In this episode, we investigate the history and massive popularity of the "true crime" genre. We trace its origins from 16th-century Chinese court case fiction and British murder pamphlets to the "non-fiction novel" style established by Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood.

Join us as we explore how the genre has shapeshifted through different media, from the heyday of magazines like True Detective in the 1920s to the modern podcast boom ignited by Serial in 2014. We also analyze the demographics of the audience, discussing why women make up 73% of true crime podcast listeners and how these stories may help listeners learn to spot danger.

Finally, we examine the complicated impact of true crime on society. We look at how documentaries like The Jinx have led to real-life arrests, while also addressing the e ...