

Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network
Criminal is the first of its kind. A show about people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle. Hosted by Phoebe Judge. Named a Best Podcast of 2023 by the New York Times. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 2, 2024 • 38min
Trouble in Flamingo
 Guy Bradley, hired in 1902 as a game warden, shares his harrowing experiences protecting birds in the Everglades from rampant poaching. He faced danger alone in the wilderness, confronting armed hunters while combatting the fashion industry's demand for feathers. The discussion reveals the early 1900s' challenges, including mosquito-infested living conditions and the community's reliance on hunting. Bradley’s tragic confrontation over wildlife protection underscores his legacy as a martyr, igniting the conservation movement and shaping future protections for vulnerable bird species. 

Jul 26, 2024 • 46min
Millions of Pills
 Author Max Marshall discusses his book 'Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story' on the podcast. They delve into the evolution of fraternities, the influence of Robert E. Lee, a Xanax distribution network within a fraternity, struggles with anxiety and withdrawal, and tragic events in Charleston's drug scene. 

Jul 19, 2024 • 48min
Los Hipopótamos
 Jorge Caraballo discusses Pablo Escobar smuggling hippos into Colombia in the 1980s, leading to a hippo population boom. The podcast covers Escobar's criminal empire, life amidst drug violence in Colombia, and the challenges of sterilizing hippos in the region. 

Jul 12, 2024 • 48min
The Disappearance of Leslie Arnold
 Leslie Arnold, a 24-year-old who escaped from prison in 1967, discusses his experiences in prison, the daring escape with a fellow inmate, and the FBI's relentless pursuit to locate him. The podcast also delves into forensic genetic genealogy, the search for missing persons, and the son's discovery of his father's mysterious past. 

Jul 5, 2024 • 35min
Ten Thousand Feet in the Air
 The podcast discusses the daring plane hijacking attempt by Martin McNally in 1972, his dramatic escape with money tied to his leg, and the intense aftermath of his criminal act, including his arrest by the FBI. The episode also explores the history of plane hijackings in the 1960s, with stories of hijackings to Cuba and unique solutions proposed to tackle such incidents. 

Jun 28, 2024 • 37min
State of North Carolina v. Joan Little
 Karen Bethea-Shields, lawyer for Joan Little's self-defense case, discusses the challenges faced by Black women in the justice system. Topics include societal bias, legal strategies, and the emotional trial climax leading to Joan's acquittal. 

Jun 21, 2024 • 28min
The Demon Spread
 Explore the controversial history of margarine production in the United States, including the influence of the dairy lobby. Learn about the battle to legalize colored margarine in Wisconsin and the current debate over labeling plant-based milks. Discover the innovative French chemist who introduced oleomargarine as a butter substitute. 

Jun 14, 2024 • 41min
One Troy
 Funeral director, Lawrence H. Woodward, shares the emotional toll of handling violent crime victim funerals. Exploring the challenges of reconstructing bodies, providing closure, and dispelling misconceptions about the funeral industry. Reflects on the significance of black-owned funeral homes in preserving African American heritage. 

Jun 7, 2024 • 44min
11 to 1
 JonRe Taylor, the juror who voted 'not guilty' on every charge in a 2007 trial, reflects on the lack of evidence and dynamics during deliberation. The impact of jury selection on trial outcomes and the racial injustice in the system are explored. Historical context of black jurors and non-unanimous verdicts in Louisiana is discussed, along with the challenges faced by those incarcerated based on these verdicts. 

May 24, 2024 • 41min
The Six
 A murder case with six arrests in Nebraska takes a shocking turn when DNA results exclude all convicted individuals. The focus shifts to Bruce Allen Smith as the true perpetrator, leading to revelations about wrongful convictions and the search for justice. The story follows the exoneration of Joseph White and the legal battles faced by the wrongfully accused, highlighting the impact of flawed forensic analysis and the pursuit of truth amid tragedy. 


