I have actually yelled at people that they need to start listening to this podcast immediately. This has not been the most effective – or least alarming – method of getting people to listen to it. So I’ll attempt a slightly quieter approach.
Source: https://www.lastpodcastontheleft.com/
YOU WILL CRY LAUGHING
I am not exaggerating when I say I have literally cried laughing at LPOTL. And not basic-white girl-literally-is-used-as-exaggeration cried. I have physically cried laughing in a host of public places listening to this podcast. I can no longer listen to it on public transit because I start laughing, and no one likes the crazy lady laughing to herself on the subway.
Is it sometimes really weird and inappropriate to be laughing about Ted Bundy? Yes! Are you going to laugh anyway? Absolutely! Between Henry’s impressions, Ben’s commentary, and the fact that Marcus knows the weirdest and most esoteric shit you’ve ever heard, you are not going to be able to help yourself.
Source: pic.twitter.com/Dzapf7jViQ
IT IS EXTREMELY WELL RESEARCHED AND INFORMATIVE, AS WELL AS SENSITIVE.
Marcus announces at the beginning of each episode what sources he and the research team used to fill out the episode. I have gotten SO many great book recommendations from these sources. Two of my favorite sources the podcast has recommended are Devil in the White City, about H.H. Holmes, and The Stranger Beside Me, written by prolific crime author Ann Rule who used to work with Ted Bundy at a suicide hotline.
Case in point: Marcus and researchers delved DEEP into the interwebs for their Casey Anthony episodes , and managed to figure out where Casey got the name of her “nanny” – that just happened to be an actual woman living in Florida that she had never met. It is a crazy coincidence and you need to go listen to the episodes RIGHT NOW.
In addition to every episode being so thoroughly investigated, LPOTL is one of the rare true crime podcasts that doesn’t really glorify the subject. True crime is tricky – people are fascinated by the horribleness of it all, but in my opinion, a lot of them almost enshrine the crimes and criminals. LPOTL does make light of some really difficult subjects, to be sure. However, Marcus/Ben/Henry include a lot of personal, relatable life experiences, such as being bipolar and being bullied, and how they DIDN’T become serial killers because of these life experience. They constantly stress that if you are having suicidal or homicidal thoughts, to seek professional help and you can get through this. When it comes to serial killers, they all make it perfectly clear that people like Henry Lee Lucas or Robert Pickton are not being glorified or pitied. They refrain from victim blaming, and there are plenty of trigger warnings for those who may need them.
Source: pic.twitter.com/0m0lsmOWJn
YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT CASES AND SUBJECTS YOU HAVEN’T BEFORE
Ever heard of Katherine Knight? The Enfield Poltergeist? Carl Panzram? Neither had I, until LPOTL spent hours covering them. I consider myself quite the true crime aficionado – but Marcus, Ben, and Henry continue to pull subjects and cases that I’ve never heard of.
Plus, if straight up murder-y mystery true crime isn’t your thing, they cover all weird topics! I just learned all about flat earthers from LPOTL – spoiler alert, the earth is round! They’ve got episodes on chaos magick, the lost continent of Lemuria, alien abduction (a special favorite of Henry’s), chupacabras…all things odd and unexplainable. With 337 episodes and counting, there is really something for everyone.
YOU WON’T FEEL AS ALONE IN YOUR CREEPY TRUE CRIME OBSESSION
I fully admit that it’s really freaking weird how into true crime I am. Other people make sure to let me know how really freaking weird it is that I’m this into true crime. For a very long time, I was just like, ok, I’m really strange and this isn’t normal! Let’s go with that! Back to my Wikipedia hole! Then, I found LPOTL and discovered, no, there is a whole GROUP of people who are way more into this then I am. So, thanks, LPOTL – hail Satan, and hail yourselves (it’s from the show. Which you should go listen to. NOW.).
