Gangster Capitalism
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed · Updated
"Gangster Capitalism is the most thorough investigation into the college admissions scandal — a searing dissection of how America's elite institutions sold their legitimacy to the highest bidder."
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
Center for Investigative Reporting's multi-season investigative series. Season 1 is the definitive podcast investigation into the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal, in which Rick Singer bribed coaches at elite universities to admit wealthy clients' children under false athletic pretences — exposing the rot at the heart of American meritocracy.
Best episode to start with
Season 1 Episode 1 — start from the beginning
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
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Frequently Asked Questions about Gangster Capitalism
What is Gangster Capitalism about?
Center for Investigative Reporting's multi-season investigative series. Season 1 is the definitive podcast investigation into the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal, in which Rick Singer bribed coaches at elite universities to admit wealthy clients' children under false athletic pretences — exposing the rot at the heart of American meritocracy.
Is Gangster Capitalism worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". It scores 8/10 on binge factor. True crime fans interested in white-collar crime, education inequality, and how institutional privilege is bought and sold; anyone who wondered what really happened with Operation Varsity Blues.
Who is Gangster Capitalism for?
Gangster Capitalism 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 Gangster Capitalism to start with?
We recommend starting with Season 1 Episode 1 — start from the beginning. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
Where can I listen to Gangster Capitalism?
Gangster Capitalism is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to Gangster Capitalism?
If you enjoy Gangster Capitalism, you might also like: American Scandal, Swindled, The Dropout, The Retrievals. See our full "Podcasts Like Gangster Capitalism" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Investigative, outraged, measured
- Episode length
- ~30-45 min per episode; multiple seasons; Season 1 is bingeable across one weekend
- Binge factor
- 8/10
- Country
- United States
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