Bad People
Dr Julia Shaw applies criminal psychology to real cases for BBC Radio 5 Live — murderers, fraudsters and internet trolls, explained.
Podcasts Like Bad People
If you loved Bad People, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Psychological Crime, Murder, Fraud shows.
Why listeners love Bad People
The 'why do people do this' show — hosted by a working criminal psychologist, not a narrator. Listeners rate its binge factor at 7/10.
Binge Factor
7/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Episodic
New case with every episode
Style
Analytical, psychological, accessible
Presentation approach
Episode Length
40-50 min
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Dual host
Presentation format
Verdict
Good if you want the psychology behind real cases explained by an actual scientist
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like Bad People
Serial
Anyone interested in journalism, legal procedure, and deep investigative dives into morally ambiguous cases with no easy answers.
In the Dark
Listeners who want journalism-grade investigation into wrongful convictions, systemic racism, and institutional failures — more 60 Minutes than true crime thriller.
Bone Valley
True crime fans who care deeply about wrongful conviction, prosecutorial failure, and the fight to free innocent people; fans of In the Dark will find this essential.
The Trial of Erin Patterson
The Crime Desk's courtroom coverage of the Erin Patterson 'mushroom murders' trial — one of the biggest cases of the decade.
Bear Brook
True crime fans fascinated by forensic science, DNA technology, and cold cases with a genuine scientific payoff.
Your Own Backyard
Listeners who want investigative true crime with real-world consequence and single-minded, passionate focus from a creator who refused to let a case die.
The Missing Cryptoqueen
BBC journalist Jamie Bartlett tracks down Dr Ruja Ignatova, who persuaded millions to invest in OneCoin before vanishing without a trace.
Sweet Bobby
Tortoise Media's definitive account of a years-long catfishing scheme — one of the most-discussed UK true crime podcasts of the decade.
The Retrievals
True crime fans interested in medical crime, systemic bias, and the treatment of women in healthcare; essential for anyone who has ever been dismissed by a doctor.
West Cork
True crime fans who love atmospheric investigative journalism, Anglo-Irish tensions, and cases that remain unresolved and fiercely contested decades later.
The Teacher's Pet
True crime fans who like journalism-driven investigations with massive real-world impact; anyone fascinated by domestic crime and institutional failure.
Scamanda
True crime fans fascinated by con artists, medical fraud, and the psychology of long-term deception within close-knit communities.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bad People (original) | Episodic | United Kingdom | 7/10 |
| Serial | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| In the Dark | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Bone Valley | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| The Trial of Erin Patterson | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Bear Brook | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Your Own Backyard | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| The Missing Cryptoqueen | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Sweet Bobby | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
Newsletter
Get recommendations like this weekly
Curated picks, new reviews, and hidden gems. Find your next obsession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to Bad People?
The best alternatives to Bad People are podcasts that share its Psychological Crime, Murder, Fraud focus and episodic format. We've matched alternatives based on case types, storytelling format, and community ratings from our database.
Why do people love Bad People?
Bad People is known for its analytical, psychological, accessible approach to Psychological Crime and Murder. It scores 7/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it.
How long are episodes of Bad People?
Episodes of Bad People are typically 40-50 min long. It follows an episodic format, with each episode covering a different case.
Where can I listen to Bad People?
Bad People is available on BBC Sounds, Apple Podcasts, Spotify. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of Bad People to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Episode 1. Episodes can generally be listened to in any order.