Wondery is a podcast network that was launched in 2016 that publishes hundreds of high quality podcasts. Through their Wondery+ subscription they offer early access and ad-free listening. If you're lucky enough to enjoy premium access and want to know where to start (or you're still getting the freebies on Spotify...) here's a hand-picked list of recommendations.
1) Dirty John
Dirty John delves into the shocking and suspenseful story of a charismatic con artist named John Meehan and his relationships with unsuspecting victims. Hosted by journalist Christopher Goffard, this gripping podcast unravels the dark secrets and manipulation that led to tragedy. Winner of multiple podcast awards and placed on multiple 'Best of the Year' lists in 2017.
2) The Lead
If you're looking for in-depth analysis of the biggest stories in sports, The Lead is the place to be. Eschewing the usual weekend preview/review sports format, Tiffany Oshinsky and Anders Kelto take listeners through specific stories instead. Although they mainly focus on US sports, they also discuss everything from the Premier League to heavyweight boxing to ten-pin bowling.
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3) Even the Rich
Do you love hearing about the lives of rich people? Do you HATE rich people and want to eat them and distribute their wealth? Either way you might enjoy this podcast from Brooke Siffrinn and Aricia Skidmore-Williams who look back through history and some of the craziest family dynasties in history.
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4) Life is Short with Justin Long
Justin Long, Hollywood Actor and star of Ed, Jeepers Creepers and Die Hard 4 hosts this show where he interviews different people and finds out what makes them tick. Guests include Malcolm Gladwell (books), Jake Johnson (New Girl) and Seth Rogen (Judd Apatow films).
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5) Business Wars
Business Wars explores the fierce rivalries and battles between major companies and industries. Hosted by David Brown, it offers an in-depth look at the strategies, tactics, and personalities that shape the business world and the impact these wars have on our daily lives.
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6) My Favorite Murder
My Favorite Murder is a true crime and comedy podcast hosted by comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. In each episode, the hosts share and discuss their favorite murder cases, offering a mix of true crime storytelling, humor, and personal anecdotes.
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7) Small Town Murder
Another true crime podcast, but.... with a unique twist. Hosted by James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman, the show focuses on lesser-known murder cases from small towns across the United States. The hosts blend dark humor with detailed research to shed light on these intriguing, often bizarre, mysteries.
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8) Dr. Death
Dr. Death is a chilling true crime (yes 3 in a row) podcast that tells the shocking and horrifying story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon whose medical malpractice and incompetence led to numerous patient injuries and deaths. Hosted by journalist Laura Beil, the podcast investigates the failures of the medical system and the pursuit of justice for his victims.
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9) Scamfluencers
Do you follow any influencers on social media? How do you know they are who they say they are? That they own those cars, those homes, those private jets? Scamfluencers digs into the dirt of 'influencers' using their platform to scam the people that follow them, from spiritual healers to financial experts.
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10) Who Killed Daphne?
Hosted by investigative reporter Stephen Grey, this true crime thriller focuses on one woman's fight for the truth that is cruelly interrupted when she is killed by a car bomb in Malta. A team of international journalists vows to carry on her important work and uncover the truth behind who killed Daphe Caruana Galizia.
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11) Smartless
A light-hearted and humorous podcast hosted by actors Jason "Arrested Development" Bateman, Sean "Will and Grace" Hayes, and Will "Arrested Development" Arnett. In each episode, one of the hosts invites a surprise guest, keeping the identity hidden until they join the conversation. The result is spontaneous and entertaining conversations with a variety of interesting people.
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12) Morbid
"Morbid" is a true crime podcast hosted by Alaina and Ash, two friends with a fascination for the murderous and the macabre. The podcast tackles a wide range of true crime cases, from famous to lesser-known, and delves into the darker side of human nature with a mix of storytelling and commentary.
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13) American History Tellers
An historical podcast that covers off significant events and periods in American history. Each episode provides a detailed and engaging narrative of events including the Space Race, the Cold War and Civil Rights.
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14) Cult Liter
Hosted by Spencer Henry, the show explores cult dynamics, obscure histories, and unsolved mysteries, often with a dose of humor and a critical eye.
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15) How I Built This
A business podcast that speaks to different entrepreneurs about how and why they build iconic brands such as Etsy, Michael Kors and Kickstarter.
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16) Generation Why
One of the earliest True Crime podcasts, this show has been cranking out episodes on the murky and the murderous for over a decade. Friends Aaron and Justin delve into unsolved murders, mysteries, conspiracies and the darker side of human nature.
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17) Gladiator
This podcast is about the life of Aaron Hernandez, a football star who went from the bright lights of the Super Bowl to a convicted murderer in a few years. The Boston Globe’s Spotlight Team, best known for its investigation of the sexual abuse scandal inside the Catholic Church, takes a hard look at the NFL star’s life and crimes.
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18) I Saw What You Did
A horror anthology series that features stories of everyday people who find themselves in the middle of a real-life horror movie. Each episode features a new story that is inspired by true events.
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19) Whose Amazing Life?
This podcast is a series from the creators of Little Stories Everywhere and Adventures of Cairo. It takes you on a journey through the lives of the world’s most inspiring people, from Amelia Earhart to Lin-Manuel Miranda to Ariana Grande. You get to experience the challenges and triumphs they faced on their journeys before everyone on the planet knew their names.
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20) The Strange and Unusual Podcast
Hosted by author and artist Alyson Horrocks, this podcast delves into a variety of topics, including ghost stories, folklore, and the unexplained, providing a blend of history and the paranormal.
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21) The Big Flop
The Big Flop is a podcast series by Wondery that explores colossal blunders from Quibi to Crystal Pepsi with the help of hilarious, highly-opinionated guests every episode. Hosted by TikTok superstar Misha Brown, the show dissects the most deliciously disastrous flops in recent history, including the most expensive musical in Broadway history, a theme park that turned deadly, and a country megastar who went emo, all with catastrophic results.
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22) Blood Ties
Blood Ties is a fictional series that explores the dark secrets of a wealthy family and their medical empire. The story follows Eleonore Richland, who hires her half-brother Santino Reyes to help her clean up the family business after exposing her father’s dark legacy. However, old habits die hard, and the siblings find themselves caught up in a web of deceit and danger. The show stars Gillian Jacobs, Christian Navarro, and Peter Stormare.
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23) Sean Carroll's Mindscape
A fascinating podcast that gets into some of the most complicated topics around, including quantum mechanics, black holes, how video games are made, why civilizations end and how economies actually work. Host Sean Caroll talks to different experts to explain, in an accessible way, the science and theory behind the wonders of the world.
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24) Watch What Crappens
Do you love settling down with a glass of domestic wine, a huge bag of Doritos and your favorite Bravo TV show? So do these guys! Ben and Ronnie praise, ridicule and dissect Bravo reality shows like Real Housewives. Guilty pleasure, no just PLEASURE!
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25) Flipping the Bird
Elon Musk buying Twitter was one of the most shocking acquistions of the decade. What would the man behind SpaceX and Tesla do with the popular-but-basketcase social network? Could he turn it into a powerhouse to challenge Zuckerberg's dominance? Fulfil his promise of building the everything app?? At least ban all the Nazis??? Oh. Anyway. This show covers the drama of Elon purchasing Twitter.
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26) 9/12
Everyone remembers where they were on 9/11, but what about the day after? What about the weeks and months afterwards? That's what interests host Dan Taberski as he looks back at the impact of 9/11 on the psyche of Americans and how the historic attack on the United States changed things forever.
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27) The Shrink Next Door
Dive head first into the disturbing true story of psychiatrist Isaac Herschkopf and his decades-long abuse of power. Hosted by a veteran journalist by the name of Joe Nocera, who unwittingly found himself living next door to Herschkopf in the Hamptons, this Wondery podcast unravels the facade of a seemingly successful therapist with celebrity clients and a lavish lifestyle, who in reality manipulated and exploited his patients for personal gain over the course of 30 years.
28) Bunga Bunga
Ever heard of Silvio Berlusconi, the charismatic and controversial former Prime Minister of Italy? Berlusconi, a wealthy real-estate mogul, upended the Italian political landscape with his populist appeal and media presence, becoming one of the longest-serving prime ministers in the country's history. However, his reign was marred by scandals, corruption, and a notorious case involving underage prostitution that eventually led to his downfall.
29) Against the Odds
Against the Odds is a collection of true stories of survival. Hosted by adventurers Mike Corey and Cassie De Pecol, each episode takes listeners on a gripping journey through harrowing experiences, like the daring rescue of a soccer team trapped in an underwater cave in Thailand. You're put dead in the middle of these extraordinary situations, exploring the psychological and physical challenges these survivors faced and the remarkable strength and resourcefulness they displayed in overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds.
30) This is Actually Happening
Some people have experienced extraordinary, life-changing events, that simply can't be lost to the eons. That's why host Whit Missildine spends each episode focusing on a single individual's story, from surviving a cult to being mauled by a grizzly bear or even being stabbed 27 times by a serial killer. These narratives are not for the faint of heart, as they delve into the gritty, emotional, and often traumatic details of these incredible experiences.
Bonus Entry: The Apology Line
This had to make the list. The Apology Line podcast from Wondery explores the strange and haunting story of "Mr. Apology," Allan Bridge, and his telephone hotline that allowed New Yorkers to anonymously confess their sins and secrets.
For 15 years, people called the line to apologize for everything: infidelity, shoplifting, drug dealing, and even murder. The more confessions he got, the more Allan became consumed by the show, blurring the lines between empathy and obsession. Hosted by Marissa Bridge, who knew Allan better than anyone, this six-episode series is a deep dive into the ethical considerations that arose as the project took on a life of its own.
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Best Wondery True Crime Podcasts
In the mood for the macabre? Got a hankering for some homicide? Got a craving for some... you get the idea. Here's a list of the top five Wondery true crime podcasts:
1) My Favorite Murder
2) Small Town Murder
3) Dr. Death
4) Hollywood & Crime
5) Who Killed Daphne?
6) The Generation Why Podcast
7) Morbid
What is Wondery Podcasts?
Wondery is a podcast network that was launched in 2016 and is among the largest podcast publishers in the United States. It offers a unique, personalized podcast experience with over 15,000 episodes, including access to its premium ad-free offering, Wondery+, where fans can get thousands of exclusive and early access to the latest episodes of Wondery’s hit shows. Some of its most popular shows include Dirty John, Dr. Death, American History Tellers, Business Wars, Hollywood & Crime, and Gladiator.
Who Owns Wondery?
Originally founded by Hernan Lopez, Wondery was purchased by Amazon Music in late 2020.
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