Podcasts are becoming a millennial phenomenon, and no one can blame us. They're just so good. It's an easy way to fill all that free time you have driving, walking to class, or taking the bus. And nowadays, there are scores of them to browse on every imaginable topic.

Whether you want to enjoy a story, discuss art or politics, or learn everything from a language to sociology to neuroscience, there's a podcast for you. And if you're like me, you watch a lot of cop shows. You like crime stories. You want the intrigue of mystery tied up at the end of a classic "who dunnit" tale. So, here are my recommendations for a great 2018, marked by tales of heinous crimes and brilliant criminals.

1. Serial (Season 1)

Wow. Just wow. This is easily my favorite podcast I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. A production of NPR studios, this podcast is high-quality and professional. The host, Sarah Koenig, devoted a year of her life to personally investigate the story and deliver the details to you so that you can make your own decision on who's guilty and who's not. Season one follows a murder that occurred in 1999 in Baltimore County, Maryland. A high school senior disappeared after class one day and was found in a park a month later. Her ex-boyfriend was convicted of the crime. But here's the kicker: to this day, he maintains his innocence. And another former student claims to know where he was during the murder, proving his innocence. But she's nowhere to be found.

2. Criminal

Criminal is the podcast for the more casual listener. Each episode stands alone, can be listened to in any order, and is radically different from the last. The podcast, hosted by Phoebe Judge, claims to tell the most intriguing crime stories-- and not just of crimes committed, but also of fascinating laws, jobs, who was caught, and who got away with what. The very first episode chronicles a man who was jailed for the murder of his wife, only to find out--decades later-- that she was killed by a barred owl, who's talons caused the blunt force trauma that was blamed on him. There's an episode about illegal abortions, one about 'body farms', and even one about the Venus Fly Trap black market that exists in Eastern North Carolina.

3. Sword and Scale

For those that are a little more law-inclined, this podcast takes you through serious crimes-- murder, rape, kidnapping-- and how the legal system deals with them. It's an incredibly detailed podcast that is also entertaining and a little addicting. The stories brought to the sound waves are shocking and intriguing and leave you wondering how someone could possibly do that at the end of the episode, even though the crime has been solved.

4. Actual Innocence

This podcast is downright heartbreaking, but still very very important. Each episode follows the story of someone who was convicted of a crime and served time, only to be exonerated later. It's hard to listen to at times, imagining how so much of these people's lives have been taken away. But like many dirty things in our society, they need to be acknowledged and understood, so that we don't make the same mistakes again and ruin more lives.