Reviews
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“The first several seasons with Hannah Smith and her production team were top notch. Smith was a legitimate journalist and storyteller. Her producers were pros. Now? Yikes. No production value. No direction. No clear storyline. The editor seems to be missing/drunk. Audio quality is gone. I feel...”Read full review »
Spesh713 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/13/24
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“This podcast used to be great! Compelling stories with a wonderful narrator. The new version is not very good. As for the Tim Ballard story… ugh. I do not take sexual harassment or assault lightly. However, the “victim” sounds like a woman who allowed herself to be easily manipulated by a...”Read full review »
Angry Redhead via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/11/24
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“The stories are interesting and well-researched. Very enjoyable!”
JenKTC via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/11/24
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“Used to love this show but losing Hannah Smith was a major mistake.”
Davis163 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/11/24
“Listened to this podcast for four seasons and enjoyed it. However, as an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I have felt like season five is such a biased and weirdly divisive representation of the faith and church I hold dear. I am worried past seasons have been this...”Read full review »
hgdftr via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/11/24
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“There are important themes of patriarchy and the role it played in Ballard’s rise. That being said, The Church of Jesus Christ ( Tim’s church) did disavow his behavior and emphasized that he did NOT have church approval for his sexual victimization of women. Criticisms of church culture and...”Read full review »
Jargon13579 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/11/24
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“Absolutely fabulous story that deserves to be told. I think the narrator has a great voice and without vocal fling or pitchiness and is easy to listen to. Maybe all of these one star reviews are the Ballard stans that just can’t accept this man is a fraud and a predator. This is a must listen!”
JaniceH727 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/09/24
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“I enjoyed the first season and have been enjoying the second season until the 4th & final episode. I get that the podcaster/writers/etc are feeling pressure to be woke & to attempt to connect every single thing that happens in America to race, but it was quite frankly embarrassing and...”Read full review »
BDK Boss via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/08/24
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“The new host is just okay. Unfortunately, following Hannah Smith is impossible to follow because she is amazing! They haven’t even put this poor new host’s name on the podcast. After how they treated Hannah and the boring new host, I just can’t listen anymore. I hope Hannah makes a new podcast!...”Read full review »
Runnermama13 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/07/24
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“This feels a bit opportunistic if I'm being honest. Never in my life have I victim shamed but this was very unbelievable. There wasn't a moment of this that felt legitimate. It felt poorly researched and lacked professional perspective. Do better”Read full review »
akeeshan via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/03/24
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“Used to love it, not anymore with the new host (no offense, but Hannah was much better.) it’s boring now.”
er8824w via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/30/24
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“The new narrator ruined it for me. I love the old hosts voice. I gave it 3 episodes and had to give up. Also the stories haven’t been as compelling.”
Natasha_noir via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/30/24
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“If the show has lost Hannah, we have lost the show.”
Skrinkles. via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
10/30/24
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“This used to be one of my favorite podcasts. But the new narrator/host is hard to listen to. It sounds like it’s an AI voice from tiktok or Instagram. I’m glad to see I’m not the only one.”
Danyell48 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/29/24
“Why was he such a star? Had he done decades of what appeared to be good work? Did his quality of work fall off after he gained in popularity? What do his successor’s say?”
Could_not_watch_this_movie via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/28/24
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“I used to love this podcast, excitedly awaiting a new season / episode. This new season is disappointing because Hannah Smith is no longer the host and you can tell because the storytelling is absent. It lacks the depth she brought to this podcast.
The new host sounds AI generated and the...”Read full review »
sydbehr via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/28/24
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“The show has lived up to its name by savaging Tim Ballard. The producers are opportunists indeed.”
DC from CW via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/22/24
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“It’s not the new hosts delivery I am disappointed with…it’s the writing. All the episodes I’ve tried to get into post transition the storytelling is so slow and clunky; like it’s being written by a college freshman writing an expository essay and not a storyteller. Proving the same basic point...”Read full review »
rjbuhr via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/22/24
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“I’ve honestly never listened to any other of your previous podcast but I was definitely interested in the Tim Ballard exposé. Right off the bat I’m just not buying it. Something about the seams staged. I don’t even know if I could get to episode two. I really hope if he did all of this the...”Read full review »
mandelladill via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/22/24
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“Tim Ballard, what a nut job!”
Superslinky via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/22/24
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“Update…I miss Hannah. Where did she go? I’ve been a listener since the very beginning and I feel up upended with this big change, and no info provided.
I love this podcast! The content is so interesting and the host does an amazing job of keeping me informed and engaged ♥️♥️♥️”
Princessananda via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/21/24
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“I love this show and I love the new host. (And the old host. The whole show is a yes for me.)”
candiedisland via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/19/24
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“It’s just not the same. I used to absolutely love this show, but whatever change took place ruined it. I cant stand this new host or the format. The quality went down by a lot!
Edit: just read the other comments and im happy to know im not the only one who has noticed the decline and really...”Read full review »
Spacekadette via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/17/24
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“Bummer.”
Misssmiley212 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/16/24
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“Was really enjoying this podcast. Unfortunate that you get 4 episodes and then have to pay.”
KatM81 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
10/15/24
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“I used to love this podcast, but with the newest season the quality of the writing has gone down significantly. I’ll stick around to see if it improves and if the stories will capture me again.”
GT896 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/15/24
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“This podcast was one of my favorites, but no longer enjoyable to listen to.”
GBest44 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/06/24
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“you’re fully missing the point - it’s not that we think she’s actually AI, it’s that sarah’s as deadpan as an AI voice. also that she totally lacks hannah’s sense of engagement, is droll, and the content isn’t as good. on top of which, no info on why hannah is no longer here. the paywall is also...”Read full review »
sastrauss via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/05/24
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“I’ve really enjoyed the podcast over the last year but was really bummed to hear the writer for the new Tim Ballard project explain right away how she was no longer a Mormon and doing the story on a person and his affiliation with the Mormon church. It didn’t seem necessary to even announce any...”Read full review »
ATaylorequality via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/03/24
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“Excited to see some new episodes since I last listened but disappointed in the narration now. Hannah Smith was a great host!”
MissP.Louise via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
10/02/24
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“Like a lot of people are saying, the new host is not it. It’s missing something….I will no longer be listening, which is heartbreaking because I was brought to this podcast through Karen on MFM and immediately fell in love!”
Jolosd via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/02/24
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“Appachia wisteria is another one. True crime bedtime stories is how I get to sleep. Don’t we all? I always am excited for new seasons”
melsmess via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/01/24
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“It was excellent when Hannah Smith was the host. Then the company Kast media went bankrupt and got sold to the current owner. As others have said, this is now a pale copy of what it used to be. So sad.
Five stars before, now one star…”
OkieDonkie via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
09/30/24
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“What happened to Hannah ? I am not going to follow the show anymore without her.”
Melmunday via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/30/24
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“Rather than recasting they should have just ended the show and started anew. This latest episode with the producers was awkward and forced. Hopefully, Hannah will start a new podcast, and all of us former listeners can rejoice.”
mcemacek via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/30/24
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“unfortunately, like everyone else i am disappointed that hannah left. what's even more upsetting is that there was no announcement so every new upload, i would check to see if she came back like maybe she had someone fill her position briefly while she took a break, but turned off the pod...”Read full review »
anaggrgry via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/30/24
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“This is used to be one of my favorite shows. Now…, not so much. I think the story writing has declined but also the new host is not someone I can listen to… super bummed because I used to listen to this regularly and would share it with others constantly… super bummer…”
Listsner via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/30/24
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“What’s with this AI monotone voice? Awful. Bye.”
yournightmxre__ via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
09/29/24
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“I've always found this podcast to be both informative and engaging, but the quality has really gone down since Hannah left.”Read full review »
BeccaBoo909 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/28/24
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“Was so excited to see new episodes but I couldn’t make it through one. No substance to the reporting. I double checked I was still listening to The Opportunist and that I didn’t accidentally click on a random new podcast. Almost made it through the Jeffrey Ferguson one until the host started...”Read full review »
mscic via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/27/24
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“I’m in love with this podcast! I just found it a couple of weeks ago and have binged 4-5 hours per day. This is very well researched and presented.”
Shamberwow via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/25/24
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“I was so excited to see there was a new season - I downloaded a ton of episodes before a 5 hour flight and was so confused when I couldn’t find Hannah narrating any episodes. I couldn’t make it through 2 mins of any episode. Bring Hannah back”
Shmemms via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/25/24
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“No hate to the current host but what used to be deep dives into complex stories with an emphasis on solid journalism has become cheap sensationalism. Instead of extensive interviews with experts and witnesses, there’s one person with a VERY tenuous connection to the case, making this little more...”Read full review »
Violetshikibu via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/24/24
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“Not the same since the original host left. The writing is not as good & the stories aren’t fully developed. No hate to the new host but it’s just not the same”
GirrrlRae via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/24/24
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“Hannah always presented a thoroughly researched, compelling story. The new hosts/researchers are extremely lacking and really only seem to scratch the surface. That coupled with the awkward pacing makes it truly unlistenable now. Such a shame, it was one of my favorites.”
Marty366 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/24/24
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