Eight Years and 75,000,000 downloads later, Canadian True Crime remains Canada’s #1 independent podcast
Toronto, ON – [December 1, 2025] — On January 19th, independent true crime powerhouse Canadian True Crime will publish its 200th episode, a remarkable milestone that underscores the show’s status as one of the most successful and enduring independent podcasts in North America.
Since launching in 2017, creator/host/producer Kristi Lee has built Canadian True Crime into a global hit with over 75 Million downloads and consistent chart placement across Apple Podcasts and Spotify — all without a network deal or corporate backing.
Over 200 episodes, the show has created a catalogue of Canadian true crime of unparalleled breadth spanning everything from infamous serial murder cases (David Shearing, Russell Williams, Noel Winters, ) to systemic failures (Darcy Allan Sheppard, Helen Betty Osborne), to historic cases (The Mad Trapper of Rat River), all the while maintaining its unwavering commitment to deeply researched, victim focused, trauma informed storytelling. In doing, it has built a fiercely loyal audience and an increasingly rare sustainable business model through a hybrid of direct listener support and carefully managed ad sales. This blend has allowed Canadian True Crime to remain financially independent, nimble, and profitable whilemaintaining complete editorial control.
“I started Canadian True Crime as a late-night passion project with no roadmap or expectations, just a desire to tell real stories with care and accuracy,” Lee said. “I’m humbledto reach this milestone, and reminded why responsible storytelling matters — it can openminds, challenge harmful narratives and deepen our understanding of justice and the systemsaround it.”
Canadian True Crime’s trajectory mirrors that of only a handful of independent podcasts worldwide that have achieved long-term sustainability without major marketing spend or network affiliation. The show has been featured by Apple Podcasts, Spotify, CBC, Amazon Music, and The Globe and Mail, and continues to attract millions of downloads per month from a loyal cross-border audience in both Canada and the U.S.
To mark the milestone of 200 episodes, Canadian True Crime will revisit one of the most notorious cases in Canadian history with a special four part mini-series titled “Robert Pickton: The Final Chapter”. The notorious serial killer and pig farmer was murdered in prison in 2024, sparing the loved ones of his dozens of victims from having to attend another parole hearing. The series will focus on the vulnerable women Pickton preyed upon and will feature updates from family members. The mini-series will launch on January 12th and will be available along with the full catalogue on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms.
For more visit: canadiantruecrime.lnk.to/listen
About Canadian True Crime
Canadian True Crime is a narrative podcast that tells one Canadian case at a time with care, accuracy, and empathy. Each episode takes a trauma-informed approach — avoiding victim-blaming, sensationalism, and unnecessary drama — to center the real people and experiences behind every story. By challenging harmful narratives and amplifying marginalized voices, the podcast aims to foster a more compassionate and informed understanding of justice in Canada.
