The Apology Line
For fifteen years, a Manhattan phone line let anonymous callers confess anything — until the man on the other end became consumed by his own creation.
Podcasts Like The Apology Line
If you loved The Apology Line, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Psychological Crime, Cult, Investigative shows.
Why listeners love The Apology Line
A genuinely strange true story that doesn't fit the usual true crime mould — confession as obsession. With a binge factor of 8/10, it sits among the most compulsively listenable shows in the genre. It follows a serialized format — each season covers one case in depth, building suspense across episodes.
Binge Factor
8/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Serialized
One story told across multiple episodes
Style
Atmospheric; historically layered; investigative; unsettling
Presentation approach
Episode Length
35-45 min
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo narrator
Presentation format
Verdict
Must listen
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like The Apology Line
The Missing Cryptoqueen
BBC journalist Jamie Bartlett tracks down Dr Ruja Ignatova, who persuaded millions to invest in OneCoin before vanishing without a trace.
S-Town
From Serial Productions: a man convinced his Alabama town is covering up a murder pulls host Brian Reed into a story that becomes something else entirely.
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.
Pipeline
The Crime Desk's investigation into four professional divers sucked hundreds of feet into a Caribbean oil pipeline in 2022 — and the failing safety standards that put them there.
Heaven's Gate
The definitive nine-part investigation into Heaven's Gate and the 1997 mass suicide.
Crime World
Ireland's flagship crime podcast, led by Sunday World journalist Nicola Tallant — deep, ongoing coverage of Irish organised crime.
The Nobody Zone
RTÉ's award-winning investigation into Kieran Kelly, believed to be Ireland's first identified serial killer.
Spiral: Murder in Detroit
The Free Press investigates the 2023 stabbing death of Detroit community leader Samantha Woll, and the fraught questions the case raised about antisemitism and justice.
I'm Not a Monster
A multi-award-winning BBC investigation into ISIS recruitment, told through the people who were pulled in.
Someone's Hunting Us
NJ.com traces how serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver preyed on Black women and girls in New Jersey in 2016, believing no one would look for them.
The Clearing
Amanda Knox and Jon Ronson examine cult psychology through the prism of Knox's own experience.
Matched with a Predator
BBC Disclosure's investigation into a predator who used dating apps to target and abuse women — the 2026 Best Serialised Podcast winner.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Apology Line (original) | Serialized | United States | 8/10 |
| The Missing Cryptoqueen | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| S-Town | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| The Trial of Erin Patterson | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Pipeline | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Heaven's Gate | — | United States | 8/10 |
| Crime World | Episodic | Ireland | 8/10 |
| The Nobody Zone | Serialized | Ireland | 8/10 |
| Spiral: Murder in Detroit | Serialized | United States | 8/10 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to The Apology Line?
The best alternatives to The Apology Line are podcasts that share its Psychological Crime, Cult, Investigative focus and serialized format. We've matched alternatives based on case types, storytelling format, and community ratings from our database.
Why do people love The Apology Line?
The Apology Line is known for its atmospheric; historically layered; investigative; unsettling approach to Psychological Crime and Cult. It scores 8/10 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 The Apology Line?
Episodes of The Apology Line are typically 35-45 min long. It follows a serialized format, covering one story across multiple episodes.
Where can I listen to The Apology Line?
The Apology Line is available on Audible, Apple Podcasts, Spotify. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of The Apology Line to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Episode 1. As a serialized podcast, it's best to start from the beginning of a season.