Stop complaining yall 🙄😤
I live for true crimeeeee Sword and scale gets me through the day at work I love it. The hosts commentary is unmatched lmao I but I’m here for it forever a member I can’t get enough of sword and scale thank you 💜🔥✨
Hate the Host
This podcast would be so much better if the host would keep his awful commentary to himself—constantly inserting his opinion instead of just sticking to the story. He clearly has mommy issues because he’s always bashing women and it’s too much. I finally had to delete the app because I could not take one more annoying comment from him.
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10/10
amazing podcast
Not for the Faint of Heart — And That’s the Point
If true crime had a dark, intoxicating heartbeat, it would be Sword and Scale.
This isn’t your typical surface-level storytelling. It’s immersive. It’s raw. It’s unapologetically real. The way the host weaves together 911 calls, interrogation footage, court testimony, and chilling details makes you feel like you’re inside the case — not just listening to it.
Every episode pulls you into the psychology of crime — the why behind the unthinkable. It doesn’t sugarcoat. It doesn’t sensationalize. It presents the darkness as it is, and somehow that honesty makes it even more gripping.
The production quality is cinematic. The pacing is deliberate. The research is meticulous. It respects the gravity of the crimes while still keeping you absolutely riveted.
If you crave true crime that is intelligent, immersive, and hauntingly unforgettable — Sword and Scale delivers every single time.
Five stars isn’t enough.
This isn’t your typical surface-level storytelling. It’s immersive. It’s raw. It’s unapologetically real. The way the host weaves together 911 calls, interrogation footage, court testimony, and chilling details makes you feel like you’re inside the case — not just listening to it.
Every episode pulls you into the psychology of crime — the why behind the unthinkable. It doesn’t sugarcoat. It doesn’t sensationalize. It presents the darkness as it is, and somehow that honesty makes it even more gripping.
The production quality is cinematic. The pacing is deliberate. The research is meticulous. It respects the gravity of the crimes while still keeping you absolutely riveted.
If you crave true crime that is intelligent, immersive, and hauntingly unforgettable — Sword and Scale delivers every single time.
Five stars isn’t enough.
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Disappointed
The stories have declined over time. But still better than most true crime podcasts. However, after recent events and posts seen on Facebook reflecting political biases, I must unfollow. Call me a sensitive snowflake but a boundary has to be drawn somewhere. Might be a good idea to keep the platform neutral.
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Ugh it’s broken again
It took so long for it to have some decent functionality and now all of a sudden it restarts every episode when I press play so that that’s great
Consumed
Great writing. Sword and Scale offers some of the best True Crime storytelling. The writing on the Consumed episode is top tier. Been a follower for years and the listen was always good—Even better recently.
Best podcast ever
By far best true crime podcast and what i believe is the best podcast period. Mike and team have the genre figured out and perfected over 12 years to make this the most intense, funny when appropriate and just flat out entertaining. My day would not be the same without Sword and Scale. Love it
Top Podcast
I’ve been a very longtime listener and I really appreciate the authenticity and format of storytelling Mike delivers, and he’s truly a founding father of True Crime in the podcasting space. We don’t always align on opinions/viewpoints but I’m not sensitive enough to not listen or end monthly support because of that. In fact, I have gained more respect for him after a recent episode where he revealed some family history. Great Dude, great team, incredible podcast!
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there’s the show then there’s the host
show is great, host ruins it with his right wing interjections when it’s not needed.
hey Boudet , just friendly suggestion- why don’t you have a podcast to all your political views and one for sword and scale?
Also, the video content is really not that interesting. It tends to ramble on and on, and on too far outside the lines of a regular story.
hey Boudet , just friendly suggestion- why don’t you have a podcast to all your political views and one for sword and scale?
Also, the video content is really not that interesting. It tends to ramble on and on, and on too far outside the lines of a regular story.
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Simply the BEST
I’ve been with SAS as a listener from the get. The quality audio and story telling can’t be beat. No matter how many other podcasts I consume, SAS remains my #1.
great show
this guy nails the True Crime genre. He is not afraid to get granular, and though i don’t always agree with his observations, he DoES make you think!
Expert in his ignorant opinion
Mike has a lot of great material but unfortunately he lost the art of storytelling around episode 200. He began wasting time playing reviews from his loyal followers, which just stroked his overinflated ego. He also started wasting time with sharing his expertise in his ignorant opinions. He over generalizes situations with using always and never statements far too often. He has zero understanding about mental health but continues to share how to improve things he has absolutely no professional or personal experience to support his bigotry. He’s definitely a “don’t tread on me” kinda guy while also supporting people who constantly tread all over his rights. He’s just far too angry to see anything that doesn’t support his hatred. Basically he has turned into an angry little man child who lost his compassion for others and has nothing better to do than continue the great divide of this once great nation. His fame has not done him any good and has pushed him to lose true compassion for others.
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You lost me
I’ve a paid subscriber for years because this is truly the best true crime podcast out there. Unfortunately, he has gone too far off the deep end with the political jabs and I can no longer support this podcast. He’s alienating many listeners due to his political rants. I’ve dealt with it and just ignored it as long as I could, but it’s become too much. I’m really sad to cancel my subscription, hopefully he’ll get the message and go back to what his podcast was intended for, great story telling.
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Great show! Too bad about the host :(
I’ve been a listener and subscriber for many years and the quality of the stories and production were strong enough to outweigh the less desirable qualities of the host. Unfortunately I can no longer tolerate the interjection of political opinions, misogyny and ignorance on the part of Mr Boudet. Such a shame!
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Best Show Ever!
Mike keeps it real and lays down the facts! Love ya my guy!!!
5 star content, 1 star App
2.31 Update. So to play an episode offline in its entirety you have to be sure you start the episode while offline, even if you started it after navigating to the downloaded episode section. App should default playing from the downloaded file if you do that, please fix. App still logs you out often. And obviously you can’t log on if you are offline. Please fix!
2.28.0 update
Playing an entire offline episode is still broken. Still can’t filter out played episodes
2.27.0 update
Same issue new app update. Offline downloaded listening does not work.
2.26.1 update - still can’t listen to an entire downloaded episode offline. Can’t filter out played episodes from lists either 🤷♂️
2.26 update - playing offline episodes is still broken. I basically have resorted to listening to ad supported versions via other apps for everything other than plus episodes. Therefore I don’t plan to keep my annual subscription next time it renews if offline episodes aren’t fixed by then
2.22.0 update - offline listening is still broken despite the changelog saying it is fixed. Devs- please turn off WiFi and cellular and try to listen to an entire episode- bet you can’t. App also logs you out often. And of course you can’t listen offline without logging in again which requires being online.
2.21.2 update- app is still broken if you want to listen offline. There is no way they test this before releasing. Very disappointing. I end up always listening with ads via Apple podcasts so I can listen offline. So why do I even pay?
I love S&S but the app has big problems. It is impossible to listen to an entire episode offline despite it being downloaded because there is some background subscription checker that requires the internet. I understand the need to validate the subscription but it needs to be less often. Maybe if you pay by the month, check it monthly? App is also heavy on data usage even trying to listen to downloaded episodes. You also can’t access the player menu after starting a downloaded episode unless you back out to the main menu.
Please fix! Also allow us to filter out played episodes
2.28.0 update
Playing an entire offline episode is still broken. Still can’t filter out played episodes
2.27.0 update
Same issue new app update. Offline downloaded listening does not work.
2.26.1 update - still can’t listen to an entire downloaded episode offline. Can’t filter out played episodes from lists either 🤷♂️
2.26 update - playing offline episodes is still broken. I basically have resorted to listening to ad supported versions via other apps for everything other than plus episodes. Therefore I don’t plan to keep my annual subscription next time it renews if offline episodes aren’t fixed by then
2.22.0 update - offline listening is still broken despite the changelog saying it is fixed. Devs- please turn off WiFi and cellular and try to listen to an entire episode- bet you can’t. App also logs you out often. And of course you can’t listen offline without logging in again which requires being online.
2.21.2 update- app is still broken if you want to listen offline. There is no way they test this before releasing. Very disappointing. I end up always listening with ads via Apple podcasts so I can listen offline. So why do I even pay?
I love S&S but the app has big problems. It is impossible to listen to an entire episode offline despite it being downloaded because there is some background subscription checker that requires the internet. I understand the need to validate the subscription but it needs to be less often. Maybe if you pay by the month, check it monthly? App is also heavy on data usage even trying to listen to downloaded episodes. You also can’t access the player menu after starting a downloaded episode unless you back out to the main menu.
Please fix! Also allow us to filter out played episodes
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Fall from grace
Show use to be so good. Now you can’t get through a single episode without degrading anyone with a different view on life than the host. It’s to the point I don’t know if I’m listening to a political show or a true crime podcast
Gone downhill
I used to really love this podcast. In the recent years though the hosts political view have really downgraded the show. He inserts his political views where it really has no need at all. Just sad
Sad Downward Spiral
The early episodes are great but as the seasons progress you’ll slowly (or quickly ?) notice the hosts descent into madness…
By the writing of this review 25% of the of episodes are unrelated rants, 70% are 911 calls & interrogations with just 5% story. Unfortunate as this once was a favorite.
By the writing of this review 25% of the of episodes are unrelated rants, 70% are 911 calls & interrogations with just 5% story. Unfortunate as this once was a favorite.
