Request Pending

Hosted BySara Schleede

Where do we go to find comfort and a sense of community online? And what do these digital spaces say about our lives offline? Request Pending dives into some of the most popular — and some of the most niche — corners of the internet.

Why does everyone love true crime?

Look at the trending podcasts on any streaming app, and odds are there is at least one true crime series topping the charts. These tales of horrifying violence, conniving killers, and kindhearted victims who didn’t see it coming inspire shock and interest across the internet, and the audience is notably female. Podcasts like Crime Junkie and My Favorite Murder use discussion and comedy to give women a safe space to confront their fears. Other podcasts like Dr. Death and Serial take a more journalistic approach to covering these stories. How can we consume and create these stories with sensitivity? Featuring Haley Butler and Tinu Thomas, hosts of The Orange Tree podcast.

Audio director
About the Author
Sara Schleede is an audio director with The Drag and host of the '35' and 'Request Pending' podcasts.