Why the true crime podcast craze worries me as a long-time listener

I've followed podcasts since they first came out. Most people seem to love true crime shows for the thrill. I have to say, I think they often handle sad stories poorly. Turning real loss into entertainment feels off to me. For example, I listened to a popular series that focused too much on the killer's mind and not enough on the victims. It left me feeling uneasy instead of informed. Now, I prefer podcasts that look at crime with a focus on healing or justice. There's one about cold cases that always treats the families with care. That kind of approach is what keeps me listening and what I wish more shows would try.

3 comments

3 Comments

cameronf881mo ago

Hearing about that series focusing on the killer's mind instead of the victims is just wild to me. I mean, I listened to one last year that spent a whole episode on the killer's favorite music. Like, who cares about his playlist when people are dead? It totally turns the tragedy into a weird character study. Idk, maybe it's just me, but that kind of stuff makes the whole genre feel cheap. I switched to shows that interview the families, and it's so much more respectful.

christopher_miller981mo ago

That part about it turning tragedy into a "weird character study" is where I see it differently. Understanding why someone did something horrible can help stop it from happening again. I guess both types of shows, the ones about victims and the ones about killers, have a place.

wrenbrown1mo ago

Ugh, you hit on exactly why I had to take a break from some big shows. That "killer's favorite music" thing is a perfect example of when it goes off the rails. I started reading the podcast description first - if it says "delve into the mind of a monster" or something like that, I skip it now. My rule is if the first five minutes don't mention the victim's name or family, I stop listening. It forced me to find better ones, like that cold case show you mentioned (which is so much better).