There are so many unsolved mysteries in the world, from murders that have stumped investigators for decades to the enigma of extraterrestrials, supernatural phenomena, and the afterlife. Such seemingly eclectic subjects all stimulate our capacity to wonder and have fascinated humans for as long as we've been telling stories. No wonder that some of our favorite podcasts seek to shed light on such mysteries, both big and small. Whether you're a true crime buff who enjoys thoughtful, deeply reported takes on cold cases or a paranormal nerd on the hunt for your next great listen, we've got you covered.
The Best Unsolved True Crime Mystery Podcasts
It's quite the understatement to say that Serial Productions knows how to produce an investigative series that gets listeners hooked. In their newest podcast, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Kim Barker revisits an unsolved murder that took place in Laramie, Wyoming, nearly 40 years ago. Barker, who went to high school in Laramie, explores the conflicting stories and perspectives circulating in the community, especially in the wake of a shocking arrest.
Arpana Jinaga was 24 years old in 2008 when she was found strangled in her apartment after a big Halloween party in her building. Despite a lack of clear leads and evidence, authorities eventually arrested the only Black man at the party, who spent nine years in prison for the crime before being found not guilty. This riveting Wondery podcast delves into the tick-tock of the investigation and wraps up with (spoiler alert) no definitive solution, but its complex ethical questions, rigorous reporting, and compulsive structure make this a jewel of a whodunit. Hopefully, the show’s wide acclaim and fan base help pave the way to justice for Jinaga.
This true crime podcast follows Paul Holes, the cold case investigator who helped identify the Golden State Killer, through one of the strangest investigations of his career. After studying the crime scene of the murder of Emmon Bodfish, Holes suspects that this case is no ordinary homicide. As he begins to build a case, each episode reveals another clue. This is an edge-of-your-seat story, full of twists and turns you'll never see coming. Holes uses his extensive knowledge of forensic science and criminal behavior to work the case piece by piece—all the way to its shocking conclusion.
If you're interested in the meaningful pursuit of justice but left cold by the salacious and/or recappy nature of many true crime podcasts, Undisclosed is definitely for you. With a focus on reexamining what are most likely wrongful convictions, this well-regarded podcast has brought about some real change and awareness by taking a closer look at both the crimes involved and the mechanics of the criminal justice system—from the original investigations and trials to turning up new evidence that never made it to court.
Original interviews and chilling reenactments highlight the complex issues at play in this notorious unsolved murder, which rocked the mid-aughts queer community in Washington, DC. Robert Wone and Joseph Price were old college friends who had both gone on to become lawyers. Robert, a first-generation Chinese American, was newly married to his wife Kathy, while Joseph was a wealthy and prominent LGBTQ activist in an unconventional live-in relationship with two other men. On the night of August 2, 2006, the lives of the friends changed forever when Robert was found stabbed to death in Joseph’s guest room—and the story the survivors told left investigators mystified.
The Best Eclectic Unsolved Mystery Podcasts
From the mind of multihyphenate storyteller Jon Ronson comes the strange case of Carol Howe, a one-time debutante who fell in with a group of violent white nationalists before switching sides and giving federal investigators advance warning of the 1994 Oklahoma City bombing. But who was Howe, how much contact did convicted bomber Timothy McVeigh have with her sources, and why didn’t the government act on her information? With his signature curiosity and anxious allegiance to facts, Ronson asks question upon question, turning The Debutante into an engaging puzzle of mysteries nested within mysteries, with Carol as its innermost enigma.
In 2020, actor and comedian Connor Ratliff embarked on a saga to solve the “very stupid mystery” of how his entire career was derailed by an offhand comment from Tom Hanks. When Ratliff auditioned for the beloved actor’s miniseries Band of Brothers, Hanks reportedly remarked that Ratliff had “dead eyes” and he failed to get the part. The rejection ultimately became an utterly fascinating podcast saga, which has since bolstered Ratliff’s eventual career comeback (he has starred in Marvelous Mrs. Maisel among other projects), been nominated for multiple awards, and even scored the climactic payoff—finally—of Hanks making a personal guest appearance on the show to tell his side of the story.
The world is full of mysteries, old and new. Astonishing Legends is a podcast dedicated to celebrating, investigating, researching, and discussing those mysteries, no matter how strange or unbelievable. Hosts Scott Philbrook and Forrest Burgess delve into crop circles, Ouija boards, historical disappearances, and UFOs, among a wide range of mysterious phenomena. They're methodical and thorough too—most episodes last about two hours, but some are as long as four! Scott and Forrest examine these mysteries from every angle, leaving no stone unturned.
How much do you really know about the internet? We all use it every day, but that doesn't mean we know everything that's going on in all its shadowy corners. Red Web is a podcast about unsolved internet mysteries and strange cyber phenomena. Hosts Trevor Collins and Alfredo Diaz explore a mysterious ad that appears each year in an Arizona newspaper, viral songs, the Bermuda Triangle, and a whole lot more. Wondering what the Bermuda Triangle has to do with the internet? Well, tune in to find out!
We all ponder the big questions from time to time—questions of spirituality, science, artistic expression, and human connection. In this groundbreaking podcast, host Krista Tippett delves right into the heart of those big questions. Each week, she interviews a different guest about the messy, surprising discoveries that give our lives meaning. Her conversations with authors, scientists, activists, and many others are rich and multifaceted, and will leave you with lots to think about.
Podcasts About Creatures, Cryptids, and Ghosts
There’s a sizable overlap between fans of true crime and fans of all things unexplained—from cryptozoology to ghosts and the occult. The hilarious and long-running Last Podcast on the Left covers everything from Roswell and Skinwalker Ranch to cults, cryptids, and the occult with the distinct perspective of hosts Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and Ben Kissel.
One of the best haunted pods of all time, Spooked features true-life supernatural stories, told firsthand by people who can barely believe it happened themselves. From podcast host extraordinaire Glynn Washington, of Snap Judgment and Heaven's Gate renown, this exquisitely told, sublimely scary series now drops weekly, so you can get your fix every Friday.
Equal parts terrifying and hilarious, this unique pod brings together two good friends to talk ghosts and true crime, all while sipping on the cocktail of the week. In each episode, Em and Christine share the latest ghost stories that are keeping them up at night and get into the details of a different unsolved murder mystery as well. If you can't decide what kind of mystery to dig into, this is a good bet: it's got a little bit of everything!
Ghost stories and horror movies may be scary, but the truth is often the scariest story of all. History is full of mysteries, and Lore is a biweekly podcast that delves right into them. Each episode explores a different historical theme, from mysterious creatures to unusual places. Recent themes include stories about those who have defied death, tales about islands that straddle the line between two worlds, and an exploration of the roots of some of folklore's most enduring monsters.
Bigfoot, aka Sasquatch, is one of the most famous monsters out there, and sightings of this mysterious beast have been stirring up intrigue and controversies for years. Whether you're a dedicated Bigfoot follower or just curious to see what all the fuss is about, Sasquatch Chronicles will draw you right in. Each week, the hosts discuss the latest Bigfoot sightings. They speak with eyewitnesses, researchers, amateur sleuths, and investigators, attempting to unravel the mystery of Sasquatch.
