Once Upon a Crime
Hosted by Esther and Yolanda · Esther Ludlow
4.6from 4,735 ratings
- 762
- Episodes
- 134
- Transcribed
- 4,735
- Ratings
- Daily
- Cadence
- 2016
- First episode
- 2M
- YouTube views
About Once Upon a Crime
Step into the darker side of history with Once Upon A Crime, a true-crime podcast that delves deep into some of the world’s most gripping cases. Hosted by an expert storyteller, Esther Ludlow, each episode unravels the mysteries behind notorious crimes, exploring the lives of victims, perpetrators, and the intricate details of the investigations that followed. With carefully researched narratives, thematic series, and thoughtful insights, Once Upon A Crime offers listeners a captivating blend of suspense, history, and human psychology. Whether you're a seasoned true-crime fan or just curious about the stories that shaped headlines, Once Upon A Crime promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.
- Publisher
- Esther Ludlow
- Category
- history · society & culture · true crime
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 9 Jun 2016
- Latest episode
- 5 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
134 of 762 episodes have a transcript.
5 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT
Axl Rose, American Cults & Mexico’s ‘Reformed’ Serial Killer - Welcome to Spooky Season on Once Upon a Crime!
28 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Taylor Parker — Deadly Deception
21 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Mackenzie Shirilla: Behind the Image — The True Story Behind Netflix’s “The Crash”
Inside a recent episode
Axl Rose, American Cults & Mexico’s ‘Reformed’ Serial Killer - Welcome to Spooky Season on Once Upon a Crime!
Published 5 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] High-control cults and groups, and the leaders who gain extraordinary power over their followers through force, abuse, fear, and severe psychological coercion. I'll be speaking with Harrison Hill, author of the new book, The Oracle's Daughter, The Rise and Fall of an American Cult. to explore how these groups form, how their leaders maintain control, and perhaps the question outsiders ask most often, why do people stay? And finally, we'll travel to Mexico for the extraordinary story of a serial killer who became a celebrity in his own country, but whose name may be completely unfamiliar to many American listeners. […]
Read the full transcript with a Pod Engine plan.
See plansWho has been a guest on Once Upon a Crime
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
- Harrison Hill
- Jack Luna
- Annette McGivney
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- YouTube views
- 1,737,908
- Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 4.6 / 5
- 4,735 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 88 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 99
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 93
- Engagement
- 100
Contact Once Upon a Crime
- Guest appearances
- Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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Questions about Once Upon a Crime
Who hosts Once Upon a Crime?
Esther and Yolanda host the show. Published by Esther Ludlow.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes daily, based on its RSS feed.
Does Once Upon a Crime take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Where can I read transcripts?
134 of 762 episodes have a transcript on Pod Engine. Full transcripts are available with a Pod Engine plan.
Host of Once Upon a Crime?
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