Criminal

Latest Episodes:

What Nobody Tells You About the Morgue (with Patricia Cornwell) Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Phoebe interviews crime novelist Patricia Cornwell about how working in an autopsy suite inspired her to create her most famous character: forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta. Plus, Phoebe and Patricia talk about visiting “body farms,” listening to police scanners, and why Patricia says she would have “run from the room screaming” had she known what her future would look like.

You can also watch this interview at youtube.com/criminalpodcast.

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All the Time in the World Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

The “body farm” at Texas State University is a place almost no one is allowed to see, because it’s one of very few places in the world that deliberately puts out human bodies to decompose in nature. We asked if we could visit, and they agreed.

This episode was originally released in 2017.

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We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery.

Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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The Caller Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

In 2008, an article in the monthly FBI bulletin argued that 911 calls could contain clues for homicide investigations. “The caller, in fact, may be the killer.”

Brett Murphy investigated 911 call analysis for ProPublica. You can find their new show, Paper Trail, wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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Riverwalk Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

In November 2019, nineteen-year-old Zac Brettler went missing. When his parents began looking for him, they discovered that Zac had been living a double life.

Patrick Radden Keefe’s book is London Falling.

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Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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A Man to Be Afraid Of Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Sheriff Buford Pusser said he and his wife had come under gunfire early one morning on a country road - leading to her death. He told one reporter, “I'm pretty sure about who did it, and I'm pretty sure about where he is."

Jason Guerrasio's article about Buford Pusser is called ⁠"A Bullet, A Legend, A Lie."⁠ Oakley Dean Baldwin's book is called "Sheriff Buford Pusser: Final Chapter."

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Breaking Up is Hard to Do (Criminal+) May 29, 2026

Show notes

This episode is unlocked and available for everyone to listen to!

It took some trial and error, but Phoebe finally figured out how to put on makeup. Plus, Lauren asks for advice on delivering bad news, and we hear the latest in a crime story involving bees.

If you enjoyed listening to today's Criminal Plus episode and you'd like more - ⁠join us on Patreon⁠. We put these episodes with Phoebe and Lauren out twice a month - plus you'll have access to ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes videos with Phoebe and Criminal producers, chat rooms, live events, and more. Right now, you can use the promo code "JOIN25" for 25% off of an annual membership.

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Mantrap May 22, 2026

Show notes

Ed and Bertha Briney’s unoccupied farmhouse was reportedly broken into 50 times over 10 years. They put up “No Trespassing” signs, repeatedly complained to sheriffs in two different counties, nailed doors shut, and boarded up windows – but nothing worked. So they decided to try something else.

This episode was originally released in 2022.

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Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

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The Mountain May 15, 2026

Show notes

On January 18, 2025, Thomas Plamberger and his girlfriend Kerstin Gurtner began climbing the tallest mountain in Austria. But when they were almost to the top, they got stuck. One year later, prosecutors filed charges against Thomas for Kerstin’s death.

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Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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The Poison Squad May 08, 2026

Show notes

In 1902, twelve young men volunteered for a government experiment. They agreed to eat food laced with chemicals like formaldehyde, borax, and salicylic acid every day, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They were called The Poison Squad.

Deborah Blum’s book is The Poison Squad.

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Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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Poisoned May 01, 2026

Show notes

In January 1993, a lot of children started showing up at Seattle Children’s Hospital with the same unusual symptoms. Doctors didn't know what was going on – until they realized that most of the children had recently eaten at the same restaurant: Jack in the Box.

Jeff Benedict’s book is Poisoned: The True Story of the Deadly E. coli Outbreak That Changed the Way Americans Eat.

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Sign up for Criminal Plus to get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal, ad-free listening of all of our shows, invitations to virtual events, special merch deals, and more.

We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery.

Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

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