The Clearing
Amanda Knox and Jon Ronson examine cult psychology through the prism of Knox's own experience.
Podcasts Like The Clearing
If you loved The Clearing, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Cult, Fraud, Wrongful conviction shows.
Why listeners love The Clearing
The Clearing is smart, empathetic, and often deeply uncomfortable. Amanda Knox as co-host isn't a gimmick — her own experience of manipulation makes her an ideal interrogator of cult dynamics. With a binge factor of 8/10, it sits among the most compulsively listenable shows in the genre.
Binge Factor
8/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Verdict
Must listen
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like The Clearing
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.
British Scandal
The obvious companion to American Scandal — a season-by-season anthology of Britain's biggest political and institutional scandals.
Fraudacious
Novel and BBC Studios trace how a London boutique owner was drawn into befriending a client posing as a wealthy Russian socialite.
Heaven's Gate
The definitive nine-part investigation into Heaven's Gate and the 1997 mass suicide.
Scam Factory
Wondery investigates people tricked into working at scam call centres in Myanmar under armed guard — the trafficking operation behind the messages you dismiss as spam.
Dirty John
True crime fans who love psychological manipulation, con artists, and domestic crime stories with high personal stakes.
I Am Not Nicholas
BBC Studios tracks Nicholas Rossi, a man accused of sexual assault who spent years evading justice by claiming to be someone else entirely.
Crimetown
True crime fans who want novelistic, character-driven storytelling about organised crime and institutional corruption; listeners who want something that feels as much like great drama as documentary.
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.
Sea of Lies
CBC's Uncover, hosted by Sam Mullins, follows a con man whose trail of stolen identities and deception crosses continents — until a Rolex watch helps crack the case.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Clearing (original) | — | United States | 8/10 |
| The Missing Cryptoqueen | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Sweet Bobby | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| The Retrievals | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| British Scandal | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| Fraudacious | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| Heaven's Gate | — | United States | 8/10 |
| Scam Factory | Serialized | United States | 8/10 |
| Dirty John | Serialized | United States | 8/10 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to The Clearing?
The best alternatives to The Clearing are podcasts that share its Cult, Fraud, Wrongful conviction focus and compelling format. We've matched alternatives based on case types, storytelling format, and community ratings from our database.
Why do people love The Clearing?
The Clearing is known for its compelling approach to Cult and Fraud. 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 Clearing?
Episode lengths for The Clearing vary. Check the show's feed on your preferred podcast app for the most accurate information.
Where can I listen to The Clearing?
The Clearing is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of The Clearing to start with?
The Clearing has standalone episodes — start with whatever case sounds most interesting to you.