Parents' Guide to

Unsolved Mysteries

By Lakshmi Hutchinson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

True crime meets paranormal mysteries; violent descriptions.

Podcast Mystery Cosgrove Meurer Productions, Inc. , Cadence13 Average run time: 30 minutes
The words "Unsolved mysteries" set against a glowing blue light.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this podcast.

Where to Listen

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What’s It About?

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES is a true crime podcast that explores cases of unexplained deaths, missing persons, and paranormal phenomena. Host Steve French leads listeners through a mysterious case each week, providing a detailed backstory to the crime or ghostly activity. Stories range from the murder of a loan clerk who had just swapped shifts with a coworker, to the disappearance of two children who had been presumed dead in a Tennessee barn fire. We hear from victims' families, police investigators, and forensics experts who tried to solve the cases. At the end of the episode, the public is called upon to send in any tips.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

From the opening teaser and familiar theme song at the start of each episode, this podcast is sure to draw you in with its stories of puzzling crimes and unexplainable events. The Unsolved Mysteries podcast feels like a return to the original 1987 show hosted by Robert Stack, partly because it once again features a host (unlike the recent reboot). Steve French does a great job of bringing back the classic, slightly unnerving feeling of the original show which makes for a satisfyingly eerie listen.

Unsolved Mysteries is at its best when it's focused on truly unusual cold cases that have stumped experts. The podcast doesn't feature as much of the paranormal/alien content as the original series, but there are occasional episodes about haunted homes and pet mediums. Though the paranormal episodes may not be as gripping as the criminal cases, it wouldn't be Unsolved Mysteries without a few demonic possessions. In the crowded world of true crime podcasts, Unsolved Mysteries continues to solidify its place as a one-of-a-kind show and fan favorite.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Unsolved Mysteries has been on the air in some form for over 30 years. What do you think draws people to this genre? What has changed in how they now look at these crimes and mysteries?

  • How do you feel about true crime being a popular form of entertainment? Is it empowering or exploiting victims and survivors?

  • We often hear from the family members of crime victims in this podcast. Does this affect how you feel about the case?

  • Do true crime podcasts like this one teach viewers anything about personal safety? Is it necessary to focus on violent crimes in order to impart these lessons? Does the show treat the cases it covers delicately, or is it graphic and offensive?

Podcast Details

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