Criminal is genuinely excellent at what it does—thoughtful, well-produced true crime that treats its subjects with nuance and avoids cheap sensationalism. Phoebe Judge's voice is practically ASMR for the ethically curious. The New York Times wasn't wrong to name it a best podcast.
But here's the thing: it's absolutely, unequivocally not for kids. This is adult content through and through. The 'no-holds-barred' approach Common Sense Media mentions isn't hyperbole—you're getting real stories about real violence, real moral failures, real human darkness. And because it's a podcast, the risk is higher: you hit play in the car, and suddenly your 10-year-old is hearing about something they absolutely should not be hearing about.
If you're an adult who likes true crime but is tired of the Nancy Grace-style histrionics, Criminal is fantastic. Just keep your headphones handy and your kids out of earshot.


