Nightmares

Sword and Scale (Ad Free)

4.8 (6.7K)
TRUE CRIME
UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Welcome to Nightmares. True-Crime for Bedtime. Your nightmare begins now…

2D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

One Percent

62-year-old Kathy Hughes Anderson spent her career tending to trees, preserving beauty and order across the towns she served. In retirement, she brought that same quiet dedication to her life at home - until one December evening when a stranger walked through her front door. Kathy had no idea who he was. But Francis Wolke had been convinced he needed to kill to join the one percent.

24 min
3D AGO

Room Service

17-year-old Linda Bury’s home life was a mess, so she turned to social media to reinvent herself. There she met Joshua Mebane and this unassuming, wealthy monster would change her life forever. Get commercial free access to over a decade of Sword and Scale's true crime podcasts at http://swordandscale.com

38 min
JAN 1

Family Meal

The town of Chickasha, Oklahoma was shaken to its core when they heard the news that two were dead, one of which was a four year old child, and another was seriously maimed. Their outrage grew when they learned the name of the culprit was Lawrence Paul Anderson, a career criminal that should have never been out of prison. But nothing prepared them for when he confessed to his crimes and revealed they were far worse than first presumed. Get commercial free access to over a decade of Sword and Scale's true crime podcasts at http://swordandscale.com

26 min
11/27/2024

Mom

Kimberly Cargill was evil personified. She abused her children for years, circumventing the system to keep them in her clutches. Finally, the state caught on and what she did to keep from trouble was worse than the abuse itself. Get commercial free access to over a decade of Sword and Scale's true crime podcasts at http://swordandscale.com

35 min
11/20/2024

Dad

In the tiny, rural village of Emerson, Nebraska, where only about 800 people live nestled in the northern, rolling hills, a series of inexplicable events begins to unfold. What seems like an ordinary morning turns into a nightmare as a young mother stumbles upon clues that hint at foul play on her boyfriend’s property. As the clues quickly mount, the truth reveals itself to be far worse than anyone could have imagined. Get commercial free access to over a decade of Sword and Scale's true crime podcasts at http://swordandscale.com

26 min
11/13/2024

Evil Prevails

In San Fernando Valley, whispers of occult dealings and the lingering legacy of Charles Manson and Richard Ramirez still cast eerie shadows. This is where the chilling tale of Ron Baker's tragic demise beckons. Two years of haunting silence shroud the truth behind his untimely death, but as a relentless detective peels back layers of deception, a malevolent web begins to unravel. In the heart of Chatsworth, where an ominous tunnel bears silent witness, the dark secrets of that fateful night converge. Get commercial free access to over a decade of Sword and Scale's true crime podcasts at http://swordandscale.com

34 min
11/06/2024

Lobotomized

Tammy thought she met the man of her dreams when she started dating Joseph Oberhansley. He was younger than her and she found him handsome. But when he slowly became controlling and she discovered the secret of his horrible past she broke it off. Only then did Joe reveal his true self and Tammy never stood a chance. Get commercial free access to over a decade of Sword and Scale's true crime podcasts at http://swordandscale.com

30 min
10/30/2024

Father Figure

The report of local businessman Tom Merriman’s death may have been overstated but when officers with the Solana Beach Police Department searched for Tom and couldn’t find him they were sent into high alert. The search for Tom would reveal a long-time betrayal and a motive for his murder for the most unlikely of suspects. Get commercial free access to over a decade of Sword and Scale's true crime podcasts at http://swordandscale.com

25 min

See All (57)

Sword and Scale is a weekly true crime podcast covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response to it. The first episode launched January 1st, 2014 and feature stories of murder, abduction, rape, and even more bizarre forms of crime. It’s the purest form of true-crime where the raw uncensored audio tells the story. Everything from 911 calls to court testimony, interviews with victims and sometimes with perpetrators give listeners a 360 degree look at the seedy underbelly of human nature and so-called civilized society. Sword and scale proves that the worst monsters are real.

4.0 (60507)

DOCUMENTARY
+PLUS Episodes are exclusive to your Sword and Scale +PLUS Light Subscription. These full-length commercial free episodes cover stories not heard on the regular Sword and Scale feed.

4.7 (2147)

TRUE CRIME
A 77-year-old grandmother stranded on the side of the road. A chance encounter with pure evil. A crime so brutal it shattered an entire family and left a town in shock. From the creators of Sword and Scale comes a gripping ten-part true crime series that unravels the horrifying story of Tina Lohman—a woman who should have been safe, but wasn’t. As the case unfolds, we follow the chilling investigation, the relentless pursuit of justice, and the jaw-dropping courtroom chaos that no one saw coming. But beyond the crime itself lies a deeper truth about the failures of the system, the resilience of a family, and the unsettling reality that monsters don’t always lurk in the shadows—they walk among us. Listen now to This Doesn’t Happen to People Like Me—because sometimes, the unimaginable becomes reality. Show will launch on 3/3/2025. Please SUBSCRIBE to get updates when each episode drops. If you like the show, please review it, rate it, and tell your friends. An Ad-Free version of the show is available via a Sword and Scale +PLUS subscription at any tier level. You can find out more at swordandscale.com.

4.4 (1021)

TRUE CRIME
The heart of a man is darkness...No person, place or culture is immune to extreme violence. The worst of the worst cases have occurred all over the world. Be prepared to take a journey, a tour of the world, where the most horrible atrocities have occurred. Murder, rape, incest, dismemberment, & cannibalism... no terrifying detail will be unexplored.Based on actual events, this immersive audio experience will shock you, terrify you, and possibly make you ill. From the creators of Sword and Scale, Dark Topic & The Westside Fairytales comes MONSTRUO, the most terrifying podcast you will ever hear.

3.5 (8153)

TRUE CRIME

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Mike Boudet

Host

4.8

out of 5

6,666 Ratings

Well written and performed

2d ago

stormyweather714

This one is really good Excellent story telling
One of a Kind

2d ago

CloeyB7

I love how compact these episodes are! I am a true crime junkie and I don't always have the time to dedicate to podcasts that are over an hour long. The production on these episodes is top notch, you can tell that a lot of cars and dedication went into it. You won't regret tuning in.
True crime shorts

2d ago

mnkky

Quick little true crime stories but he doesn’t leave out the gory details! Some people complain about his comments but I like that he’s not afraid to say his own opinion. Can’t wait for more episodes!
Incredible and Chilling

5d ago

Watererforya

As with the parent show, this one doesn’t fail to disappoint..and disturb.