Why the Australian True Crime podcast should be next on your list
The Australian True Crime podcast with Meshel Laurie and Emily Webb is one of the country’s most popular podcasts, with cop chat and millions of monthly downloads. Here is why you should tune in.
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Crime is paying for comedian Meshel Laurie. Three years into running (and editing) the Australian True Crime podcast with Emily Webb, it’s one of the country’s most popular podcasts, with more than 1.5 million monthly downloads in Australia (and tens of thousands of international fans).
“Podcasting is my main income now,” Laurie said.
“I just had to change my lifestyle, I couldn’t keep up with the workload of doing breakfast radio and having kids.
“I had to figure out a way to make my life more flexible and work from home.”
The podcast was about to launch a national live tour before COVID-19 forced venues closed – it has now morphed into a paid livestream tomorrow night (which can also be watched later any time on demand).
Their guests are podcast regulars, Narelle Fraser, a Victoria Police officer for 27 years in the rape and homicide squads and missing persons unit, and former homicide detective Ron Iddles, with viewers able to join in a Q&A at the end.
“I don’t even know what their section of the show is, which is exciting to me,” Laurie said.
“True crime fans have this fantasy of being a fly on the wall when old coppers get together – that’s what we wanted to create.
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“Narelle is interviewing Ron, they worked together in homicide; Ron was Narelle’s boss, so I’m looking forward to watching it as a fan.”
The podcast dives deep into some of Australia’s most heinous crimes and unpacks the minds of some of our most evil criminals.
How does Laurie decompress from talking about dismemberment and paedophilia in depth?
“I make sure I’m reading and watching other stuff, my other passion is Buddhism, which sounds like a weird combo but it actually works really well,” she said.
“You have to take responsibility for what you’re putting in your brain if you want to control what’s coming out.”
Australian True Crime: Live – In Conversation with Narelle Fraser and Ron Iddles, on from 8pm on Saturday, May 16. Tickets www.tegdainty.com.
EPISODE FAVOURITES
ANDREW RULE: LIFE & CRIMES
That’s my favourite, Emily and I just dote on Andrew, we love him so much.
JOHN SILVESTER: NAKED CITY
He spoke to (Melbourne gangland figure) Mick Gatto which was huge, he just doesn’t do interviews, we tried to get him for ages.
THE NEW YORKER RADIO HOUR
It’s not crime, but the editor of the New Yorker has the most beautiful voice. It’s a great podcast, I’m addicted to it
WHO KILLED LEANNE HOLLAND?
It’s by an ex-cop in Queensland, it’s excellent listening.
30 FOR 30
I’m not a big sports fan, but this is the podcast from the directors of the famous documentaries. A great documentary about any topic is a great documentary. Mostly I don’t know what they’re talking about but I loved the documentaries and the podcasts.
Originally published as Why the Australian True Crime podcast should be next on your list
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