“It’s that ‘There but for the Grace of God Go I’ Piece of It”: Domestic Violence Survivors in True Crime Podcast Audiences

Through in-depth qualitative interviews with 16 women who identify as domestic violence survivors and fans of true crime podcasts, this audience reception study explores why these women are drawn to these podcasts and how they make meaning of the content. A feminist, critical cultural lens is used to examine how the content they consume intersects with their lived experiences. Findings show that they are drawn to true crime podcasts for four main reasons: the appeal of audio media, the power of a good story, the educational value of the content, their therapeutic need for understanding, and camaraderie through community. Ultimately, I argue that women who identify as domestic violence survivors and consume true crime podcasts are using the media in unprecedented ways, challenging the patriarchal nature of media’s historical coverage of domestic violence, and shedding light on weaknesses in the criminal justice system. By immersing themselves in a world where their lived experiences are normalized, these women can process their own trauma and collaborate with podcasters to educate others about the reality of domestic violence in our society.