You’re scrolling through Spotify on a Tuesday night. Maybe you’re doing the dishes. Maybe you’re just trying to drown out the sound of your own thoughts. You click on a thumbnail with dark, moody branding and suddenly, you’re hearing about the most harrowing thing that ever happened in a small town in Ohio. If you've spent any time in the true crime charts over the last few years, you’ve definitely crossed paths with the Murder in America podcast hosts.
They have this specific vibe. It’s not the "wine and comedy" approach of My Favorite Murder, and it isn't the hyper-polished, investigative journalism style of something like Serial. It’s darker. It feels intimate, almost like you’re sitting in a basement with two people who are genuinely obsessed with the macabre details most people turn away from.
But who are they? Honestly, the dynamic between them is what keeps the show at the top of the charts.
Meet the Murder in America podcast hosts: Courtney and Colin
The show is helmed by Courtney Shannon and Colin Browen. They aren't just co-hosts; they are a married couple. That changes things. You can hear the shorthand between them. You can hear the way they balance each other out when a case gets particularly heavy.
Colin Browen was already a familiar face to a lot of people before the podcast blew up. If you were ever into the "Paranormal YouTube" scene, you probably recognize him from The Paranormal Files. He spent years traveling to haunted locations, filming in the dark, and trying to catch EVPs. He’s got that storyteller’s voice—the kind of tone that builds tension without trying too hard. He knows how to pace a narrative.
Courtney Shannon, on the other hand, brings the research. While Colin handles much of the production and the "front of house" storytelling, Courtney is often credited as the engine behind the deep dives. She’s the one digging through court transcripts and old newspaper archives to find the small, chilling details that other shows might miss. Together, they’ve built a brand that focuses on the "state-by-state" breakdown of American tragedy.
Why their chemistry works (and why it’s creepy)
Most true crime shows struggle with tone. They’re either too clinical or too lighthearted. The Murder in America podcast hosts manage to find this middle ground where they stay respectful to the victims but don't shy away from the gritty, "gory" details. They call their show "the bloodiest podcast in America" for a reason.
It’s heavy.
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Sometimes, Courtney will describe a crime scene with such clinical precision it makes your skin crawl, and Colin will follow it up with a bit of historical context or a reflection on the psychology of the killer. It’s a tag-team effort. They don't talk over each other much. They’ve clearly spent thousands of hours refining how they present these stories.
The Origins of the Show
The podcast didn't just appear out of nowhere. It was a natural evolution. Colin had the audience from his paranormal work, but he wanted to pivot into something more grounded in reality. Because, let’s be real, humans are way scarier than ghosts.
They launched Murder in America with a specific gimmick: covering a different state every week. It was a smart SEO move, sure, but it also gave the show a sense of geography. It made the crimes feel closer to home. You aren't just hearing about a random murder; you're hearing about the one that happened three towns over from where you grew up.
They moved to Savannah, Georgia, which is arguably one of the most haunted and "true crime-heavy" cities in the South. Living in a place with that much history seems to have bled into the show’s DNA. They often record in an environment that matches the dark energy of their scripts.
The Research Process
Courtney has mentioned in various interviews and social media posts that she spends dozens of hours on a single script. They don't just read a Wikipedia page. To be one of the top Murder in America podcast hosts, you have to be willing to look at autopsy photos and read through thousand-page police reports.
That takes a toll.
You can hear it in their voices sometimes. There are episodes where they sound genuinely rattled. In an industry that often feels like it's exploiting tragedy for clicks, there’s a sense that these two actually care about the weight of what they’re saying. They focus heavily on the victims' lives before the tragedy, which is a necessary pivot the true crime genre has been making lately.
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Dealing with the "Gore" Factor
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. This show isn't for everyone. If you have a weak stomach, you’ve probably turned it off within the first ten minutes.
The Murder in America podcast hosts have faced some criticism for how graphic they get. Some listeners find it too intense. Others argue that by softening the details, you’re doing a disservice to the reality of what the victims went through.
Colin and Courtney have stayed pretty firm on their stance. They want to tell the "full" story. They believe that by looking at the darkness head-on, you understand the gravity of the evil they're discussing. It’s a polarizing approach. But in a crowded market, being the "darkest" show is a clear niche. And it’s one they’ve claimed.
Life Outside the Mic
It’s easy to forget these are real people with a real life. They have a dog. They travel. They deal with the same mundane stuff we all do. But their "day job" involves staring into the abyss.
Colin still runs The Paranormal Files, which keeps him busy with filming and editing. Courtney is deeply involved in the community side of things, interacting with fans and managing the research pipeline. They’ve turned a shared interest in the dark side of humanity into a full-blown media empire.
They often do live shows, too. Seeing the Murder in America podcast hosts in person is a different experience. On the podcast, they’re just voices in your ears. On stage, you see the passion they have for the craft. They’re performers, but they’re also historians of the macabre.
What Most People Get Wrong About Them
A lot of people think true crime podcasters are just "armchair detectives" looking for a thrill. While there's a bit of that in every fan of the genre, Courtney and Colin are more like curators. They aren't trying to solve cold cases in real-time like The Teacher's Pet or Up and Vanished.
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They are there to document.
They provide a record of what happened. Their goal is to make sure these names aren't forgotten. There's a common misconception that they just enjoy the "blood and guts." But if you listen to the way Courtney talks about the families of the victims, you realize there’s a lot of empathy driving the work. They want to highlight the failures in the justice system. They want to show how a killer was allowed to slip through the cracks.
The Impact of the Podcast
Since its inception, Murder in America has climbed the charts, often sitting in the Top 10 for True Crime on major platforms. This success has allowed the Murder in America podcast hosts to expand. They have a massive Patreon following where they share "Prohibited" episodes—cases that are even too dark for the main feed.
They’ve built a community.
People who listen to the show feel like they’re part of a club. It’s a weird club, sure, but it’s a loyal one. The "state-by-state" format has given them a roadmap that could keep them going for years. They’ve barely scratched the surface of the thousands of cases available in the U.S.
Common Questions About the Hosts
- Are they actually married? Yes, Colin and Courtney are married, which adds a layer of trust and flow to their conversations that’s hard to replicate with just "work friends."
- Where do they record? They are based in Savannah, Georgia, though they travel frequently for Colin’s paranormal investigations.
- Do they do their own research? While many large podcasts hire entire teams of writers, Courtney is heavily involved in the writing and research process for almost every episode.
Actionable Insights for True Crime Fans
If you’re a fan of the show or looking to dive into the world of the Murder in America podcast hosts, here is how to get the most out of the experience without burning out on the heavy content:
- Pace yourself. The "gore" factor in this show is significantly higher than Dateline or 20/20. Don't binge five episodes in a row if you want to sleep soundly.
- Check the State list. If you’re new, look for your home state in their archives. It’s the best way to see if their style of storytelling resonates with you.
- Follow their socials. Colin often shares behind-the-scenes footage of the locations they discuss, which adds a visual layer to the audio experience.
- Support the victims. The hosts often mention foundations or charities related to the cases. If a story moves you, look into how you can help real-world advocacy groups.
- Balance the "dark" with "light." After an episode of Murder in America, maybe watch a sitcom. Seriously. The psychological impact of high-intensity true crime is real, and the hosts themselves have talked about the need to decompress.
The world of true crime is massive, but Courtney and Colin have carved out a space that feels uniquely theirs. They’ve proven that you can be successful by being unapologetically yourself—even if "yourself" is someone who spends all day talking about the darkest corners of American history. If you're looking for a deep, unfiltered look at the crimes that defined the states, these are the voices you want to follow.