
Free Daily Podcast Summary
by Sword and Scale
Sword and Scale is a true crime podcast covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response to it. The first episode launched January 1st, 2014 and feature stories of murder, abduction, rape, and even more bizarre forms of crime. It’s the purest form of true-crime where the raw uncensored audio tells the story. Everything from 911 calls to court testimony, interviews with victims and sometimes with perpetrators give listeners a 360 degree look at the seedy underbelly of human nature and so-called civilized society. Sword and scale proves that the worst monsters are real.
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
The episode details the harrowing disappearance and murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto in Kissimmee, Florida, revealing how her mother's boyfriend, Stephen Stearns, manipulated his way into the family and used his position to sexually abuse and ultimately kill her. What begins as a missing child case quickly unravels into a disturbing investigation exposing systemic failures, digital evidence, and the chilling reality of familial betrayal.
A promising young biomedical engineer, Jonathan Amerault, vanishes while hiking in New Hampshire, only for the investigation to unravel a chilling tale of workplace flirtation, domestic abuse, and a husband’s murderous rage. His coworker Brittany Baron is found beaten and traumatized in the woods with his car, revealing a horrifying chain of events orchestrated by her abusive husband, Armando.
A young woman's disappearance in Milwaukee leads to a horrifying discovery of dismembered body parts along Lake Michigan, unraveling a chilling true crime story of jealousy, digital breadcrumbs, and a seemingly normal man capable of unspeakable violence.
This episode of Sword and Scale chronicles the 12-year investigation into the brutal 2008 murder of 21-year-old microbiology student Brittany Zimmermann in Madison, Wisconsin — a case that remained unsolved due to investigative missteps, degraded evidence, and systemic failures, until DNA from a long-ignored anonymous letter finally led to the arrest and confession of her killer, David Kall. The story underscores how persistence, evolving forensic technology, and a single overlooked piece of evidence can converge to deliver long-delayed justice.
A seemingly devoted daughter-in-law, Marisol Best, confessed to murdering her in-laws, Virgil and Shirley Best, in a fit of rage after they criticized her husband during a prayer visit, exposing how deep-seated family tensions and emotional fragility can spiral into unspeakable violence. The case upends assumptions about loyalty, motive, and the thin line between devotion and destruction.
A grieving widow’s home security cameras capture a burglary that unravels a chilling murder conspiracy involving her daughter, revealing a slow, calculated poisoning of her husband and a web of greed, betrayal, and familial manipulation. What begins as a routine break-in becomes a gateway to a hidden crime of domestic evil.
On a quiet Georgia farm, a beloved father and husband vanishes, only for his remains to be found in a burn pile — leading to a chilling murder investigation that exposes decades of marital decay, infidelity, and a calculated betrayal. The truth? His wife, Melody Farris, orchestrated his murder to reclaim her freedom and lovers, manipulating her children, staging an accident, and ultimately trying to frame her own son.
The murder of 22-year-old Katie Blauvelt in Simpsonville, South Carolina, in 2016 exposed a web of deception, manipulation, and systemic failure, ultimately revealing that her estranged husband, Army recruiter John Blauvelt, meticulously planned and carried out her killing, then fled with his teenage girlfriend, Hannah Thompson. After nearly a decade, justice was served when John was convicted and sentenced to life without parole, while Hannah, who helped him evade capture, received probation after testifying against him.
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Listeners also like.

Serialously with Annie Elise
A true-crime podcast that dives deep into cases with detailed timelines, social media insights, and a conversational tone.

Nightmares
A true-crime podcast delivering chilling stories for bedtime.

Murder: True Crime Stories
Explores notorious murders throughout history, focusing on the people most affected and the deeper stories behind solved and unsolved cases.

Crime Salad
A husband-and-wife team explores true crime cases with in-depth storytelling and personal insights.

True Criminals
A weekly exploration of historic and contemporary crime stories through firsthand accounts from investigators and journalists.

Crime, Conspiracy, Cults and Murder
Explores notorious historical figures, bizarre murders, conspiracy theories, and unsolved mysteries with deep-dive true crime storytelling.

Serial Killers & Murderous Minds
Explores the psychology behind serial killers, cult leaders, and violent criminals through expert analysis and true crime storytelling.

The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told
Anthology of complex true crime cases exploring female killers, justice, and societal forces through a psychological lens.

Crimehub: A True Crime Podcast
Disturbing and unbelievable true crimes from modern history are explored in detailed episodes released weekly.

Killer Stories with Harvey Guillén
A weekly exploration of infamous crimes, from heists and cons to serial murders, examining the events and lasting impact of each case.

Crime Weekly
Retired detective and true crime creator analyze high-profile and personal cases with insights and safety advice.

Unsolved Murders: True Crime Stories
Dramatized true crime stories explore cold cases and unsolved murders through immersive audio storytelling.
Most frequently mentioned across all episodes.
Sword and Scale is a true crime podcast covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response to it. The first episode launched January 1st, 2014 and feature stories of murder, abduction, rape, and even more bizarre forms of crime. It’s the purest form of true-crime where the raw uncensored audio tells the story. Everything from 911 calls to court testimony, interviews with victims and sometimes with perpetrators give listeners a 360 degree look at the seedy underbelly of human nature and so-called civilized society. Sword and scale proves that the worst monsters are real.
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Get key takeaways from Sword and Scale in a 5-minute read.
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Sword and Scale as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Sword and Scale.
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
Sword and Scale publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
Sword and Scale covers topics including History, True Crime, Documentary, Culture, Society & Culture. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.