This is the golden age of true crime podcasts. As my long-time faves continue to flourish, a seemingly never-ending stream of top-notch shows keep dropping. Given how much time I spend with my headphones on, I gobble up new shows like they’re hot dogs and I’m Joey Chestnut.

Of the many, many shows I listen to, a handful have recently grabbed my attention. In no particular order, here’s the four true crime podcasts I’m listening to this week.

Heist Podcast

Heist Podcast is an oddly, but satisfyingly-specific show about—as the name implies—heists. Ever segment is heist-focused. It’s a fun, low-stakes listen, and I applaud their unflinching commitment to their muse. 

The Shrink Next Door

I just discovered the Shrink Next Door, of which two of six episodes are currently available, but I am interested to see where this one goes. Hosted by veteran New York Times reporter Joe Nocera, this show details a New York City psychiatrist’s fucked up relationship with a (male) client. Two episodes in, it’s obvious this doctor-client relationship is unethical and controlling, but it remains unclear to what degree this escalated.

The Ballad of Billy Balls

If you aren’t already, you need to be listening to this podcast! Hosted by iO Tillett Wright, The Ballad of Billy Balls is an exploration into a son’s attempt to provide his mother with answers about the suspicious death of her New York City punk-rock boyfriend three decades ago. As a Manhattanite and a history nerd, I’m always down to learn about the 1970’s and 1980’s East Village music scene, so this show is a great intersection of two seemingly-disparate interests.

This show is produced by the team behind Crimetown and the RFK Tapes, so you know the production company is top-notch.

Direct Appeal: The Melanie McGuire Case

I just discovered Direct Appeal, hosted by a pair of criminal justice professionals directly involved in the subject’s case. Melanie McGuire was convicted of murdering her husband in 2007 in what was later dubbed the “Suitcase Murder.” The show’s hosts—one of whom teaches college courses on wrongful convictions, the other on serial killers—became involved in the team that appealed her conviction. While the tone is conversational, it’s an informed, fact-based show hosted by experts in the field.

At the time of this post, roughly half of the 13 planned episodes are available, but I’m only on Episode 2. I suspect this will be a show I eagerly await every week.

What podcasts are you listening to this week?