Here Are 3 of the Best Limited-Run True Crime Podcasts
Marcos Codas
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Are you an audiophile? What about a true crime nut? If you’ve answered “yes” to both, then I want to be your friend. I adore audio as a medium. Be it for storytelling, for music, or soundscaping, it’s just so rich. And I like true crime, too. Anything investigative, really. That’s why I love podcasts (we have a few of those here at Dread Central). But I don’t always have the energy to dive deep into a 200-episodes-and-counting mammoth like Serial Killers or any of the other (excellent) Parcast podcasts. Enter: the limited-run podcasts. These are shows that have everything I love about the medium: fantastic production value, amazing journalism, charismatic presenters. But they are not long. There is a narrative end to their progression. The completionist in me likes that, and I feel like I get closure. So, without further ado, here are 3 ff the best limited-run true crime podcasts.
Heaven’s Gate
I’ll start with the one that started it all for me. I found out about Heaven’s Gate (the podcast) through Ben Rock‘s Twitter account. He was a fan, shared it out, and I was hooked.
As the name suggests, Heaven’s Gate tells the story of the cult by the same name. Created by Ti (Bonnie Nettles) and Do (Marshall Applewhite) in the early 1970s, the group met its end in 1997, during one of the most famous mass suicides in US history.
The podcasts contains amazing interviews with former members, as well as relations of those who perished at the hands of the cult. The host Glynn Washington (a cult survivor himself) is incredible, and the show was so successful that it is now a 4-part docuseries on HBO Max.
You can, however, listen to all 10 episodes of the source material for free. It is worthy of being on any list that features the best limited-run true crime podcasts.
The RFK Tapes
This Crimetown-produced series focuses on the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. in 1968, Sirhan Sirhan admitted to killing Kennedy, but many say there was a larger conspiracy at play.
I’m not much of a conspiracy guy, but this is coming from Emmy and Peabody award winners. This isn’t some tinfoil hat, out there theory. This is real investigative journalism at play.
Hosted by Zac Stuart-Pontier and William Klaber, The RFK Tapes is probably one of the most updated looks at a lesser-known dark chapter in US history. One of my favorite things about it is the dynamics of the show, as Zac and Bill don’t really see eye to eye about a lot of stuff. Real Mulder and Scully stuff. Definitely a contender for one of the best limited-run true crime podcasts.
Vanished: The Tara Calico Investigation
A smaller-scale production that is no less great, Vanished: The Tara Calico Investigation delves into the disappearance of University of New Mexico student Tara Calico. Host Melinda Esquibel is a former classmate of Tara’s, bringing a lot of personal feelings and experiences to the podcast.
This is the longest running podcast within this list, as there are 35 episodes total. These include updates from the FBI that are as recent as just over a year old. Tara Calico disappeared over 30 years ago, so to have new information is an incredible achievement.
This show is definite proof that, to be considered one of the best limited-run true crime podcasts out there, you don’t need a huge budget and big-name production companies behind you. You just need passion and a willingness to dig deep and work hard.
What Are Your Best Limited-Run True Crime Podcasts?
If you’re a fan of this kind of stuff, reach out to me on Twitter (@MarcosCodas) and let me know about similar shows. I’d love to make another list like this to feature more amazing limited-run content.
