The Best True-Crime Podcasts to Listen to Now

In 2025, the realm of true-crime podcasts remains arguably the most captivating genre, delivering all the intrigue and visceral suspense of a Law & Order episode right into our ears. With over a decade passed since the first season of Serial, we find ourselves in a landscape where true-crime podcasts have reshaped legal practices, exonerated the innocent, and afforded closure to families of the missing.

The diversity is staggering! You could delve into the devious exploits of Victorian-era fraudsters or become transfixed by a suburban homicide that seems lifted straight from the pages of fiction. No matter your interests—whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just exploring the domain of unsolved mysteries and deceptive leads—here are Vogue’s selections for the standout true-crime podcasts to dive into right now.

Unicorn Girl

The fascination with scam podcasts persists in 2025, as illustrated by the resonance of this Apple Original investigation into the life and eventual incarceration of influencer Candace Rivera. Unicorn Girl sees journalist and Scamanda creator Charlie Webster meticulously dissect Rivera’s seemingly flawless online persona, serving as a poignant reminder not to trust everything that glistens on social media.

The King Road Killings

If you absorbed every shred of coverage about the brutal slaying of four University of Idaho students in their off-campus residence in 2022, this podcast may resonate with you. ABC News correspondent Kayna Whitworth offers a restrained yet dignified perspective on this highly publicized tragedy in a reporting series that traces the investigation against Brian Kohberger, the criminology PhD student charged with the murders, evaluating the impact of this violent act on the otherwise tranquil community of Moscow, Idaho.

Hollywood Crime Scene

Fans of You Must Remember This will find much to enjoy here; Los Angeles has long been a stage for scandals involving well-known figures, and that’s exactly what hosts Rachel Fisher and Desi Jedeikin uncover in this captivating podcast, which chronicles dubious true-crime tales featuring stars like Connie Frances, the Olsen twins, and Traci Lords.

Devil in the Desert

In 2012, a sheriff’s deputy discovered a woman wandering in the Mojave Desert with her hands bound, leading authorities to a grim scenario involving a violent assault against her roommate. Devil in the Desert investigates Hossein Nayeri, a man linked to California’s budding medical marijuana sector, whose wife became an informant to orchestrate his return to the US for arrest. The harrowing events described in this series are not for the faint-hearted but offer an engrossing narrative nevertheless.

Radioactive: The Karen Silkwood Mystery

You might think you know the full story of the suspicious 1974 demise of plutonium plant worker Karen Silkwood from the Meryl Streep and Cher-led film about her life (with a screenplay co-written by Nora Ephron), but this podcast aims to fill in the gaps. Now five decades after Silkwood’s passing, new revelations about her efforts to expose unsafe conditions at the plant—and the perspectives of two journalists who have tracked the case for over 50 years—inform Radioactive‘s in-depth investigation.

Pulse: The Untold Story

In an era marked by frequent mass shootings in America, the tragic events of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting still resonate within the LGBTQ+ community. This podcast contextualizes the crime as both a hate crime and one of the gravest mass shootings in U.S. history, scrutinizing media portrayals of the culprit, Omar Mateen, and illuminating the FBI’s failures in thwarting the attack.

The Outfit

<pIf you're captivated by The Sopranos’ iconic fashion but have exhausted all replays, tune into this podcast, where hosts Alana Hope Levinson and Dan O’Sullivan introduce listeners each week to narratives about the history of organized crime. From Al Capone’s famed custom shirts to a glamorous FBI agent wielding a “gun in her Gucci,” The Outfit reveals the finer points of mob life in ways you likely haven’t encountered before.

They Will Kill

Sisters Courtney and Sadie Eck invite listeners into the often-overlooked details of less-publicized crimes on They Will Kill, characterized by a respectful and measured tone. Eschewing laughter at the expense of evoking horror, the Ecks present their investigations with a level of kindness and mindfulness that is refreshing in today’s desensitized society.

True Crime Garage

If you were entranced by HBO’s recent docuseries The Yogurt Shop Murders, the long-standing crime podcast True Crime Garage has devoted a recent episode to a breakthrough in the case. With hosts Nic and the Captain leading the charge, there’s likely an episode for nearly every crime you’re keen to explore if you’re willing to sift through their archives.

Rotten Mango

Stephanie Soo, the hostess of this podcast exploring “true crime and all things spooky,” has discussed a wide range of intriguing and current cases on Rotten Mango, from the death of John O’Keefe to China’s “Uncle Red” case and the chilling discovery of a missing teenage girl’s body in a vehicle owned by singer D4vd—certainly adding an element of tabloid drama, yet presented in an undeniably captivating manner.

The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke

While Utah momfluencer Ruby Franke aimed to dominate media narratives surrounding her family through her YouTube channel 8 Passengers, this Wondery podcast meticulously reveals the dark realities of Franke’s partnership with her self-help business colleague, Jodi Hildebrandt, and the escalating abuse toward her six children. Both Franke and Hildebrandt are currently serving the maximum sentence for child abuse, yet interest in their saga remains high, making The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke one of the most comprehensive timelines of Franke’s decline.

Deviant: The Hart Family Murders

The shocking murder-suicide incident involving spouses Jennifer and Sarah Hart, who drove their van off a cliff in March 2018—taking their six adopted children with them—prompted national outrage. Deviant: The Hart Family Murders delves into the complex topics of family dynamics, child maltreatment, mental health, and transracial adoption, ultimately making it a challenging yet rewarding listen.

Missing & Murdered: Finding Cleo

A young Cree girl named Cleo was taken from her family in the 1970s and adopted in the U.S., later going missing after attempting to hitchhike back to Saskatchewan. This podcast, created by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and hosted by Cree journalist Connie Walker, provides insight into the tragic reality of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis within both Canada and the U.S. by thoroughly investigating Cleo’s story.

Wisecrack

This extraordinary six-part series from Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts chronicles the real-life experiences of comedian Edd Hedges, who returned to his quaint English village post a stand-up gig in 2015 to find himself face-to-face with a murderer; this series, reminiscent of Baby Reindeer, uniquely balances the fine line between comedy and thrilling true-crime storytelling.

The Apology Line

During the early 1980s, a phone number plastered across New York City’s streets granted strangers a chance to confess their secrets through voicemail. What began as a social experiment rapidly evolved, and for 15 years, Allan Bridge—dubbed Mr. Apology—compiled these recordings. His second wife, Marissa, unveils what it means to guard secrets and the burdens that come with that role.

Bear Brook

It is the summer of 1985 in the woods of New Hampshire—specifically, Bear Brook State Park. As three boys indulge in a game of hide and seek, they stumble upon a barrel, which they kick over without investigating its contents.

Fifteen years later, a second barrel is unearthed a mere 300 feet away. Its disturbing contents reveal four dead bodies: a woman and three little girls. Who are these victims? What transpired, and why? New Hampshire Public Radio’s Jason Moon dives into this chilling cold case, leading to the uncovering of a serial killer.

The Binge Crimes: Lady Mafia

The Binge Crimes is a captivating anthology podcast, with its latest season, Night Shift, scrutinizing the case of one of the most notorious killer nurses in America. The eighth season, Lady Mafia, introduces Sara King, also known as the “Female Bernie Madoff” and the “Anna Delvey of the OC,” drawing listeners into a world of deception and financial crimes. Is she simply misunderstood, or is she entrenched in a web of deceit involving millions of dollars?

Bone Valley

In 1987, 18-year-old Michelle Schofield was discovered dead in Florida, and two years later, her husband Leo was convicted for the murder. However, fingerprints collected at the crime scene eventually directed investigators to Jeremy Scott, a man with a past of violence that includes armed robbery and assault. Within a span of just nine episodes, Gilbert King and Kelsey Decker reconsider Leo’s quest for justice while revealing new evidence linking Scott to multiple murders.

The Boy in the Water

The heart-wrenching case of three-year-old Lachlan Jones was initially deemed straightforward by the authorities: the boy allegedly fled his home in Gore, New Zealand, climbed over a fence, and drowned in sewage oxidation ponds. It’s a gruesome yet seemingly conclusive narrative. However, this gripping, extended investigation by journalist Melanie Reid raises doubts. Could a child genuinely traverse such a distance without leaving a trace? Reid meticulously explores forensic evidence, conflicting witness accounts, and suspect police behavior, ultimately prompting the case’s reopening and subsequent coronial inquiry. The series then takes listeners into the courtroom. Will this small town with its hauntingly large secret eventually see justice?

Broomgate: A Curling Scandal

If curling ever crossed your mind, you might associate it with camaraderie and good sportsmanship. However, this six-part series delves into a controversy that almost shattered the sport’s integrity. Hosted by semi-pro curler and professional comedian John Cullen, the podcast features interviews recounting a scandal from 2015 involving a team that deployed one broom instead of two during a match. While it takes a cheeky view of true-crime mechanics, Cullen approaches the subject with the style and analytical flair exemplified by the genre.

Can I Tell You a Secret?

In the podcast Can I Tell You a Secret?, Guardian journalist Sirin Kale unravels an unsettling ten-year saga of catfishing and cyberstalking from Cheshire, England. It kicks off with a seemingly innocuous message from someone posing as a young woman asking, “Can I tell you a secret?” This compelling story was recently adapted into a Netflix docuseries this year.

The Clearing

The Clearing offers a refreshing take on the typical true-crime podcast narrative, featuring not only investigative reporter Josh Dean but also April Balascio, the daughter of the perpetrator. In 2009, she alerted the authorities after suspecting her father of multiple murders from the early 1980s. By exploring both her father’s horrific actions and the trauma he dealt to his family, as well as the families of his victims, The Clearing presents a sensitive account that stands out within the true-crime genre.

Cold

Hosted by investigative journalist Dave Cawley, each season of Cold spotlights a missing-person case. The inaugural season retraces Susan Powell’s disappearance in West Valley City, Utah, in 2009, utilizing police records, journal entries, and previously unheard wiretap audio.

Crime Junkie

Each week on Crime Junkie, host Ashley Flowers scrutinizes some of the most captivating and enigmatic cases. From the murder of Loren Donn Leslie, whose remains were discovered along Canada’s Highway of Tears to the notorious “yogurt shop killings” in Austin in 1991, no stone is left unturned.

Dark Downeast

From Maine to Connecticut to Massachusetts, Dark Downeast sheds light on various cases—from unresolved murders to individuals gone missing and survivor testimonies—in settings often linked with idyllic coastal escapes. Listeners engage with poignant tales from family members and detectives that center around the victim’s narrative and legacy.

Darkness: The Orange Door

Former University of Texas journalism students Tinu Thomas and Haley Butler host Season 1 of Darkness, sharing the story of 21-year-old Jennifer Cave. In August 2005, Jennifer was poised to begin a new job, but when her employer reached out to her mother, Sharon, for information on her whereabouts, Sharon sensed something was amiss. In desperation, Jennifer’s parents began contacting friends. When those attempts yielded no results, they took it upon themselves to visit Jennifer’s friend Colton Pitonyak’s apartment at the Orange Tree Condominiums, only to discover Jennifer’s brutally murdered body on the other side of the door. As two women who walked the same campus paths as Jennifer 15 years earlier, Thomas and Butler were determined to honor her tragic story by sharing firsthand interviews and transcripts from family, friends, and detectives—leading to an utterly gripping narrative.

The Deck

In The Deck, Crime Junkie’s Ashley Flowers elaborates on how various law enforcement agencies have swapped out traditional playing card faces for images of missing and murdered individuals. By distributing these cards throughout prisons, investigators hoped inmates would be encouraged to provide information.

Every week, The Deck sheds light on a different cold case, such as that of Jenny Linn (Queen of Hearts in California) or Ivory Green (Jack of Spades in New York), sharing stories from their families and conducting detailed interviews with detectives.

Dig

The first season of Dig, from Louisville Public Media’s Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, recounts the shocking story of Jen Sainato, who reported her rape to the Louisville police in January 2018, which highlights the city authorities’ consistent failure in properly investigating rape claims. It’s a tough listen that casts a much-needed spotlight on a flawed justice system, complete with expert inputs, diligent reporting, and an unexpected twist.

Dirty John

We’re not sure we’ve ever consumed a podcast as quickly as we did this one about an interior designer, Debra, who finds herself enamored with a charming, seemingly perfect doctor named John, who claims to have just returned from humanitarian work in Iraq. As expected, John is not who he claims to be, and while revealing details about this podcast may spoil its astonishing story, be assured that Dirty John unquestionably fits within the true-crime realm.

Down the Hill: The Delphi Murders

On Valentine’s Day in 2017, two teenage girls, Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, were found dead near a hiking spot in Delphi, Indiana, after being reported missing the day before. The police released a haunting audio clip believed to be from the suspect, which included the chilling command, “down the hill.” This podcast unpacks the tragic narrative that continues to haunt Indiana residents.

Dr. Death

This podcast captured such fascination that it was swiftly adapted into a television series. Dr. Death chronicles the disturbing career of Christopher Duntsch, a now-incarcerated neurosurgeon whose numerous botched surgeries left 33 patients injured, with many others permanently harmed. Not only does the podcast delve into Duntsch’s twisted psyche but it also showcases the terrifying flaws within the United States medical system. Caution: the details of Duntsch’s malpractice are graphic, making it unsuitable for those with faint hearts.

The Dropout

While the shocking saga of Elizabeth Holmes’ meteoric rise and catastrophic fall as the founder of disgraced medical tech firm Theranos has been recounted across various platforms, few narratives capture the intoxicating blend of ambition and hubris as effectively as ABC News’ podcast The Dropout. (This series served as the inspiration for the Emmy-nominated Hulu show featuring Amanda Seyfreid.) Additionally, the podcast host, Rebecca Jarvis, has released a follow-up miniseries detailing developments surrounding Holmes’s trial in California in 2022, which proved just as thrilling as any courtroom drama penned by John Grisham.

Forgotten: Women of Juarez

Is it a serial killer, a satanic cult, or human traffickers? In Ciudad Juárez, hundreds of women are disappearing, and those who are found often exhibit signs of brutalization, with wrists bound and strange markings etched onto their bodies. This iHeart Radio production seeks to unravel the femicides, navigating the waters of corrupt authorities and elusive suspects.

Happily Never After: Dan and Nancy

Nancy and Dan’s married life kicked off like a fairytale. Years later, living in suburbia, Nancy penned romantic novels teeming with drama and murder; then, in 2018, Dan was shot dead. In a podcast that rivals the darkest plots of Desperate Housewives, host Heidi Tretheway, a former member of Nancy’s writing club, asks whether the true story of Nancy and Dan outshines even fiction.

Home Sleuth

Home Sleuth brings to the forefront everyday investigators who have solved mysteries and cracked cold cases, from the early digital sleuths of the 1990s to modern true-crime YouTubers. Each episode features insights from true-crime expert Rachel Monroe, reflecting on the world’s enduring fascination with the genre and the ethical quandaries it provokes.

In the Dark

This award-winning investigative podcast first made waves in 2016 with its exploration of the 1989 abduction of Jacob Wetterling, an 11-year-old boy. For its second season, the team focused on Curtis Flowers, a man tried six times for the same crime in Mississippi, while the third season illuminated the aftermath—or lack of—following a group of Marines’ killing of 24 Iraqi civilians in 2006. The series is currently in its fifth season.

Killer Fun

Hosted by Jackie, who holds a master’s degree in psychology from Harvard, and Christy, an avid internet sleuth, Killer Fun is an engaging podcast marrying well-researched crime discussions with light-hearted banter on everything from hit shows to dark tales. Generally more cheerful than grim, the episodes are pleasant companions for listeners desiring a lighter touch.

Lady Killers

In this BBC Sounds offering, historian Lucy Worsley employs a contemporary feminist lens to explore the heinous acts of women throughout the Victorian era. Spanning the 19th and 20th centuries, we meet figures such as art forger Ann Mary Provis, London scam artist Madame Rachel, heiress-turned-outlaw Violet Charlesworth, and shoplifting queen Alice Diamond, all guided by Worsley’s dynamic group of female historians.

The Lady Vanishes

The mysterious disappearance of Marion Barter, the ex-wife of Australian soccer legend Johnny Warren, serves as the focal point of this podcast. The unexpected circumstances surrounding Barter’s vanishing (she was last seen boarding a plane for an overseas journey) is scrutinized while the human impact of losing a mother, teacher, and friend reverberates throughout each episode.

Last Podcast on the Left

While this series centers on “all the horrors our world has to offer, both imagined and real,” the expansive body of work dedicated to actual figures like Jeffrey Dahmer, Patty Hearst, and recently, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, justifies Last Podcast on the Left as one of the finest entries in the true-crime arena.

LISK: Long Island Serial Killer

For nearly two decades, an unidentified perpetrator claimed nearly a dozen lives, predominantly targeting female sex workers, discarding their bodies along a secluded stretch of Long Island’s Ocean Parkway. This podcast, influenced by the bestselling Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery, recounts the harrowing case through never-before-heard interviews with family members, law enforcement officials, and others involved.

LOST HILLS: Dark Canyon

The podcast delves into the mystery surrounding the death of Mitrice Richardson—a 24-year-old arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 2009 for failing to pay her restaurant bill, who subsequently vanished shortly following her release. This illuminating podcast from New Yorker writer Dana Goodyear provides critical context regarding “the dark side of Malibu, California,” and is not to be overlooked.

Morbid: A True Crime Podcast

Best friends Alaina Urquhart and Ashleigh Kelley cover an impressive range of topics, incorporating serial killers and mysterious deaths while also exploring other true-crime subgenres such as eerie legends, chilling histories, and haunted locations.

MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

John Allen, a former Navy SEAL better known as internet personality MrBallen, shares unsolved mysteries in his weekly podcast. After a near-death experience while on duty in Afghanistan, MrBallen discovered his passion for true crime, presenting stories on serial killers and perplexing disappearances. His candid style is both vivid and engaging, drawing listeners in from the first thirty seconds. Be warned: his episodes often plunge into disturbing territory and come with content advisories.

My Favorite Murder

True-crime aficionados who prefer a lighter vibe should tune in here. MFM is a biweekly celebration for comedic hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark as they dissect cases that haunt their thoughts, from the Golden State Killer to the Black Dahlia and the Zodiac murders. This show has amassed a dedicated following of “murderinos” and has spawned a live show and a bestselling book: Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered.

Operation Seal Bay

The story begins in a quiet fishing village in west Wales in 1983, where a local farmer uncovers a concealed underground bunker. Across six episodes, the captivating tale of a community and their law enforcement agency confronting an international drug operation—and the Danish millionaire at its helm—unfolds. It’s an audacious narrative, featuring a cast of sharp and witty locals.

Root of Evil

Hosted by sisters Yvette Gentile and Rasha Pecoraro, Root of Evil revisits one of America’s most notorious crimes: the Black Dahlia murder. However, Gentile and Pecoraro’s involvement stems from their lineage as the great-granddaughters of prime suspect George Hodel, who they now believe was guilty. Their investigation not only examines the murder but also the lasting family trauma triggered by the case.

Scamanda

Award-winning journalist Charlie Webster takes listeners on an emotional rollercoaster in this blockbuster podcast that follows the surreal yet tangible tale of Amanda. After receiving a cancer diagnosis, Amanda turned to social media, chronicling her journey through a widely followed blog. But soon her story begins to unravel. (For additional insights, check out the recent ABC docuseries on the same subject.)

Serial

It’s difficult to explore the true-crime podcast landscape without encountering Serial, hosted by Sarah Koenig and born from the This American Life production team, now part of the New York Times. All seasons are essential listening, though the first, which delves into the 1999 murder of Korean-American student Hae Min Lee, strikes a balance between true crime and investigative journalism that’s hard to overlook.

The Shrink Next Door

A strange story unfolds under the guidance of Joe Nocera, a New York Times journalist who explores what happened after his psychotherapist neighbor, Ike Herschkopf, vanished without a trace. The Shrink Next Door investigates how therapy can go horribly awry, featuring testimonies from Herschkopf’s previous patients, including Marty Markowitz, who recounts how therapy sessions deteriorated as Herschkopf inappropriately interjected himself into Markowitz’s life. This podcast’s many unexpected twists render it both engrossing and chilling.

Sistas Who Kill

Hosted by best friends MaRah and Taz, this podcast is described as “a true-crime podcast about Black women, told by Black women,” offering a fresh perspective on how Black female offenders are often neglected by the justice system. It covers notable cases, including that of former HBO actress Lakeyria Doughty, accused in 2021 of fatally stabbing her girlfriend.

Southern Fried True Crime

Native Tennessean Erica Kelley explores the true-crime stories of the South in a podcast that feels like engaging with local gossip from a back porch. Kelley’s southern drawl adds to the atmosphere, illuminating local crimes while critically examining the ways in which “southern fried” the justice system can sometimes be.

Stakeknife

Freddie Scappaticci, known as Stakeknife, lived a dual life during the Troubles—acting as a hitman for the Irish Republican Army while simultaneously serving as an informant for British authorities. (The podcast kicks off with the announcement that finally identified Scappaticci, followed by his desperate attempts to vanish.) It’s a confounding and intricate story that will keep you riveted; fans of Patrick Radden Keefe’s book and FX TV series Say Nothing should take special note.

S-Town

This podcast from the creators of Serial has remained relevant since its 2017 debut. In it, Alabaman horologist John reaches out to This American Life to investigate a purported murder in his despised hometown of Woodstock, the titular “shit town.” Ultimately, the production significantly impacts the lives of the show’s staff due to John’s tragic personal narrative. The moral implications of the podcast may be questionable, particularly after McLemore, the show’s key figure, took his own life in 2015 while production was ongoing, yet it remains absolutely compelling to listen to.

Suspect

This 2021 podcast adheres to the traditional format of meticulously examining a specific cold case. Season 1 focuses on the unsolved murder of 24-year-old Arpana Jinaga, discovered strangled in her Washington State apartment post a Halloween party in 2008. Journalists Matthew Shaer and Eric Benson rewind to the night in question, scrutinizing the case’s complexities, including DNA mismanagement and the fraught relationship between race and law enforcement.

Tom Brown’s Body

Set against the small backdrop of Canadian, Texas, this narrative podcast hosted by Skip Hollandsworth from Texas Monthly reveals the 2016 disappearance of a beloved high school senior. When Brown’s remains surface two years later, the true-crime narrative cliché comes into play, implicating everyone in the tight-knit community—including members of Brown’s own family.

True Crime Obsessed

If you find yourself overwhelmed by true crime, look no further than the comedic duo Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle. They offer a refreshing, humorous recap of popular true-crime documentaries, from Tiger King to Making a Murderer, balancing respect for the crimes with a needed dose of levity.

Up and Vanished

While the inaugural season of this podcast revolves around the unsolved mystery of Tara Grinstead, a high school teacher and former beauty queen from South Georgia who disappeared in October 2005, the second season—the more skillfully crafted of the two—explores the vanishing of Kristal Reisinger, who vanished during a “full-moon drum circle” in Colorado in 2016. Subsequent seasons have looked into the cases of Ashley Loring Heavyrunner in Montana and Florence Okpealuk and Joseph Balderas in Alaska.

Welcome to Your Fantasy

Murder intersects with G-strings in historian Natalia Petrzela’s eight-part exploration of the sordid, yet largely overlooked genesis “behind the powerful mullets, oiled pecs, and nonstop parties” of the Chippendales dancers. This elaborate saga reveals how mastermind Steve Banerjee created the male revue sensation—and ultimately how drugs, greed, and criminal activity led to its downfall.

West Cork

This podcast tells the haunting story of French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, discovered dead outside her holiday home in 1996. Originally documented by Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey in 2021, but retaining its unsettling potency, West Cork takes the audience inside a close-knit community increasingly steeped in suspicion. Many of the podcast’s contributors have never previously shared their accounts publicly, including Toscan du Plantier’s relatives and local residents still rattled by her death’s circumstances.

White Lies

NPR’s powerful podcast first investigates the 1965 murder of Reverend James Reeb—a white pastor active in the civil rights movement—in Selma, Alabama, providing a profound lens into the nuanced truths and unspoken narratives surrounding race relations in the American South. Recognized as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in audio journalism, White Lies stands as an exemplary work addressing timely concerns that remain painfully relevant 60 years later.

Your Own Backyard

Hosted by journalist Chris Lambert, Your Own Backyard is a riveting multi-part podcast that revisits the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart, a student at Cal Poly. Having launched in 2019, Lambert’s thorough yet respectful narrative reignited interest in the case after over 25 years, eventually contributing to the conviction of Paul Flores—the individual found guilty of murdering Smart—in March 2023. The series retraces the roots of the investigation in San Luis Obispo, California, before guiding listeners to the courtroom for detailed trial recaps in collaboration with the prosecution team and jury.