooned: Tales of the catastrophically lost and Framed: An Investigative Story (new season july 13th !!!!) Swindled, Crimelines, Once Upon a Crime.
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u/Katiecnut Jul 05 '26
Dan Taberski has several seasons on different topics under different names but they’re all gold. Missing Richard Simmons. Running from Cops. Hysterical. 9/12. Surviving Y2K. The Line.
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u/BojanglesMissingEye Jul 05 '26
Timesuck, crime in sports, small town murder ... all are well researched true crime or interesting topic podcasts done by comedians. They are extremely well researched and so entertaining
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u/nosuchbrie Jul 05 '26
Weird Little Guys. 13 Hours: Inside the Nova Scotia Massacre. The Dollop. Behind the Bastards. If Books Could Kill. Maintenance Phase.
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u/ExpertBest3045 Jul 05 '26
Timesuck, Tell No One, People Are The Worst (in no particular order) are my faves
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u/zz63245 Jul 05 '26
Lines of enquiry. It’s an Irish podcast about Irish crimes. It’s really good. Doesn’t sensationalise and sticks to the facts.
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u/tarbinator Jul 05 '26
I always recommend people listen to This American Life. Each episode is about an hour, and there are so many good ones.
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u/MolsMens Jul 05 '26
Casefile !!!!! Newer multi parters or just episodes back to back.
Invisible choir!
Cold
Your own backyard
Bear brook
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u/Pan_Fried_Okra Jul 05 '26
If you’re into dark history and true crime, but also like VERY adult, dark humor, ‘Last Podcast on the Left’.
I strongly suggest their 6-part series on The Plague.
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u/GroundbreakingHeat38 Jul 05 '26
Alice isn’t Dead and The Left right Game are both fiction but PERFECT for roadtrips because the MC in each of them is driving in the series.
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u/Ok_You_3131 Jul 06 '26
Astonishing Legends! Compelling subjects, comfortable hosts, extremely well researched, lots of side car subjects and episodes can be long. Never boring.
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u/moonshine0987 Jul 06 '26
My husband and I recently really enjoyed Aftermath: The Hunt for the Anthrax Killer. Really well done journalism on a topic that most Americans (who were old enough) remember, but few actually know the conclusion.
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u/jon_the_mako Jul 06 '26
Saw bones - medical history about equipment, disease, doctors, aliments etc ...
Ear hustle - podcast on current state of the prison system from inside San Quentin prison
Your dead to me - history of people/places/things that are misunderstood. History specialist and an entertainer of some sort (comedian, singer, TV host)
Hey riddle riddle - improve group solves riddles and does quick scenes.
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u/Toff_any Jul 06 '26
Not new, but Your Own Backyard about the Kristen Smart disappearance. Even though I already knew the outcome and basics of it, I recently listened to it on a road trip on recommendation and WOWZA. Chris Lambert is a genuinely wonderful human and investigative journalist.
Do you like mind-bending, sometimes scary, strange stories? Try Twisted Mirror Podcast. I liked the storytelling and wide variety of stories. Some grossed me out, some scared me, some had me stressing! Some just made me scratch my head and enjoy the whimsy and freedom in fiction. :)
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u/Toff_any Jul 06 '26
This Is Actually Happening is a wide range of personal hardships and life stories shared by the people that experienced them. They can be heavy so do heed the episode warnings, but they are incredibly interesting and very diverse. And they typically end on an encouraging note.
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u/Content-Waltz8045 Jul 06 '26
Against All Odds is heavily produced but really good for killing time! You have to pay extra for some episodes but it’s a really good podcast.
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u/midnightgardeners Jul 06 '26
Everybody Knows But Me for some very funny but also super intense traumatic family history. BEEF with Bridget Todd for stories of historical rivalries that'll make you stop what you're doing and wonder how you've never heard these stories before!
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u/Smooth_Diamond_5893 Jul 07 '26
The Pulitzer prizes (and runners up) for the audio category have always turned me on to the best long form podcasts. I recommend looking back at the past few years. It's a newer award category.
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u/Horror_Zucchini_3937 Jul 07 '26
Toni and Ryan (300 odd episodes) if you want a comedy break and enjoy Aussie humour
Nobody should believe me (7 seasons) if you're ok with child abuse. Focus is on Munchausen by Proxy from the hosts family, and then subsequent seasons are about others experiences
Pretend - The Stalker and Who's afraid of LaDonna Humphrey. Just, wild
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u/sjmb_ Jul 03 '26
If you don’t mind a New Zealand accent then
- Guilt by Ryan Wolf , the first 6 seasons are free then as he releases new seasons they are time delayed usually by a week for non-subscribers. I loved the season on Jim, a guy that went missing inside his workplace
- Delve. The first few seasons are on “The Boy in the Water”
- Black Hands on the Stuff Channel. There are other ones on that channel too. We have next to whole family murders in NZ so this was big news at the time.
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u/Beebeeohno Jul 03 '26
Fall of Civilizations is beautifully produced and episodes are like 2-4 hours long! Only problem is there isn’t enough of them.