Dirty John
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed · Updated
"Dirty John is a six-episode true crime masterclass about a master manipulator — bingeable in one sitting and impossible to forget."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Fans of financial crime and corporate misconduct stories
- ✓Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode
Pros & cons
- +Rated "Must Listen" by our editorial team — exceptional across all dimensions
- +High binge factor — listeners consistently come back for more
- +Serialized format builds a compelling, sustained narrative arc across episodes
- −Must listen in order — cannot dip in and out between episodes
About this podcast
Six-part adaptation of an LA Times investigation into John Meehan — a con artist who posed as a Navy doctor and preyed on wealthy women through dating apps, focusing on his relationship with businesswoman Debra Newell and the terrifying consequences.
Best episode to start with
Episode 1 — must start from beginning
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
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Frequently Asked Questions about Dirty John
What is Dirty John about?
Six-part adaptation of an LA Times investigation into John Meehan — a con artist who posed as a Navy doctor and preyed on wealthy women through dating apps, focusing on his relationship with businesswoman Debra Newell and the terrifying consequences.
Is Dirty John worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". It scores 8/10 on binge factor. True crime fans who love psychological manipulation, con artists, and domestic crime stories with high personal stakes.
Who is Dirty John for?
Dirty John is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Fans of financial crime and corporate misconduct stories; Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode.
What is the best episode of Dirty John to start with?
We recommend starting with Episode 1 — must start from beginning. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
Where can I listen to Dirty John?
Dirty John is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to Dirty John?
If you enjoy Dirty John, you might also like: Dr. Death, Over My Dead Body, The Dropout, Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead. See our full "Podcasts Like Dirty John" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Journalistic, tense, gripping
- Episode length
- 6 episodes ~30-45 min each; bingeable in one evening
- Binge factor
- 8/10
- Country
- United States
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