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    Top Documentary Podcasts

    1
    American Scandal
    Documentary

    American Scandal

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    Every scandal begins with a lie. But the truth will come out. And then comes the fallout and the outrage.

    Scandals have shaped America since its founding. From business and politics to sports and society, we look on aghast as corruption, deceit and ambition bring down heroes and celebrities, politicians and moguls. And when the dust finally settles, we’re left to wonder: how did this happen? Where did they trip up, and who is to blame? From the creators of American History Tellers, Business Wars and Tides of History comes American Scandal, where we take you deep into the heart of America’s dark side to look at what drives someone to break the rules and what happens when they’re caught. Hosted by Lindsay Graham.

    Follow American Scandal on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge new seasons of American Scandal early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. 

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    Every scandal begins with a lie. But the truth will come out. And then comes the Read More
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    2
    Radiolab – WNYC Studios
    Documentary

    Radiolab – WNYC Studios

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    Radiolab is on a curiosity bender. We ask deep questions and use investigative journalism to get the answers. A given episode might whirl you through science, legal history, and into the home of someone halfway across the world. The show is known for innovative sound design, smashing information into music. It is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser. Read More
    Radiolab is on a curiosity bender. We ask deep questions and use investigative j Read More
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    3
    Throughline
    Documentary

    Throughline

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    Throughline is a time machine. Each episode, we travel beyond the headlines to answer the question, "How did we get here?" We use sound and stories to bring history to life and put you into the middle of it. From ancient civilizations to forgotten figures, we take you directly to the moments that shaped our world. Throughline is hosted by Peabody Award-winning journalists Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei.

    Subscribe to Throughline+. You'll be supporting the history-reframing, perspective-shifting, time-warping stories you can't get enough of - and you'll unlock access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/throughline     Read More
    Throughline is a time machine. Each episode, we travel beyond the headlines to a Read More
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    4
    Inconceivable Truth – Wavland
    Documentary

    Inconceivable Truth – Wavland

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    Investigative reporter Matt Katz has been searching for his biological father since he was a little kid. But it wasn't until his 40s that he realized he was on the wrong journey altogether. The true story is wrapped in confusion and secrecy, and in the end it upended the truth about who he is – raising questions about identity, fatherhood, medical ethics and what family really means. But will finding answers make him whole, or just make things even more complicated? Inconceivable Truth is an 8-episode series with new episodes publishing Thursday mornings. Read More
    Investigative reporter Matt Katz has been searching for his biological father si Read More
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    5
    Freakonomics Radio – Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
    Documentary

    Freakonomics Radio – Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

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    Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior. Join the Freakonomics Radio Plus membership program for weekly member-only episodes of Freakonomics Radio. You’ll also get every show in our network without ads. To sign up, visit our show page on Apple Podcasts or go to freakonomics.com/plus. Read More
    Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Read More
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    6
    Twenty Thousand Hertz – Dallas Taylor
    Documentary

    Twenty Thousand Hertz – Dallas Taylor

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    A lovingly crafted podcast that reveals the stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds.
    A lovingly crafted podcast that reveals the stories behind the world’s mos Read More
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    7
    Criminal
    Documentary

    Criminal

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    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. Read More
    Criminal is the first of its kind. A show about people who’ve done wrong Read More
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    8
    Something Was Wrong – Broken Cycle Media | Wondery
    Documentary

    Something Was Wrong – Broken Cycle Media | Wondery

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    Something Was Wrong is an award-winning docuseries about the discovery, trauma, and recovery from crime, shocking life events and abusive relationships. Read More
    Something Was Wrongis an award-winning docuseries about the discovery, trauma, Read More
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    9
    The Why Files: Operation Podcast
    Documentary

    The Why Files: Operation Podcast

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    The Why Files covers mysteries, myths and legends. We tell stories and seek the truth in a fun and lighthearted way. Our content is heavily researched; we don't release an episode unless we're sure we can bring something new to a topic. Read More
    The Why Files covers mysteries, myths and legends. We tell stories and seek the Read More
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    10
    Sword and Scale – Sword and Scale
    Documentary

    Sword and Scale – Sword and Scale

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    Sword and Scale is a true crime podcast covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response to it. The first episode launched January 1st, 2014 and feature stories of murder, abduction, rape, and even more bizarre forms of crime. It’s the purest form of true-crime where the raw uncensored audio tells the story. Everything from 911 calls to court testimony, interviews with victims and sometimes with perpetrators give listeners a 360 degree look at the seedy underbelly of human nature and so-called civilized society. Told from an everyman's point of view, Sword and Scale goes beyond the news clips and the sensationalist headlines to hold up a mirror to the audience and ask, "Is it us versus them? Or are we just like 'them' too?" Sword and scale proves that the worst monsters are real. Read More
    Sword and Scale is a true crime podcast covering the dark underworld of crime an Read More
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    11
    The Fall Line: True Crime
    Documentary

    The Fall Line: True Crime

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    True crime podcasting often forgets that, underneath the gore and sensationalism, there are real people, real families, and real justice waiting to be served.  The Fall Line® is an antidote to that oversight - focused on ethical, deep-dive coverage of missing people, unsolved homicides, and unidentified persons called John and Jane Does.  We present carefully crafted true crime stories, thorough research and in-depth interviews with families, law enforcement, and experts. And we bring calls to action, so engaged true crime listeners can do their part to resolve cold cases. Join us to learn about victims and survivors you’ve never heard of. . . and why their cases were ignored in the first place. Read More
    True crime podcasting often forgets that, underneath the gore and sensationalism Read More
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    12
    British Scandal – Wondery
    Documentary

    British Scandal – Wondery

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    In a country obsessed with gossip, the great and the good fear one thing more than any other - scandal. British scandals change the course of history. They bring down governments, overthrow the rich and cause the mighty to fall. Some are about sex, others about money. In the end, they’re all about power.  But often at the heart of a scandal, there are ordinary human stories. Stories of those caught up in the swirl of outrage.  Who was really to blame for what happened? Why did they do it? And when all is said and done, did anything really change?    From the creators of Business Wars, American Scandal and Ghost Story, comes British Scandal. Each week, hosts Alice Levine and Matt Forde delve into the murkier side of the British elite, from Phone Hacking to Profumo to the short-lived premiership of Liz Truss. Because sometimes the truth doesn’t set everyone free… Listen to British Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/british-scandal/ now. Read More
    In a country obsessed with gossip, the great and the good fear one thing more th Read More
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    13
    Sold a Story
    Documentary

    Sold a Story

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    Millions of kids can't read well. Scientists have known for decades how children learn to read but many schools are ignoring the research. They buy teacher training and books that are rooted in a disproven idea. Emily Hanford investigates four authors and a publishing company that have made millions selling this idea. Read More
    Millions of kids can’t read well. Scientists have known for decades how ch Read More
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    14
    Legends of the Old West
    Documentary

    Legends of the Old West

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    Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, and Butch and Sundance. Lakota, Comanche and Apache. Wars, gunfights and robberies. This show covers the toughest lawmen, the wildest outlaws, and the deadliest towns — all the people and events that shaped the American West. Read More
    Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, and Butch and Sundance. Lakota, Comanche and Apache. Wa Read More
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    15
    Truth Be Told Presents: She Has A Name – American Public Media
    Documentary

    Truth Be Told Presents: She Has A Name – American Public Media

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    She Has A Name blends elements of investigative journalism and memoir to tell the story of Anita, a sister that host Tonya Mosley learned about more than a decade after she went missing. Set against the backdrop of the drug epidemic in 1980s Detroit, She Has A Name is a story of loss and redemption, mending broken family ties, and facing the trauma experienced by countless individuals who've lost loved ones to violence. Read More
    She Has A Name blends elements of investigative journalism and memoir to tell th Read More
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    16
    Tides of History
    Documentary

    Tides of History

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    Everywhere around us are echoes of the past. Those echoes define the boundaries of states and countries, how we pray and how we fight. They determine what money we spend and how we earn it at work, what language we speak and how we raise our children. From Wondery, host Patrick Wyman, PhD (“Fall Of Rome”) helps us understand our world and how it got to be the way it is.

    New episodes come out Thursdays for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. Listen ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.

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    Everywhere around us are echoes of the past. Those echoes define the boundaries Read More
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    17
    Buried Bones – a historical true crime podcast with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes – Exactly Right Media – the original true crime comedy network
    Documentary

    Buried Bones – a historical true crime podcast with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes – Exactly Right Media – the original true crime comedy network

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    On Buried Bones, journalist Kate Winkler Dawson and retired investigator Paul Holes dissect some of history’s most compelling true crime cases from centuries ago. Together, they explore these very old cases through a 21st century lens. With their years of expertise and knowledge of modern forensics, they reflect on how far science has come and bring new insight to old mysteries.  Together, Kate and Paul have examined many cases including the 1932 Lindbergh baby kidnapping, the first time fingerprinting was used as evidence in a courtroom and a possible serial killer in 1960s Nashville. They ask, was the right person convicted or was someone wrongfully accused? See pictures, diagrams and evidence from each case on Instagram @buriedbonespod. Buried Bones is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including true crime, comedic interviews, news, science, pop culture and more. The network is home to My Favorite Murder hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, This Podcast Will Kill You, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, Tenfold More Wicked and more. Read More
    On Buried Bones, journalist Kate Winkler Dawson and retired investigator Paul Ho Read More
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    18
    Trapped in Treatment – iHeartPodcasts and Warner Bros
    Documentary

    Trapped in Treatment – iHeartPodcasts and Warner Bros

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    Trapped In Treatment is a new docu-style podcast series from Paris Hilton, London Audio, iHeartMedia, and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Telepictures, that will examine and expose the dark secrets of the “Troubled Teen Industry.” Beginning with Provo Canyon School, each season will focus on the story of one youth treatment facility, its survivors, and the traumatizing abuse at the hands of their captors. Hosted by Caroline Cole and Rebecca Mellinger, Trapped in Treatment weaves together personal accounts with historical detail and expert opinions to shine a light on what really happens at behavior modification centers and how this billion-dollar industry has flourished for so long. Read More
    Trapped In Treatment is a new docu-style podcast series from Paris Hilton, Lon Read More
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    19
    A Matter of Degrees
    Documentary

    A Matter of Degrees

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    Give up your climate guilt. Sharpen your curiosity. Join Dr. Leah Stokes and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson as they tell stories about the powerful forces behind climate change — and the tools we have to fix it. This show makes sense of big climate questions and critical topics. Our episodes are filled with stories of bold climate leadership, groundbreaking campaigns, and people doing their best to be part of the solution. A Matter of Degrees is produced in partnership with FRQNCY Media, The 2035 Initiative at UC Santa Barbara, and The All We Can Save Project. Read More
    Give up your climate guilt. Sharpen your curiosity. Join Dr. Leah Stokes and Dr. Read More
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    20
    Unobscured – iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild
    Documentary

    Unobscured – iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild

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    Each season of Unobscured digs deep into one of history's darkest and most misunderstood moments, and sheds light on the true story beneath the myth.  Explore the Salem witch trials (S1), the Spiritualist Movement (S2), Jack the Ripper (S3), and Grigori Rasputin (S4) through the narrative storytelling of Aaron Mahnke, along with prominent historian interviews. Read More
    Each season of Unobscured digs deep into one of history’s darkest and most Read More
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    21
    On Our Watch
    Documentary

    On Our Watch

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    When correctional officer Valentino Rodriguez first stepped behind prison walls, he wasn't just starting a job, he was joining a family. What he didn’t know was that he was now bound by an unwritten code that would ultimately test his loyalty to his oath and his fellow officers. Five years later, Valentino's sudden death would raise questions from the FBI, his family and his mentor in the elite investigative unit where they both worked. This season, join us as we follow in Valentino’s footsteps to uncover the secrets hidden inside the most dangerous prison in California: New Folsom. If you have tips or feedback about this series please reach out to us at onourwatch@kqed.org.   Read More
    When correctional officer Valentino Rodriguez first stepped behind prison walls, Read More
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    22
    In The Dark – The New Yorker
    Documentary

    In The Dark – The New Yorker

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    In the Dark, hosted by Madeleine Baran, is an award-winning investigative-journalism podcast that started in 2016. Its first season looked at the mysterious abduction of Jacob Wetterling in rural Minnesota and the lack of accountability that sheriffs face when they fail to solve cases. Season 2 examined the case of Curtis Flowers, who was tried six times for the same crime. In 2020, In the Dark released a special report on the coronavirus pandemic in the Mississippi Delta. In 2023, In the Dark joined The New Yorker and Condé Nast. “The Runaway Princesses,” In the Dark’s first collaboration with a New Yorker staff writer, is a four-part series that asks why the women in Dubai’s royal family keep trying to run away. Season 3 of In the Dark is currently in production.In the Dark is a two-time Peabody Award winner and, in 2019, became the first podcast to win a George Polk Award, one of the top honors in investigative journalism. The program has also received an Edward R. Murrow Award and a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award. Read More
    In the Dark, hosted by Madeleine Baran, is an award-winning investigative-journa Read More
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    23
    The Prince Mixtape
    Documentary

    The Prince Mixtape

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    On each episode of The Prince Mixtape, we’ll meet people who knew Prince, worked with him, or simply loved him from afar. Host Nichole Perkins will dig deep into key moments of his life, like when his sexually liberated lyrics gave birth to the Parental Advisory Sticker, when he fought to own his masters, and when he rocked that infamous, delicious booty cut-out pantsuit. The first season of this series explored the unforgettable life of Princess Diana. On season two, just like a treasured mixtape from your favorite crush, the series is a reflection of all the care and passion, the big moments and small, that made up a life. Prince's life. Read More
    On each episode of The Prince Mixtape, we’ll meet people who knew Prince, work Read More
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    24
    Cold
    Documentary

    Cold

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    Cold is a narrative podcast series focused on missing persons cases. Investigative journalist and host Dave Cawley takes on a single story with each season.

    Season 3: The Search for Sheree follows two suspects in the 1985 disappearance of Sheree Warren while examining the dangerous escalation of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The Cold team seeks to answer the question: what really happened to Sheree Warren?

    Season 2: Justice for Joyce Yost delves into the details of a murder-for-hire plot and attempts to find justice for Joyce – a woman who bravely reported her kidnapping and rape only to vanish without a trace.

    In Season 1: Susan Powell Case Files, the Cold journey begins with Dave’s investigation into the unsolved disappearance of Susan Powell… and the man with the most to gain from her death.

    Follow Cold Season 3: The Search for Sheree wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all 10 episodes ad-free only on Amazon Music. Or you can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+ in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery App.

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    Cold is a narrative podcast series focused on missing persons cases. Investigati Read More
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    25
    Lost Patients – NPR
    Documentary

    Lost Patients – NPR

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    Imagine a sprawling house in which every room, doorway, and hall passage was designed by a different architect. Doorways don't connect. Staircases lead to nowhere. Rooms are cut off from each other. That's how reporter Will James describes our complicated system for treating people with severe mental illness – a system that, almost by design, loses patients with psychosis to an endless loop between the streets, jail, clinics, courts and a shrinking number of hospital beds.Lost Patients is a deeply-reported, six-part docuseries examining the difficulties of treating serious mental illness through the lens of one city's past, present and future. With real-life testimonials from patients, families, and professionals on the front lines, Lost Patients provides a real, solutions-oriented look at how we got stuck here...and what we might do to break free.Lost Patients is a joint production of KUOW and The Seattle Times. It is distributed by the NPR Network. Read More
    Imagine a sprawling house in which every room, doorway, and hall passage was des Read More
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