Investigative reporting has some different names - some people call it depth reporting, or enterprise reporting. Others call it project reporting. But all these are loosely grouped under the umbrella term of investigative journalism. The purpose of investigative journalism is to shine a light on areas that aren't always looked at where there's darkness.
Here's our pick of the top investigative journalism podcasts to follow in 2025.
1) Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen
Dive into the unbelievable true story of Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent who lived a double life as a spy for the Soviet Union. This podcast peels back the layers of betrayal, uncovering how Hanssen’s actions shook the intelligence community to its core. With meticulous detail and compelling storytelling, each episode reveals new insights into the motivations and downfall of one of America’s most infamous traitors. Perfect for listeners who love a blend of espionage, drama, and real-life intrigue.
2) The Girlfriends
Ever wondered how deep secrets can run within friendships? ‘The Girlfriends’ uncovers the tangled, chilling story of a group of women who realize their shared connection: a past relationship with the same charming but suspicious man. Through their combined perspectives, they piece together evidence that raises unsettling questions about his dark past. It’s a gripping exploration of trust, betrayal, and the power of shared stories.
3) Bad Bad Thing
‘Bad Bad Thing’ walks listeners through the unraveling of a marriage that led to devastating consequences. The podcast starts with a seemingly normal couple and slowly reveals the sinister events that led to obsession, betrayal, and, ultimately, tragedy. Told through personal recordings, interviews, and investigative reporting, this show is as captivating as it is heartbreaking.
4) Sweet Bobby
A catfishing case like you’ve never heard before—‘Sweet Bobby’ follows Kirat Assi’s fight for answers after discovering the person she trusted most was behind a multi-year web of deceit. This podcast pulls back the curtain on manipulation and identity theft, presenting a shocking tale that will leave you questioning how well you truly know the people in your life. Intricately crafted and emotionally raw, it’s an unforgettable listen.
5) Scamanda
What happens when a woman blogs about her battle with cancer and gains a loyal following—only for it to all be a con? ‘Scamanda’ dives into the mind-boggling true story of Amanda C. and her elaborate scam. Through interviews and first-hand accounts, this podcast exposes the intricate lies that fooled an entire community, spotlighting the darker side of trust and charity.
6) The Trojan Horse Affair
In ‘The Trojan Horse Affair,’ investigative journalists Brian Reed and Hamza Syed dive into a mysterious letter that rocked the education system in Birmingham, England. Alleging a covert Islamic takeover of schools, the letter’s authenticity and implications sparked national outrage. This podcast meticulously unpacks the truth behind the scandal and its far-reaching consequences. It’s a captivating blend of investigative rigor and cultural commentary.
7) The Retrievals
‘The Retrievals’ tells the chilling story of women who trusted their clinic for in-vitro procedures only to discover a nurse was stealing their painkillers, leaving them to endure procedures with inadequate anesthesia. With firsthand accounts and emotional storytelling, this podcast highlights how trust can be shattered in the most vulnerable moments. It’s a story of resilience, collective outrage, and seeking justice.
8) Crimetown
Explore a perfect blend of crime and politics with ‘Crimetown,’ a podcast that dives deep into the history of corruption in various American cities. The first season, set in Providence, Rhode Island, unpacks how organized crime and political machinations became intertwined, featuring larger-than-life figures and jaw-dropping events. Each season promises an engrossing narrative that uncovers the dark underbelly of urban America.
9) The Bakersfield Three
‘The Bakersfield Three’ follows the real-life, intertwined fates of three friends whose disappearances and deaths in Bakersfield, California, left their families searching for answers. Through extensive interviews and thorough investigation, the podcast exposes the community’s secrets and the complex web of violence and betrayal. It’s a haunting yet deeply human story of grief, determination, and seeking the truth.
10) Carrie Jade Does Not Exist
Carrie Jade was an enigma. Her online presence suggested a world traveler, a business mogul, a vibrant socialite. But none of it was real. This podcast untangles the carefully constructed fiction behind her persona and the unsettling truths that came to light when her digital footprint was closely examined. A testament to how reality and illusion can blur online, ‘Carrie Jade Does Not Exist’ is a modern cautionary tale.
11) Girl Taken
The Girl Taken podcast, hosted by BBC investigative journalist Sue Mitchell, takes its listeners through a powerful, gripping, and touching journey into the migrant crisis with a former soldier Rob Lawrie. Sue and Rob deal with the heartbreaking but fairly straightforward story of an Afghan father, Reza, and his motherless daughter, Bru. Reza told Rob Lawrie that they had fled rural Afghanistan after the Taliban killed his wife and threatened their life. All Reza wanted was for someone to take her daughter Bru to the UK for a better life, saying that he had distant relatives in Yorkshire who would help them on arrival. And then a shocking twist - in the following years, it was turned out to be all a lie fabricated by her father with a deep dark secret. Sue and Rob fall into stories of lies and life-altering and mind-blowing events.
12) Your Own Backyard
‘Your Own Backyard’ is the story of true-crime podcaster Chris Lambert’s determined quest to find answers in the disappearance of Kristin Smart, a college student who vanished in 1996. Through patient, grassroots investigation and interviews, Lambert brings fresh attention to the case, eventually aiding in uncovering crucial new evidence. It’s a testament to persistence, community, and the power of independent journalism.
13) File on 4
File on 4, airing on Radio 4 since 1977, is an award-winning documentary series investigating remarkable issues in society and not only. Due to its faultless reporting, lives have changed significantly. There was an investigation into Sally Clark's case, who was wrongly convicted of murdering her two baby sons. Among the recent subjects, the program has tackled are Darknet dealers hunting, the story of Ramon Abbas, one of the global cyber fraudsters, Britain's Ghost Companies, and more.
14) The Tip Off
The Tip Off podcast takes its listeners into the behind-the-scenes stories of the best investigative journalism in recent years. The podcast digs into the tedious and dangerous work done by journalists during their investigations. Episodes have covered topics such as Islamic terrorism, The Troubles, Anatomy of a conspiracy theory, knife crime, and more.
15) Dark Downeast
Dark Downeast podcast delves into the murders and missing people cases, survival stories, and beyond. The podcast gives insight into different stories with thoughtful storytelling rooted in investigative journalism. Through interviews, the Dark Downeast podcast touches decades-old and nowadays cases that are connected to the history of New England. Recent episodes cover subjects such as The Death of William Costello, The Case of Sophie Sergie, Homicide at Colby College, and more.
16) Al Jazeera Investigates
Al Jazeera Investigates podcast takes its listeners inside the biggest stories in the network, shedding light on the truth behind the hidden stories that people are unaware of. They talk on topics such as the illicit sale of diplomatic passports, how foreign companies get a corrupt cut of priceless natural resources in Namibia, the story that rocked Europe's "Golden Passport" program, and more.
17) In the Dark
In The Dark is serial investigative journalism from APM Reports, hosted by Madeleine Baran and a team of reporters. The first season is an investigation into the abduction of 11 years old Jacob Wetterling while he was riding on his bike in Minnesota. In the second season, the case of Curtis Flowers is under investigation, a man from Winona tried six times for the same crime.
18) Nice White Parents
‘Nice White Parents’ is a groundbreaking look at the American public school system and the well-meaning but often problematic influence of white parents. Hosted by Chana Joffe-Walt, the podcast explores how intentions collide with reality in shaping school policy and equity. This deeply introspective series questions who schools are truly built to serve and is an essential listen for anyone interested in social justice and education.
19) Mayhem with Michele McPhee Podcast
Mayhem with Michele McPhee is an investigative journalism podcast, where the host Michele McPhee shed light on the FBI's role in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. On April 15, 2013, two bombs, planted by brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan, went off near the Boston Marathon finish line, where three spectators were killed, and more than 260 people were injured. She uncovers questions like if the older bomber brother was a federal informant or why he was allowed to travel internationally if he was on two terrorist watchlists.
20) The FRONTLINE Dispatch
The FRONTLINE Dispatch is an award-winning investigative series hosted by executive producer Raney Aronson-Rath. The show covers topics related to 9/11, the West Virginia police shooting, COVID-19 & the Medical Supply Crisis, and others.
