Kat Johnson
Kat is an Audible editor and podcast addict who lightens up her rotation of true crime, hidden history, and investigative journalism with mystically tinged self-dev and the occasional science blockbuster to sound smarter at parties. You can subscribe to her nonfiction newsletter here.
Articles and interviews
True cult confessions
Here are 20 of the most riveting, can't-look-away true stories about cults, their leaders, and what it's like to fall under—and escape—their terrible spell.
Zadie Smith on the pride and pleasure of narrating "The Fraud"
The author worked with a voice coach to master the novel's dazzling array of accents, with one possible exception: “I'm sorry Scotland, but it could have been a lot worse.”
From the Buffyverse and beyond, these are the best listens for "Slayers" fans
Into every generation, new fans are born. Depriving them of more great listens would be worse than a stake to the heart.
"The List" is about the all-too-real perils of living our lives online
Debut novelist Yomi Adegoke leaned into thriller vibes to craft her chilling tale about the repercussions of anonymous accusations on the internet.
"The Secret History" was always about the aesthetics
Donna Tartt’s debut novel caused a sensation upon release in 1992, then did it again for a new generation obsessed with its dark, spellbinding world.
Understanding Tupac through the lens of "An Amerikan Family"
The Shakurs, and particularly matriarch Afeni Shakur, were a potent force in shaping Black liberation and the future of hip-hop.
Leon Neyfakh on the enduring enigma of New York's notorious subway vigilante
"Fear is a powerful, elemental force that lives in all of us."
True crime's new ambition: systemic justice
These 10 provocative listens don't just dig into the invisible scaffolding that supports injustice around us—they seek to dismantle it.
Medical mysteries for true crime fans
From patient memoirs to investigative podcasts, the hunt for a diagnosis involves unusual suspects, diligent detective work, and a singular crime scene—the body.
Troubled waters: the best disaster-at-sea nonfiction
These wild but true tales loom large in the annals of maritime history and survival stories.
Donovan X. Ramsey explodes the persistent myths of the crack era
Told through the lens of four individuals, "When Crack Was King" is a kaleidoscopic history of the diverse impacts of the war on drugs.
The dark side of influencer culture, low-rise jeans, and other "Adult Drama"
Viral essayist Natalie Beach revisits the Caroline Calloway story that broke the internet in her funny new collection.
All-time favorites
