The fascination with true crime has been on a global rise. With millions of people tuning in to listen to scary stories filled with depths of horror, many have been wondering what the reason behind this is. After all, why do we tune in to something scary during our free time?
You might be surprised to hear that you are not alone in your fascination with this particular genre. Quite the contrary. A poll conducted in 2022 found that over half of Americans tune into this type of content, with more women listening to true crime on average than men.
One out of three people polled claims to watch such content at least once a week. Just a small portion of those included in the poll, a total of 13%, say that it is their least favorite genre. However, just as many, 13% of them, state that it is their favorite genre out of all.
Whether you consume such content regularly or not, there is no denying just how big of a global following it has. That is why it is no wonder that people are constantly looking for fresh content, be it through the next best true crime podcast or best true crime TV shows.
Why the World is Obsessed with True Crime
As is often said, truth is scarier than fiction. Realistically, there is no scarier thing than truth. The reality behind the global true crime obsession is fueled by several factors, with a common denominator of exploring something that is usually seen as incomprehensible.
Generally speaking, people are fascinated with and terrified of something that they cannot personally fathom. That stands true for the true crime content that is absorbed around the world regularly. We are equally fascinated as we are scared of the content itself.
Some estimates state that 25% to 30% of the news we consume is made up of crime. In particular, violent crime. With such a large and frequent exposure, it is natural to want to feel prepared. That is why many viewers state they follow true crime to learn how to better protect themselves from violence and how to better recognize red flags around them.
Many also claim they watch it for the psychological part, as it is natural that we cannot comprehend anyone committing heinous crimes. But, that’s not all. Another common reason why people tune in is that they are also trying to solve a mystery, especially if they are tuning into an unsolved case, believing they are helping bring attention to it as well.
Best True Crime Podcasts to Follow in 2023
Podcasts are one of the most convenient ways to enjoy the content. You don’t have to have your eyes on a screen, so you can freely enjoy it even if you are on the roads or in the gym.
That’s why we decided to bring you the best true crime podcasts to tune into in 2023. These are award-winning podcasts with a proven track record in profound storytelling and success.
The Minds of Madness
The very title of this podcast gives you a good clue of what you can expect here. Besides following all of the most interesting true crime stories, timelines, and facts, this award-winning podcast stands out from the rest of them.
You see, this true crime podcast dives into the stories, and does it well, but it also dives into the psychology of crime, including conversations with psychologists, forensic scientists, and even victims of crime in the podcast. So, it is not someone just retelling a story, it is engaging professionals in the field and also those who survived similar tragedies and horrors.
You’ll be happy to find that you can listen to the Minds of Madness on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and TuneIn. While you are probably familiar with most of these platforms, TuneIn is one of the best when it comes to free internet radio.
Morbid
Another fan-favorite, Morbid is a blend of true crime horror and spooky history. Don’t be surprised if you run into some dark and unexpected humor, too, because this podcast is well-known for this entertaining element among its audience.
Currently sitting at 400+ episodes, we are sure you will enjoy the excellent storytelling this podcast provides. After all, it is one of the top true crime podcasts currently out there.
You can also find Morbid across a big number of platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Wondery, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and iHeart.