452 episodes

Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be friends with a murderer? Or escape a kidnapping? Or have a father who was a serial killer? Join Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter on a chilling ride into the darkest corners of your worst nightmares. Murders, cults, kidnappings, and conspiracies—all told through the eyes of a guest who is one degree of separation from the story itself. From infamous serial killers to the unbelievable unknown murder in your own backyard, The First Degree delivers a new perspective to the already fascinating true crime landscape. And who knows... you may be our next guest. (Plus, join them every Thursday for Killing Time, the light-hearted, true crime-adjacent aftershow!)

The First Degree Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek, Billy Jensen

    • True Crime
    • 4.6 • 9.5K Ratings

Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be friends with a murderer? Or escape a kidnapping? Or have a father who was a serial killer? Join Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter on a chilling ride into the darkest corners of your worst nightmares. Murders, cults, kidnappings, and conspiracies—all told through the eyes of a guest who is one degree of separation from the story itself. From infamous serial killers to the unbelievable unknown murder in your own backyard, The First Degree delivers a new perspective to the already fascinating true crime landscape. And who knows... you may be our next guest. (Plus, join them every Thursday for Killing Time, the light-hearted, true crime-adjacent aftershow!)

    BONUS: KILLING TIME: TAMRON HALL

    BONUS: KILLING TIME: TAMRON HALL

    This week on Killing Time the girls are joined by true crime royalty, the one and only Tamron Hall. Throughout her career, Tamron has dominated all corners of the media as crime reporter, talk show host and novelist. On today’s episode we share our full interview with Tamron, delving into topics like love, loss, success, and the real life cases that have inspired her writing.

    • 1 hr 16 min
    Episode 290: Tamron Hall: Watch Where They Hide

    Episode 290: Tamron Hall: Watch Where They Hide

    On a very special episode of The First Degree, Alexis & Jac talk to award winning crime journalist, talk show host and author, Tamron Hall. Tamron opens up about the true crime cases that have stuck with her throughout her career, and coping with the personal tragedy of losing of her sister. Renate Newton, Tamron’s sister, was murdered on July 11th of 2004, and to this day her killer has not been apprehended. Tamron candidly sheds light on her new novel, Watch Where They Hide, delving into the real life parallels that inspired her work.

    • 50 min
    BONUS: KILLING TIME: HOLLY MADISON RETURNS

    BONUS: KILLING TIME: HOLLY MADISON RETURNS

    This week the girls are joined by our good friend and bombshell Holly Madison for a very special Killing Time! We’re talking hauntings, aliens, conspiracies and more! Plus! Corn cob! Stick around til the end to find out what it means!

    • 39 min
    Episode 289: Jill Ann Spaulding

    Episode 289: Jill Ann Spaulding

    In this episode, Holly Madison shares a peek behind the curtain of the forbidden world of Playboy. During her time at the mansion she encountered several Playboy hopefuls, looking for a way into Hef’s impenetrable inner circle... women just like Jill Ann Spaulding. As Host and EP of Season 2 of Investigation Discovery’s “The Playboy Murders,” Holly takes us through a story that began in tinsel town and ended in tragedy.

    • 57 min
    BONUS: KILLING TIME: LEAP DAY

    BONUS: KILLING TIME: LEAP DAY

    Hello Firsties! The girls and the ginger are back under quite rare circumstances! Today is leap day! Join us as we explore some interesting happenings in history from this bizarre bonus day. Then! A couple new segments today: Today I learned, and Chat in the Hat!

    • 40 min
    Episode 288: Denise Huskins & Aaron Quinn, Part 2

    Episode 288: Denise Huskins & Aaron Quinn, Part 2

    We conclude with part two of our coverage of the Denise & Aaron’s unbelievable story. Delving into the catastrophic failure of law enforcement in this case, the dogged female detective that broke the case wide open, the troubling past of the perpetrator, and the questions that still linger.

    • 54 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
9.5K Ratings

9.5K Ratings

pibblemom88 ,

Balancing out the negativity

Imagine being such a clown person you leave a one star review because you dislike someone’s voice or the fact that they’re wearing a retainer. Just stop listening if you’re that annoyed by it. No need to leave a negative review on a FREE PODCAST, nor announce your departure. BYE.

littlemisshorrornerd ,

Love

Just wanted to add to my review & say I still enjoy the show & if Alexis is wearing a retainer it’s whatever. I don’t have misophonia so it doesn’t bother me. And if it did I’d never leave a cruel review or comment about it. Some of these people need to grow up!

One of the things I love about this show is that many of the cases they have covered I wasn’t familiar with. This is important to me because I’m in my 40s and have been consuming true crime since I was in my teens. As a result Im already familiar with a good portion of the cases covered by most true crime podcasts. I also love the relationship between the hosts. The 1st person perspective is also great because it gives the story life rather than just being someone reading from a script. Keep the great shows coming! ♥️♥️♥️ Instagram name @jessalynn1972

Lovelybetbet ,

The loud mouth sounds :(

I like the content, but can barely listen to the breathing and deep nasal sounds coming from Alexis. It sounds like she has a lisp and mouth full of spit. The sounds were amplified in second episode of Denise Huskins. I hope you can possibly improve editing to help reduce the sounds. Otherwise, I might not be able to listen anymore.

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