Believed
Listeners who want to understand systemic institutional failure, survivor stories, and how Nassar's abuse was enabled so long; essential for anyone working in safeguarding or sports.
Podcasts Like Believed
If you loved Believed, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Sexual Abuse, Systemic Injustice, Courtroom, Sports Crime shows.
Why listeners love Believed
Believed is a gut-wrenching, impeccably crafted NPR miniseries about 265 women who survived Nassar — and the investigators who finally made the system listen. It follows a serialized format — each season covers one case in depth, building suspense across episodes.
Binge Factor
9/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Serialized
One story told across multiple episodes
Style
Serious, journalistic, deeply powerful
Presentation approach
Episode Length
Short miniseries; easily bingeable in one sitting; number 1 on Apple Podcasts on release
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Co-hosted
Presentation format
Verdict
Must listen
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like Believed
Dr. Death
True crime fans interested in medical crime, institutional failure, and white-collar predators — compelling for anyone who has ever trusted a doctor blindly.
In the Dark
Listeners who want journalism-grade investigation into wrongful convictions, systemic racism, and institutional failures — more 60 Minutes than true crime thriller.
The Dropout
People interested in tech fraud, startup culture, and white-collar crime; fans of The Dropout TV series who want the deeper journalism behind it.
The Docket
Legal true crime podcast analysing high-profile cases with law professors and criminal attorneys.
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.
Brief Recess
Accessible coverage of court cases and the legal system in digestible episode format.
Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's (CBC)
Listeners who want to understand Canada's residential school crisis and the ongoing trauma it has generated; those following the discovery of unmarked graves at residential school sites; anyone who believes true crime must engage with state crime.
Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead
BBC’s Olivia Graham revisits the 1986 Diane Sindall murder and the 2025 quashing of Peter Sullivan’s conviction. Sullivan quashed 13 May 2025; killer unknown.
A Million Other Choices
A Canadian-hosted, victim-centred true crime podcast covering murder and other criminal cases from around the world, with a particular interest in the Canadian justice system.
True North Crime
Canadian crime, law and punishment.
Serial
Anyone interested in journalism, legal procedure, and deep investigative dives into morally ambiguous cases with no easy answers.
Spotlight: Snitch City
The Boston Globe Spotlight Team exposes one police department's rampant abuse of confidential informants — a top critical pick of 2025.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Believed (original) | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Dr. Death | Serialized | United States | 8/10 |
| In the Dark | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| The Dropout | Serialized | United States | 8/10 |
| The Docket | Episodic | United States | 8/10 |
| The Retrievals | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Brief Recess | Episodic | United States | 7/10 |
| Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's (CBC) | Serialized | Canada | 7/10 |
| Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead | Serialized | United Kingdom | — |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to Believed?
The best alternatives to Believed are podcasts that share its Sexual Abuse, Systemic Injustice, Courtroom, Sports Crime focus and serialized format. Our editorial team has hand-picked the most similar shows based on content type, storytelling style, and community ratings.
Why do people love Believed?
Believed is known for its serious, journalistic, deeply powerful approach to Sexual Abuse and Systemic Injustice. It scores 9/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it. It has earned a "Must Listen" rating from our editorial team.
How long are episodes of Believed?
Episodes of Believed are typically Short miniseries; easily bingeable in one sitting; number 1 on Apple Podcasts on release long. It follows a serialized format, covering one story across multiple episodes.
Where can I listen to Believed?
Believed is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of Believed to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Episode 1 — start from beginning. As a serialized podcast, it's best to start from the beginning of a season.