Up and Vanished
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed · Updated
"Up and Vanished turned a cold case into a live investigation — Tara Grinstead's disappearance led to two arrests partly thanks to this podcast and its millions of engaged listeners."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Cold case enthusiasts who love decades-old unsolved mysteries
- ✓Anyone fascinated by missing persons investigations
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
Documentary podcast by filmmaker-turned-investigator Payne Lindsey investigating the 2005 disappearance of Georgia schoolteacher Tara Grinstead — a cold case that eventually led to two arrests, partly thanks to the podcast's outreach.
Best episode to start with
S1 Ep1 — start from the very beginning
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
Rate this podcast
Community reviews
0 reviewsWrite a quick review
No reviews yet. Be the first!
Frequently Asked Questions about Up and Vanished
What is Up and Vanished about?
Documentary podcast by filmmaker-turned-investigator Payne Lindsey investigating the 2005 disappearance of Georgia schoolteacher Tara Grinstead — a cold case that eventually led to two arrests, partly thanks to the podcast's outreach.
Is Up and Vanished worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". It scores 7/10 on binge factor. True crime fans who enjoy amateur investigators uncovering new leads in real time; those who want a sense of participatory investigation.
Who is Up and Vanished for?
Up and Vanished is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Cold case enthusiasts who love decades-old unsolved mysteries; Anyone fascinated by missing persons investigations.
What is the best episode of Up and Vanished to start with?
We recommend starting with S1 Ep1 — start from the very beginning. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
Where can I listen to Up and Vanished?
Up and Vanished is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to Up and Vanished?
If you enjoy Up and Vanished, you might also like: Bear Brook, Someone Knows Something, Your Own Backyard, Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead. See our full "Podcasts Like Up and Vanished" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Conversational, investigative, tense
- Episode length
- 30-60 min per episode; 195 episodes across multiple seasons; over 800M downloads
- Binge factor
- 7/10
- Country
- United States
Listen on
Browse category
Newsletter
Get weekly recommendations
Curated picks, new reviews, hidden gems.
You can unsubscribe anytime.
If you liked this, try…
See all alternatives
Bear Brook
True crime fans fascinated by forensic science, DNA technology, and cold cases with a genuine scientific payoff.
Someone Knows Something
True crime fans who value empathy, journalistic integrity, and collaborative investigations conducted alongside the victim's own family.
Your Own Backyard
Listeners who want investigative true crime with real-world consequence and single-minded, passionate focus from a creator who refused to let a case die.
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.
Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast
<p><em>Foggy</em> <em>gaslit</em> <em>streets.</em> <em>A</em> <em>quiet</em> <em>courtroom.</em> <em>And</em> <em>crimes</em> <em>that</em> <em>history</em> <em>tried</em> <em>to</em> <em>bury.</em><
In the Dark
Listeners who want journalism-grade investigation into wrongful convictions, systemic racism, and institutional failures — more 60 Minutes than true crime thriller.
Explore more in these categories: