Calling All True Crime Fans: Parcast Recommends What to Listen To Next
This year, it seemed like more people were listening to podcasts than ever, and without a doubt, 2017 truly belonged to one genre: the true crime podcast. Capitalizing on the wild success of 2014’s Serial, a plethora of podcasts devoted to unsolved murders and ghost encounters has shown that listeners are always on the hunt for a new addictive crime drama.
The audio masterminds at Parcast have been changing the true crime genre this year from a classic whodunit to a thrill ride of creepy twists and turns. Their breakout hits Serial Killers, Haunted Places, Unsolved Murders, and Cults explore creepy real-life sagas of murder and the paranormal and will leave you craving the next episode — and quite possibly making sure you keep a ghost detector next to your bed.
We’ve asked the hitmakers at Parcast to round up their five favorite podcasts, as well as hand-pick their favorite episodes of their own true crime shows. This was surely akin to asking them to tell us which child they loved the most, but they delivered — and you’ll never guess which stories were most shocking for them to tell.
Find your new favorite podcast in their recommendations below, and don’t forget you can listen to Parcast episodes early as part of TuneIn’s First Play. You can check out the full list of recommendations here.
Casefile
A podcast based in Australia, CaseFile works hard to tell fascinating true crime stories. The host remains anonymous so that the case is the center of every story, leaving the identity or ego of the storyteller out of it. The stories are frightening, unique, gory, and true, and each one is well delivered.
Myths and Legends
A primarily storytelling podcast, Myths and Legends explores the history behind the fairytales and folklore that have shaped pop culture today. The real origins of stories such as Hercules and Robin Hood are even more fascinating — and often more grim — than the modern fairytale versions.. If you love learning about mythical folklore, this podcast is for you.
True Crime Garage
True Crime Garage is as entertaining as it is creepy. Another true crime podcast, the hosts of this show walk you through the details of fascinating cases that have taken place throughout history, followed by a casual and entertaining conversation about what they have just uncovered. It sounds like two best friends talking about a subject that they love and just so happen to be well versed in. If you enjoy a more laidback structure for your podcast listening experience, while also maintaining a good dose of true crime, this podcast would be great for you!
The Black Tapes
This podcast is a perfect destination for people who love great storytelling and are intrigued by the paranormal. A fictional audio drama, The Black Tapes follows the journey of Alex, a reporter/journalist who encounters the owner of a bunch of black cassette tapes filled with ghost stories. The podcast follows her investigations into these stories of ghosts and creates a world of fantasy that feels tangible and real.
36 Questions
This 3-episode podcast musical is great for the romantics of the world. Focused on a married couple whose relationship has gone into turmoil, the musicality and creativity of this podcast makes it very unique and likeable. It is virtually the first podcast musical of our era, so it is definitely worth a listen!
5 Favorite Episodes by Parcast
Cults — E1: The Manson Family
The Manson Family is one of the most well known cults in the world, and their crimes created a new threshold for what human beings were capable of doing to each other. The personality of Charles Manson himself, as well as the social status of the victims of his horrific crimes, have drawn an immense amount of attention and intrigue to this case.
Haunted Places: La Recoleta Cemetery
La Recoleta Cemetery brings visitors from all around the world who have heard not only of the unique and artistic architecture and layout of the cemetery, but who have also heard of the tales of lingering spirits that haunt the grounds. This episode lays out the tragically beautiful stories about rumored spirits that still haunt La Recoleta to this day, and the profound impact that the spirit world may have on our world.
Historical Figures — John Adams
John Adams, one of our founding fathers, greatly steered the development of the United States, and yet most people don’t know much about him. Overshadowed by peers such as Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, John Adams actually lived a fascinating life as a lawyer and writer before assuming the presidency. Adams’ story will inspire you, and you might even find it surprisingly relatable.
Unsolved Murders — E66: The Beaumont Children
Unsolved Murders is a show about murder cases that to varying degrees have never been closed, and the Beaumont Children was a particularly frustrating case. With little to no evidence of the kidnapping of three children in broad daylight, eyewitness accounts all describe a man who was never found. An anonymous person wrote letters to the Beaumont family claiming to have abducted the children, but no bodies were ever found, and the case remains unsolved to this day.
Serial Killers — E31: “The Green River Killer” — Gary Ridgway
Gary Ridgway was a terrifyingly deadly man. The most prolific serial killer in American history, Ridgway killed at least 49 young women. A rapist, murderer, and necrophile, Gary Ridgway even brought his young son along on some of his killing sprees. His story is chilling, no doubt, but also so fascinating that you still won’t be able to put down your earbuds.
