I love this podcast and have been listening for years, but it's very disappointing (and a bit ironic) that they still do ads for BetterHelp.

Phoebe is a great narrator which is why she deserves 4 or 5 stars. The show topics in the last year are almost all social justice, inequality and far left leaning. I used to love this show until it went Californian.

Title says it all.

All podcast want to be this.

I really enjoy this podcast. I can tell Phobe enjoys what she does and that’s makes it all the more wholesome. I also appreciate the fact that Phobe discusses issues such as race, inequities in our legal system, etc. Oftentimes, I feel like she gives a platform for those that are voiceless. Keep bringing us this great content. Many of us are appreciative!

I really love this show but I really wish they would stop accepting ad money from Better Help, who have been caught selling customer data.

The gold standard for true crime story telling. Love the diversity of stories that are covered. The most recent episode on Funeral homes was really beautiful…thank you for recognizing these women and the very important work they do to bring closure and dignity to the lives lost.

Every episode gives me empathy for the circumstances of the people that find themselves in, but Troy made me feel in the place where and when my grandmother past. She was prepared with care with the funeral assistance of family friends. They were the funeral home where the black community of the Southside of Chicago went. This episode was much appreciated. Thank you for what you do.

Phoebe’s voice is very appealing. Criminal is one of my favorite podcasts. Love it — keep on keeping on!

I loved this podcast. Jon Re Taylor. She sounds like an amazing woman.

Fantastic stories!! Love what you do!!! Great stories very respectful.

I wish you kept up my esteem of you instead of selling out to the sponsors and doing commercials with your own voice. VERY disappointing. elina degani

Hi! Long time fan and paid subscriber since that became a thing. Just listened to the Bunny ranch episode and I’m not into it sorry! Would love y’all go back to reporting interesting stories in each episode. Not just two women talking, which is lovely during the intro but not the entire episode. Carry on I still love you, Barbara

Best podcast ever !! Phoebe your voice is the best, and so easy to listen to. Classiest Podcast ever! I love that there’s a story behind the crimes that mostly have a interesting fact or meaning behind the crime! Your the best!

Listened since 2019, lately, I have not listened as much. Every episode comes to be about people wrongfully jailed versus all the interesting criminal episodes that used to have me excited for a new episode every week. Seems to be coming very wokeish. Sad

This is not my typical review. I prefer complimenting on a job well done. However, this is driving me absolutely banansas!! Your voice. Ugh. And it’s not your natural voice, it’s like you’re pretending and most of the time you remember. But when you say “dot com” 1 star because there isn’t an accent in this country or even globally that pronounces it like that. Is so dumb. Just speak to us. You. The real normal you. Please b be

I have always loved this podcast. It’s been on the top of my list for years and I can’t even count how many times I’ve recommended it to other people. The ads are fine. I get that the show needs to profit but with the addition of Criminal Plus the shows have become inaccessible unless you pay. This seems to be the way of every podcast which means that listening to anything cost a small fortune. I can’t afford to pay for every show that I listen to. Why can’t the advertisers continue to do that? I guess I’m being gentrified out of the Criminal neighborhood. Still a great show for those who can afford it.

Pro: -Well-researched and structured stories Cons: -host’s affectation can be irksome (“I’M Phoebe Judge” sounds like how a precocious toddler would introduce themselves) -the “dot com” pronunciation is wild—a nails-on-the-chalkboard type trigger I never knew I had -Ads constantly interrupt well-researched and structured stories

Lauren, edibles?

I enjoy your podcast immensely. Not Judy the subject matter but your voice is easy listening, your style is not annoying, and you’re telling a tale, unlike many others who’re displaying their hilarious daily antics and relationship jokes being laughing friends going on and on while we are supposed to find that entertaining. Phoebe? I’d like to thank you for not swearing, not compelled to add colorful language! I’m pleased to follow you. Though I cannot pay subscription fees (I’m on disability in my mid-60’s) though your podcast is very reasonable. I wish you well

I used to really enjoy listening to this podcast. It had interesting and sometimes fun topics. She also has about the best voice I’ve ever heard. The reason for the poor review is the show has shown its obvious bias and agenda. I don’t want to hear about social justice issues hidden into every episode. Every episode now seems to be about mistakes in the criminal justice system on minorities. If not that, something around women’s empowerment. As someone in the middle of the road politically, you are losing a listener but the relentless agenda pushing. Please go back to the way the show used to be that didn’t appear to be pandering to half the country.

Nothing is better

Great stories and well narrated. Its very interesting. Love it.

I love this show and it pains me dearly to say this. But with all the ads and now constant subscription asks, it’s too much. We miss you radiotopia!

It’s .com, not .calm!

I’ve listened to this podcast for years and share it all the time. Some of the best stories I’ve ever heard. Sadly every episode is saturated with an ad by planned parenthood now. Out of all the sponsors why choose that one? I’ve also noticed the content in the channel has gone down along with many many repeats of old episodes.

Most of these cases are engaging and have lots of interesting facts… then they bring some expert and explain how everything is racist. Too much commentary on that, I’m here for THRILLS not for this stuff. Bring me THRILLS

A truly wonderful story! Thank you so much for this episode and so many that you have done. I really appreciate you and your staff.

Mr. Apology may now be my favorite episode (and I adore almost all of them). What a touching story…I stopped and cried while walking down the sidewalk. The kindness we can give one another is quite something.

Takes an interesting story and make it boring…

You made me cry with Mr. Apology. Not in a bad way, but a human way.

The episodes on this podcast are impactful. Longer after I listen to Criminal, I’m still thinking about something from one of the episodes. Phoebe digs a deeper into the personal aspects of a story and I find myself talking with other listeners about my favorite episodes, even two or three years later. None of the other podcasts I listen to give me something to think about like Criminal does.

Good content, writing & delivery but why repeat "dot calm" multiple times during each show??!! It's "dot com", which rhymes with bomb, Tom and aplomb. Your affectation undermines your entire delivery, please say it right

I’ve been a fan and avid listener for years. If you’re a parent, listen to the episode 911 from February 2nd, 2024. It’s 7am on a Saturday and I’m crying happy heart mom tears. Every week the episodes are insightful, thought provoking, and explore crimes and injustices in a new and thoughtful way…. Far from the played out retellings that have become so en vogue over the last few years. Well done, Criminal team. “dot colm”

Literally! I look forward to listening every week. Sometimes I try to wait until later in the day to enjoy the story but I’m usually not successful. 😃 Thank you!

I’m all for social justice but sometimes I need to get away from it for JUST FIVE MINUTES. That’s when I listen to true crime. Now I can’t get away from it on what used to be the classiest of true crime podcasts. Sorry Pheobs, when I want social justice I’ll to NPR. Ps. Was really shocked to hear how Phoebe talks to her long time producer!

Since the vox takeover the adds have become so insanely heinous. V depressing Edit: slightly less bad now 🙏🏻

Recent episodes have a lot of chit chat not related to the story. I was disappointed by joining criminal plus. Some podcasts I’d recommend that don’t have chatter are crime junkies and dateline.

I’m going to be sad when I’ve listened to all the episodes and there are none left.

I’m so happy that I stumbled upon this show. Like all who listen I love Phoebe’s voice. I listen to her to fall asleep. Her softness and cadence are so comforting. The stories are so interesting and if I set the timer I can catch up the next day. I signed up for the contract because I can’t get enough. Worry the price. 💕💕💕💕💕

Started off amazing. The episode about the girl who printed money with her boyfriend is still one of my favorite episodes of any podcast, ever. But, then it just dissolved into a social justice warrior mess like every other left leaning podcast. One star for ruining something I looked forward to weekly.

longtime criminal listener for years!! Love Phoebe’s voice and storytelling. Always intriguing stories that keep your interest. However since they’ve started reposting old episodes I get excited only to realize I’ve already listened. Wish this would be made more clear like “FROM ARCHIVES” in the episode name or be posted somewhere else ?

Sometimes I prejudge an episode thinking the topic didn’t spark my interest and when I listen they always exceed my expectations and take me on a fascinating trip into hidden corners of the world and untold stories.

Full of humanity and empathy, instead of the thrill-seeking entertainment that’s characteristic of so many true crime shows. Phoebe and her team understand crimes are not just about whodunnit. There are real people involved. Every tale, no matter the perspective, treats all parties with sincerity and respect. They remind us that as fellow human beings who’re also of foibles and vulnerabilities, we shouldn’t quick to judge other’s actions and assign moral values without understanding their stories. As a mysteries and detective story lover, I truly appreciate real world crimes aren’t treated as games like the fiction here.

I have been listening to this for a little while now and liked it at first but have been getting more and more annoyed by Phoebes voice and can’t stand it anymore. She has changed her voice from elegant to a OF voice. I just can’t listen to the podcast anymore

From Rwanda, Live in Portland, Maine Phoebe well done, I learned and enjoy so much from your stories your pick and details you add on it. The way your tell the story isAMAZING !🥇. I just finish the Indelible ink. As Genocide survive this story brought so much memories. And I wish I can share my story one day. Thank you Phoebe and your team 🙌🏾

Hey Phoebe. You do this random, not from the states thing when you say “dot com”. Please stop. You’re from America and quite frankly you sound like an idiot. Look up your name on Reddit. You’ll see.

I love to listen to her story telling!

This used to be one of my favorite podcasts. But now it appears to be subscription only. I’m done.

I have been listening to this podcast from the very beginning, and was so happy to have discovered it. The content was unique, engaging, and insightful. Over the years, it has evolved into a podcast about very obscure and historical material, that has lost my interest. One must listen to nearly the entire episode before any criminal element is even introduced. The earlier episodes seemed truer to the genre, but lately, this feels like listening to an esoteric history lesson.