One of my obscure and weird interests is true crime, which is, well, crime that actually happened. Murderers, serial killers, general creeps and weirdos committing atrocities. Creepy, I know, but if you're into gory and disturbing stories like I am, you know what's up.
My interest stems less from the shock factor of it all and more from unfolding why the person committed the crime in the first place. I like to hear about the buildup: who was this person, what were they like, where were they from, what was their childhood like, did they have any friends... things like that so I can get engaged with the story on a deeper level.
A couple of weeks ago, I figured I would look for a podcast to listen to so that I could pass the time at work instead of sitting in silence until something happened. I googled "true crime podcasts" and, in an article recommending a few different ones, came across the podcast that I've been hooked on ever since: Sword and Scale.
Guys, this podcast is more than amazing: it's totally and completely fascinating. The host's voice is silky smooth, emotive, and engaging. He often does interviews with people who were actually a part of the scenario, like victims, witnesses, and family members, as well as people who have something to contribute to the topic, such as psychologists.
The audio in each episode keeps my attention: there's music, sound effects, and audio clips all tied in with the host speaking. It isn't just a monotone voice rattling off information and details with limited interest: it's a performance.
One of my favorites from them so far—and the one that got me hooked—is their two-part series on Randy Stair, a transgender individual who believed she had a connection to a character from the cartoon "Danny Phantom" and who shot and killed several of her coworkers at a grocery store before killing herself. Seriously, the premeditation in this case is nuts, and the host interviews one of Stair's online friends, who ends up reacting really bizarrely to the host's questions. Check out episodes 93 and 94 to see what I'm talking about.
Sword and Scale just recently released their 100th episode, which is a milestone to be congratulated. I'm so glad to be a Sword and Scale listener and I would like to donate to help support them, as the podcast is completely free and survives off of one-time donations as well as recurring donations from their Patreon.
If you're into true crime, even a little bit, check out Sword and Scale. They're doing incredible work and their episodes are always super entrancing, informative, and original. And if you're looking to freak yourself out on Halloween night this year, put the podcast on and listen to it in the dark with your friends—it's sure to spook even the bravest!