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!)
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About the host
Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek hosts The First Degree, a society show with 711 episodes published.
Today we are discussing the tragedy of Hayden Panettiere’s sudden passing and everyone who failed her throughout her life, Anthropic and Amazon destroying rare and ancient texts to basically rewrite history however they
Episode 416: Trish Haynes
Aug 19, 202645m
In May 2018, a 25-year-old woman suddenly disappears while living with a childhood friend in Grafton, New Hampshire. Her family immediately knows something is wrong, but for months, they are left searching for answers. T
DEEP DIVE: TO CATCH A PREDATOR?
Aug 13, 202644m
There’s a lot going on this week, so put those tin foil hats on. First, we’re discussing the new bizarre documentary Predators, and the impact Chris Hansen has had on the true crime world. Also, Chris Watts somehow is ge
Episode 415: Three People Knew
Aug 12, 202640m
In August 2017, a newlywed is found shot to death inside a hotel room in Athens, Georgia, while on a road trip with her husband. As investigators begin piecing together her final hours, they uncover text messages, survei
Introducing: CRIMES OF REDDIT, Alexis’ new show with Sabrina Deana-Roga
Aug 11, 202651m
Reddit is an endless archive of humanity’s most disturbing, bizarre, and deeply human stories. If you love The First Degree, you are going to love CRIMES OF REDDIT with Alexis and Sabrina Deana-Roga from Two Girls One Gh
DEEP DIVE: AUTHOR SESSIONS - CHAOS
Aug 6, 20261h 40m
Today's episode is the Deep Dive x The First Degree Book Club crossover you didn't know you needed. We're sitting down with bestselling author Tom O'Neill to talk about CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret Hist
Episode 414: Manson murders, MKUltra, and the CIA
Aug 5, 20261h 5m
This week on The First Degree, we're doing something a little different. Consider this episode your CHAOS crash course. Tom O'Neill's groundbreaking book CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixt
DEEP DIVE: THE MANOSPHERE BAKERY
Jul 30, 202646m
This week Jac is taking you on a very niche deep dive, so buckle up. We’re going all the way down the manosphere rabbit hole via a “hot” viral bakery owner from Phoenix and it’s a wild ride. Plus updates on the current D
Episode 413: Christian Sayre
Jul 29, 202638m
In October 2021, the owner of a beloved dive bar in Everett, Washington is arrested on multiple counts of sexual assault, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit group of patrons that once considered the establishment
DEEP DIVE: MKULTRA ALIVE & WELL?
Jul 23, 202644m
Tin foil hats on! Today’s episode, we go down the rabbit hole of Tulsi Gabbard’s brother being arrested for luring kids into his hotel room with candy, being raised in a cult, their connection to Jim Morrison, and how sh
Episode 412: Hotel Zaza Tragedy
Jul 22, 202637m
On July 29, 2019, police respond to a 911 call from a hotel in Dallas, Texas. There are noise complaints about some guests, but hotel security is reluctant to intervene before police arrive. When the door to room 228 fin
DEEP DIVE: TYLER ROBINSON HEARING
Jul 16, 202645m
Tyler Robinson’s hearing has officially started and it is a shit show already. We are discussing the highlights, the plot holes, and the fake news getting thrown around the internet, because what you’re being told is no
Episode 411: Jeremy "Scotty" Cockrell
Jul 15, 202636m
In June 2006, a 17-year-old spends the evening volunteering with a local haunted house before making plans to spend the next day at the lake with friends. But when those friends arrive to pick him up the following mornin
DEEP DIVE: LEX'S LISK UPDATE
Jul 9, 202642m
This week, Alexis is giving you the inside scoop on all of the latest LISK updates, including what she saw at the sentencing hearing, never heard stories, and her involvement in the LISK Peacock documentary, The Gilgo Be
Episode 410: Terrence Woods Jr.
Jul 8, 202654m
On October 5, 2018, a 26-year-old man disappears while on a work assignment close to Orogrande, Idaho. The energetic, ambitious production assistant and aspiring film producer is last seen on a TV shoot with his crew bef
DEEP DIVE: MOUNT SHASTA MYSTERY
Jul 2, 202644m
Today is a bit of a medley episode, because there’s just so much to talk about. We’re hitting the headlines: FBI confirms the Nancy Guthrie ransom letters are fake, Tom Sandoval getting into trouble yet again, Love Islan
Episode 409: Paula & Brandon Wade
Jul 1, 202649m
In October 2002, a 25-year-old mother is preparing to leave Valdosta, Georgia, with her 3-year-old son and move back home to be closer to family. She has accepted a new job, packed up her apartment, and is just days away
DEEP DIVE: PETER THEIL’S SUPERVILLAIN LIST
Jun 25, 202645m
We’ve got two very important topics to talk to you about today. One, hackers revealed Peter Theil’s “list”, aka the people who meet up in black cloaks at 3am and chat about how they’re gonna make money while they ruin th
Episode 408: Deanna Merryfield
Jun 24, 202658m
In July 1990, a 13-year-old girl disappears in the early hours after sneaking out to see her twin sister in Killeen, Texas. When she is reported missing, police quickly classify her as a runaway and the case receives lit
DEEP DIVE: MISSING & MURDERED SCIENTISTS, PART 2
Jun 18, 202653m
We are concluding our 2 part series on the missing and murdered scientists today, and it gets more bizarre the farther you fall down the rabbit hole. Why these specific scientists being targeted, what did they know that
How do I pitch The First Degree as a podcast guest?
The First Degree has a verified contact on file. Create a free PitchCentric account to access it and generate a personalised pitch in seconds. Research at least 3 recent episodes first and lead with a specific angle that serves their society audience.
Who is the host of The First Degree?
The First Degree is hosted by Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek. The show is categorised under society (culture) and has published 711 episodes.
How many episodes does The First Degree have?
The First Degree has published 711 episodes.
What topics does The First Degree cover?
The First Degree regularly covers society, culture, news. It sits in the society category, with a culture focus.
Is it hard to get booked on The First Degree?
The First Degree is accessible for guests with genuine society expertise. A personalised, episode-aware pitch will still outperform a generic one every time.
Is The First Degree currently accepting guest pitches?
The First Degree hasn't explicitly signalled guest openness in recent episodes. That doesn't rule out pitching. your hook just needs to be especially compelling and relevant to their recent content.
How long are The First Degree episodes?
Episodes of The First Degree average 50 minutes. a focused format where a clear narrative arc and tight preparation matter most.
What guest credentials does The First Degree typically look for?
Our data rates The First Degree's guest bar at 80/100 (Premium tier). Established thought leaders with verified media credentials. Sign in to PitchCentric to see how your own Pod Score compares against this show.
Methodology. Booking Probability™ blends Listen Score, 30-day Virality, open-to-guests detection, and Apple ratings. Data refreshed every 60 minutes. Listen Score and Booking Probability are calculated by PitchCentric. Last enriched 3 days ago.